Monthly Archives: March 2014

3/30 announcements

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March 30, 2014
Fourth Sunday of Lent
St. John Climacus
 
   Self-denial for self-glory is equally as vain as any endeavor not directed toward divine love and the glory of God.  In St. John Climacus, seventh-century hermit and ascetic, we have a model of sacrifice directed to the love of fellow men.  St. John knew that emptying himself of the things of this world was the act of renouncing his own efforts and accepting God’s grace and mercy as true sustenance.  The season of prayer and fasting is a time of true humility and complete submission to the Father’s will.  We proceed to the Great Feast, following a path of reconciliation and contemplation, seeking the adoration of the Son and His sacrifice, and emphasizing leaving the things of this world to attain perfect submission.
 
Hebrews 6:13-end:  In his letter to the Hebrews, the Apostle reminds us that the promise of God to Abraham was fulfilled when Jesus Christ entered through the veil as a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, and that He is our hope and the anchor of our souls.
 
Mark 9:16-30:  Our Lord casts a demon out of a young boy and in so doing show that faith is essen­tial for actions to bear good fruit.  He then gives a prophecy of His coming death and resurrection.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection: Thou didst shatter death by thy Cross; thou didst open paradise to the thief; thou didst turn the mourning of the ointment-bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine Apostles proclaim warning that thou hast risen, O Christ, granting the world Great Mercy.

Troparion of St. John of the Ladder:  With the rivers of thy tears thou hast made the barren desert fertile, and with the sighs of sorrow from thy heart thou hast made thy labours to bear fruit a hundredfold. With the glory of thy miracles thou hast become a light to the inhabited earth. O John our holy father, pray to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.
 
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear.  We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.
 
Kontakion of the Sundays of Lent:  To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror.  As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, March 30   (Fourth Sunday of Lent; St. John Climacus)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
Monday, March 31   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, April 1   (St. Mary of Egypt)
            6:00 a.m.         — Lenten Orthros
            11:00 a.m.       — Lenten Reading Group at the Algoods’ (brown bag lunch)
                       
Wednesday, April 2    
            6:30 p.m.         — Canon of St. Andrew of Crete & Life of St. Mary of Egypt
           
Thursday, April 3
            11:30 a.m.       — Men’s Lunch
           
Friday, April 4    
            6:30 p.m.         — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
 
Saturday, April 5   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, April 6   (Fifth Sunday of Lent; St. Mary of Egypt)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
           
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Hendersons for the Feast of the Annunciation this past Monday evening and by the Algoods for the Divine Liturgy this morning. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                       Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
March 30                       Algood                                     Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
April 6                            Katool                                      D. Root/Dansereau/Dale Cooper
April 12 (Sat. a.m.)        Schelver                                   Jenna Skirtech/Jennifer Skirtech
April 13                          Morris                                      Kh. Sharon Meadows
April 17 (Thurs. a.m.)    Jones                                       Kh. Sharon Meadows
April 19 (Sat. a.m.)        Meadows                                Chrismation of Nikki Lasseter
April 19 (Sat. p.m.)        Davis                                       POT LUCK MEAL     
                                                                                    set-up: Cheryl Pigott/Charlotte Wood
April 27                           D. Root                                   Algood/Yeatts/Lasseter
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                            Reader                                   Reading                         Page#
March 30                            Sh. Charlotte Algood            Heb. 6:13-20                  287
April 6                                 Phillip Lasseter                      Heb. 9:11-14                  290
April 12 (Sat. a.m.)             Tom Willingham                   Heb. 12:28-13:8             291
April 13                               Walt Wood                            Phil. 4:4-9                       294
April 17 (Thurs. a.m.)        Sh. Charlotte Algood            I Cor. 11:23-32              295
April 19 (Sat. a.m.)             Warren Strain                        Rom. 6:3-11                   300-301
April 19 (Sat. p.m.)             Kh. Sharon Meadows          Acts 1:1-8                       25
April 27                               Mildred Morris                      Acts 5:12-20                   32
 
Memory Eternal!  The Antiochian Archdiocese of North America sadly announced the repose of Metropolitan PHILIP last week.  Further information on Metropolitan PHILIP’s life may be found on the Archdiocese website:  http://www.antiochian.org.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  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.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Confessions:  Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week.  No confession will be heard after Great and Holy Wednesday.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults will meet once a month on Sunday evening from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. (time will be strictly adhered to) for a meal, fellowship and teaching.  The date for next meeting will be set sometime soon.  Please let Father John know by text or e-mail if you will be there, so that plans may be made for the meal.
 
Paschal Meal:  Charlotte Wood and Cheryl Pigott have graciously volunteered to take charge of the meal following the Paschal Service on Saturday evening, April 19th.  We plan to have a pot luck meal with the church providing a ham.  A sign-up sheet will be available for people to specify what they want to bring (e.g. breakfast casserole, appetizer or dessert) so that we know what will be brought.  As we did at Nativity, there will be no one in the kitchen to do any cooking during the service.  If your dish need s to be cooked, be sure to cook it before you come.  The warmer will be turned on and dishes can be kept warm in it.
 
Clean-up following the Paschal Meal:  Charlotte and Cheryl will only be doing set-up for the meal so we are also asking for volunteers to clean up afterwards.  Gentlemen, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to help!  Clean up will be important because we will be hosting the Agape Vespers the following afternoon.
 
Agape Vespers:  Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and Sh. Charlotte Algood have volunteered to coordinate the meal following Agape Vespers.  Costas Pavlou will be cooking for this meal.  Please be ready and willing to help when asked.  Clean-up will be provided by our janitorial staff afterwards.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday evenings and the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos on Friday evenings during Great Lent.  Both services will begin at 6:30 p.m.
*    The Youth Group will meet for a meal and Christian Education with Father John on Sunday evenings, TONIGHT and April 27th beginning at 5:30 p.m.
*    We will hold our annual catfish dinner on Palm Sunday, April; 13th following the Divine Liturgy.  Meals will be $9 for adults and children 12 and over, and $6 for children 5-11.  There is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall.  Please be sure to sign it if your family will be participating in the meal.
 
Fasting Discipline for April
During  Great Lent when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Palm Sunday on April 13th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted).  During Bright Week (the week following Pascha) there is no fasting of any kind.
 
Major Commemorations for April
April 1                   St. Mary of Egypt
April 6                   5th Sunday of Lent; St. Mary of Egypt
April 12                 Lazarus Saturday
April 13                 Palm Sunday
April 14-19            Holy Week
April 20                 PASCHA
April 23                 Great-martyr George
April 27                 Thomas Sunday
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).
Canned food drive:  The Christian Education classes are collecting canned good s for the needy. 
 
Vacation Church School:  We will be holding our Vacation Church School on Thursday-Saturday, June 26-28.  The focus of this year’s school will be on educating our children about the lives of their Name-Saints and of Sts. Peter and Paul.  After Pascha, Sam Habeeb will be looking for volunteers to help with this wonderful program.
 
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Happy Birthdays in March/April:
         March 30               —    Aidan Milnor (#8!)
         April 4                   —    Denis Lavric
         April 6                   —    John Wood (#21!)
         April 11                 —    Brandon Strain (#12!)
         April 12                 —    Lily Dabit
         April 15                 —    Anna Grace Dansereau (#1!)
         April 26                 —    Alexander Andrei (#2!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in April:
         April 10                 —    Simon and Rola Karam (#4!)
         April 12                 —    Mike and Cheryl Pigott (#33!)
         April 28                 —    Anthony and Athena Zouboukos (#24!)
 
Quotable:  “For Orthodox Christians the Sign of the Cross is a shield and a safeguard against temptations and dangers that threaten the life of the soul.  Whenever we are oppressed by temptations we may repulse them by the Sign of the Cross.  St. Cyril of Jerusalem says:  ‘Let us make the Sign of the Cross boldly and courageously.  When the demons see it, they are reminded of the Crucified; they take to flight; they hide themselves and leave us.'”
                                                Rev. Fr. David F. Abramtsov, The Orthodox Companion
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, April 6, 2014 (Fifth Sunday of Lent; St. Mary of Egypt)
        
         Scripture:                                Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 10:32-45
         Celebrant:                               Father John
         Epistle Reader:                       Phillip Lasseter
         Prosphora:                              Katool
         Coffee Hour:                           D. Root/Dansereau/Dale Cooper

3/23 announcements

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March 23, 2014
Third Sunday of Lent
Adoration of the Holy Cross
 
    In the middle of Lent, the church sets before us the Cross of Christ.  On two other occasions during the year, September 14 and August 1, the cross is presented for our remembrance and veneration.  Both these feasts link the Adoration of the Cross to historic events.  However, the remembrance of the cross on the third Sunday in Lent prepares us for the commemoration of the crucifixion which is soon to follow in Holy Week, and at the same time, it reminds us that the whole of Lent is a period when we are crucified with Christ.  The dominant note on this Sunday, as on the two Sundays preceding, is one of joy and triumph.  No separation is made between Christ’s death and His resurrection, but the cross is regarded as an emblem of victory on Calvary as seen in light of the Empty Tomb.
 
Hebrews 4:14-5:6:  After describing the all-seeing power of Jesus Christ, the writer of Hebrews re­veals Him as the great high priest who perfectly identifies with us in our weakness.
 
Mark 8:34-9:1:  In our reading from the gospel of Mark we hear our Lord tell His disciples that self-denial is required for true spirituality.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above thy revered tomb, and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men.  Thou led hades captive and wast not tempted thereby.  Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world; O thou who art risen from the dead!  O Lord, glory to thee.

Troparion of the Holy Cross:  O Lord, save thy people and bless thine inheritance, granting to thy people victory over all their enemies, and by the power of thy Cross preserving thy commonwealth.
 
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear.  We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.
 
Kontakion of the Sundays of Lent:  To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror.  As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, March 23   (Third Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
Monday, March 24   
            THE SCRIPTURE (Luke 1:26-38):  The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee (the northernmost district of Palestine) named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house (family) of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And he came to her and said, “Rejoice, you who are full of grace, the Lord is with you!  Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold you shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father (ancestor) David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob (the father of all the tribes of Israel) for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  And Mary said to the Angel, “How can this be, since I have no husband?”  And the Angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.”  And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid (servant) of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”  And the Angel departed from her.
THE SIGNIFICANCE:  This feast commemorates the day when the Archangel Gabriel announced to a young virgin named Mary that she, among all women, had found favor with the Father.  She was invited to cooperate with Him for the Incarnation of His pre-eternal Son through the operation of the Holy Spirit.  This, “the beginning of our salvation,” was conditioned not only by God’s will and His election of Mary, but also by Mary’s own “YES” to do God’s will – “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
 
Monday, March 24 (Continued)
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
            6:00 p.m.         — Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy
           
Tuesday, March 25   (Feast of the Annunciation)
            NO Lenten Orthros
                       
Wednesday, March 26    (Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel)
            6:30 p.m.         — Presanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper
           
Thursday, March 27  
           
Friday, March 28    
            6:30 p.m.         — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
 
Saturday, March 29   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, March 30   (Fourth Sunday of Lent; St. John Climacus)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Dn. Richard Roots for the Divine Liturgy this morning. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                            Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
March 23                              R. Root                                     Pigott/Brock/Strain
March 24 (Mon. p.m.)        Henderson                               Anastasia Jones
March 30                            Algood                                     Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
April 6                                   Katool                                      D. Root/Dansereau/Dale Cooper
April 12 (Sat. a.m.)             Schelver                                   Jenna Skirtech/Jennifer Skirtech
April 13                               Morris                                      Kh. Sharon Meadows
April 17 (Thurs. a.m.)          Jones                                       Kh. Sharon Meadows
April 19 (Sat. a.m.)               Meadows                               Chrismation of Nikki Lasseter
April 19 (Sat. p.m.)             Davis                                       POT LUCK MEAL     
                                                                                    set-up: Cheryl Pigott/Charlotte Wood
April 27                               D. Root                                    Algood/Yeatts/Lasseter

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                             Reader                                  Reading                        Page#
March 23                             Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver           Heb. 4:14-5:6                 285
March 24 (Mon. p.m.)       Brenda Baker                        Heb. 2:11-18                  376
March 30                            Sh. Charlotte Algood          Heb. 6:13-20                  287
April 6                                 Phillip Lasseter                    Heb. 9:11-14                  290
April 12 (Sat. a.m.)             Tom Willingham                  Heb. 12:28-13:8             291
April 13                               Walt Wood                          Phil. 4:4-9                       294
April 17 (Thurs. a.m.)        Sh. Charlotte Algood          I Cor. 11:23-32               295
April 19 (Sat. a.m.)             Warren Strain                       Rom. 6:3-11                   300-301
April 19 (Sat. p.m.)             Kh. Sharon Meadows         Acts 1:1-8                       25
April 27                               Mildred Morris                     Acts 5:12-20                   32
 
Memory Eternal!  The Antiochian Archdiocese of North America sadly announced the repose of Metropolitan PHILIP this past week.  The funeral service will be held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 29th, following the Divine Liturgy (9:00-10:30 a.m.).  Father John will be representing our parish at the funeral.  Burial will be at the Antiochian Village on Monday, March 31st.  Further information on Metropolitan PHILIP’s life and on the other services in his memory may be found on the Archdiocese website:  http://www.antiochian.org.
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
  
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  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.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Confessions:  Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week.  No confession will be heard after Great and Holy Wednesday.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults will meet once a month on Sunday evening from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. (time will be strictly adhered to) for a meal, fellowship and teaching.  The date for next meeting will be set sometime soon.  Please let Father John know by text or e-mail if you will be there, so that plans may be made for the meal.
 
Metropolitan Philip gave the Antiochian Women the project of raising money for the orphans of the war in Syria.  He asked them to raise $200,000 towards this project.  All monies raised are to be distributed directly to the affected areas.  Please read information regarding “Help the Orphans of War in Syria” posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.  If you wish to contribute to this project, please make your donation to the Ladies of St. Peter noting it is for “Help the Orphans of War in Syria.”  They will be collecting money for this project through the coming months.
 
Paschal Meal:  Charlotte Wood and Cheryl Pigott have graciously volunteered to take charge of the meal following the Paschal Service on Saturday evening, April 19th.  We plan to have a pot luck meal with the church providing a ham.  A sign-up sheet will be available for people to specify what they want to bring (e.g. breakfast casserole, appetizer or dessert) so that we know what will be brought.  As we did at Nativity, there will be no one in the kitchen to do any cooking during the service.  If your dish need s to be cooked, be sure to cook it before you come.  The warmer will be turned on and dishes can be kept warm in it.
 
Clean-up following the Paschal Meal:  Charlotte and Cheryl will only be doing set-up for the meal so we are also asking for volunteers to clean up afterwards.  Gentlemen, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to help!  Clean up will be important because we will be hosting the Agape Vespers the following afternoon.
 
Agape Vespers:  Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and Sh. Charlotte Algood have volunteered to coordinate the meal following Agape Vespers.  Costas Pavlou will be cooking for this meal.  Please be ready and willing to help when asked.  Clean-up will be provided by our janitorial staff afterwards.
 
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday evenings and the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos on Friday evenings during Great Lent.  Both services will begin at 6:30 p.m.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy tomorrow evening, March 24th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    The Youth Group will meet for a meal and Christian Education with Father John on Sunday evenings, TONIGHT and March 30th beginning at 5:30 p.m.
*    We will hold our annual catfish dinner on Palm Sunday, April; 13th following the Divine Liturgy.  Meals will be $9 for adults and children 12 and over, and $6 for children 5-11.  There is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall.  Please be sure to sign it if your family will be participating in the meal.
 
Canned food drive:  The Christian Education classes are collecting canned good s for the needy. 
 
Vacation Church School:  We will be holding our Vacation Church School on Thursday-Saturday, June 26-28.  The focus of this year’s school will be on educating our children about the lives of their Name-Saints and of Sts. Peter and Paul.  After Pascha, Sam Habeeb will be looking for volunteers to help with this wonderful program.
 
Fasting Discipline for March
March 2nd is Cheese Fare Sunday, the last day until Pascha that dairy and wine are permitted.  Monday , March 3rd is Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Annunciation on March 25th and Palm Sunday on April 13th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted).

Major Commemorations for March
March 23               3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross
March 25               Feast of the Annunciation
March 26               Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
March 30               4th Sunday of Lent; St. John Climacus
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).
  
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Happy Birthdays in March:
         March 3                 —    Kay Carlton
         March 6                 —    Amy Surratt
         March 9                 —    Ian Jones
         March 12               —    Alexa Zouboukos (#19!)
         March 17               —    Cliff Stewart
         March 20               —    Charlotte Wood
         March 24               —    Brenden Skirtech (#10!)
         March 26               —    Katherine Habeeb (#6!)
         March 29               —    Sophie Dansereau (#3!)
         March 30               —    Aidan Milnor (#8!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in March:
         March 10               —    Fr. James and Kh. Sharon Meadows (#41!)
         March 13               —    Warren and Sandra Strain (#20!)
         March 15               —    Dn. Richard and Sh. Margaret Root (#39!)
         March 27               —    Sam and Anne Habeeb (#10!)
 
Quotable:  “With good reason has the Sign of the Cross been so highly venerated by the Holy Martyrs and Confessors of all times, for by their own experience they have learned that it is a symbol of power.  Armed with this sacred Sign, the Martyrs went forth into battle with the wild beasts in the amphitheater, walked calmly to the stake to be burned, bowed their necks to the sword or exposed their bodies to the last.  They braved the terrors of the dungeon or went willingly into exile.  Even tender virgins and children defied the power of the tyrant and suffered death in its most terrible forms.  Many other Christians went alone into the desert wastes to practice lifelong penitence, sustained and encouraged by the same never-failing source of supernatural strength.  It will be our strength also in times of trial, our victory in temptations, our pledge of perseverance.”
                                                Rev. Fr. David F. Abramtsov, The Orthodox Companion
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, March 30, 2014 (Fourth Sunday of Lent; St. John Climacus)
        
         Scripture:                                    Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Mark 8:34-9:1
         Celebrant:                                   Father John
         Epistle Reader:                         Sh. Charlotte Algood
         Prosphora:                               Algood
         Coffee Hour:                           Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker

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March 16, 2014
Second Sunday of Lent
St. Gregory of Palamas
 
    St. Gregory Palamas (c. 1296-1359) – St. Gregory was a Greek monk and theologian and the chief exponent of Hesychasm.  He was ordained a priest in the year 1326 and became Bishop of Thessalonica in 1347.  The political conditions made it impossible for him to take possession of the see until 1350.  He died on November 14, 1359, which is his feast day.  He was canonized in 1368.  St. Gregory stressed the biblical notion of man as a single and united whole, body and soul together.  In virtue of this, he argued that the physical exercises used by the Hesychasts in prayer, as well as their claim to see the Divine Light with their bodily eyes, could be defended as legitimate.  He distinguished between the essence and the energies of God:  God’s essence remains unknowable, but his uncreated energies, which are God Himself, permeate all things and can be directly experienced by man in the form of deifying grace.
    In the earlier period, there was on this day a commemoration of the Great Martyr Polycarp of Smyrna (c. 155).  St. Gregory replaced St. Polycarp on the Second Sunday of Lent in the fourteenth century.
 
Hebrews 1:10-2:3:  Writing to the Hebrews, the Apostle quotes from Scripture to proclaim the great­ness of Jesus Christ as compared with the angels;  for this reason we must be careful not to neglect our sal­vation.
 
Mark 2:1-12:  Reading in the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus demonstrate His authority to forgive sins by healing a paralytic.

Troparion of the Resurrection:  Let us believers praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born of the Virgin for our salvation; for he took pleasure in ascending the Cross in the flesh, to suffer death, and to raise the dead by his glorious Resurrection.
 
Troparion of St. Gregory Palamas:  O Gregory the Wonderworker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, glory of monks and invincible protector of theologians, pride of Thessalonica and preacher of grace, pray without ceasing for the salvation of our souls.
 
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear.  We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.
 
Kontakion of the Sundays of Lent:  To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror.  As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, March 16   (Second Sunday of Lent; St. Gregory of Palamas)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
Monday, March 17   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, March 18   
            6:00 a.m.         — Lenten Orthros
                       
Wednesday, March 19    
            6:30 p.m.         — Presanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper
           
Thursday, March 20  
            NO Daily Orthros
 
Friday, March 21    
            NO Daily Orthros
            6:30 p.m.         — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
 
Saturday, March 22   
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

Sunday, March 23   (Third Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:30 p.m.         — Youth Group
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Woods for the Divine Liturgy this morning. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                           Eucharist Bread                     Coffee Hour
March 16                           Wood                                       Ellis/Zouboukos/Fahmy
March 23                             R. Root                                    Pigott/Brock/Strain
March 24 (Mon. p.m.)      Henderson                              Anastasia Jones
March 30                            Algood                                    Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                            Reader                                   Reading                          Page#
March 16                            Mildred Morris                      Heb. 1:10-2:3                  283
March 23                            Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver             Heb. 4:14-5:6                  285
March 24 (Mon. p.m.)      Brenda Baker                         Heb. 2:11-18                   376
March 30                            Sh. Charlotte Algood           Heb. 6:13-20                   287
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Please continue to pray for Metropolitan PHILIP as he recovers from his recent heart attack in Florida.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  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.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Confessions:  Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week.  No confession will be heard after Great and Holy Wednesday.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults will meet once a month on Sunday evening from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. (time will be strictly adhered to) for a meal, fellowship and teaching.  The next meeting will be tonight.  Please let Father John know by text or e-mail if you will be there, so that plans may be made for the meal.
 
Paschal Meal:  Charlotte Wood and Cheryl Pigott have graciously volunteered to take charge of the meal following the Paschal Service on Saturday evening, April 19th.  We plan to have a pot luck meal with the church providing a ham.  A sign-up sheet will be available for people to specify what they want to bring (e.g. breakfast casserole, appetizer or dessert) so that we know what will be brought.  As we did at Nativity, there will be no one in the kitchen to do any cooking during the service.  If your dish needs to be cooked, be sure to cook it before you come.  The warmer will be turned on and dishes can be kept warm in it.  Even if you have to leave the meal early, please be sure to take your dishes home with you.
 
Clean-up following the Paschal Meal:  Charlotte and Cheryl will only be doing set-up for the meal so we are also asking for volunteers to clean up afterwards.  Gentlemen, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to help!  Clean up will be important because we will be hosting the Agape Vespers the following afternoon.
 
Agape Vespers:  We are looking for about three volunteers to help plan the meal following Agape Vespers and to co-ordinate with the other churches.  Clean-up will be provided by our janitorial staff afterwards.
 
Metropolitan Philip has given the Antiochian Women the project of raising money for the orphans of the war in Syria.  He has asked them to raise $200,000 towards this project.  All monies raised are to be distributed directly to the affected areas.  Please read information regarding “Help the Orphans of War in Syria” posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.  If you wish to contribute to this project, please make your donation to the Ladies of St. Peter noting it is for “Help the Orphans of War in Syria.”  They will be collecting money for this project through the coming months.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday evenings and the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos on Friday evenings during Great Lent.  Both services will begin at 6:30 p.m.
*    The Young Adults will meet at the church TONIGHT from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Monday evening, March 24th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    The Youth Group will meet for a meal and Christian Education with Father John on Sunday evenings, March 23rd and March 30th beginning at 5:30 p.m.
*    We will hold our annual catfish dinner on Palm Sunday, April; 13th following the Divine Liturgy.  Meals will be $9 for adults and children 12 and over, and $6 for children 5-11.  There is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall.  Please be sure to sign it if your family will be participating in the meal.
 
Canned food drive:  The Christian Education classes are collecting canned good s for the needy. 
 
Fasting Discipline for March
March 2nd is Cheese Fare Sunday, the last day until Pascha that dairy and wine are permitted.  Monday , March 3rd is Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Annunciation on March 25th and Palm Sunday on April 13th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted).

Major Commemorations for March
March 16               2nd Sunday of Lent; St. Gregory of Palamas
March 23               3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross
March 25               Feast of the Annunciation
March 26               Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
March 30               4th Sunday of Lent; St. John Climacus
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).
 
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Happy Birthdays in March:
         March 3                 —    Kay Carlton
         March 6                 —    Amy Surratt
         March 9                 —    Ian Jones
         March 12               —    Alexa Zouboukos (#19!)
         March 17               —    Cliff Stewart
         March 20               —    Charlotte Wood
         March 24               —    Brenden Skirtech (#10!)
         March 26               —    Katherine Habeeb (#6!)
         March 29               —    Sophie Dansereau (#3!)
         March 30               —    Aidan Milnor (#8!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in March:
         March 10               —    Fr. James and Kh. Sharon Meadows (#41!)
         March 13               —    Warren and Sandra Strain (#20!)
         March 15               —    Dn. Richard and Sh. Margaret Root (#39!)
         March 27               —    Sam and Anne Habeeb (#10!)
 
Quotable:  “St. John Chrysostom, a Father of the Church, writing in the fourth century of the great veneration in which the Sign of the Cross was held by Christians of his time, teaches us how we ought to reverence the Cross:  ‘More precious than the universe, the Cross glitters on the diadems of emperors.  Everywhere it is present to my view.  I find it among princes and subjects, men and women, virgins and married people, slaves and freemen.  All continually trace it on the noblest part of the body, the forehead, where it shines like a column of glory.  It is made over sick animals, over persons possessed by the demon; in war, in peace, by day, by night, in pleasant reunions and in penitential assemblies.  It is a question of who shall seek first the protection of this admirable Sign.  What is there surprising in this?  The Sign of the Cross is the type of our deliverance, the monument of liberation of mankind, the souvenir of the forbearance of Our Lord.  When you make it, remember what has been given for your ransom, and you will be the slave of no one.  Make it, then, not only with the fingers, but with your faith.  If you engrave it on your forehead, no impure spirit will dare to stand before you.  He sees the blade with which he was wounded, the sword with which he has received the deathblow.'”
                                                Rev. Fr. David F. Abramtsov, The Orthodox Companion
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, March 23, 2014 (Third Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy
                                                Cross)
        
         Scripture:                                Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Mark 8:34-9:1
         Celebrant:                               Father John
         Epistle Reader:                       Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver
         Prosphora:                              R. Root
         Coffee Hour:                           Pigott/Brock/Strain

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March 9, 2014
Sunday of Orthodoxy
Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste
 
    On the first Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy.  This is an historical feast commemorating the restoration of the icons, which had been banned for several decades, to their rightful liturgical use in the year 843 A.D.
    The major emphasis of this feast is the victory  of the true faith, the victory which always ultimately triumphs.  Having completed the first week of our lenten efforts, we are reminded that Christ, the perfect image of God the Father, calls us to personal victory by restoring within ourselves “the image and likeness of God” in which we were first created (Genesis 1:26).
    The icons of Our Lord, the Theotokos, and all the saints are images of true humanity, signs of what our eternal calling and vocation really is.  They tell us that we are all called to be living icons and imitators of Christ, bearing the likeness of God as gracious vessels of the Holy Spirit.
 
Hebrews 12:1-10: In his letter to the Hebrews, St. Paul reminds us of the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us and of the need for endurance.  He encourages us to look to our Lord so that we might gain strength for the struggle lest we grow weary and become discouraged.
 
John 1:43-51:  From our reading in the Gospel of John we see Jesus call Philip and Nathaniel to be His disciples.
 
Troparion of the Resurrection:  Having learned the joyful message of the Resurrection from the angel, the women Disciples cast from them their parental condemnation, and proudly broke the news to the Disciples, saying, Death has been spoiled.  Christ God is risen, granting the world Great Mercy.
 
Troparion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy: Thy pure image do we venerate, O good One, asking forgiveness of our sins, O Christ our God; for by thine own will thou didst ascend the Cross in thy body, to save thy creatures from the bondage of the enemy.  Thou hast truly filled all with joy, since thou didst come, O our Saviour, to save the world.
 
Troparion of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste: By reason of the sufferings of the saints endured out of love for Thee, we implore Thee, O Lord and Lover of Mankind, to deliver us from all our pains.
 
Troparion of the Chains of St. Peter: O Holy Apostle, Peter, thou dost preside over the Apostles by the precious chains which thou didst bear.  We venerate them with faith and beseech thee that by thine intercessions we be granted the great mercy.
 
Kontakion of the Sundays of Lent:  To thee the champion leader, I thy servant offer thanks for victory, O Theotokos, thou who hast delivered me form terror.  As thou hast power invincible, free me from every danger that I may cry unto thee: Rejoice, O bride without bridegroom.
 
 
CALENDAR
 
Sunday, March 9   (Sunday of Orthodoxy)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            6:00 p.m.         — Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers at Holy Resurrection
 
Monday, March 10   
            Office Closed — Father John’s Day Off
           
Tuesday, March 11   
            6:00 a.m.         — Lenten Orthros
                       
Wednesday, March 12    
            6:30 p.m.         — Presanctified Liturgy followed by Soup Supper
           
Thursday, March 13  
            NO Daily Orthros

Friday, March 14    
            NO Daily Orthros
            6:30 p.m.         — Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
 
Saturday, March 15   
            8:30 a.m.         — Workday at the Church
            5:45 p.m.         — Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers
 
Sunday, March 2   (Second Sunday of Lent; St. Gregory of Palamas)
            8:50 a.m.         — Orthros
            9:00 a.m.         — Christian Education
            10:00 a.m.       — Divine Liturgy
            5:00 p.m.         — Young Adults
 
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Bakers for the Divine Liturgy this morning. 
 
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
                                        Eucharist Bread                    Coffee Hour
March 9                           Baker                                       Stewart/Meadows
March 16                        Wood                                       Ellis/Zouboukos/Fahmy
March 23                         R. Root                                    Pigott/Brock/Strain
March 24 (Mon. p.m.)   Henderson                               Anastasia Jones
March 30                         Algood                                     Skirtech/Skirtech/Parker
 
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew.  Please be sure to use this book when you read.
                                           Reader                                    Reading                        Page#
March 9                             Kh. Sharon Meadows           Heb. 12:1-10                  375
March 16                           Mildred Morris                       Heb. 1:10-2:3                 283
March 23                           Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver              Heb. 4:14-5:6                 285
March 24 (Mon. p.m.)     Brenda Baker                          Heb. 2:11-18                  376
March 30                           Sh. Charlotte Algood            Heb. 6:13-20                  287
 
Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.
 
Terrorists have abducted 12 Orthodox nuns from the Convent of St. Thekla in Syria.  Please keep them in your prayers.
 
Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers. 
 
Please be reminded of the following:
Be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take it after communion.  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.
         Also, at the end of the liturgy, maintain a prayerful disposition during the veneration of the cross as the prayers of thanksgiving after communion are still underway.  Please exchange your greetings with each other in the Fellowship Hall during Coffee Hour.
 
Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.
 
Please remember the following in your prayers:  Steve, Sheryl and Stephen Chamblee; Amy and Brantley Oliver; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit and Sammie; Georgia Buchanan, George Johns (Georgia’s grandson) and his family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Fr. Stephen Tewfik; Sh. Gail Shannon; Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliot;
Fr. Alexander Atty, the Dean of St. Thikon’s who is battling cancer; Walt and Charlotte Wood and their family; Tom and Jennifer Skirtech and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham; Athena and Anthony Zouboukos and their family.
 
Please be reminded that the Sacristy/Vestry which is adjacent to and behind the altar in our church is considered by the Orthodox Church to be part of the Sanctuary (Altar area) and should not be entered without the blessing of the priest for a specific purpose.  If you need to speak with a member of the clergy while they are in the Sanctuary, please ask them to come to you in the nave.
 
Confessions:  Please go ahead and schedule your confessions so we do not have so many people trying to fit it in just before Holy Week.  No confession will be heard after Great and Holy Wednesday.
 
Young Adults Study Group:  The Young Adults will meet once a month on Sunday evening from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. (time will be strictly adhered to) for a meal, fellowship and teaching.  The next meeting will be March 16th.  Please let Father John know by text or e-mail if you will be there, so that plans may be made for the meal.
 
Metropolitan Philip has given the Antiochian Women the project of raising money for the orphans of the war in Syria.  He has asked them to raise $200,000 towards this project.  All monies raised are to be distributed directly to the affected areas.  Please read information regarding “Help the Orphans of War in Syria” posted on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.  If you wish to contribute to this project, please make your donation to the Ladies of St. Peter noting it is for “Help the Orphans of War in Syria.”  They will be collecting money for this project through the coming months.
 
Paschal Meal:  We are looking for volunteers to take charge of the meal following the Paschal Service on Saturday evening, April 19th.  We plan to have a pot luck meal with the church providing a ham.  A sign-up sheet will be available for people to specify what they want to bring (e.g. breakfast casserole, appetizer or dessert) so that we know what will be brought.  We are also asking for volunteers to clean up afterwards.  Gentlemen, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to help!  Clean up will be important because we will be hosting the Agape Vespers the following afternoon.
 
Agape Vespers:  We are looking for about three volunteers to help plan the meal following Agape Vespers and to co-ordinate with the other churches.  Clean-up will be provided by our janitorial staff afterwards.
 
Calendar Items:
*    The Men of the parish meet for lunch and fellowship on the first Thursday of the month.
*    The Ladies of St. Peter will meet at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month to pray the Akathist to the Mother of God, Nurturer of Children.  Those who are able will go out for lunch and fellowship afterwards.
*    This year our Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers will be held at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Clinton tonight, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    As is our parish custom, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesday evenings and the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos on Friday evenings during Great Lent.  Both services will begin at 6:30 p.m.
*    The next Workday at the Church is scheduled for Saturday morning, March 15th, beginning with breakfast at 8:30 a.m.
*    The Young Adults will meet at the church Sunday, March16th from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
*    We will celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation with Orthros followed by Divine Liturgy on Monday evening, March 24th, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
*    The Youth Group will meet for a meal and Christian Education with Father John on Sunday evenings, March 23rd and March 30th beginning at 5:30 p.m.
*    We will hold our annual catfish dinner on Palm Sunday, April; 13th following the Divine Liturgy.  Meals will be $9 for adults and children 12 and over, and $6 for children 5-11.  There is a sign-up sheet in the fellowship hall.  Please be sure to sign it if your family will be participating in the meal.
 
Canned food drive:  The Christian Education classes are collecting canned good s for the needy. 
 
Fasting Discipline for March
March 2nd is Cheese Fare Sunday, the last day until Pascha that dairy and wine are permitted.  Monday , March 3rd is Clean Monday, the first day of Great Lent when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine or oil) is observed on all days of the week until Pascha (except Annunciation on March 25th and Palm Sunday on April 13th, when fish, wine and oil are permitted).
Major Commemorations for March
March 9                 1st Sunday of Lent; Sunday of Orthodoxy; Holy Forty Martyrs of
                                    Sebaste
March 16               2nd Sunday of Lent; St. Gregory of Palamas
March 23               3rd Sunday of Lent; Adoration of the Holy Cross
March 25               Feast of the Annunciation
March 26               Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel
March 30               4th Sunday of Lent; St. John Climacus
 
Parents, please supervise your children with food in the Fellowship Hall.  We are getting stains on the new carpet (and also the chairs in the nave).
 
Suggestions on use of the Cry Room:
            — Please remember you’re in liturgy when you’re in the cry room.
            — Its main purpose should be a place for parents to take their children if they’re being disruptive during liturgy, staying for 5-10 minutes (or until the child is calmed down) and then returning to liturgy.
            — It should not be used as a main sitting area during the liturgy.
            — Children should not be eating snacks or watching electronic devices while in the cry room.
 
Happy Birthdays in March:
         March 3                 —    Kay Carlton
         March 6                 —    Amy Surratt
         March 9                 —    Ian Jones
         March 12               —    Alexa Zouboukos (#19!)
         March 17               —    Cliff Stewart
         March 20               —    Charlotte Wood
         March 24               —    Brenden Skirtech (#10!)
         March 26               —    Katherine Habeeb (#6!)
         March 29               —    Sophie Dansereau (#3!)
         March 30               —    Aidan Milnor (#8!)
 
Happy Anniversaries in March:
         March 10               —    Fr. James and Kh. Sharon Meadows (#41!)
         March 13               —    Warren and Sandra Strain (#20!)
         March 15               —    Dn. Richard and Sh. Margaret Root (#39!)
         March 27               —    Sam and Anne Habeeb (#10!)
 
Quotable:  “The first Christians used the Sign of the Cross constantly.  Tertullian, a writer of the latter part of the second century, says of it:  ‘At every motion and at every step, entering in or going out, when dressing, bathing, going to meals, lighting the lamp, sleeping or sitting, whatever we do, or whithersoever we go, we mark our foreheads with the Sign of the Cross.’  St. Cyril of Jerusalem writes:  ‘Let us not be ashamed to confess the Crucified; let us boldly make the Sign of the Cross on the forehead, and on everything; on the bread which we eat; on the cups from which we drink; let us make it at our going out , and coming in; when we lie down to sleep, and when we rise, when we journey, and when we rest:  It is a safeguard, given to the poor without price, to the weak without labor.  For this is the Grace of God; a token for the Faithful, and a terror for evil spirits.”
                                                Rev. Fr. David F. Abramtsov, The Orthodox Companion
 
 
Worship:         Sunday, March 16, 2014 (Second Sunday of Lent; St. Gregory of Palamas)
        
         Scripture:                               Hebrews 1:10-2:3; Mark 2:1-12
         Celebrant:                              Father John
         Epistle Reader:                      Mildred Morris
         Prosphora:                             Wood
         Coffee Hour:                          Ellis/Zouboukos/Fahmy