We Apologize for sending an incomplete draft of our Sunday Bulletin yesterday. Please see below for updated weekly calendar, event flyers, and functional sign up links! | | |
Sunday, March 23
Sunday of The Cross
Sunday before Annunciation
| | |
Sunday of the Holy Cross
With the help of God, we have almost reached the middle of the course of the Fast, where our strength has been worn down through abstinence, and the full difficulty of the labor set before us becomes apparent. Therefore our holy Mother, the Church of Christ, now brings to our help the all-holy Cross, the joy of the world, the strength of the faithful, the staff of the just, and the hope of sinners, so that by venerating it reverently, we might receive strength and grace to complete the divine struggle of the Fast.
Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Paradise; * it has been mysteriously quenched by the wood of the Cross! * The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished; * for You, O my Savior, * did come and cry to those in hell: * "Enter again into Paradise."
| | |
Annunciation of the Virgin Mary - March 25
Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages.
| | March 25 - Greek Independence Day | | |
WEEKLY CALENDAR:
Sunday, March 23
Sunday of the Cross
8:15am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy
Wine & Oil Permitted
Prosphoro: Maria Macris
Special Collection: Holy Cross Seminary
Fellowship: Greek School
Greek School Greek Independence day Program!
Monday, March 24
Forefeast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos
Strict Fast
6:00pm Great Vespers @ Annunciation, Kankakee
Tuesday, March 25
Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
Fish, Wine, & Oil Permitted
8:30am Orthros
9:30am Divine Liturgy
~4:30pm Feed the Hungry
Wednesday, March 26
Synaxis in honor of the Archangel Gabriel
Strict Fast
6:00pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @ St. Nicholas, Joliet
Thursday, March 27
Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica
Strict Fast
6:00pm Building Committee Meeting
7:00pm Choir Practice
Friday, March 28
Hilarion the New
Strict Fast
6:00pm Salutations to the Virgin Mary
Saturday, March 29
Fourth Saturday of Lent
Wine and Oil Allowed
10:00am Greek School
2:00pm St. Lydia's Ladie's Night Out
Puzzle Making at Church
| |  | |
UPCOMING
SERVICES & EVENTS:
Sunday, March 30
Sunday of St. John Climacus
Wine & Oil Permitted
8:15am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy
Prosphoro:
Fellowship: Coffee and Conversations
Sunday, April 6
St. Mary of Egypt
Wine & Oil Permitted
8:15am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy
Prosphoro:
Memorial: Ioanna "Noula" Hondros - 40 Days
Fellowship:
Saturday, April 12:
Saturday of Lazaros
Wine & Oil Permitted
8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy
Saturday of Lazaros Retreat
Palm Tying, Church Decorating
Sunday, April 13:
Palm Sunday
Fish, Wine, & Oil Permitted
8:15am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy
Prosphoro: Fellowship: Palm Sunday Luncheon
6:30pm Bridegroom Orthros
Lenten Services
Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays
@ 6:00pm
| | |
Total pledged amount: $217,000
Average pledge amount: $1,186
It costs approximately $31K per mouth to operate the Church. Stewardship typically covers approximately 55-60% of the operating budget.
| |
St. Lydia's Ladies' Night Dates
Save the date for the following Ladies' nights out!
Saturday March 29 - 2:00pm
Puzzles and Refreshemnt Ladies hangout, Hosted by Sarah Matalas @ church
| | | On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us (Acts - 16:13-15) | | | |
We are now accepting donations for Great Lent and Pascha. If you would like to make a donation, please contact the church office or the Parish council in the Narthex to sign up. Donations can be given via cash, check or Givelify. For Checks, please write in the memo what donation it is for. For Givelify please indicate which donation in the messages.
Thank you and God Bless!
| | | | |
Palm Sunday Luncheon - Sunday, April 13
Following Divine Liturgy
Free Will Donation
Lovingly sponsored by Argoudelis Family in Memory of Frank Argoudelis
| | Happy Birthday to Ioanna Frentzas who turns 6 March 24th! | | |
Click the link to the right in order to submit you special occasions to share with the community via our online form.
OR contact the church office to share your birthday, engagement, wedding, anniversary, retirement, birth, baptism or any other celebration or accomplishment with our community!
815.722.1727
| |
| |
SAVE THE DATE - JULY 12 & 13
| |
| | |
Sunday, April 6
Ioanna "Noula" Hondros - 40 Days
| | | |
| | |
March
2:
9: Sunday School
16: Stewardship Presentation
23: Greek School
30:
April
6:
13: Palm Sunday Luncheon
20: Great and Holy Pascha
27:
| | | |
| | |
Please, pray for the health and protection of our beloved parishioners:
Irene Vasiliades, Thelma Theodore, Esther Anthos, Elaine Koliopoulos, Michelle Kooy, Vange Policandriotes, Dempsey Taylor, Mary Tucci, and Margie Walsh.
Please also pray for some of those individuals who are facing challenging situations in their life, who are supported by our community's Community Outreach Ministry:
Demetri, Ryan, Michelle, Kenadi, Michael, and Nik.
*contact the church office to be added to our prayer list*
| | | | | | |
