Welcome * We extend greetings and a warm welcome to all the visitors worshipping with us today. Following the Liturgy, please join us in our social hall for the coffee social.

* Orthros Service ~ A copy is available each Sunday by the candle stand for you to follow along.

* The beautiful hymn that concludes the Orthros Service is called the Great Doxology. It is chanted at every Liturgy and it can be found on page 18-23 in the bigger liturgy book in your pew.

* Every Sunday during Great Lent, we celebrate the Liturgy of St. Basil. It is very similar to that of St. John Chrysostom which we normally celebrate, except the prayers read by the priest are longer and more penitential, and the words of the consecration are a little different.

* As we begin Great Lent, please avoid scheduling any parish activities, meetings or gatherings during scheduled church services. Please check the church calendar for dates and times.





Today * Greek School students will present a program for Greek Independence Day.

* 40 day churching for the daughter of Lou and Georgia Pajkic.

* Coffee social ~ Greek School will host this week. Loukoumades sale on behalf of St. Mary of Egypt next week. Hostesses needed for upcoming weeks. Call Rhonee Trakas-Iula 216-524-9383.





This Week * Monday ~ 5:30 p.m. Greek School.



This Week ~ Opportunities in Our Parish to Grow in Our Faith * Tuesday ~ 10:00 a.m. Women’s Study Group – Great Lent ~ with Presvytera Nicole. Book study, “Great Lent: Journey through Pascha” by Fr. A. Schmemann.

* Wednesday ~ 7:00 p.m. Orthodox Catechism ~ with Father Costas.

* Thursday ~7:30 p.m. Bible Study ~ with Frank Chirakos and Father Costas. The theme will be: “What does it mean to transform your mind?” All are welcome to attend.




Liturgical Services This Week * Monday ~ 7:00 p.m. Great Compline.

* Wednesday ~ 5:00 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy.

* Friday ~ 5:30 p.m. Lenten dinner sponsored by Parish Council. 7:00 p.m. Akathist Hymn.




Stewardship * 2009 Stewardship ~ As of Friday we have received 317 pledge cards totaling $185,091 pledged towards our stewardship goal of $230,000. Our total budget for the year 2009, needed to support our parish ministries, is: $561,000.00. Thank you!!! Stewardship cards are avilable on the angari or on our website.



Upcoming Events in Our Parish * Lenten Project ~ Please support our Sunday School children in purchasing paper flowers ($1 each) to decorate the Epitaphion by the candle stand. Proceeds to benefit the Berea Children’s Home.

* April 5 ~ 11:45 a.m. GOYA meeting.

* April 11 ~ Lazarus Saturday. 8:30 a.m. Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy. A Lenten Luncheon and retreat will follow, with members of St. Michael OCA church participating. RSVP to Maribeth Lekas at mbleka@aol.com or 216-408-6070. Fr. David will be the presenter at the retreat.

* April 11 ~ Palm Folding. Following the Lazarus Saturday services and luncheon, the youth of our church will gather to prepare the palms for Palm Sunday. Families should RSVP above.

* April 11 ~ 2:00 p.m. Rehearsal for girls participating as Myrofores (Myrrhbearers) on Good Friday.

* April 12 ~ Palm Sunday Plaki Luncheon sponsored by our GOYAns. Advance ticket sales ONLY. See one of our GOYAns during the coffee social or order through our website.

* April 12 ~ Philoptochos bake sale. Order forms in April Messenger or our website.

* April 17 ~ Good Friday Retreat at 11:00 a.m. for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Registration forms are available on our website or during the coffee social.



Hellenic Dancers * Registration is now open. Forms can be found in the Messenger or on our website. All those wishing to participate this year must register by April 1st. The first practice beings March 1st.



Festival * Baking begins April 6th (Koulourakia) at 9:00 a.m. We bake on Monday’s and Tuesday’s weekly with the exception of April 20th. On April 21st (finekia), April 22nd (paximadia). All men and women are invited to come and help us.



Vacation Church School * June 29 – July 3, 2009. Registration forms are now available on our website, the Messenger and the bulletin board.



Next Sunday * MNYMOSINA: 6 months for Evangeline Stratis; 10 years for James Stratis; TRISAGIA: 4 years for Leonidas Lekas; for Stamatia Packis; 4 years for Athanasia Photinos; 9 years for James Photinos; for Theophanes Gaitanaros; for Nicholas & Effie Demoleas; for Peter Demoleas.

* Epistle Reading, Heb. 9:11-14

* Gospel Reading, Mark 10:32-45.



Upcoming Events in the Greater Cleveland Area * March 31 ~ 7:00 p.m. Father Costas will speak at Saint Marcha Monastery on Broadview Road in Richfield, OH, on “Contemporary Spiritual Elders in Greece”.

* April 7 ~ Morning prayers and Presanctified Liturgy at St. Mary of Egypt with Father Costas.

* April 12 ~ Last day to register for 50th Anniversary Walk-A-Thon for St. Demetrios to be held on May 2. Contact Lia Augoustidis at 440-933-0500 or chia96@aol.com.

* Scholarships ~ Scholarship applications for high school seniors and undergraduates are online.