Church Bulletin: April 8, 2012

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Fr. Ignatius Valentine

unread,

Apr 8, 2012, 10:43:27 PM4/8/12

to saint-raphael-iowa-city

April 8, 2012- The Triumphal Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

This Week's Services and Events

Apr. 9, Holy Monday

+ Bridegroom Matins, 7PM

Apr. 10, Holy Tuesday

            + Bridegroom Matins, 7PM

        Apr. 11, Holy Wednesday
             + Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts, 9AM

+ Service of Holy Unction, 7PM

Apr. 12, Holy Thursday

+ Vesperal Liturgy, 9AM

+ Service of the Twelve Gospels, 7PM

Apr. 13, Holy Friday
+ Royal Hours, 9AM, followed by decorating of the Lord's funeral bier

+ Great Vespers (Taking Down of the Lord from the Cross), 3PM

             + Lamentations Service, 7PM, followed by Psalm-reading Vigil through the night and Teen SOYO Lock-in

        Apr. 14, Holy Saturday

+ Vesperal Liturgy, 9AM

             + Rush Service, 11:40PM

        Apr. 15,  Great and Holy Pascha
             + Paschal Matins and Liturgy, 12AM (Midnight) followed by Paschal feast
             + Agape Vespers, 1PM, followed by picnic and Easter Egg hunt at Mercer Park/Scanlon Gym (2701 Bradford Dr., Iowa City)

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Holy Week is Here-
Orthodox Christians take Holy Week seriously- there are services everyday and the numbers of people increase at the services as the week goes on. In these wonderful, life-giving days we participate in the events by which Christ our God saved us. As much as possible, set other things aside this week and come to church. If you can't get to church, pray at home.

Thank you-

Thank you to Bill and Amy Spencer and Todd Wiblin and Karen Kuntz who helped to clean the church building yesterday during our Spring cleaning in preparation for Holy Week and Pascha. We depend on volunteer help like this to keep things operating smoothly at the church.

Confession-

Fr. Ignatius is still available to hear confessions after most services or by appointment. Do not hesitate to contact him if you would like to receive this blessed sacrament of reconciliation before Pascha.

Paschal Feast and Picnic Sign-ups-

We must celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and so to do so properly, we will truly feast. On Sunday April 15, Holy Pascha, there are two opportunities to share a festive meal with others. First, we will gather at church following the Paschal Liturgy, at about 3AM or so, and break the Lenten fast. Later in the day, after some sleep (?!) and after Agape vespers at 1PM, we will go to the Scanlon Gym/Mercer Park and Pool at 2701 Bradford Dr., Iowa City, for an outside picnic, if the weather cooperates, or an inside meal if it does not.

Other Holy Week/Pascha Sign-up Sheets-

With all of the activity in church during Holy Week and Pascha, there are plenty of opportunities to help out around church. Please check the bulletin boards for sign-up sheets that cover the decorating of the funeral bier on Holy Friday, the reading of Psalms through the night after the Holy Friday Lamentations service, bringing dyed red eggs to Pascha, and bringing and the reading of the Agape Vespers Gospel in various languages.

Teen SOYO Lock-in on Holy Friday-

After the Lamentations service on Holy Friday, April 13th, the teenagers of St. Raphael parish and their friends are invited to gather for a lock-in at the church. Our teens will participate in the all-night Psalm vigil, as well as watching a movie, doing crafts, and enjoying fellowship. Teens should bring pajamas, sleeping bags, pillows, etc. We will be sleeping on the floor in the fellowship hall. Teens may be picked up Saturday morning at the end of the vigil, but all are invited to stay for Liturgy on Saturday morning.

Kids Sleeping During Pascha-

We encourage our children to attend the Pascha service with their families. If/when they get too tired and need to sleep, or step out to rest, please follow the following protocol. The downstairs is reserved for younger children to sleep. This area should be kept quiet during the service so that little ones can sleep. If older children or teens need to step out of the service, the may use the bookstore to rest a bit. They should not be downstairs for extended periods, unless they are going to be quiet and go to sleep.

Easter Lilies-
If you would like to donate Easter Lilly plants to decorate the church, please bring them to the church on Holy Saturday, April 14.

Online Paschal Resource-
For a collection of articles and multimedia relating to Pascha, go to www.feastoffeasts.org

Pascha Cards Available for Sale-

Our church bookstore has a small selection of Pascha cards for sale.

Food for Hungry People Boxes-

If you took a Food for Hungry People box or canister to fill with change during this Lenten season, please plan on bringing it back to church at Pascha or shortly thereafter so that we can forward the money to our Archdiocese so it can be distributed to the proper sources.

Letter from Patriarch Ignatius IV on the Situation in Syria-

The following letter was sent out to all churches in our Archdiocese this week. As explained to the clergy, this letter is not meant to be viewed as a new financial appeal, but rather a letter in support of Metropolitan Philip's appeal that was publicized two weeks ago.

"To all our Antiochian children in the Archdioceses overseas:

We greet you first as we begin the Holy and Great Lent, asking God to help lead us in our journey and in our spiritual struggle to deserve the participation in His saving suffering and rejoice in His triumphant resurrection crying, "Christ is risen, Truly He is risen."

Second, while we write to you, we feel overwhelmed with pain due to the tragic events which are happening in Syria. As you well know, Syria is the land of the three monotheistic religions, and it has been an example of coexistence among all various groups of the Syrian people. It was in Syria where St. Paul received the call of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Syria also is the land of our historic Monasteries and Convents. Syria is the land where the bell towers of our churches embrace the minarets of our Mosques as evidence that true religion cannot be used as a tool for sectarian, racial, and ethnic conflicts; but rather, a wonderful way for every human being to experience the life of true love among the people. The events in Syria have left many painful consequences. Thus, all of us, as heads of churches, believe that dialogue is the only way which fulfills the dreams and the cherished wishes of the Syrian people. In the midst of these events, I recall what St. Paul said in his second epistle to the Cornthians, "Who is weak and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?" (2 Corinthians 11:29). Under such circumstances we must above all express our national unity and cooerate to help all the weak, the suffering, the ill, and the needy brethren.

Therefore, we appeal to you, beloved children, from our leadership position, on behalf of all Syrians, asking you to extend a helping hand, each one according to his/her ability, so that we may present your offerings to all people equally regardless of religious affiliation.

We implore the Almighty God to strengthen you, asking you to remember your brothers and sisters in your supplications so that serenity and stability will reign again in our country, Syria. May the name of God continue to be glorified in the land of which has been the cradle of His message, suffering and resurrection.

Ignatius IV

Patriarch of Antioch and all the East"

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.

Wednesday Evening Class to Begin-

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 at 7PM 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.

The Difficulties of Being Orthodox in Pakistan-

To watch a video interview of the only Orthodox priest in Pakistan, go to: http://byztex.blogspot.com/2012/04/difficulties-of-being-orthodox-in.html

A Hindu Converts to Orthodox Christianity-

To read the story of an American Hindu who converted to Orthodox Christianity, go to: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/04/from-goddess-of-death-to-emperor-of.html and http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2012/04/from-goddess-of-death-to-emperor-of_03.html

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

Daily Scripture Readings for the Week-

Following are the readings for this week:

Apr. 8- Job 19-20; Psalms 36:1-20; Proverbs 7:21-24; Romans 9:14-33

Apr. 9- Job 21-22; Psalms 36:21-40; Proverbs 7:25-27; Romans 10

Apr. 10- Job 23-25; Psalms 37:1-11; Proverbs 8:1-5; Romans 11:1-15

Apr. 11- Job 26-28; Psalms 37:12-23; Proverbs 8:6-10; Romans 11:16-36

Apr. 12- Job 29-30; Psalms 38; Proverbs 8:11-16; Romans 12

Apr. 13- Job 31-32; Psalms 39; Proverbs 8:17-21; Romans 13

Apr. 14- Job 33:1-34:9; Psalms 40; Proverbs 8:22-26; Romans 14

Apr. 15- Job 34:10-35:16; Psalms 41-42; Proverbs 8:27-31; Romans 15:1-21

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 15, the Holy Bread will be provided by the Carter family. Thank you in advance.

Coffee Hour-
      On Sunday April 15, the food for coffee hour will be provided by all who bring food to our Paschal feast.

Church Cleaning-
       During the week following Sunday April 8, the cleaning of the nave, narthex, bookstore/library, stairs, nursery and bathrooms will be provided by the St. Nicholas team.

Food for Thought-

Before Thy voluntary Passion, Christ our God, Thou hast given to all men an assurance of the general resurrection; for at Bethany Thou hast raised by Thine almighty power Lazarus who was four days dead, and as Giver of Light, O Saviour, Thou hast made the blind to see. With Thy disciples Thou hast entered the Holy City, seated upon the foal of an ass as though upon the cherubim, and so Thou hast fulfilled the preaching of the prophets. The children of the Hebrews with palms and branches came to meet Thee. Therefore we also, bearing palms and olive branches, cry aloud to Thee in thanksgiving: Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.