TODAY IS PALM SUNDAY Today we commemorate our Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. The palms in the narthex were blessed during the morning orthros service today. These palms are often held during the Divine Liturgy as a sign of our participation with the children and followers of Christ who chanted and exclaimed the triumph of the Lord. We participate not just in symbol and remembrance, but also by consciously recognizing Christ's authority over us and over all things: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” The palms should be taken home and can remain in our prayer corners or tucked behind an icon on the wall.
We ask that you take home the palms you receive today. Please do not leave them behind in the church or fellowship hall. They are a gift from the Church to help us remember the meaning of this sacred feast. Above all, help the children respectfully care for the palms they are given. It's an opportunity to learn an important Christian life skill—blessed items deserve special care. To dispose of last year's palms, it's proper to burn or bury them, but not dispose of them in the trash. This is because they have were first blessed with holy water & prayer, just like today. Thank you.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM Junior Students meet today. We will be watching events of Palm Sunday and the Passion week according to the Gospel of Luke. Parents & any other adults are welcome to join us for this dramatized presentation. Please bring your lunch upstairs and we'll begin soon after. This is an ideal preparation for the services of Holy Week and Pascha. See you there!
SEAT CUSHIONS Individual seat cushions for the pews are stacked on the shelf above the coat rack in the narthex. If you feel a need, please take one for your use.
DONATIONS APPRECIATED TO PURCHASE FLOWERS & CANDLES FOR HOLY WEEK SERVICES Please check the clipboard in the narthex for the Paschal needs list and contribute to this effort to honor our Lord's Passion, if you're able.
SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO'S MADE TODAY'S PALM SUNDAY MEAL POSSIBLE It's a great blessing to be able to have a beautiful fellowship meal on Palm Sunday. Sincere thanks to everyone who's participated—from planning, purchasing, decorating, cooking, serving, all the way to clean up—we could not have special events like this without everyone pitching in. Thanks be to God for you all!
PLEASE VISIT THE BOOKSTORE TODAY If you're looking for Paschal gifts or cards or supplies, please visit our bookshop in the fellowship hall. Looking for something in particular? Let Presbytera know—we can do a special order for you.
CHURCH CLEANING If you can donate a gift of time to the church early this week (Mon, Tues or Wed) during the morning or afternoon, we'd like to accomplish some general cleaning in anticipation of Holy Pascha.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE PLUS HOLY PASCHA Please see the bulletin insert for the Holy Week/Paschal schedule. Kali Anastasi to all! The first service of Holy Week is this evening at 7PM.
HOLY PASCHA AFTERGLOW There will be a Paschal afterglow refreshment time after the Divine Liturgy of Pascha next Sunday (wee morning hours). Please bring your favorite non-Lenten food to share with others at table for this joyous get-together. Thank you!
HOLY PASCHA AFTERNOON Agape Vespers will be prayed at 1PM next Sunday afternoon. If you can read in a language other than English, please let Fr. Leo know so you can participate in the service.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR LOVE OF CHRIST Presbytera is a board member of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund (Kosovo). She's asking those who can to consider joining the effort to assist the impoverished Serbian Orthodox of Kosovo this season. This is an almsgiving effort. See the April 7th entry titled, “Kosovo Today: Will a Lasting Christian Witness Remain for the Living and the Dead?” on her blog for details: http://otftd.blogspot.com/2017/04/kosovo-today.html
WHAT IS A "MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING"? A parishioner in good standing practices all the religious and moral duties of an Orthodox Christian. At a minimum, a parishioner in good standing must: be eighteen years of age or over; be current in his or her stewardship (at least have made a pledge) and other financial obligations to the Parish, and cooperate in every way towards the welfare and well-being of the Parish.
HOLY WEEK CALENDAR - 2017
April 8rd SATURDAY OF LAZARUS
9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
April 9th PALM SUNDAY
9:00 a.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Palm Sunday luncheon following
7:00 p.m. Service of the Bridegroom (Nymphios)
April 10th GREAT AND HOLY MONDAY
7:00 p.m. Service of the Bridegroom (Nymphios)
April 11th GREAT AND HOLY TUESDAY
7:00 p.m. Service of the Bridegroom (Nymphios) Troparion of Kassiane
April 12th GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY
3:30 p.m. Sacrament of Holy Unction
7:00 p.m. Orthros of Holy Thursday (annointing follows)
April 13th GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY
9:00 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
6:00 p.m. Service of the 12 Gospels, The Passion & Crucifixion of our Lord
April 14th GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY
9:00 a.m. Service of the Hours
3:30 p.m. Descent from the Cross (The Apokathelosis)
7:00 p.m. Orthros of Holy Saturday (Lamentations)
April 15th GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil
11:30 p.m. Orthros & Divine Liturgy of the Resurrection
Resurrection Reception in the Church Hall following Divine Liturgy
April 16th HOLY PASCHA (EASTER)
1:00 P.M. Vespers of Agape Service
(If you wish to read the Gospel in another language please let Fr. Leo know)