Orthos
Sunday & Weekdays: 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. Weekdays: 10:00 a.m.
Vespers
None
HAVE A HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!
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
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.
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PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Pam, Kathy, Martin, Bill, Georgene, Janet, Annette, Ryan, Patricia, Juliana, John, Lou, Paul, Zacharias, Connie, Vanessa (Vasiliki), Jake, Maegan, 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, Evans, Katherine, Mike, Mary, Margaret, Angela, Connie, Bill, Carrie, Vito, Pete, Amalia, Stephanie, Lisa, 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
According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.
Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.
BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
Προκείμενον. Third Mode. Λουκάν 1:46-48.
Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ἠγαλλίασε τὸ πνεῦμά μου ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου.
Στίχ. Ὅτι ἐπέβλεψεν ἐπὶ τὴν ταπείνωσιν τῆς δούλης αὐτοῦ.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Ἑβραίους 9:1-7.
Ἀδελφοί, εἶχεν ἡ πρώτη σκηνὴ δικαιώματα λατρείας, τό τε ἅγιον κοσμικόν. Σκηνὴ γὰρ κατεσκευάσθη ἡ πρώτη, ἐν ᾗ ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα καὶ ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων, ἥτις λέγεται ἅγια. Μετὰ δὲ τὸ δεύτερον καταπέτασμα σκηνὴ ἡ λεγομένη ἅγια ἁγίων, χρυσοῦν ἔχουσα θυμιατήριον, καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, ἐν ᾗ στάμνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ μάννα, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα, καὶ αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης· ὑπεράνω δὲ αὐτῆς Χερουβὶμ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον· περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν νῦν λέγειν κατὰ μέρος. Τούτων δὲ οὕτως κατεσκευασμένων, εἰς μὲν τὴν πρώτην σκηνὴν διὰ παντὸς εἰσίασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς, τὰς λατρείας ἐπιτελοῦντες· εἰς δὲ τὴν δευτέραν ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ μόνος ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, οὐ χωρὶς αἵματος, ὃ προσφέρει ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ ἀγνοημάτων·
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
The Reading is from Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28
At that time, Jesus entered a village; and a woman called Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve you alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her." As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 10:38-42, 11:27-28
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, εἰσῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς κώμην τινά· γυνὴ δέ τις ὀνόματι Μάρθα ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτῆς. καὶ τῇδε ἦν ἀδελφὴ καλουμένη Μαρία, ἣ καὶ παρακαθίσασα παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τοῦ ᾿Ιησοῦ ἤκουε τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ. ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν· ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπε· Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με κατέλιπε διακονεῖν; εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται. ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· Μάρθα Μάρθα, μεριμνᾷς καὶ τυρβάζῃ περὶ πολλά· ἑνὸς δέ ἐστι χρεία· Μαρία δὲ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο, ἥτις οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς. ᾿Εγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ λέγειν αὐτὸν ταῦτα ἐπάρασά τις γυνὴ φωνὴν ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου εἶπεν αὐτῷ· μακαρία ἡ κοιλία ἡ βαστάσασά σε καὶ μαστοὶ οὓς ἐθήλασας. αὐτὸς δὲ εἶπε· μενοῦνγε μακάριοι οἱ ἀκούοντες τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ φυλάσσοντες αὐτόν.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
THANKSGIVING FAMILY WORSHIP 11/28: There will be no Sunday School classes next week. Children will stay in church and worship with their families on that day.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY: There will be no Bible Study on Tuesday, November 23rd. We will meet again on Tuesday, November 30th.
PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON: The Saint Helen Philoptochos Christmas Luncheon will be held on Saturday, December 4th, Marriott Hotel at Lauren Park. Come join the FUN! Tickets will be sold after Church this Sunday.
POINSETTIA DELIVERY: For those who have ordered Christmas poinsettias from our Choir members, the plants will be delivered to the church on Monday, December 6th. If you have any questions, contact Maritsa at madiaskalasz@gmail.com
HOPE AND JOY: During their usual Sunday School time, on Sunday December 12th, all of our young people will meet in the HCC for Christmas pageant rehearsal. Following the service, the children of HOPE & JOY will host the coffee hour for all parishioners, with cocoa, sugar cookies, music, treats, and some fun surprises! Don’t tell the kids, but we are expecting a VERY SPECIAL GUEST from the North Pole!
BLOOD DRIVE: The holiday season is a time for festivities and family. It’s also a time for giving back. The American Red Cross is currently experiencing an emergency blood shortage. We will be having a Blood Drive on Tuesday, December 28th. Everyone who gives blood will receive a long sleeve t-shirt with a great “Give Blood” logo. To schedule an appointment, please log onto RedCrossBlood.org (our sponsor code: stcons) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) today.
NEWS AND NOTICES
FEEDING THE NEEDY: Congratulations to our Men’s Club for another tremendous effort to feed the needy in our community for Thanksgiving! The group is providing Thanksgiving dinners for 385 Westland and Livonia residents – from sending grocery gift cards to needy area families to providing funds for hot Thanksgiving meals served to needy area seniors. Many, many thanks to all who volunteered their time to make this annual effort such a big success; to all of the Men’s Club Golf Outing sponsors; and to our generous parishioners who contributed to the nearly $7,000 raised for Thanksgiving meals.
GIFT CARDS FOR VETS: We are so proud of our HOPE & JOY kids! (and so grateful to our giving parishioners) who raised $600 in donations to buy gift cards for homeless and needy veterans. Cards were purchased for Walmart ($50) and McDonalds ($20). Each gift card was delivered inside a Thank You card, hand-made by our children. The cards were dropped off at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor for distribution to help ensure our vets in need don’t go hungry this Thanksgiving.
CHILDREN’S PHOTOS: This Sunday, please remember to bring in photos of your children to be included on our Sunday School Christmas tree in the church Narthex. There are baskets at the Pangari and outside the church office to leave photos. The tree will be decorated following Thanksgiving.
SPANAKOPITA SALE: Just in time for Thanksgiving! Let the ladies of the St. Helen Philoptochos help you prepare your holiday table by purchasing a ½ sheet pan of spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie), frozen and ready to bake! Each pan is $30, and all proceeds support philanthropic efforts in our community. Spanakopitas will be sold after church this Sunday, or by calling the Carol at 248.471.4369, or the church office at 734.525.6789 for a weekday pick up.
TREE OF LIGHTS: Our 27th annual Mary Drakos Tree of Lights Ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 19th. You may place an ornament on the tree in honor or in memory of a loved one on the Christmas tree for a donation of $10. For more information, contact Diane Plungis at 734.462.1179.
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD: Once again this year, there is no charge to be included in our annual parish Christmas card, however, only families who have completed a 2021 pledge card this year will be included in the Christmas card. If you have not done so, it is not too late to complete a 2021 pledge card and make your offering today. If you aren’t sure, feel free to call the church office and check to see if you are a member in good standing for the year 2021. Pledge cards are available on the parish website (stcons.org/stewardship), at the Pangari, or in the church office.
REPLACING RELIGION WITH CHURCH OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Excerpted from Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press Sunday, November 7th.
Earlier this year, a Gallup Poll showed that, for the first time in eight decades, fewer than half of US adults belong to a church, synagogue or mosque. The phrase “losing our religion” has become an American mantra. There is a cynicism toward faith that has been growing for decades. Most priests, pastors, rabbis and imams will tell you drawing congregants is an increasing struggle. Between 1937 and 1999, the number of Americans belonging to a house of worship only fluctuated slightly, from 73% to 70%. Yet since the turn of the century, the number has dropped to 47%.
So what’s happened in the last 20 years to cut religious attendance so dramatically?
The internet. Social media. People living, breathing – and expressing their belief systems – in the digital world. Who needs a church? You can tweet out an opinion and instantly get an amen chorus. You don’t even have to change out of your pajamas, much less put on your Sunday best.
Calling out the devil used to be the work of fiery clergymen. But today, behind our keyboards and our two-thumbed iPhone typing, we own a pulpit to attack those with different values. We deliver our own sermons. Politics have become our religion. Identity has become our dogma.
We haven’t stopped believing in things. Oh no. We believe in things more fervently than ever. So much so, that we demonize those who differ with us. We howl with indignation at anyone who disagrees on race, gender, vaccines, or how we educate our kids. We are shedding religion, yet we are acting more righteous than ever.
But there’s a big difference between self-righteous and righteous. The latter is doing the right thing when no one is looking. The former is saying you’re right when everyone is looking. The seduction – and danger – of the internet is the power it offers our self-righteousness. You virtue-posture, and you get immediate gratification. You offer “thoughts and prayers” with a few keystrokes, and little hearts appear, confirming your goodness.
But note: All of these things are self-oriented. They’re all about us. They don’t take a higher power into account. But the concept of something bigger than us is central to most faiths. A divine force that governs the universe. In the religion of social media, the internet IS the universe. And the goal is to get as large a presence as possible within it.
At some point, we all must decide if the search for answers stops with us or goes beyond us. God doesn’t fit inside an iPhone. But I can attest, being much closer to the end of my life than the beginning, and having seen so many people leave this earth, that in our most dire moments - in the operating rooms, the burning building or the echoes of flying bullets, the digital community offers no comfort, and no protection.
Who do we cry out to for help then? Twitter?
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.