Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Second Mode. Psalm 117.14,18.
The Lord is my strength and my song.
Verse: The Lord has chastened me sorely.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7.

IN THOSE DAYS, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "it is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And what they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochoros, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women
The Reading is from Mark 15:43-47; 16:1-8

At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you." And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Saints and Feasts

April 30

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women

About the beginning of His thirty-second year, when the Lord Jesus was going throughout Galilee, preaching and working miracles, many women who had received of His beneficence left their own homeland and from then on followed after Him. They ministered unto Him out of their own possessions, even until His crucifixion and entombment; and afterwards, neither losing faith in Him after His death, nor fearing the wrath of the Jewish rulers, they came to the sepulchre, bearing the myrrh-oils they had prepared to annoint His body. It is because of the myrrh-oils, that these God-loving women brought to the tomb of Jesus that they are called the Myrrh-bearers. Of those whose names are known are the following: first of all, the most holy Virgin Mary, who in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40 is called "the mother of James and Joses" (these are the sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, and she was therefore their step-mother); Mary Magdalene (celebrated July 22); Mary, the wife of Clopas; Joanna, wife of Chouza, a steward of Herod Antipas; Salome, the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus; and Susanna. As for the names of the rest of them, the evangelists have kept silence (Matt 27:55-56; 28:1-10. Mark 15:40-41. Luke 8:1-3; 23:55-24:11, 22-24. John 19:25; 20:11-18. Acts 1:14).

Together with them we celebrate also the secret disciples of the Saviour, Joseph and Nicodemus. Of these, Nicodemus was probably a Jerusalemite, a prominent leader among the Jews and of the order of the Pharisees, learned in the Law and instructed in the Holy Scriptures. He had believed in Christ when, at the beginning of our Saviour's preaching of salvation, he came to Him by night. Furthermore, he brought some one hundred pounds of myrrh-oils and an aromatic mixture of aloes and spices out of reverence and love for the divine Teacher (John 19:39). Joseph, who was from the city of Arimathea, was a wealthy and noble man, and one of the counsellors who were in Jerusalem. He went boldly unto Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, and together with Nicodemus he gave Him burial. Since time did not permit the preparation of another tomb, he placed the Lord's body in his own tomb which was hewn out of rock, as the Evangelist says (Matt. 27:60).

Weekly Bulletin

Memorial Service: Today’s Memorial Service is offered in loving memory Panagiota (Bertha) Baydalla - 40 day, Vasilis (William) Stavrakos - 6 month, Eleni Amperidis - 1 year, Thomas Tsucalas - 1 year, Theodore Tsucalas - 5 year, Electra Tsucalas - 11 year. Eternal be their memory.

Agape Coffee Fellowship: Todays Agape Coffee Fellowship is sponsored in loving memory of her brother Thomas Tsucalas and parents, Theodore and Electra Tsucalas by Katina and Greg Shea and family.

Church Life: Baptism - April 29, 2017 - Eva Lynne, daughter of Christina and Thomas Bittman of Monroe, CT. Godparents are Paula Collado, Justine Economou and Matthew Donigian. Long Life and Health.

Ladies Philoptochos Society: Our next monthly meeting is tomorrow - Monday, May 1^st at 7 pm in the conference room – please join us.

At this meeting we are first going to vote on the Board of Directors. We then send that list to National to have it ratified; once it is ratified (takes a few days/weeks) we will vote on the Executive Board from that list. Many thanks to Anna Koulouris who will run the elections for our chapter.

JOY News: We have postponed the prosphora making that we had scheduled for Saturday April 29, 2017 to a later date in the fall/winter.

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 (scheduling) Dina Athanasiou 574-329-1616 - Fevri Gkanatsios 203-512-9789
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 practice has started. Please registration your children this Sunday in the Community Hall. A schedule will be posted with exact times and dates.

Festival Cooking - Dolmades: Tuesday May 9^th - 9:00 am please mark your calendars – We need help to roll stuffed grape leaves. “On the job training” provided! First time people are always welcomed. Lunch will be provided. Please come and help for as many hours as possible - morning or afternoon. Join your fellow parishioners and enjoy working together for our church. Tuesday, May 9^th, 9:00 am until we finish - the more hands the sooner we finish.

Festival Pastry Baking: The Pastry Committee is very thankful for the many parishioners who have volunteered and donated towards the baking of our delicious pastries. We have been baking all the pastries here at Church to have uniformity in size and quality. We need your support. Please come for as many hours as you can - the more hands, the sooner we will finish! Lunch will be provided on all baking days!

Baking days are:

Wednesday, May 17^th at 10 am till we finish / 6:00 PM (baking galaktoboureko, koulourakia)
Thursday, June 1^st at 10 am till we finish / 6:00 PM (baking melomakarono, revani, kourambeithes)
Tuesday, June 6^th at 10:00 am till finished, (baking Baklava, kadaifi, karidopita, revani)
Thursday, June 8^th, Packaging the pastries: 5:00 – 8:00 pm.

The baking at the Church has been very successful. Your help is welcome and needed. Come to help and learn to make these delicious pastries. We have a wonderful time & fun as we work together for our Church. Also, monetary donations are greatly appreciated; please make checks out to AGOC - noting that it's for "baking supplies" checks can be mailed to Church or to Pastry Chairpersons - or leave your check at the candle stand.

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: Concert Tonight! The Hellenic event of the year! Sofia Papazoglou in Concert at Norwalk Concert Hall tonight 6:30 p.m. Support AHEPA and have fun besides. Our community’s Paradosi Youth Singers will perform. Appearance by George Karatza. Reception to follow at the Norwalk Inn. A van is available for those needing driving assistance. Tickets online at GreekConcertStatus.com or at the door. Call Dino Kolitsas 203-947-6234 or George Stratigakis at 203-942-8399. Your support is essential. If not able to come, consider a donation as Deno Macricostas will match all proceeds 2 to 1!

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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