Announcements
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Namedays: Ezekiel Choate (St. Ezekiel, July 23)
Birthdays: Ann Burmeister, Noah Perkins
Anniveraries: none this week
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UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES
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Thursday, August 6, we will celebrate the Feast of Christ's Transfiguration on Mount Tabor with 9 AM Orthros and 10 AM Divine Liturgy. Accounts of the Transfiguration are found in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36, and 2 Peter 1:16-19. Note: On this day it is a fun and time-honored tradition to bring grapes, fruit, herbs, or produce from your garden to church, to be blessed and shared with others at the end of the service.
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Sunday, August 15, we will celebrate the Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos, Jesus' mother. This is an extra-special day for our parish, because we are named after this historical event. Although it is a sad event because we always mourn earthly death, we also rejoice because we know that she was reunited in Heaven with her holy Son on this day. We will celebrate with 9 AM Orthros and 10 AM Divine Liturgy, followed by a festive coffee hour.
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The next parish council meeting will be August 22, after church and coffee hour.
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Please read the Church Etiquette flyer that is on the candle stand. This will help you when visiting other parishes, and serve you well here at home, too. As an example, the priest's cape should not be touched or grabbed from the outside. It is acceptable to touch gently on the underside, with freshly-cleaned hands. Why? The priest is carrying the Gifts during the Great Entrance, so don't jostle him. And fingerprints stain the vestments, which are very expensive to dry clean and repair.
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Reminder: When you travel, find an Orthodox parish and go to church! They are easy to find online.
When you visit other churches, please take photos of the icons and architecture. Print them and bring them here. We'll post them in the social hall, to share with our parish community.
Why should we visit other parishes when we go on vacation? Because God doesn't take a break from us, so we shouldn't take a break from Him!
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Donations needed:
We need more people to make prosforo (Communion bread). The recipe uses flour, salt, water, and yeast — no oil. Please see Fr. Mark to get the recipe.
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There is a sign-up sheet for Coffee Hour posted on the refrigerator in the parish hall kitchen.
This time of fellowship with our fellow Christians and people considering joining us in the body of Christ has sometimes been called the liturgy after the liturgy.
It's a time to encourage each other, share needs for prayers, discuss challenges or things we've been reading or learned and a time for our children to play together. It should be a highlight of the week.
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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.
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Other Announcements:
- 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. **