March 9th, at 6 PM, we’ll have Presanctified Liturgy, followed by a potluck Lenten supper. (Begin your eucharistic fast by noon.)
Forgiveness Vespers
True Christians are never “Sunday only” Christians: our faith permeates our whole life daily, hourly, and it guides our behavior. There are two weeks each year when this is especially important: Clean Week and Holy Week. If you do not have these on your calendar, find them, remember them, and cherish them.
Clean Week is the first week of Lent (Mar 7-13 this year). This week we wake up to our need for God, and our need to repent (turn back to him). It begins the Lenten season of spiritual recentering and healing; the “prescription” is fasting from rich food, increased prayer and church attendance, and giving more generously to the poor (alms).
The most important first step in beginning the Lenten season is asking forgiveness of each other. The evening before Lent begins (Mar 6), the Church has given us a beautiful, moving service in which we ask forgiveness of each other. It is a liturgical, very practical way to begin Lent right, making peace with each other so we can focus on healing together.
If you are an Orthodox Christian, Forgiveness Vespers is essential. Do not miss it. Clear your calendar for that day, and for at least one other evening that week. Consider going out to eat or to a park after coffee hour, enjoying some last minute dairy treats with friends and family, and then returning to Church to begin Lent well as a parish family.
We block out days and weeks of our lives for all sorts of important occasions and events. When we have a serious medical diagnosis, we slow down and focus solely on the immediate need for healing. Clean Week is the Church’s reminder that we have a terminal spiritual diagnosis. The remedy, thankfully, is clear and proven: forgiveness, fasting, prayer, and alms. Ultimately, these put us in the hands of the Great Physician, the Lord, who heals us by his own Passion, Burial, and Resurrection.
Anointing of Reader James: Feb 27
Join us after Sunday liturgy in praying for Reader James as we anoint him in the Holy Mystery of Unction. Keep him in your prayers as he begins his cancer treatment.
You can read more about unction on the OCA’s website here.
Maslenitsa, Cheesefare Sunday: Mar 6
After liturgy on Sunday, March 6, we will celebrate Maslenitsa, Cheesefare Sunday! There are many wonderful traditional ways to celebrate this last day of feasting before Forgiveness Vespers marks the start of our Lenten fast at 4:00 PM. We are excited to share them with you, including traditional foods and a samovar! Please join us as we prepare our hearts for spring, and most importantly, for Lent and the Lord’s Pascha.
Lenten Calendar 2022
Please click here to open a PDF of the Lenten calendar of services for 2022.
Panikhida for Ken Walsh
We will have an anniversary panikhida for Ken Walsh’s falling asleep in the Lord on March 2 at 6 PM.
Choir Dinner and Rehearsal: Mar 1
Potluck supper at 6. Rehearsal 6:30-8. Lenten music and tones
Annual Meeting Minutes
Please click here to open a PDF of the Annual Meeting minutes. Many thanks to all who attended and voted.
Burial Ministry Practice Feb 26
Our goal is to assist with the funeral process by caring for the body, arranging the reading of the psalms, providing pine caskets, and advising family of the types of support we can provide.
On Saturday, Feb. 26th, we will be having a short organizational meeting, followed by a brief practice session focusing on how to move and clean a body. If you have the book, A Christian Ending, please review the section on how to move a body while preparing it.
We hope to form a small committee and also gather a list of those interested in helping-out. Please join us if you can. Total time of meeting: about 60 min.
Memorial Saturday Liturgy
Send names of your departed loved ones to Father Andrew. If you would like to bring kolyva, please let us know!
Office Closed Apr 1-5
Fr Andrew will be at a deanery retreat April 1-5. He will be available by phone; you are also welcome to reach out to Fr Steven at the St Nicholas office.
Choir Dinner and Rehearsal: Feb 17
Potluck supper at 6. Rehearsal 6:30-8. Lenten music and tones
Fast Free this week!
No fasting this week!
Church School: Feb 26
We will have church school for children and adults of all ages on Saturday, Feb 26, at 4:30 PM. Please join us for class, followed by a potluck meal before Great Vespers. The kids are working on their Pascha Passports as we prepare for Lent!
Please click here to RSVP! We are asking for RSVPs to help everyone (families, adults, and teachers) stay on the same page each week.
Film: Man of God, Mar 21
On March 21, Regal Cinemas in Mayfaire will be showing a special screening of Man of God, a new film based on the life of Saint Nektarios of Aegina. The film will only be shown at 7 pm that night and we have one ticket left. Please contact Fr Andrew ASAP if you want to go! UPDATE: If you did not reserve a ticket for March 21, there are seats available for a showing at Regal Mayfaire on March 28 at 7:00 PM.
Click here to watch the trailer on YouTube.
Below is the movie synopsis:
Exiled unjustly, convicted without a trial and slandered without cause, St. Nektarios of Aegina’s life was one of persecution and prosecution. A priest of the common people, St. Nektarios’s popularity provoked the jealousy of the clergy in Alexandria and, as a result, he was defrocked and expelled from Egypt. In contrast to his religious “superiors,” Nektarios cared for the poor, taught peasant girls to read and write, and performed miracles. Even his last moment on earth was used to help another: upon his death, Nektarios’ undergarment was removed, and as it fell upon a paralyzed man in the hospital bed next to him, the lame man miraculously arose to walk. Nektarios was recognized as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church in 1961, and his feast day is celebrated Nov. 9. The music for the film was composed by two-time French Cesar winner Zbigniew Preisner with special performance by Golden Globe winner Lisa Gerrard.
Memorial Litany: Feb 13
We will have prayers said after liturgy for Dcn Patrick's parents. The Garianos will provide coffee hour; no need to bring anything this week.
Church School: Feb 12
We will have church school for children and adults of all ages on Saturday, Feb 12, at 4:30 PM. This week we’re studying the Divine Liturgy! Please join us for class, followed by a potluck meal before Great Vespers.
Church School: Feb 5
Everyone is welcome at church school this Saturday! We have classes for children and adults, followed by a potluck dinner before Great Vespers. We’ll see you there!
Welcome, New Babies!
With two new baby girls in the parish, St Emilia Women’s Guild will be collecting items for baby baskets! Please bring things to put in the basket the next two Sundays (Feb 6 & Feb 13). Look for Nancy and a sign up sheet for meals.
Thank you,
M. Anne
Annual Meeting: Feb 7
We will hold our annual parish meeting after liturgy this coming Sunday. Please review the meeting materials beforehand and email the parish council with any questions or concerns. Your attention to this ahead of time will help the meeting run smoothly and briefly! Thank you!