St. Sava's Sunday School children presented their Christmas Pageant after Vespers on Badnje Vece. We look forward to this procession of angels and shepherds and a brilliant star marking the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks also to Karageorge members for practicing selected songs for the occasion and to Joanne Samardzija for her direction.

Badnje Vece was a long night for Santa Claus. He listened to detailed toy requests from good children who assured him of their best behavior. Santa's many elves offered their assistance to move the line along and gave out candy canes and gift bags, Thanks, Santa!

Please click thumbnails to enlarge.

And the winner is.....Alek Djukic!

Congratulations to Alek Djukic for creating a colorful gumdrop Christmas ornament for the Sunday School contest. Parishioners were able to vote for their favorite entry, and the choices were tough. Alek won a $25 VISA Gift Card. Great job, Alek!

Vespers started at 6:00 p.m. as we solemnly celebrated the eve before Our Savior's birth. Sunday School students presented a short program starting with a procession of angels, shepherds, sheep, and kings awaiting the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Karageorge choir sang hymns honoring the occasion. Fr. Marko led the faithful outdoors and blessed the burning badnjak. Hundreds packed the south wing for refreshments and caught up with old friends. Santa photos and video will be posted soon.

The angel said, "shepards, fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOUR, which is CHRIST THE LORD. And this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Today we celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord according to the Julian calendar. The original artwork below was created by Adam Popovich. Thanks to Vonnie Orlich for sharing this family treasure.

Call today (219) 406-7910 or email karknezic@yahoo.com for your holiday lamb or pig order. Proceeds to Srbadija Folklore and Sunday School. Pick up Monday from Noon to 1 p.m. Details and prices below:

The hard working ladies of the Serbian Sisters Circle let someone else do the cooking as they celebrated the Holiday Season Saturday afternoon. Poetry, Christmas stories, games, and songs were all part of the program. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and friends laughed until they had tears in their eyes when Olga Galich Velasquez lead the Kolo Chorus in "The Twelve Days of Christmas". "Kolo Men" Simo Glumac and Richard Vrtikapa were thanked for all their help during the past year, and first time inductee Paul Jancarich was presented with his own pair of rubber gloves, apron, and bottle of Palmolive dish soap. "Youngest" Kolo member Karavelka Petrovich (well into her 100's) was honored with a bouquet of fresh flowers by Alexis Orlich. Kolo President Beba Rudman also had a special gift for Donna Nicolich - her very own Chef's hat! Special thanks to Kathy Vrtikapa Friedlander and her daughter Susan, who traveled from Indianapolis to coordinate the party activities and games. Please join us next year and be sure to invite a friend!

You are cordially invited to attend the St. Sava Serbian Sisters

Annual Christmas Luncheon

Saturday, December 8th, 12:30 p.m.

Innsbrook Country Club 6701 Taft St., Merrillville

$20 per person, friends and family welcome!

Reservations a.s.a.p. to Mimi Orlich 219-310-8044 or Donna Nicolich 219-226-1758

Dr. Jolynn Derado, Mike Suvajac, and Paul Jancarich read the Epistles during Christmas Divine Liturgy at St. Sava. Very Rev. Marko Matic gave his blessing to the readers, who read the English and Slavonic verses. Responses by S.S.S. Karageorge Choir under the direction of Ms. Kathy Baroevich. We truly appreciate the devotion of the readers who read every Sunday and are most grateful for our choir members. Mike Suvajac and Paul Jancarich also read for every funeral service and weekday services.

Mim Bizic posted this lovely sketch on Facebook during Christmas. The drawing was done by Sonja Kalember over 40 years ago, and is featured in our own St. Sava's Serbian Sisters cook book. Best of all, the carolers are Fr. John and Protinica Mirijana's daughters Vera, Nada, and Dara Todorovich. Visit babamim.com, where Mim Bizic shares a wealth of information about our Serbian history and culture.

Fr. Marko celebrated Great Vespers on Christmas Eve with a church full of parishioners. At the end of the service, we were all anointed with Holy Oil from Christ's Tomb in Jerusalem. The special oil was a gift from Sister Serafima, Fr. Marko's dear friend who lived in Jerusalem for 15 years before returning to California. This year's balmy 45 degree weather was truly appreciated by those who remained for the blessing of the Badnjak outdoors. Lenten sandwiches, relish trays, and assorted fruit trays were served in the south wing,  as well as the traditional hot tea and sljivo. Children of all ages had a great time with "Serbian Santa".

Our St. Sava Sunday school children presented a wonderful Christmas Nativity pageant after Great Vespers on Christmas Eve. A procession of angels lead the way to Bethlehem followed by shepherds. The bright star guided three Kings as they presented gifts to the Christ Child. Christmas hymns were sung by Karageorge choir. Thank you to Sunday school teachers, parents, and Joanne Samardzija for all your hard work.

There were many GOOD boys and girls who sat with Santa Friday evening in the south wing after the blessing and burning of the badnjak. Extraordinarily mild 40+ degree temperatures allowed for a huge crowd and a comfortable service outdoors. (Click the thumbnail photo to enlarge).

Friday, January 6 - Christmas Eve, Badnje Vece

Divine liturgy at 9:00 a.m., Great Vespers at 6:00 p.m.

Children's Christmas Play and blessing & burning of badnjak will follow with traditional light refreshments in the south wing. Santa will be there!

Saturday, January 7 - Christmas, Nativity of Our Lord

Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Confession at 9:00 a.m.

Order today for pick up on Saturday, January 7 from Noon to 1 p.m. at the outside north kitchen area.

Pre-sales orders only. $12 per pound

LAMB & PIG

Proceeds benefit the Playground Fund

Contact Snezana at 219-736-9191 to order

On Sunday, December 4, the wonderful ladies of our Serbian Sisters Circle relaxed and enjoyed the afternoon at Innsbrook Country Club as they celebrated the holiday season. After another year of hard work making thousands of strudels, nut rolls, sarmas, and palachinke, it was time to kick back and be served for a change. The ladies enjoyed a delicious meal and Kathy Freidlander took charge of fun and games. Kolo sister Karaveljka Petrovich was presented with a bouquet of red roses to mark her 100 plus* years. "Kolo brothers" Richard Vrtikapa, Simo Glumac, and Stanley Galich also attended. Stanley was presented with a bag of walnuts, honoring his expert nut grinding this past nut roll making season. All joking aside, the men have been a tremendous help and are greatly appreciated!

Thanks to Xenia Jancarich for taking these lovely photos.

Order your by-the-pound LAMB and PIG for December 25th and January 7th.

All proceeds will go to the playground fund.

PRICE IS $12 PER POUND, ADVANCED ORDERS ONLY

ALL ORDERS WILL BE PRE-PACKAGED. NO SAME DAY SALES

Call Snezana in the church office to order at 219-736-9191.

American Christmas order deadline is Wed., December 21st.

Pick up on Sunday December 25 from 10 a.m. until Noon.

Serbian Christmas order deadline is Tues., Jan. 3rd.

Pick up on Saturday, January 7 from Noon to 1 p.m.

PICK UP AT NORTH BUILDING BEHIND CHURCH

Sincere Thanks to Nick and Karen Knezic for preparing and packaging the lambs each holiday.............St. Sava Executive Board

You are cordially invited to attend the St. Sava Serbian Sisters Annual

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

Sunday, December 4 at 12:30 p.m.

Insbrook Country Club - 6701 Taft Street

Reservations a must by November 29th

Call Beba Rudman (219) 462-4524

Kay Bozich (219) 980-1805

Mimi Orlich (219) 310-8044

$20 per person

Please bring a friend and join us in the holiday spirit!

Celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Great Vespers will start at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Burning of the Yule Log and refreshments in the South Wing. Bring the entire family for this wonderful traditional celebration. Santa will greet the children.

Roasted lamb will be sold for both Christmas dates: December 25 and January 7th.

ST. SAVA CHURCH
WILL BE TAKING
LAMB ORDERS FOR
BOTH
AMERICAN & SERBIAN CHRISTMAS

PRICE IS $12.00 PER POUND – 2 POUND MINIMUM

PLEASE CONTACT KAREN KNEZIC AT 219.406.7910 OR
karknezic@yahoo.com TO PLACE YOUR ORDER

ORDER DEADLINE FOR AMERICAN CHRISTMAS IS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST

ORDER DEADLINE FOR SERBIAN CHRISTMAS IS
MONDAY, JANUARY 3RD

ALL ORDERS WILL BE PRE-PACKAGED. ADVANCE ORDERS ONLY.
NO SAME DAY SALES.

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE SPLIT BETWEEN
SUNDAY SCHOOL, FOLKLORE AND PRE-SCHOOL

PICK UP FOR AMERICAN CHRISTMAS WILL BE BETWEEN
10AM AND 12PM ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25TH

PICK UP FOR SERBIAN CHRISTMAS WILL BE BETWEEN
12PM AND 1PM ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 7TH

PICK UP LOCATION IS @ THE NORTH OUTBUILDING BEHIND THE
CHURCH @ 9191 MISSISSIPPI IN MERRILLVILLE

This beautiful porcelain Christmas ornament features St. Sava Church on the front side with the inscription "Hristos Se Rodi, Christ Is Born" on the reverse side. Measures 2 inches wide and is trimmed with a red ribbon. It is designed by St. Sava's Srbadija Folklore Group and is their holiday fund raiser. Buy one for yourself and one for a gift. Free gift wrap. Price is $15 each plus $3 Shipping & Handling within the continental US. Order with your credit card in the Goods & Services section to your right. If you would like to ship outside the US, or for multiple items to one address, or if you don't have a PayPal account, call Dorothy at (219) 613-6133 for details. Thank you for supporting our folklore dancers.

Videos below are from the January 7 Divine Liturgy Christmas Service. Singing with our own Karageorge choir was Diana Henery (Danica Chirich), who grew up in Gary and enjoyed a long professional career as a leading soprano with the Volksoper in Vienna, Austria.

PART ONE

PART TWO

Old Country customs and traditions are still celebrated each Christmas Eve and Christmas Day by Serbian Orthodox Christians. Once again, our Sunday School children treated us to a wonderful performance of a Serbian family's observance of Christmas. Thanks to all the teachers and Joanne Samardzija for their hard work preparing the play and rehearsing songs. Most of all, we Thank the children for this special gift.

At last night's Badnje Vece Service, we were all treated to a wonderful play presented by the children of our Sunday School. Customs of the holidays in a centuries old tradition were celebrated, followed by a selection of Christmas songs. Read the reviews and see the related photos at NWI TIMES.

Check back daily for photos and video from this year's holiday services and celebration.

Mir Bozi, Hristos Se Rodi! May the birth of Our Lord bring blessings, peace, and happiness to you and your families today and always. Christ Is Born! Indeed He Is Born!

What a treat to have delicious lamb for your holiday meal! Order early, only enough lambs will be cooked to cover orders.

Special THANKS to the Knezic Family for their time and talents, and for sharing their valuable hours during the Holidays!

There's still just enough time left to order one of our Serbian Sisters Cook Books, gift wrapped for the holidays and sent via Priority Mail. Use our Goods & Services tool to your right and order with your credit card. If that's not possible, Please email Dorothy at: dorothyshops@gmail.com to order and make payment arrangements, or stop by the church office from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to see Snezana and pick up a copy for only $15. Deadline to order for December 25th Christmas is midnight, December 20. Cook Book is priced at only $15 plus $5 shipping.

If you would like a gift card and message enclosed, use the email address for instructions for any mailed item.

The Serbian Sisters celebrated their annual Christmas Luncheon at Innsbrook Country Club this past Sunday. After a busy and hugely successful year of hard work, it was time to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the cooking! This past year, the women made and sold 3500 strudels and nut rolls, thousands of palachinke, sarmas, and krofne, all to benefit their Church. The Sisters provided appetisers and desserts for many events, made gift baskets and visited the elderly and sick. Their commitment is unbelievable, and they keep going, starting at 7 a.m., and don't leave until all the dishes are put away. Their sore feet and tired backs don't discourage this group of women.

The following Sisters were presented rolling pins as a symbol of appreciation for their hard work and contributions during this exceptionally busy year:

Zorka Glumac, Danica Beslich, Rada Gasic, Mariola Rajkovich, Smilja Andrich, Radmila Milivojevic, Lillian Galich, Dragica Trikich, Vesa Wolanyk, Millie Moncilovich, Donna Nicolich, Polly Vrtikapa, and Beba Rudman.

Kathy Friedlander, Donna Erceg, and Mimi Orlich outdid themselves this year planning a wonderful Christmas Party. They had everyone up on their feet matching parts of Christmas cards, doing puzzles, and other of interactive games. Please join the Sisters next year. You'll have a great time!

Thank You to Donna Erceg for providing these wonderful photos!

Mirko Kljajic will host this Sunday's Luncheon immediately after Divine Liturgy.

Confession will start at 9:00 a.m., Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

The Kolo ladies of our Serbian Sisters Circle will enjoy an afternoon of fun at their Annual Christmas Luncheon at Innsbrook Country Club, 6701 Taft St., Merrillville.