PARISH COUNCIL:  At the end of today’s service, our new Parish Council members will be sworn in. The 2022 Parish Council members are: Athansios Alexandris, John Avdoulos, Jim Bigas, Leah Calagias, Mark Chuey, Lou Frango, Robert Herta, Peter Kalergis, Lou Kircos, Dino Lembesis, Mike Liakos, Dean Peratsakis, Maria Psilis, Evangelos Skoures, Paul Stavropoulos, Antonios Stergiadis, Jeff Zeh. We are grateful for your service to our church!

VASILOPITA CUTTING/STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY: Sunday, January 9, 2022, the day when we will have the traditional Vasilopita for our parish, has been also designated as the Stewardship Sunday for our parish. On that day we will worship together as we do every Sunday.  In addition, we will learn more about our parish, our leadership and our ministries.

We will also offer a complimentary lunch in the Hellenic Cultural Center following the service for everyone to enjoy together with our parish family.  You can submit your Commitment Card any other time, but we encourage you to bring the card on that day, indicating the time, talent and treasure that you will offer as a member of the Church, the Body of Christ on earth. Parishioners can also complete the 2022 Christian Stewardship Card online at https://www.stcons.org/stewardship

FAMILY WORSHIP: There will be no Sunday School classes today, Sunday January 2^nd.  Sunday School will resume on Sunday January 9^th 2022. Start off the New Year right with a resolution to bring your children to Sunday School each week!

TLC NEW YEAR’S LUNCHEON: Our TLC Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, January 11^th at 12:00 noon. Bring in the New Year with excellent food and even better conversation!  All ages are encouraged to attend; please RSVP to Caryl Lowes at 734.751.3683 or cvlowes@gmail.com no later than Sunday, January 9^th.

GOYA MEETING: There will be a GOYA meeting after church on Sunday, December 16^th in the Board Room.  All young people, ages 12 – 18 are invited to join us, and help plan the activities for this year.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY: Our next Adult Bible Study meeting will be Tuesday January 11^th, at 7:00 pm on the ZOOM platform. Reading and discussion of the Gospel of Matthew.  ZOOM LINK is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789  All adults are welcome to join, no pre-registration needed.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: GREEK FEST 2022! Mark your calendars now for Saturday February 19^th!  Saints Constantine and Helen will be hosting our 2^nd annual Greek Fest, a one day, indoor Greek Festival!  We are planning a day of delicious food, Live Greek music and dancing, and much more! 

NEWS AND NOTICES

SUPPORT OUR GREEK FEST! We need your help to make Greek Fest a success! This year, our church is offering Festival Sponsorships for area businesses, and also Family listings in our festival program book.  Each family listing is $75, for which you receive 2 lines of text in the program, and 4 free Greek Fest admission tickets.  Christina Tripp will be at today’s coffee hour for more information. We are also in need of volunteers before and on that day, so let the church office, or a Festival Committee member know if you are able to help us out.

CHURCH CALENDARS AND STEWARDSHIP CARDS: The Church calendars were mailed out this weekend, so if you have not yet received yours, it should arrive shortly.

PARKING COURTESY: During these months of cold, snow and ice we all want to park as close to the church entrance as possible. Please be courteous and do not park in handicapped parking spaces unless you have a need.  Please also be patient with those dropping people off at the entrance, and respectful of fire lanes and entrances to the church and the Hellenic Cultural Center.

MEMORIAL SERVICES:  Koliva that has been prepared for memorial services can now be distributed to parishioners at the end of service. Requested Coffee Hour sponsorship donation is $150, and the HCC will set up a table with cloth and coffee, etc. for your family. Paximadia and koulourakia may also be distributed at the coffee hour. 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.

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.

SERVICES AND SACRAMENTS

Baptism: 1/1/22 – MICHAEL STEVEN CAUDILL, Sponsor: Yani Frye

Wedding: 1/2/22 – MICHAEL CAUDILL to KALLI JOANN FRYE, Sponsor: Yani Frye

Congratulations!

Funeral:  DOMNA THEMELIS

Arrangements are as follows:

• Sunday, January 2, Visitation, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm; Trisagion, 7:00 pm
• Monday, January 3, Visitation, 9:30 am; Funeral, 10:30  am

Everything at Saints Constantine and Helen Church

THE FAMILY REQUESTS THAT ALL IN ATTENDANCE WEAR MASKS.

May her memory be eternal!

DID YOU KNOW?    ABOUT EPIPHANY

The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God.

The Biblical story of the Baptism of Christ is recorded in all four of the Gospels: Matthew 3, Mark 1:1-9, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:31-34.

John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus and the one chosen by God to proclaim His coming, was preaching in the wilderness and was baptizing all who would respond to his message calling for repentance. As he was doing this, John was directing the people toward the one who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11).

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. Initially, John would not do this, saying that Jesus should baptize him. Jesus said to John, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness (3:15). John consented and baptized Jesus.

When Jesus came up from the water, the heavens opened suddenly, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Bible records that the Spirit descended like a dove and alighted on him. When this happened, a voice came from heaven and said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” This was the voice of God the Father.

Christ’s baptism in the Jordan was “theophany,” a manifestation of God to the world, because it was the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry. It was also a “theophany” in that the world was granted a revelation of the Holy Trinity. All three Persons were made manifest together: the Father testified from on high to the divine Sonship of Jesus; the Son received His Father’s testimony; and the Spirit was seen in the form of a dove, descending from the Father and resting upon the Son.

The theme of “manifestation” or “revelation” is also expressed in Scripture with the symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, “Christ has appeared and enlightened the world.” Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights. The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of Christ.