April 2015 - Annunciation Orthodox Church

The Annunciation
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
950 N. 63rd Street • Lincoln, NE 68505 • 402 464-4422
Fr. Mark Curtright • 402 770-7520 • annunciation.ne.goarch.org
April 2015
Holy Week and Pascha Services and Events
April 4
LAZARUS SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. - Orthros
10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy
Following Liturgy - Luncheon &
folding palms, everyone is invited to
attend and help. Lunch provided.
5:30 p.m. - Great Vespers
April 5
PALM SUNDAY
9:00 a.m. - Orthros
10:00 a.m. - Divine Liturgy
Following Divine Liturgy - fish dinner
Tulle will be given out at the dinner
to wrap eggs in for Pascha. If you
would like to help dye eggs, please
take tulle to wrap them in.
7:00 p.m. - Service of the Bridegroom
(Nymphios)
April 6
HOLY MONDAY
10:00 a.m. - Presanctified Liturgy
7:00 p.m. - Service of the Bridegroom
(Nymphios)
April 7
HOLY TUESDAY
10:00 a.m. - Presanctified Liturgy
7:00 p.m. - Service of the Bridegroom
(Nymphios)
April 8
HOLY WEDNESDAY
10:00 a.m. - Presanctified Liturgy
2:00 p.m. - Holy Unction (once a year)
7:00 p.m. - Service of the Bridegroom
April 9
HOLY THURSDAY
10:00 a.m. - Vespers and Divine Liturgy
of St. Basil
7:00 p.m. - Holy Passion (12 Gospels)
April 10
HOLY FRIDAY
9:00 a.m. - Royal Hours
9:00 a.m. - Decorate Epitaphio
2:00 p.m. - Lenten Retreat for children
and parents
Retreat: The meaning of Holy
Friday, then & now
3:00 p.m. - Descent from the Cross
7:00 p.m. - Epitaphion/Lamentations
Myrrh Bearers - GIRLS, please
wear long white dresses (with
shoulders covered) and white
shoes. More info on page 2.
April 11
HOLY SATURDAY
10:00 a.m. - Vespers and Divine Liturgy
of St. Basil
11:30 p.m. - Resurrection/Vigil
12:00 midnight Orthros & Divine Liturgy
Paschal Lamb Dinner to follow
April 12
GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA
11:30 a.m. - Pascha Agape Vespers
Need people to read the Gospel
in different languages
The Sacrament of Holy Unction will be celebrated only once at 3 p.m. on Holy Wednesday. Holy Oil may be administered
after the Bridegroom Service on Wednesday evening and on Holy Thursday morning following Divine Liturgy.
Church Happenings & News
Saturday, April 25th
Treasurer’s Report
Income/Expense Summary
Hiking at Indian Caves State
Park
We will leave the church parking lot at 8:30 am, and return
at 4:30 pm. We will have a picnic with campfire (if it is not
too dry) and outdoor games. Sign up by contacting TJ Kripal
at (402)617-2738 or email him at tskripal@gmail.com.
Additional drivers may be needed base on numbers, so if
you can drive, let TJ know. Children under the age of 12,
must have a parent with them.
FEBRUARY 2015
Income
$13,869
Expenses
12,285
Remaining $ 1,584
We praise God for the ministries of:
April 5
April 12
May 3
Iulia Curtright
Despina Kazas
Charlene
Gondring
Greeters
If you would like to Greet those entering church on Sundays, please contact Kirsten at kwarrencarrell@gmail.com or 975-9897.
Mowers
Paul Barnes
April 26
Prosforo
(altar bread)
Coffee Hour
Randy & Nina
Johner
April 19
Please sign up downstairs
Mowing will begin this Spring. If you can help, please contact Jim Hametis at dimitrios1038@yahoo.com or 770-5614
Children & Youth News
As we have entered the
halfway point of Great Lent,
it is time to start thinking and
preparing for the services of
Holy Week, in particular
Good Friday. As we know,
during Good Friday evening
services, our young girls, the
Myrofores, represent the
myrrh bearing women who anointed the body of Christ in the
Tomb. All girls of our parish are welcome to participate in the
evening Lamentation service. Girls are asked to dress in all white
(dress/shoes/stockings or socks) during the service on
Holy Friday. White crowns, baskets and rose petals will be
provided. Please also remember that given our weather it may
be cold that evening as we walk outside. Please make sure your
child brings a coat, does not need to be white. We will have a
rehearsal at the end of the 2:00 p.m. retreat on Holy Friday.
If any child needs an excuse letter for school on this day, please
contact Fr. Mark.
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2015 Camp Emmanuel
Junior Session: June 7-13 (Ages 11-14)
Senior Session: June 14-20 (Ages 15-18)
Each year Camp Emmanuel offers
participants ages 11-18 an opportunity
to retreat away from the everyday and
experience life in a nurturing Orthodox
Christian community. For more
information, check out http://
youth.denver.goarch.org/events/2015events/2015-camp-emmanuel-home.
Icon Painting Workshop
June 25 - July 1, 2015
Lincoln, Nebraska
The John XXIII Diocesan Center
Join us on this six-day intensive course where we will immerse ourselves in the painting
techniques of Byzantium. The subject of the icon of "Jesus Christ" (at left), will come alive
before you as the instructor, Theodoros Papadopoulos, guides you, step by step, through
the ancient techniques of Byzantine Iconography. Let us journey together to discover new
secrets in this traditional artistic expression of theology and spirituality, in this meeting
place of the Divine. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, this workshop offers an
opportunity to learn and/or refine your techniques in this sacred art.
The course focuses on the art of egg tempera painting. Our goal is for students to understand and learn the artistic
practices as well as the philosophy of Orthodox Iconography. The coursework is divided into individual steps; the instructor explains the principles and then demonstrates each phase in detail, answering all questions. Through the process of demonstrations the stages as well the whole method of painting an icon will be presented. The students will
then put into practice these skills under the guidance of the instructor Theodore Papadopoulos.
The techniques of painting will be taught in a clear and concrete way enabling the students to apply what they have
learnt once the workshop is completed. Great emphasis is placed on the student acquiring "hands-on"experience, in
order to be able to comprehend and put into practice the techniques Byzantine icon painting requires. From the very
beginning to the completion of the course, every student will work on his or her painting with assistance by the instructor. The courses will be in daily basis from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Day 1 - An introduction to Byzantine iconography and its characteristics so that students understand the principles
of this art. We begin the painting of the icon of “Jesus Christ Pantocrator”, starting with drawing the icon on a prepared board. We make the colors of the face and garments. Next, local colors within the painting are applied to the
panel. At the end of the day We'll begin the painting of the garments.
Day 2 - We continue with the painting of the garments. Students will learn the process from the first layers to the
final highlights in a very clear and understandable way.
Day 3 - We continue working on the garments. At the end of the day we will have completed the painting of the
garments.
Day 4 - We have completed the painting of the garments, and we start the painting of the face, applying the first
layers of the face.
Day 5 - We continue working on the face, painting the half tones of the face.
Day 6 - We put the last highlights and complete the painting of the face.
Instructor: Theodoros Papadopoulos
Tuition: $680.
The price includes the materials which will be used by the students, (brushes, pigments, boards). A non-refundable
deposit of $230 is required to reserve a place in this workshop. The balance is due on June 25, 2015.
Location: The John XXIII Diocesan Center, Lincoln, Nebraska.
For enrollment or information contact Mr. Terrence St.Hilaire
tel: 402-817-8996
email: info@terrencesthilaire.com
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Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
950 North 63rd Street
Lincoln, NE 68505-2286
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Priest: Fr. Mark Curtright, 770-7520
Parish Council:
Galen Erickson, President, gerickson4@unl.edu, 486-1114
Dinos Giannakas, kgiannakas@unl.edu, 328-0009
Charlene Gondring, Treasurer cgondring@msn.com, 489-4621
Dimitrios Hametis, dimitrios1038@yahoo.com, 770-5614
Randy Johner, josephjohner@yahoo.com, 202-460-6289
Dori Nelson, Secretary Nelsonhuskers@gmail.com, 438-0953
Kirsten Warren-Carrell, Vice-President, kwarrencarrell@gmail.com, 975-9897
Stewardship
Daniel Ciobanu, Stewardship, dcciobanu@yahoo.com, 488-3330
Paul Barnes, Stewardship, pbarnes@unl.edu, 525-2778
Sunday School/GOYA
Iulia Curtright, iulia68@yahoo.com, 770-7520
Greek Dancing/Festival
Fay Deligiannis, fdeli75@gmail.com, 770-5158
Head Chanter
Paul Barnes, pbarnes@unl.edu, 525-2778
Sunday Bulletin/Monthly Calendar/Website
Joel Davies, jdavies@huskers.unl.edu, 745-0146
Newsletter Editor
Kirsten Warren-Carrell, kwarrencarrell@gmail.com, 975-9897
Facebook
Jennifer Hartz, jenniferhartz@hotmail.com
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Every Saturday:
5:30 p.m. Great Vespers
Every Sunday:
9:00 a.m. Orthros
10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Coffee hour following
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Palm Sunday
GREAT AND
HOLY PASCHA
Thomas Sunday
10a - Divine Liturgy
9a - Orthros
Sunday of the MyrrhBearing Women
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5p - Dance rehersal,
downstairs
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Holy Thurs.
30
23
7p - Vespers
16
7p - Holy Passion
(12 Gospels)
10a - Vespers and
Divine Liturgy of St.
Basil
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Thursday
Holy Friday
Lazarus Saturday
Holy Sat.
12 midnight Orthros & Divine Liturgy
11:30p - Resurrection/Vigil
10a - Vespers and Divine Liturgy
of St. Basil
11
5:30p - Great Vespers
Luncheon and Palm preparation
following
10a - Divine Liturgy
9a - Orthros
4
Saturday
25
5:30p - Great Vespers
18
6p - Divine Liturgy
St. Mark the Evangelist 5:30p - Great Vespers
24
10a - Divine Liturgy
9a - Orthros
Theotokos of the LifeGiving Font
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7p - Epitaphion/Lamentations Paschal Lamb Dinner to follow
3p - Descent from the Cross
2p - Lenten Retreat for children & parents
9a - decorating the Epitafio
9a - Royal Hours
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Friday
The week of April 27-May 3 Metropolis of Denver Clergy-Laity Meeting to be held in Houston, TX.
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7p - Parish Council,
loft
22 The Feast
of St. George
Festival meeting, loft
Bright Week...
21
6p - Divine Liturgy
27
20
14
13
15
7p - Service of the 2p - Holy Unction
Bridegroom
7p - Service of the
Bridegroom
7p - Service of
the Bridegroom
Holy Wed.
10a - Presanctified
Liturgy
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1
Wednesday
10a - Presanctified Liturgy
Holy Mon. 7 Holy Tues.
Tuesday
10a - Presanctified Liturgy
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Monday
10a - Divine Liturgy
9a - Orthros
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Need people to read the
Gospel in different languages
11:30a - Pascha Agape
Vespers
12
7p - Service of the Bridegroom
Fish dinner following
10a - Divine Liturgy
9a - Orthros
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Sunday
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - April 2015
PASCHA Joy, or not
"Holy Nativity is growing! We had 68 for PASCHA. It was glorious. Or was it? Why is it that two people can
share what appears to be the exact same experience, but each come away with very different impressions
of it? One comment I heard from a visitor was "You just keep repeating the same thing over and over
again" [Christ is risen]. We certainly do! I can see how that could seem rather empty to someone for whom
"Christ is risen" is just a piece of information, a datum: "O yes, it is Easter, Christ is risen, yes, so what else is
going on?"
The Paschal homily of St. John Chrysostom, the sermon read in every Orthodox Church at the PASCHA Liturgy, encourages everyone to come to the Feast--the ascetics and the negligent, those who kept the fast and
those who disregarded the fast. God receives both the labor (for those who strove to prepare themselves
through repentance during the Fast) and the intention (for those who did not but wish they had). The Feast
is the same for everyone. The difference is not on God's side. God receives all who come to Him. God offers
the same Feast to all. The Feast cannot be any different because the feast is God Himself. Christ is the
"fatted calf" sacrificed for the Feast at the prodigal son's return.
But some do not keep the feast. Maybe they just are not hungry. Maybe, like the older brother in the parable
of the prodigal son, they are too distracted to feast, worrying about what is fair or not fair, what is their due
versus what is due others. Maybe, like many of us, all of life has been reduced to data and feelings (passions)
and the rational processes they have found useful to manipulate the data to stimulate or get relief from the
feelings.
It reminds me of Jeremiah 17:2 [17:6 in Protestant Bibles]: "For he shall be like a shrub in the desert. He shall
not see when good things come." This passage compares a shrub, that doesn't even notice when the rains
come, to a tree with deep roots that continues to bear fruit in a drought. The difference between the two is
not rain vs. drought. They both experience both. Rather, the difference is the plant itself. The shrub, dead
even while it lives (c.f. 1Tim. 5:6), doesn't even notice when God showers blessings. The man who trust in the
Lord, however, is a tree with root that reach down to the water. When drought comes, as it does to every life
at various seasons, this man continues to bear the fruit of virtue, the fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Self Control. However, returning to the experience of PASCHA Joy, the shrub
just doesn't notice much.
It's important that you do not misunderstand me. First, and most important, this in not a criterion by which
we can judge others. The passage in Jeremiah goes on to say, "The heart is deep and beyond all things, and
it is the man. Even so, who can know him? I the Lord, examine the heart..." (OSB Septuagint translation). Only God knows the heart, which is the man. I cannot judge another man's heart, ever. Second, the amount of
Paschal Joy we experience or don't experience is only an indicator, it only suggests that all is well or that
something may be amiss in our relationship with God. Learning to live in God, to walk in the Spirit, to pay
attention to the inner man of the heart is a life-long process. Our experiences in prayer are important indicators, but they are only partial indicators. They are not irrelevant, but neither are they very reliable. Just like
the seasons of the year, the seasons of the spiritual life are sometimes dry and sometimes rainy (except in BC
where it is sometimes warm rain and sometimes cold rain). If you didn't seem to experience much Joy in
PASCHA, you should examine yourself. It may be that you were a little sick in body or mind. It may be that
you were disturbed by a relationship problem. It may be that you have been ignoring God. Whatever it is,
look to God. Christ receives us, the last and the first, the strong and the weak, the spiritual giant and the
spiritual chicken. I often remind myself when I am overwhelmed with my own weaknesses that although I
am a mess, I am God's mess. Whatever we are or are not, it is good to be God's."
[from Fr. Michael Gillis' blog]
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