Today:  Baptism, Divine Liturgy, Brunch, Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday:  6:00 pm Vespers & Quietude

Friday:  6:30 – 9:00 pm Dinner and Folk Dancing (IOCC Benefit $10)

Saturday:  6:00 pm Vespers & Panikhida (Inquirers’ Classes will resume on Saturday, January 10)

Sunday:  8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Divine Liturgy & Brunch

Monday, January 5 :  6:00 pm Theophany Vesperal Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Water

Services for the Nativity of Christ

Due to the weather and driving conditions, the schedule of Divine Services for the Feast will be changed —

Nativity Eve, December 24: 2:00 pm Vesperal Divine Liturgy and Carols

Nativity Day, December 25:  9:30 am Festal Divine Liturgy and Carols

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (tripcheck.com), chains are required on all vehicles in the Portland area, except non-towing 4-WD and All-WD with mud and snow or all-weather tires on 4 wheels.

If coming to church, consider Tri Met.  The #12 Barbur Blvd. stops at S. W. 19th.  From there it is a 4 – block walk.  Be VERY cautious on the slopes of Dolph Court.

Weekend services to be posted this Friday.

From the Akathist of Thanksgiving (Ikos 12):

…I know the prases nature sings to you.  In winter, I see how in the moonlit silence the whole earth offers you a prayer, wrapped in its white mantle of snow, sparkling like diamonds…

Weather permitting, we’ll stick with the upcoming week’s schedule as posted on this website calendar (check the menu, above).  However, if the weather is still an issue as the week progresses, we’ll plan to celebrate the Vesperal Divine Liturgy for Christmas Eve Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 and the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ 9:30 am Thursday.  We don’t want people traveling to and from church, except during daylight hours.  Keep posted for confirmation of these times.

Looking Ahead:

Weather permitting: Youth Trip to Mt. Hood next Sunday through Tuesday the 30th.

Friday, January 2:  6:30 – 9:00 pm Ethnic Dinner and Folk Dancing for all (a pan-Orthodox event); $10 per person (proceeds to benefit the Gulf Coast Relief Ministries of the IOCC).

Please note that due to the weather and the driving conditions (especially on the streets near church) Vespers and Quietude will not be held Tuesday 12/16, NOR will Vespers be held on Thursday, 12/18.

Any changes in the weekend schedule of divine services and activities at church will be posted later this week.

- Fr. George

Today:  Matins, Liturgy, Classes, Lenten Brunch
Tuesday:  6:00 pm Vespers, Quietude, Advent Confessions
Thursday:  6:00 pm Vespers, Advent Confessions, Choir
Friday:  11:30 am Christmas Party at DePaul Industries (carpool from church at 10:00); 6:30 pm Friday Fellowship (Evening Prayer, Supper, Discussion)
Saturday:  5:00 pm Inquirers’ Class; 6:00 pm Vespers, Advent Confessions
Sunday:  8:30 am Matins; 9:30 Divine Liturgy, Classes, Lenten Brunch

Check the website calendar for the schedule of services for Nativity.

Please keep those HUGS, coats and sweaters coming…and thank you to all who have brought items in already.  We’ll be distributing them the week of Christmas.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday-Tuesday, December 28-30 Teen and Young Adult Ski Trip to Mt. Hood

Friday, January 2: 6:30 to 9:00 pm —  IOCC Benefit dinner and dancing, hosted by our young adults.  At present we have folks to teach Macedonian and Greek dancing and we have Middle Eastern, Macedonian, Bulgarian and Greek food.  If there are any other ethnic dancers or chefs available, please see Fr. George.  The initial cost will be $10, but we’ll be asking for additional donations.  The proceeds will go toward the expenses for some of our young adults to participate in the IOCC volunteer in the Gulf Coast project: www.iocc.org/giving/giving_volunteergulf8-06.aspx

• Today: Matins, Liturgy, Classes, Brunch
• Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers, Quietude & Confessions
• Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers, Confessions; 7:00 pm Choir
• Friday: 6:30 pm Friday Fellowship — a special viewing and discussion of a lecture by Fr. Thomas Hopko on Asceticism and Creativity
• Saturday: 5:00 pm Inquirers’ Class; 6:00 pm Vespers, Confessions; Advent Youth Night at church
• Sunday: 8:30 am Matins; 9:30 am Liturgy, Classes, Brunch

Looking Ahead:
• Sunday – Tuesday, 12/28 – 30     Teen and Young Adult Trip to Mt. Hood
• Friday, 1/2 — Pan-Orthodox ethnic food and dancing hosted by our college students and young adults.  More information soon.  Mark the date.

Thank You to all who helped out this past week in preparing for and celebrating St. Nicholas Day.  Blessings to you!

December Intercessions Sheets are available at the Candle Desk.

You are encouraged to donate new Coats and HUGS this Advent.  (HUGS stands for Hats, Underwear, Gloves, Socks.)  The clothing will go to local organizations which assist with poor, needy and homeless.  There is a hamper in the narthex for collections.  Thanks.