LENTEN SERVICES: This week the following services will be observed: Wednesday, April 1st at 9:30am the fifth Presanctified Liturgy and the Service of the Akathist Hymn on Friday, April 3rd at 7:00pm. Akathist Hymn books are available.

LENTEN OUTREACH PROGRAM: Each year during Great Lent the family of St. Nicholas supports various charities through a special tray for this purpose. Today, we will support Holy Cross Theological School in Brookline, MA. Holy Cross is the only theological school in America that prepares a priest to serve our parishes. Please support the mission work of our beloved Church with generosity and love.

LENTEN LITURGY: Please be mindful that throughout Great Lent, the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil is observed. Note the change of prayers in our Liturgy Books.

LENTEN KONTAKION: TI IPERMAHO – The beautiful Kontakion of Great Lent dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Phonetically – Ti ipermaho, stratigo ta nikitiria os litrothisa ton dinon efharistiria anaghrafo si I polis sou Theotoke, al’ os ehousa to kratos aprosmahiton ek pantion me kindinon eleftheroson ina kraso si, Haire Nimfi animfefte. To You, our leader in battle and defender, O Theotokos, we your servants, delivered from calamity, offer hymns of victory and thanksgiving. Since you are invincible in power, set us free from every peril, that we may cry to you: hail, Bride without a bridegroom.

ORTHODOX LIFE AND BIBLE STUDY: will meet on Monday, March 30th at 3:00pm.

CENTER FOR FOOD ACTION: An on-going St. Nicholas sponsored Outreach Program. Please do not forget the needy. A needs basket list has been placed in our Parish Center for your donation.

DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE: are holding their annual Tsoureki Sale on Palm Sunday, April 12. Please make out the check to Daughters of Penelope #336 and send Pre-paid orders to Zoe Kominos c/o St. Nicholas.

ORTHODOX LIFE 104: This year’s series will review the origins and evolution of our Liturgy from the Old Testament to its form today. Join us this Thursday, April 2nd at 7:30pm in the large rotunda room. Professor Peter Salierno is leading this program. All are welcome to attend.

LENTEN CONCERT: Calling all young singers ages 7 and up......On Friday evening, April 10, St. Nicholas is honored to be hosting a Lenten Concert performed by the New Jersey District Choir of the Eastern Federation of Greek Churches Musicians. In addition to the adult choir members from various New Jersey churches, Youth Choirs from Westfield and Trenton will be performing as well. This year, our St. Nicholas Youth have been invited to sing in this joyous event. If your child is interested in participating, please contact Ronni Douma for details at (201) 848-0562 or ronni_douma@msn.com. Choir Federation: On Friday, April 10, 2009 at 8:00 PM, St. Nicholas will host The Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians in a choral concert “The Spirit of Lent” featuring choir members and Youth members from New Jersey . Come and hear the beautiful hymns of our Lenten season in a wonderful way to prepare for Holy week. For tickets, please see Andrew Bacalakis, or contact at (973) 427-7763 or via e-mail: acbac@optonline.net . Tickets will also be available during coffee hour in the parish center. Requested donation is $10.00 per ticket. Children free.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2009: is looking for some adult volunteers to join us for our annual summer. Please contact Valerie Vittas at 973-839-4609 or at valv@optonline.net

AHEPA: The AHEPA Ramapo Chapter 453 Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for its 2009 Scholarship Program. Visit website www.ahepa.453.org . AHEPA 6th Annual Cigar Night Extravaganza: May 13th at Season's. Ticket donations are $140 Ad Journal flyers in church hall. Contact Paul Savidis 201-784-1041, John Psomas 201-847-9255 or Jim Giokas 201-664-7002.

Mission Trip to Guatemala! Do you believe in miracles? Witness and be a part of your faith in action. Join the Wyckoff, NJ Mission trip to the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage, Guatemala City, Guatemala in October 2009. “We tell missionaries who come to the Hogar to let the children love them. This creates a little opening in their hearts. Because the missionaries are Orthodox like they are, the children see them as safe. The children need to be loved”. Madre Ines, Abbess. Your mission is to spend time with them, listen and laugh with them, pray with them and feel the miracle of love. To join the missionary team, contact Georgia Lipane @ 201-906-4622 or glipane@speakeasy.net. More info will follow. Visit them at www.hogarrafaelayau.org

KALI PAREA: will meet at noon on Tuesday, April 7th. A Lenten lunch will be served. A speaker is planned.

PHILOPTOCHOS: On Tuesday, March 31, at 7:30pm, The St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos Society will be holding a general meeting in the church rotunda. We will welcome new members as well as existing members. We will also discuss the various charities that you help us support plus ideas for events for the upcoming year. Please join us in our philanthropic endeavors and give back to others some of the many blessings that we enjoy in our daily lives. Come on March 31, and meet the many women who make up the St. Nicholas Ladies Philoptochos Society – you will not be disappointed! Refreshments will be served.

GOYANS! Meeting Monday, March 30th 7:30pm, in the Rotunda. Lots to talk about - Sights and Sounds results, GOYA Yearbook, upcoming Olympics, and fundraisers! Please join us!

40th ANNIVERSAY YEAR COMMITTEE- The year 2010 has been designated as a year of celebration – we will be observing the 40th year of the founding of St. Nicholas and the 25th year since the opening of our Church building. Our planning committee will meet Thursday April 2 and will shortly be announcing events to be celebrated in 2010.
GREEK SCHOOL: The annual Greek Independence Day Parade which will take place on Sunday, April 26th in NYC. For further information, please contact Tammy Spyropoulos at (efstathiaspy@yahoo.com).