This week:

Monday, April 7, 2025   Greek School Lessons 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2025  Festival Prep 9 am - 1:30 p.m.  Greek School Lessons 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 11, 2025  Last Fish Fry 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Banquet Hall. Everyone is invited to come and join in the making of Palm Crosses in the basement of the church 5:30 p.m. followed by a Lenten Meal 

The Prayer of   St. Ephraim  the Syrian

Lord and Master of my life, Take from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, vain talk and lust for power. Give me instead a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.  Yes, Lord and King, help me to see my own faults, and keep me from judging what others do. For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Watch your thoughts, they become words; Watch your words, they become actions; Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

   If you see a poor man, take pity on him.  If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him.  Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies.  Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.  Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.  Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful… Let the ear fast...by not listening to evil talk and gossip… Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers? 

HOLY WEEK

SCHEDULE 

May your Holy Week be filled with peace, reflection, and a renewed sense of faith as we journey toward the joy of Easter. 

 SATURDAY OF LAZARUS April 12, 2025, Orthros 8:30 a.m.  Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m. *Youth Retreat following the Divine Liturgy

PALM SUNDAY April 13, 2025, Palm Sunday Orthros 8:30 a.m.  Divine Liturgy 9:30 a.m.  Sunday School Students will remain in church           

SERVICE OF NYMPHIOS Palm Sunday Evening, 7:00 p.m.

HOLY MONDAY, April 14, 2025, Service of Nymphios  7:00 p.m.

HOLY TUESDAY, April 15, 2025, Service of Nymphios  7:00 p.m.

HOLY WEDNESDAY, April 16, Service of Holy Unction, Efchaileon 4:00 p.m. Service of Holy Thursday Matins Sung on Holy Wednesday Evening  at 6:30 pm followed by Efchaileon 

HOLY THURSDAY, April 17, 2025, Communion for Workers 7a.m.- 8:30a.m. Vesper Liturgy of St. Basil 9:00 a.m.  The Holy Passion of our Lord the Reading of the Twelve Gospels 7:00 p.m.

HOLY & GREAT FRIDAY, April 18, 2025, Hours of the Holy Passion 9:00 a.m. *Youth Retreat Noon,  Apokathelosis 3:00 p.m. Lamentations 7:00 p.m.

HOLY SATURDAY, April 19, 2025, Communion for the Workers 7:00a.m. ~ 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 9:00 a.m. Orthros of the Resurrection 11:00 p.m.  Liturgy 12:00 a.m.  

GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA, April 20, 2025, Agape Service noon.

CAN YOU READ ANOTHER LANGUAGE?  WE NEED YOU! We are looking for volunteers to read the Resurrection Gospel during the Agape Vespers service on Great and Holy Pascha on Sunday, April 20. If you can read another language and can attend the service, please contact Fr. Dean or call the church office. During the Agape Vespers, it is the Church's tradition to read the Gospel (John 20:19-25) in multiple languages. This practice reflects and responds to the Great Commission that Christ gave to His Apostles following His resurrection. After His resurrection, He gathered His disciples on the mount in Galilee and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-19). Our proclamation of the Gospel also reflects the restoration of Man and God’s creation as the events at the Tower of Babel are reversed (Genesis 11:1-9). Humanity, once divided, is now restored through Christ.

Festival Preparations: 

Your help is greatly needed to ensure the success of this Festival. We would love for as many of you as possible to assist with the preparations, even if you have no prior experience. The "Gracious Women of Wisdom," as we affectionately call them, will be happy to teach the younger generation how to prepare these traditional foods. Men and women are both welcome to participate. This is a wonderful opportunity for our parishioners, young and old, to connect and share these fading culinary skills.

Here are the preparations every Wednesday, & Friday:

Fish Fry Every Friday:

March 7th-April 11th,

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

The community of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church invites you to join us for our homestyle Lenten fish fries every Friday from March 7th through April 11th. All proceeds will support the ministries of the church and its community.

Menu: 
Fried Fish Dinner   $15: Beer-battered whitefish, French fries, coleslaw, and hush puppies.
Baked Fish Dinner $13: Baked Atlantic cod, rice, green beans, and a dinner roll.

In addition, you can also purchase:
- Homemade mac & cheese
- Homemade clam chowder
- Fried shrimp
- Pierogies
- Fish tacos
- Drinks
- Desserts

We look forward to seeing you there!

PHILOPTOCHOS: