St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church Woodstock, GA December 2, 2018

The St. Elizabeth News Christ is Among us! �1

If you have never been to an Orthodox Church before, you are about to participate in the Divine Liturgy. Liturgy means the work of the people, and that means that all of your prayers are necessary! We

hope you will stay and join us for coffee hour in the atrium. Please feel free to ask Fr. Matthew any questions you might have! May

God’s blessing be upon all of you!

This week’s music…

Tropar & Kondak Tone 2- Blue Book pg. 84 Red Book pg. 99

Now and ever and forever. Amen.

Kondak of Preparation for the Nativity Tone 3- Today the Virgin is on her way to the cave* where she will give birth in a manner beyond understanding* to

the Word Who is in all eternity* Rejoice, therefore, universe, when you hear it heralded.* With the angels

and the shepherds, glorify Him* Who chose to be seen as a newborn babe* while remaining God in all eternity.

THE ST. ELIZABETH NEWS An Orthodox Christian Community

Reverend Father Matthew Dutko Pastor/Administrator Father Deacon Steven Hanes Phone: 404-268-6359 Email: fatherdutko@gmail.com

www.stelizabethga.org

27th Sunday After Pentecost

Epistle: Ephesians 6:10-17 Gospel: Luke 18:18-27

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

St. Elizabeth Orthodox Mission Church 2265 E. Cherokee Drive Woodstock, GA 30188 A parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Ruling Hierarch: His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa

St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church Woodstock, GA December 2, 2018

The St. Elizabeth News Christ is Among us! �2

Weekly Schedule

Wednesday 12/5 7pm- Great Vespers for

the Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Thursday 12/6 9am- Divine Liturgy for

the Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Sunday 12/9 10 am- Divine Liturgy

fo!owed a visit "om St. Nicholas

Announcements …

• Sunday School/ Play Practice Today

• Don’t Miss Out- St. Nicholas will be visiting our parish to deliver gifts to our young people Next Sunday, December 9th.

• Don’t forget to send in Birthday and Anniversary Announcements!

• Sr. ACRY Trim-A-Tree for Prayers- There is a Christmas Tree in the Narthex with no ornaments on it. Each prayer ornament is being personally designed and hand painted by Teressa and will cost $10. All proceeds will go to the philanthropic ministries of the National ACRY. A sign up sheet and offering box is available in the Narthex. Thank you for your support of the ministries of the National philanthropic organization of our diocese, the ACRY.

• More Announcements on Pages 4 & 5

May God Grant Fr. Dcn. Steven & His Family Many Happy and Blessed Years!

Axios! Axios! Axios!

May God grant many happy and blessed years to Deacon Steven, Michelle, James,

Madeline, and the whole Hanes family. This past week marked the one year anniversary of Deacon Steven serving at St. Elizabeth’s.

The service of Deacon Steven, Michelle, and his family to St. Elizabeth’s is so very much

appreciated! On behalf of the entire St. Elizabeth’s Parish Family we thank you and

pray that our Lord bless the Deacon, Michelle, James, & Madeline in the years to come as they continue to work tirelessly in

His vineyard!

The Journey to Bethlehem By Fr. Dcn. Charles Joiner

When Joseph and Mary departed to Bethlehem to register for the payment of their taxes, Mary was about to give birth to The Son of God.  Can you imagine this adventure.  The Son of God making such a journey?

The Hymn by Saint Ephraim proclaims:Blessed are you O Bethlehem, that the towns envy you––and the fortified cities!

This journey was not an easy one.  An average trip in those days would involve only about 15 miles per day.  

There is an icon (image on the following page) of their trip in the Monastery of Chora in Constantinople (Istanbul).  In it we see Joseph with a slight stoop and a gate of an elderly man.  He was generally thought to be about 80 years of age at this time.  His eyes are turned toward Mary who has her head turned towards him.  One of Joseph's sons is leading with his mantle flowing and carrying a bundle of provisions for the trip.In the Hymn from the ninth hour on the eve of the Nativity we hear the following dialogue,

Continued on Next Page…

St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church Woodstock, GA December 2, 2018

The St. Elizabeth News Christ is Among us! �3

"O virgin, when Joseph went up to Bethlehem sounded by sorrow, you did cry to him: 'Why are you downcast and troubled, seeing me great with child? Why are you wholly ignorant of the fearful mystery that comes to pass in me?  Henceforth, cast every fear aside and understand this strange marvel: for in my womb God now descends upon the earth for mercy's sake, and He has taken flesh. You shall see Him according to His good pleasure, when He is born; and filled with joy you shall worship Him as your Creator, Whom the angels praise without ceasing in song and glorify with the father and the Holy Spirit.'"For this three-day journey, they would have carried with them only a few necessities common with a poor family of this time.  The surroundings of His birth were total poverty.  But this is part of His message and inconsistent with His divine nature.  Earthly splendor would not have been fitting for He who came to save the common man from sin and call every person to be renewed and become reunited with God.

In this next icon from the Monastery of Chora we see depicted the scene of registration for their taxes.  In it we see Quirinius, the governor of Syria, with a fully armed military guard.  There is a scribe holding an unfurled scroll which has a record of the names.  Mary is see standing tall in a graceful poise with her head bowed in humility toward the officers.  She draws the omaphorion modestly around her shoulder.  Joseph is shown with his four sons assisting her.

So, what kind of place did God arrange for this miraculous birth? There was no room for them to stay and they had to find a cave shared with animals, hardly a clean place for the birth of a child. It was in fact the lowest place for a birth yet fitting as a palace for the Lord of All to be born.

The Apolytikion of the forefeast is as follows,

"Mary once, with aged Joseph, went to be taxed in Bethlehem, for they were of the linage of David; and she bore in her womb the Fruit that had not been sown.  The time of the birth was at hand and there was no room in the inn; but the cave proved a fair palace for the Queen. Christ is born, that He may raise again the image that before was fallen." Continued on Next Page…

St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church Woodstock, GA December 2, 2018

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A Hymn by Saint John of Damascus From the canon of the forefeast, Ode six."How shall a small cave receive You, for Whom the world cannot find a room. O You Whom none can comprehend! O You, Who with the Father are without beginning, how shall You appear as a small child?This humble beginning is a clear message for all of us.  We too must become humble if we are to follow Him.

Saint Gregory Palamas says,The way to be exalted and to resemble Him is not by arrogance but humility.  Because of this, men are easily set right, as they recognize humility as the road by which they are recalled...He who defines all things and is limited by none is contained in a small, makeshift manger. He who holds the universe and grasps it in the hollow of his hand, is wrapped in narrow swaddling bands and fastened into ordinary clothes. He who possess the riches of inexhaustible treasures submits Himself voluntarily to such great poverty that He does not even have a place at the inn; and so He enters into a cave at the time of His birth, who was brought forth by God timelessly and impassibly and without beginning.  And––how great a wonder!__ not only does He who shares the nature of the Father on high put on our fallen nature through His birth, nor is He subject merely to the utter poverty of being born in a wretched cave, but right from the very start, while still in the womb, He accepts the final condemnation of our nature.From His first days on earth Jesus showed us that the path to union with God was based on humility and detachment from earthly pleasures.

Announcements

• Stewardship & St. Elizabeth’s- It is evident that everyone in our community loves St. Elizabeth’s, our church family, and Christ our God. As we say goodbye to 20018 and joyfully greet 2019 it is time for us to show that love an make a commitment to Christ and His Church. The 2019 Pledge/Membership Letter and card will be in next weeks bulletin and it is extremely important that you take the time to fill out and turn in that card. Each year the Church asks us all to prayerfully search the depths of our hearts and make a thoughtful contribution to Christ and His Church. This isn’t just a financial pledge, but a pledge to be a steward, a caretaker of Christ’s very Body; the Church. It is a pledge to care for Christ’s Holy Church with your prayers, your sweat, your love, and yes with a financial contribution if you are able. When you fill out the card it is a reminder for you throughout the year to do your best to keep that commitment and make a regular contribution to the Church. In recent years the number of Church members who fill out the card has not been as high as it should be, it doesn’t reflect the actual number of members who contribute annually to the Church. We can and must do better at taking the time to prayerfully fill out our pledge cards.

Please take tine over the coming weeks to prayerfu!y reflect on how you have been a steward to Christ and His Church over the

past year and how you hope to be one in the years to come!

St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church Woodstock, GA December 2, 2018

The St. Elizabeth News Christ is Among us! �5

Announcements….

• This year we have been blessed with a great opportunity to help out a local family who has been going through a very difficult time. Many of us know what it is like to struggle to pay the bills and provide for our families. The Powell family has seen some unforeseen medical expenses over the past year and with two children in High School and only one parent able to work, it has taken everything they have just to stay in their home. That means that necessities like gas in the car, food on the table, and things that we all too often take for granted, like Christmas presents, are luxuries for this family.

In February, Trey was diagnosed with cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin, in his right foot. Antibiotics did not help and his condition quickly worsened. After many doctor visits and a change of antibiotics with no results, he was admitted to the hospital. With his condition still not improving doctors had to remove his leg from the knee down. While fighting the cellulitis, his kidneys were severely injured and functioning at a level close to kidney failure. While still trying to treat the cellulitis turned staph infection, doctors had to remove most all of Trey’s right leg.

Christ calls us to see Him in the face of His servants, especially when they are in need of kindness, mercy, and love. The great opportunity that we have is to be Christ’s Hands as we minister to this family and help to make their Christmas more joyful and full of Christ’s warm light. To help this family out during this season of God’s gift to humanity of His beloved Son, we are seeking gift cards for Kroger, Publix, or Amazon. Take advantage of this great opportunity to love your neighbor as your brother and be numbered with the sheep at Christ’s right hand.

• Ornament Hanging- A#er Liturgy each family wi! be given an

ornament with one of the names of Christ written on it to hang on the

Christmas tree in the Church.

• Miniature Garden Church Raffle- Take a look at the miniature garden Church built by Arie Van Buul in the Atrium in the area where the food is put out. Raffle tickets cost $1 or an arms length for $5. All proceeds from the raffle will go towards building a playground on the Church property for our kids!— Thank you Arie, Teressa. and everyone who gets a ticket!

• St. Elizabeth Christmas Carolers- Mark Your Calendars for Saturday December 15th! If you have any stops you would like to suggest that the group makes, please let me know via email.

• Building Project for Scheduled for Next Sunday is Postponed- We are awaiting a few estimates, once

the estimates are in the meeting wi! be rescheduled.

Join us this year in

Christmas Caroling!

St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church Woodstock, GA December 2, 2018

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St. Elizabeth’s Parish Family Prayer List

For the Living: Evelyn Melnikoff, Fr. John and Pani Betty Jean Baranek, Fr. James Gleason, The Paccio Family, Kara, Johanna, James, Herbert and Mary Schleining, Anna, Basil, David, Dianna, Denise, Alex, Jason, Athanasia, Ethel, Kathy, Lester,

Sally, Jack, Angela , Tyler, Maria, Jeff, Lesley, Page Family, Blanar Family, Louise, Emma Rae, Floyd Family, Zachary, George, Robin, Michael, Dean, Margaret, Bishop Gregory and his family, Rick, James Family, Fr. Scott, Joseph, Boris, Maria Starcova,

Janis, David Novak, Suzette Gardenhour, Bob, David. Michelle, Stephen, James, Brian Paul, Kathy, Mike, Debbie, Ken, The Hayes and Boucher families, John, ),

Peyton & the Gully Family, John, Alexandra, Benjamin, John, The Hazuda Family, Pani Amy George and the George Family, Madeline, Eddie, Mary, Cathy, Jay

Brackin, Drew, Pani Connie & Family, Marilyn & family, Mark, Fr. John Zboyovski & family, Nathaniel, Kasi, Judy, George, Scarlett, Athena, Jay, Tim, George, Chris, Joy , Ada, Fr. Dcn. Stephen, Michelle, James, Rachel, Marc. Mati, Mia, Kate, Fr. Blaschak & Family, Helen Mileshko, Larry, Alexandra, Tammy, Trahan & Skiba Family, Michelle, The Pineda Family, Hollis, Ashley, Rodney, Wyatt, Owen, The

Hood Family, Fr. Jonathon, Rachel, Anna, Arjan, Steve, Mary Kay. Mileshko Family, The Franklin Family, Caroline, Jon, Milton, Fr. Tony Joseph & Family

For Expectant Mothers: Alexandra, Mariana, Eleni

For the Departed: Patricia+, James+, Stephen+, Anna+, Charles+, Robert+, Loraine+. Helen+, Lewis+, Jeane+, Vera+, George+, George+, Ernie+, Eddie+,

Maria+, Carl+, Mark+, Barry+, Jospeh+, Phillip+, Jenny+, Peter+, Bryan+, Rebecca+, Fr. Paul+, Maria+, Fr. Hazuda+, George Smisko+, Helen Spanovich+,

Bob+, Alma+, Bo+, Saddie+, Fr. William George+, Violet+, Fr. Kozar+, Benjamin+, John Haddad+, Fred & Helen Mileshko+, Anna+, Natalie+, Lilly+, Christine+,

Anna+, Tamara+, Anastasia+, Yvonne+, John+

Through the prayers of the Birthgiver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, St. Elizabeth, The Holy Fathers, and all the Saints, may our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ

have mercy on us and save us! Holy Saint Elizabeth Pray for us!