The St. John’s JOY Club is preparing for caroling season! The JOY club met on Sunday November 19th after Sunday School for some fellowship, cookie baking, and card making.
This year, we will be caroling at the homes of parishioners who are no longer able to attend Liturgy in person, so the children made hand-made cards to pass out to them as we sing carols on December 3. Additionally, the children will pass out delicious, homemade chocolate chip and sugar cookies! Join the JOY Club for Christmas Caroling on December 3 after Sunday School and help them pass out their hand-made treats and cards.
Patronal Weekend with Bishop THOMAS November 10-12, 2023
The weekend of November 10-12 was spent with his grace Bishop THOMAS celebrating the St. John Chrysostom Patronal Feast Weekend. A full weekend of events and services allowed our church family to commemorate the life of St. John, reflect on our 31 years as a parish, and gather for valuable fellowship and learning.
Starting Friday evening, Bishop THOMAS ate a catered dinner with the Parish Council and their spouses, as well as the clergy and their spouses. Among the topics at dinner were the current state of the Church, as well as his eminence Metropolitan SABA, where he’s from, and his work so far in the North American Archdiocese.
Saturday began with 3rd Hour prayers and a Men’s Fellowship breakfast prepared by the Antiochian Orthodox Women where Bishop THOMAS talked about one of his favorite saints, St. John Maximovitch, and the vocation of priesthood, encouraging the young men of St. John’s to consider the holy priesthood. Saturday evening, Bishop THOMAS spoke with the teens for an hour prior to Vespers as they prepared their chili for the chili cookoff, discussing upcoming teen events, Bishop THOMAS’s travels, and more.
Following Vespers on Saturday evening, the parish gathered for a Chili Cook Off sponsored by the St. John Chrysostom Fellowship of Lancaster County. The Chili Cook Off featured 16 chilies split between two teams: Team Lancaster County vs. Team York County. As our 65 attendees tasted each chili they voted on their favorite, resulting in winners in three categories: Best Team Overall, Best of Lancaster, Best of York, and Bishop’s Choice Award.
Bishop THOMAS then celebrated Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with us on Sunday morning after which the Sunday School children presented him with flowers and sang “The Lord is my Shepherd”. We finished the weekend off with a covered dish coffee hour featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, and other amazing dishes.
Thank you to everyone who attended this weekend, made Bishop THOMAS feel welcome, and has made the past 31 years a blessed and spiritually fruitful experience for the St. John Chrysostom parish!
Saints Festival Sunday, October 29, 2023
This past Sunday the children at St. Johns celebrated the Saints Festival! Held every year by the Sunday School and JOY Club, this event gives the kids a chance to dress as their patron or favorite saint and tell a portion of that saint’s story. While we celebrate the lives of saints all year round, as we approach November we take time to remember the saints and the importance in our lives and spiritual journeys.
St John Completes Teen Month Sunday, October 29, 2023
October was Teen Month! Throughout each Sunday of October, the St. John’s teens served various functions in the Church. Teens volunteers acted as ushers during Holy Communion, Epistle and post-Communion prayer readers, and greeters at the front door candle stand. And, as always, multiple teen boys served at the altar, assisting Fr. Peter and the Deacons with the Liturgy. Additionally, the teens did their annual collection for the Special Olympics events held by the Antiochian Village. Our teens are critical in our Church life and contribute all year round, but October is a chance to spotlight the importance of their role in our Church and the many wonderful ways they can use their talents and time.
St John's Teens At SOYO Retreat Saturday, October 7, 2023
This past weekend, St. John’s Teen SOYO visited St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY for a fall teen retreat! Accompanied by Deacon Jason and Miss Mary, and gathering with teens from other parishes, the young adults enjoyed a weekend of activities including ice breakers, puzzles, and a challenge. They also attended a talk by Father Andrew Stephen Damick about the internet and teens today, and participated in break out sessions to discuss the topic further. After lunch with the seminarians, they had some free time and then ended the day with Vespers!
JOY Club Fall Fest! Sunday, October 1, 2023
This past Sunday, St. John’s JOY Club kids had a Fall Fest! The kids gathered after Divine Liturgy for a sunny afternoon of fall fun, games, and fellowship. They enjoyed pumpkin decorating, an apple stacking competition, various fall themed relay races and activities, and snacks. The older kids also learned about St. John Koukouzelis, whose feast day is on October 1.
St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church 1993 - 2023
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, His Grace Bp. THOMAS (Joseph), proistamenos the Very Rev. Father Peter Pier, along with the clergy and faithful gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the parish of St. John Chrysostom, as well as the 30th anniversary of Fr. Peter's ordination to the priesthood. Following a hierarchical divine liturgy, celebrated by His Grace Bp. THOMAS, approximately 190 clergy and faithful gathered in the parish hall to give thanks to God for all that he has accomplished over the past thirty years. The hall was full of great joy and thanksgiving as Mr. James Clymer, Parish Council President, emceed the event. Fr. Peter and Kh. Pam both shared memories of the early days of the parish with both humor and tenderness. Sayidna THOMAS commended all those who have lovingly labored to build the parish to what it is today, through the prayers and inspiration of His Grace Bp. ANTOUN of blessed memory, and called all present to view the spiritual success of the first thirty years as a foundation for all that is to come through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Special thanks goes to Leslie Atherholt, who organized the celebration and catering by Mission BBQ of York, along with the many volunteers who helped with set up, serving, and clean up. Joining us for the celebration was the Rev. Economos Andrew Tsikitas, Presbytera Katherine Tsikitas, Rev. Deacon Tom & Jan Shelley of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation of York, Pennsylvania. Click here to read more and to see photos
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2397 N. Sherman St. / York, Pennsylvania / 17406
St. John Chrysostom Antiochian Orthodox Church
2397 N. Sherman St., York, Pennsylvania 17406 orthodoxyork@gmail.com / 717-515-2156