EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
NO COFFEE HOUR: There will be no coffee hour today. Coffee and donuts will be available outside the church office, along with the opportunity to purchase Palm Sunday Luncheon tickets, Taramosalata and Pita, and St. Cons Spiritwear.
GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE: The Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade will be held TODAY Sunday, April 10th, starting at 3:00 pm on Monroe Street in Detroit’s Greektown Historic District. His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will be in attendance. Those who wish to march in the parade (1/2 mile route) should meet in front of the Compuware building (Monroe and Woodward) and look for St. Cons, Unit #225.
PALMS AND PANCAKES: Immediately after the Saturday of Lazarus service on 4/16 stay with your children to make palm crosses. This is a treasured annual tradition! Pancake breakfast will be served.
PALM SUNDAY LUNCH: Buy your tickets in advance and avoid the line! After church next Sunday April 17th, we will have our annual Palm Sunday Lunch. Tickets can be purchased after church from Annette in the church office, or with a credit card by phone. TICKETS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR – limit 150 seats will be sold. The menu includes baked White Fish, Fried Calamari, Shrimp and Rice, Pasta, Roasted Potatoes, Peas, Salad Fries, and Sorbet. Tickets are $25 for adults, and $15 for children. There will be open seating, ONLY FULL TABLES SOLD IN ADVANCE WILL BE RESERVED.
PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING: There will be a General Meeting of the St. Helen Philoptochos on Monday, April 11th at 6:00 pm. The group will meet in the library.
MOMS’ GROUP MEETING: There will be a meeting of the Moms’ Group on Thursday, April 14th at 6:30 pm in the library. Please try to attend, as this will be a “working” meeting for our parish Name Day Dinner Dance, to be held on Saturday, May 14th.
SEAFOOD BUFFET: THE FINAL SEAFOOD BUFFET WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY APRIL 15TH from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Support our Hellenic Cultural Center and church, and bring your friends for a delicious Lenten meal.
GOYA MEETING: Our GOYA members will meet and discuss future events and activities while making palm crosses on Saturday, April 16th.
GUS CONSTANTELLIS COMEDY EVENT: Tickets for the Gus Constantellis Comedy event on Saturday, June 18th will go on sale online on Palm Sunday, April 17th. Invite your friends and family to come (but don’t tell Toula!) and buy a table together!
SAVE THE DATE! Our Name Day Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, May 14th at the Hellenic Cultural Center. We are so excited to bring back this annual event, hosted by our Moms’ Group with a big “Greek Feast”, Dancing, Basket Raffle, Photo Booth, and more!
NEWS AND NOTICES:
PITA AND TARAMOSALATA SALE: After church today and Palm Sunday our GOYA will be selling taramosalata and pita bread. All proceeds will be used to buy new clothes and shoes to be donated to the Michigan Foster Care Closet for area teens in foster care.
ICON DONATIONS: This is the final week for donations of used icons to be sent to the Orthodox Public Action Project, to distribute to Orthodox Christians facing religious persecution in the Middle East and South Africa. Please leave your icons in the basket in the Narthex when you come to church.
EASTER LAMBATHES: Our Mom’s group will be selling beautiful red and white Easter lambathes for children after services beginning April 16th, the Saturday of Lazarus. Lambathes are used for the Anastasi and Agape services, and are decorated with a keepsake ornament – helping us to remember Christ’s resurrection throughout the year. The cost of each lambatha is $20.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES SCHEDULE: A Holy Week services schedule is included in today’s bulletin. The schedule and Easter offertory envelope will be mailed out to parishioner’s homes this week. Additional copies of the schedule and envelopes are available at the Pangari.
“SENSE-SATIONAL” VCS - SAVE THE DATES! Our Vacation Church School will be held the week of August 8th – 12th. This year we will focus on the 5 Senses – sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell – as we help our kids connect with our unseen, untouchable God through their physical senses. If you have a young person between the ages of 4 and 12, save this week for learning about our faith, making new friends, and big fun! Teens ages 13 – 18 are needed to work as volunteers, teacher’s aids, etc. We also need adult help that week with teaching, crafts, and outside play. If you can help, contact Frances Marinos at fmarinos@comcast.net or the church office.
MEMORIAL SERVICES: Koliva that has been prepared for memorial services can now be distributed to parishioners at the end of service. Requested Coffee Hour sponsorship donation is $150, and the HCC will set up a table with cloth and coffee, etc. for your family. Paximadia and koulourakia may also be distributed at the coffee hour. Please call the church office to schedule memorials and coffee hour sponsorships in a timely manner so we can include the information in the bulletin. On the day of the service, please bring a list of family names you would like Father to remember in prayer.
STEWARDSHIP PLEDGE: If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to submit your 2022 Stewardship Pledge card today. You ae not considered a member in good standing at the parish, unless this card is completed each year. Stewardship Pledge cards are available at the Pangari or the church office. Parishioners can also complete the 2022 Stewardship Pledge Card online from our website, or at this direct link: https://form.jotform.com/220062911610138
Non-Orthodox Visitors Please Note: Holy Communion is offered to Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves. Visitors are welcome to receive the Antidoron (Blessed Bread), which is distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy.