April 15, 2012- Great and Holy Pascha
Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! El Masih Qam!
This Week's Services and Events
Apr. 17, Bright Tuesday
+ 3rd Hour, 9AM
Apr. 18, Bright Wednesday
+ Paschal Hours, 7PM
Apr. 19, Bright Thursday
+ OCF Dinner, 6:30PM
Apr. 20, Bright Friday
+ Matins, 8:30AM
Apr. 21, Bright Saturday
+ 9th Hour/Great Vespers, 6PM
Apr. 22, Thomas Sunday
+ Matins, 8:45AM
+ Divine Liturgy, 10AM, followed by coffee hour and Sunday School
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Paschal Letter from Bishop Anthony-
"Dear Beloved clergy, brothers and sisters in Christ:
Christ is Risen! Indeed, He is Risen!
May God's blessings and my joy at His Resurrection be given, first, to our beloved Metropolitan Philip and to the local Synod of this God-protected Archdiocese!
I wish I could be with all of you in person, but I am with you in the Spirit and in my heart. St. Macarius the Great has written: "When God created Adam He did not give him bodily wings like the birds, but prepared for him in advance the wings of the Holy Spirit - the wings He desires to give him in the Resurrection to lift him up and carry him wherever the Spirit wishes."
Yes, in the great prophesies of Isaiah concerning the Savior, we read: "The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases
strength. . . . They that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. (Is. 40. 28b, 29, 31)"
When we grow faint and weak and die, He comes to us to carry us up to Him, because He will not lose the loved ones who He has made to be like Him.
In the spring, my mother would take me to visit the graves of loved ones and to do some clean-up work around the graves. There would be fields of blue and pink phlox spread allover the ground, wherever you
would step. She said these were blankets God tucks us in with. And just as we wake in the morning and leave the blankets on the bed, we leave the sleep of death to awaken to eternity with God. I would often think of a poem that said: "When the temple bell stops - the sound keeps coming out of the flowers." As the bells ring in the Resurrection, the waves of life they carry move everywhere. And Life has proved it is more
powerful than death.
In the Love of the Risen Lord,
Bishop Anthony"
Online Paschal Resource-
For a collection of articles and multimedia relating to Pascha, go to www.feastoffeasts.org
Food for Hungry People Boxes-
If you took a Food for Hungry People box or canister to fill with change during this Lenten season, now is the time to bring it back so that we can forward the money to our Archdiocese so it can be distributed to the proper sources.
Thank You-
Thank you to the Abuissa family for the new white coverings for the icon stands. Thank you to all who helped around church in so many ways this past week. Whether you were cleaning, replacing light bulbs, singing or directing the choir, assisting at the altar, bringing food, decorating the funeral bier or participating in the services, thank you for your service. Without you, the people, this church couldn't exist.
Patronal Feast of St. George Church, Cedar Rapids-
St. George Church in Cedar Rapids invites all to come to their patronal feast day Liturgy on Monday, April 23 at 9:00AM.
Parish Council Meeting-
The April Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday, April 24 at 7PM. All are welcome.
Wednesday Evening Class to Begin Soon-
Beginning Wednesday May 2, and continuing for a total of 7 weeks, we will gather to watch a video series called "The Icon" and discuss what we have seen. This excellent series is produced by Bishop Jovan Puric. It is visually stunning. You won't want to miss it! We will begin at 7:45PM each week, immediately after the Akathist and end at about 9PM. Episodes are: Holy Images, Canons and Freedom, Image of God?, Struggle for the Icons, Forms of Icon, Power of the Name, Teaching and Exaltation.
Break from the Fast-
During this Paschal season through the Feast of the Ascension on May 24, a full forty days, we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. There is no fasting during this time, including on Wednesdays and Fridays, according to Antiochian custom.
Red Cedar Chamber Music Parlor Concert and Reception-
St. Raphael Church is hosting a concert put on by Red Cedar Chamber Music on Sunday, April 29 at 2PM. This concert features Bryan Johanson's "Strum and Jam" and pieces from Mozart, Haydn and Kreutzer and more. Tickets are $35 and admission incudes a gala reception across the street at 715 E. College St. For more information, or to buy tickets, call
319-377-8028.
Midwest Antiochian Women's Retreat-
The 7th annual Midwest Antiochian Women's Retreat is to be held at the Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery in Rives Junction, Michigan May 18-20, 2012. This year’s speaker is Molly Sabourin. She will present two topics on Saturday, May 19: Living our Ancient Faith in a Modern Society and Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos. Molly is a writer and podcaster for Ancient Faith Radio. She is also a wife and mother of 4. Her first book is called Close to Home published by Conciliar Press. Registration information is attached.
How Pascha is Celebrated on Greek island of Chios-
Excellent Article on Orthodox Conception of Christ's Resurrection-
Short Video on Red Monastery in Egypt-
To watch a short video on a jewel of Coptic Orthodoxy, copy the following link and scroll down to the video:
Informed Choices Clinic Walk for Life Fundraiser-
The Iowa City Informed Choices Medical Clinic, a local clinic that offers life-affirming solutions to women who are facing crisis pregnancies is hosting their annual Walk for Life fundraiser event on Saturday, May 5. For more information, go to:
http://www.ministrysync.com/event/website/home/?e=3512
St. George Church Bake Sale-
St. George Church in Cedar Rapids is having their semi-annual Bake Sale on Saturday, May 5. A flier is attached with more information.
2012 Midwest Parish Life Conference-
St. Mary Orthodox Church in Palos Heights, IL is hosting the 65th annual Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest Parish Life Conference June 27-July 1. All are welcome! This is not just a conference for clergy. For information on tickets and schedule, go to:
www.2012midwestplc.org.
Daily Scripture Readings for the Week-
Following are the readings for this week:
Apr. 15- Job 34:10-35:16; Psalms 41-42; Proverbs 8:27-31; Romans 15:1-21
Apr. 16- Job 36-37; Psalms 43:1-9; Proverbs 8:32-35; Romans 15:22-33
Apr. 17- Job 38; Psalms 43:10-27; Proverbs 9:1-6; Romans 16
Apr. 18- Job 39-40; Psalms 44; Proverbs 9:7-11; I Corinthians 1
Apr. 19- Job 41-42; Psalms 45; Proverbs 9:12-15; I Corinthians 2
Apr. 20- Ecclesiastes 1-2; Psalms 46; Proverbs 9:16-20; I Corinthians 3
Apr. 21- Ecclesiastes 3:1-5:6; Psalms 47; Proverbs 9:21-25; I Corinthians 4
Apr. 22- Ecclesiastes 5:7-7:29; Psalms 48:1-10; Proverbs 10:1-6; I Corinthians 5
Do You Have a Prayer Request?
Please give it to Fr. Ignatius and he will distribute it by email to all those on the Prayer Chain. If you wish to join the Prayer Chain, please let Fr. Ignatius know.
Holy Bread-
On Sunday April 22, the Holy Bread will be provided by the Muste family. Thank you in advance.
Choir Leadership-
During the weekend of April 21-22, Matthew Arndt will direct the choir.
Coffee Hour-
On Sunday April 22, the food for coffee hour and clean-up of the fellowship hall will be provided by the St. John the Baptist team .
Church Cleaning-
During the week following Sunday April 15, the cleaning of the nave, narthex, bookstore/library, stairs, nursery and bathrooms will be provided by the St. Nicholas team.
Food for Thought-
Yesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him.
Yesterday I died with Him; today I am made alive with Him.
Yesterday I was buried with Him; today I am raised up with Him.
Let us offer to Him Who suffered and rose again for us ... ourselves, the possession most precious to God and most proper.
Let us become like Christ, since Christ became like us.
Let us become Divine for His sake, since for us He became Man.
He assumed the worse that He might give us the better. He became poor that by His poverty we might become rich. He accepted the form of a servant that we might win back our freedom.
He came down that we might be lifted up. He was tempted that through Him we might conquer. He was dishonored that He might glorify us. He died that He might save us. He ascended that He might draw to Himself us, who were thrown down through the fall of sin.
Let us give all, offer all, to Him who gave Himself a Ransom and Reconciliation for us.
We needed an incarnate God, a God put to death, that we might live. We were put to death together with Him that we might be cleansed. We rose again with Him because we were put to death with Him. We were glorified with Him because we rose again with Him.
A few drops of Blood recreate the whole of creation!
-- St. Gregory the Theologian, Easter Orations
