PASTORAL UPDATE
Thanks to the work and guidance of our metropolis Chancellor, Fr. Lou Christopulos, we will be able to maintain the schedule of two Divine Liturgies per month, even when Fr. Mark's exam schedule at medical school prevents him from coming home.
Fr. Lou has coordinated with Fr. Mark and Fr. Nektarios Morrow to ensure that one or the other will be able to offer the divine services here at our San Angelo parish, and to help when parishioners have a pastoral emergency. Fr. Nektarios is a professor at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX, where he leads a mission parish and also serves the Greek Orthodox community in Wichita Falls, TX.
We were blessed also to have Fr. Lou with us last weekend to offer the Vespers for the Elevation of the Holy Cross. Please keep Fr. Lou, Fr. Mark, and Fr. Nektarios in your prayers for health and safe travel as they work to bring us the divine services.
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UPCOMING WEEKEND SERVICE SCHEDULE
- Sunday, September 18, 10am Typica service, followed by Coffee Hour.
- Saturday, September 24, 9am Orthros, 10am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour. Fr. Nektarios Morrow will preside.
- Sunday, September 25, 10am Typica service, followed by Coffee Hour.
- Sunday, October 2, 10am Typica service, followed by Coffee Hour.
- Sunday, October 9, 9am Orthros, 10am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour. Fr. Mark Lichtenstein will preside.
- Sunday, October 16, 10am Typica service, followed by Coffee Hour.
- Sunday, October 23, 10am Typica service, followed by Coffee Hour.
- Sunday, October 30, 9am Orthros, 10am Divine Liturgy, followed by Coffee Hour. Fr. Nektarios Morrow will preside.
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WEEKDAY SERVICES
- December: We will hold the usual Christmas services for the Nativity.
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INVITATION FROM FR. NEKTARIOS MORROW:
The faithful of Assumption parish are welcome to join us each week for our Zoom Catechumen Session.
Many who participate are [already] Orthodox, but we do have a handful of catechumens. The group stretches from Glen Rose and Stephenville, to Fort Worth, to Wichita Falls and Quanah.
This coming Thursday’s session will be on Chapter 10 of the book, Thinking Orthodox.
Topic: Catechism Session
Time: 7:00 pm Thursday evenings, on Zoom
Interested: Speak to John Choate
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FASTING
From now until mid-November, when we begin the Christmas fast, we are in a season of normal fasting, which is fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Question: Why do we fast?
Answer: Because Christ did. He also said that we need to fast to increase our spiritual strength. “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29)
Question: Why do we fast on Wednesdays and Fridays even when it's not Lent?
Answer: Because Christ was betrayed on a Wednesday, and crucified on a Friday.
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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
As you know, Joanna Garcia continues to go through a very difficult time with her ongoing illness. Joe is her faithful caregiver, so he is at home full-time helping her now. They could really use some extra support from us!
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.
The Garcias sure appreciate our prayers and support. Cards or notes of encouragement would brighten their days too. You can send them to the church, and we will forward them on. The church address is Assumption Orthodox Church, 801 Montecito Dr., San Angelo, TX 76903.
Thank you for helping during this time of great need.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
The organizers of the Concho Christmas Celebration have invited our parish to be hosts for the Christmas light tour.
Date: Friday, December 23
Time: one-hour shifts, from 6-9 pm
There will be a sign displayed that says we are the hosts, and it will have the name of our church.
What it involves is greeting people in their cars at the starting point of the tour, and handing out a little bag that has a survey card, a pencil, and a candy cane.
This will be a good way for people to meet members of our parish and see how friendly we are. It will also help spread Christmas cheer.
If you can volunteer, even for a little while, please see Presbytera or the sign-up sheet in the church kitchen, on the refrigerator. Thank you!
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COFFEE HOUR
We have open slots on the sign up sheet for Coffee Hour, which cann 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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Check out the rest of the bulletin online! See below for news from the world of Orthodoxy, online concerts and lecture series, and more.
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SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Birthdays: Michelle Carillo, Janay Kuykendall, Anna Lichtenstein, Alexandra McDaniel, Dimitri Papchristos, Aaron Rosenstrom
Anniversaries: none
Namedays: none
Memorials: His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko), retired primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)
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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. **