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Assumption of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2021-04-04
Bulletin Contents
Calendar & Announcements
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
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Assumption of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 7179193382
  • Street Address:

  • 801 Montecito Drive

  • San Angelo, TX 76903

Contact Information

Fr. Mark Lichtenstein
Pastor

frmark@orthodoxsanangelo.org | (717) 919-3382

Services Schedule

All Morning Services 9 AM

All Evening Services 6 PM

Wednesdays 7 PM Bible Study or Discussion Group

Past Bulletins


Calendar & Announcements

Announcements for April 4, 2021

Today we have a 40-day memorial for Liliia Zharova, mother of Yana Crusberg, and a 7-year memorial for Ana Mihail's brother-in-law, Walter.

Update on our Lenten Almsgiving: Next Sunday, please bring some things to help care for the Naked. Please purchase or find clothing, toiletries, and toothbrushes to give to Rust Street Ministries here in town.

  • If you're not familiar with Rust Street Ministries, they have been helping the homeless and needy in San Angelo since 1995. In this way, we can help clothe and care for the Naked. 

  • Each week during Lent, we are trying to help in the ways Jesus taught us in Matthew 25:31-46. The six categories he gave us are Hungry, Thirsty, Stranger, Naked, Sick, and in Prison.

  • So far, we have collected canned food to feed the hungry, and donated money to help the thirsty.

  • This week the theme is care of Strangers.  Be sure to greet people during coffee hour so you aren't strangers to each other! And – just as important – invite strangers you meet at the grocery store or wherever to become part of our church family. (We are preparing invitation cards that will make that job easier for you. More about that next week.) 

    One of the chief complaints newcomers to Orthodox churches have is that no one paid any attention to them!  We're not that kind of parish, but pay attention to be sure we don't become that kind of parish! To be a community we need to not be strangers to each other, and we need to invite strangers to become part of our church family.

  • Next week we are helping to clothe and care for the Naked. So, bring clothing, toiletries, and toothbrushes to donate. For clothing, you can go to Goodwill or search your closets for whatever "everyday" clothes you haven't worn in the last year. For toiletries and toothbrushes, you can bring in hotel samples, dentist samples, or things you have purchased on sale or with coupons. Do what you can to help. Thank you.

Today is Sunday of the Holy Cross, which is always the third Sunday of Lent.

  • Thank you to everyone who remembered to wear or bring a cross to church today.
  • Also, thank you to everyone who brought bring sprigs of basil and flowers, to help decorate today's processional cross.

It's a busy church week. Don't miss the services!

  • If you are Orthodox, Lent means attending as many of the services as you can, and fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.

  • So plan now to come at 6:00pm on Wednesday for Presanctified Liturgy, and at 6:00pm on Friday for the third Akathist service (#4 of 5). They both start at 6pm, which is our usual time for evening services.

Reminder: If you plan to receive communion on Pascha, plan now to schedule your confession during the Lenten period. Please contact Fr. Mark to arrange an appointment. If you're uncertain or don't know what Orthodox confession is, talk to Fr. Mark.

 

Service Calendar:

  • For our Catholic and Protestant friends, their Easter is today. Remember to wish them blessed feast! Easter (aka Pascha) is the biggest and most important holy day of the entire year, surpassing even Christmas. So, wish them a joyous one!

  • This Wednesday, Presanctified Liturgy #4 of 6, at 6pm.

  • This Friday, Akathist #4 of 5, at 6pm.

  • Pascha is Sunday, May 2.
    • Plan to attend Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday, April 24, at 9am.  Palm Sunday is the following day, April 25, which is also St. Mark's day.   
    • See the website's "Calendar" page for the complete Holy Week Schedule.
  • The complete calendar of our Journey to Pascha, with all the services between now and May 2, is  posted on the "Calendar" page on the parish website. 

 

Special Occasions This Week

  • Birthdays: Luther Large, Kenneth Kuykendall, Kelly Kukendall
  • Anniversaries: none this week
  • Namedays: none this week
  • Memorials: Liliia Zharova (40 days), Walter Mihail (7 years)

 

Saints for the Week: We have many saints with interesting write-ups in this week's bulletin. Be sure to check out the rest of this bulletin, online on the church's website, OrthodoxSanAngelo.org. 

 

Other Announcements:

  • Parish council will meet next Sunday.

  • Thank you to Ana Mihail for today's special Coffee Hour foods and for the koliva. And thank you to everyone who helps each week with Coffee Hour. It's part of making our parish into a church family. Thank you.

  • There are beautiful Pascha candles decorated by Fr. Mark, for sale in the church hall. All proceeds go to the church. Please purchase them by making a donation to the church bookstore. Supply is limited, and when they are gone, they are gone! Get them while you can!

  • We need more chanters and readers. If you are interested in chanting or reading for the Church — or in learning how — please see Fr. Mark.
  • Calling all bakers! We need more people to bake prosforo, which is the fresh altar bread. And a big THANK YOU to everyone who helps with this ministry. Taking time to knead and bake it while praying is a special act that we can do for God, a gift we can make for Him. The ingredients are simple and inexpensive. What God does with it is amazing.
    • Please contact Fr. Mark if you'd like to get the recipe or learn how to make it.
    • Also, if you need a seal, Fr. Mark has one to loan to a prospective baker until they can purchase their own.

  • Send your prayer requests to Fr. Mark. Also your requests for visits to the sick and the hospitalized.

  • Reminder: Whenever we cannot attend church services, we should still find a way to worship God. You can pray these Morning Prayers during that time. The morning prayers are also good way to start every day. Here are some Evening Prayers for you too. "A day hemmed in prayer rarely comes unravelled." 

** As always, see the parish website for any changes and updates. **

 

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Tenth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 21:1-14

At that time, being raised from the dead, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Epistle Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Holy Cross
The Reading is from Mark 8:34-38; 9:1

The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the 2nd Tone

When you descended into death, Life immortal, you vanquished the pow'r of hell by your resplendent divinity and when you raised the dead from the depths of darkness, all the heavenly powers cried out triumphantly: O giver of life, Christ our God, glory to you.

Apolytikion for Sun. of the Holy Cross in the 1st Tone

Save, O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Give vict'ry to those who battle evil and protect us all by your holy cross.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 8th Tone

Victorious Lady, mighty champion, defending us, we, your servants, now inscribe to you this hymn of thanks, for you rescued us from suff'ring and tribulation. Theotokos, with your power that can never fail, keep us safe from ev'ry danger our whole life long, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, O Bride unwedded.
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Saints and Feasts

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April 04

Sunday of the Holy Cross

With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labour set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.

Allsaint
April 04

George the Righteous of Maleon

This Saint took up the monastic life from his youth, and went to Mount Maleon, where a community of monks gathered about him. He foretold his death from three years before, and reposed in an odour of sanctity.

Allsaint
April 04

Theodoulos and Agathopous of Thessaloniki

Allsaint
April 04

Theonas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki, Founder and Renovator of the Sacred Monastery of Saint Anastasia of Pharmakolytria, Halkidiki

Allsaint
April 04

Righteous Zosimas

Saint Zosimas was a monk from Palestine who lived in a monastery since his infancy. He became famous for his spiritual qualities, but searching for further illumination he went to a new monastery in the desert. The monks of this particular monastery left every year for the desert from the first week of Great Lent until Palm Sunday so as to live in complete isolation.

One year, Zosimas saw a shadowy figure in the distance and, chasing after it, discovered a female ascetic by the name of Mary (see April 1st and the 5th Sunday of Great Lent). Mary instructed Zosimas to meet her at the Jordan River on Holy Thursday of the following year to giver her Holy Communion. He did this and was again instructed by her to meet her yet again the next year during Great Lent. Zosimas entered the desert at the appointed time the following year and found the body of the blessed Mary lying dead near the place he first encountered her. A lion approached to dig a grave for Mary, and Zosimas recited the usual burial prayers. He returned to his monastery and spread the news about this blessed woman. Zosimas remained in that monastery until his death the age of 100.

Allsaint
April 04

Nicetas the Hieromartyr, Struggler of Serrai (1808)

Allsaint
April 04

Righteous Plato the Studite

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Wisdom of the Fathers

And see how He also makes His discourse unexceptionable: not saying at all, "whether you will, or no, you must suffer this," but how? "If any man will come after me."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

"I force not, I compel not, but each one I make lord of his own choice; wherefore also I say, 'If any man will.' For to good things do I call you, not to things evil, or burdensome; not to punishment and vengeance, that I should have to compel.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 55 on Matthew 16, 1. B#54, p.339., 4th Century

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