SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021  -  2^nd SUNDAY OF MATTHEW

40 Day Blessing: IOANNIS KOSTANTIN CURTIS, Parents: Nicholas Curtis and Linda Kotsopoulos

Congratulations!

Memorial: DELORES KARFIS – 1 Year

May her memory be eternal!

SERVICES THIS WEEK

We strongly encourage those who will not be attending church to participate in services through our website at https://www.stcons.org/video-streaming

Sunday, July 4th  - 2^nd SUNDAY OF MATTHEW –  Orthros 8:45 am, Divine Liturgy 10:00 am   If you wish to follow along with the text, please use the link listed below: https://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/p/s/2021/07/04/li/gr-en/se.m08.d30.li.pdf

No additional services this week.

LIGHT A CANDLE AND SAY A PRAYER:  When you are not able to attend church, you can purchase a candle from our church website (home page or video-streaming page), which be lit before the following service or a service that you specify.  Please give specific names, living or deceased, that you would like Father to remember in prayer.  Father will light candles one hour before each service.  For Sunday services, please place candle orders prior to 8:00 am Sunday morning.

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Juliana, John, Lou, Paul, Zacharias, Connie, Vanessa (Vasiliki), Jake, Maegan, Rene, Irene, Michael, Barbara, Lisa, Pat, Christopher, Jonathan, Alexandra, Tracy, Dianna, Lazarus, Betty, Catherine, Susan, Evelyn, Gregg, Peter, Stella, Ann Marie, Vasilios, Carol, George, Demetri, Steve, Molly, Maria, Elizabeth, Carol, Evans, Katherine, Mike, Connie, Mary, Margaret, Angela, Connie, Bill, Carrie, Vito, Pete, Amalia, Stephanie, Lisa, Connie, Jacob, Anastasia, Rima, Kylie, Effie, Nicholas, and Maria.

Names may be added to the prayer list by request. If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, or if someone should be removed from the list, please contact the church office at stcons2@gmail.com

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

REGISTER NOW!  VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL: We are planning a fun and educational Vacation Church School the week of August 2^nd – 6^th for children ages 4 – 12. This year VCS will focus on “Our Daily Bread” church breads (Prosforo, Vasilopita, Arto, and Koliva) and each day will have a mix of baking, crafts, indoor and outdoor learning activities, music and prayer. PLEASE REGISTER YOUR YOUNG PEOPLE NO LATER THAN JULY 15^TH.  We are in need of teen and adult volunteers to help with activities, baking, etc.  More information and registration forms are available at the Pangari, and on our parish website, https://www.stcons.org/whats-new

MEN’S CLUB GOLF OUTING:  Please join the St. Cons. Men’s Club for their 9^th Annual John Koinis Feed the Needy Golf Outing. The Outing and Banquet will be held at 9:00 A.M. on September 11, 2021 at Fellows Creek Golf Club in Canton. Last year the Feed the Needy Program provided Thanksgiving dinners to 118 needy families and 314 individuals in Westland and Livonia. Funds also help support several St. Cons. Church related events. If you need sponsorship or registration information contact Jeff Zeh at (484) 868-8736 or at jzeh@comcast.net. Registration and sponsor forms are also available at the Church Office.

NEWS AND NOTICES

SUMMER SURVIVAL BOARD:  Our Summer Survival board is back! Even though attendance decreases during the summer months, regular building and property maintenance, utilities, and other expenses continue. That is why, again this year, we are asking for your help by making an additional donation to our “Summer Survival” campaign. You may make a pledge by signing onto one of the boxes on the sign in our Narthex, and send a check to the church office, or make a donation via our website. Your help will make a big difference! 

PHILOPTOCHOS RAFFLE:  The Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos is honored to host the National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon on Saturday, November 6, 2021
in Indianapolis, Indiana with the grand raffle being drawn on that day. The raffle includes a wonderful collection of prizes and 100% of the raffle’s income will go to the Medical Fund, which assists children with medical, surgical, or mental health needs as well as financially supports innovative programs and services benefitting our precious children. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25.00. Please contact Carol Bozadzis at 248-471-4369 if you are interested and would like to support this very worthy cause.

ICONOGRAPHY UPDATE: The icons of St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Cyril of Alexandria are still available for sponsorship, and we are still in need of general donations of any amount to complete our Phase One fundraising. Those interested in sponsoring an icon, please talk to Father Teodor or contact the church office for more information.

HELLENIC CULTURAL CENTER BOOKING:  We are having parties and events in the HCC again!  According to the new state of Michigan regulations, the HCC can open to full capacity on June 22^nd.  Consider booking your next event at the Hellenic Cultural Center, and help the church get our HCC back into business! The HCC also has staff positions available. If you would like to discuss future bookings, employment, or other issues with the HCC staff, please contact Kathy at 734.525.3550 or 313.303.6350 or helleniccc@gmail.com

REMEMBER THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL: You’ve supported the church your whole life, remembering us in your estate plan will help the church when you’re gone.  Consult your estate planner or contact the Church office for information.  We are grateful to our parishioners who have left bequests to the church in the last few years: Thomas Goffas, Irene Barbas, Anthony Keros, Kris Merikas, John and Alice Koinis, Joan Keker, Katherine Socol, Ted and Demetra Monolidis, Zoe Kokenakes, Peter and Eileen Lekas. Their loving legacy made a big difference!  May their memory be eternal!

PRIESTHOOD ORDINATION: The ordination of Nicholas Lionas, Assistant to the Metropolitan, to the Holy Priesthood will take place on Saturday, July 17^th at Saint George GOC, Bloomfield Hills. Orthros begins at 9:00, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.  All are welcome to attend and witness these beautiful and sacred services, and support Nick who will join St. George Bloomfield Hills as their parish priest on August 15^th.

A TIME TO REFLECT….

A visitor from a foreign country once asked the Rev. Billy Graham about the 4^th of July.  “Does it have something to do with your Christian religion?” 

This is what he answered:

Although it is not a religious holiday like Christmas or Easter, for many Americans July 4th is a time to reflect on God’s goodness to us as a nation. Molded into the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia (which proclaimed our independence) are these words from the Bible: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10). Our legal system reflects our Judeo-Christian roots.  While we look with gratitude to the past on this July 4th, may we also look in faith to the future, and commit it and our lives to God and His will. The ancient words of the Psalmist are still true: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

MEMORIAL SERVICES:  Koliva that has been prepared for memorial services can now be distributed to parishioners at the end of service.  The koliva will be put in small baggies and distributed at the coffee hour. We are also again able to accept Coffee Hour Sponsors, for those having a memorial or other special day in church.  Requested sponsorship donation is $150.  Paximadia and koulourakia may also be distributed at the coffee hour, but must be provided by the families individually pre-packaged for distribution.  Please call the church office to schedule memorials and coffee hour sponsorships in a timely manner so we can include the information in the bulletin.  On the day of the service, please bring a list of family names you would like Father to remember in prayer.

Non-Orthodox Visitors Please Note:  Holy Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves.  Visitors are welcome to receive the Antidoron (Blessed Bread), which is distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy.