The Messenger - Our Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Sunday before Holy Theophany

Welcome to our SPECIAL GUESTS --- Today we are joined by students from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, who are visiting us as part of a course on Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Please welcome them warmly in the services & at the Coffee Social.

https://facebook.com/annunciationchurch/videos/ (stream services online)

https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/indexes/20250105.html

• Sunday before Epiphany 
• Eve of the Theophany of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 
• The Holy Martyrs Theopemptus and Theonas 
• Righteous Syncletike of Alexandria 
• Matins Gospel Reading : Luke 24:36-53 
• Epistle Reading : St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8 
• Gospel Reading : Mark 1:1-8 

- Mode: 3  |   Matins Gospel: 6   |  Epistle Reader: Cheryl Haska

- Greeter: Elaine Ganos  |  Prosphora: Dorothaya Sarandos

- 8:00am Matins & 9:00am Divine Liturgy, followed by the Great Blessing of the Waters

- Sunday School after Holy Communion: K4-12 – All are welcome!

- Coffee Social Host: Michael Stavropoulos

- 6:00pm – Great Vespers of Holy Theophany

Altar Candle in Loving Memory of:

- Thomas Katsekes (30 yrs), offered by: Jeff & Paula Allen; Katie, Krishan, Lily, & Charlotte Jethwa; and Norman & Martha Eckstaedt.

+++ UPCOMING EVENTS

ANNUNCIATION VASILOPITA CELEBRATION --- Sun, Jan. 12 following the Divine Liturgy

All proceeds from the Vasilopita support Saint Basil's Academy and youth and young adult programs throughout the Archdiocese and in all Metropolises. See flyer for details.

BLESSING OF LAKE MICHIGAN --- Sun, Jan. 12 at 2:30pm --- Organized by MOCCA; see flyer.

“GOD IS WONDROUS IN HIS SAINTS” Series --- Mondays Evenings Jan. 20 – Feb. 24, 7:00pm

Join us Monday nights for a 6-session seminar looking at the lives & teachings of 6 saints of the Church. Offered in-person & via Zoom. See flyer for the full schedule & details.

JOY & GOYA SNOW TUBING OUTING --- Sun, Jan. 26, 1:30-4:00pm

Sunburst Winter Park in Kewaskum, WI

2025 WESTERN REGION FAMILY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT --- Fri, Jan. 31 – Sun, Feb. 2

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Libertyville, IL --- Looking forward to another year of Christian fellowship and competition. Our team contacts are: 1. Greg Papachristou – Coed JOY (ages 7-12); 2. Alexis Ganos & Maria Demakopoulos – YAL Women & GOYA Girls; 3. Dennis Galanis & Emo Mamalakis – GOYA Boys; 4. Nicholas Ganos - YAL Men. All participants must be parishioners (pledged stewards) in good standing. Info at www.greekbball.com.

TASTE OF GREECE – Feb. 15-16 --- Sat. 11am-8pm/Sun. 11am-5pm – See flyer.

SAVE THE DATE: DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE CRAZY HAT LUNCHEON -- Sat, May 10, 11:00am

Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee, WI - See flyer.

+++ PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

George David Papachristou, a new member of our Annunciation Parish Family, was born on Mon, Dec. 30, 2024. Congratulations to his parents, Shay & Andrew Papachristou, as well as his extended family!

JANUARY KOINONIA is available online! Due to a printer malfunction, this month’s issue was not printed on Fri, Dec. 27, and was delayed. The printed version was mailed on Thu, Jan. 2.

HOLY THEOPHANY ICON FLOWER ADORNMENT ($125 – Jan. 6) – Offered by Kathi Katrichis for the health & salvation of her children & grandchildren.

CLASSROOM ESSENTIALS DRIVE --- Jan. 12 - 26

Sponsored by Annunciation Philoptochos. See flyer for details.

2025 FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT RAFFLE --- Raffle Opens Jan. 12  |  Drawing Mar. 1

Proceeds will benefit the Endowment Fund. See flyer for more information!

ACCESS INTO THE CHURCH, via the ADA ramp, is comfortable and safe for everyone

attending our services – new concrete has been poured and there is no more gravel leading to the ADA ramp. As soon as weather warms up in the spring, we will resume and complete the stairs and plaza area between the stairs and water fountain.

SUNDAY SCHOOL – FREE REGISTRATION STILL OPEN!

Enroll your child(ren) at https://tinyurl.com/amke-ym-signup!

COFFEE SOCIAL --- Contact the Office (414-461-9400) to sponsor Coffee Social on February 9, March 9, or March 16.

2025 PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERSHIP FORM --- Available in the January Koinonia, in the display bins opposite the bookstore, & also online.

2024 STEWARDSHIP --- Stewardship and other donations can be made online at https://tinyurl.com/annunciation-give-now. As of Fri, Jan. 3, 2025, we received 326 Stewardship Pledges totaling $420,811.80 (Received $436,950.87). The 2025 Stewardship Pledge Form will be available beginning our 2025 Stewardship Sundays (January 12 & 19).

+++ BEYOND OUR PARISH

FANARI CAMP EVENTS --- Visit www.fanari.camp to register for Winter Camp (Jan. 17-22), and more!

METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO VASILOPITA CELEBRATION --- Sun, Jan. 12 - 6:00pm

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Oak Lawn, IL --- Benefits St. Basil’s Academy and Youth & Young Adult Ministries. See flyer for details.

CROSSROAD 2025 --- Are you an 11^th or 12^th grade high school student? You are invited to the CrossRoad Summer Program! Ask hard questions, build lifelong friendships, and explore your calling as an Orthodox Christian in the 21^st century. Register for a Zoom Information Session & submit an application at crossroadinstitute.org! See flyer online for details.

Priority Deadline: January 21, 2025  |  Regular Deadline: February 18, 2025

PANHELLENIC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE – www.panhellenicsf.org/

Applications due January 31, 2025. See flyer online for more details.

YAL CHICAGO CONFERENCE 2025 --- Fri, Feb. 14 - Mon, Feb. 17

Register at www.chicago.goarch.org/yal-chicago-conference-registration.

KEFI KARNIVAL APOKRIATIKO PARTY --- Sat, Mar. 1 – Tuscan Hall in Waukesha, WI

Mardi Gras Glendi with Live Greek Music, Food, & Fun for All! Featuring The Greek Keyz & DJ After-Party. Tickets available on Eventbrite: “Kefi Karnival” or Venmo: @Zoe-Kastanias.