THE EPISTLE

The reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to Ephesians.

BRETHREN, walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.

THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS

The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Kasturas Family.

The Coffee and Reception Hour in the Church School is offered today by the Kammerer, Mehler, and Meyer Families. NOTE: Please do not wait to sign up for offering the Coffee Reception held every Sunday after Liturgy. The chart is posted in the hall, as well as the items one needs to offer this reception. Each family should take its turn; since this is a vital part of our community life.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. There will be a Memorial Service today for the late servant of God +PETER SPYRIDON KASTURAS (Forty Days), husband of our parishioner Rita and father of John and Constantine. MEMORY ETERNAL!

2. Today throughout our Archdiocese, the various CHOIRS serving in our parishes are formally being recognized for their weekly service, as well as special services, e.g. Great Lent and Holy Week. Here at St. Anthony’s, being this is our Golden Jubilee, our Choir is especially called up to record a new CD which would include the various types of ethnic music arrangements we use in our worship. Thus the Metropolitan has declared today CHOIR RECOGNITION SUNDAY. We thank the Almighty God for them and their dedicated service. We will formally recognize them today at Coffee Hour. Please come to the Church School today! The children will be having a dress rehearsal in the church hall. Please do not disturb this rehearsal.

3. Choir Practice Schedule: Wednesdays, December 13^th and 20^th and January 3^rd (Everyone). Tuesday January 2^nd (Men only). These rehearsals which begin at 7:30 PM. Please save Saturday, January 13^th from Noon to 3:30 PM for a full rehearsal with everyone. All choir members are needed at these rehearsals. Contact Stratos if you cannot make these rehearsals.

4. CHRISTMAS SCRIP! Don’t forget to purchase your food scrip. Everybody food shops for the holidays; we personally lose nothing, and St. Anthony’s gains something! (5%) when we use the scrip in our shopping. Please see Betty Gakos for the scrip.

5. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17^th.

A. Our ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOW will be presented after Liturgy in the Church Hall by our Church School students. It is a day for which our children have been preparing for months. Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc. will be here to enjoy their presentation.

B. St. Ignatius Sunday is also celebrated on this day. Throughout our Archdiocese this “Philanthropic arm” of the church celebrates its patron saint (December 20^th) by sharing its good news, i.e. doing the work of Our Lord through the Church, in reading the Epistle, taking the stewardship collection, and presenting the homily. At St. Anthony’s the Order members help the Church School by presenting the Christmas Reception which accompanies the program.

6. ST. IGNATIUS MEMBERS. Please remember that next Sunday, December 17^th, we will take a formal photograph for our Golden Jubilee, which will also be used for our up-coming JUBILEE AD JOURNAL and Archives. Please STAY IN THE CHURCH after the final blessing. Please follow the instructions sent to your home.

7. CHRISTMAS WISHES. As is our custom at St. Anthony’s, we can wish each other a “Blessed Christmas and New Year” through our participation in our Christmas Wishes Program. Instead of sending Christmas Cards to each other within the parish, you an sign the Giant Christmas Card placed in the Narthex of the Church. A contribution, not less than you would pay for sending personal cards, plus postage, etc. can be given to Eve Meyer. In turn, all those names will be published in the Christmas Bulletin, December 24/25/ Please see Eve as soon as possible; please do not wait. The deadline is next Sunday, December 17, 2006.

8. Christmas 2006. The Nativity of Our Lord this year will be celebrated on Sunday Evening, December 24^th, Eve of the Feast day, Christmas. Thus we will follow the schedule as prescribed:

A. Sunday Morning, December 24^th, “Genealogy Sunday” (also know as “The Sunday Before Christmas”), regular Eucharistic Liturgy.

B. Sunday Evening, December 24/25, the CHRISTMAS TABLEAU begins at 8:00 PM with choir, Teens and Church School presenting our “living Ikon” of the Nativity and Visit of the Magi.

C. The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom will follow the Tableau. This is the Christmas Liturgy for December 25^th, since the evening is the beginning of the new day. There are no services on Monday morning, since this is the Liturgy for that day. Please be in Church at 7:45 PM on Sunday Evening. A brief “Egg Nog and Cookie” reception follows.

9. Play Practice for those who have a part in the Christmas play there will be play practice on December 7^th and 12^th at 7:30 PM. Please speak to directors Tamara Tarby or Barbara Lockhart if you will not be able to attend.

10. St. Anthony’s Annual FOOD DRIVE is presently proceeding, and will continue until December 24^th. Please bring your contributions of dry goods, canned goods, etc. and deposit them in the appropriate receptacles which are placed throughout the Church and Church School.

11. HOLY OBLATIONS (OFFERINGS) BOOK IS NOW READY TO RECEIVE THE NAMES FOR 2007. These new commemorations being January 7, 2007, the first Sunday in the New Year. Our loved ones, both living and departed this life, should be commemorated on Names Days, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and also on the Sunday nearest the date of the “falling asleep in Christ” of our beloved departed ones. PLEASE RECORD THESE NAMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PLEASE ALSO PRINT CLEARLY – DO NOT WRITE. And remember: we must schedule Memorial Services, celebrated after Liturgy, by speaking directly with Father Joseph or Secretary, Genny Mandalakis.

12. 2007 St. Anthony’s Commemorative Calendars published by our Church School will be available soon, free of charge, from the St. Anthony’s Jubilee Committee. These calendars will have space for marking appointments and daily scheduled events.

13. Teen SOYO Parents Meeting will be held today after church in the Church School to discuss plans for the coming months. All parents of Teens should be there.

14. Reminder for Church School Parents: The Church School Advent Humanitarian Project has started. As stated in the letter you received at home, it is a Secret Santa Holiday Drive. Please pick the name and gift from the tree in the Church School today. Each gift should be unwrapped and tagged with a name. Gifts should be returned to the Church School donation container no later than next Sunday, December 17. 2006.

December 10. 2006

THE EPISTLE