September 12
May their memory be eternal!
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-09-12
Bulletin Contents
Schedule of Services
Special Services
Greek Festival News
Stewardship News
News & Events
Archdiocese News
Prayer Requests
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- 408.605.0621
- Email:
- saintjohnmonterey@gmail.com
- Street Address:
- 9th and Lincoln
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Mailing Address:
- PO Box 5808
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Weekend services: the weekend schedule is fixed for most of the year. The services take place in Carmel-by-the-Sea, at All Saints Church, lower level, 9th and Lincoln.
Saturdays: 5:00pm Vespers
Sundays: 8:30am Matins
9:45am Liturgy
Week-day services: during the week we may celebrate the major feast days of the Church either in Carmel or in Salinas. Please check the calendar! The schedule pattern is:
Wednesdays: 6:00pm Paraklesis
Eve of feasts: 6:00pm Vespers
Feast days: 8:30am Matins
9:45am Liturgy
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2021-09-05
- Publish Date:
- 2021-08-29
- Publish Date:
- 2021-08-22
- Publish Date:
- 2021-08-15
- Publish Date:
- 2021-08-08
- Publish Date:
- 2021-08-01
Schedule of Services
Note: week-day services are posted on Zoom.
Saturday, September 11
5:00pm Vespers
Sunday, September 12
8:30am Matins
9:45am Liturgy
12:00pm Catechism Class
Monday, September 13
9:00am Matins - Church University
6:00pm Vespers
7:00pm Liturgy
8:00pm Lenten Potluck Dinner
Tuesday, September 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross
8:30-10:30am Food Bank Delivery in Seaside
9:00am Matins - Church University /\/\/ Zoom Only
Wednesday, September 15 Saint Nikitas / Saint Visarion
9:00am Matins - Church University
6:00pm Paraklesis
Thursday, September 16
9:00am Matins - Church University
Friday, September 17
9:00am Matins - Church University
Saturday, September 18
5:00pm Vespers
Sunday, September 19
8:30am Matins
9:45am Liturgy
See the whole calendar at http://www.stjohn-monterey.org/parish-calendar
Special Services
The Trisagion service this Sunday will be for the victims of the terrorist attack on 9/11/01.
Greek Festival News
OUR 'NO FESTIVAL FUND' HAS BEEN LAUNCHED
Our thanks to the parishioners below who have given a combined total of $10,700. We are attempting to raise $30,000 in expenses and lost profits the festival would have brought. Won’t you join the list of those committed to compensate?
Thank you to:
Corkey & Brian Balcom - Father Ion, Presbytera Ana - Temia Demakopoulos - Olga Drumev - Janel Fraij - Michel Georgariou - Michael & Maria Hahn - Mike & Mary Kanalakis - Shirley Manis - Thimi & Charlotte Saites - Renate-Karen Wunsch - Jim & Angela Wagoner - Jamie Wojtal - David & Nadia Zadicek - Rania & Anthony Zavitsanos
We are all so grateful to you for quickly stepping in.
Offer to the No-Festival Fund here:
Stewardship News
ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP APPRECIATION
Annual Stewardship Appreciation Lunch
Saturday, September 25
A thank you to this year’s Stewards
&
2021 Stewardship Launch
Lunch at Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club
31 Wharf #2, Monterey, CA
11 am to 3 pm
CHILDREN WELCOME!
Nautical Theme – Dress is Casual
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers plus, plus, plus
Admission is a completed 2022 Stewardship Card (online or on paper)OR $45 at the door
RSVP required:
Sign up here or contact Mary Kanalakis
2021 STEWARDSHIP STATUS
A Ministry Led by Mary Kanalakis
We are 3/4 the way through the year. Please take a look at your Stewardship giving. It may need updating or improving as we move back into regular activities. Open your Stewardship account in Breeze here: BREEZE LOGIN
Many thanks to our 2021 Stewards. 70 families or individuals are now stewards. And thank you to the 16 (23%) of these families who have committed to percent giving. It is such a blessing for these families to lead us on the path to becoming a tithing parish.
Our pledged total so far is $134,098, or 83% of our budget goal. We are four fifths of the way there.
If you have not yet completed a 2021 pledge card, please complete the Stewardship Card ONLINE! Just Click: I WANT TO SIGN UP NOW!
Living the Gospel
News & Events
THE ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS - SERVICES AND DINNER
On September 14 the Church celebrates the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross, a day of strict fasting. We will come together for Vespers, Procession with the Cross and the Liturgy on the eve of the feast, on Monday from 6pm. Please plan to stay for the Lenten Potluck Dinner after the service and to bring something to share if you can. On the day of the feast, Tuesday, we will pray the Matins on Zoom only.
SERVE AT THE FOOD BANK THIS TUESDAY
A Ministry Lead by Despina Hatton
There is still room to serve if you would like to join the team: Angela, Jim, Thimi, Nadia and her friend, John and Father Ion.
Starting September, Saint John the Baptist Church will participate in the food distribution project at the Food Bank in Seaside. We have committed to providing 8 people to serve once a month on the following Tuesdays, 8:30-10:30am:
September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14.
Location:
St Francis Xavier Catholic Church
1475 La Salle Ave, Seaside, CA 93955
Community
FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP FALL 2021 SESSION
A ministry led by Paige Benton
The small groups Faith and Fellowship will resume in September. We will again be meeting from 7pm, after the Paraklesis, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month via Zoom and, for those who desire, in person as well.
Characters of the Old Testament
September 22 - Abraham Answers God's Call - Genesis 12
October 13 - Abraham's Great Test - Genesis 22
October 27 - Jacob, "The Deceiver" - Genesis 27
November 10 - Moses Seeks Justice - Exodus 2
November 17 - The Exodus from Egypt - Exodus 12
Adult Education
BOOK FORUM: BIG IN HEAVEN
A ministry lead by Kathy Shaw
Our book forum is discussing Big in Heaven: A Collection of Stories About Life in an American Orthodox Parish. There are still a few copies available at the bookstore.
These stories begin to paint a new kind of Icon, that of a truly American Orthodox Christian, of regular people simply trying to be or tragically rejecting being regular human beings, the kind of people perhaps never even imagined by most American readers. . . . The stories break the mold of what a religious or non-religious story ought to be. They are not moralistic, nor are they irreverent in their honest portrayal of the realities of life in the Church. Rather they are just good, honest stories, and in being this they are sacramental, conveying and holding together elements of life that are seemingly disparate. (from the Foreword) Sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes convicting, these stories of life in an inner-city immigrant Orthodox parish are guaranteed to shake your assumptions and make you see your life and faith in a new way. They are not for the faint of heart but they are very much for all who want to embrace the truth more fully.
Join the Book Forum on Wednesdays from 11am, right after the daily Matins service.
Our next meeting on Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 15
Meeting time: from 10am, right after Matins/ Church University.
To prepare: Please read the pages 126 - 167
Zoom in at the known link.
Adult Education, Community
NEW: A JOURNEY TO FULLNESS BACK IN SEPTEMBER
A ministry led by Angela Wagoner
JOURNEY TO FULLNESS: An Introduction to the Fullness of the Original Christian Faith -
The Journey to Fullness presentations and small groups discussions will meet again starting September 27 to continue with Part 13 - Salvation as Participation.
Education
SUNDAY CATECHISM CLASS
A Ministry led by Father Ion
The Catechism Class will take place on September ... from 12pm via Zoom. The topic will be The Divine Liturgy - Part 2. Please pray for our catechumens: Angelina, Mikael, Jenel, Justin and Arthur.
Education
SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS THIS SUNDAY
God willing, we will start the Church School program for all the age groups on Sunday September 19. All children ages 3 and up are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Presbytera Ana presbytera.ana@gmail.com.
THE CHURCH UNIVERSITY: DAILY SERVICE, PRAYER and REFLECTIONS
A ministry led by Father Ion
Every weekday morning, the Church University will offer the daily Zoom webcasting from Saint Nektarios Chapel with the short Matins Services. At the end of the service Father Ion offers a reflection, teaching on the readings and the saints of the day. Connect via Zoom to extend Matins with the study of the Scripture readings, great discussion and fellowship time.
Worship and Education
SERVING THESE SUNDAYS
A ministry led by Angelina Ruiz
Serving these coming Sundays in church and at the fellowship hour following Liturgy:
September 12
Parish Council: David Zajicek
Welcoming: Rania Zavitsanos
Fellowship Gratitude Luncheon: Team 2 (Pink) 2nd Sunday of the month
September 19
Parish Council: Thimi Saites
Welcoming: Mary Kanalakis
Fellowship Gratitude Luncheon: Team 3 (Orange) 3rd Sunday of the month
Community
URGENT - HELP OUR BRETHREN IN GREECE!
As an immediate response to the call by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to support our brethren, National Philoptochos Society donated $40,000 to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's Greece Fires Relief Fund.
This is not the first time that Philoptochos has responded to the human and physical devastation caused by wildfires in Greece. The road to recovery and healing will be long for fire victims in Greece. The devastating fires will likely be followed by flooding and further devastation during the fall and winter. Our help is urgently needed. National Philoptochos asks that you turn your immediate attention in the month of September to this appeal.
Please make best efforts to send your contributions, big or small, earmarked for the “2021 Greece Fires Relief Fund”. Send to the National Philoptochos Society by Thursday, September 30, 2021. Collections may be forwarded to the National Philoptochos Society at 126 East 37th Street, New York, NY 10016.
Make donations online at www.philoptochos.org/donation and select “Aid to Greece & Cyprus” from the “direct my gift to” drop down menu. To download the campaign appeal letter, click here.
2021 FATHER BERRIS GOLF CLASSIC
The 32nd annual Fr. Berris Golf Classic will be held Monday, September 20th at Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose. Father Berris Golf Classic, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization benefiting seminarians from our diocese enrolled in the Masters of Divinity Program at Holy Cross Seminary as well as- projects to benefit the youth of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Please join us for a fun day of golf and fellowship and/or consider being a sponsor, gift donor or volunteer at the tournament. For more information visit www.FrBerrisGolf.org or call Jim Chiochios at 408.741.5534 or Nick Tsolis at 408.921.4029 or email FrBerrisGolf@comcast.net. Thank you for your support!
ONLINE RESOURCES from THE COVID ERA
Most of our services and meetings are available online.
Witness remotely:
- Zoom with video here.
- By phone dial - add the following string to your address book: +16699006833,,9475885646#,,1#,April2020#
• Please note that our Metropolis requests compliance with the CDC regulations. This means parishioners who are not vaccinated wear masks for their own protection. It is also recommended for those who are vaccinated. Please respect the comfort level of those around you by keeping reasonable distance.
• The fellowship hour will continue as usual both inside and outside.
Lighting Candles remotely is possible through our Light a Candle website. Click this link: Light a Candle
Prayer Requests
Lord, Bless, strengthen, and guard, by Your grace, all those who, with love for humankind and a spirit of sacrifice, care for the sick in their homes or in hospitals.
We pray for the servants of God:
"Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on your servant (first name)."
Olge Drumev - for health, recovery, and endurance.
Michael Borgeson - for health and quick recovery after surgery.
Marlyn Anton - for comfort after losing her beloved husband, John.
Chris (Chrisanthi) Georgalos - for health, recovery, and endurance.
Sheila (Despina) Doyle-Rickenbacher - for health, recovery, and endurance.
Sophie Britton - for strength and recovery.
Eleni Saites - for patience and endurance.
Maria Kastros - for strength and endurance.
Kylie and her family - for health, faith and hope.
For those who are in prisons: Constantine and Sergei.
And for our catechumens: Jenel, Mikael, Angelina, Arthur and Justin.
In case of emergency, Father Ion is available for home visits. Please call him directly at 408.605.0621 if you would like to schedule one.
Saints and Feasts
September 14
The Elevation of the Venerable and Life-Giving Cross
Saint Helen, the mother of Saint Constantine the Great, when she was already advanced in years, undertook, in her great piety, the hardships of a journey to Jerusalem in search of the cross, about the year 325. A temple to Aphrodite had been raised up by the Emperor Hadrian upon Golgotha, to defile and cover with oblivion the place where the saving Passion had been suffered. The venerable Helen had the statue of Aphrodite destroyed, and the earth removed, revealing the Tomb of our Lord, and three crosses. Of these, it was believed that one must be that of our Lord, the other two of the thieves crucified with Him; but Saint Helen was at a loss which one might be the Wood of our salvation. At the inspiration of Saint Macarius, Archbishop of Jerusalem, a lady of Jerusalem, who was already at the point of death from a certain disease, was brought to touch the crosses, and as soon as she came near to the Cross of our Lord, she was made perfectly whole. Consequently, the precious Cross was lifted on high by Archbishop Macarius of Jerusalem; as he stood on the ambo, and when the people beheld it, they cried out, "Lord have mercy." It should be noted that after its discovery, a portion of the venerable Cross was taken to Constantinople as a blessing. The rest was left in Jerusalem in the magnificent church built by Saint Helen, until the year 614. At that time, the Persians plundered Palestine and took the Cross to their own country (see Jan. 22, Saint Anastasius the Persian). Late, in the year 628, Emperor Heraclius set out on a military campaign, retrieved the Cross, and after bringing it to Constantinople, himself escorted it back to Jerusalem, where he restored it to its place.
Rest from labour. A Fast is observed today, whatever day of the week it may be.
September 15
Nikitas the Great Martyr
This Saint was of high birth among the Goths beyond the Danube River. He was taken by Athanaric, pagan ruler of the Goths, and after being tortured, was burned to death for his confession of Christ. According to some, this took place during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great; according to others, under the Emperor Gratian.
September 15
Bessarion of Larissa
September 16
Euphemia the Great Martyr
Saint Euphemia was from Chalcedon and lived in virginity. According to some, she suffered martyrdom during the reign of Diocletian, in 303; according to others, in 307. Her sacred relics are preserved in the Patriarchate in Constantinople.
September 17
Sophia & her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love
These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest. Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. The name Sophia means "wisdom" in Greek; as for her daughters' names, Faith, Hope, and Love (Charity), they are Pistis, Elpis, and Agape in Greek, and Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov in Russian.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Matins Gospel Reading
First Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Matthew 28:16-20
At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Amen."
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal 2nd Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."