Pray for the people of Russia and Ukraine, for peace, for their salvation.
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We had to cancel the Saturday of Souls service on February 26 due to expected ice. However, we have two more Saturday of Souls to go, weather permitting, on March 5 and March 12. This is a good opportunity to pray for your departed loved ones and friends.
Father keeps the lists people have submitted in previous years, but will gladly add new names of the departed; so give your lists to Father. It is traditional to bring Koliva, but not required at all. The most important thing is to come and pray.
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During Lent we will have 6 Sundays where we will be asking you to make offerings for those less fortunate than we are. The first will be on March 13th and we will contribute food for the hungry. Please bring non-perishable food: for example, cans, dried noodles, no glass containers. We will accept checks/cash, too. See Matthew Johnson. The following weekend we will take donations of water bottles for the thirsty. Watch this space for other announcements for upcoming weeks.
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Today is the last day to eat meat according to the Church calendar. This week is Cheesefare week, when we eat foods rich in dairy, butter, and eggs.
Lent itself starts on Monday, March 7. From that point until Pascha on April 24, the Church prescribes that we fast from meat, dairy, oil, and eggs.
Please talk with Fr. Mark about your fasting plans. It's a good idea to talk to your priest every year about this, because our nutritional needs change as we age, develop medical conditions, or go through things such as pregancies or surgeries. Fasting is supposed to help us, not harm us! So, talk to your priest to find out what plan will work best for you.
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The next Parish Council meeting is planned for the second Sunday in March.
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A day trip to the beautiful monastery outside of San Antonio is being planned for sometime during March. Please phone (don't text) Matthew Johnson if you are interested (325-223-1658). Note that you will need to bring along a bag lunch and bag dinner, because the monastery is unable to feed guests during the pandemic.
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STEWARDSHIP
Please turn in your pledge cards. Pledge cards aren't a binding contract. They show what you think you can give to the church, as part of your love, care, and upkeep for it. If you have a change in circumstances (job loss, job change, etc.), just let the priest know what is going on and you will be released from your pledge. The church needs your support.
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DONATIONS
Update: We need about $5,000 now to finish paying off the new HVAC system. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. Every bit helps, so please pitch in if you can.
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ADDITIONAL WAYS YOU CAN HELP
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We always need prosforo bakers. If you'd like to sign up, see Fr. Mark.
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We need people to help bring food to coffee hour. If you don't want to sponsor the entire meal, you could team up with someone, or just volunteer to bring one dish. There is a sign-up sheet in the kitchen.
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We are looking for volunteers to read the Epistle on Sundays. You could read aloud or chant it, whichever you prefer. If you don't know how to chant it, we can teach you. See Father or John Choate.
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UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES
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Today, February 27, Meatfare Sunday, 9 am Orthros, 10 am Liturgy
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This Saturday, March 5, Saturday of Souls service, 9 am Orthros, 10 am Liturgy
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Next Sunday, March 6, Vespers of Forgiveness immediately following Liturgy. If you consider yourself a part of this church community, then be there. Newcomers are also welcome.
This brief service is the way to start Lent off right. We ask each other for forgiveness our sins against each other. Even if you are sure you are perfect, you may have accidentally sinned against someone and not known it. So, it is good to ask everyone for their forgiveness.
At the end of this Forgiveness Vespers service, we will make a line together and ask for forgiveness. One person says, "Forgive me the sinner," and the other person responds, "God forgives, so I forgive." We go through the line this way until each person has forgiven every other person.
In pre-Covid times, the custom is shaking hands and kissing each other on the cheek. Because of the pandemic, though, we will just bow to each other without touching. The service will still be meaningful and moving. Please plan to be there.
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Monday, March 7, Great Compline, 7 pm. For more about the service, see "Compline" at OrthodoxWiki.org.
- Saturday, March 12, Saturday of Souls service, 9 am Orthros, 10 am Liturgy
- Sunday, March 13, Sunday of Orthodoxy. Please bring an icon to carry in church in the procession. This will be the first Sunday of Lent.
Everyone participates in this annual procession. Every year on this first Sunday of Lent — in fact, every single year since the year 843 A.D.! — we celebrate the triumph of the veneration of icons over the iconoclasm, which tried to abolish icons.
For more information about the iconoclasm, visit orthodoxwiki.org/Iconoclasm.
** A complete list of Lenten services will be posted on the website soon. **
Save the Date: Pascha is April 24 this year.
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Saints for the Week: See the write-ups we have down below in this bulletin. The saints' stories are very interesting and helpful to us.
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SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Birthdays: Seraphina Zamora
Wedding Anniversaries: none
Namedays: Sharmaine Zamora
Memorials: none
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COFFEE HOUR
Please join us for Coffee Hour. Take the initiative to stay, meet, and talk with one another, so we can build strong bonds of friendship and community.
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Other Announcements:
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Send your prayer requests to Fr. Mark. Also send your requests for visits to the sick and the hospitalized. These days, hospitals do not release patient information or call the priest, so you need to let Father know yourself.
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When you travel, find an Orthodox parish and go to church! They are easy to find online. 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!
** As always, see the parish website for any changes and updates. **