Palm Sunday begins the observance of the eight days that encapsulate all of time and eternity as relates to man. The days begin with the proclamation on earth of the entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem and end with the Eternal King rising in incomprehensible victory to establish the heavenly Jerusalem and His eternal reign. On Palm Sunday, we begin the days of the full exhibition of the awful corruption sin has spread in mankind and the measureless love that heals and deifies our humanity. Today we thrill at the picture of Christ and the praises of the people, the object of adoration yet the perfection of humility. The imagery of the scene is beyond description: the King amidst His people, the palm and olive branches symbolizing His victory, His anointing, His peace; the cloaks and garments cast before Him symbolizing our complete submission to His will; the cries of adoration, of “Hosanna,” the coming of the Lord. Yet, on this day we are also near enough to feel acutely the dread of His passion, the desolation of the trial and Golgotha. This day also begins the week of the Eighth Day, the entry to eternity. As we observe Palm Sunday, we observe all history and the fulfillment of all history.

 

Philippians 4:4-9: The Apostle Paul encourages us in the reading from his letter to the Philippians; we are to rejoice in the Lord and to let our concerns and desires be made known to God in prayer and supplication. By doing so, he tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.

 

John 12:1-18: In anticipation of her Lord’s passion, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly ointment, foreshadowing His coming death. Jesus then enters Jerusalem shortly before Passover in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy.

 

First Troparion of Palm Sunday: O Christ God, when thou didst raise Lazarus from the dead before thy Passion, thou didst confirm the universal resurrection. Wherefore, we, like babes, carry the insignia of triumph and victory, and cry to thee, O Vanquisher of death, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

 

Second Troparion of Palm Sunday: O Christ God, when we were buried with thee in Baptism, we became deserving of thy Resurrection to immortal life. Wherefore, we praise thee, crying, Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord.

 

Kontakion of Palm Sunday: Seated upon Thy throne in heaven, and a foal on earth, O Christ our God, Thou didst receive the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children: Blessed is He that cometh to recall Adam.

 

8:50 a.m. – Orthros

9:00 a.m. – Christian Education

10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy followed by Catfish Meal

6:30 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins

Office Closed – Father John’s Day Off

6:30 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins

6:00 a.m. – Lenten Orthros

6:30 p.m. – Bridegroom Matins

5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class

6:30 p.m. – Service of Holy Unction (remember to fast beforehand)

6:00 a.m. – Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil

6:30 p.m. – Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels

6:00 a.m. – Royal Hours

3:00 p.m. – Great Vespers for the Taking down from the Cross

6:30 p.m. – Lamentations Service

9:00 a.m. – Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

10:30 p.m. – Paschal Service

3:00 p.m. – Agape Vespers at Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church

Eucharist Bread: …was offered by the Woods yesterday for Lazarus Saturday and by the Deacon Richard Roots for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

 

Please be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take after communion or at the end of the liturgy. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

 

March 28 R. Roots Freundts/Meadows/Joanna Meadows

April 1 (Thurs. a.m.) Meadows Meadows

April 3 (Sat. a.m) .Katools D. Roots

April 3(Sat. p.m. – Pascha)Schelvers Christina/Anastasia/Charlotte Wood

April 11 Morrises Pigotts

April 18 Joneses Morrises

April 25 Milnors Dansereaus

 

Please remember to schedule a time for confession with your priest during this time of the fast.

 

Please remember the following in your prayers: Esther (Elliott) Longa, her husband Luis, baby Elliott and their family from St. John’s in Memphis; Fr. Donald Lloyd; Sh. Charlotte Algood, Deacon Terry and their family; Fr. James and Kh. Linda Ellison; Bobby and Sue Webb (Deborah Finley’s parents); Tom Skirtech, Amy and Brantley Oliver; Reader Basil’s family; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Jared and Stacy Autrey and their daughter Olivia Kate (St. Ignatius in Franklin).

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

 

Camp St. Thekla will soon be here! Applications for scholarships have already been submitted, but it is still necessary to send in the applications for camp, itself. Parents, please be sure that you have done this while space is still available!!

If you are the last to leave the building, please make sure that the heating and cooling unit in the Fellowship Hall is set to the optimum temperature for the building when unoccupied.

 

Pledge Letters for 2010 have been mailed. Please return yours as soon as possible, either by mail in the enclosed envelope, or by placing you pledge slip in the Tithes box at the back of the nave.

 

*Sunday, April 4^th – Agape Vespers (we are bringing desserts – see Christina)

*Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be May 1^st (and again later on October 30^th ).

 

Calling everyone (especially Men): We need more help in cleaning up following Coffee Hour and meals at the Church (especially the monthly Pot Luck meals). Since the cooking and set up are usually done by the women, this is a terrific time for the men in our parish to also serve. Please remember that those hosting coffee would always appreciate a little help in setting things back right afterwards. The more hands, the quicker the work.

 

Sunday Pot Luck Meal was not held this month and will not be held in April due to other meals which are being held in conjunction with the various feasts. We will probably resume our monthly Pot Luck meals in May.

 

Happy Birthdays in March/April:

March 30–Aidan Milnor (#4!)

April 6–John Wood (#17!)

April 11–Brandon Strain (#8!)

April16–Eric Carlton

 

Happy Anniversaries in April:

April 12–Mike and Cheryl Pigott (#29!)

April 25–Jim and Desi Roehner (#51!)

 

The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish eggs, dairy, wine and oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha except today when fish, wine and oil are allowed. There is no fasting during Bright Week following Pascha. Starting on April 12^th , traditional fasting will resume on Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

March 28 Palm Sunday

March 29 Great and Holy Monday

March 30 Great and Holy Tuesday

March 31 Great and Holy Wednesday

April 1 Great and Holy Thursday

April 2 Great and Holy Friday

April 3 Great and Holy Pascha

April 4 Holy PASCHA

April 11 Thomas Sunday

April 23 Great-martyr George

April 24 Apostle and Evangelist Mark

 

“The Prophet Isaiah foresaw across many centuries the terrible sacrifice on Golgotha. He saw the Lord Jesus as from a distance, brought to the slaughter as a lamb is brought. As a lamb brought to the slaughter, even as one led out to pasture, is defenceless, undisturbed and unretaliating, so was the Lord Jesus as He was brought to the slaughter. He did not say: ‘Don’t do this, you men.’ He did not ask: ‘Why are you doing this to Me?’ He did not condemn anyone. He did not protest. He did not become angry. He did not think evil of His judges. When His blood soaked Him from the crown of thorns, He kept silent. When His face was covered in spittle, He kept silent. When His Cross was heavy on the road, He endured. When He was tormented by His wounds on the Cross, He did not complain to men but to the Father. When He breathed His last, He raised His eyes and breathed His last breath towards heaven, not towards earth. For the source of His strength was heaven not earth. The source of His upholding was God, not man. His true home was the heavenly kingdom, not the earthly.”

    – From The Prologue of Ochrid

 

Weekly Quote:

 

 

Scriptures: Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Tom Skirtech

Prosphora: Schelvers

Coffee Hour: Christina/Anastasia/Charlotte Wood