UPCOMING SERVICES
Sunday, April 14 - Sunday of St. John Climacus
- 10:00 am - Reader's Service
Saturday, April 20
Sunday, April 21 - Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt
Saturday, April 27 - Sunday, May 5 - Holy Week Services - TBA
Sunday, May 12 - Sunday of Thomas
- 10:00 am - Reader's Service
Saturday, May 18
Sunday, May 19 - Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women
Sunday, May 26 - Sunday of the Paralytic
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GREAT LENT
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we prepare to enter the journey of Great Lent, we also prepare our bodies to fast, both physically and spiritually. Linked is an article for reflection and guidance on fasting, and below is pastoral guidance as we use this time of repentance, reflection and renewal to deepen our communion with God.
For the Lenten Fast, please note the following guidelines:
-Fasting should never jeopardize your health. If you are required to eat or abstain from certain foods as a medical/health necessity, please do what is necessary. Please speak with Fr. Nektarios if you need spiritual guidance for observing the Fast.
-Fasting is spiritual. It is about avoiding excess and time spent preparing food in order to commit time to prayer and contemplation.
-Fasting is giving our bodies the nutrition and sustenance needed, but lessening our focus on the desires of our physical body and seeking to commune more with God.
-Fasting is also diminishing the external influences of our fallen world and connecting more with the kingdom of God through prayer, worship, and spiritual reading.
-Fasting in personal. It is between you and God with the help of your spiritual father as needed. The goal is not to be perfect in fasting. The goal is to be nearer to the One who makes us holy because He is holy.
Great Lent begins on Monday, March 18.
-On the weekdays during Great Lent, fast from meat, fish, dairy, oil, and wine.
-Fish, oil and wine are permitted on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25) and on Palm Sunday (April 28)
-Oil and wine are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays during Great Lent with the exception of Holy Saturday.
-Oil and wine are allowed on the following Commemorations during Great Lent:
-Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel – March 26
-St. Andrew of Crete – April 18
-The Lenten Fast ends on Great and Holy Pascha, May 5, and there is no fasting from May 5 through May 12 in observance of Bright Week.
-Oil and Wine are permitted on Wednesdays and Fridays following Bright Week to Pentecost (June 23), with fish also permitted on the Feast of Mid-Pentecost (May 29) and the Leavetaking of Pascha (June 12)
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STEWARDSHIP
This is a prayerful encouragement to support our parish with a donation.
You can give as your regular stewardship or as a special donation either at church in the offering or online through our website at https://orthodoxsanangelo.org/about/ways-to-give
God continues to bless our Assumption Church and the witness of our Orthodox Christian faith, and your regular stewardship and special gifts help to support the growth of our Church and our fulfilling of the Great Commission through our worship and ministry.
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NEW PARISH EMAIL
Our new parish email is priest@orthodoxsanangelo.org.
Please use this to communicate with Fr. Nektarios.
If you have not visited our new website, please do so at http://orthodoxsanangelo.org
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RESOURCES FOR INQUIRERS
If you are inquiring about the Orthodox Christian faith, please reach out to Fr. Nektarios for resources.Our faith is focused on our worship and participation in the Church, the Body of Christ, and in cultivating our communion with God.
We can provide you with a prayer book to guide you in daily prayers, as well as a book and online resources that explain the Orthodox Christian faith and life.
Fr. Nektarios is also available to meet with you by phone, Zoom or in person to offer guidance as you follow God's guidance and seek your spiritual home in the Orthodox Church.
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ONLINE CATECHISM CLASS
Our next class will be on April 18, at 7:00 pm.
Our focus between now and Holy Pascha (Easter) will be the book The Orthodox Faith, Worship, and Life. Most should have a copy of this book, as we used this same text in 2021, and it has been distributed to many of our catechumens and inquirers. If you do not have a copy, please let Father Nektarios know.
This book is very rich and substantive in its focus on the basic beliefs and practices of our faith. It is also a book that emphasizes worship and prayer as essential to living and learning our faith.
Our weekly sessions will be on Zoom at the link below. They will also be available livestream on our Assumption Facebook page, as well as on the YouTube Channel for St. Stephen Mission at https://www.youtube.com/@st.stephenorthodoxmission8116/streams
The sessions will also be archived at the same YouTube link in case you miss a session or would like to go back and listen to a specific week or topic.
Meeting ID: 873 8452 7698
Passcode: Grace2024
Join Zoom Meeting
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CARING MEALS MINISTRY
If you know someone who needs meals due to illness, birth, etc., please see Kathy Baughman or Noelle Bartl. Thank you to everyone who volunteers for this ministry. You are being the hands of Christ!
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HELP FOR THE GARCIA FAMILY
Joanna Garcia continues to go through a very difficult time with her ongoing illness. If you want to give a financial donation to help with medical expenses, etc., please make your check out to our church (Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, or AVMGOC for short), and make note that it's for the Garcias.
If you have any questions, please call or text Kathy at 325-277-0274.
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COFFEE HOUR
We have open slots on the sign up sheet for Coffee Hour, which can be found on the refrigerator in the church kitchen. Can you help host? It's okay to bring something simple, or even just one dish. Encourage others to sign up with you as co-hosts. "Many hands make the burden light." Thank you for your help!
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SPECIAL OCCASIONS FROM APRIL 14 THROUGH APRIL 20
Birthdays: Kayla Perkins
Anniversaries: none
Namedays: 4/16 - Charis Worden (St. Charrisa)
Memorials: none
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Check out the rest of the bulletin! See below for news from the world of Orthodoxy, online concerts and lecture series, and more.
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AFTER CHURCH
Please join us for refreshments in the Social Hall.
** As always, see the parish website for any changes and updates. **