ST. NICHOLAS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

In our ongoing effort to provide more opportunities for liturgical worship, we will begin a weekly Thursday morning Divine Liturgy, offered alternately at St. Nicholas and at St. George. Liturgy will be preceded by Orthros (Matins) at 7 AM, with Liturgy at 7:45 AM. All who can participate are encouraged to attend as often as possible, be that weekly, monthly, or even occasionally. We will commemorate the Saint(s) of the Day and be inspired from their great example to live the Christian life.

Fr. Michael will be hosting a Bible Study entitled Selections from the Psalms. This 10-week study will begin this Thursday, September 12 at 10:30 AM. What's fantastic about this study is that it is accessible to everyone in THREE different ways: 1) attend in person 2) attend virtually by calling in (214-849-6495), or 3) via live video chat on any computer, tablet or smartphone at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2148496495. Recordings will also be available for download from our parish website following each session to watch and/or listen to at your leisure. No matter how you participate, join in and find the treasures that await in the God-inspired Holy Scriptures!

The Works of Mercy Ministry will soon be considering candidates for the 2019 Gift of St. Nicholas. If your fellowship group would like to nominate a recipient, please send an email to gregorystorey1@gmail.com. The following Gift of St. Nicholas Criteria must apply:

Gift should be given to an organization focused on caring for those in need locally.

St. Nicholas should have experience working with the organization.

The gift should be given to the organization where it can have the greatest proportional impact.

Must have 501c3 status.

An education program presented by the Alzheimer's Association will take place Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 pm. The informational class will take place at the Village of Heather Hills in Grand Rapids. Visit alz.org/CRF to register online and explore additional education programs.

FAMILY NIGHT DINNER AND

PATHWAYS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Family Night fall series begins this Wednesday with the following weekly schedule of events:

6 PM Dinner: Bring a fast-friendly (meatless) pot-luck entree or side to share.

7 PM Spiritual Growth: Participate in one of the following great opportunities for all ages:

Pre-school - Grade 3: Fun games and activities for our Little Ones!

Grades 4-6: This latest addition to our Youth Ministry program brings together our pre-teens for their own special FUN, FAITH and FELLOWSHIP time, so that their friendships in the church will become deeper, and their Orthodox Christian Faith will grow stronger.

SOYO: Our teens will have some time for bonding fun and also begin their study of the Gospel of John.

Ask Abouna: This camp favorite of the kids is coming to St. Nicholas for adults! Fr. Michael will be serving up Ahweh (Arabic coffee), American coffee, tea and his soon-to-be-famous desserts, along with answers to your questions on life and faith. Laughter and learning will pair together well for this open forum!

Financial Peace University (FPU): If you’re tired of money stress, then join more than five million people whose lives have been changed by FPU who have been guided in their work to nail a budget, defeat debt, and free themselves from money worries. This program is open to all—friends are welcome! Contact Ryan Kaufman at 616-821-3743 for more info. Register online at https://stnicholasgr.com/financial-peace-university-classes/

MIDDLE EASTERN DINNER

TICKETS: Please see Melissa Powell to purchase your ticket and grab some to sell. You can also encourage your friends to buy tickets online at https://stnicholasgr.breezechms.com/form/c6b72563 Let’s make this the biggest dinner we’ve ever had!

BAKING DAYS: A table will be set-up outside The Cultural Center for all parishioners to sign-up for each baking sessions. NOTE: Please do not wear open-toe shoes

Meatpies This Wednesday, September 11 9 AM-dough balls, 10 AM-baking begins

Cheese Bread Wednesday, September 18 Wednesday, September 25 9 AM-dough balls, 10 AM-baking begins

Meatballs Saturday, September 21 8:30 AM

Baklawa Tuesday, September 24 10 AM

The Church School Picnic will be held next Sunday, September 15 from 1:00-3:00 PM at Manhattan Park (corner of East Beltline and Cascade Rd). All Church School students, parents, teachers and subs are invited to join in on the fun! Special Note to parents: During the picnic, we will have a short meeting to share information about plans for the upcoming year and discuss opportunities for you to help. Please be sure to come join us!

CHURCH SCHOOL

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Let’s gather together and start the Church Year off with fellowship, food, and fun! Our first GNO will be held at the home of Janet Ansara (1799 Platinum Falls, Ada 49301) this Thursday, September 12 at 6 PM. Please bring an appetizer or dessert along with your favorite quote/Bible verse.

Moms and Kids: Join us this Friday, September 13 at 10 AM as we learn about the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross with books, discussion, and activities...snacks, coffee and fellowship too! We hope you can join us! (Just a reminder this is open to kids of all ages, but most activities are geared toward preschool ages).

Moms’ First Ever Book Club! Mamas (and Godmoms, Aunties, Grandmothers, Moms-to-be, Adopted Moms...basically all Women who love kids)! Join us for our first ever book club where we will be reading Parenting Toward the Kingdom, by Dr. Philip Mamalakis! We will begin our discussion with Principle 1 on September 19, 7:30 PM at Schuler's Chapbook Cafe, located on 28th St. Let's join together for inspiration, guidance, and a true love for our children as we discuss how to be more effective in bringing our kids and our families closer to God. If you have any questions, contact Elizabeth Ayoub at (414-305-4676).

Moms and Kids: On Friday, September 27, we’ll have a morning at the zoo! We'll explore the animals together and we can also pack a picnic lunch for after! Admission: $13 for adults and $10 for kids. The zoo is open 10-4 that day. Hope you can join us!

On Thursday, September 19, we are visiting The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. We will carpool from St. Nicholas at 9 AM and return by 5 PM. The Forerunners are covering the entrance fee for each attendee. However, each person is responsible for their lunch and snacks. Anyone wishing to attend, please contact Eileen Adolphson eadolphson@outlook.com or (616)-791-0779, or sign-up during Coffee Hour.

LOOKING AHEAD

September 21 Ministry Leadership Retreat October 22 Middle Eastern Dinner

October 25-27 Fall Gathering in Akron, OH

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES

For a complete listing of all of St. Nicholas’ services and events, visit our website at https://stnicholasgr.com/event-calendar/

Tuesday, September 10 Daily Orthros @ St. George (7 AM)

2019 Convention Wrap-Up meeting (6:30 PM)

Wednesday, September 11 Baking for Middle Eastern Dinner Dough Balls (9 AM) Meat Pies (10 AM) Family Night Dinner (6 PM) Pathways to Spiritual Growth (7 PM)

Thursday, September 12 Daily Orthros @ St. George (7 AM)

Divine Liturgy @ St. George (7:45 AM)

Bible Study (10:30 AM ) Women of St. Nicholas: GNO @ Janet

Ansara’s house (6 PM)

Friday, September 13 OK Mama: Kids and Moms morning (10 AM)

Elevation of the Cross @ Holy Cross 2828 Richmond St. NW, 49504 Orthros (5 PM)

Divine Liturgy (6 PM)

Saturday, September 14 - Feast of the Elevation of the Cross Great Vespers/Confession (6 PM)

Sunday, September 15— Orthros/Orthodox Education Classes (8:50 AM) Divine Liturgy (10 AM)

Church School Picnic and Parent Meeting

REJOICE IN THE LORD & CELEBRATE HIS GOODNESS

Middle Eastern Dinner

The preparations for our Middle Eastern Dinner are underway! It's a lot of fun, and in the process we raise lots of money for the many ministries of our parish! We need EVERY member of St. Nicholas to participate in ticket sales, baking days (including clean-up), and/or working the day of the dinner. As the dinner draws closer, we will need help during the late afternoon and evening hours when many parishioners are more available. We are asking for your help and commitment. We will reach out to you through a telephone call, weekly bulletin/newsletters.

Dinner date: TUESDAY, October 22

Cost: $18 per dinner (It is a lot of food!)

Dine-in: 5:30 - 7:00 PM (Invite your friends!) Drive Through Take Out: 4:00 - 7:00 PM

TICKETS: On Sunday, September 8, tickets will be on sale. We need everyone in the parish to sell dinner tickets! A ticket link will be up and running on our St. Nicholas website next week for you and your friends to use to purchase tickets. Please be certain to send the link to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers for an easy pay-by-credit-card-option when purchasing dinner tickets! See Melissa Powell if you want your tickets early.

BAKING DAYS: A table will be set-up outside The Cultural Center for all parishioners to sign-up and work for each baking sessions. NOTE: Please do not wear open-toe shoes

Wednesday, September 4 Meatpies

9 AM-Dough Balls 10 AM-Baking Begins

Wednesday, September 18 Cheese Bread

9 AM-Dough Balls 10 AM-Baking Begins

Wednesday, September 25 Cheese Bread

9 AM-Dough Balls 10 AM-Baking Begins

Wednesday, September 11 Meatpies

9 AM-Dough Balls 10 AM-Baking Begins

Saturday, September 21 Meatballs 8:30 AM