Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.

BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.

Gospel Reading

Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.

Saints and Feasts

April 09

Palm Sunday

On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.

The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.

Weekly Bulletin

Palm Sunday Agape Coffee Fellowship: Join the Assumption Family for a special Agape Coffee Fellowship hosted by our Ladies Philoptochos. Many thanks to all who helped set up and donated items.

Ladies Philoptochos Society: Our Ladies Philoptochos will pass a special basket today proceeds of which will benefit the Hellenic College Holy Cross Lenten donation. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

We will be selling Labades $18, Egg Dye $2, Tsourekia $15 and packages of Koulourakia for sale after Liturgy

Holy Thursday, April 13^th - we are dying eggs. Please come and give a few hours of your time from 10 am - 3 pm. We need helpers to dye, rub with oil and to wrap the eggs. Please let us know if you can come. Contact Sheila Pappas 203-240-0762 or Sheila.pappas@sbcglobal.net

Holy Friday, April 14^th - we will be having a lunch in the church hall after the morning service, this lunch is a strict fasting with no oil. Then we will adorn the epitaphio. We always need helpers.

JOY News: Please join our JOY group (children in grades 2 - 6) on Saturday, April 29th from 11 am to 2 pm as we prayerfully gather together with Fr. Nikolas to prepare the ingredients for and bake our own prosphora (which comes from the Greek word for "offering"), the bread that is brought to Church by the people for the Divine Liturgy.

The following day, Sunday, April 30, during the Divine Liturgy, our children will participate during the procession known as the Great Entrance, as they present their "offering" of bread (prosphora) and wine, which become the Body and Blood of Christ through the descent of the Holy Spirit. Please arrive no later than 10:15 am.

The Greek Experience Festival: KEEP DATES OPEN – JUNE 9th -10^th -11^th - Get to know your fellow parishioners by working together for the benefit of our Church. We need each and every one of you to VOLUNTEER. Everyone’s HELP is needed at Festival time. This is our Community’s big fundraiser. Come be a part of it all. There is work (and fun) for all. Please do your best to sell and / or buy as many raffle tickets as possible. To volunteer, please see any Parish Council member, or contact one of the Chairpersons below:

Advertising	Allison Arvanitis 203.748.2992
Boutique	Valerie Rountos 203.664.1302
Children’s Food/Activities	Philip Herzegovitch 203.746.8940 - Nick Chryssikos 914.248.5293
Greek Dancing	Presvytera Maria Karloutsos 203.797.0685
Kafenio	Anastasia Osdranus 203.792.3268 - Ioanna Biniaris 203.743.7188 Kristalla Christou 203.770.4645
Loukoumades	Rose Koulouris 860.350.4338
Parking	Harry Manesis 203.982.9615 - Mark Vendetti 860.318.6433
Pastry	Nitsa Carino 203.470.6839 - Caryn Flannery 203.512.5698 - Dina Athanasiou 574-329-1616
Raffle	Elena Koutoumbas 203.788.6047 - Peter Soumakis 845.878.6028
Set-up/breakdown	Jim Rountos 203.744.0756 - Greg Kallas 203.733.1983
Soda/Bar	Nick Kaplanis 203.788-1986 - Tony Kaplanis 203.312.8165
Souvlakia	Konstantine & Erin Karloutsos 203.244.5912
Taverna	John & Valerie Rountos 203.664.1302
Youth Folk Singers	Dino Kolitsas 203.263.5410
50/50 Raffle	Patrick Pyers - 860.355.3566 - Chrysse Terrill 203.948.9674 - Shannon Kaplanis 203.312.8165
Clean-up/Tables/Trash	Jim Keenan 203.885.5389

Greek Folk Dance Program: The Greek Experience Festival - June 10, 11 & 12, 2016 - Please be advised that Greek Folk Dance practices will begin after Pascha. The first day of practice is Thursday, April 27^th Please registration your children this Sunday in the Community Hall. A schedule will be posted with exact times and dates.

Assumption Paschal Family Picnic: Sunday May 7th - TO ALL MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY - The Parish Council & The Ladies Philoptochos Invite You To A Traditional Paschal Picnic - Rotisserie Lamb, Roasted Leg of Lamb, Chicken Souvlaki, Kokoretsi, Tzatziki, Roasted Potatoes, Rice, Fasolakia Yiahni, Salad. When: Sunday, May 7, 2017, Where: Our Community Hall & Outside, Time: 2:00 p.m. Please let us know you will be coming and how many-thank you! RSVP - By May 1st to Anna Koulouris 860 927 5280 asfendamos@charter.net PLEASE BRING THE FOLLOWING: Soda, beer, wine, juice and /or desserts -Outdoor games and/or indoor games

AHEPA News: Sofia Papazoglou in Concert Sunday April 30 at 6:30 pm at Norwalk Concert Hall to benefit our parish's Macricostas AHEPA Scholarship Fund. The program will feature classic laika performed by one of Greece's finest vocalists. Please support this event as the fund's benefactor Deno Macricostas will match all proceeds 2 to 1! Our Paradosi Youth Choir will perform an opening set and then perform with Sofia and her band! A special reception will follow at the Norwalk Inn. A van will be available for a limited number of individuals needing driving assistance. Tickets available online at GreekConcertStatus.com. For more info please contact Dino Kolitsas at ckolitsas@gmail.com or 203-947-6234.

Applications for the 2017 Macricostas Scholarship are available at the narthex or from any Ahepan. Applications are due May 1, 2017.

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