St. Vladimir’s Church School begins January 20!. Classes will be held every Saturday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. through May 19 with the exception of April 7. We have condensed the classes to the greatest extent possible for the convenience of our busy families – we value your time. Please do us the favor of valuing the time of the teachers and other volunteers who make our Church School possible by being on time.

All children are urged to participate in the Vigil following Church School and in the Sunday (and other feast day) Divine Liturgies to the greatest extent possible by ringing bells, serving in the altar, singing, helping in the kiosk, and most importantly by being present in the church and praying with their parish family, AND ESPECIALLY by partaking of the Holy Mysteries. The Liturgy is not a spectacle or event that we watch, but a prayerful “work of the people” that we participate in through our prayerful involvement. Please contact Fr. Gregory with questions in this regard.

Register at this link:

https://goo.gl/forms/2kjtgO3vzh8KK0F62

See our Church School video here:

https://youtu.be/vspDTcLQvOo

“Why is it hard to believe that Mary gave birth in a way contrary to the law of natural birth and remained a virgin, when contrary to the law of nature the sea looked at Him and fled, and the waters of the Jordan returned to their source (Ps. 113:3). Is it past belief that a virgin gave birth when we read that a rock issued water (Ex. 17:6), and the waves of the sea were made solid as a wall (Ex. 14:22)? Is it past belief that a Man came from a virgin when a rock bubbled forth a flowing stream (Ex. 20:11), iron floated on water (4 Kings 6:6), a Man walked upon the waters (Mt. 14:26)? If the waters bore a Man, could not a virgin give birth to a man? What Man? Him of Whom we read: ‘…the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day; and they shall offer sacrifices, and shall vow vows to the Lord, and pay them’ (Is. 19:20).

In the Old Testament a Hebrew virgin (Miriam) led an army through the sea (Ex. 15:21); in the New testament a king’s daughter (the Virgin Mary) was chosen to be the heavenly entrance to salvation.”

+ St. Ambrose, Synodal Letter 44

At the November 18, 2017 Parish Council meeting the date of the 2017 annual meeting was set for February 11, 2018. As we prepare for our annual meeting in February is it important that those who have not yet paid their 2017 membership dues in fact do this to participate in the meeting. And given our membership dues are not too much ($55/year for a working adult and $27.50 for non working adults) why not just take care of 2018 now too? By joining St. Vladimir's you show your visible support of the parish which nourishes you and your family spiritually. We all hope the parish will be there when we need it (for marriages, funerals, baptisms, etc.). By joining the parish we support it both spiritually and financially. To renew your membership or to become a new member, please contact one of our membership coordinators: Vasiliy Krivtsov (vasiliy.krivtsov@gmail.com or 734-669-8712) or Dmitry Knysh (dmitriknysh@hotmail.com or 734-358-5996) or Konstantin Poplavsky (734-944-4087 or 419-344-2071). We cordially invite you to join our parish family!

Please find our membership form here – you can just fill this out and return to one of the membership coordinators:

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/membershipform.pdf

Please join us as your personal calendar allows!

“But nothing causes such exceeding grief as when anyone, lying under the captivity of sin, calls to mind from where he has fallen, because he turned aside to carnal and earthly things, instead of directing his mind in the beautiful ways of the knowledge of God. So you find Adam concealing himself, when he knew that God was present and wishing to be hidden when called by God with that voice which wounded the soul of him yourself? Why are you concealed? Why do you avoid Him Whom you once longed to see? A guilty conscience is so burdensome that it punishes itself without a judge, and wishes for covering, and yet is bare before God.”

+ St. Ambrose Milan, Concerning Repentance, Book II

It is a pious tradition at St. Vladimir Church for virtually everyone to partake of the Holy Mysteries on the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity. Please confess early for the feast! Confessions will be heard at the following times – please take advantage of this opportunity!

Saturday, December 30: Confession 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. (Please make an appointment with Fr. Gregory)
Wednesday, January 3: Vespers & Matins 6:00 p.m. (Please make an appointment with Fr. Gregory)
Thursday, January 4: Confession 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. (Please make an appointment with Fr. Gregory)
Friday, January 6: Confession begins at 3:00 p.m., Vigil 6:00 p.m., Confession during and following Vigil

Make an appointment with Fr. Gregory:

https://calendly.com/ogrisha

Please note: those who have confessed beginning December 30 need not confess again before Nativity, but are welcome to partake of the Holy Mysteries having prepared themselves by reading the appointed prayer rule and attending the Divine Services for the feast.

Join us on January 12 for our 19th Annual Nativity Ball! Dinner, Dancing, Entertainment, Champagne Toast, Cash Bar, Games, MORE!

Buy Tickets Here and Now:

https://stvladimiraami.networkforgood.com/events/4894-19th-annual-nativity-ball

Ball Flyer to Share:

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/ballflyer2018.pdf

Please join us for Divine Services for the Great Martyr Anastasia Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. All are welcome. Happy name's Day to all our Anastasias!

Please join us for our annual Nativity Yolka/Christmas Pageant on January 14, 2018! Tickets are limited so buy yours ASAP. Ded Moroz will be there - Snegurochka too! Gifts for the kids, games, songs, dancing, and more! All are welcome!

Buy Tickets Here and Now:

https://stvladimiraami.networkforgood.com/events/4893-nativity-yolka-christmas-pageant

Flyer to Share:

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/yolka2018.pdf

Join us for the Divine Services of the Lord's Nativity this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (and Monday too!). Find the full Nativity schedule of services here:

http://stvladimiraami.org/flyers/nativi ... hedule.pdf

ALL ARE WELCOME!