Saint John The Baptist Orthodox Church

Weekly Newsletter and Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, November 30, 2025

(Sunday of Andrew the First-Called Apostle)

Sunday Services

Matins: 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Coffee Fellowship follows Divine Liturgy

Saturdays - 5:00 pm - Vespers

(Confession available following Vespers)

691 Green Street, Craig, CO 81625

Fr. David Henderson - 970-846-2245

fatherdavid@saintjohnscraig.org

www.saintjohnscraig.org

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

In This Issue:

A Message from Father David

Epistle and Gospel Readings

for Sunday, November 30

Food for the Soul

This Week/Next Week Services and Events

A Message from Father David

O Give Thanks to the Lord!

On Thanksgiving Day we pause and reflect on the blessings bestowed upon us. In the Orthodox Christian tradition, gratitude is not merely reserved for a single day but is woven into the fabric of daily life. Every prayer, every liturgical service, and every moment of thanksgiving is an acknowledgment of God's loving providence.

The Eucharist itself—the central act of Orthodox worship—means "thanksgiving." In gathering for the Divine Liturgy, we express our deepest thanks for Christ’s sacrifice and for the countless mercies received from God. We are reminded to give thanks “in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), recognizing that gratitude transforms our hearts and helps us see God's presence, even amidst trials.

On Thanksgiving Day, we remember not only the material blessings of food, family, and freedom, but also the spiritual gifts: faith, hope, and love. Giving thanks is an act of humility, a recognition that all good things come from above, and an invitation to share these blessings with others, especially those in need.

May this Thanksgiving inspire us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude every day, offering thanks to God and extending generosity and compassion to our neighbors, echoing the words of the Psalmist: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 135:1)

Blessings,

Father David

Epistle and Gospel Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Mode Plagal 4

Psalm 18.4,1

Their voice has gone out into all the earth.

Verse: The heavens declare the glory of God.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 4:9-16

Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

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The Gospel According to John 1:35-51

At that time, John was standing with two of his disciples; and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "Where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! " Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

Food for the Soul

Gratitude as a Discipline

Gratitude goes beyond the "mine" and "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.

~ Henri Nouwen

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Showing Our Faith Through Our Works

Thank you to all that participated in and financially supported our Thanksgiving Ministry projects over the past week! Through your generosity, Saint John's provided complete Thanksgiving meals for 15 families and helped prepare Thanksgiving dinner for 350 people. Glory to God!

Special Parish Assembly

Sunday, December 7

(Following Divine Liturgy)

The purpose of this Assembly is to receive the report and proposal from the Parish Council regarding the remodel of the parish kitchen, and to vote on whether to approve the project as proposed. In addition, we will hold the Elections for Parish Council Members for the 2026 Parish Council.

Please make every effort to attend!

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This Week

Saturday, November 29

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

Sunday, November 30

Matins (9:00 AM)
Divine Liturgy (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, December 2

Orthodox Journey (7:00 PM). This interactive discussion is open to all and is held in person at the church and by Zoom. Click here to join: Orthodox Journey or use Meeting ID 973 8769 5656 and passcode 302935. We are currently reading the Gospel of John.

Saturday, December 6

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

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Upcoming Events and Services

Sunday, December 7

Matins (9:00 AM)
Divine Liturgy (10:00 AM)
First Sunday of the Month Potluck Luncheon (fish is allowed) and Celebration of December birthdays, name days, and anniversaries.
Special Parish Assembly and Parish Council Elections (after Liturgy)

Tuesday, December 9

Orthodox Journey (7:00 PM). This interactive discussion is open to all and is held in person at the church and by Zoom. Click here to join: Orthodox Journey or use Meeting ID 973 8769 5656 and passcode 302935. We are currently reading the Gospel of John.

Saturday, December 13

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

Saint John's Bookstore is Open

Saint John’s bookstore is open in the Narthex where you can buy or borrow Orthodox Study Bibles, various books about our faith and the lives of the Saints, icons, prayer ropes, and other items. Come and see! Contact Lee Dockins at (928) 846-9446 with any questions or to request any specific books that we may be able to order at cost.