Newsletter of St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church
1000 Spruce, Pueblo, CO 81004 PO Box 3011, Pueblo, CO 81005
May God keep everyone well and keep St. John the Baptist Church alive and vibrant for future generations to embrace and enjoy.
septembe 2024
• Sundays - 8:20 Orthros, 9:30 Divine Liturgy
8/31 – (Saturday) Vespers for the Preservation of Creation
5:00 p.m. at Brendan’s home in Canon City
9/1 – Ecclesiastical New Year
8th - Nativity of the Theotokos
13th – (Friday Evening) Exaltation of the Holy Cross
4:00 p.m. Orthros, 5:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy
15th - Sunday After the Holy Cross
22nd – 1st Sunday of Luke 8:20
29th– 2nd Sunday of Luke
8/31 – (Saturday) Vespers for the Preservation of Creation
5:00 p.m. at Brendan’s home in Canon City
9/1 – Ecclesiastical New Year
- 1 Timothy 2:1-7
- Luke 4:16-22
8th - Nativity of the Theotokos
13th – (Friday Evening) Exaltation of the Holy Cross
4:00 p.m. Orthros, 5:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy
15th - Sunday After the Holy Cross
22nd – 1st Sunday of Luke 8:20
- 1 Corinthians 16:13-24
- Luke 5:1-11
29th– 2nd Sunday of Luke
- 2 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:1-4
- Luke 6:31-36
Prosforo
Sept. 1 Brian Sept. 8 Pres. Ashley Sept. 13 Doc
Sept. 15 Fran Sept. 22 Elizabeth Sept. 29 Lynnette
Sept. 1 Brian Sept. 8 Pres. Ashley Sept. 13 Doc
Sept. 15 Fran Sept. 22 Elizabeth Sept. 29 Lynnette
Church News
Note from Marge: Same song, latest verse! Last year you all made it possible for me to put a real calendar (not home printed) in each of the 100 gift boxes that Pam and I help fill for senior citizens in the Union Avenue and Richmond housing. The calendar is one of my responsibilities and it’s way too expensive to buy them. Would you believe I have already received seven 2025 calendars! So, I’m putting the collection box back out and would be very appreciative of your donations. Thanks.
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Sig and Michelle are home! It seems like it took such a long time but finally they’re home! They are well, back in the mountains, and even their dog has returned to his normal disposition. Sig is still on his way to becoming a Deacon and Michelle is thinking about what she will choose to do now. Obviously we are very happy and thankful to have them back with us. AXIOS!
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Sig and Michelle are home! It seems like it took such a long time but finally they’re home! They are well, back in the mountains, and even their dog has returned to his normal disposition. Sig is still on his way to becoming a Deacon and Michelle is thinking about what she will choose to do now. Obviously we are very happy and thankful to have them back with us. AXIOS!
It’s about that time…the time for New Year’s resolutions: new beginnings, new goals and new inspiration. I am not talking about watching the ball drop in Times Square or counting down to midnight with your friends and family. I am talking about the Ecclesiastical New Year we celebrate on September 1. Even when the official date may have passed, it is never too late to foster the theme of renewal and transformation in our hearts. It is often easier to talk about the things we want to change than it is to act upon them. Luckily, renewal and transformation are organically illustrated for us throughout this beautiful autumn season. There is no better time than now and no better way to try and change our spiritual life than with a friend, a group or a parish community to lean on.
Why does the church celebrate the New Year in September? In Roman times, the calendar year began on September 1, and after the First Ecumenical Council, Christians also began to observe September 1 as New Year’s Day. Throughout history, the completion of each year has taken place with the harvest and the gathering of crops. After a year of preparing the soil, sowing the seeds, and tending the crop with ardent care, the fruit finally ripens. The crops are then harvested to prepare for the long winter ahead, wherein the cycle begins again with the “sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops” (reading for September 1 from Holy Transfiguration Monastery). The Church celebrates this day, asking God for “fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth.”
Throughout the centuries, men and women have seen the harvest season as a time of coming together in celebration for the hard work that has finally finished. It was common for great feasts to be held and bonfires lit to celebrate the fact that the community would have enough food to survive another winter together.
In many ways the harvest season can be compared to our spiritual life. Fr. Evan Armatas states:Over the past year we too have cast our spiritual seeds upon the earth of our souls…as the year comes to a close we may find that our spiritual harvest is either bountiful or meager. No matter the outcome, the Ecclesiastical New Year provides us with an opportunity to begin again. (“The Ecclesiastical New Year,” August 30, 2011)
"If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen -- nothing else matters." -- Jaroslav Pelikan
Why does the church celebrate the New Year in September? In Roman times, the calendar year began on September 1, and after the First Ecumenical Council, Christians also began to observe September 1 as New Year’s Day. Throughout history, the completion of each year has taken place with the harvest and the gathering of crops. After a year of preparing the soil, sowing the seeds, and tending the crop with ardent care, the fruit finally ripens. The crops are then harvested to prepare for the long winter ahead, wherein the cycle begins again with the “sowing of seed in the earth for the production of future crops” (reading for September 1 from Holy Transfiguration Monastery). The Church celebrates this day, asking God for “fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth.”
Throughout the centuries, men and women have seen the harvest season as a time of coming together in celebration for the hard work that has finally finished. It was common for great feasts to be held and bonfires lit to celebrate the fact that the community would have enough food to survive another winter together.
In many ways the harvest season can be compared to our spiritual life. Fr. Evan Armatas states:Over the past year we too have cast our spiritual seeds upon the earth of our souls…as the year comes to a close we may find that our spiritual harvest is either bountiful or meager. No matter the outcome, the Ecclesiastical New Year provides us with an opportunity to begin again. (“The Ecclesiastical New Year,” August 30, 2011)
"If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not risen -- nothing else matters." -- Jaroslav Pelikan
Ulcers come from mountain climbing all over the mole hills in life.
The test of a man’s religion is his week-day behavior.
God is not calling us to go to church; He is calling us to be His church, the hope of the world.
Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go through a great deal of darkness yet become something beautiful.
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Leaving the store, I couldn't find my keys. They weren't in my pockets. Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My husband has scolded me many times for leaving my keys in the car's ignition. He's afraid that the car could be stolen. As I looked around the parking lot, I realized he was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen.
Then, I made the most difficult call of all to my husband: "I left my keys in the car and it's been stolen."
There was a moment of silence. I thought the call had been disconnected, but then I heard his voice. "Are you kidding me?" he barked, "I dropped you off!"
Now it was my turn to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me."
He retorted, "I will; just as soon as I convince this cop that I didn't steal your darn car!"
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My doctor told me to start my exercise program very gradually. Today I drove past a store that sells sweat pants.
I have metal fillings in my teeth. My refrigerator magnets keep pulling me into the kitchen. That’s why I can’t lose weight!
The test of a man’s religion is his week-day behavior.
God is not calling us to go to church; He is calling us to be His church, the hope of the world.
Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go through a great deal of darkness yet become something beautiful.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Leaving the store, I couldn't find my keys. They weren't in my pockets. Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My husband has scolded me many times for leaving my keys in the car's ignition. He's afraid that the car could be stolen. As I looked around the parking lot, I realized he was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen.
Then, I made the most difficult call of all to my husband: "I left my keys in the car and it's been stolen."
There was a moment of silence. I thought the call had been disconnected, but then I heard his voice. "Are you kidding me?" he barked, "I dropped you off!"
Now it was my turn to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me."
He retorted, "I will; just as soon as I convince this cop that I didn't steal your darn car!"
________________
My doctor told me to start my exercise program very gradually. Today I drove past a store that sells sweat pants.
I have metal fillings in my teeth. My refrigerator magnets keep pulling me into the kitchen. That’s why I can’t lose weight!
This is dedicated to anyone who ever taught school, parented children or served their country.
A former Sergeant, having served his time with the Marine Corps, took a new job as a school teacher but, just before the school year started, he injured his back.
He was required to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. Fortunately, the cast fit under his shirt and wasn't noticeable. On the first day of class, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in the school.
The punks, having already heard the new teacher was a former Marine, were leery of him and decided to see how tough he really was before trying any pranks. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, the new teacher opened the window wide and sat down at his desk.
When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he picked up a stapler and promptly stapled the tie to his chest.
There was dead silence.
He had no trouble with discipline that year.
A former Sergeant, having served his time with the Marine Corps, took a new job as a school teacher but, just before the school year started, he injured his back.
He was required to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. Fortunately, the cast fit under his shirt and wasn't noticeable. On the first day of class, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in the school.
The punks, having already heard the new teacher was a former Marine, were leery of him and decided to see how tough he really was before trying any pranks. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, the new teacher opened the window wide and sat down at his desk.
When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he picked up a stapler and promptly stapled the tie to his chest.
There was dead silence.
He had no trouble with discipline that year.
These four men have logged a great deal of time together serving in the altar of St. John’s.
Chad
Sig
Fr. Stepehen
Stephan
Chad
Sig
Fr. Stepehen
Stephan
Kyria Orton is dressed to conduct a Japanese Tea Ceremony which she is able to do. She has now graduated from high school and is enrolled at Pueblo Community College in her first year. Kyria is on her way! AXIOS!
GREEK NIGHT OCTOBER 12, 2024
Our 13th Annual Greek Night is on Saturday, October 12, 2024! Mark your calendars now to save the date. It will be held at the Historic Pueblo Depot with Greek appetizers, authentic Greek dinner and desserts, cash drawings, Greek music/dancing, and a really fun evening.
Once again, we will be accepting sponsorships for the expenses for the evening which will be matched by an anonymous donor. The available sponsorships include:
The venue - $1500 or 3 sponsors of $500 each
Greek Dancers – 3 Hotel Rooms - $400 or 2 sponsors of $200 each
Greek Dancers – Meals - $375
The DJ - $350
Drawings - $1750 or 5 sponsors of $350 each
Program Book of Ads - $2000
Favors for Place settings - $ 1500 or 3 sponsors at $500 each
Desserts (baklava, kourambiedes, etc.) - $600 or 2 sponsors of $300 ea
Please know that any amount towards sponsoring something will be appreciated and accepted.
We will be scheduling a day in September to make baklava at the Parish House. All are welcome to come and learn how to make it.
Invitations will be sent out the end of August. Watch your mail!!
Our 13th Annual Greek Night is on Saturday, October 12, 2024! Mark your calendars now to save the date. It will be held at the Historic Pueblo Depot with Greek appetizers, authentic Greek dinner and desserts, cash drawings, Greek music/dancing, and a really fun evening.
Once again, we will be accepting sponsorships for the expenses for the evening which will be matched by an anonymous donor. The available sponsorships include:
The venue - $1500 or 3 sponsors of $500 each
Greek Dancers – 3 Hotel Rooms - $400 or 2 sponsors of $200 each
Greek Dancers – Meals - $375
The DJ - $350
Drawings - $1750 or 5 sponsors of $350 each
Program Book of Ads - $2000
Favors for Place settings - $ 1500 or 3 sponsors at $500 each
Desserts (baklava, kourambiedes, etc.) - $600 or 2 sponsors of $300 ea
Please know that any amount towards sponsoring something will be appreciated and accepted.
We will be scheduling a day in September to make baklava at the Parish House. All are welcome to come and learn how to make it.
Invitations will be sent out the end of August. Watch your mail!!
