·         By John (Jack) and Donna Kocialski, for the repose of father John Daniluck (40-day memorial) and in memory of Mary Daniluck (10-year memorial).

·         By Ellen George, in honor of Ruth George.

·         By Mina, Eloisa and Alexander Khoury, for the health of Tanya Bannourah, Jamal Handal and the health and safety of Alexander during his overseas travels.

·         By Ann Freije, for the health of Tanya Bannourah, Elias “Doug” Fadel and Gabriel “Oussama” Nahas.

·         By Diana Najjar, for the health of Tanya Bannourah and Elias “Doug” Fadel.

·         By Khalil and Amira Saba, for the health of Laila Nahas and of parents Lamia and Yousef Saba.

·         By Tirhas Iyob Teklemichael, for the health of Nathan, Aron, Tirhas and Niat.

·         By Helen “Janice,” Andrew, Basil “Billy” and Christa Fadel, for the health of Elias “Doug” Fadel, and for the repose of Mary Marchetti.

·         By John Kafoure, for the health of Janet Kafoure and for the repose of Mary Marchetti.

·         By George and Mischell Saliba, for the repose of Mary Marchetti.

·         Please also see the inserted card for the names of those on our current parish prayer list—those who are struggling with acute illness and those newly departed this life—from among our parishioners and those for whom they have requested our prayers. Please take this card with you, and include these people in your daily prayers at home.

·         By Anonymous.

·         By David and Rebecca Black.

·         By James and Sarah Childs, for the health of our parents.

·         By Fr. Radoslav Filipovich, for the health of Lilya, Helen, Mira and family, and Barbara, in memory of Protopresbyter Milivoje and Lubica, Milosh and Ivan.

·         By the Khoury family, for the health of Alexander Khoury and family.

·         By Leila Khoury.

·         By the Kiritsis family, for the health of Magdelina, Dimitri, our family, Samar Al Tawil, Joseph and Jude.

·         By Michael Nebesny, for the health of Stefania and Michael Nebesny.

·         By Khalil and Amira Saba, for the health of Khalil, Amira, Christopher and Samantha Saba.

·         By Jim and Janine Shurts, in memory of Mary Snider.

·         By Martha and Hanna Sufan.

·         By Nick Theodorakis, in memory of George and Pauline June.

Tim and Tanya Traycoff and family

There will be no church school classes today. Thus children should wait to come up to Communion with their parents, when an usher dismisses your row. Then we all return to our places to finish the Liturgy together.

The voice of the Lord upon the waters cries aloud saying: “Come ye all, and receive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, from Christ, Who is made manifest.”

Tomorrow—January 5, the Eve of the Epiphany—is a strict fast day. We conclude it with celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of the Waters at 6 p.m. Monday. From there Fr. Nabil will carry the water and the celebration to all our homes, as he begins a new round of home blessings.

Every Wednesday evening we meet at 6 p.m. at 116^th Street for prayer, dinner and study. The dinner is prepared for you, so you don’t have to bring anything (unless you want to take a turn preparing it).

In January and February bring your Orthodox Study Bible (the new edition that includes the Old Testament) or another Bible that includes the so-called Apocrypha. We’ll look at books of the Bible including Tobit, Sirach, Maccabees, Susanna, Judith and Wisdom of Solomon.

2009 wall calendars are here, indicating the daily readings, saints commemorated, feasts, fasts, etc. Please take one from the table below the icon of St. George in the hall. We also have 2009 pocket calendars promoting the Middle Eastern Festival here and ready for distribution. You can pick one up at any of the card holders in the parish hall.

 

 

Conflict in Gaza Kills Hundreds: Help IOCC
Speed Relief to Families Caught in Attacks
For Immediate Release: December 31, 2008

Baltimore, MD — The deadliest conflict in Gaza in four decades has killed hundreds and wounded thousands. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has released emergency funds and is working in cooperation with other humanitarian aid organizations to deliver medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to Gaza hospitals that are stretched to capacity. “Gaza was already in a desperate situation before this increased conflict with a significant lack of food, medicine, fuel and electricity. All commodities are in scarce supply,” said Dirk Lackovic-van Gorp, IOCC’s Representative for the Palestinian Territories.

Although it remains difficult to get supplies into Gaza, IOCC is working with organizations that have significant operations inside the territory and who are in touch with government officials and United Nations personnel to gain access. Lackovic-van Gorp reports that the greatest need now is life-saving drugs and medical supplies to equip hospitals which have been forced to turn away the injured.

 

Before this latest conflict, IOCC had announced a new initiative for Gaza including food and hygiene supplies and repairs to youth centers through an Action by Churches Together (ACT) appeal. IOCC is currently working in cooperation with ACT members to respond to this emergency. IOCC has implemented a variety of educational and school repair programs in the Palestinian Territories since 1997 when it opened its first office in Jerusalem.

 

Help IOCC speed relief to families who have been caught in this conflict. Visit www.iocc.org, call IOCC toll free at 1-877-803-4622, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and write “Middle East Relief” in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225. And during this time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, please join us in praying that His peace may reign in the Holy Land and throughout the word. IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $275 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.

Any couple thinking about getting married in 2009 is invited to attend a pre-marriage seminar with guest speaker Very Rev Dr Michael Dahulich on January 17, from 9am to 5 pm. This will be at St Michael Church in Louisville. There is no cost (and lunch is included!). Just RSVP by Jan. 12 to (502) 454-3378.

Also at St. Michael’s, Louisville, on January 17, there will be a parish council seminar. This is another opportunity to learn about the work of the parish council—really it is about the work of the Church—in case you missed the workshop held here last month. Such training is required before someone can be considered a candidate for the council.

Fr. Joseph Shaheen served this parish from 1960-69, overseeing the construction of our current temple. He now serves as Pastor of St. Paul Church, Naples, Florida, which celebrates its 12^th Anniversary Feb. 12-13, when Fr. Joseph also celebrates his 50^th Anniversary in the priesthood. A commemorative book is being prepared, highlighting his accomplishments. Forms are available in our church office if you’d like to subscribe and send a greeting by the Jan. 30 deadline.

If you haven’t done so already, we are asking all to drop off their pledge cards into the box at the candle stand before leaving today.Please re-evaluate your stewardship commitments for the coming year. This is the pledge we make to continue the support of our present church operations for the coming year. We are excited about our future and want to carry on the legacy established by our parish founders.

You will find pledge cards in the back of your pew and at the candle stand. Please fill out your pledge for the coming year, and deposit it in the locked box located at the candle stand. You may also mail it directly to the church. Please know that your pledge is confidential, and only Father Nabil will open the pledge box.

The Stewardship Committee:
Patrick Koers, Mina Khoury, Tony Saliba, Kathy Tingwald

In response to requests for envelopes that were easier to use, we have changed our supplier. Unfortunately they came late and were mailed out Tuesday of last week. If you have not yet received your envelopes, please look for them in your mail in the next couple of days. Please let our office know if you still don’t have them by the end of the week.

The Orthodox Churches of Central Indiana will gather to pray Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 7:00 PM at Ss. Constantine & Elena Orthodox Church, 3237 W 16th St., Indianapolis (317) 638-4162. This is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.