Divine Liturgy and Other Services
04/04/2021
Orthos 8:45am
Divine Liturgy 10:00am for the foreseeable future, with a Senior Liturgy Once a month
No Coffee Hour
Pre-sanctified Liturgies on Wednesdays for Lent are as follows:
April 7th, 14th & 21st Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at 5:30 pm
Lenten & Paschal Services
Saturday, April 24th:
- 9:00am Lazarus Saturday Liturgy followed by Lenten Breakfast, Confessions, Palm Folding and Church Cleaning
Sunday, April 25th: Epistle: Phillipians 4:4-9 Gosple: John 12:1-18
- 8:45am Orthos/Mantin
- 10:00am Palm Sunday Liturgy Christ's Entry into Jerusalem
- 7:00pm 1st Bridegroom Service ~ Start of Holy Week: Wise Joseph & the Fig Tree
Monday, April 26th:
- 7:00pm 2nd Bridegroom Service Parable of the Ten Virgins
Tuesday, April 27th:
- 8:00am Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
- 7:00pm 3rd Bridegroom Service ~ Deeds of Mary Magdalene contrasted with the deeds of Judas
Wednesday, April 28th:
- 5:15pm 4th Bridegroom Service
- 6:00pm Sacrament of Holy Unction
Thursday, April 29th:
- 8:00am Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil
- 6:00pm The Twelve Gospels Readings: The Last Supper, the Betrayal, the Crucifixion
Friday, April 30th:
- 8:30am Great Hours ~ being vigilant at the Cross
- 10-2pm Decorate the Bier of Christ
- 3:00pm Apokathelosis, the Taking Down of Christ from the Cross
- 7:00pm Lamentations, followed by All-Night Vigil by the Tomb of Christ
Saturday, May 1st:
- 9:00am Vesperal Divine Liturgy
- 11:15pm Holy Pascha Orthos & Divine Liturgy
Sunday, May 2nd:
- 2:00pm Agape Vespers
Book Store
04/05/2021
The Bookstore is Open
The bookstore features services books and inspirational readings for Lent.
Order your copy of the “The Holy Week Book” which follows the entire cycle of services from the 1st Bridegroom Service through Agape Vespers on Pascha. This makes a wonderful gift for someone in your family—every family should have a copy. Contact Stephen before April 15th to place your order.
Also available, the full Orthodox Study Bible Old and New Testament for $35. Also, the Journey of Marriage guide is also available; useful for married couples as well as those contemplating marriage.
Lenten Book Study During Lent we have Pre-Sanctified Liturgies every Wednesday at 5:30 followed by a meal and discussion. This year, although we will not be able to share a Lenten meal together due to COVID, we will be reading the book Laurus by Eugene Vodolaskin (Best book ever written says Jacob Sparks) It can be ordered through the bookstore (contact Steve Duke), or online from Amazon.
The Life of St. Philothea a beautifully Illustrated hardback book about the life of our beloved patron, are available today in the book store. Get your copy for $26.
Offering books, CD’s, prayer ropes, gift items and more. Stop by and shop. Available upon request.
ACTS Food Bank
04/06/2021
(Area Churches Together Serving) Volunteers needed at the Food Bank
Our next scheduled volunteer day is Tuesday, April 6 at 9:00 am.
Although, we are not permitted to stock shelves at this time, please see Fr. Anthony if you would like to help stock the shelves once they open up.
Let Roy Stamey or Fr. Anthony know if you would like to help out, a little or a lot. Any and All support is appreciated!
OCF News
04/08/2021
“Chew and Chat” is scheduled for:
(2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month from 6:30-8:30pm)
Thursday, April 8th and 22nd at 6:30-8:30 pm.
April 22 will be the final meeting for the year at Fr. Anthony’s house at 6:30 pm. We will share a meal and elect new officers for next year.
We thank all those who have generously contributed to this vital ministry throughout the year and especially Mike and Kate McClain for their untiring service to the students.
Fr. Anthony will be on campus painting icons and talking with students at the Tate Center Plaza on Thursday's 11-3 p.m. Come on by and visit.
Finance Comittee Meeting
04/08/2021
Finance Committee Meeting: Thursday, April 8th at 7:00 - 8:00 pm via Zoom.
Cleaning of Sanctuary
04/12/2021
Cleaning in the Sanctuary - Every other Monday at 3:00 pm we will be cleaning the narthex and sanctuary.
Upcoming Dates: April 12th, April 26th (Holy Monday), May 10th, May 24th. Volunteers are welcome. Questions, please contact Presvytera Christine - prchristine2@gmail.com
Marswood Hall
04/12/2021
Planning Committee Meeting:
We will meet Monday, April 12th at 7:00 pm - 8:30 via Zoom
Akathist Hymn to the Virgin Mary
04/16/2021
Akathist Hymn to the Virgin Mary on Friday, April 16th at 6:00 pm. Due to scheduled events at Marswood Hall there will be no Akathist on April 9th.
MoD Meeting
04/18/2021
MoD Meeting: Sunday, April 18th at 5:00pm via Zoom
Council of Ministries
04/11/2021
Council of Ministries Chairs: Do not forget to schedule and or participate in your ministry group meeting this spring.
Offering of Time and Talent - check out our Council of Ministries chart see if you would like to get involved in a ministry of St. Philothea Orthodox Church www.stphilothea.org/ministries/council-of-ministries
Golf Meeting
04/19/2021
Planning Meeting:
Monday, April 19th at 7:00pm via Zoom
The Annual St. Philothea Golf Tournament helps raise funds to support the mission and ministry of St. Philothea and Bread for Life.
Parish Council
04/21/2021
Parish Council Meeting:
Wednesday, April 21st at 7:30 pm
EASTER DONATIONS NEEDED
Easter Lilies in honor of your loved ones
Holy Week~Youth Events
04/24/2021
Holy Week Youth Events:
- Lazarus Saturday Liturgy - April 24th and youth confessions followed by Lenten breakfast palm folding, and choir meeting.
- Good Friday – April 30th School excuse forms will be available in the Narthex. Children are encouraged to attend morning and afternoon services.
- Good Friday Vigil - April 30th The all-night reading of the Psalter in the church as we await the Resurrection of our Savior. Volunteers are needed for organizing the light snacks and readers’ schedule.
Youth Ministry
04/25/2021
6-11 year olds will meet Sunday, April 25th after Liturgy in person for a TOTS session with Sunday School lesson with Stephanie Knisely $5 per child, bring a snack to share (4th Sunday of every month) RSVP to Stephanie Knisely
3-6 year olds will meet, May 9th after Liturgy in person for a TOTS session with Sunday School lesson with Stephanie Knisely $5 per child, bring a snack to share (2nd Sunday of every month) RSVP to Stephanie Knisely. Stephanie will be out on April 11, so this group will not meet in April.
Tsoureki
04/25/2021
Straight from the kitchen at St. Philothea. This delicious bread is a must for your Pascha Table. Available for pick-up following all services beginning April 25th or local delivery in the Watkinsville/Athens area. *Pre-orders will be taken now through April 18th* Order online HERE
- 1 loaf: $12
- 3 or more loaves: 20% discount
Proceeds to benefit St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church. For any questions contact Sarah Jones (e-mail) wardlawjones@gmail.com or (mobile) 706-410-5204
Bigger Vision
04/26/2021
Be a Blessing
March is covered, thanks to our generous volunteers.
April 26th - Volunteers are needed
Please consider lending a hand, a little or a lot, for providing dinners to the homeless.
Providing a meal for the homeless is a monthly event on the 4th Monday of the month, and we will need a protein, a starch, a vegetable, bread and dessert Drop off is at the church at 5:00 pm pm the Monday of the meal and Fr. Anthony will deliver it. At this time we need volunteers for the protein, dessert, vegetable and bread and a starch dish. Sign up online HERE
All contributions are appreciated!! Please contact Kate and Mike McClain if you would like to assist with a donation.
Athens Nurses Clinic Toiletry Collection
The Athens Nurse’s Clinic provides low-cost medical care for under-insured or uninsured patients with chronic illnesses.
Once again, the Philoptochos is collecting items for the Athens Nurse’s Clinic. The Nurse’s Clinic has had their funding decreased and are in need of these basic items. We will be collecting these items through-out the Lenten period. Please bring one or more of the following items to Church and they may be left in Fr. Anthony’s office or contact Karen Kimbaris, kakimbaris@yahoo.com or 706-310-0022 and she can collect the items.
Items Needed:
Shampoo/conditioner Soap or Body Wash
Toothbrush and Tootpaste Chapstick or Vaseline
Deodorant Shaving cream and Razor
Body Lotion Wash cloths
Socks Comb
Pod-Cast/Zoom
Pod-Casts/Zoom Lectures
Since there is a plethora of on-line resources and Zoom lectures coming up, we will include interesting lectures with links in the weekly bulletin that you might find interesting. If you know of an event that you would like to post please send it to Fr. Anthony and Christina White for consideration.
Live-Stream
For Live-Streaming Services please refer to our web page for instructions to attend via Facebook or YouTube. And we ask your patience as we work to optimize our new video system. “Like” us on Facebook or “Subscribe” on YouTube to get notifications of all live streaming services. Also, for more information about the pandemic and Parish life go to our COVID web page.
Stewardship
Stewardship - If you have not yet turned in a Pledge Card for 2021 please do so soon.
Please consider Post dated Checks or set up On-line payments for your monthly giving if you will be away this summer. This will help Kate pay the bills through the summer.
Checks can be mailed directly to Kate McClain 1001 Kings Court, Watkinsville, GA 30677 NOTE: This is the correct address for the McClains. The address in the directory is in error.
Coin Boxes
05/02/2021
OCMC Coin Boxes
We will collect the coin boxes on Palm Sunday and bless them and offer them to God for the support of Missions around the world.
Annual Pascha Picnic
05/08/2021
Pascha Picnic:
Our Metropolis is pleased to reintroduce our Annual Pascha Picnic Saturday, May 8th, 2021.
- Hierarchical Orthros at 7:30 AM
- Divine Liturgy at 8:45 AM
- Procession (following liturgy) around the lake of our Diakonia Retreat Center
- Festal Meal (following procession)
**In recognition of the importance of maintaining safe practices, social distancing and COVID precautions will be in effect throughout the day.
It is very important that you RSVP by April 30th, 2021 especially for those who intend to stay overnight and to participate in the days events. There is no charge for the event however, donations are appreciated. To RSVP or information contact Kayla Hernandez at diakoniaretreatoffice@yahoo.com or call (864)732-1537
Monastery
05/29/2021
Paracletos Monastery
Fr. Anthony will be serving Saturday, May 29th. If you would like to join him, be at the church at 6:30 am. We will return by 1:00 pm.
Facebook Marketplace
FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE - Online Garage Sale.
Thanks to Kosta and several parishioners we have already made several hundred dollars! Clean out your home and help raise funds for the Parish. Kosta is overseeing this ongoing Face Book garage sale and will guide us through this process on what we are looking to sell and how to promote it and close the sale. Your item will be picked up and delivered at the Sheriffs office where there are video cameras. If you have an item of value (~$50 or greater) that you would like to contribute so that it can be sold to raise funds for the Church please contact Kosta Vavlas (DimitriosVavlas@gmail.com 727-424-2194) to arrange for pick up. Clean, sellable items in good condition only, please. All proceeds will go to St. Philothea's operating expenses.
Training
Child Protection Training Renewal: Background checks for Youth workers are good for another year, but training (on-line course) is free and mandatory every year. Check with Christina White if you need help logging on, we are encouraged to complete our re-training ASAP. If you have not yet done so, please see Christina White.