Inviting all families to join in a fun evening of fellowship and Christmas cookie decorating! Join us Friday, December 14th at 6:30pm in Room 3 of the Educational Building. Check the Saint Nicholas Facebook page for potluck sign ups.  If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Panayotopoulos annapanayotopoulos@hotmail.com.

There will be one liturgy on Sunday, December 16th due to the Christmas Pageant and Lunch.  Orthros and Liturgy will begin at 8:30am.  

On behalf of the Sts Peter and Paul Missions Ministry we extend a heartfelt thank you to those who supported our “Finish and Furnish” campaign for St. Ignatius School in India.  We have raised $1,750, which will enable The Theotokos Orphanage to becoming self-sustaining and continue being a sanctuary for children at high risk of being enslaved or trafficked.

In the spirit of Christmas, a donation tray will be passed on Sunday for Missions.  Please show your love and support to Sister Nektaria and her amazing children.  Your generosity and compassion is always appreciated.

For more information on our featured charity and other missionary activity, please contact Maria Aji at stspeterpaulmissions@gmail.com and follow our Saints Peter and Paul Missions Ministry Facebook page or the Fili website:  www.fili-inc.com.

Sunday, December 16th is the St. Nicholas Christmas Pageant sponsored by the Youth Ministries of Greek and Sunday School.  Luncheon and program to follow after the Liturgy in the Community Center.  Please note, we will only have one Liturgy on this special day so all parishioners can enjoy the pageant and lunch gathering.

A special icon of the Panagia Odegetria, donated by Paul and Koula Pries, will go on raffle.  Tickets are $100 each and all proceeds benefit St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.  You can purchase tickets from the Church Office and also from the table that will be set up in the Small Hall after Liturgy starting on Sunday, November 18th.  Drawing will be on Monday, December 24th after the evening Liturgy.  No need to be present to win.   Call the Church Office at 408-246-2770 for more information.

No Sunday Coffee Hour Team:  Coffee and Christmas Pageant Lunch in Community Center

For more information about joining the coffee hour teams, please contact Marcella Fotis at 408-723-4124.  

Please note that the bookstore will be closed on Sunday, December 23rd and Sunday, December 30th.  

The Church Office will be closed Monday-Wednesday, December 24-26th for the Nativity of Christ and Monday-Wednesday, December 31-Jan 2 for the Archdiocesan observance of New Year's Day.

VASILOPITA SALES:  On the day of Epiphany, Sunday, January 6, 2019, Philoptochos will hold its annual Vasilopita sale.  All proceeds will go to the philanthropic work of Philoptochos.  If you would like to donate a Vasilopita, either cake or bread, please bring your delicious item on the morning of Sunday, January 6th.  For more information, contact Effie Pappas (louie.g.pappas @ ATT.net) or Anna Gikas annagikas@ATT.net.

We are a registered non-profit on Facebook and you can donate any time (without any fees for the church) by pressing the donate button in this link:

https://www.facebook.com/SaintNicholasOrg/

Christmas Pageant - All Parishioners Invited:

This year, Greek and Sunday School have joined together to present our annual Christmas Program to be held on Sunday, December 16 following the first Liturgy (only one Liturgy this Sunday).  We will host pizza and salad lunch (free) for all in the Community Center to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to spend cherishable time among all of us.   The pageant will take place in the church following services.   We look forward to seeing you there and yes, our special guest will also be arriving following lunch.

Need Support from Parents and Parishioners

The only requirement is love working with children and you are a perfect match – we will do the rest to ensure your success.  We are in need of additional volunteers (teachers and aides) for Pre-K, 6^th grade, 9^th grade, and 10^th grade. Please stop by the Sunday School office any Sunday or send email to SaintNicholasSundaySchool@gmail.com

Sunday School Calendar Remainder of Year:

Sunday, December 16 – Sunday School, One Liturgy, Christmas Pageant Following Liturgy, lunch for entire parish community

Sunday, December 23 – NO Sunday School

Sunday, December 30 – NO Sunday School

January 2019 Sunday School Calendar

January 6, 2019 – Sunday School, First Sunday Back to Sunday School

January 13, 2019 – Sunday School

January 20, 2019 – Sunday School

January 27, 2019 – Sunday School, Three Hierarchs and Godparents Lunch/Brunch

BOYS

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade boys: Tuesdays 6:30pm

6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys: Thursday at 6pm

GIRLS

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade girls: Wednesdays 6pm

6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls: Wednesdays 6pm

If you have any questions contact Paul Papageorge at paulpapa@mac.com

ST. NICHOLAS GOLDEN YEARS CALENDAR – 2019

• Tuesday, January 8, 2019 – 11am - Vasilopita
• Tuesday, February 5, 2019 – 11am - Meeting, Small Hall
• Sunday, February 3, 2019 – Golden Year’s Valentine's Luncheon, Small Hall
• Tuesday, March 5, 2019 – 11am - Meeting Small Hall-MOVIE
• Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 11am – field trip to FILOLI GARDENS
• Wednesday, APRIL 10, 2019 – Presanctified potluck hosted by the Golden Years
• Tuesday, May 7, 2019 – Last meeting – offsite (tba)

 For more information call Mina at: 408 515-8301

Do you find yourself humming along with the hymns each Sunday?  Then please come on up and join our active, music-loving choir.    Requirements:  age 16 and over; be able to carry a tune, reading music is not necessary, knowledge of Greek NOT required, phonetics provided.  Rehearsals every Thursday from 7:30 to 9pm. Sunday liturgy from 10:00am to 11:45am; no rehearsals in July and August.  You will gain many benefits including active participation in the liturgy which enhances the understanding of our religion, gaining knowledge of the Feast Days, being part of a warm, friendly group, and guaranteed the best seat during Holy Week!  If this sounds interesting, drop in at a rehearsal - no invitation necessary.  For questions, call the Choir Director, Dr. Tikey Zes at 408-723-0640 or the Church Office at 408-246-2770.

Confessions with Father Demosthenes are available by appointment.  Call him directly or call the church office at 408-246-2770.

Rain or shine, everyone is invited to attend the 4th Annual Blessing of the Waters at the Rio Del Mar Beach, Aptos on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:00 am.  We are planning to gather at the beach entrance and have a small procession toward the surf where we will pray, bless the waters, and throw the cross into the ocean.  Luncheon is to follow at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 223 Church Street, Santa Cruz. Please call the office at 831-429-6500 or visit the website www.propheteliassc.org.

Join us for this beautiful retreat, located on a private beach on the shore of Lake Tahoe with spectacular views, incredible food, and awesome accommodations with a weekend packed full of fun, faith, and fellowship with Orthodox young adults from all over the West Coast! This retreat will sell out with a max capacity of 60, so make sure to register beginning November 1, 2018!

DATE: January 18-21, 2019
LOCATION: Galilee Episcopal Camp & Retreat Center, South Lake Tahoe
ARRIVAL TIME: Friday beginning at 5:30pm and DEPARTURE TIME: Monday 9:30am
AGES: 18-30's

ONLINE REGISTRATION Opens: November 1, 2018 at www.gosfyouth.org

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/1943883609026865/

RETREAT VIDEO from 2016: https://vimeo.com/153430756

COST: $260 includes 3 nights lodging (Fri, Sat, and Sun) and all meals except lunch Saturday & Sunday since we will be out exploring Lake Tahoe both afternoons. Price does not include lift ticket. For questions call  Johanna Duterte, Cell: (408) 712-7658, Email: JDuterte@sanfran.goarch.org, Website: www.gosfyouth.org

If you wish to order kollyva, paximadia, koulourakia or other Greek pastries, or artoklasia, please see below.  Payment is arranged with the makers and not the church.  If there is anyone who wants to be added to the makers list, please call the church office.

For kollyva:

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

Maria Anagnostou 408-316-6609

For paximadia, koulourakia, and other Greek pastries:

Maria Tsaboukos 408-723-5175

Antonia Komianos 408-472-3888

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

For artoklasia:

Marcella Fotis 408-723-4124

Despina Anagnostou 408-316-6609

To avoid any confusion on our part as we compose and print the Sunday bulletin, we ask that anyone who wishes to include a notice in the Sunday bulletin submit the notice in writing to the office BY TUESDAY AT 5PM!  Please don't wait until the last minute or send a note into the altar on a Sunday morning while the liturgy is in progress.

In addition, all ongoing (same message) bulletin entries will be in for four weeks, four times a year.  Please review these entries and plan accordingly.

Please check with Father Demosthenes in the office before posting anything on the bulletin board in the Small Hall.  Notices, announcements, advertisements, etc. that have not been approved will be removed.  Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Please note that all information in the weekly bulletin is subject to change.