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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-23
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
news
Hymns of the Day
Wisdom of the Fathers
INVITATIONS

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Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (201) 652-4774 for emergencies: 201 870 2676
  • Fax:
  • (201) 652-0789
  • Street Address:

  • 467 Grandview Avenue

  • Wyckoff, NJ 07481

Contact Information

Reverend Basil C. Gikas
Pastor

frbill@stnicholasnj.org | 201 652 4774 ext. 12

Ms. Rula Thasites
Administrator

office@stnicholasnj.org | 201 652 4774 ext. 10

Services Schedule

 

Sundays in the fall, winter & spring:

Matins: 9 a.m. &  Divine Liturgy 10a.m. except during the summer

 

Summer hours for Sundays in July and August:

Matins: 8:30a.m.  & Divine Liturgy 9:30a.m.

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Eighth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:11-18

At that time, Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that He had said these things to her.

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

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news

WEEKLY BULLETIN

12/23/2018

December 23, 2018                       Sunday Before Nativity

 

Like us on Facebook: @stnicholasnj                            Follow us on Instagram: @stnicholasgoc

 

 

Religious Education: Today we will have our Christmas Pageant in church after worship services.

 

Office Closed: The parish office will be closed on Tuesday, December 25th and on Wednesday, December 26th in observance of Christmas. Merry Christmas to all!

 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services

Monday, December 24TH Morning:   9:00a.m. Orthros & Great Hours

                                                 Evening:   Vesperal Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great 7p.m. (Holy Communion)

 

Tuesday, December 25TH  Christmas Day: Orthros 9:00a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00a.m. (Holy Communion)

 

Philoptochos Christmas Eve Eggnog Reception:  Please join us for our annual gathering after the Christmas Eve Services.  Share a cheer of eggnog with our Saint Nicholas families. Wishing everyone Merry Christmas / Καλα Χριστουγεννα!

 

YOUR GIFT BACK TO GOD & SAINT NICHOLAS FOR CHRISTMAS: at this holy season of the year we sometimes neglect the most obvious- our own parish community…so please pledge your stewardship for 2019. the stewardship ministry team, parish council, all our organizations & ministries and fr. bill wish you all a HOLY, merry and blessed christmas. enclosed in this bulletin is the stewardship pledge card for your gift. 

Church Service: On Thursday, December 27th we will celebrate the feast day of Saint Stephen, the Protomartyr, with Orthros at 9:00am followed by the Divine Liturgy at 10:00am. To all who celebrate Chronia Polla! (Many Years!)

 

Young Emerging Adults MINISTRY (YEA): Our thriving “Young Emerging Adults Ministry” (ages 18+)

will meet Monday evening, January 7th, 2018 at 7:30PM in the home of Fr. Bill and Presv. Sophia Gikas.  It’s a gathering meant for inquiring, sharing, and growing through faith, fellowship and some food (desserts)! At the casual gathering we apply the teachings of our Lord in our daily lives.   Most importantly YEA is about relationship!  Please feel welcome anytime.  We will continue to meet on the first Monday of each month, so mark your calendars!! RSVP by January 3rd e-mail Fr. Bill at frbill@stnicholasnj.org  or call 201 652 4774 ext. 12.

 

   

 

 

For inspiration on the internet, start your day at MYOCN.NET - The Orthodox Christian Network

Bookstore: Music CD for Christmas: Romeiko Ensemble “Christ Comes from Heaven” Nativity Orthros (Matins) in English Traditional Orthodox Christmas HYMNS ($15).

 

Are we Fasting Before & For Christmas? Yes...Fasting is an essential part of our spiritual preparation and edification. Yet, there are many different (and sometimes conflicting messages) regarding fasting. Please bear this in mind: From November 15th through December 24th Orthodox Christians observe a 40 day period of abstinence from animal & dairy products and olive oil. The ascetic discipline prepares us for a major feast- the Lord’s birth-Christmas. By controlling ourselves in what we eat, what we say, what we give to others (charity, stewardship, etc.) we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord. Without the discipline of the fast, the joyful experience of the feast is minimized. Fasting is never a punishment. Note that fish is permitted except for Wednesdays and Fridays through December 11th. From December 12th through Christmas Eve the fast is stricter every day- fruits, nuts, vegetables, shell fish allowed but no animal or dairy products of course until Christmas Day. Do the best you can and remember that fasting/abstaining from sin is the greatest fast.

 

Sessions on Scripture (SOS): SOS will not meet on Wednesday, December 26th. We will announce the January sessions soon.

 

 

Orthros: 9:00A.M.

Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40 (pgs 1366-67)

Divine Liturgy: 10:00A.M.

Gospel: Matthew  1:1-25 (pg. 1147)

 

Acolytes: Andrew Skoufis, Paul Nonas,
Kirk Simeonidis, Vassili Salvemini, Luke Gnospelius, Christos Schmarge

 

Ushers: Peggy Goulet, Paul Goulet

 

Narthex: George Bayiokos, Evans Agrapidis, Claire Melissas

 

Reader: Christos Agrapidis

 

Greeters: Chris and Geraldine Nonas

 

Fellowship Hour: AHEPA

 

 

     

House/ Business Blessings 2019: If you wish to have your home and/or business blessed for 2019; please complete a green request form and insert in the drop box in the narthex.

 

2018 Festival Update: The 2018 Saint Nicholas Festival result is a new record! By the Grace of God and all our stewardship of time, talent and treasure the 2018 Festival netted about $145,000. Congratulations and thank you to all who participated and donated from their abundance!

 

Saint Nicholas Outreach: As a result of Saint Nicholas’ successful 2018 Fundraising activities, of which 10% is allocated for Outreach, we were able to fund two in-house ministries in 2018, The Women’s Conference & The Married Couples Retreat; in addition we are making the following donations at this time;: Carl Inserra Leukemia Fund $1,500;  Eva's Village $1,300; Wyckoff (Ambulance) $2,500; Wyckoff (Fire Dept# 2) $1,000; Hellenic College Holy Cross $1,000; Orthodox Christian Fellowship (US colleges) $500; Orthodox Christian Prison Ministries $500; St. Basil Academy $900; St. Michael's Home $1,500; Hellenic Relief Fund $500;  International Orthodox Christian Charities $1,250; Orthodox Christian Mission Center $1,650; The New York Ronald McDonald House (Greek Division) $750; St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN $500.The total outrach achieved was  $17,100. Thank you Saint Nicholas parishioners.

 

Parish 50th Anniversary Celebration: November 3, 2019: We are planning the 50th Anniversary Celebration of our parish. To help, please join the event committee. See Fr. Bill, Nick Pirsos or any parish council member to offer your time, talent and treasure.

 

Daughters of Penelope: The AGAPE Chapter is holding its annual Vasilopita Sale!  Pre-paid orders have been extended till Sunday, December 23rd during fellowship hour only. (look for the flyer/order form set in parish hall). The Vasilopites will be distributed on Thursday, December 27th (4:00pm – 7:30pm) in the AHEPA Room.

 

 

STEWARDSHIP BY THE NUMBERS: Stewardship is composed of our personal offering of time, talent and treasure. Stewardship is not dues. Stewardship is based on Holy Scripture. Since time and talent offerings are more difficult to measure, one measurement of our response to God is our average “treasure” pledge per steward household. In 2017, we had 400 steward households that donated a total of $325,429.
To date in 2018, we have 237 households that have pledged $234,227 plus 128 unpledged donors that combined have donated $281,285 thus far.


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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode

Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.

Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Mode

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

SAINT NICHOLAS ARCHBISHOP OF MYRA IN LYCIA in the First Mode

 

The truth of things has revealed you to your flock as a rule of faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause, you have achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty.  O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

The translations of hymns are under copyright and used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

  • Resurrectional Apolytikion in Plagal of the First Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
  • Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
  • Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
  • Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Tone © Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
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    Wisdom of the Fathers

    The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14).
    St. Ambrose of Milan
    Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

    Thus, from the tribe of Levi may be counted a heritage that is priestly and filled with holiness, while from the tribe of Judah - to which David and Solomon and the rest of the kings belonged - there shines forth the splendor of a royal descent. And so, by the testimony of the Scriptures, Christ is shown to be at once both king and priest.
    St. Ambrose of Milan
    Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

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    INVITATIONS

      CHRISTMAS ENCYCLICAL MET OF NJ

      CHRISTMAS ENCYCLICAL MET OF NJ

      HIS EMINENCE'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

      YOUNG EMERGING ADULTS (YEA)

      YOUNG EMERGING ADULTS (YEA)

      we gather on the 1st Monday evening of the month for fellowship and discussion at 7:30 P.M. CONTACT FR BILL GIKAS FOR DETAILS AT 201 652 4774 EXT. 12

      Christmas schedule

      Christmas schedule

      Join Us This Holy Season!

      Acolytes

      Acolytes

      Join the team! if you are a male nine years of age or older, baptized in the Orthodox Christian Church, you can be on the Acolyte team! contact frbill@stnicholasnj.org

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