COOKIES AND COCOA WITH SANTA! Today’s coffee hour, Sunday, December 11th, will be hosted by HOPE and JOY. All parishioners are invited to stay for coffee hour, with hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, carols and a special visit (and photo opportunity) with SANTA!
DETROIT ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS CONCERT: TONIGHT, Sunday, December 11th at 5:00 pm our Sts. Constantine and Helen Choir will join with the Orthodox Choir of Detroit to present hymns and carols of Greece, Romania, Egypt, Ukraine, and traditional English selections. Guest ensembles will also be performing for the concert, to be held at our parish, Sts. Constantine and Helen. Free-will donations go to support the Council of Orthodox Christian Churches (COCC) and FOCUS Detroit.
TLC CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON: Our TLC Christmas Luncheon will be held this Tuesday, December 13th at 12:00 noon. All ages are welcome to join us for a delicious meal, some excellent company and a Christmas Carol sing-a-long! RSVP to Caryl Lowes or the church office if you can join us.
PARISH CHRISTMAS PAGEANT/CHRISTMAS TREE OF LIGHTS CEREMONY: On Sunday, December 18th following the Divine Liturgy, will be our “Tree of Lights” ceremony, with the reading of names of those living and departed that are commemorated on the church Christmas tree. Our Christmas pageant will follow, with the Choir and Sunday School children telling the story of the first Christmas. The pageant ends with a parish sing-a-long of traditional Christmas carols.
BIBLE STUDY: Adult Bible Study will continue this week, on Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 pm. via the ZOOM platform. We will continue our study of the Book of Matthew. ZOOM LINK is: https://zoom.us/j/7345256789, Meeting ID: 734 525 6789. All adults are welcome to join, no pre-registration is required.
ST CONS NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY: We're ringing in the New Year a little early on 12/31! Join us for a family New Year's Eve party, with prime rib for the adults and pizza for the kids, Greek and American music and dancing, the NCAA football games on the big screen, and fireworks! Countdown to the New Year happens at 9:00 pm, giving you time to get home and in your pjs (or to another party) well before midnight! To make a reservation, buy tickets or for more information, contact the church office, 734.525.6789 or stcons2@gmail.com Tables will be held for groups of 8 or 10.
NEWS AND NOTICES:
2023 PARISH COUNCIL: Congratulations to our new parish council members, Joy Kisabeth and Christina Tripp! Following Sunday’s General Assembly meeting, nominations were closed., The number of candidates was less than the number of council members allowed in our parish by-laws, so no election will be necessary. Our 2023 Parish Council members will be sworn in after the first of the year. We thank Evangelos Skoures and Antonios Stergiadis, who are stepping down from the council for their years of dedicated service.
PARAKLESIS NAMES: On Friday evening, December 16 at 6:30 pm we will be having a Paraklesis to the Theotokos service. Please attend this beautiful service and submit the names of those living that you would like remembered in prayer. There are prayer sheets in today’s bulletin and available at the Pangari and the Church office.
CHRISTMAS GIVING: Once again, through God’s grace this Christmas season, a group of donors from our parish will match all Christmas donations up to $20,000. Your gift can count twice! All donations that come to the church in a special Christmas giving envelope will be counted toward our needed match. Envelopes were sent to parishioners homes, and are also available at the Pangari and the church office.
TREE OF LIGHTS: Our 28th annual Mary Drakos Tree of Lights Ceremony will be held next Sunday, December 18th. This is the final Sunday to place an ornament on the tree in honor or in memory of a loved one for a donation of $10. Forms are available at the Pangari, church office, or contact Diane Plungis at 734.462.1179.
SHARE YOUR WARMTH: Once again this year, we are collecting new, warm hats, gloves, scarves, and socks for adults and children for our homeless and needy neighbors. Please bring your new items and hang them on the Christmas tree outside the church office to share with those less fortunate. All items collected will be donated to FOCUS: Detroit, for distribution. We will collect items through January 1st.
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD: All those who have completed a 2022 Stewardship Card will be listed. Stewardship cards must be received by the church office no later than December 11th to make our print deadline.
MANY THANKS: Many thanks to everyone who purchased poinsettia plants for their homes or for the church; or made donations in support of our Choir! Your gift is appreciated!
HOMEBOUND COMMUNION VISITS/CONFESSION APPOINTMENTS: Fr. Teodor is continuing communion visits to our homebound parishioners. If you know a person who would appreciate a visit from Fr. Teodor, please let us know. Father is also taking appointments for those who wish to make confession during the Nativity Lent. If you would like to schedule a communion visit or an appointment for confession, please call or email the church office, 734.525.6789 or stcons2@gmail.com
SHOP FOR CHRISTMAS AT ST CONS BOOKSTORE: Our parish bookstore has ornaments, Christmas cards, and many beautiful new icons, jewelry, and other items just delivered from Greece – perfect for Christmas gift-giving! The bookstore is open every Sunday during church, or during the week by appointment through the church office.
MEMORIAL SERVICES: Please call the church office to schedule all memorials and coffee hour sponsorships at least two weeks in advance. On the day of the service, please bring a list of family names you would like Father to remember in prayer. Koliva will be distributed at the coffee hour; if you wish to bring in paximadia, koulourakia, or other dry cookie it may also be distributed. Coffee Hour sponsorship is not required, however the church is grateful to those who wish to make a sponsorship donation of $150, and the HCC will set up a table with cloth and coffee, etc. for your family.