His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos will be with us for the celebration of Epiphany on Sunday, January 6. We are so blessed to host His Eminence for this great feast day and in anticipation of the feast of our patron saint, John the Baptist. The Metropolitan participate in the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil and he will lead the service of the Great Blessing of the Water. After the services, weather permitting, we will go down to the beach for the blessing of the ocean waters.

Following the services this Sunday, weather permitting, we will join Metropolitan Gerasimos down to the beach in Carmel for the blessing of the ocean waters. Those who would like to dive for the cross are encouraged to come prepared and to get ready right after the church services. Please inform Father Ion about your intention to get in the water. Coffee and pastries will be available on the way out of the church.

The service of the Blessing of the Five Loaves (Artoklasia) will be celebrated on Sunday after the Great Blessing of the Water to honor the Baptist and Forerunner John, the Protector of our community.

The luncheon on January 6 will take place after coming back from the blessing of the ocean waters. It will be a festal potluck to welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and our other guest. All fellowship teams to participate!

The 2019 GOARCH calendars will be handed out this Sunday during fellowship hour for you to take home as you leave church.

The Sunday School classes will resume on Sunday, January 13.

It’s the end of a glorious year! Thank you to everyone responding to our Fill-the-Gap campaign to meet our 2018 Stewardship budget of $130,000. If we were to look at our pledges combined with our fill-the-gap contributions, we would have exceeded our goal. The combined total reached $130,707. A wonderful place for us to stand and look forward to 2019.

Unfortunately, not all pledges were met. Not everyone was able to donate the full amount of their pledge. So in reality, we were $3,300 short of our ultimate 2018 goal. So close!!! If you are not sure of your stewardship balance, please contact Jacob Voyce (Stewardship Chairman) or Fotis Papoulias (Treasurer) to check. It’s not too late to complete your pledge for last year.

Consider the many blessing God has granted us. Complete a 2019 stewardship card. Don’t forget that you can now use PayPal. Click here to make a donation online! Let us make our New Year resolution to support our wonderful church.

Message from Philoptochos:

Philoptochos warmly invites you and your family to… 

Cutting of the Vasilopita ~ Sunday, January 13^th

Benefitting the Academy of St. Basil

Please contact Ann Zavitsanos if you would like to offer a Vasilopita:  831-375-5549

Board Meeting Sunday January 20^th ~ all board members asked to be present.

It is the tradition of the Church that during the days following Theophany we receive the visit of the priest at our homes for the short service of the blessing with Holy Water, to renew the presence of the Holy Spirit in our homes, in our families and to bring the Light in our lives. This is also a great opportunity to spend quality time with our priest, Father Ion.

Please contact Father Ion to set up a time for the blessing of your home and indicate the days and the time that would work for you the best. If you have children, plan to do the home blessing when they are present as well.

Orthodoxy 301 is a new class to complement our regular catechism training. It is structured as a short lecture given by various people from our community followed by discussion. The topic of Orthodox Spirituality has become more relevant in a world where many consider themselves "spiritual but not religious", finding refuge away from the Church. Open to all. We'll use material from "Orthodox Spirituality - a Brief Introduction" by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos. The book is available at our bookstore. The class will meet at noon every Sunday in Saint Nektarios Chapel.

Remaining Lectures on Orthodox Spirituality to be continued in January:

6. Sacraments and Asceticism (1/13/2019 by Kevin Wheeler)
7. Neptic and Social Theology (1/23/2019)
8. Monasticism and Married Life (1/30/2019)

The Book Forum will start the new year on Tuesday January 15 with the reading and discussion of the marvelous book Father Arseny - Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father. The book can be found at our bookstore or online here.

Brief commentary: It is one of the great mysteries of life that in atmospheres of the harshest cruelty, a certain few not only survive but emerge as beacons of light and life. Father Arseny, former scholar of church art, became Prisoner No. 18736 in the brutal 'special sector' of the Soviet prison camp system. In the darkness of systematic degradation of body and soul, he shone with the light of Christ's peace and compassion. His sights set on God and his life grounded in the Church, Father Arseny lived by injunction to 'bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ' (Galatians 6:2). This narrative, compiled from accounts of Father Arseny's spiritual children and others whom he brought to God, gives stirring glimpses of his life in prison camp and after his release. It also tells the stories of people whose lives, often during times of almost unimaginable crisis, were touched and transfigured through their connection with Father Arseny. Emerging from the context of the particular tragedies of Soviet Russia, this book carries a universal impact certain to be felt by readers in the West today.

1. January 15: Foreword and p. 1-15 + Presentation + Discussion: On both sides of the Iron Curtain
2. January 22: The Camp (Part 1/2)- p. 16-53
3. January 29: The Camp (Part 2/2) - p. 54-96
4. February 5: The Path - p. 99-172
5. February 12: Spiritual Children - p. 175-277

Serving this Sunday in church and at the fellowship hour following Liturgy:

January 6 - Theophany and visit of Metropolitan Gerasimos
   Parish Council: all PC members on duty
   Welcoming: Temia Demakopoulos
   Fellowship: ALL TEAMS

January 13
   Fellowship: Team Pink – always 2nd Sunday of the month.

Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Santa Cruz California invites ALL to
The Blessing of the Waters - Rio Del Mar Beach, Aptos
Saturday, January 12, 2019 - 11 am – Rain or shine
Luncheon is to follow at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church,
223 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 429-6500  www.propheteliassc.org

Please call if you plan to dive for the cross.

Father Ion is available to hear confessions after services and also by appointment at other times. If you need to do confession, please contact Father Ion ahead of time.