| A N N O U N C E M E N T S 1. WE WELCOME YOU to Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church! We are happy to have you visit and worship with us. If you would like more information about our Parish and becoming a member, please, see Father Basil or any member of the Parish Council or visit our website: www.saintspeterandpaulscranton.com , or phone the rectory at (570) 343-8128. God Bless You! 2. SUNDAY SCHOOL classes are held after Divine Liturgy. All students who are currently in grades Pre-K through 8 are expected to attend religious classes. This is a serious obligation incumbent upon both students and parents. Come to Sunday School every week. 3. DURING THIS season of the Great Fast, let us worthily prepare ourselves to receive the Holy Mysteries of Confession and Holy Communion. As a guide for Confession, use the Lament for Sin which was presented in the Weekly Bulletin on Cheesefare Sunday. Make your Confession sincerely in front of the Icon of the Saviour in the presence of Christ’s Priest and receive forgiveness and absolution from Christ. Pray the Prayers Before Confession and the Prayers Before Holy Communion which are in your prayerbook; make peace with your family and acquaintances; attend Divine Services; observe the Eucharistic fast (nothing to eat or drink from at least midnight before approaching the Chalice); come to Divine Liturgy on time and partake of the Holy Body and Blood of the Lord Christ in Holy Communion. Afterwards, pray the Prayers of Thanksgiving After Holy Communion. Have a blessed and holy day. 4. CONFESSIONS are heard after evening Divine Service and before Divine Liturgy, and by appointment. If you are unable to come to church for Confession and Holy Communion, please, telephone the rectory to arrange a convenient time for Father Basil to visit and administer the Holy Mysteries. The rectory phone number is (570) 343- 8128 (If no answer, let the phone ring 8 times – voice mail will then answer and you can leave a message. Practice patience!) 5. THE RE-GILDING of our parish liturgical objects is an on-going holy work. Many items have already been completed, thanks to the generosity of our parishioners and friends. Yet to be done: small hand Cross - $217.50 4 lampadas - at $121.50 per lampada Lampada above Royal Doors - $442.50 Theotokos banner - $615.00** large standing Crucifix in altar - $277.50* ** next to the Holy Altar *on the Table of Oblation in the sanctuary If the Lord God instills within your heart the desire to make a donation towards this needed, worthy and holy work, please, let us know. May the Lord Bless you! “Blessed are those who love the beauty of Thy House, O Lord!” 6. *CHURCH CLEANING this week (7 March): TEAM # 1 – Kathryn Mason, Ann Marie Bullick, Alma Canfield. “Thank You” for helping to keep our church in clean and proper condition. God Bless you! Please, remember to tend to the main aisle, icons and candlestands after today’s Divine Liturgy. HOLINESS BEFITS THY HOUSE, O LORD, FOREVERMORE! 7. HAPPENING TODAY (7 March): - Coffee Hour will be held at the Center following Divine Liturgy. Everybody of you is invited to stop-in and enjoy some refreshments and good fellowship. Hope to see you there. - The March 50/50 drawing will be held during Coffee Hour. “Shares” for this popular lotto are available at the candledesk for a donation of one dollar per “share”. Maybe March is your month to grab the 50/50?!! - The Parish Council is scheduled to meet for its regular session. All Council members are expected to attend. As usual, the meeting will be held in the Center following Coffee Hour. 8. VISIT OUR parish website www.saintspeterandpaulscranton.com Keep up with news and Divine Services, photos, links to Orthodox sites and more. Be a website Sponsor for a donation of just $15 per month. Sponsorship forms are available in the narthex. We need donations to keep our parish website on-line. PLEASE, favourably consider sponsoring the website for a month or more, God Bless you! 9. THE HOLY FIRE from the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem, burns in the lampadas in our church. If you wish to make a donation for the burning of the Holy Fire in the Altar (Sanctuary) or Nave (main body) of our temple, please, stop at the candle-desk. Offering intentions may be made for the health and salvation of family and friends, or for the blessed repose of departed Christians. A donation of $25 per month is requested to cover the cost of candles. God Bless! 10. MISSION SERVICES (Vespers) are held in various area churches on Sundays of the Great Fast. Our parishioners are encouraged to attend these “Missions” as a part of Lenten discipline. The scheduled “Missions” are : 7 March - Saint Stephan Russian Orthodox Church, Old Forge - 5:00PM - Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Wilkes-Barre - 4:00PM 14 Mar. - Saint John Orthodox Church, Edwardsville - 4:00PM 21 March - Saint Basil Russian Orthodox Church, Simpson - 5:00PM - All Saints Orthodox Church, Olyphant - 4:00PM 11. REMEMBER, please, to offer your personal LENTEN SACRIFICE for the welfare of our parish during this time of the Great Fast. Traditionally, an offering of $40 per person is requested, but you may offer more or less, according to the blessings you have received from the Lord. May the Lord God guide and bless your generosity. Envelopes for the LENTEN SACRIFICE are available in the narthex. God Bless you! 12. SSPPPSBB: Saint John’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 310 Broadway, Scranton, will have a potato/cheese pierogi sale on Wednesday, 17 March. Sale is by order only. Donation: $6.00 per dozen. Call Joanie at 344-3282 or Barbara at 342-8924. [A word to our Parishioners and Friends: When making your Last Will and Testament, please, be sure to include Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church among your beneficiaries. The Church has helped, guided and nourished you throughout your entire life. Making a final bequest to our Parish will help you and it will help your Parish. Pray and consider this. God Bless you!] GLORY TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS! |
