Divine Services for the Lord's Day Saturday

Transcription

1 St. George Orthodox Church V. Rev. Fr. Joseph M. Abud, Pastor G-5191 Lennon Road Flint, Michigan (810) Deacon Michael Bassett Divine Services for the Lord's Day Saturday Great Vespers and Sacrament of Repentance {Confession*} 5 PM Sunday Sacrament of Repentance {Confession*} 8:30 AM 9:30 AM Matins {Arabic & English} 8:50 AM Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM Church School follows Holy Communion from September to May * Confessions may also take place by appointment with Father Joe during the week. Major Feast Days (see Orthodox Churches of Greater Flint schedule of Divine Services) Theme for Church School, Creative Festivals, and Parish Life Conference Parish Council, Departments, & Organizations PARISH COUNCIL Ric Shahin Chairman ricshahin@sbcglobal.net Any parishioner may attend and speak during Parishioner Comments. ALTAR SERVERS Subdeacon George Gantous, Head Sacristan ramigrana@yahoo.com ALTAR SOCIETY Susan Shaheen, Coordinator splakis@comcast.net CHOIR Reader Gregory Farah, Director gclsfarah@prodigy.net CHURCH SCHOOL Janet Abueita, Director cooeita@aol.com LADIES AUXILIARY Hiam Bathish, President TEEN SOYO Yara Abuaita, President yaratracy@aim.com YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP (YAF) Coordinators Watan Abuaita or wabuaita@umflint.edu and Christine Elias or syriangrl12@aol.com Office Hours CHURCH SECRETARY: Laura Nichols laura-stgeorge@comcast.net Monday Thursday 9am-3pm, Closed on Friday

2 St. George Orthodox Church 5191 Lennon Road Flint, MI Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #251 Flint, MI Address Service Requested A Church of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America THE VOICE of St. George Published Monthly with Special Editions by St. George Orthodox Church -- Flint, MI April 2012 Volume 21, Number 8

3 Namedays, Birthdays, and Anniversaries April 1 to April 30, 2012 Birthdays April 1 Kirolous Meshraky Aida Raffoul Kyra A. Salim 2 Randy S. Hadad 3 Tamer K. AbuAita Yasmeen V. Haddad Raymond B. Mashni Basem S. Nassar 4 Fadi Y. El-Chaer Rana M. Fanous 5 Antoine E. Elia 7 Pauline Jehnsen Nakhleh Khoury Jessica R. Saadeh Norma Sophiea 9 George Farah Jr. Nawal F. Odeh 10 Sandy Abueita Aida Nassar 11 Laila N. Abdallah Gabrielle K. Gantos Majd Helal Ronald "Ron" E. Shaheen 12 Watan S. Abuaita Emil N. Bathish 13 Farid S. Nassar Miguel J. Rishmawi Elaine E. Salim 14 Maia Assaf 15 Kholoud Habbas George A. Nassif Widad Salomon Matthew "Matt" M. Thomas 16 Salim Farah Iyad F. Isaac 18 Samantha R. Al-Sahuri Edward A. Khouri 19 Emil "Emil J." H. Joseph III Kathleen "Katie" M. Shaheen 20 Elias "Louie" Gantos Nicholas "Nick" A. Shaheen Sylvia M. Sophiea 21 Eric D. Isaac Peter J. Shahin Elaina E. Tijerina 22 Ameer Assaf Nicholas "Nick" K. Thomas 23 Ramzy Abueita 24 Danny Mortensen Robert M. Naimy 25 Jenny C. Abueita Nasri H. Haddad Evonne Shomali 26 Rakan Abusaada 27 Jeanette M. Nassif 28 Lourdes Abuaita Raed S. Al-Sahuri Adham Habbas Joseph "Joe" N. Hutchins Namedays April 15 Anwar "Andy" Yacoub Abueita 21 Sandy Abueita Sandra (Alexandra) Raed Al- Sahuri Alexandra Nassar Alexandra Sous 23 George Michael Abuaita George Issa Abuaita Cezar George Abu-Aita George Abu-Aita George Yacoub Abu-Aita Georgette Abueita Ramzy Abueita George Alqazaha George Jacob David George Fanous George Farah Jr. George Gantous George Ishaq Sean (George) Michael McCann George Elias Mitri George Nassar George A. Nassif Ronald "Ron" Edward Shaheen William "Bill" George Sophiea George Adnan Yacoub 25 Mark Andoni Marc Andrew Smith Wedding Anniversaries April 16 Mr. and Mrs. James Delbridge Mr. and Mrs. Shawki Khoury 28 Mr. and Mrs. Fuad Albaba 30 Mr. and Mrs. Luai Abuaita God Grant You All Many Years!

4 St. George Church School invites YOU to their Palm Sunday Bake Sale Sunday, April 8 th Arabic Sweets, Lenten Desserts, Cakes, Pies, and Breads of all kinds! This is the Church School s ONLY Fundraiser Please Support Us!!! CALLING ALL BAKERS!!! We NEED YOU!!! Everything raised pays for books, supplies, incentives, and all expenses during the entire year! PLEASE bake something for the bake sale...please buy something at the bake sale...please be generous with your donation!! OUR CHILDREN ARE DEPENDING ON US!!! Please drop off your baked goods in the Hall Between 1-5pm on Lazarus Saturday, Saturday, April 7 th. Pascha Egg Hunt What: Pascha Egg Hunt Who: All Children When: Sunday, April 15 th after Agape Vespers (1pm) Bring a basket to collect your goodies! We are in need of wrapped candy for our Pascha Egg Hunt. All money donations and candy can be dropped off in the Church School Office by Palm Sunday, April 8 th. Any and all donations will be appreciated!

5 Decorations for the Great Fast, Holy Week, and Pascha 5 Icon Flowers for the Madayeh/Akathist $30 each March 2 nd (Taken) March 9 th (Taken) March 16 th (Taken) March 23 rd (Taken) March 30 th (Taken) 2 pounds of Incense $50 each One Pound One Pound Carnations for the Holy Cross (Taken) $215 Palms (Taken) $185 Fern Arrangements for Palm Sunday and Holy Week (8 needed at $40 each) Two Arrangements (Taken) One Arrangement One Arrangement One Arrangement One Arrangement One Arrangement One Arrangement 2 Icon Flowers for Palm Sunday $30 each One Icon (Taken) One Icon 4 Icon Flowers for Holy Week $30 each One Icon (Taken) One Icon One Icon One Icon Flowers and Decorations for the Tomb (Taken) Rose Water / Bay Leaves for Holy Saturday (Taken) Donations toward Pascha Flowers (Lilies) $20 each $20 each $20 each $20 each 3 Icon Flowers for the Resurrection (Taken) $30 each 3 Paschal Candles $95 each One Candle One Candle One Candle Please print clearly Your name: For the health of: In loving memory of: The names of the Living and Departed will be remembered at the service for which the item will be used. Please fill out this form, put it in an envelope (with check made out to St. George/Decorations ), and drop it in the Sunday Offering Tray or send it to the church office.

6 Mark your Calendars and Plan AHEAD!!! April THE GREAT AND HOLY WEEK 7 Saturday Raising of Lazarus Preparation of the Gifts, Liturgy, and Meal at Assumption 10 am Altar Society -- Cleaning and Decorating of the Church (at St. George) 1 pm Great Vespers for Palm Sunday and Confessions pm 8 Sunday Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem Palm Sunday Matins 8:50am Liturgy, Procession, and Church School Bake Sale am Bridegroom Matins for Great and Holy Monday :30 pm 9 Monday Presanctified Liturgy am Bridegroom Matins for Great and Holy Tuesday :30 pm 10 Tuesday Presanctified Liturgy am Bridegroom Matins for Great and Holy Wednesday :30 pm 11 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy am Confessions (Last opportunity before Pascha!) pm Sacrament of Holy Unction :30 pm Holy Unction is a Sacrament of the Orthodox Church. The Sacrament of Holy Repentance (Confession) is required. Only Orthodox Christians may be anointed. 12 Thursday Celebration of the Last Supper and Institution of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great (Lenten Meal follows) am Matins with Reading of the Twelve Passion Gospels :30 pm 13 Friday Royal Hours am Decoration of Tomb follows Vespers of the Descent from the Cross pm All-Night Vigil at the Tomb of Christ begins following Vespers Matins with the Praises at the Tomb / Procession with the Tomb :30 pm 14 Saturday Descent into Hades Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil am Cleaning and Decoration of the Church follows PASCHA THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD 14/15 Saturday Nocturnes/Paschal Matins/Paschal Divine Liturgy :30 pm Breakfast follows 15 Sunday Agape (Baa ooth) Vespers Vespers of Love pm Reading of Gospel in Different Languages, Procession, and Pascha Egg Hunt follows THE NEW (BRIGHT) WEEK 16 Bright Monday Paschal Liturgy at St. Nicholas am 18 Bright Wednesday Paschal Liturgy at St. George am 20 Bright Friday Paschal Liturgy at Assumption :30 am

7 April 1 8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat th Sunday of the Fast St. Mary of Egypt Food Drive 10am-1pm Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem Palm Sunday Church School Bake Sale 15 Pascha our Lord s Passover Agape Vespers 1pm Egg Hunt follows 22 2 nd Sunday of Pascha Doubting Thomas 29 3 rd Sunday of Pascha Myrrh-bearing Women Great Compline 6:30pm Ladies Auxiliary 5pm Combined Presanctified Liturgy and Lenten St. George 6pm Paschal Liturgy at **St. Nicholas 10am 23 Great Martyr George the Trophy-bearer Bible Study 10am-12pm North End Soup Kitchen 9am-12:30pm Paschal Liturgy at St. George 10am SOYO Wednesday 7-9pm 25 Apostle and Evangelist Mark Arabic Bible Study 1pm-2:30pm SOYO Wednesday 7-9pm 19 Parish Council 6:15pm 20 Paschal Liturgy at *Assumption 10:30am Lazarus Divine Liturgy and *Assumption 10am Cleaning and Decorating Great Vespers and Confessions 5pm The Great and Holy Week (see flier for all Divine Services and Activities) Bible Study 10am-12pm *Assumption Orthodox Church 2245 Baldwin Road (between Holly and Fenton Roads) Grand Blanc ** St. Nicholas Church 2143 South Center Road (1/2 mile south of Lippincott) Burton Martyr Alexandra, wife of Diocletian Great Vespers and Confessions 5pm Teen SOYO Kabob City Teen North End Soup Kitchen 2-5:30pm Great Vespers and Confessions 5pm 2012

8 Holy Pascha Sunday: Fr. Thomas Hopko, former Dean of St. Vladimir s Orthodox Theological Seminary A little before midnight on the Blessed Sabbath (Holy Saturday) the Midnight Service is chanted. The celebrant goes to the tomb and removes the winding-sheet. He carries it through the royal doors and places it on the altar table where it remains for forty days until the day of Ascension. At midnight the Pascha procession begins. The people leave the church building singing: The angels in heaven, 0 Christ our Savior, sing of Thy resurrection. Make us on earth also worthy to hymn Thee with a pure heart. The procession circles the church building and returns to the closed doors of the front of the church. This procession of the Christians on Pascha night recalls the original baptismal procession from the darkness and death of this world to the Light and the life of the Kingdom of God. It is the procession of the holy passover, from death unto life, from earth unto heaven, from this age to the age to come which will never end. Before the closed doors of the church building, the resurrection of Christ is announced. Sometimes the Gospel is read which tells of the empty tomb. The celebrant intones the blessing to the "holy, consubstantial, life-creating and undivided Trinity." The Paschal troparion is sung for the first time, together with the verses of Psalm 68 which will begin all of the Church services during the Paschal season. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee from before his face! Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. (Troparion) This is the day which the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! The people re-enter the church building and continue the service of Pascha Matins which is entirely sung. The canon hymns of Christ's resurrection, ascribed to St. John of Damascus, are chanted with the troparion of the feast as the constantly recurring refrain. The building is decorated with flowers and lights. The vestments are the bright robes of the resurrection. The Resurrection icon stands in the center of the church showing Christ destroying the gates of hell and freeing Adam and Eve from the captivity of death. It is the image of the Victor "trampling down death by his own death." There is the continual singing and censing of the icons and the people, with the constant proclamation of the celebrant: Christ is Risen! The faithful continually respond: Indeed He is risen! It is the day of resurrection! Let us be illumined for the feast! Pascha! The Pascha of the Lord! From death unto life, and from earth unto heaven has Christ our God led us! Singing the song of victory: Christ is risen from the dead! (First Ode of the Easter Canon) Following the canon, the paschal verses are sung, and at the conclusion of the Pascha Matins, the Pascha Hours are also sung. In general, nothing is simply read in the Church services of Pascha: everything is fully sung with the joyful melodies of the feast. At the end of the Hours, before the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant solemnly proclaims the famous Paschal Sermon of St. John Chrysostom. This sermon is an invitation to all of the faithful to forget their sins and to join fully in the feast of the resurrection of Christ. Taken literally, the sermon is the formal invitation offered to all members of the Church to come and to receive Holy Communion, partaking of Christ, the Passover Lamb, whose table is now being

9 set in the midst of the Church. In some parishes the sermon is literally obeyed, and all of the faithful receive the Eucharistic gifts of the Passover Supper of Pascha night. The Pascha Divine Liturgy begins immediately with the singing once more of the festal troparion with the verses of Psalm 68. Special psalm verses also comprise the antiphons of the liturgy, through which the faithful praise and glorify the salvation of God: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Sing of his name, give glory to his praise. Let all the earth worship Thee and praise Thee! Let it praise Thy name, 0 most High! That we may know Thy way upon the earth and Thy salvation among all nations. Let the people thank Thee, O God! Let all the people give thanks to Thee. The troparion is repeated over and over again. The baptismal line from Galatians replaces the Thrice-Holy Hymn. The epistle reading is the first nine verses of the Book of Acts. The gospel reading is the first seventeen verses of the Gospel of St. John. The proclamation of the Word of God takes the faithful back again to the beginning, and announces God's creation and re-creation of the world through the living Word of God, his Son Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God... all things were made through him... In him was life and the life was the light of men.... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth... we have beheld his glory, glory of the only-begotten Son of the Father, and from his fullness have we all received grace upon grace.... (Jn 1:1-17). The Liturgy of St John Chrysostom continues, crowned in Holy Communion with the Passover Lamb at his banquet table in God's Kingdom. Again and again the troparion of the Resurrection is sung while the faithful partake of him "who was dead and is alive again" (Rev 2:8). In the Orthodox Church the feast of Easter is officially called Pascha, the word which means the Passover. It is the new Passover of the new and everlasting covenant foretold by the prophets of old. It is the eternal Passover from death to life and from earth to heaven. It is the Day of the Lord proclaimed by God's holy prophets, "the day which the Lord has made" for His judgment over all creation, the day of His final and everlasting victory. It is the Day of the Kingdom of God, the day "which has no night" for its light is the Lamb (Rev 21:22-25). The celebration of Pascha in the Orthodox Church, therefore, is once again not merely an historical reenactment of the event of Christ's Resurrection as narrated in the gospels. It is not a dramatic representation of the first Pascha morning. There is no "sunrise service" since Pascha Matins and Divine Liturgy are celebrated together in the first dark hours of the first day of the week in order to give men the experience of the "new creation" of the world, and to allow them to enter mystically into the New Jerusalem which shines eternally with the glorious light of Christ, overcoming the perpetual night of evil and destroying the darkness of this mortal and sinful world: Shine! Shine! O New Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shone upon you! Exult and be glad O Zion! Be radiant 0 Pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your son! This is one of the main Paschal hymns in the Orthodox Church. It is inspired by Isaiah's prophecy and the final chapters of the Book of Revelation, for it is exactly the New Creation, the New Jerusalem, the Heavenly City, the Kingdom of God, the Day of the Lord, the Marriage Feast of the Lamb with his Bride which is celebrated and realized and experienced in the Holy Spirit on the Holy Night of Pascha in the Orthodox Church.

10 TO TITHE IS TO LOVE! 2012 OFFERING UPDATE As of March 23, 2012 The Bible says a tithe is giving 10% of our income to God through His Holy Church. In the Old Testament, the tithe was the maximum. For Christians, the tithe is the minimum! ALL of our 240 families need to make an Offering as soon as possible. Don t let anyone rob themselves of this blessing from God! Our budget for 2012: $239, Number of Families who still need to offer: 158 Total Offered by 82 Families/Individuals: $84, New Offerers: 12 Increase in Offering: 8 Offering Range: according to how God has blessed you! Your commitment is NEEDED!!! Please fill out the 2012 Offering Form as soon as possible. THANK YOU!!!

11 We thank the following families for turning in their 2012 Offering Form in support of God s work at St. George. ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST!!! If your name is not listed, please fill out your 2012 Offering Form TODAY and mail it to the Church or put it in the Sunday Offering Tray. Thank You and God Bless You! New this year in BOLD (did not fill out a form last year) Increase in Offering is Underlined As of 3/23/ Mr. and Mrs. Fares Abdallah 2. Mr. and Mrs. Nayef Aboujamra 3. Mr. and Mrs. Youssif Abousamra 4. Mr. and Mrs. Emil N. Abuaita 5. Mr. and Mrs. Jamil Abuaita 6. Mrs. Jeneviav Abuaita 7. Mr. and Mrs. Khader Abuaita 8. Mr. and Mrs. Najeb Abuaita 9. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Abuaita 10. Mr. and Mrs. Suheil Abuaita 11. Mr. and Mrs. Tawfiq AbuAita 12. Mr. and Mrs. Jiries Abu-Aitah 13. Father and Mrs. Joe Abud 14. Mrs. Laila Abud 15. Mr. and Mrs. Anwar Abueita 16. Mr. and Mrs. Atallah Abueita 17. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Abueita 18. Mr. and Mrs. Issa Abueita 19. Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Abufarha 20. Mr. and Mrs. Basil Andoni 21. Mr. and Mrs. Ceasar Banna 22. Deacon and Mrs. Mike Bassett 23. Mr. and Mrs. Adeeb Bathish 24. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Bathish 25. Mr. and Mrs. Issa Daoud 26. Mrs. Iman David 27. Mr. and Mrs. James David, Sr. 28. Mr. and Mrs. James Delbridge 29. Mr. and Mrs. Antoine Elia 30. Mr. and Mrs. Ayman Elias 31. Mr. and Mrs. Boulos Fanous 32. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Farah 33. Mr. and Mrs. Troy Farah 34. Mrs. Vera Farah 35. Mr. Elias Gantos 36. Mr. and Mrs. George Gantous 37. Mrs. Samira Gantous 38. Mr. and Mrs. Jamil Ghantous 39. Mr. and Mrs. Habeeb Ghattas 40. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ghattas 41. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Green 42. Mr. and Mrs. Nasri Haddad 43. Mr. Ronald Haddad 44. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Hanna 45. Mr. and Mrs. Wael Hayek 46. Mr. and Mrs. Samer Ibrahim 47. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Isaac 48. Miss Daisy Isaac 49. Mr. and Mrs. Amjad Ishak 50. Mr. and Mrs. Issa Ishaq 51. Mr. and Mrs. Dannie Jones 52. Miss Jacquie Jospeh 53. Mrs. Najwa Joubran 54. Mr. Michael Khal 55. Dr. and Mrs. Anton Khouri 56. Mrs. Betty and Mr. Robert Khouri 57. Mrs. Jean Khouri 58. Mr. and Mrs. Shawki Khoury 59. Miss Amal Koubty 60. Mr. and Mrs. Elias Mitri 61. Mr. and Mrs. Gary Monkaba 62. Mr. and Mrs. Jamil Nassar 63. Mr. and Mrs. Karam Nassar 64. Mrs. Olga Nassar 65. Mr. and Mrs. Souheil Nassar 66. Mr. and Mrs. George Nassif 67. Mr. and Mrs. Giries Odeh 68. Mr. Ramzi Qumseya 69. Mrs. Aida Raffoul 70. Mr. Enrique Rojas 71. Mr. and Mrs. Roger Saadeh 72. Mrs. Mary Salim 73. Miss Elaine Shaheen 74. Mr. Richard A. Shaheen 75. Mr. and Mrs. William Shaheen, Jr. 76. Mr. and Mrs. Ric Shahin 77. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Silpoch 78. Mr. Robert Sophiea, Sr. 79. Mr. and Mrs. William Sophiea 80. Mr. Robert Teunion 81. Mr. and Mrs. Doug Thomas 82. Anonymous

12 2012 Offering Form St. George Orthodox Church ~ Flint, Michigan I Want To Be Counted! Frequency Amount % of Income Weekly $ OR Twice Monthly $ OR Monthly $ OR Quarterly $ OR Annually $ ~ All Offerings Are Treated Confidentially ~ Please fill out completely. Name(s) Address City ZIP Telephone Please CHECK this box if it applies to you. I have a concern and wish to be contacted or visited by the priest. I have a concern and wish to be contacted or visited by a Parish Council Member. Signature: Date: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10) Seeing the rich bringing their gifts and then a widow bringing a few pennies, Jesus said, Truly I say to you that this widow has put in more than all. (Luke 21:3) $%&' 2012 ا ت م آ ارج وم ا وردوآ أر أن أآن ودا! "# % ا ا ات $ ا $ #$%! "# $ #$& آ ')' &$ر $ $ ) آ* ا ت + ا'* '( )'. اء ), آ* ا ا /+ / ا 1/2 ء ي ا-ه/م وا 0# * أن /. ا-",ل!* أو ا 6 رة ا 4 ه. ي ا-ه/م وا 0# * أن /. ا-",ل!* أو ا 6 رة أ 9 ء ;< ا 4 (:. اء ا 8 ر ا 71 ا اان ا 1 ا+ ر+ ا() 4 ا ';ء ار 9 ه)ا ا&ر )1 ا> " ا?< ) A86' ( 10:3 ' رأى ا K2 ء 'ن )(+ وا 2 ر' ا Jة )م ا* ل ع: "ا RS أل Q+ أن هOP ا 2 ر' ( 3:21 ا Jة أ" أآ T +)' "1 )

13 Daily Prayer Life Remember the newly departed servants of God who have fallen asleep in the Lord: Pope Shenouda III (+March 17 th, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt), Helen Isaac (+March 13 th ), Susan Kheirallah (+March 17 th, wife of Kamal), and Libby Kohl (+March 18 th, friend of Elaine Shaheen). May their memory be eternal! Remember our parishioners who are ill, recovering, or in need, especially His servants: Blanka AbuAita, Khaled Al-Khouri, Jonathan Bassett, Evelyn Delbridge, Awatef Deligorges, Gisele Farah, Pauline Farah, Samira Gantous, Camille Ghantous, Phyllis Good, Carol Haddad, Roland Haddad, Betty Khouri, Mariam Khoury, Norma Lazar, Lourice Matta, Danny Mortenson, Nick Nickola, Nawal Odeh, Elaine Shaheen, Habib and Marie Skafi, Norma Sophiea, and William Sophiea Jr., those who are suffering in the Middle East, the supporters and benefactors of St. George, and the members of our Parish Council, Ladies Auxiliary, Teen SOYO, Altar Servers, Altar Society, Chanters, Choir, Church School, Ushers, and YAF (our Young Adult Fellowship). Remember the servants of God who are with child especially: Reemy Abuaita, Chrissy Abueita, Linda Gantos, Ghadeer Ibrahim, Ivy Khoury, and Lisa Thomas (daughter-in-law of Doug and Sandy). Remember those who are active in the Armed Forces: Lieutenant Colonel Alex and Special Agent Thomas Isaac (sons of Alex and Ida Isaac). Remember the family and friends of St. George parishioners: Fr. Roman Braga and Mother Seraphima (Dormition Monastery), Olivia Abdallah (niece of Fares Abdallah), Tom Dilullo, Nancy Maes, Jamie Irish-Smith who is with child, Shawna Katherine Hale, and Renee Melchert (family/friends of Dn. Michael and Pam Bassett), Michel Abuaita (father of Lucy AbuAita and Mary Khoury), Michel Abuaita (brother of Janett Abuaita), Youssef and Georgette Damouni (parents of May Gantos), Alice and David Brown, Renee Haddad, Valland and George Franji (family and friends of Ron Haddad), Hani Farah (former parishioner), Maha Qassis (Ziyad Ibrahim s sister), Aida Abusaada and Nisam Wasfie (friends of Ida Isaac), James Gorr (father of Melissa Bathish), Lilly Hissin (aunt of Naila Banna, Hiam and Inam Bathish), Elias and Muna Ibrahim (uncle/aunt of Rula Alqazaha), Doug Halstead, Bob Loth, Anna Oppenheiser, and Art Reyes (friends of Sally Joseph), Hanna Abu-Nimer (nephew of Karam Nassar), Loretta and Daniel Karpelenia (mother/brother of Denise Ghattas), Iaman Khrais (friend of Marc Smith), Jenna Marsico (niece of Jim Delbridge), Sue McCarthy and James George (friends of Elaine Shaheen), Alice and Nassim Salomon (mother/brother of Janet Abueita), Katrina Snyder (friend of Christine Elias), Paul Thomas (cousin of the Salim s), Elaine Gejoff, Marcella Moorman, and Dennis Perez (from St. Mary Magdalene), and Gloria and John Zelenko (from St. Nicholas). Announcements FASTING DISCIPLINE FOR APRIL The GREAT FAST began on February 27 th and continues until Pascha (April 15 th ). The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, cheese, eggs, dairy, fish, wine, olive oil, or their by-products) is observed on all weekdays while wine and olive oil are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays. Exceptions are on Palm Sunday (April 8 th ) when fish, wine, and olive oil are permitted, and during the Great and Holy Week on Holy Thursday morning after Liturgy (April 12 th ) when wine and olive oil are permitted and on Holy Saturday (April 14 th ) when wine, but not olive oil, is permitted There is no fasting (all foods and drink may be consumed) on Pascha and during the Bright Week, April 15 th -22 nd. The traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, fish, wine, and oil) is observed on all other Wednesdays and Fridays.

14 Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian During the Great Fast, THE prayer of the fast is that of St. Ephraim the Syrian. Everyone should add this prayer to their daily prayers and to say this special Lenten prayer as often as you can: O Lord and Master of my Life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. (prostration) But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. (prostration) Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for Thou are blessed, unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration) أ اب و أ روح ا وا% $ #ل و,* ا( وا)'م + ا ل. ) / ( ( / ) وا 89 وأ/ أ/ ك 3 وح + ا %2 وا $ع ا%) وا: 12/ 5 ( وإ ه * أن أ ف ذ/ 3# و 3# أد إF # C /DE + ر ك ا B ده ااه ( / ).H THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE (CONFESSION) He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) The Great Fast is THE TIME for all parishioners to receive the Holy Sacrament of Repentance (Confession) especially if you plan on receiving Holy Communion on Palm Sunday (April 8 th ) or Pascha (April 15 th ). Fr. Joe hears Confessions by appointment before or after most Divine Services, Sundays between 8:30am-9:30am, by appointment during the week, and on Saturday evenings after Great Vespers which is the perfect time when Father is not rushed. Please do not wait until the last minute! Because of many extra responsibilities, Fr. Joseph will not be able to hear Confessions on Palm Sunday or after Holy Wednesday (April 11 th ). In addition, Holy Unction (on Holy Wednesday) is a Sacrament of the Church and we must be prepared with Confession in order to be anointed. If you would like to go to one of the other Orthodox priests during our combined Pan-Orthodox Services, Fr. Joe, Fr. Angelo, and Fr. Matthew are available 30 minutes before each service begins. Confessing of our sins opens the door to our personal celebration of our Lord s Glorious Resurrection -- PLAN NOW and BE PREPARED!!! FOOD FOR HUNGRY PEOPLE (FFHP) As we do every year during the Great Fast, we follow the command of Christ to give alms (money) to the poor. Boxes have been provided for our children in the Church School and Canisters for businesses or homes. At the Last Judgment, Jesus will ask what we did for the poor, the hungry, the sick, and those in prison. What will we be able to say? Please return your boxes and donations to the office on or after Pascha (April 15 th ). LENTEN POTLUCK DINNERS Our Ladies Auxiliary will host a Lenten Potluck Dinner after our combined Pan- Orthodox celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on April 4 th. Please bring what is listed below according to the first letter in your last name. If you have any questions, please see, call, or our coordinators: Naila Banna ( ) or Aida Raffoul ( ). FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 TH COMBINED WITH ASSUMPTION AND ST. NICHOLAS A-F G-J K-R S-Z Main Dish Desserts Relish Dish or Bread Salad or Side Dish PALM SUNDAY CANDLES! Our Ladies Auxiliary will again be selling Decorated Candles for our celebration of our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday, April 8 th ). They will be selling them in the hall on March 25 th and April 1 st. Order Forms are on the Narthex Table. The cost is $10 each. The GREAT AND HOLY FRIDAY VIGIL begins after Holy Friday Vespers (April 13 th at 3pm). A sign-up poster will be in the Lounge with 1/2-hour time slots for reading at the Tomb of Christ. This is for anyone to signup or to spend time at the Tomb listening to the readings. Reading can be in any language. ST. GEORGE ALTAR SOCIETY The Altar Society was formed with the general purpose of cleaning and decorating the church for Pascha, Christmas, and the major feast days. They will be cleaning and decorating for Palm Sunday, on Saturday, April 7 th at 1pm and for Pascha on Saturday, April 14 th after the morning Vesperal Divine Liturgy (April 14 th at 10am) -- everyone is welcome to come and help!

15 PASCHA BREAKFAST It s always a joy for us to break the fast together during our celebration of our Lord s Resurrection. Our Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting the breakfast and are looking for donations for this joyous occasion. If interested, please see President Hiam Bathish or any member of the Auxiliary. WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU SPEAK? We are getting ready for the Agape Vespers on Pascha Sunday, April 15 th at 1pm. The service calls for the Gospel to be read in many languages. We have almost any language! Please sign-up with Father Joe. PASCHA PARTY (HAFLI) On Pascha, Sunday, April 15 th, we will be having a PARTY to celebrate our Lord s Pascha. Adults are $25; Children 5 to 16 years old are $15; Children under 5 are free. For more information, contact Sally Abuaita sally_iaf@sbcglobal.net or NORTH END SOUP KITCHEN Please mark your calendar and come to help out during our once-a-month commitment at the soup kitchen on Tuesday, April 24 th from 9am-12:30pm. If you have questions or want to sign-up, please contact Jim and Evelyn Delbridge at their home phone ( or jimdelbridge@charter.net). MIDWEST DIOCESAN 2012 PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE This coming summer, June 27 th -July 1 st, our conference will be hosted by the Church of the Virgin Mary in Alsip, IL. Hotel and Conference Registration is available at their website: MONTHLY OFFERINGS: Our average monthly offerings need to be $19,966 to meet our 2012 Budget. In February, our offerings were $7,851 which means we were short $12,115. If you haven t already, please fill out your 2012 Offering Form as soon as possible. OUR OFFERINGS TO ST. GEORGE The minimum suggested offering to St. George should be at least 3% of gross annual income. The goal for all Orthodox Christians is to follow our Lord s command of giving at least 10% (tithe) of our income to His Holy Church. Please remember this when filling out your 2012 Offering Form. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS to Basil Andoni and Danny Isaac who generous donated our new Sound System! 25 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF FR. JOE S ORDINATION TO THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD God willing His Grace Bishop Anthony of our Midwest Diocese and His Grace Bishop Basil (Fr. Joe s Godfather) of the Wichita Diocese will be with us. Information will be sent to all parishioners of St. George for their participation in a Souvenir Journal. St. George s NEW Web Site saintgeorgeflint.org Thank you to Deacon Michael for all the work he has done in getting this up and running! If you would like to help keep the site updated, please contact Dn. Mike at frdnmike@gmail.com. COFFEE FELLOWSHIP HOSTS Available dates: April 1 st and 29 th -- sign-up poster is in the Hall. Hosting information is in Hall and Lounge and includes: bringing whatever you wish to serve and cleaning up afterwards. St. George provides coffee, cups, cream, and sugar at a charge to the host of $25. Coming Events in May 17 Middle Eastern Community Lunch 19 First Confession of our 1 st and 2 nd Grade Classes th Anniversary Celebration of Fr. Joe s Ordination to the Holy Priesthood

16 FEED GENESEE FOOD DRIVE Children, families, and individuals across our community go hungry every day. We can make sure they have enough to eat by providing food for Catholic Charities local soup kitchens. Together we can make a difference for our neighbors in need. Last year, Catholic Charities served 155,557 meals to the hungry in Genesee County. Date: 1 st Sunday of the Month Time: 10am to 1pm Location: St. George Orthodox Church 5191 Lennon Road (between Linden and Dye Roads) For more information, contact: St. George at or, ext. 226/228, givehope@ccsgc.org Items Needed to Prepare Meals: Elbow Pasta Spaghetti Spaghetti Sauce & Tomato Products Canned Vegetables Boxed Potatoes Canned Fruit Drink Mixes Rice Beans Spices Cookies Individually Wrapped Snacks Canned Tuna/ Chicken Cream Soups Salad Dressing Corn Starch Cooking Spray Plastic Forks & Spoons Napkins Proceeds will benefit Catholic Charities Soup Kitchen Programs. Providing Help...Creating Hope