November 2013

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church! ! !! ! !! !

608 SOUTH COLLEGE ROAD • WILMINGTON, NC 28403 • (910) 392-4444 • FAX (910) 392-4905

WWW.STNICHOLASWILMINGTON.ORG

Entry of the TheotokosNovember 21

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Fr. Jon Emanuelson Parish Priest

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Office Phone: 910-392-4444 Office Fax: 910-392-4905

Fr. Jon’s mobile number: 910-685-0080

Office Email: office@stnicholaswilmington.org Fr. Jon’s Email: FrJon@stnicholaswilmington.org

Church Website: www.stnicholaswilmington.orgFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/StNicholasWilmington

2013 PARISH COUNCILOfficers MembersEmanuel Miliotis (President) Kim Dandulakis Maria StasiosEvangelos Fragos (Vice President) Peter Malahias Alexandros TheodoropoulosTina Bostic (Secretary) Debbie Rallis Irene Sotiriou VogiatzisBarbara Reynolds (Treasurer) Nick Saffo

CHURCH STAFFDaphne M. Snow, Parish Office Administrator

PARISH MINISTRY TEAM

Religious Education...Richard Reynolds, Ministry ChairAdult Education...Richard ReynoldsYouth Catechism...Courtney Malahias, DirectorBookstore/Library...Mary Ann WallOratorical Festival...Courtney Malahias

Hellenic Culture...Kitsa Wiersteiner, Ministry ChairHellenic School...Alexandros TheodoropoulosRomiosini Dance Group...Zaharoula KatsikisZoyra Dance Group...Kitsa WiersteinerChoral...Dr. Michael RallisSpecial Activities...Kitsa Wiersteiner

Youth Diakonia...Koula Katsikis, Ministry ChairGOYA...Dr. David Snow, Irene Sotiriou Vogiatzis,Mary Beth Miliotis, Tina Bostic, AdvisorsHOPE/JOY...Eleni Pappamihiel

Liturgical Life...Dr. Michael Rallis, Ministry ChairLiturgical Music...Dr. Michael RallisAcolytes (Altar Boys)...Doug BrownNeokoros/Sexton...**Volunteer Needed**

Communications - Technology Ministries...Alexandros Theodoropoulos, Ministry Group LeaderWebmaster...Alexandros TheodoropoulosPublications...Daphne Snow & Stella McTaggartTechnology...Alexandros TheodoropoulosMedia/Community Relations...Beth Burgee, Debbie Rallis, Alexandros Theodoropoulos

Parish Family Life...**Volunteer Needed**Parish Life Night...**Volunteer Needed**Men’s Group...Rick ReynoldsWomen’s Group...**Volunteer Needed**Forever Young...Stella VallianosLOVE...Stella McTaggart

Outreach & Evangelism...**Volunteer Needed**OCF...Fr. Jon & Alexandros Theodoropoulos Hospitality...Ed & Kathleen MayorgaCommunity Service...Sia Mayorga GibbsParish Care...**Volunteer Needed**Philoptochos...Thalia Kefalas, Chapter PresidentStewardship...Debbie Rallis

From The Desk of Father JonBooks that Make a Difference

A theologian is best defined as one who prays. Prayer being the divine dialogue between the believer in God and God Himself. Prayer has been called the Art of arts and practiced by those who love God from the beginning. This very act of reaching out to God expresses our desire to grow in Christ.

There are many books that I could recommend to help us grow in the Orthodox Faith. First and foremost is the Scriptures bring light to our souls and help us draw nearer to God. Still, in addition to the Bible there are other books that are most helpful in drawing us nearer to the Divine. One such book is “Experiences during the Divine Liturgy”. As a priest for twenty-four years, my love for our Liturgy grows with each time I am able to celebrate. I try to prepare and absorb all the grace that God allows to flow during the worship. Many people have been blessed by God to experience the Divine Liturgy in such a powerful and meaningful way.

Fortunately for us, a blessed priest, Fr. Stephanos Anagnostopoulos, has written down as many of these experiences during the Divine Liturgy, so that we read and partake of them. The book is titled “Experiences during the Divine Liturgy.” I was blessed to meet Fr. Stephanos the year the book was published in Greek at St. Anthony Monastery. I purchased a copy in Greek which he signed. I learned of the English translation recently and purchased it as well. I can highly recommend reading this book simply because it makes a difference in our understanding and experience of the Divine Liturgy.

When I cense the altar, many have asked me why I swing the censor in a circle. I do this in honor of the angels in attendance at the Divine Liturgy. The following story will help you understand.

A priest once narrated the following:

One night he went to the Church late, because he had forgotten something and he had to get it. He unlocked it and stepped inside. It was dark He later saw from the Beautiful Gate, which he had forgotten to close, a bright Angel holding a burning sword in his hand. The Angel was standing right beside the Holy Table! The priest got so scared that he fled! He was scared indeed! When he reached the nave, it was a big Church Temple, he heard a voice: "Wait!” So, he stood there, frozen, as he was rooted to the spot. “Don’t be afraid,” he told the priest in a sweet tone of voice. “I am the Angel – Guardian of this Church Temple. When the Holy Table inside the Church Temple is sanctified and becomes Holy, the Lord, the Almighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords, places a vigilant Angel – Guardian next to the Holy Table. The priest stood still in the Narthyx and listened terrified as he was, having turned his back on the Sanctuary. The Angel continued in a sweeter tone of voice: “Come on, come back and close please, the Beautiful Gate which you forgot to close.” (The angel said, “Please” to the priest!) The priest came back – he was not scared or terrified anymore, instead he felt serene – and could not see the Angel anymore. He proceeded hesitantly, but now with reverence not in fear. With hesitation and awe he touched the curtain of the Beautiful Gate and closed it carefully. Nevertheless, he started wondering: Was it a figment of my imagination?! Was I dreaming? Or was I hallucinating? In response to that however, he heard a myriad of Angels chanting “It is truly meet…” The Temple was dedicated to the All-Holy (Panagia) Theotokos. He could not stand listening to this angelic chanting so he fainted! He fell down! When, after a while, he came to he went home and did not speak to anyone. Fifteen years later just before his death he told me about his experience.

We who attend the Divine Liturgy are so blessed…with St. Peter, I exclaim,… to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things which angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:12

Love in Christ,+ Fr. Jon Emanuelson

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From Emanuel Miliotis,Parish Council President

As previous newsletters have referenced we have earnestly begun working on a community wide survey to our parishioners. The goal is to get a better understanding of where each family’s needs are and how to best structure our ministries to be able to support these needs. This survey will be the first of its kind in recent times and will provide valuable feedback to us. We also hope through the survey to identify volunteers who may have a passion to serve on some of the ministry teams as without that, we only have ideas. With the community continuing to grow in the body of Christ, now is the time to make sure we are structured for the future. Ultimately this information can be used to drive funding decisions to help existing or new/expanding ministries as our debt obligations (mortgage) has been paid off and we can be more creative that in the past.

We will soon begin reaching out to our parishioners to take part in this survey. We will use every method to connect with you. While face to face is the most effective, we also will provide electronic options as back-up to make sure we get your feedback. This is a big effort and will likely take a few months to complete. We will be providing specifics and more promotion to you soon.

Finally as a reminder, the Fall general assembly meeting will be held on Sunday, November 24th. On the agenda will include a review of the survey and some of the questions that we are asking, if you have not yet had an opportunity to participate. In closing, as a reminder, the end of the year also includes Parish Council elections. We are always looking for parishioners who would like to serve in this very important ministry of our church. If you are interested in running or finding out more about the specifics of being on the parish council, please seek our Fr. Jon, myself or one of the soon to be identified Election Committee volunteers who will be looking for nominees. This will also be part of the general assembly agenda.

In His service

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Save the Date - December 2013

December 9 - Divine Liturgy for the Feast day of St. Nicholas

December 19 - JOY/HOPE Caroling

December 21 & 22 - GOYA/Romiosini Caroling

December 24 - Eve of the Nativity of Christ Vesporal Liturgy

December 25 - Divine Liturgy for the Feast day of Christ

December 31 - Pan-Ikarian sponsored New Year’s Eve Dance

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Outreach & EvangelismJim Stasios

On Saturday, November 16th, our St. Nicholas & St. Basil the Great parishioners with AHEPA Brothers from Cape Fear Chapter #408 and teammates from DaVita Healthcare will work the first (9 AM to 12 PM) shift at the STOP HUNGER NOW (SHN) meal-packaging event on the UNC Wilmington campus. Please arrive by 8:45 AM so we can begin work promptly at 9:00 AM.

We will be packaging meals in Hanover Hall, which is the small gym behind Trask Coliseum on campus. There are two other shifts that will volunteering that day: 12 PM to 3 PM and 3 PM to 6 PM. If for some reason you cannot work the first shift with our group, but you want to help, feel free to work one of the other two shifts.

If you have made a financial contribution to our SHN fund-raising effort, thank you! If you haven’t made a contribution, yet, please feel free to place your check in a collection tray during Divine Liturgy or give it to Irene Vogiatzis or Jim Stasios. We need everyone’s help in order to reach our goal!

In November the Orthodox Church observes one of its twelve (12) “Major Feasts” The Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple. We will celebrate this feast with Great Vespers and Artoklasia on Wednesday, November 20, followed Parish Night with a meal and discussion. We will continue our celebration of this feast on Thursday, November 21st, Orthros (8:00 AM) and Divine Liturgy (9:00 AM).

The following Thursday, November 28th, is Thanksgiving Day. Our Ladies Philoptochos Society will be conducting a food drive in November to help feed several needy families in the greater Wilmington community. Please help by donating food or money for this effort.

Finally, our O&E Ministry Team is in need of a few more volunteers to help with this important Ministry of our Parish. If you are interested in serving, please contact Fr. Jon or Manny Miliotis. Thank you!

Forever YoungStella Vallianos

Forever Young continues to meet on the first Tuesday of each month. In October, we took a trip to Southport. We visited an exhibit on Robert Ruork, the novelist who grew up in the Wilmington and Southport area.

In October, we hosted the Sunday coffee in memory of members who are no longer with us: Mary and Teddy Mavros, Harry and Joan Spiliotis, Irene Zezefellis, Aglaia Stoycos, Mike Papan, Alice Brinster, John Copulos, Mary Malahias, Louis Tripodes and Angeline Saffo.

We invite everyone, fifty years or older, to join us for a few hours of fellowship. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 5, 11:00 a.m., at the church.

Romiosini

We will be holding another Yard Sale on November 9, 2013 starting at 7am here at the Church to continue to raise money for our Dance Troop.

Catechism CornerCourtney Malahias

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love this time of year. As soon as I feel the first chill in the air and smell the crispness in the air, I think of spending time with my family. When I say family I mean my immediate family, my extended family and my church family. Being together inside our cozy homes and staying connected is what I love. You ever notice that the colder it gets, the closer we all are? How many people can I squeeze in our family room by the fire? There is something

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magical that happens when we all gather around the fireplace and just BE ……...How many people can we gather by our altar at St. Nicholas? If my week has been great, church enhances it and I leave with a lift in my step. If my week has been very trying, sometimes I have to really dig deep to attend church. It is so much easier to stay in my warm bed and sip my coffee! I am ALWAYS grateful I chose to go. I leave with a lift in my step and a fresh week ahead of me.

Attendance is good but it can be better! We need U in CH RCH and more especially - we need your children. Lots of good stuff happening. If you would like to help with our Christmas Program, please contact me. I need help! It is scheduled to happen on December 11th at 5:30.The more you get involved, the more connected you will feel!

We are focusing on gratefulness in our classrooms. We all have so much to be grateful for. Our classrooms will be doing some projects for the Good Shepherd House this holiday season. Let us know if you want to join us!

Hellenic (Greek) Folk Dance group for Pre-K-1st H.O.P.E.

Alexandros Theodoropoulos

Our newly formed Hellenic (Greek) dance group for Pre-K-1st grade H.O.P.E. ages meets on Sundays right after the divine liturgy. All of our families with children in these ages are invited to join this group, the goal of which is to teach the fundamentals of Hellenic folk dancing to these youth members of ours in a fun way and better prepare them to advance into our other dance groups of older ages. For more information, please contact Alexandros Theodoropoulos at HellenicSchool@stnicholaswilmington.org .

For information on our Hellenic Culture & Education ministries in general please visit our website at http://stnicholaswilmington.org/HellenicStudiesCulture.html . For information on our Youth ministries in general please visit our website at http://stnicholaswilmington.org/YouthDiakonia.html

LOVEStella McTaggart

What is more fun than a play date with the kiddos? A play date for the adults only! This will give us a chance to get to know each other a bit more without having to follow the kids to make sure they don’t swallow a marble or color the walls. Sunday evening, November 17 (fish, wine & oil allowed during Advent Fast!!) let’s meet at Fox & Hound at Mayfaire for dinner around 7pm. Please contact Stella McTaggart at 910-452-7075 or stellamctaggart@ec.rr.com by November 14th so I can reserve a table for our group. Please remember this event is open to ANY parent/ caretaker of a child in this group. The more the merrier.

OCF Meetings & Host Family Sponsorship Program

Alexandros Theodoropoulos

Our OCF group meets at 7:00pm every other Tuesday night at our church. In addition, the group has informal lunch meetings with Fr. Jon and Fr. Timothy (from St. Basil) at the Varsity Cafe in the UNCW Fisher Student Center starting at 12:00pm every Tuesday. All are welcome to join. In case you know of any students that would be interested, please encourage them to attend.

We would further like to identify potential host families for our OCF students. The pertinent document/form can be found on our website at www.stnicholaswilmington.org/Docs/OutreachEvangelism/OCF/OCFSponsors.pdf . Please see Fr. Jon for more information about our new OCF Host Family or Sponsorship program. Please consider becoming a host family for one of our OCF students.

Pan-Ikarian Brotherhood

The Pan-Ikarian Brotherhood Chapter Therma No. 10 is planning a “bang up” New Year’s Eve part with prime rib heading the menu. “Live” Greek D.J. with good Greek and American music.

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Presale tickets will available starting November 17. Adults $30.00, Students $20.00 and children 10 and under $10.00

Tickets at the door will be adults $40.00, students $30.00, children 10 and under $20.00.

Hope to see you there!

GOYA

Please join the GOYANS on November 2nd at 9:00am at Hoggard High Schools Cafeteria as we enjoy a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. See Jimmie Stasios for $5 advanced tickets. $6 at the door; proceeds sponsor youth programs in our area. This is a great opportunity for all our parishioners to have breakfast together!GOYA invites all middle and high school students to join us. Our activities for November include:· November 2: GOYANS support Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at Hoggard High, 9:00 AM.· November 2: GOYANS go Bowling 12-3 at Ten Pin Alley· November 16: Stop Hunger Now @UNCW 9:00am-12:00pm. Please sign up.· November 15-17: Metropolis Advent Retreat @ Diakonia Center· November 23: GOYANS help prepare & deliver Thanksgiving Baskets

Finally, we will again be shopping for the less fortunate for Christmas by Dec 4th. More info to come.

Veterans Recognition

A most deserving call to all Veterans from all branches of the services and all wars who fought to maintain our freedoms. Please come join us Sunday, November 10 for Divine Liturgy, after which coffee hour will be held in your honor.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mariana Staks and family on the baptism of her daughter, Elinor, into the Orthodox Church on September 21. Elinor’s godfather is Alexander Peklaris. Nά σάς ζήσεις!

Congratulations to Josh Tracy and Aimee Scholly on their recent engagement. Josh is the son of Ernest Tracy and Sophia Fragos Tracy. Josh and Aimee both live and work in Raleigh.

Congratulations to Avery Saffo on retrieving the cross at the Blessing of the Waters Cross Dive last Saturday. Ἃξιος!

Congratulations to Anita and Caleb Kratsa on the birth of their daughter, Stella, born on Saturday, Sept. 28. Νά σάς ζήσει!

Congratulations to Cathie and Norman Perry who were married Saturday, Oct. 19.

Sympathies and Memorials

Forever Young prepared Coffee Hour in loving memory of members who have gone to their rest: Mary and Teddy Mavros, Harry and Joan Spiliotis, Irene Zezefellis, Aglaia Stoycos, Mike Papan, Alice Brinster, John Copulos, Mary Malahias, Louis Tripodes, Angeline Saffo. May their memories be eternal.

A three year memorial was offered for Angelis Haralambous, father of Irene and Vasili Haralambous, Dena Poulos, and Maria Spyropoulos. May his memory be eternal!

A Trisagion was chanted for the memory of the 263 miners, who died in the accident on October 22, 1913 in Raton, New Mexico. This October will be the 100-year anniversary of that mining accident, where 133 Italian & 35 Greek immigrants died.

StewardshipDebra Rallis

2013 STEWARDS AS OF OCTOBER 17, 2013

Anagnost, John Andrews, Louis & RoulaAngeledes, Angelo & EvelynBalourdos, Konstantinos & KarlaBatis, John & EmilyBatounis, John & NancyBatuyios, FrancisBatounis, Nick & SylviaBostic, Michael & TinaBrants, Angelique SkandalakisBrilakis, Anthony & ShirleyBrown, Doug & ArgieCranidiotis, Chris & JoyDandulakis, Gregory & KimberlyDemas, Ron & SharonDentiste, AngelaDiakogiannis, IfigeniaDiakogiannis, JohnDimopoulos, Peter & KathyDukas, NotaEmanuelson, Fr. Jon & Presbytera BarbaraFaraclas, PearlFlowers, Larry & HelenFokakis, GeorgeFragakis, John & SophiaFragos, Evangelo & OlympiaFrankos, Dr. MaryGerry, DespinaGerry, DespinaGill, Tim & TinaHaralambous, IriniHarris, Benjamin & Barbara EfthymiouHiletca, Dan & GeorgetaIoannou, Yiannakis & AntoniaJeffries, Phil & IreneKaprantzas, Chris & EleniKaronis, Yiannis & Evyenia Katris, Angelo & AnastasiaKatsikis, Basile & Koula

Kefalas, ThaliaKing, Lee & DorisKirk, Graham and StephanieKirkby, Matthew & MelissaKoklanaris, Emmanuel & LambraKoklanaris, DenaKologiros, KonstantinosLazaridis, Nick & NenaLionikis, Emmanuel & AthanasiaLogothetis, Anestis & ConstanceLoizides, Michael & TheodoraMacris, GeorgiaMaggio, Ralph & Evelyn CharalombousMalahias, Peter & CourtneyManolukas, Peter & JoanManousaridis, ChristosMaraveyias, Nick & JenniferMarkatos, Aristea PMarmaras, GeorgiaMarmaras, MaryMaroudis, Xenophon & MaryMayorga, AspasiaMayorga, Ed & KathleenMcGowan, Calvin & DianeMcReynolds, Stanley & MariaMcTaggart, StellaMeyer, Mark & Angelique SMiliotis, Emanuel & Mary BethMoskogianis, Karen & Driscoll, Thomas Nashed, NeematPantermakis, George & Janet KennedyPapakidis, MariaPapanicolaou, Lambros & NikiPapanikolaou, Efstratios & SandraPappamihiel, RuthPatsalos, Jimmy & AnnaPeklaris, Alexander & YvonnePerry, Norman & CathiePinkston, Anne Bakalis

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Pittman, Brian & BenjaleePonos, Mark & RhondaPorzio, Andrew & AlexiaPoulos, DenaPoulos, Jack & DaniellePoulos, John & AthenaPoulos, Koula & ArgiePoulos, PatProukou, Theodore & KatherinePsilos, Constantine & Renee Karonis Rallis, Michael & DebraRallis, NikoletaReynolds, Rick & BarbaraRobbins, Jeffrey & OlesyaRoeske, Michael & EkaterinaRonner, Tom & ConnieRowell, Robert & Cathy LazaridesSaffo, AngelineSaffo, Marian & MarikaSaffo, Nick & TiaSaffo, Peter & KimSaffo, Tony & JamieSchaefer, Robert & RenaSimotas, Spiros & GiannoulaSingley, David & JeanneSkandalakis, Kay & JoannaSljaka, Sophie

Snow, David & DaphneSouflas, Thomas & LindaStaks, MarianneStarnes, Debra & KennethStasios, James & MariaTheodoropoulos, Alexandros & Eleni PappamihielTheophilos, Plato & ReneTsangarides, Arthur & WandaTsingelis, Chris & AngieVallianos, StellaVavalette, Mary AnnVerikios, Mary EVeitch, Robert & SophiaViolagis, Thomas & NotaVogiatzis, Anastasios Vogiatzis, Anastasios & GeorgiaVogiatzis, EleniVogiatzis, Ioannis & BarbaraVogiatzis, Vasilios & Irene SotirouWall, Mary AnnWhitley, John and ElaineWickersham, Donald RossWiersteiner, Samuel & KyriakiZannis, John & StephanieZezefellis, EffieZondos, Angela Toolie

We thank all the parishioners who have submitted a 2013 pledge card. If you haven't yet pledged we ask that you prayerfully consider becoming a St. Nicholas steward. Your stewardship helps us fund all the wonderful ministries that we are able to offer in addition to supporting the operation of our church. Stop by the office to obtain a pledge card. God bless you and keep you.

Thank you to our.....* 132 stewards who have submitted a pledge.* 24 new stewards.*32 stewards who increased their pledges over 2012

WAYS TO CLOSE THE GAP:*Make a pledge if you have not done so.*Finish paying your current pledge.*Can you increase your pledge? If so, please consider doing so.

Your participation helps continue His ministry through the Community of St. Nicholas!

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Vision: How to have a Personal Vision for Your Life that is Consistent with God’s Plan.

September 19, 2013 | Filed under: Resources, What's New! and tagged with: life plan, mission, visionhttp://www.atlmetropolis.org/Youth%20and%20Family%20Ministry.html

Having the right vision for our lives is paramount because only when we work with God, and co-create with God, will we be complete, joyful, and energetic people. Unfortunately, there are far too many people with great potential, but unrealized dreams; people that are passionate without commitment to get the job done, or those that embark on personal visions that lead to disappointment and destruction.

Why is Vision Important?

Obtaining vision is something far more important than having good eyesight.  Helen Keller was once asked, “What would be worse than being born blind?” to which she replied, “Having sight without a vision.”When people forget about God they’ll default to creating their own vision for their lives that is either flawed, incomplete, or non-existent.  Creating a personal vision for our lives apart from God is risky because in it can lead to sin and disharmony.

It is so important to have the proper vision for our lives because worldly things like money, fame, fortune, influence, recognition, and worldly excellence don’t satisfy the soul.  Here is what King Solomon had to say about his self-centered vision in Ecclesiastes 2:11:

“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”

From Solomon’s writings we deduce that goes any personal vision apart from God’s will for our lives is incomplete.  Despite the magnitude of our personal accomplishments; there will be always some void when we do it without God’s blessing.  Only when we work with God, and co-create with God will we be complete, joyful, and energetic people.

That’s why we see so much discontent in the world; because people are not working together with a common vision of serving Jesus Christ.

Great saints, missionaries, Fathers of the Church, and other holy people were able to live a vision for their lives that reached outside of themselves by harnessing the power of the Almighty God and living according to His will for their lives. A worldly, self-centered vision is not the type of vision our Lord hoped that we would embrace.

Our Lord understood our chaotic, dysfunctional world and has a vision and better plan for our lives. Jesus’ vision is that all people choose to embrace the life of the Cross.  That means that people understand that they need the Cross; they want to be saved; that they understand that their personal vision is lacking, and that Jesus Christ has a better plan for their lives.

What is God’s Vision for Our Lives?

Knowing Jesus’ vision for His people means that we respond with a personal vision for our lives that is consistent with God’s plan. For most people this is something that is very difficult.  How do we know what’s

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God plan for our lives?  Most of us don’t even know what our own vision is all about; so how do we find about God’s vision for our lives. Let me give you a few examples on where to start about learning where to gain our vision for our lives.

• First we need to communicate with God and learn to better love Him, trust Him, and live entirely for His glory.  This means that we must start with a daily prayer regimen.  I suggest that starting the day with an early morning prayer is an excellent way to start the day.  No need for anything fancy, but a prayer that is personal, loving, and honest.  When we pray to God, we should do it in such a way that we thank Him for His blessings that we ask  forgiveness from our sins, that we communicate our needs, and let Him know that our entire lives are open to serve Him.

• Next,  it’s always good to be under the guidance of a spiritual father.  Many times we have trouble interpreting where God is leading us and a spiritual father’s insight and perspective can be valuable.

• Third, having vision does not mean that we develop a plan for our lives; but rather that we have a journey mapped out where we are in a constant state of movement.  Having vision also means that we are actively working towards implementing God’s vision for our lives.

Our Christian faith is an active, engaging faith where we are not rewarded for what we think; or the plans we make, but rather for what we do.

All we have to do is imitate our Lord’s ministry; he ministered to the poor, he healed the sick, comforted the broken, taught the faithful, and gave up His life that unworthy people like us could enter into paradise. Having a clear vision of what God wants us to do with our lives is a great first step towards being fulfilled.  Why?

• Because there is something most comforting in knowing we are doing what we are supposed to be doing,• There is comfort in knowing that what we are doing is consistent and requisitioned by God Himself,• There is something fulfilling in knowing that we are helping God’s people• There is something fulfilling in knowing that implementing God’s vision brings us closer to His Kingdom.

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Cross Dive 2013

Congratulations to Avery Saffo!

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St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church November 2013

14

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Wilmington, NC 608 S. College Road 910-392-4444

Holiday Bake Sale 2013 Pastries Quantity Total $ Baklava (Layers of Nuts and Filo) $18/dozen Almond Crescent Cookies $7/small box of 4 Finikia (Spice Cookies with Honey Syrup) $15/dozen Kourambiethes (Powdered Sugar Cookies) $15/ dozen Coconut Delight (Cake Squares with Honey Syrup) $18/dozen Koulourakia (Butter Twist Cookies) $8/dozen Kataife $18/dozen Sampler Pastry Box $10/box of 8 Sampler Cookie Box $15/dozen Sampler Box (Baklava, Kataife, Coconut Delight) $18/dozen

Individual pastry pieces are $1.50 each Individual piece of Baklava $2.00 each

Sweet Bread Quantity Total $ Holiday Bread Loaf $10/each Frozen Appetizers Quantity Total $ Spanakopita (Spinach Filled Filo) $27.00/48 piece tray

Tiropita (Cheese Filled Filo) $27.00/48 piece tray

Your Grand Total Due__ _________ Name Phone Number Address E-Mail

November 24, 2013 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm All proceeds benefit local and national charities through the philanthropic organization the Ladies Philoptochos Society

Email&us:&office@stnicholaswilmington.org!!

Fasting: indicates Strict fast

wine & oil allowed

fish allowed

1

5:00 PM Hellenic School

2 Daylight Savings8:00 AM Bible Study9:00 AM GOYA Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast12:00PM GOYA Bowling12:00 PM Baptism & Hall in use Baptism3:00 PM JOY/Hope Event6:00 PM Great Vespers

3 Family WorshipDaylight SavingsBenevolent Tray 8:30 AM Orthros10:00 AM Divine Liturgy12:00 PM Prek Dance

4

6:30 PM ECY/COM

5

11:00 AM Forever Young

7:00PM Parish Council

6

6:00 PM Parish Life6:30 PM Adult Study7:00 PM GOYA Discussion

7

7:00 PM Orthodoxy 101 Inquiry Class

8 ArchangelMichael

9:00 AM

5:00 PM Hellenic School

9 St. Nektarios7:00 AM GOYA/RomiosiniYard Sale9:00 AM Divine Liturgy11:00 AM Romiosini Practice6:00 PM Great Vespers

10Veterans DayRecognition8:30 AM Orthros10:00 AM Divine Liturgy12:00 PM Festival Meeting12:00 PM PreK Dance12:30 PM Zoyra Practice1:00 PM Romiosini Practice

11 Veterans Day10:00 AM Bake Day

12

7:00 PM OCF

13 St. John Chrysostom

9:00 AM Divine Liturgy6:00 PM Parish Life6:30 PM Adult Study7:00 PM GOYA Discussion

14 St. Philip the Apostle

9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

7:00 PM Orthodoxy 101 Inquiry Class

15 Nativity Fast Begins Newsletter Articles due

5:00 PM Hellenic School

16 St. Matthew9:00 AM Stop Hunger Now

6:00 PM Great Vespers

178:30 AM Orthros10:00 AM Divine Liturgy12:00 PM PreK Dance12:30 PM Zoyra Practice1:00 PM Romiosini 7:00 PM LOVE

18 19

7:00 PM Choir Practice

20 6:00 PM Great Vespers/Parish Life7:00 PM Meal/Adult Study7:00 PM Meal/GOYA Discussion

21 Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple8:00 AM Orthros9:00 AM Divine Liturgy7:00 PM Orthodoxy 101

22

5:00 PM Hellenic School

2310:00 AM Philoptochos/GOYA Thanksgiving Basket Distribution11:00 AM Romiosini6:00 PM Great Vespers

248:30 AM Orthros10:00 AM Divine Liturgy12:00 PM General Assembly12:00 PM BakeSale12:00 PM PreK Dance12:30 PM Zoyra Practice1:00 PM Romiosini

25 St. Katherine9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

26

7:00 PM Choir Practice

27 28 ThanksgivingOffice Closed

29Office Closed

30 St. Andrew the Apostle9:00 AM Divine Liturgy

6:00 PM Great Vespers

Parish Calendar November 2013SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

APC National Clergy Retreat - Fr. Jon in Florida

A d v e n t F a s t

A d v e n t F a s t

ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

608 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED