Announcements for November 15-21

First Sunday of The Nativity Fast

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily,
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

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The Nativity Fast begins today, in preparation for witnessing the Incarnation of the Lord. Fr. Thomas Hopko has a good overview of the whole Nativity season on Ancient Faith Radio: http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/hopko/the_nativity_fast

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Today: Matins, Liturgy, Classes, Brunch, BP Screening; 2:00 pm IOCC Metro Committee; 3:00 pm St. Francis Dining Hall (IOCC Advent offering boxes will be available after Liturgy today.)

Monday: 7:15 pm Church History Class

Tuesday: 6:00 pm Vespers & Advent Quietude

Thursday: 6:00 pm Vespers; 7:00 pm Choir

Friday: 6:00 pm Festal Vesperal Divine Liturgy (Entrance of the Theotokos)

Saturday: 5:00 pm Inquirers’ Class; 6:00 pm Vespers

Sunday: 8:45 am Baptism; 9:30 am Liturgy, Classes, Brunch, Parish Council

Looking Ahead:
Wednesday 11/25: 7:00 pm Akathist of Thanksgiving

Thursday, 11/26: 9:30 am Thanksgiving Day Divine Liturgy

Saturday, 11/28 9:00 am Parish-Wide Work Party

Sunday, 11/29 Following Liturgy: Presentation — “Mt. Athos, A Personal Journey”

Friday & Saturday, 12/4 & 5: Advent Retreat w/ Fr. Christopher from New Skete — “A Rule of Prayer, Reading and Quietude”

Saturday: 12/5: 6:00 pm St. Nicholas Festal Vespers & Reception

Sunday: 12/6: St. Nicholas Festal Divine Liturgy & Brunch
(HUGS Christmas Collection begins)