For carpooling contact Carrie Voyce or Father Ion.

Sunday, January 26th, Orthros and Archieratical Divine Liturgy beginning at 9:00am with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 245 Valencia St, San Francisco, Luncheon ($30 adults, $15 for 18 yrs and under) to follow with the Cathedral's dance group preview. For reservations or questions – please call the Cathedral office at 415-864-8000.

This Sunday we will be blessed to host again Father John Takahashi whom we welcome with great joy and gratitude.

Our church will hold its parish Oratorical Festival this Sunday, March 24.

The Topics for this year and a collection of hints can be found here. The age categories are as follows: Junior Division (grades 7-9) and Senior Division (grades 10-12). Children of any age may participate outside of the competition. Please see Presbytera Ana for information about participating in this ministry. Visit our Youth Ministry web page for recordings of the last years' participants.

The purpose of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival is to give children and teenagers an opportunity to learn, write, and speak about their Orthodox faith, church and heritage. This process will enhance their understanding and appreciation of their identity as Orthodox Christians and cultivate spiritual growth and maturity.

The Catechism/ Orthodoxy 101 Class will continue on Sunday January 26 with topic #9 of the curriculum, Man, Sin, Salvation. The curriculum including audio resources can be found at our web site under Adult Education.

Our visitors and newcomers are encouraged to attend and participate. The class is also offered as RECATECHISM to all for their own benefit, for connecting with our visitors and catechumens and for strengthening our community. No asked questions are silly. Come, ask, learn, change and be transformed!

The Congregational Chanting Workshop will take place this week. The next class will be on Tuesday, January 28, from 10 am (before the Book Forum). Open to all.

The book that we are reading and discussing together  is The Gurus, the Young Man and Elder Paisios. Get your copy from our bookstore and start reading it. You will not be able to put it down... Our LAST class will be on January 28 when we will finish Chapter 5.

Our Wednesday evening service and dinner have been an excellent venue for building community, growing spiritually and learning the Orthodox faith. We are enjoying a new cycle for these presentations: Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos. We will learn about amazing elders from Mount Athos as presented by some of our own parishioners - many thanks to Athanasios and Greta who got us started. Join us for faith, community and the delicious lenten potluck dinner! Wednesdays evening right after the Paraklesis service.

Family & Friends of Philoptochos
 
Once again Philoptochos invites the whole community to join us in this annual favorite
Cutting of the Vasilopita & Auction benefiting the St. Basils Academy
Sunday, February 2, after Divine Liturgy
 
This year’s Auctioneers are Philoptochos Associate Members
Thimi Saites & Paul McCrone
As you receive your piece of Vasilopita, please remember the children and give generously
May God be with us all, and especially the children in 2020!!
 
Read more about this beloved ministry of Philoptochos…

 In 1944 Archbishop Athenagoras recommended  that the Philoptochos society purchase the 250 acre estate in Garrison New York located on the shores of the Hudson river directly across from the United States military academy at West Point. With the establishment of the Academy of Saint Basil Philoptochos under took the lasting commitment to the children who reside there. Today Philoptochos remains the major financial supporter of the Academy through two of our ministry commitments Vasilopita and the sisterhood fund provides for the ongoing needs of the children of the Academy.  

Traditionally, Ann Zavitsanos serves as our Vasilopita chair we are looking for at least 6 to 10 Vasiliopita to Auction. Ideally this will include Holyday bread from all of the various countries and ethnicities represented in our community.  Let’s all be a part of this special day.  If you or anyone you know in the community would like to bake and donate a pita please contact Ann (831-375-5549) or myself (619-518-2755 or alex@alexandramouzas.com). 

The Book Forum ministry brings to your attention "Wounded by Love" by Saint Porphyrios. This is a magnificent writing perfectly suitable for the Great and Holy Lent which we will soon begin. You may find the book at our bookstore. Consider it an investment to serve you for the rest of your life. Our first meeting to discuss Wounded by Love is scheduled for February 11.

Newly canonized Saint Porphyrios, a Greek monk and priest who died in 1991, stands in the long tradition of charismatic spiritual guides in the Eastern Church which continues from the apostolic age down to figures such as Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Staretz Silouan in modern times. In this book he tells the story of his life and, in simple, deeply reflected and profoundly wise words, he expounds the Christian faith for today.

This book was compiled after his death from an archive of notes and recordings of his reminiscences, conversations and words of guidance, and was first published in Greek in 2003.

The vibrant personality of Saint Porphyrios at all times shines through his words with great transparency and charm. In his introduction to the Greek edition Bishop Irenaeus of Chania writes: ‘The words of blessed Saint Porphyrios are the words of a holy Father, of a man with the gift of clear sight, who was ever retiring, humble, simple and ardent and whose life was a true and authentic witness to Christ, to His truth and to His joy. Through his presence, love, prayer, counsel and guidance he supported an untold number of people in the difficult hours of illness, mourning, pain, loss of faith and death. He is a god-bearing Father of our days, a true priest and teacher who in his ascetic way fell in love with Christ and faithfully served his fellow man. His teaching is deeply impregnated with the ethos and theology of the Orthodox Church and is dominated by the person and image of Christ our Saviour.’

Thank you to all who participated in our Council of Ministry session (COM-2). It was an excellent discussion as we explored what the Kingdom of Heaven means to us, helping us to develop our new parish vision and mission. Your thoughts and insights have greatly helped to mold our outlook for our own future creating a Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

We will be meeting again in a few more weeks to consider the new vision and mission and to set for ourselves goals to help us draw closer to our vision. COM-3 will be announced shortly so that you can plan to attend.

Thank you as well to Orange Team for the fellowship meal that strengthened us in the COM-2 discussion, and for staying to help clean. We are blessed with so many dedicated disciples supporting Saint John the Baptist Church in Christ. Thank you.

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

January 26
Parish Council member: Brian Balcom
Greeter: Carrie Voyce
Fellowship: Green Team – Every 4th  Sunday

February 2
Parish Council member: David Zajicek
Fellowship: Gold Team – Every 1st Sunday

If you'd like to join the Welcome Ministry, please contact Temia Demakopoulos. And if you’d like to join the Coffee Hour team, please contact Corkey Balcom.

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.

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.

The Consulate General of Greece, Greek Metropolis of San Francisco, AJC San Francisco, Consulate General of Israel and the Oshman Family JCC present a special film screening and reception on Monday, January 27th at the Shultz Cultural Arts Hall (Bldg F). “Life Will Smile” is a compelling 40-minute documentary of the complete survival of Greek Jews on the island of Zakynthos. Tickets $10. To book seats: https://www.paloaltojcc.org/Events/life-will-smile-film-screening-and-reception

For more information, please contact Esther Young, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way | Palo Alto, CA 94303, Phone: (650) 223-8678 or email eyoung@paloaltojcc.org.

Caregiving for the aged - facing challenges, trying to make decisions? Many of us care for loved ones who are ill, aged, or disabled. Maybe you’ve wished you could speak with someone about your feelings, thoughts, and concerns…your prayers have been answered.

Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, Inc. The National Philoptochos Department of Social Services presents a confidential Telephone Caregiver Support Group. Training is offered over six consecutive Thursday Evenings by conference call: February 27 to April 9, 2020, 7:00 to 8:00 pm EST. For more information and to Pre-registration Email: supportgroup@philoptochos.org

The All Saints Church Outreach Committee will hold the annual chili, cornbread, beer and wine fundraiser on Saturday, February 29.  A delicious assortment of spicy, tame, meaty and vegetarian chilis and cole slaw will be served. Tickets are $20.00.  Raffle for a week’s stay in 2021, at a lovely cottage in Hawaii at $25 a ticket. We have been cordially invited to attend.