Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday are next weekend! We have several services this week (see This Week's Schedule on this page) but especially note the baptism service on Saturday morning with a potluck following. Catechumens John Plumley and Patrick Finlaw will be baptized. Also note that we have a litya and anointing during Great Vespers next Saturday evening.

Holy Week will be a busy time, please see me for confession no later than Holy Tuesday (April 30th).

This is our final week of Great Lent! Holy Week begins with Bridegroom Matins on Sunday, April 28th. Please check the Holy Week schedule and try to be here for all the services that you can. Note the visit by Archbishop MARK on Monday, April 29th and Tuesday, April 30th.

Father and family are headed up to St. Tikhon’s for confession on Thursday. There will be no services on Thursday the 18th or Friday the 19th this week. Also note that the Wednesday services have
changed: Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday will now be at 9:00 a.m. (9th Hour & Typica at 8:45 a.m.). Matins with the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete and the life of St. Mary of Egypt will be
on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. instead of on Thursday.

Adult Bible Study classes are now in recess.  Please join us when classes resume on Thursday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall.  We will begin at Luke 16:1.

Videos of earlier classes have been posted to the Facebook group that the we use to livestream services. 

Our April parish council meeting is scheduled for this Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The compline service scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th at 6:00 p.m. is cancelled.

Here are the latest arrangements for Ed Hojnicki's funeral:

Monday, April 8th: Viewings and Panakhida

• 1st Viewing: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Break
• 2nd Viewing: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m
• Panikhida: 7:00 p.m

We will have snacks and drinks available in the fellowship hall throughout the afternoon. A "mealtrain" is setup - please signup if you can help bring snacks, drinks, or volunteer time to setup / cleanup. https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/zn30kr

Tuesday, April 9th: Viewing and Funeral

• 3rd Viewing: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.
• Burial at All Saints Cemetery

A mercy meal will follow at Minquadale Fire Hall. All are welcome! The main meal is provided, but deserts are welcome.  

Minquadale Fire Hall, 129 E Hazeldell Ave, New Castle, DE 19720

This coming Saturday, April 20th, our Women’s Group is meeting at 3:00 pm. in the Fellowship Hall.

That same weekend, the girl’s group, Faith, Hope, & Love will have their retreat to St. Nina’s.

Take note of all the services this week. It is a lot, but let us all push ourselves to attend all we can, even if it is for part of the service. Yes, it is hard, but this ascetic labor aids in our salvation.

Take note that the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim of Syria is available on the website.  Keep a copy if you don’t have the prayer memorized, and add it to your daily prayers throughout Lent.

This Saturday. Fr. John Parker of St. Tikhon's Seminary will be sharing on "The Slavery of Liberty."  There will be two sessions - 1:30 to 2:45 and 3:15 to 4:30.  St. Tikhon's Seminary Choir will sing Great Vespers at our usual time of 5:00 p.m.  A reception potluck will be held in the Fellowship Hall afterwards.

Bring your icons! Remember that we do a procession to cap off Divine Liturgy next Sunday, but this time Archbishop MARK will lead us!

Archbishop MARK will be with us March 23rd and 24th for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Let us gather around our bishop in worship! He is Christ in our midst, we should all make every effort to be here!

Plan ahead: Saturday, March 16th the entire youth group meets in the Fellowship Hall at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 17th Faith, Hope, and Love (girls) meets at the Clause home.

The Parish Council meeting for March is on Thursday, March 7th at 6:30 p.m.

Soul Saturdays are a common feature in Great Lent, with the first one occurring on Meatfare Saturday (Saturday, March 9th). We’ll celebrate one of them this year, commemorating our departed for March with Soul Saturday Vespers on Friday, March 8th at 6:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Saturday, March 9th at 9:00 a.m.

In two weeks, we’ll celebrate St. Theodore’s Saturday on March 23rd and commemorate all of the parish departed and loved ones (annual commemoration of the departed). Father will email midweek for requests. 

This week is a fast free week - a respite as we head towards Great Lent. Enjoy some meat and dairy on Wednesday and Friday.

A new women’s group is forming up! Anna (Susanne) DiDonato and Bisrat Gabriel will be leading it; it begins this Friday, March 1st at 7:30 p.m. The first meeting will be at Anna DiDonato’s home, please bring a snack to share. Contact Anna for more information: susanne.didonato@gmail.com.

Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. we have Weekday Vespers and fellowship - please bring a snack to share if you will be staying to fellowship.

Registration for the diocesan Summer Camp is now full!  However, registration will open up again tomorrow (Monday, February 26th) at 6:00 p.m.  Go to the registration link  at that time if you are still interested in registering.  The camp is at St. Tikhon’s Monastery & Seminary from June 30th - July 6th. Once again, there is no charge for all the children of our diocese.

Note: We still need kitchen help and camp counselors.  If you can't volunteer for the entire week, please consider volunteering for one or two days.

Note that the next Faith, Hope, & Love get together is at the Kendall’s next Saturday, February 24th at 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. we have Weekday Vespers and fellowship - please bring a snack to share if you will be staying for fellowship.

Our February prayers for the departed are scheduled for Saturday (2/10) at 4:15 p.m. If you would like to add someone to the departed list, please reply to the email that will be sent later this week.

Join us on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. for Weekday Vespers and fellowship with a “snackluck” following. 

This week we celebrate the Great Feast commemorating the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple. Let us worship together on Thursday, February 1st at 6:00 p.m. (Great Vespers with Litya and Anointing) and Friday, February 2nd at 9:00 a.m. (Divine Liturgy with Hours at 8:40 a.m.). There will be no Bible Study this week due to the Great Feast.

Our diocese is having a single-day women’s retreat on March 2nd. A link to the flyer was provided in the weekly email and a printed one can be found at the fellowship hall entrance. Speak with Madrecita Emilia for more details, she’ll be going!

Join us on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. for Weekday Vespers and fellowship with a “snackluck” following.

The January youth group meeting will be held on Saturday, January 27th at 3:00 p.m.

Join us on Tuesday for Weekday Vespers and Fellowship. A “snackluck” will follow the half-hour service.

Or memorial service for the January departed is on Saturday the 13th at 4:15 p.m. Watch for the email and reply if you have a request.

Phoebe Koehler, daughter of John & Grace Elizabeth will be baptized next Saturday the 13th at 10:30 a.m.

A grave-side panikhida will be held at All Saints Cemetery for Nikolay Vladimirov on Wednesday, January 3rd at 11:00 a.m. 

The funeral for Christine Minnich will be on Tuesday, January 2nd, at Noon. The viewing will take start at 10:30 a.m. Both the viewing and funeral will be at St. Michael's.

Join us on Tuesday, January 2nd for Weekday Vespers and Fellowship. A “snackluck” will follow the half-hour service.

The parish council meeting is this Thursday, January 4th at 6:30 p.m.

Note the various services at the end of this week: Royal Hours, Theophany Vigil and Theophany Divine Liturgy with the Great Blessing of the Waters.

Reminder - bring your containers to collect Holy Water!

Please arrive early to bring your dish and help setup. Everything should be in place to begin by 5:00 p.m. (so by 4:45 at the latest).

Due to the frigid weather and safety concerns, the parish council voted to postpone the annual parish meeting until Sunday, February 4th during Fellowship Hour. Use this link to the meeting packet, to download the agenda and other reports. Please take this extended opportunity to review these materials prior to the meeting. 

The packet also includes a blank Statement of Intent form.  If you have not turned in your signed form yet, you can print it, sign it, and bring your signed copy to church.  There is a collection box for them in the Fellowship Hall.  This will help save time getting the meeting started. 

We will celebrate the Nativity Vigil after Holy Supper, at approximately 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy for the Nativity is Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. No potluck is planned for Fellowship Hour, but coffee will be available and if anyone wants to share some Nativity goodies, they are welcome to.

We will pray for our December departed next Saturday (December 2nd) at 4:15 p.m. Father will send out his usual email mid-week allowing for requests to be added.

Plan ahead! We’ll be celebrating the feast day of St. Nicholas soon. Great Vespers will be Tuesday evening, December 5th, at 6:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, December 6th, followed by a potluck (fish day).

We’ll be decorating this week on Tuesday, November 28th - Daria (Dana) Diehl is coordinating. See her in person or text her at (412) 445-7556. Helpers are needed to put up all of our Nativity décor!

A Moleben of Thanksgiving will be offered at 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. Fr. Timothy Hojnicki will preside.

This week is one of our Great feasts, the Entrance of the Mother of God into the Holy Temple. We have Great Vespers with litya and an anointing at 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening (November 20th). Tuesday morning (November 21st) we have Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. with a potluck to follow (Fish Day).

Next week, Mark Linnehan will be joining us on behalf of the diocese. A new program has been launched called “Heavenly Host” which encourages our youth to grow in their Orthodox faith.

The Nativity Fast begins this week! We will enter the fast with a “Lenten” Vespers on Tuesday evening (November 14th) at 6:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning (November 15th) at 9:00 a.m.  Fellowship time will only be after Vespers on Tuesday.

Note that next Friday, November 10th is our Faith, Hope and Love girls group outing. The outing will be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. See Anna Wales for details.

Next Saturday, November 11th at 2:00 p.m. is our full youth group meeting in the Fellowship Hall.

Our November Parish Council meeting is Thursday the 9th at 6:30 p.m.

Our patronal feast is this week!  Make plans to join us for Great Vespers with Litya and Anointing on Tuesday evening (Novmber 7th) at 6:00 p.m. and for Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning (November 8th) at 9:30 a.m.  Father will share a children’s homily and following the service we’ll have a potluck with festivities for our children.

REMINDER: Father can provide school excuse letters; email him to receive one.

Join Sbdn. Thaddeus as he leads a weekly Bible Study this Thursday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall.  This week we will be start at Luke 5:27.

Videos of earlier classes have been posted to the Facebook group that the we use to livestream services. 

Zoom Information for Tonight's Class:

Topic: St Michael's Adult Bible Study
Time: Nov 16, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87089435049?pwd=Y0ZwaVhKUkFYSWtYc1NoU3pUMyt3UT09

Meeting ID: 870 8943 5049
Passcode: 533721

We’ll have a Weekday Vespers on Monday evening (October 30th) at 6:00 p.m. and a weekday liturgy commemorating St. John of Chicago on Tuesday morning (October 31st) at 9:00 a.m. There will be no official fellowship time after Vespers, but we will have a small potluck after Liturgy.

Join Sbdn. Thaddeus as he leads a weekly Bible Study this Thursday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. in our fellowship hall.  This week we will be start at Luke 2:36.

Videos of earlier classes have been posted to the Facebook group that the we use to livestream services. 

Join us on Tuesday, October 10th at 6:00 p.m. for Weekday Vespers and fellowship. A “snackluck” will follow the half-hour service.

The October parish council meeting is this Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 p.m.

Join Sbdn. Thaddeus as he leads a weekly Bible Study this Thursday, October 12th at 7:00 p.m. in our fellowship hall

Videos of the classes will be posted to the Facebook group that the we use to livestream services. 

We’ll prayer for our October departed next Saturday (October 7th) at 4:15 p.m.

The first meeting of the youth group will be October 14th at 2:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Parents, please check your email to fill out the forms. See Dan Peck for any questions.

The Ss. Faith, Hope, & Love girl’s fellowship meets on October 7th, 6:30 p.m. at the Clause residence.

Join Subdeacon Thaddeus for Adult Bible Study starting Thursday, September 28th. We will meet every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We will be studying The Gospel According to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

These books were both written by the same man, Luke the Physician. Luke, a Gentile Christian, wrote the books for another Gentile Christian named Theophilus so that he would “know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” In the Gospel, Luke gives a carefully compiled history of our Lord Jesus Christ, his birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. In Acts, he continues with the history of the early Church from its humble beginnings in Jerusalem to its spread to the very heart of the empire, Rome itself.

We will study the books in order, from beginning to end, one section at a time just as they flowed from Luke's pen. As we read, we will pause frequently to reflect on the meaning of what we are reading and what implications it has for our lives. This is where we will have an opportunity to share our knowledge, experiences, and insight with each other. We will also consider the commentaries of the Church Fathers. This way of working together makes each meeting fairly self-contained, so if you need to miss a few meetings, you can easily rejoin the group later.

Everyone should bring a Bible to class. The Orthodox Study Bible is highly recommended, but not necessary.

Matthew Minnich’s family (his wife Catherine and his children - Matthew Jr., Maddison, and Jeffery) will be initiated into the Orthodox faith next Saturday the 23rd. All are invited and a meal will be provided afterwards.

Foundations will begin next week - Sunday, September 24th - rather than this weekend.

Michael will be baptized this coming Saturday at 11:00 a.m. If you plan to stay for the fellowship meal afterwards, please RSVP by Tuesday, September 12th.

We will pray for our September departed on Saturday, the 9th at 4:15  p.m. Watch for the email this week to submit requests.

This week we celebrate the Exaltation of the Life-giving and Precious Cross of our Lord. Great Vespers is on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., and Divine Liturgy with a children’s homily is on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. (Hours at 9:10 a.m.). The feast day is a strict fast, so no fellowship after Vepsers and no potluck after Divine Liturgy.

Note that our educational classes begin on September 17th. The Foundations Class will be covering the OCA’s new digital book, Essential Orthodox Christian Beliefs. All adults are welcome!

On Labor Day weekend, after Fellowship Hour on September 3rd, we’ll be getting the floors cleaned and waxed, We will need to put away all the chairs, tables, and children’s items that are in the hall - the entire floor area needs to be clear. Likewise, we’ll need help getting everything out and setup again on Thursday, September 7th before and/or after Great Vespers so all is in place for the potluck on Friday the 8th.

We still need a couple of volunteers - one for the main meal and one for desert. Please see the poster board in the Fellowship Hall.

On Monday evening (August 14th) at 6 p.m. we will begin our commemoration of the Dormition of the Mother of God with Great Vespers, including litya and anointing.  A celebratory Divine Liturgy will be served on Tuesday morning (August 15th) at 9:30 a.m. (Hours at 9:10 a.m.). Last week we brought fruits to be blessed in celebration of our Lord's Transfiguration; this time please bring flowers and/or herbs to Tuesday's Divine Liturgy in celebration of Dormition - a table will be at the front.

We will pray for those departed in August next Saturday, August 12th at 4:15 p.m. Watch for an email this week of those names on record and to make a request.

This week we have Weekday Vespers and fellowship with a vegan “snackluck” this Tuesday, August 8th at 6:00 p.m. On Friday, August 11th,  the small Paraklesis to the Theotokos will be served, also at 6:00 p.m.

Cædmon Stultz will be baptized on Saturday, August 26th at 10:00 a.m.  All are invited!  (Baptism service only.) A small, celebratory potluck will follow.

The August parish council meeting is next Thursday (August 10th) at 6:30 p.m.

Next weekend we celebrate the Great Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord (It falls on Sunday this year.) We will have a “Lenten” potluck (fish day) - please bring something to share in celebration.

Calendar addition! At the end of Liturgy on Sunday, August 27th, we will have our back to school prayers as well as a blessing of backpacks.

Please note our weekday Vespers will be held on Wednesday this week at 6:00 p.m.  We will have a liturgy & potluck on Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. (Hours at 8:40).  We will be commemorating the Great Martyr and Unmercenary Healer Panteleimon.

Next Saturday (July 15th) we will pray for our July departed. Watch for an email in a few days to submit requests.

Photine (Celeste) Davis is having her baby shower in the fellowship hall on Saturday, August 5th from Noon to 4:30 p.m.  Please see the weekly email update to RSVP and access the registry.

Due to the inclement weather this week (July 16th), the vehicle blessing procession in commemoration of the Holy Prophet Elijah will be moved to July 23rd.  The vehicle blessing procession will be at the end of Divine Liturgy. We’ll go around the parking lot blessing all vehicles of all kinds (includes bikes, skate boards, etc.).

Thank you to all who continually donate towards our Good Samaritan Fund. As next Sunday (July 2nd)  is the first Sunday of the month, please consider an extra offering to this fund.

Note that we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter & Paul this week. Great Vespers will be on Wednesday, June 28th at 6:00 p.m., and Divine Liturgy will be at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 29th.
(hours at 8:40). A potluck fellowship will follow - please bring
something to share if you plan to stay.

In anticipation of Archbishop MARK's visit, the adult altar servers will be doing a cleanup of the altar on Thursday, June 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

Anyone else who would care to help out will be more than welcome to join us!

Please note that Archbishop MARK will be with us for Vespers and Liturgy next weekend. Let us give our usual warm welcome to him and gather round him in worship. If you would like to confess next Saturday, please schedule a confession before Vespers.

We will have Tuesday Vespers and fellowship with a “snackluck” this week at 6:00 p.m.

Rafael and Roel Gabriel will need transportation back from Church Camp a day early (Friday, July 7th). If anyone can accommodate them, please let Father know.

This week we will have vespers on Wednesday, June 14th instead of Tuesday, and we will celebrate a weekday liturgy on Thursday morning (June 15th). 

Due to our usual volunteers traveling, we need some others to volunteer to pick up the leftover baked goods for these dates:

• June 24th
• July 1st
• July 15th - Just one more date needing a volunteer.
• July 22nd

All pickups are at 8:45 p.m.

Panera is located at 2311 Concorde Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. Please let Father know if you can help with one or more of the dates.

June’s parish council meeting is this Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday Vespers resumes this week at 6:00 p.m. - As usual, fellowship with a “snackluck” will follow and Father will be available for confession before and after Vespers.

Take note that this week is a Fast Free week in celebration of Pentecost. Next Monday (June 12th) the Apostle’s Fast begins.

Attention all women: Sue D’Orazio is coordinating the Father’s Day potluck, which is next Sunday. Please contact her with details on what you can bring or how you can serve.

Next Sunday, June 4th, we celebrate the Great Feast of Pentecost during which John Koehler will be Chrismated! Make plans to join us on Saturday evening, June 3rd,  for a festal Great Vespers that will include a litya service - an anointing and blessed bread.

No Tuesday Vespers this week as Father will not be available.  Tuesday Vespers will resume on June 6th.

Join us on Tuesday, May 16th for vespers & fellowship at 6:00 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to cook or provide take-out for approximately two homeless families. You will deliver meals to 2501 Milltown Rd (across from St. Michael’s) on Monday, June 5th, Tuesday, June 6th, and Thursday, June 8th at 6:00 p.m.

Please sign-up on the poster board in the Fellowship Hall. Details will follow. See Maria (Sue) D’Orazio for questions - 512-781-5435 suemariedorazio@gmail.com with questions.

The baby shower for Ekaterina (Kate) Bergwall will be held on Saturday, May 13th, at 11:00 a.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. Please see Father’s weekly email for links to RSVP.

No Tuesday Vespers on May 2nd due to Madrecita’s surgery. We will tentatively resume on May 9th.

John Hill has organized an outdoor work day. Please take note of the sheet that John has printed out with a list of work to do and items (e.g., tools) to bring. The workday is scheduled for next Saturday, May 6th at 9:00 a.m. Please come and help!

Note: If you have a needed tool, please bring it, even if you won't be doing the work that requires it.

John Hill has organized an outdoor work day. 

Demetrios (Jim) Petrides reposed in the Lord late Thursday evening. His funeral will be Monday, May 1st.  The viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m., and the funeral will begin at 12:00 noon.

Tuesday Vespers resumes! Join us at 6:00 p.m for Vespers and and a snack based fellowship afterwards.

(Note: There will no Tuesday Vespers on May 2nd due to Madrecita’s surgery.)

Magdelina (Lily) Stulz’s baby shower is this coming Saturday (April 29th) at 11:00 a.m. in our fellowship hall. Ekaterina (Kate) Bergwall has hers on Saturday, May 13th, at 11 :00 a.m. also in our hall. Please see Father’s weekly email for more information.

Rdr. John (Ed) Ross is helping coordinate the men for the potluck on Mother's Day (May 14). Please see him about what you can bring or do to help make it a special day for all of our mothers and God mothers.

Prepare for Holy Unction as well as Pascha by washing yourself clean through the sacrament of repentance - Father is available immediately before or after services on Monday & Tuesday and by appointment Monday - Wednesday.

Please plan to be at Agape Vespers on Pascha Sunday at 3:00 p.m. We will continue our celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection with a potluck feast.

Note the various services this week - Lenten Vespers on Tuesday evening, Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday morning, and then the Liturgical rocket launches with ten days in a row of services. The launch begins with Vespers on Friday to prepare for Lazarus Saturday. On Saturday morning we will celebrate a Baptismal Liturgy to welcome three of our catechumens fully into the Faith. We then launch our celebration of Palm Sunday. Holy Week begins next Sunday evening with Archbishop MARK leading Bridegroom Matins of Holy Monday (Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m.).

At the end of Vespers on Friday, April 7th we will commemorate our April departed. As usual, watch for an email and reply to add names.

Bridget (Tess) Plummer has a friend who will be butchering a certified organic, grass-fed cow mid-April. Thus far, about half the cow is spoken for by those in our parish. Please speak with her if you are interested in purchasing a portion.

Note the various services this week - Lenten Vespers on Tuesday evening, Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday morning, Canon of St. Andrew & Life of St. Mary of Egypt on Wednesday evening, and the Akathist to the Theotokos on Friday evening. 

Father is available by appointment this Thursday, March 30th for confession or to chat from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

We will be hosting Mission Vespers next Sunday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m.

A lot of help is needed. Please see the emails that have been sent thus far or speak with Alice Morjana or Madrecita Emilia.

Take note! We celebrate this Great Feast beginning with Great Vespers this Friday, March 24th at 6:00 p.m. We will have Divine Liturgy (St. John Chrysostom) at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 25th.

Next weekend, on Sunday, March 19th at 4:00 p.m., our sister parish of Saint Herman of Alaska in Glen Mills, PA will be hosting mission vespers. Their rector, Fr. John Perich, is the curator of the St. Tikhon’s Museum and the reliquary for the OCA, so they have an impressive collection of relics. They also will be having a special speaker, seminarian Fr. Herman Belt. (Note: We will be hosting Mission Vespers on Sunday, April 2 at 4:00 p.m.)

On Saturday, March 11th, the dean of St. Tikhon's seminary, Fr. John Parker, will be joining us to host our 2023 Lenten Retreat.  He will speak towards offering ourselves in the service of Christ.  Additionally, eight seminarians that compose the St. Tikhon's Mission Choir will be traveling down with him.  They'll be our speakers for the second session! Each of them will speak about "hearing the call," and sharing a little about themselves.  

This year the retreat will begin at Noon, with a potluck lunch to welcome all of them.  The schedule is as follows:

Saturday:

Noon - 1:00:  Lenten Potluck Lunch 
1:00 - 2:30: Fr. John Parker 
2:30 - 3:00: Break
3:00 - 4:30: Seminarians share 
4:30 - 5:00: Break
5:00 - 6:00: Great Vespers sung by the St. Tikhon's Mission Choir
6:00 : Lenten Potluck Dinner and fellowship with Fr. John and the seminarians

Sunday:

Homily by Fr. John Parker and Divine Liturgy sung by St. Tikhon's Mission Choir.  

Father will be available at the Church this Thursday, March 23rd for confession or to chat from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Please make an appointment.

Next Sunday, bring your favorite icon for the procession in remembrance of the Triumph of Orthodoxy.

We have services everyday this week! On Monday, February 27th we begin the beautiful Canon of St. Andrew of Crete which continues on Tuesday, February 28th and Thursday, March 2nd.  We have two Presanctified liturgies this week, both at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1st and Friday, March 3rd.  Both presanctified liturgies are followed by Lenten potlucks. If you plan to commune at the Presanctified Liturgies, please remember to fast from midday on.

Father will be available at the Church this Thursday, February 23rd for confession or to chat from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please make an appointment.

Join us for Cheesefare Vespers and fellowship (with a light potluck) this Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Vespers this Tuesday marks the beginning of the use of the Lenten prayer of St. Ephraim.

Join us for Vespers and fellowship (with a light potluck) this Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Every year just before Great Lent there is a fast free week, it is now upon us!

Church School and Foundations class were cancelled on February 5th due to the All Parish Meeting.  They will both resume on February 12th at their normal times.

There will be no Tuesday Vespers this week as we will have Great Vespers on Wednesday, February 1st at 6:00 p.m.  Divine Liturgy will be on Thursday, February 2nd at 9:30 a.m. followed by a potluck. 

Out church women will be going country line dancing at The Grand on Friday, February 3rd, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. There is a $7 entrance fee.  See the email updates for the link to sign-up.  Please contact Elizabeth Clause for more details.

We will have a talent show and dinner next Saturday, February 18th. Vespers will be moved up to 4:00 p.m. The Talent show and Potluck will follow afterwards. Please sign-up if you will be there. See Dan Peck with any questions. Please consider scheduling your confession before Vespers or during the week.

We have Tuesday Vespers with snacks and fellowship this week at 6:00 p.m. Note that we also have a “Daily” Divine Liturgy this week at 9:00 a.m. followed by fellowship and a potluck.

The January Panikhida is next Saturday, January 21st. As usual, an email will be sent containing all the names.  Please reply if you would like to add one.

Coming soon! Stay tuned for more details. A preliminary hike is planned on the afternoon of Sunday, January 8th at White Clay Creek Preserve Park.

Our January parish council meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00 p.m.

Our annual all-parish meeting will be held on Sunday, February 5th, during Fellowship Hour. Additionally, we will have the election of corporate Trustees pursuant to Title 27, Section 101 of the Delaware State Code. Postings will be on the doors for the minimum 10 days required before our annual meeting. The Trustees to be voted on are:

• Brian Burns (Fr. Silouan)
• Richard Peck (Sbdn. Basil)
• Susan Skomorucha

Please download and review the meeting packet before Sunday.  This will help speed up the meeting and save paper.  There will be a limited number of paper copies of the packet at the meeting.

Tuesday Vespers and fellowship with mini-potluck resumes this week on Tuesday, January 3rd at 6:00 p.m.

No Church Open hours are scheduled for this week.  Also, no Church Open hours will be scheduled during January due to house blessings. Father will be available during our normal service times (before or after Vespers services) or by appointment during the week.

We have a busy week this week that culminates with the Great Feast of Theophany on Friday morning. Join us for Keenan’s baptism as well as the Blessing of the Waters and a celebratory potluck.

• Royal Hours at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4th
• Festal Matins with anointing at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 5th
• Great Feast of Theophany at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6th

The Church will be open this Thursday, December 22nd from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.. Father will be available by appointment for confession and/or to chat.

We will have a “light” Fellowship Hour next Sunday since many families have plans right after the service. If you plan to stay, please register online. A link was sent with the weekly email.

Join us on Tuesday, December 20th for a Nativity Daily Vespers and fellowship. A small potluck will follow the half-hour service.

The Church will be open this Thursday, December 8th from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Father will be available by appointment for confession or to chat.

We will celebrate Great Vespers with Litya & Anointing at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 5th. Divine Liturgy will be on Tuesday, December 6th at 9:30 a.m. followed by fellowship and a visit by St. Nicholas!

We are at 63 attendees. If you have not signed-up yet, please see the link in the weekly email or let Father or Madre know you are going to attend. Based on the sign-ups we should have plenty of food, but we could use some more loaves of fresh baked bread. Some sparkling drinks for the children to participate in the toast with would be appreciated as well.

The Church will be open this Thursday, December 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Father will be available by appointment for confession or chat.

Please note that choir rehearsals to review hymns for Nativity and Theophany are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. next Saturday, December 3rd and for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 17th.

In addition to Tuesday Vespers this week, we will celebrate Liturgy on Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. (Hours at 9:10 a.m.) with a potluck to follow.

Fr. Timothy Hojnicki will be leading a service of prayer on Thanksgiving morning at 10:00 a.m.

Our monthly parish council meeting is this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Church open time is 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. this Thursday, November 10th. If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

We will not be having Church Open hours this week.  Please contact Father if you need to make an appointment the first half of this week.

Our celebration of our guardian and defender, our heavenly intercessor Archangel Michael is this Tuesday, November 8th. We will dedicate our renovated Church School space and have activities geared towards our children. Let us all worship and celebrate together!

There will be no church open time this week.  Please contact Father Silouan if you need to make an appointment.

Join us at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25th for Daily Vespers and fellowship. A small potluck will follow the half hour service.

Please remember to bring your decorated pumpkin next weekend. Preferably set it up before or after Great Vespers on Saturday, October 29th. The Fundraising event for the Brasowski’s will occur during fellowship hour on Sunday, October 30th.

Photine’s (Celeste Bond’s) Bridal Shower is this Friday at 4:30 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall - all women are invited

We will be having an All-Parish meeting on Sunday, November 6th during Fellowship Hour to adopt new bylaws. See the weekly email for the link to the PDF or ask for a printed copy at the candle
desk. Please contact Father with any questions.

Next weekend (October 22nd & 23rd) Archbishop MARK will be with us for Vespers and Liturgy (with potluck following.)

The church will be open on Thursday, October 20th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (note the time change). If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

This week Daily Vespers and Fellowship will be on Monday, October 17th at 6:00 p.m. We will have a Daily Liturgy service on Tuesday morning, October 18th, at 9:00 a.m. followed by a potluck.

Please help support the purchase of grocery gift cards for local veterans. Donations will be collected now through December 18th.  There are three ways to donate to the effort:

1. Online.  A giving category "Veteran's Fund" has been set up in ChurchTrac.
2. By check.  Please designate "Veterans" on your check.
3. With cash.  Place cash in a labeled envelope.

Church will be open on Thursday, October 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (note the time change). If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Volunteers are still needed to cook or provide take-out for approximately two homeless families. You will deliver meals (no contact) to 2501 Milltown Road (across from St. Michaels) on Monday, November 7th,, Tuesday, November 8th, and Thursday, November 10th at 6:00pm. Please sign up on the poster board in the Fellowship Hall at the beverage table. Contact Maria (Sue) D’Orazio at 512-781-5435 or suemariedorazio@gmail.com with any questions.

Note that we are having Daily Vespers on Wednesday this week (October 5th at 6:00 p.m.) and a Liturgy on Thursday morning (October 6th at 9:30 a.m.). Daily services will vary this month. They can be found on the October calendar.  Printouts are available in the narthex.  

For the past several years we have taken a collection for our veterans towards gift-cards that will be purchased and dispersed by one of our own veterans, Sam Sylvest. Over the next couple of months,
please consider a donation towards this temporary fund.

The October parish council meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, October 6th, at 7:00 p.m.

The Church will be open this Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Join us on Tuesday for Daily Vespers and fellowship. A small potluck will follow the half-hour service.

Church school is tentatively scheduled to begin next week if the weather is good (Outdoor class). Foundations class will resume next week rain or shine.

No Daily Vespers on Tuesday September 13th, but we will have Great Vespers! Join us.

This week we celebrate the Exaltation of the Life-giving and Precious Cross of our Lord. We will have Great Vespers with Litya and Annointing on Tuesday, September 13th at 6:00 p.m., and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, September 14th at 9:30 a.m.  A vegan potluck will follow the Divine Liturgy.

The parking lot will be closed until Friday this week for resealing and striping. If access to the Church is needed, please contact Father to make arrangements.

There will be no Tuesday Vespers or Church Open Time this week due to the Great Feast.  Father is available for confession our counsel befor or after Vespers and also by appointment.

Our September council meeting is Thursday (September 8th) at 7:00 p.m. Our nominees for next year’s council are encouraged to attend.

We will pray for our September departed on Saturday the 10th at 4:15 p.m. Watch for the usual email with the list of names Father already has and to submit any requests

Please make plans to celebrate and worship with us this week and next. The Great Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos will be on Thursday, September 8th.  The Great Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious Cross will be on Wednesday, September 14th.  Great Vespers with Litya and Annointing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the evening before each feast day.  Divine Liturgies will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the day of each feast.  Potlucks will follow both Divine Liturgies.

Join us for Vespers & fellowship on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a snack or a light meal to share.

The Church will NOT be open this coming Thursday (September 1st). Father is available by appointment on Tuesday, August 30th (AM or PM).

Foundations class begins on September 11th. Come deepen your understanding of Orthodox Christian theology and the sacraments.

Note that Monday, August 29th commemorates the beheading of St. John the Baptist and is a strict fast day.

Join us for Vespers & fellowship on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a snack or light meal to share.

The Church will NOT be open this coming Thursday. Father is available by appointment during the afternoon of Tuesday the 23rd .

Please note that we will conclude Liturgy on Sunday, August 28th, with special prayers for all students and teachers. Don’t miss out! Bring a backpack or bookbag to be blessed too!

Due to Ned's funeral, instead of a full Panikhida to commemorate the August departed, we will pray a Lity for the Departed at the end of Great Vespers on the 13th. As usual, all of  the departed each month are commemorated at each Divine Liturgy.

Ned’s funeral will be held on Saturday, August 13th. The viewing will be at 9:00 a.m. and the funeral will begin at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at All-Saints Cemetery and a mercy meal will follow in our fellowship hall.

The Church will be open on Thursday, August 11th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Father will be available by appointment for confession or to chat.

Join us for Vespers & fellowship on Tuesday, August 9th. Please bring a snack or light meal to share (Fish day!).

The August parish council meeting is on Thursday, August 11th at 7:00 p.m.

Join us for Daily Vespers & fellowship on Tuesday, August 2nd at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a snack or light meal to share.

The Church will be open on Thursday, August 4th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Father will be available by appointment for confession or to chat.

Our iconographer has scheduled August 9th - August 12th to install the icons for the upper walls.

Volunteers are needed to cook or provide take-out for approximately two homeless families. You will deliver meals (no contact) to 2501 Milltown Rd (across from St. Michael’s) on Monday, August 29th, Tuesday, August 30th, or Thursday, September 1st, at 6:00pm. Please sign up on the poster board in the Narthex. Details will follow. See or call Maria (Sue) D’Orazio with any questions. Cell: (512)781‑5435 Email: suemariedorazio@gmail.com

We will celebrate Great Vespers next Friday, August 5th at 6:00 p.m. and the Feast of the Transfiguration at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday the 6th. It will be a more festive liturgy than normal as we bring some of our catechumens fully into the Church.

Tuesday Vespers and fellowship will resume Tuesday, July 26th at 6:00 p.m. Note that this will be a Great Vespers and also include healing prayers and an anointing with oil blessed over the relic of St. Panteleimon.

The Church will be open  on Thursday, July 28th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Father will be available by appointment for confession or to chat.

On Saturday, July 23rd, there will be a choir rehearsal at 3:30 p.m.

No Tuesday Vespers this week. We will resume on Tuesday, July 12th.

The Church will be open on Thursday, July 14th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Father will be available by appointment for confession or to chat.

An All-Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 24th during the fellowship hour. We will primarily discuss expanding the parking lot.

Take note that the Apostle’s Fast begins Monday, June 20th and lasts through Wednesday, June 29th.

Note that the next Tuesday Vespers will not be until June 28th - it will be a Reader’s Vespers celebrating the Apostle’s Peter & Paul followed by a Reader’s Panikhida for Arsenius Peck.

The Church will be not be open again until Thursday, June 30th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Father will be available by appointment for confession or to chat.

The Church will be open this Thursday, June 16th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Father will be available by appointment for confession or to chat.

Please mail the rest of your applications (health portions) ASAP.

Next week is the Father’s Day Potluck. The women are hosting in hopes of teaching the men a lesson on how to properly host Mother’s Day. Please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

The current plan is to rent a U-Haul to remove the remaining items from the church basement on the morning of Saturday June 11th. We will need probably four strong men to help with lifting & carrying. If there is something you would like, but couldn't figure out how to get it to your house, we could possibly (depending on mileage) deliver it when we take unwanted things to Goodwill. There will be sign-up forms in the Narthex on Sunday. If you can help with this phase, please contact Elizabeth Clause (elizabeth.clause@gmail.com).

If there is enough interest, we will attempt to have some summertime play-dates/meet-ups for the children of the parish.  Families who participate will be responsible for "hosting" two gatherings in the course of the summer, which can be as simple as: "We are meeting at the Lums Pond Playground this Tuesday from 9:30-12:30, bring a sack lunch." If we can make it happen, perhaps we can get a group for a Blue Rocks Game or a museum visit. Here's a link to the Google Form: https://forms.gle/UBaCjYok8UQrgS7D8 This info will be valuable for planning events that are convenient & interesting.

As we are finishing up the school year, we would like to invite the youth of St. Michael's to share their gifts with us in a cultural evening - music, oration (poetry or prose), dance, etc, on the evening of the Feast of the Ascension, June 2nd, 6:30pm, at St. Michael's. Adults, please bring a heavenly potluck dish to share. Please email me (elizabeth.clause@gmail.com) if your student would like to participate and the details of what they will
perform, to be listed in the program.

His Eminence, Archbishop MARK will be with us for Great Vespers and Liturgy this coming weekend. (July 30th and 31st.)  In addition to the normal Fellowship Hour volunteers, all are encouraged to bring a favorite dish to share.

This week the Church will be open on Thursday, May 26th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

St. Tikhon’s Memorial Day Pilgrimage is back! While there are events throughout the weekend, the main day is Memorial Day itself - Monday, May 30th. The miraculous Iveron icon will be present.

Next Sunday (May 22nd) we will celebrate our graduates! Sylvia Bachinsky graduated from UD back in January, Cole (Eustace) McElmurray has just graduated from UD, and that will be his final Sunday with us.  Emma Long graduates from high-school. Any others? Let Father know!

Volunteers are needed to cook or provide take-out for two homeless families. Meals will be delivered to to 2501 Milltown Rd (across from St. Michaels)
on Monday, June 6th, Tuesday, June 7th, or Thursday, June 9th, at 6:00 p.m. Please sign up on the poster board in the Narthex.

Contact Maria (Sue) D’Orazio 512-781-5435, suemariedorazio@gmail.com with any questions.

The parish council meeting for May is this Wednesday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m.

On Monday, May 9th we will begin the new chandelier installation. The current one will be removed so the support structure can be analyzed and a plan put in place to install the new one.

Our flooring project continues tomorrow (Monday, May 9th). The choir loft will have the same wooden floors installed and the stair well will be refreshed with new carpet.

We will pray for our departed next Saturday, May 7th. Watch for the usual email requesting names in addition to those already in our metrical book.

Please note that the potluck has been removed from the 3:00 p.m. Agape Vespers on Sunday, April 24th. We will have a celebratory St. Thomas Sunday (May 1st) potluck and egg hunt.

The funeral for Dolores will be on Holy Wednesday, April 20th. The viewing will be open to the public at 10:30 a.m. and the funeral will be at 12:00 noon.

We will have services on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Wednesday, April 13th, will be our last evening Pre-Sanctified service this year, at 6:30 p.m. (the final one will be Holy Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.) There will be a Lenten potluck following the service.

Friday, April 15th is Great Vespers for Lazarus Saturday, and Saturday, April 16th is Lazarus Saturday, when we will have a baptismal Divine Liturgy and receive five of our catechumens as full members of the Body of Christ. A Lenten potluck will follow this service as well.

St. Michael’s will be open on Thursday, April 14th from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

St. Michael’s will be open on Thursday, April 7th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Please note that choir practice for Holy Week and Pascha is scheduled for next Saturday (April 9th) at 3:30 p.m.

St. Michael’s will be open on Thursday, March 31st from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Next Sunday (April 3rd) is the first Sunday of the month, when we take up an extra offering for the Good Samaritan Fund. The struggles of the Fast have led a number of individuals to use it. Please help keep it well funded.

Next Saturday, April 2nd, is “Memorial Saturday.” At 4:00 p.m. we will commemorate all of the departed of the parish that we have a record for (everyone in our Metrical book) and any requests. Watch for a separate email for this commemoration.

This week we have two Presanctified Liturgies - Wednesday and Friday, both at 6:30 p.m.

At the end of our Presanctified Liturgy on Friday (April 1st) we will pray for all those departed in April.  Watch for an email requesting names on Monday.

St. Michael’s will be open on Thursday, March 24th, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Due to Father’s Clergy Peer Group next Thursday, St. Michael’s will be open on Tuesday instead from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Please notify Alice Morjana ASAP if you plan to attend any portion of the Saturday retreat. It is this Saturday (March 19th). namorjana@aol.com

Schedule:
• Arrival time: 10:00 Coffee/snack and fellowship
• Session 1: 10:30 - noon
• Lunch : 12:00- 1:15
• Session 2: 1:30-3:00
• Molieben to St. Anna: 3:15
• Vespers: 4:00pm.

Take note that Great Vespers will be at 4:00 p.m. due to the retreat.

St. Michael’s will be open from 1 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 10th.  If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

We are trying to get a good idea of how many will attend the talks by Abbot Sergius on Saturday, March 19th. If you have not yet, please email Alice
Morjana if you plan to attend. namorjana@aol.com

Next Sunday (March 13th) is the Sunday of Orthodoxy - be sure and bring a favorite icon. We’ll be having a procession at the end of Liturgy.

This week we have a service every evening Monday - Friday at 6:30 p.m. See the front page or calendar.  If you plan to commune at the Pre-Sanctified Liturgies on Wednesday and/or Friday, please remember to fast from around Noon.

Note: We will have a Lenten potluck following each Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.

We will commemorate the March departed at the end of the Pre-Sanctified liturgy on Friday (March 11th).  It will be a Memorial Litya. Watch for an email this week.

Join us for our final Daily Vespers until after Pascha. This is a special one! Cheesfare Week is “semi-Lenten.” Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.  Fellowship with a “snack-luck” will follow in the hall.

St. Michael’s will be open from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3rd.  If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Next Sunday we will take up an offering for the Good Samaritan Fund. This is done on the first Sunday of every month, but offerings are welcome to this fund at anytime (works online as well.)

Just like last week, in cleaning out all our meats, lets clean out all our dairy based foods - bring them to share.

Next Sunday, March 6th,  after everyone has had a chance to eat, we’ll have Forgiveness Vespers. Please make it a point to stay and attend this very important service and entrance into the Great Fast

It grieves me to share that Amanuel Kiflemariam unexpectedly reposed in the Lord late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.  He was 49 years of age and leaves behind his wife and children. The funeral is being planned for this Saturday, the 26th. The viewing will be at 8:30 a.m. with the funeral beginning at 10:0 a.m.   

May his soul dwell with the righteous.

Join us for a prayerful service on Tuesday, February 22nd at 6:00 p.m.  Fellowship with a “snack-luck” will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

St. Michael’s will be open from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 24th. If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Next Sunday (February 27th) is our final day to have meat until Pascha. Let’s make it count - bring a yummy, meaty dish to share.

Join us for a prayerful service on Tuesday at 6 PM. Fellowship with a “snack-luck” to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

St. Michael’s will be open from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on Thursday February 17th.  If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

Note that this week is a fast free week! After this, we start to ease into our Lenten fasting routine.

A movie on the life of St. Nektarios will have a one day, one time showing on March 21st at 7 p.m. 

Back to normal this week - join us for a prayerful service on Tuesday, February 8th at 6:00 p.m. Fellowship with a “snack-luck” will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

St. Michael’s will be open from Noon to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 10th. If you would like to see Father for confession or just to chat, please make an appointment.

We will be celebrating this great feast of our Lord on Tuesday evening & Wednesday morning. Join us for Great Vespers at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.  A potluck will follow the Divine Liturgy - note that is a “Fish” day.

NOTE: At the end of Liturgy on Wednesday we will have a candle blessing. A table will be setup at the front - bring your candles to be blessed. 

St. Michael’s will not be open this week due to the feast and a Clergy Peer Group meeting that Father will be attending. (Father is available for appointments at the Church on Thursday morning.)

Daily Vespers & Fellowship will resume next week (Tuesday, February 8th) as we have Great Vespers on Tuesday of this week.

Daniel Peck sent this email out on the Listserv this last week, in case anyone missed it:

You are invited to attend the first ever Saint Valentine's Concert. The event will take place after Vespers on Saturday the 5th of February. If you are curious, I will be wearing a suit jacket and trying to look snazzy, and my wife won't try that hard and will easily outdo me. Vespers is being moved to 4:00 p.m., and the event will begin shortly after: refreshments will be at 5:30 with the performances from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. You must be 10 years old or older in order to attend/perform. We hope you will consider performing, but either way, please fill out this form as your RSVP:

https://bit.ly/valentineconcert

We are planning on providing childcare for ages 3-9, let me know if you are able to volunteer. We are leaving our infant home with a babysitter. I am sure any young adult who helps would appreciate a donation! Up to you, but perhaps $20 an hour? Please reach out to me if you have any questions!

djpeck@gmail.com

Love,
Dan Peck

Archimandrite Sergius, the abbot of St. Tikhon’s Monastery, will be joining us on the weekend of March 19th and 20th to lead a Lenten retreat.

There will be no Daily Vespers this week due to the flooring installation.

St Michael's will not be open this week due to the flooring installation.

The wood flooring is going in this week!  Everything needs to be moved back at the end of the week before Vespers next Saturday.  Altar setup (men please) will be held on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.  The rest of the Church (everyone who is able) please come and help on Friday at 7:00 p.m. or Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m.

Join us on Tuesday for a prayerful Vespers service. I will be available to hear confessions as well. Fellowship time with a light/snack potluck will be held afterwards.

St. Michael’s will be open on Thursday the 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reserve a slot by emailing or texting Father or let him know in person.

The new wood flooring is being installed in the church during the week of January 24th. Everything in the Church (from the Candle Room all the way through to the Altar) has to be moved out to the hall on Sunday afternoon the 23rd.

Additionally, (almost) everything needs to go back at the end of the week before Vespers on the 29th. We’ll likely have two sets of times for the move back - Friday evening the 28th and Saturday morning / early afternoon the 29th-more details later on the move back.

We will have an All-Parish Meeting on February 6th during Fellowship Hour to discuss the Heavenly Vision progress and Ivan, the iconographer from St. Tikhon’s, will be here to lay out Phase 2.

The next St Michael's Church Open day will be Tuesday, January 4th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have.  You may also feel free to pray silently on your own. Reserve a slot by emailing or texting Father or let him know in person.

Daily Vespers  will resume on Tuesday, January 4th at 6:00 p.m. - join us for a prayerful Vespers service. I will be available to hear confessions (before & after.) Fellowship time with a light/snack potluck will be held afterwards.

There is no fasting until the Eve of Theophany (Wednesday, January 5th) which is a strict fast.

Note that next Sunday (December 26th) we will have a Potluck after Divine Liturgy - share those leftover Christmas dinners!

St. Michael’s will be open from 9:00 a.m. - Noon this coming Thursday the 23rd. Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have. You may also feel free to pray silently on your own. Reserve a slot by emailing or texting Father or let him know in person.

Instead of Daily Vespers this Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., the Akathist for the Nativity will be served. All are welcome to come and sing along

St. Michael’s will be open from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. this coming Wednesday the 15th. Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free to pray silently on your own. Reserve a slot by emailing frsilouan@stmichaelsdelaware.org or let me know in person or by text.

Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. join us for a prayerful Vespers service. I will be available to hear confessions (before & after). Fellowship time with a light/snack potluck will be held afterwards.

Our December Parish Council meeting is this Thursday, December 9th at 7:00 p.m.

We will have our traditional celebration during coffee hour on December 5th. The children of the parish should bring their costumes to change into after liturgy. Adults, please bring a bag of treats to hand out. Additionally, a volunteer to tell the story of St. Barbara to the children is needed and an older man willing to play the role of St. Nicholas (Feastday on 12/6) is needed as well. Please contact Elizabeth Clause ASAP.

The Akathist Hymn originally scheduled for Friday, December 3rd has been moved Thursday, December 2nd.  The time is still 6:00 p.m.  I will be available for confession as well.

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, there will be no Daily Vespers or Church Open hours this week.

The Annual All-Parish Meeting will resume on December 12th during Fellowship Hour so we can discuss the renovations and finalize our plan. 

The Great Feast celebrating the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Holy Temple falls on a Sunday this year - next Sunday! We will have a Litya Service next Saturday, November 20th as part of Great Vespers.

The Nativity Fast begins Monday, November 15th. The Church calls all of us to greater ascetic living for our salvation and in preparation to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

St. Michael’s will be open from 9:00 a.m. to Noon this coming Thursday, November 18th. Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free to pray silently on your own.

Join us for a prayerful Vespers service this Tuesday, November 16th at 6:00 p.m. . I will be available to hear confessions (before & after). Fellowship time with a light/snack potluck will be held afterwards.

Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. join us for a prayerful Vespers service. I will be available to hear confessions (before & after). Fellowship time with a light/snack potluck will be held afterwards.

How are you serving? Sign-up sheets to host fellowship-hour, clean the facilities, service-duty, and to help bake prosphora are now available. Email Father if you want to be part of the Gardening / Outdoor Beautification group or the Nursling Home / Homebound Outreach.

Basil and Emmila Peck are hosting a potluck get-together at their house on the 13th. All singles are welcome! Please see either one of them for more details.

St. Michael’s will be open from 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. this coming Wednesday the 3rd. Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any  requests you have, or feel free to pray silently on your own

On Tuesday, November 2nd at 6:00 p.m. join us for a prayerful service. I will be available to hear confessions and for fellowship afterwards.

The feast of the Holy Archangel Michael is quickly approaching. Monday, November 8th, we will celebrate with Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. (Hours at 9:10 a.m.). A fellowship and potluck will follow.

We are holding a class on the foundations of the Orthodox faith.  It is being held Sunday mornings in the sanctuary during church school time (at the ringing of the bell). 

There will be no Foundations Class on Sunday, December 12th due to the All-Parish Meeting.  We will resume on Sunday, December 19th when Father Silouan will be teaching on The Church: Its Structure and How the Theotokos Is an Integral Part.

St. Michael’s will be open from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. this coming Wednesday (October 20th). Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free to pray silently on your own.

Attention to all the ladies of our parish! A meet and greet will be held for Madre Emilia in the Fellowship Hall after Vespers on Saturday the 23rd. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Please confirm with me that you will attend - email alusakm@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing you all there.

- Alice Morjana

Next Saturday is Memorial Saturday of St. Demetrius. We will have our October Panikhida service at 4:15 p.m. Please joins us to pray for all those departed  this life before us. I’ll send an email out on Tuesday morning with a list from our Metrical book and also welcoming requests.

Note the different day and time! St. Michael’s will be open from 9:00 a.m. - Noon this coming Thursday, October 14th. Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free to pray silently on your own.

The Annual All-Parish Meeting will be held Sunday, November 14th. Please mark your calendars and plan to be present at Fellowship Hour. There will be no Church School or Foundations Class on that Sunday.

This next Thursday (October 7th) is our parish council meeting. It will be at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Note the different day and time! St. Michael’s will be open from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. this coming Wednesday (October 6th). Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free to pray silently on your own. If you need to meet with me at a different time, please let me know. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.

The next singles meet-up is at Basil & Emmelia Peck’s home after Vespers next Saturday (October 9th). Please let Emmelia know if you plan to attend.

On Tuesday, October 12th at 6:00 p.m. we will begin having Daily Vespers. Join us for a prayerful service. I will be available to hear
confessions afterwards.

Next Sunday, October 10th, during Church School time, Father Silouan will begin a a class on the basics of our faith - “Foundations.” It will cover subjects such as God, Humankind, the Trinity, each of the Sacraments, etc. Come and deepen your understanding of our Faith. This class is required for catechumens. First class: The True God.

Veteran’s Day is approaching! It’s time again for us to begin collecting funds for our needy veterans. Please place your offering in the Sunday offering plate. If it is cash please use an envelope with “VETS“ written on it and your name, if you would like it to be recorded. If it is a check, please make it payable to St. Michael’s (memo: "VETS"). We will buy $25 Acme gift cards and donate them to the Veterans Hospital where they'll be distributed before Veterans Day on November 11th. Thank you for your compassion for those who served our country.

St. Michael’s will be open from 9:30 a.m. until Noon this coming Wednesday (29th). Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free pray silently on your own. If you need to meet with me at a different time, contact me.

Next week His Eminence, Archbishop Mark will be with us. We will have a potluck - please bring some good fixin’s - Juliana Peck will help coordinate; let’s aim for a good balance of greens, meats, sides, and sweets. If you can prepare an ethnic speciality, please consider doing so.

There will be a funeral here on Saturday, September 25th at noon (viewing will tentatively begin at 11 a.m.).  Lily Bandak is originally from San Diego, CA, but was under the care of family here and will be buried in Newark. I will serve the funeral and we’ll need some help with the choir and for hospitality.

Update from Father Silouan (9/20/21):

Please disregard my announcement in the bulletin and yesterday at the end of Liturgy. The funeral director called just a moment ago and shared that the family has decided to have the funeral elsewhere. That being said, no choir or hospitality help will be needed. Thank you to all who were planning on being there.

St. Michael’s will be open from 9:30 a.m. until Noon this coming Thursday, September 23rd. Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free pray silently on your own.

Juliana Peck will conduct a workshop on Saturday, October 16 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. All choir members are expected to attend, and anyone else interested is also welcome.

St. Michael’s will be open from 9:30 a.m. until Noon this coming Thursday (16th). Father will be available for counsel, confession, to pray for you or any requests you have, or feel free pray silently on your own.

Those who volunteered, please have your meals prepared for delivery for the three families being sponsored.

We will have Great Vespers with a Litya Monday evening (13th) at 7:00 PM. Divine Liturgy will be served at 9:30 AM on Tuesday (14th) morning. A potluck lunch & fellowship time will follow - please bring something lenten as this Great Feast is always a fasting day

The diocese has asked all of the parishes to take up an offering to help our two seminarians - Dn. John Black and Bill Rusk. They are both at St. Vladimir’s. Please consider donating next weekend - we’ll take up a separate offering and split the donations between the two gentlemen. Checks should be made payable to St. Michael’s but noted for the “Seminarian Appeal.”

This Saturday (9/4) marks the 40th day of repose for Pearl Minnich. We'll have a panikhida for her on Sunday (9/5) after Divine Liturgy.

Additionally, we’ll have a service for the departed on the 11th for any reposed in the month of September (of years past), for 9/11, and any requests. I’ll send out an email to the parish later this week requesting names for the list.

The elementary ages will begin Sunday School next Sunday (September 12th) at 11:30 a.m. during Fellowship Hour. We need a volunteer for the Junior High / High School ages - a curriculum is available. Stay tuned for an Adult Education class (Book or Bible Study) beginning in October.

NOTE: I need to meet any catechumens and inquirers.  Please reach out to me during Fellowship Hour.

A special All-Parish Meeting will be held next Sunday (19th) during Fellowship Hour due to the extra expenses of fixing up the rectory.

Note that the Nativity will be celebrated as a Vesperal Liturgy (Vespers combined with Liturgy) on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Please fast from lunchtime onward (assuming a normal noonish lunch.) Let’s have a potluck too! Bring something to share for after the service. The Exaltation is still TBD - it might be Vesperal or might be served normally.

We will celebrate the first major feast of the new church year with the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8th). The feast honors the birth of the Mother of God and the salvation that comes through her Son.  The second major feast of the new church year is the Elevation or Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Nativity of the Theotokos is seen as the beginning of our salvation, and the Cross is seen as the culmination of our salvation. By Christ's death on It, our salvation was accomplished.  Mary is also strongly associated with the Cross, for she was the mystical paradise in whom the Tree of Life sprouted; this Tree of Life, Christ our Savior, then planted on earth the life-creating Tree of the Cross (from the Feast). And as He suffered and died on the Life-giving Tree of the Cross, so too we are called upon to take up our own crosses on our shoulders and to die daily for the sake of Him Who died for us.

Fr. Barnabas and family will be taking a leave from St. Michael's and retreat from full time ministry. Their last Sunday will be August 29th. To make sure St. Michael's continues to have a full uninterrupted cycle of services a new priest has been assigned. Our new priest Fr. Silouan Burns, "Madre" Emilia, and family will be moving in to the rectory during the week of August 23rd.  Please be sure to give them the help and support they need as they begin their new ministry in Wilmington. We want to thank everyone for their prayers, support and help during this rapid transition.

The feast commemorates her glorification and salvation in Jesus Christ. Fr. Thomas Hopko says that "the feast of the Dormition is the sign, the guarantee, and the celebration that Mary's fate is, the destiny of all those of "low estate" whose souls magnify the Lord, whose spirits rejoice in God the Saviour, whose lives are totally dedicated to hearing and keeping the Word of God which is given to men in Mary's child, the Saviour and Redeemer of the world". According to tradition, while in prayer, an angel appeared to the Theotokos telling her that she would leave this world. As a token and promise that her Son awaited, the angel gave her a branch with flowers from Eden. So on this day in honor of the greatest flower of womanhood, and the first to receive the promise of the awaiting kingdom, flowers are brought for blessing. We will celebrate this feast with Vespers and Lytia next Saturday evening (August 14th at 5:00 p.m.) and Divine Liturgy on Sunday (August 15th at 9:00 a.m.) as usual followed by the blessing of flowers and seed.

The liturgical calendar once again comes to its close in August with the fourth and final fasting season of the Church year as well as two major feasts. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period begins on August 1st and peaks on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the great feast of the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos.

On Friday, August 6th, the Church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. This feast commemorates our Lord's transfiguration before his disciples on Mt. Tabor. In His Transfiguration He reveals His glory to the disciples. In Him they (and we) now see for themselves the glory of God present in the person of Christ. Please plan to join us for these major feasts as we make our way to the end of yet another liturgical year.

The parish office will be closed Monday, July 19th through Tuesday, July 27th. Fr. Barnabas and family will be on vacation. For any parish emergencies or problems during the week please call Fr. Dn. James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeff Kendall (302) 420-6600. Thank you!

Next Sunday, July 25th, Fr. Dn. James Carpenter will offer the Hours and Typica services. With the blessing of Archbishop MARK, a presanctified Lamb will be consecrated this week for offering to the faithful next Sunday. So everyone should prepare to receive Holy Communion as usual.

Fr. Barnabas will be offering a prosphora baking class on Thursday, July 15th at 9:30 a.m. The class will bake bread, share recipes, techniques, and tips for making the prosphora breads for our Liturgical services. Anyone is welcome to join us for this class. And if you are interested in joining our prosphora baking team please see Susan Skomorucha.

Volunteers are needed to cook for 2 homeless families and deliver meals (no contact) to 2501 Milltown Rd (across from St Michaels) on Monday, August 2nd, Tuesday,  August 3rd and Thursday, August 5th at 6:00 p.m. Please sign up in the Narthex. See Ellen Gundersen or Susan D'Orazio with questions.

Next Saturday, June 19th at 4:00 p.m., prior to Vespers,  we will serve a memorial service for all the departed. Please add the names of any newly departed to our prayer list.

We will have an all parish meeting on Sunday, June 27th following the Divine Liturgy. Please be sure to stay to participate as we all do our part to care for Christ’s Holy Church.

The spirit of Holy Pentecost leads us to another feast and fast of the church. The feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29th. From the 4th Century on, the Church has celebrated this feast which is spiritually linked with Holy Pentecost. It stands as the witness of the Apostles immediate fruit at the descent of the Holy Spirit when it came upon them. The Feast is preceded by a fasting period called Saints Peter and Paul Fast.” The fast is different from year to year since it always begins on the Monday following the first Sunday after Pentecost (All Saints' Sunday). The fast lasts just one day this year, Monday, June 28th, the Eve of the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul. To commemorate the great Peter and Paul, we will offer Great Vespers with Litiya for the feast on Monday, June 28th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, June 29th at 9:30 a.m. 

On Sunday, June 20th in the life of the Church we celebrate the Great Feast of Pentecost. Liturgically this is the greatest of the 12 Great Feasts. (Pascha is in a category all by itself!) Pentecost is the “Birthday of the Church”, the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Just a reminder that next week immediately following the Divine Liturgy, the traditional Vespers of Pentecost with the Special Kneeling prayers is served. In Orthodoxy, we go from glory to glory - come let us welcome the coming of the Holy Spirit!

Our parish council will meet this Thursday, June 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Thank you, council member, for your continued work!

Our study group will meet this Thursday morning, June 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom We will continue our reading and discussion the gospel of St. Matthew chapter 23. Join us!

On the fortieth day after the resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven to be glorified on the right hand of God (Acts 1.9–11; Mk 16.19; Lk24.51). The ascension of Christ is His final physical departure from this world after the resurrection. It is the formal completion of His mission in this world as the Messianic Savior. The ascension itself is not to be understood as though it were simply the supernatural event of a man floating up and away into the skies. The holy scripture stresses Christ’s physical departure and His glorification with God the Father, together with the great joy which His disciples had as they received the promise of the Holy Spirit Who was to come to assure the Lord’s presence with them, enabling them to be His witnesses to the ends of earth. The celebration of the feast of Ascension will be Wednesday June 9th at 7:00 p.m. with Great Vespers and Thursday June 10th at 9:30 a.m. with Divine Liturgy. Join us!

Our study group will meet this Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom We will continue our reading and discussion the gospel of St. Matthew chapter 22. Join us!

Join us for an outdoor family fun night on Friday, June 11th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Join for some games and refreshments. Please see Fr. Barnabas or Mat. Daria if you are interested in helping.

Our study group continued this past week with six of us reading and discussing the gospel of St. Matthew chapter 22. We will continue our study this Thursday morning, May 20th, at 10:00  a.m. on Zoom. Join us!

Our Study group will resume this Thursday, May 13th at 10:00 a.m. We will continue with the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 21.We will continue to meet on Zoom. All are welcome to join us.

The ancient Christian practice of blessing food before it is eaten took on a new dimension in Slavic Orthodox lands at the celebration of the great Feast of Pascha. Customarily, foods from which one was fasting would be brought to the Church for blessing by the priest after Paschal Liturgy. We continue this tradition and encourage everyone to prepare a basket of Paschal foods for blessing. Traditionally, this includes bread with a candle, eggs, butter, cheese, kielbasa and other meats. Cultural variations (such as chocolates or other foods and breads) are also most suitable for Pascha baskets. Food baskets should be
brought to the parish hall before services begin on Pascha night to be blessed immediately following Paschal Liturgy.

It isn’t too late to offer your Lenten confessions. Fr. Barnabas will try and hear confessions as time and availability permits. Confessions will be available Palm Sunday, Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. also Holy Wednesday and Holy Friday by appointment.

Tonight, we begin the Holy Week schedule with Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m. During Holy Week the Church commemorates our Lord's Entrance into  Jerusalem, His Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Holy Week is when all Orthodox Christians should make extra effort to give their full attention to the services of the Holy Week and Pascha.

St. Michael’s parish family members have another opportunity to serve by providing simple meals for families who are in need and who are being helped by Family Promise.  We have committed to prepare and deliver a meal on the following days:

1. Monday, May 24
2. Tuesday, May 25
3. Thursday, May 27

If you would like to sign up as an individual or in a group and prepare a simple dinner meal on any of the above days, please respond back with your date selection to either Ellen Gundersen at ellengundersen5@gmail.com or Susan Skomorucha at skomorucha@aol.com. Please RSVP your interest by 05/09/21. More information for those who sign up to make and deliver meals will follow.

Thank you for your consideration and for your help with this ministry.

Our study group will continue this Thursday, April 22nd with Matthew chapter 21. Consider joining us during the Lenten season for our Thursday study group. We will continue to meet on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

Next Saturday (Lazarus Saturday) morning we will welcome into the Church Cole McElmurray and on Palm Sunday morning, Andrew Ashton, through the sacrament of Holy Chrismation. Join us!

One week from today is Palm Sunday and the beginning of the Holy Week schedule. During Holy Week the Church commemorates our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem, His Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Holy Week is when all Orthodox Christians should make extra effort to give their full attention to the services of the Holy Week and Pascha. This coming Saturday April 24th we will celebrate Lazarus Saturday with vespers Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Our study group will resume this Thursday with Matthew chapter 21. Consider joining us during the Lenten season for our Thursday study group. We will continue to meet on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

Next week we will begin a modified coffee hour for any who wish to participate. Participation is entirely voluntary; and participants should understand that it is impossible to eliminate all risks with respect to COVID-19. Therefore, each coffee hour participant assumes their own risk in deciding to participate. However, with that said, we are taking common sense steps to make fellowship safer, and would ask that participants please observe the following:

1) maintain social distancing at all times when in the fellowship hall, whether standing or seated;

2) continue to wear masks when not actively eating or drinking;

3) sanitize hands before using the coffee pot;

4) wash or sanitize hands before eating;

5) initially food will not be provided but you may bring your own;

6) please use the Clorox wipes on the table to sanitize your spot at table, and your chair before leaving.

We would also ask that all participants be gracious when reminded of these rules.

During the fifth week of Great Lent the Church calls us once again to the Canon of Repentance by St. Andrew of Crete. We will repeat the canon as in the first week of lent however, this time the reading of the life of St. Mary of Egypt is prescribed along with the canon. We will offer this service this Thursday April 15th at 6:30 p.m. Join us!

There will be no study group this week because Fr. Barnabas has to be in Pennsylvania on April 8th. We will resume next week with Matthew 21. Consider joining us during the Lenten season for our Thursday study group. We will continue to meet on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

In Preparation for Holy week and Pascha we will have a church & parish hall cleanup on Saturday April 17th at 9:00 a.m. Please consider coming to help. The more help we have the sooner we will finish. So bring your mask and cleaning supplies for this necessary annual cleanup.

This past week eight of us continued with our study of St. Matthew chapter 20. In the next few weeks, our study will bring us to our Lord’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, His passion, death, and resurrection. It will be great study since these particular gospel lessons are also given in Holy Week. Consider joining us during the Lenten season for our Thursday study group. We will continue to meet on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

This Thursday we will continue our study of St. Matthew chapter 20. In the coming weeks, our study will bring us to our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection. It will be great timing with the study of these particular gospel lessons given the Lenten season. Consider joining us during the Lenten season for our Thursday study group. We will continue to meet on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete (also known as the Canon of Repentance) is a lengthy penitential canon composed in the seventh century, which is sung during this first week and fifth week of Great Lent. The Great Canon consists of four parts, each divided into nine odes like a regular canon. However, there are slight differences between the odes of the two compositions. In the Great Canon, there is a greater number of troparia. At the refrain "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me," a prostration is performed. Also, some of the odes have additional refrains and troparia to the author of the canon, St. Andrew of Crete, or St. Mary of Egypt, one of the greatest models of repentance in Christian history. A basic distinguishing feature of the Great Canon is its extremely broad use of images and subjects taken both from the Old and New Testaments. As the Canon progresses, the congregation encounters many biblical examples of sin and repentance. The Bible (and therefore, the Canon) speaks of some individuals in a positive light, and about others in a negative one—the penitents are expected to emulate the positive examples of sanctity and repentance, and to learn from and avoid the negative examples of sin, fallen nature and pride. However, one of the most notable aspects of the Canon is that it attempts to portray the Biblical images in a very personal way to every penitent: the Canon is written in such form that the faithful identify themselves with many people and events found in the Bible. Be sure to be attentive to these “once a year” worship opportunities.

St. Michael's Bookstore is having a sale for Lenten readings. If you are interested in buying any books, please email Ellen Gundersen at ellengundersen5@gmail.com to place your order. There are many books under $10 and a list will be emailed to all of you. She will notify you when your books are ready to be picked up. Books will only be delivered at church and left on the table outside the social hall (across from bathrooms). Nothing will be mailed to you. Package will have your name on it and an envelope for your cash or check. Please put envelope in collection basket on candle desk. Any checks should be made payable to St. Michael's Bookstore. We have many other orthodox books, prayer ropes, icons, and gifts. Please contact Ellen if interested.

Thursday, March 25th is the Feast of the Annunciation to the Mother of God. We will celebrate with Vespers and Divine Liturgy on the 25th at 6:30 p.m. Join us!

Confession will be available prior to Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and also on Saturdays following Vespers. Confessions are also available by appointment. Please see Fr. Barnabas.

On Sundays during the Lenten season we may notice that the Divine Liturgy is a little different. This is because we celebrate the longer Liturgy of St Basil the Great. In the 4th century Church the liturgy of St. Basil was celebrated every Sunday and feast day of the whole year. It was the official Eucharistic Liturgy to be celebrated on a regular basis throughout the year. Towards the end of the first quarter of the second millennium the Liturgy of Saint Basil was replaced by the liturgy attributed to Saint John Chrysostom another 4th century father of the Church. Some say that the celebrating of Saint Basil's liturgy still being done during Lent is because of the conservative liturgical character of Lent. And since it is the intention of the Church to dedicate more time to prayer during Lent, that it is a good opportunity to teach the faithful dogma by offering for their hearing and singing the profound and all-embracing theological elucidations of the Basilian Liturgy. It is also said that it served during lent because of its expressively doctrinal and educational character. Listen and you will hear the wisdom and beauty of this liturgy on the Sundays of Great Lent.

During the month of April we will be offering the Presanctified Liturgy on both Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. we will be celebrating the Presanctified Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy is not celebrated in the Orthodox Church on Lenten weekdays however, in order for the faithful to sustain their Lenten effort by participation in Holy Communion, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is served. This Liturgy is called Presanctified, since the Holy Gifts are presanctified (or consecrated) on the previous Sunday. Please join us on both Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings for the Presanctified Liturgy.

This past Thursday eight of us continued with Matthew chapter 19. In the coming weeks, our study of St. Matthew will bring us to our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection. It will be great timing with the study of these particular gospel lessons given the Lenten season. Consider joining us during the Lenten season for our Thursday study group. We will continue to meet on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

Seven of us met on Zoom this past Thursday to finish chapter 18 of St. Matthew and start chapter 19. In the coming weeks, our study of St. Matthew will bring us to our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection. It will be great timing with the study of these particular gospel lessons given the Lenten season. Consider joining us during the Lenten season for our Thursday study group. We will continue to meet on Zoom at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

We will be having our February parish council meeting this Thursday , February 25th at 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please email Jeff Kendall if you cannot attend.

Our Lenten journey will begin with Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, March 14th following Liturgy. All should make a sincere effort to begin the Lenten season with this service and the “Mutual Rite of Forgiveness”. On forgiveness Sunday, we sing of Adam’s exile from paradise. We identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity, and delight of our original creation, mourning our corruption in sin. We also hear on this day the Lord’s teaching about fasting and forgiveness, and we enter the season of the fast forgiving one another so that God will forgive us. “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses (Mt 6.14–18).”

This coming week we will begin chapter 19 of St. Matthew. Our study group will meet on Zoom. All are welcome to join us.

This coming week we will finish chapter 18 and begin chapter 19 of St. Matthew. Our study group will meet on Zoom. All are welcome to join us.

St. Michael’s parishioners have another opportunity to serve by making a meal for families who need our help. Volunteers will prepare a simple dinner meal for individual families on any of the following days:
1. Tuesday, Feb. 23
2. Thursday, Feb. 25
If you would like to sign up as an individual or in a group for any of the above days, please respond back with your selection to either Ellen Gundersen at ellengundersen5@gmail.com or Susan Skomorucha at skomorucha@aol.com.  More detailed information to those volunteering will follow. Your participation in this cause is much appreciated. Thank you!

Our study group continued this past Thursday with chapter 18 of St. Matthew's gospel. This coming week we will finish chapter 18 and begin chapter 19. Our study group will meet on Zoom. All are welcome to join us.

We will hold an All Parish Meeting on Sunday, February 14, 2021 following the Divine Liturgy. The purpose of the meeting is to address the need to replace one of our heat pumps. The Parish Council will present the need and costs for your approval at the meeting. We thank you in advance for your participation.

This Friday, January 29th,  Fr. Barnabas, Fr. Dn. James, & Sue (Maria) Dorazio will represent St. Michael’s at the 57th annual Eastern PA Diocesan Assembly. This year the assembly will be held virtually. A special thanks to our Deacon and parish representative for offering their time for this important work in our diocese.

Our study group resumed this past Thursday with chapters 17 & 18 of St. Matthew. This coming week we will continue with the 18th chapter of St. Matthew. Our study group will meet on Zoom. All are welcome to join us.

Our parish council will meet this Thursday evening (January 28th) at 8:30 p.m. We will meet on Zoom and a meeting invitation will be email prior to the meeting.

The feast of the Presentation or Meeting of the Lord in the Temple takes place forty days following the Nativity of Jesus (February 2nd). The feast celebrates Christ’s fulfillment of the Law of Moses calling for all the first born; whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, be consecrated to God. At this time, we also see His mother Mary undergo the ritual purification offering the sacrifices prescribed in the Law. In the feast Christ’s encounters, the Elder Simeon who had long awaited His coming, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, leads the Messiah into the Temple. We will celebrate with Great Vespers on Monday, February 1st and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, February 2nd. The blessing of candles is traditionally offered at this feast so bring your candles.

Note: Great Vespers on Monday, February 1st and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, February 2nd have both been cancelled due to inclement weather.

The feast of Theophany, means the shining forth and manifestation of God, the emphasis in the present-day celebration is on the appearance of Jesus as the human Messiah of Israel and the divine Son of God, One of the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thus, in the baptism by John in the Jordan, Jesus identifies himself with sinners as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29), the “Beloved” of the Father whose messianic task it is to redeem men from their sins (Lk 3:21, Mk 1:35). We will celebrate this blessed feast with Vigil on the eve of Theophany, January 5th at 6:30 p.m. then on January 6th with Theophany Divine liturgy of St. Basil the Great at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Great Blessing of Waters.

Our study group will return from its Nativity and Theophany break. We will resume this Thurs. Jan 14 with chapter 17 of St. Matthew. We will continue to meet on Zoom and all are welcome to join us.

The feast of the Nativity of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ will begin Thursday, December 24th with the Vigil for the Nativity of our Lord at 5:00 p.m. Then on Christmas morning Friday, December 25th at 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy for the Nativity. Please be sure to make plans now to be with us for this blessed feast of our Lord or join us via live stream online.

Our Study group will continue this Thursday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. with chapter 16 of St. Matthew. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

We are now collecting money for Acme gift cards for the needy and homeless veterans. Please give or send your checks (marked VETS) to St. Michaels. We will buy gift cards to deliver to Veterans Hospital. Contact Ellen Gundersen (ellengundersen5@ gmail.com). The last day to donate to Veterans gift card will be January 10th.

Our Study group will resume on Thursday December 3rd at 10:00 a.m. with chapter 15 of St. Matthew. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

Our parish council will meet this Monday evening November 30th at 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please let Jeff Kendall know if you are unable to attend.

Our Study group will take a break this week for Thanksgiving. We will resume on Thursday December 3rd at 10:00 a.m. with chapter 15 of St. Matthew. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

Our book study on The Life of Moses, by St. Gregory of Nyssa will have its last meeting on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:30 p.m.  We will meet on Zoom, and all are welcome to participate.

Our Study group will continue this Thursday, November 19th at 10:00 a.m. with chapter 15 of St. Matthew. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

This is just a reminder that the Nativity Fast is now upon us (November 15th). The fast continues until the Nativity of our Lord (December 25th). The celebration of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the Orthodox Church is patterned after the celebration of the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection.  Please try and make an effort!

Several feasts are dedicated to the Mother of God commemorating and celebrating her life. This week we will celebrate Her entrance into the Temple. In this feast we encounter the holiness of Mary as a small child separated from the world, brought to live in the Temple a life set apart, consecrated, and in a state of intimacy with God. “A deep mystery covers the earthly life of the Most-Holy Theotokos from her childhood to her repose. Her life in the Jerusalem Temple was concealed. ‘If you were to ask me,’ said the Blessed Jerome,’ how the Most-Holy Virgin passed the time of her youth, I would answer that this is known only to God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel detailed to protect her.’”(TTWH) We will celebrate this feast with Vespers on Friday, November 20th at 7:00p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Saturday, November 21st at 9:30 a.m.

Beginning November 15, 2020, ALL parishioners will be allowed to attend ALL Divine services. We will no longer split into groups alphabetically. Services will be open to everyone once again. The choir will also be moved back to the choir loft and safely spaced. The chairs will be moved back into the Nave of the church. Masks continue to be required and we will practice social distancing as much as possible. The choir and readers will not be required to wear the mask when singing or reading. Please continue to be cautious and mindful of our neighbor.

Our annual parish meeting will be postponed until next Sunday, December 13th at 11:30 a.m. We will still have options for both in person and streaming participation. We ask continued patience going forward. Please pray for our Parish Council as we navigate the pandemic safely.

Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “A”- “M”. We continue to ask everyone to wash hands, wear masks, and social distancing when masks are not possible. We will continue to stream our services for those who are at home and we hope to have some streaming upgrades for better sound and video quality soon.

For now the measures concerning the easing of restrictions; Parishioners may resume lighting their own candles. Parishioners may visit and chat outside following Divine Liturgy w/masks or social distance. We will
offer ongoing updates as we make the plans to return. We ask continued patience going forward. Please pray for our Parish Council as we navigate the pandemic safely.

St. Michael’s parish family has an opportunity to serve again by making meals for families who are in need and being helped by Family Promise.

We have committed to prepare a meal on the following days:
1. Monday, November 30th
2. Tuesday, December 1st
3. Thursday, December 3rd

If you would like to sign up as an individual or in a group and prepare a simple dinner meal on any of the above days, please respond back with your date selection to either Ellen Gundersen at ellengundersen5@gmail.com or Susan Skomorucha at skomorucha@aol.com.

Please RSVP your interest by November 9th. More information to those who sign up to make a meal will follow.
Thank you for your consideration and for your help.

Our Parish Council will try to meet Thursday November 5th at 7:00 p.m. Please email Jeff Kendall if you are able to attend.

Our Study group will continue this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. with chapter 13 of St. Matthew. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “N”- “Z”. We continue to ask everyone to wash hands, wear masks, and maintain social distancing when masks are not possible. We will continue to stream our services for those who are at home and we hope to have some streaming upgrades for better sound and video quality soon.

For now the measures concerning the easing of restrictions; Parishioners may resume lighting their own candles. Parishioners may visit and chat outside following Divine Liturgy w/masks or social distance.

We will offer ongoing updates as we make the plans to return. We ask continued patience going forward. Please pray for our Parish Council as we navigate the pandemic safely.

We are continuing with limited in person worship. We are also streaming our services for those who are still at home. Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “A”- “M”. All are asked, for now, to continue to follow procedures.

Our Parish Council will meet this Thursday, October 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Please see Jeff Kendall if you are unable to attend.

Our Study group will continue this Thursday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

Our Study group will resume this Thursday, October 15th at 10:00 a.m. Our group will still meet online. All are welcome to join us!

Archbishop MARK is encouraging parishes to have simplified outdoor coffee hour with social distancing. Fr. Barnabas hopes to arrange outdoor coffee hour in the next couple of weeks. Participation and preparation for coffee hour will be voluntary. We hope to have more details for everyone soon.

We are continuing with limited in person worship. We are also streaming our services for those who are still at home. Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “N”- “Z”. All are asked, for now, to continue to follow procedures.

We are continuing with limited in person worship. We are also streaming our services for those who are still at home. Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “A”- “M”. All are asked, for now, to continue to follow procedures.

Our Study group continued Thursday with seven of us reading and discussing Matthew chapter 12. We will meet again this coming Thursday (October 1st) with chapter 13 of St. Matthew. All our groups will still meet online, and all are welcome to join us!

We are continuing with limited in person worship. We are also streaming our services for those who are still at home. Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “N”- “Z”. All are asked to follow all procedures. Please continue to pray for and support our parish as we face these challenging times.

This past Thursday our Study group resumed with six of us continuing our study of the gospel of St. Matthew. We will meet again this coming Thursday (September 24th) with chapter 12 of St. Matthew. All our groups will still meet online and all are welcome to join us!

We are continuing with limited in person worship. The past few weeks we have been averaging about 30-40 people at Divine Liturgy. We are also streaming our services for those who are still at home. Next week (September 20th) we will invite parishioners alphabetically “A”- “M”. All are asked to follow all procedures. Please continue to pray for and support our parish as we face these challenging times.

The second major feast of the new church year is the Elevation or Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Nativity of the Theotokos is seen as the beginning of our salvation, and the Cross is seen as the culmination of our salvation. By Christ's death on It, our salvation was accomplished. Mary is also strongly associated with the Cross, for she was the mystical paradise in whom the Tree of Life sprouted; this Tree of Life, Christ our Savior, then planted on earth the life-creating Tree of the Cross (from the Feast). And as He suffered and died on the Life-giving Tree of the Cross, so too we are called upon to take up our own crosses on our shoulders and to die daily for the sake of Him Who died for us. We will celebrate the feast with Great Vespers this evening (September 13th) at 7:00 p.m. Then tomorrow (Monday September 14th) Divine Liturgy for the Elevation at 10:00 a.m. Join us!

Our parish council meeting is rescheduled for Thursday September 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Please see Jeff Kendall if you are unable to attend.

According to Holy Tradition, Christ entered the synagogue on September1st to announce His mission to mankind (Luke 4:16-22). Quoting Isaiah (61:1-2), the Savior proclaimed, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to proclaim release to captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord...” Tradition also says that the Hebrews entered the Promised Land in September.

Please mark your calendars for the start of our Thursday Study Group. Our Study group will resume on Thursday, September 17th at 10:00 a.m. All our groups will still meet online. We will once again study the Gospel of St. Matthew. All are welcome to join us!

We will celebrate the first major feast of the new church year with the Nativity of the Theotokos (Tuesday, September 8th). The feast honors the birth of the Mother of God and the salvation that comes through her Son. We will celebrate with both Vespers on the eve of the feast on Monday, September 7th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, September 8th at 10:00 a.m.

In addition to the twelve major feast days, the Orthodox Church celebrates a number of other days with special liturgical and spiritual solemnity. First among the feasts universally celebrated by the Orthodox are those of Saint John the Baptist of whom Christ has said that “among those born of women there has arisen none greater” (Mt 11.11; Lk 7.28). St. John the Baptist met a tragic end. In commemoration of this event, we will offer Great Vespers August 28th at 7:00 p.m. and then on the Day of his Beheading, August 29th, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Just a reminder the Holy Church has decreed the Feast of the Beheading a day of strict fasting.

The feast commemorates her glorification and salvation in Jesus Christ. Fr. John Hopko says that, "the feast of the Dormition is the sign, the guarantee, and the celebration that Mary's fate is, the destiny of all those of "low estate" whose souls magnify the Lord, whose spirits rejoice in God the Saviour, whose lives are totally dedicated to hearing and keeping the Word of God which is given to men in Mary's child, the Saviour and Redeemer of the world." According to tradition, while in prayer, an angel appeared to the Theotokos telling her that she would leave this world. As a token and promise that her Son awaited, the angel gave her a branch with flowers from Eden. So on this day in honor of the greatest flower of womanhood, and the first to receive the promise of the awaiting kingdom, flowers are brought for blessing. We will celebrate this feast with Vespers on Friday, August 14th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Saturday, August 15th at 9:30 a.m. followed by the blessing of flowers and seed.

The parish office will be closed Friday, July 31st - Friday, August 14th. Father Barnabas and family will be taking some time away. For any parish emergencies or problems during this time please call Fr. Dn. James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeff Kendall (302) 420-6600. Thank you!

The liturgical calendar once again, comes to its close in August with the fourth and final fasting season of the Church year along with two major feasts. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period begins on August 1st and peaks on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the great feast of the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos. On August 6th, the Church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. This feast commemorates our Lord's transfiguration before his disciples on Mt. Tabor. In His Transfiguration He reveals His glory to the disciples. In Him they (and we) now see for themselves the glory of God present in the person of Christ. Please plan to join us for these feasts as we make our way to the end of yet another liturgical year.

Our Little Angels Group will also meet online during this time. Please check your emails for Meeting times.

We are continuing with Phase One of our plan for re-opening. The past few weeks we have been averaging about 30-40 people at Divine Liturgy. This week the parish council will discuss our movement to Phase Two. We are also continuing to stream our services for those who are still at home. Next week we will invite parishioners alphabetically “A”- “K”. Those parishioners will receive an email inviting them to the Liturgy. If you are interested in attending, you will be asked to follow all procedures. If there are special needs or if anyone feels uncomfortable attending, we will be happy to try and accommodate. Please continue to pray for and support our parish as we face these challenging times.

Our parish council will meet on Zoom this Wednesday, July ist at 8:30 p.m. Please email Jeff Kendall of you are unable to attend.

The spirit of Holy Pentecost leads us to another feast of the church. The feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29th. We will celebrate with Divine Liturgy on Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. The Liturgy may be attended by any member provided they continue to follow the guidelines for in person worship.

The parish council will meet again this Wednesday evening May 20th at 8:30 p.m. via video conference. Please check your emails for any changes.

The parish council will meet again this Wednesday evening May 13th at 8:30 p.m. via video conference. Please check your emails for any changes.

Our re-opening committee will meet again this Monday (May 11th) at 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Last week our committee discussed the synodal requirements for opening and how St. Michael’s will approach it. We discussed starting slowly by opening the church for individual visitation with access to the priest. The committee will discuss this further on Monday evening as well as the long-term plan for Divine Liturgy access. Please continue to pray for and support our committee as they face these challenging decisions.

Our Study Group will be taking its summer break in order to focus on the re-opening plans. Thank you for your understanding.

The parish council will meet again this Wednesday evening May 6th at 8:30 p.m. via video conference. Please check your emails for any changes.

The All OCA Church School will begin its sixth week of classes next week. With the initial class being held on March 25, the school has brought together hundreds of Orthodox kids from throughout North America, and abroad, to share in their faith, to prepare for our Lord’s Pascha, and now to celebrate with each other in the joy of the Resurrection.

As we continue with our program we are hoping to develop more classes, with smaller class sizes. To assist us in creating for our youth the best program possible, we ask you to complete this brief registration form. Registration is not required to participate in the Church School.

All OCA Church School Schedule April 28 - May 1
Tuesday, April 28
9-12 Grade - 3:30 EDT (2:30 CDT; 1:30 MT; 12:30 PT; 11:30 AM AT)
Wednesday, April 29
3-5 Grade - 3:30 EDT (2:30 CDT; 1:30 MT; 12:30 PT; 11:30 AM AT)
Thursday, April 30
6-8 Grade - 3:30 EDT (2:30 CDT; 1:30 MT; 12:30 PT; 11:30 AM AT)
Friday, May 1
3-5 Grade - 2:00 EDT (1:00 CDT; 12:00MT; 11:00 PT; 10:00 AM AT)

To register for the All OCA Church School please go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDPsVsW0gQ3omK3yUe3UlSl-UTDRzY5K9vIiRdKBMMFFlBag/viewform 

(registration is not required to participate)

To attend classes via Zoom, go to: http://bit.ly/oca_churchschool

Our Study Group will meet this Thursday (April 30th) at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. We will continue our study of the Genesis account of creation. Handouts will be emailed for any to follow.

The parish council will meet again this Wednesday evening April 29th at 8:30 p.m. via video conference. Please check your emails for any changes.

Due to a schedule conflict our Study Group will meet this Wednesday April 8th at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. We will continue our study of the Genesis account of creation. Handouts will be emailed for any to follow.

The parish council will meet again this Wednesday evening April 8th at 8:30 p.m. via video conference. Please check your emails for any changes.

We are one week away from Palm Sunday and the beginning of the Holy Week schedule. During Holy Week the Church commemorates our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem, His Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. This coming Friday, April 10th we will begin this movement with the celebration of the raising of Lazarus (Lazarus Saturday). We will offer online vespers this Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. Join us!

Our Little Angels & Church School Groups will also meet online during this week. Please check your emails for meeting times.

Our Study Group will meet this Thursday, April 2nd on a Zoom Meeting at 10:00 a.m. We will continue our study of the Genesis account of creation. Handouts will be emailed for any to follow.

The parish council will meet again this Wednesday evening April 1st at 8:30 p.m. via video conference. Please check your emails for any changes.

During the 5th week of Great Lent the Church calls us once again to the Canon of Repentance by St. Andrew of Crete. We will repeat the canon as in the first week of lent however, this time the reading of the life of St. Mary of Egypt is prescribed along with the canon. Join us online for the Canon on this Wednesday evening April 1st at 6:30 p.m.

Our Little Angels & Church School Groups will also meet online during this time. Please check your emails for Meeting times.

All church services and activities will be put on hold until at least April 1st.  Please see the directive from Archbishop +MARK above.

Our Thursday study group will be taking a break from the Gospel of St. Matthew in order to study the Old Testament readings from the first three chapters of Genesis. These Old Testament reading accompany the daily readings prescribed for the Lenten season. We will continue this Thursday reading and discussing the 1st Chapter of Genesis with commentaries by the holy fathers. Join us!

Next Saturday March 14th, we will offer a Panakhida (Memorial Service) for all the departed of our parish at 4:00 p.m. The lists of names for commemoration are available for viewing or update at the candle desk.

The first Sunday of Great Lent is called the Triumph of Orthodoxy. It is a historical feast commemorating the return of the icons to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome. The spiritual theme of the day is above all the victory of the True Faith. “This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith” (1 Jn 5.4). Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, “created in the image and likeness of God” (Gen 1.26), becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God’s living image. It is a beautiful culmination of the first week of Lent, the victory of our Faith.

Our basics of Orthodoxy began this week with the Orthodox view of the Trinity. The class will continue this week as we look at history and doctrine. The class will be an excellent opportunity for those interested in becoming Catechumens or anyone interested in brushing up on their faith. The class will meet this Thursday at 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend!

On Wednesday evenings we will be celebrating the Presanctified Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy is not celebrated in the Orthodox Church on Lenten weekdays. However, in order for the faithful to sustain their Lenten effort by participation in Holy Communion, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is served. This Liturgy is called Presanctified, since the Holy Gifts are presanctified (or consecrated) on the previous Sunday. This is an evening Liturgy consisting of Vespers, followed by a portion of the full Liturgy. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts comes after a day of spiritual preparation and total abstinence. All who plan on participating in Holy Communion for the Presanctified Liturgy who are unable to make the effort of total fasting because of weaknesses or illness, should eat a light Lenten meal in the morning or mid-morning and begin fasting for communion by noon.

The Great Canon of St Andrew of Crete (also known as the Canon of Repentance) is a lengthy penitential canon composed in the seventh century, which is sung during this first week and fifth week of Great Lent. The Great Canon consists of four parts, each divided into nine odes like a regular canon. However, there are slight differences between the odes of the two compositions. In the Great Canon, there is a greater number of troparia. At the refrain "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me," a prostration is performed. Also, some of the odes have additional refrains and troparia to the author of the canon, St. Andrew of Crete, or St. Mary of Egypt, one of the greatest models of repentance in Christian history. A basic distinguishing feature of the Great Canon is its extremely broad use of images and subjects taken both from the Old and New Testaments. As the Canon progresses, the congregation encounters many biblical examples of sin and repentance. The Bible (and therefore, the Canon) speaks of some individuals in a positive light, and about others in a negative one—the penitents are expected to emulate the positive examples of sanctity and repentance, and to learn from and avoid the negative examples of sin, fallen nature and pride. However, one of the most notable aspects of the Canon is that it attempts to portray the Biblical images in a very personal way to every penitent: the Canon is written in such form that the faithful identify themselves with many people and events found in the Bible. Be sure to be attentive to these “once a year” worship opportunities.  

We will be offering the basics of Orthodoxy class during the Lenten season on Thursday evenings during the Lenten season. The class will run for six weeks beginning March 5th at 8:00 p.m.  The class will be an excellent opportunity for those interested in becoming Catechumens or anyone interested in brushing up on their faith. Please See Fr. Barnabas or Thaddeus (Scott) Lewis is you have any questions.

Just a reminder that our Lenten journey will begin with Forgiveness Vespers next Sunday, March 1st, at 7:00 p.m. All should make a sincere effort to begin the Lenten season with this service and the “Mutual rite of forgiveness”. On Forgiveness Sunday, we sing of Adam’s exile from paradise. We identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity and delight of our original creation, mourning our corruption in sin. We also hear on this day the Lord’s teaching about fasting and forgiveness, and we enter the season of the fast forgiving one another so that God will forgive us. "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses (Mt 6.14– 18).”

We will be offering the basics of Orthodoxy class during the Lenten season. Please stay tuned from more details concerning times and dates. This class will be an excellent opportunity for those interested in becoming Catechumens. All are welcome to attend.

PHILADELPHIA ORTHODOX CLERGY BROTHERHOOD MISSION VESPERS SCHEDULE

GREAT LENT 2020

ALL SERVICES ARE SCHEDULED FOR 4:00 PM

- Sunday of Orthodoxy 1st Sunday (March 08) Ss Peter and Paul, Wilmington 1406 Philadelphia Pike, 19809
- Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas 2nd Sunday (March 15) St Mark Church, Wrightstown 452 Durham Rd, 18940
- Sunday of the Precious Cross 3rd Sunday (March 22) Holy Trinity Church, Pottstown 1236 Juniper St, 19464
- Sunday of St. John of the Ladder 4th Sunday (March 29) St George Church, Upper Darby 8210 W. Chester Pike, 19082
- Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt 5th Sunday (April 05) St John Chrysostom, Philadelphia 237 N 17th Street, 19103

Our Lenten journey will begin with Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, March 1st at 7:00 p.m. All should make a sincere effort to begin the Lenten season with this service and the “Mutual Rite of Forgiveness”. “On Forgiveness Sunday, we sing of Adam’s exile from paradise. We identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity and delight of our original creation, mourning our corruption in sin. We also hear on this day the Lord’s teaching about fasting and forgiveness. Join us for this Lenten beginning.

Our Lenten journey will begin with Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, March 1st at 7:00 p.m.. All should make a sincere effort to begin the Lenten season with this service and the “Mutual Rite of Forgiveness”. On Forgiveness Sunday, we sing of Adam’s exile from paradise. We identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity and delight of our original creation, mourning our corruption in sin. We also hear on this day the Lord’s teaching about fasting and forgiveness, and we enter the season of the fast forgiving one another so that God will forgive us. "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses." (Mt 6.14–18).

Our Study Group will continue this week reading and discussing chapter 10 of the Gospel of St. Matthew. We will continue this Thursday February 13th at 10 :00 a.m. All are welcome!

The week of the Publican and the Pharisee is fast free. Please use this week to finish up most of the non-Lenten foods in the freezer or pantry in preparation for Great Lent. Enjoy!

Our next Parish Council meeting will be held on Sunday, February 9th during the coffee hour.  Council members who will not be able to attend should notify Jeff Kendall.

Our study group will continue this week reading and discussing the Gospel of St Matthew.  We will continue this Thursday, February 6th at 10:00 a.m.  All are welcome!

The feast of the Presentation or Meeting of the Lord in the Temple takes place forty days following the Nativity of Jesus (Sunday, February 2nd). The feast celebrates Christ’s fulfillment of the Law of Moses calling for all the first born; whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, be consecrated to God. At this time, we also see His mother Mary undergo the ritual purification offering the sacrifices prescribed in the Law. In the feast Christ’s encounters, the Elder Simeon who had long awaited His coming, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, leads the Messiah into the Temple. This year the feast also falls on Zacchaeus Sunday. We will celebrate with vespers and lytia on Saturday, February 1st and liturgy on Sunday, February 2nd. The blessing of candles is traditionally offered at this feast.

Since Father Barnabas will be attending the Diocesan Assembly, there will be no Study Group on Thursday, January 23rd.

Our Study group continued this week reading and discussing the “healing of the paralytic” and the “calling of Matthew the tax collector” in chapter 9 of the gospel of St. Matthew. We will continue this Thursday, January 16th at 10 :00 a.m. All are welcome!

The Parish Council meeting has been rescheduled from Thursday, January 9th to Thursday, January 16th.  The meeting time is still 7:00 p.m.  Please see Jeff Kendall if you are able to attend.

Our Study Group will resume Thursday, January 9th at 10:00 a.m.  We will read and discuss chapter 9 in the Gospel of St. Matthew.

The feast of Theophany, means the shining forth and manifestation of God, the emphasis in the present-day celebration is on the appearance of Jesus as the human Messiah of Israel and the divine Son of God, One of the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thus, in the baptism by John in the Jordan, Jesus identifies himself with sinners as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29), the “Beloved” of the Father whose messianic task it is to redeem men from their sins (Lk 3:21, Mk 1:35). We will celebrate this blessed feast with Vigil on the eve of Theophany, Sunday, January 5th at 7:00 p.m. then on Monday January 6th Theophany Divine liturgy of St. Basil the Great at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Great Blessing of Waters.

The feast of the Nativity of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ will be Tuesday December 24th.  Royal Hours for the Nativity at 9:00 a.m., Parish Holy Supper at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Vigil for the Nativity of our Lord at 7:00 p.m. Then on Christmas morning Wednesday December 25th at 9:30 am Divine Liturgy for the Nativity followed by coffee for those who wish to stay. Please be sure to make plans now to be with us for this blessed feast of our Lord.

Holy Supper on Nativity Eve is a pious tradition from the Christian faithful of various Eastern European regions. The supper is observed on the eves of our Lord’s Nativity in the flesh and His baptism by Saint John in the Jordan River. The meal is a fasting meal with 12 courses representing Christ’s twelve apostles. We will once again have a Parish Holy Supper on the Eve of Nativity. We will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by Nativity Vigil at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to join us. Please see Juliana Peck or Matushka Daria to help.

Our study group continued this past week with five of us reading and discussing chapter 8 and Christ’s “Calming of the storm”. We will meet again this coming Thursday (December 19th) at 10:00 a.m.  All are welcome to join us!

Thanksgiving morning (November 28th) we will offer a Molieben of Thanksgiving at 9:00 a.m. To be thankful (from the Greek eucharistia or thanksgiving) is a profound reality and a central practice of Orthodox Christians: “O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good….” Join us!

The parish office will be closed November 22nd - November 29th. Next Saturday evening (November 23rd) Father Deacon James will offer the Reader’s Vespers and Sunday (November 24th) Father Gregory Dudash will offer the Divine Liturgy.

For any parish emergencies or problems please call Father Deacon James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeff Kendall (302) 420-6600. Thank you!

Several feasts are dedicated to the Mother of God commemorating and celebrating her life. Next Wednesday evening we will celebrate Her entrance in to the Temple. In this feast we encounter the holiness of Mary as a small child separated from the world, brought to live in the Temple a life set apart, consecrated, and in a state of intimacy with God. “A deep mystery covers the earthly life of the Most-Holy Theotokos from her childhood to her repose. Her life in the Jerusalem Temple was concealed. ‘If you were to ask me,’ said the Blessed Jerome,’ how the Most-Holy Virgin passed the time of her youth, I would answer that this is known only to God Himself and the Archangel Gabriel detailed to protect her.’”(TTWH) We will celebrate this feast with Vespers on Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Thursday, November 21st at 9:30 a.m.

This is just a reminder that the Nativity Fast begins this week (November15th). The fast continues until the Nativity of our Lord (December 25th). The celebration of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the Orthodox Church is patterned after the celebration of the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. A fast of forty days precedes the feast, with special preparatory days announcing the approaching birth of the Savior. Thus, on Saint Andrew’s Day (November 30) and Saint Nicholas Day (December 6) songs are sung to announce the coming birthday of the Lord: ‘Adorn yourself, O Cavern. Make ready, O Manger. O Shepherds and wisemen, bring your gifts and bear witness. For the Virgin is coming bearing Christ in her womb’ (Vesperal Hymn of Saint Nicholas Day). Please try and make an effort!

On December 2nd, 3rd and 5th we will cook/serve dinner to local homeless families at St. Philips Lutheran Church 5320 Limestone Rd, Wilmington DE 19808. Please sign up on Family Promise board in the narthex to share our bounty, compassion and love to our less fortunate neighbors. See Ellen Gundersen for details.

A Women’s Retreat, sponsored by the Department Curriculum and Education of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern PA, will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at St. Tikhon’s Monastery. The topic for this year’s retreat is: “We Are Pilgrims On This Earth.” The speaker will be Fr Theodore Petrides. The cost for the retreat is $10 which includes lunch. It is open to all women. Registration must be received by November 9, 2019. For more information, please contact Matushka Emilia Shepherd at (910) 988-3462 or officermillie79@gmail.com.

Once again this past Thursday, six of us continued with the gospel of St. Matthew. We resumed reading and discussing “The Sermon on the Mount” in chapter seven. We will finish with the Sermon on the Mount this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and begin chapter eight. All are welcome to join us!

Our study group continued this past Thursday with the gospel of St. Matthew. Nine of us continued reading and discussing “The Sermon on the Mount” in chapter seven of St. Matthew. We will continue with chapter seven this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us!

On Sunday, November 10th after Divine Liturgy we will have our St. Michael’s day dinner. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex for food contributions. If you have any questions, please see Anne Riley or Karen Hojnicki.

The feast day of the Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless powers will be celebrated Thursday, November 7th with Vespers & Litiya at 7:00 p.m. and then on Friday, November 8th at 9:30 a.m. with Divine Liturgy. Joyous feast to all!

Our study group continued this past Thursday with the gospel of St. Matthew. seven of us continued reading and discussing “The Sermon on the Mount” in chapter six of St. Matthew. We will continue with chapter seven this Thursday at 10 a.m. All are welcome to join us!

On Sunday October 27th, 2019, during the coffee hour, we will have our Annual All Parish Meeting. Please make plans to stay following Divine Liturgy for this important work in the life of the church.

Once again the St. Michaels family will be donating to help local Veterans and their families! For Thanksgiving, they are requesting $25 gift cards from local grocery stores to supplement their dinner tables! OR you can donate any amount, and we will purchase the gift cards for them! Fill out the slip in the Narthex, place the gift card or money in the envelope and place in the collections basket or drop off in candle room. Deadline: November 3rd. See Sam Sylvest or Ellen Gundersen .

Our study group continued this past Thursday with the gospel of St. Matthew. Nine of us continued reading and discussing “The Sermon on the Mount” in chapter six of St. Matthew. We will continue with chapter six and seven this Thursday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us!

Church school will begin on Sunday October 6th during the coffee hour. The class will be for school children ages 5-12 yrs. We will also offer the molieben for church school on October 6th following the liturgy. Thanks to all for the continued support of the youth education ministry.

Our annual parish meeting is coming up in October. Just a reminder that reports in preparation for our ll Parish meeting should be submitted to Jeff Kendall. Thank you all for your continued work for St. Michael’s!

On Tuesday, October 8th at St. Stephen Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia, Fr. Barnabas Powell will be offering a talk entitled “Why Do I Do the Things I Do?....and What Can I Do About It?”  (The Christian understanding of the passions and their remedy). Fr. Barnabas is a well-known speaker and host of “Faith Encouraged” on Ancient Faith Radio. The talk will begin at 7:00 p.m.  More details can be found at ststephenscathedral.org.

Just a reminder that beginning next Saturday (10/5) regular confession will once again be heard following Vespers. Thanks to everyone for their patience in making confession adjustments for the Basics of Orthodoxy class.

The second major feast of the church year is the Elevation or Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Truly, the Nativity of the Theotokos is seen as the beginning of our salvation, and the Cross is seen as the culmination of our salvation. By Christ's death on It, our salvation was accomplished. Mary is also closely associated with the Cross, for she was the mystical paradise in whom the Tree of Life sprouted; this Tree of Life, Christ our Savior, then planted on earth the life-creating Tree of the Cross (from the Feast). And as He suffered and died on the Life-giving Tree of the Cross, so too we are called upon to take up our own crosses on our shoulders and to die daily for the sake of Him Who died for us. We will celebrate with Great Vespers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th and Divine Liturgy on Saturday, September 14th at 10:00 a.m. Join us!

We will celebrate the first major feast of the new church year with the Nativity of the Theotokos (September 8th). The feast honors the birth of the Mother of God and the salvation that comes through her Son. We will celebrate with both Vespers on the eve of the feast on Saturday and Sunday September 7th and 8th.

Please mark your calendars for the start of our Thursday Study Group. Our Study group will resume on Thursday, September 12th at 10:00 a.m. We will continue with our study of the Gospel of St. Matthew. All are welcome to join us!

We are planning to have our annual parish picnic on Sunday, September 1st.  There will be food, drinks, adn fun!  Please see Julianna Peck for ways to help.  We hope to see you all there!

Saint Michael's volunteers will again serve meals to homeless families on:

 - Monday, September 2nd (Labor Day)

 - Tuesday, September 3rd

 - Thursday, September 5th

at St. Philip's Lutheran Church.  Please volunteer to share our Lord's compassion and love with them and sign up on the poster board in the narthex.  If you have any questions, please talk with Ellen Gundersen or email her at ellengundersen5@gmail.com.

Just a reminder our Vespers service will begin at 6:00 p.m. this Saturday (August 24th).  Confessions will be available at 5:00 p.m. and our Basics of Orthodoxy class will shift to 7:00 p.m.  Thanks for your cooperation.

Just a reminder that our August parish council meeting will be held Thursday, August  8th at 7:00 p.m.

The feast commemorates her glorification and salvation in Jesus Christ. Fr. John Hopko says that, "the feast of the Dormition is the sign, the guarantee, and the celebration that Mary's fate is, the destiny of all those of "low estate" whose souls magnify the Lord, whose spirits rejoice in God the Saviour, whose lives are totally dedicated to hearing and keeping the Word of God which is given to men in Mary's child, the Saviour and Redeemer of the world". According to tradition, while in prayer, an angel appeared to the Theotokos telling her that she would leave this world. As a token and promise that her Son awaited, the angel gave her a branch with flowers from Eden. So on this day in honor of the greatest flower of womanhood, and the first to receive the promise of the awaiting kingdom, flowers are brought for blessing. We will celebrate this feast with Vespers on Wednesday, August 14th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Thursday, August 15th at 9:00 a.m. followed by the blessing of flowers and seed.

On August 6th, the Church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. This feast commemorates our Lord's transfiguration before his disciples on Mt. Tabor. In His Transfiguration He reveals His glory to the disciples. In Him they (and we) now see for themselves the glory of God present in the person of Christ. We will celebrate with Vespers on Monday August 5th at 7:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy for the feast will be Tuesday morning August 6th at 9:00 a.m. followed by the blessing of the first fruits.

Fr. Barnabas will be offering an Inquirer’s/Basics of Orthodoxy Class on Saturday evenings in August. The first class will meet Saturday August 10th following Vespers at 6:00 p.m. Any an all who are interested in finding out more or who are interested in becoming Orthodox should try to attend.

The parish office will be closed Monday July 22nd through Friday July 26th. Fr. Barnabas and family will once again be away. For any parish emergencies or problems during the week please call Fr. Dn. James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeff Kendall (302) 420-6600. Thank you!

Our vacation church school will be held this Thursday, August 1st through Saturday, August 3rd, 2019. Our focus will be on the vocations of the Divine Liturgy. Our VCS will conclude with the Divine Liturgy on August 3rd. We encourage all the faithful of St. Michael’s to join us even though the focus will be on letting our little ones use their gifts. Please see Laura Whalen or Fr. Barnabas for more information.

The liturgical calendar once again comes to its close in August with the fourth and final fasting season of the Church year along with two major feasts. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period begins on August 1st and peaks on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the great feast of the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos. Please plan to join us for these feasts as we make our way to the end of yet another liturgical year.

Due to the hot weather this weekend, we will postpone our Blessing of the Vehicles until next week (July 28th).

In commemoration of the holy prophet Elijah (July 20) who was taken into heaven on a fiery chariot, we will be offering the blessing of vehicles next Sunday (July 28th) following Liturgy. The glorious prophet Elijah is therefore known as the patron saint of vehicles, reminding us that we must struggle to manifest holiness in our lives, especially when we travel. The honoring of this great prophet of the Old Testament in our Holy Church dates back to Apostolic times. The blessing is for cars and any kind of vehicle (kids can bring bikes).

The parish office will be closed June 30- July 13. Next Saturday evening (July 6th) Fr. Dn. James will offer the Reader’s Vespers, and on Sunday (July 7th) Fr. Gregory Dudash will offer the Divine Liturgy. For any parish emergencies or problems please call Fr. Dn. James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeff Kendall (302) 420-6600. Thank you!

The Sunday after Pentecost is the feast of All Saints. This is the logical liturgical sequence since the coming of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled in the human race by their becoming saints, and this is the very purpose of the creation and salvation of the world. Following Liturgy next week, we will process outside to bless the completed dome and siding project. Bring your favorite saints’ icon for the procession and join us as we celebrate the feast of All Saints and the continued good work at St. Michael’s.

The spirit of Holy Pentecost leads us to another feast and fast of the church. The feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29th . From the 4th Century on, the Church has celebrated this feast which is spiritually linked with Holy Pentecost. It stands as the witness of the Apostles immediate fruit at the descent of the Holy Spirit when it came upon them. The Feast is preceded by a fasting period called "Saints Peter and Paul Fast.” The fast is different from year to year since it always begins on the Monday following All Saints' Sunday (1st Sun. after Pentecost). The fast in preparation for the feast begins this year on June 24th and continues to the feast on June 29th

On Sunday, June 16th at 8 a.m. we will welcome into the Church Susan D'Orazio by the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation. Please join us to welcome this newly enlisted warrior for Christ.

Following the Ascension the next feast in the life of the Church is the Great Feast of Pentecost. Liturgically this is the greatest of the 12 Great Feasts. (Pascha is in a category all by itself!) Pentecost is the “Birthday of the Church”, the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Just a reminder that next week immediately following the Divine Liturgy, the traditional Vespers of Pentecost with the Special Kneeling prayers is served. In Orthodoxy, we go from glory to glory - come let us welcome the coming of the Holy Spirit!

The Ascension of Christ is His final physical departure from this world after the resurrection. It is the formal completion of His mission in this world as the Messianic Savior. The ascension itself is not to be understood as though it were simply the supernatural event of a man floating up and away into the skies. The holy scripture stresses Christ’s physical departure and His glorification with God the Father, together with the great joy which His disciples had as they received the promise of the Holy Spirit Who was to come to assure the Lord’s presence with them, enabling them to be His witnesses to the ends of earth. The celebration of the feast of Ascension will be this Wednesday evening, June 5th at 7:00 p.m. with Vespers and Litiya and then on Thursday, June 6th at 9:00 a.m. with Divine Liturgy. Join us!

Our Study group will be taking a break for the Summer months of June, July, and August. We will resume once again in September. Thanks to all who continue to attend and participate in this parish education opportunity.

Saturday, June 1st at 4:00 p.m. we will offer a Panakhida service for Michael Sinovich in honor of the fortieth day of his falling asleep. May his memory be eternal!

Please join us on Sunday, May 26th at 8:00 a.m. for the baptism of baby Rae Dawit Gabriel, daughter of Bisrat Gabriel. May God bless and keep her and her family as we welcome her into the Church!

Our Study group will continue this Thursday May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. We will continue with the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 6.  All are welcome to join us. Please note our study group will not meet May 30th.  This will be the last Study Group session before summer break.

Our parish council will meet on Thursday, June 6th at 7:00 p.m. Please see Jeff Kendall if you are unable to attend.

We want to offer Cathy and Kevin Souder our love and prayers as they make their move to Florida this week. We will certainly miss them! We want to wish them health and happiness in their new home and we hope to see them soon. May God grant them many blessed Years!

The Funeral for Peter Melnick will be this Saturday May18th. The visitation will be held at St. Michael's from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The visitation will be followed by Hours at 9:40 a.m. and Divine Liturgy for the 4th Saturday of Pascha. Following the Divine Liturgy the Funeral Service (Rite of Burial) will be offered. The family will be having the Repass dinner in St. Michael's Hall.

Please continue to remember the newly departed Peter and his family in your prayers.

Our study group will break for Holy week and Bright week. We will return to meet on Thursday, May 9th at 10:00 a.m.

Holy Saturday morning (April 27th) at 8:00 a.m. we will welcome into the church Rob Jaquette through the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Chrismation. Please come to welcome the newly illumined.

Tonight, we begin the Holy Week schedule with Bridegroom Matins at 6:30 p.m. During Holy Week the Church commemorates our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem, His Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Holy Week is when all Orthodox Christians should make extra effort to give their full attention to the services of the Holy Week and Pascha.

His Eminence Archbishop MARK will be joining us for Presanctified Liturgy on Holy Tuesday, April 23rd at 9:00 a.m.  We hope you can be with us for the Archbishop's annual Holy Week visit.

This past Wednesday (April 10th) our dear brother in Christ, Mike Sinovich, fell asleep in the Lord.  Services will be a Panakhida on Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home and a funeral on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at St Michael's.  May the servant of God Michael find blessed repose with all the saints.  Memory Eternal!

Monday March 25th is the Feast of the Annunciation to the Mother of God. We will offer Vespers for the feast next Sunday March 24th following coffee hour. Then Monday morning March 25th Vesperal Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 9:00 a.m.

On Sundays during the lenten season we may notice that the Divine Liturgy is a little different. This is because we celebrate the longer Liturgy of St Basil the Great. In the 4th century Church the liturgy of St. Basil was celebrated every Sunday and feast day of the whole year. It was the official Eucharistic Liturgy to be celebrated on a regular basis throughout the year. Towards the end of the first quarter of the second millennium the Liturgy of Saint Basil was replaced by the liturgy attributed to Saint John Chrysostom another 4th century father of the Church. Some say that the celebrating of Saint Basil's liturgy still being done during Lent is because of the conservative liturgical character of Lent. And since it is the intention of the Church to dedicate more time to prayer during Lent, that it is a good opportunity to teach the faithful dogma by offering for their hearing and singing the profound and all-embracing theological elucidations of the Basilian Liturgy. It is also said that it served during lent because of its expressively doctrinal and educational character. Listen and you will hear the wisdom and beauty of this liturgy on the Sunday's of Great Lent. Handouts will be available.

On Wednesday evenings we will be celebrating the Presanctified Liturgy. The Divine Liturgy is not celebrated in the Orthodox Church on lenten weekdays however, in order for the faithful to sustain their lenten effort by participation in Holy Communion, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is served. This Liturgy is called Presanctified, since the Holy Gifts are presanctified (or consecrated) on the previous Sunday. This is an evening Liturgy consisting of Vespers, followed by a portion of the full Liturgy. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts comes after a day of spiritual preparation and total abstinence. All who plan on participating in Holy Communion for the Presanctified Liturgy who are unable to make the effort of total fasting because of weaknesses or illness, should eat a light lenten meal in the morning or mid morning and begin fasting for communion by noon. Reminder that our Presanctified Liturgy will be followed by a lenten pot luck dinner. All are welcome to come and bring a lenten dish and share in the extra fellowship as we make our journeys together to Pascha.

Our study group will resume this Thursday, February 28th at 10:00 a.m. with the 5th chapter of St. Matthew. Join us!

During Lent please donate new or gently used paperback books in the bin in narthex - especially paperback dictionaries. See the list of books requested by prison libraries in our narthex. For a donation to the "books for prisoners" collection, please take free orthodox books in social hall entrance. Your donation will be used to buy books for the incarcerated. Thanks for your generosity. See Ellen Gundersen or email ellengundersen5@gmail.com.

Our Lenten journey will begin with Forgiveness Vespers on Sunday, March 10th following coffee hour. All should make a sincere effort to begin the Lenten season with this service and the “Mutual Rite of Forgiveness”. “On Forgiveness Sunday, we sing of Adam’s exile from paradise. We identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity and delight of our original creation, mourning our corruption in sin. We also hear on this day the Lord’s teaching about fasting and forgiveness.  Join us for this Lenten beginning.

We asking everyone to try and return parish library books by March 1st. Our librarians will be performing an inventory of our books. The books can be checked out once again after the inventory is complete. Thanks for your cooperation.

This past week, nine of us continued our reading and discussion of the Beatitudes.  Our study group will continue this Thursday at 10:00 a.m.  We will continue with the 5th chapter of Matthew.

On Saturday, February 16th at 4:00 p.m., we will offer a memorial for Mark Gundersen on the anniversary of his falling asleep.  All are wlcome to join us.

Our Women’s Book Study will continue this coming Tuesday evening (March 5th). We will continue reading Touch and the Healing of the World, by Daniel B. Hinshaw. We hope you can join us this comingTuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Our study group will resume this Thursday, January 31st at 10:00 a.m. We will continue with the 5th chapter of St. Matthew.

The feast of the Presentation or Meeting of the Lord in the Temple takes place forty days following the Nativity of Jesus (February 2nd). The feast celebrates Christ’s fulfillment of the
Law of Moses calling for all the first born; whatever is the first to open the womb among the people of Israel, be consecrated to God. At this time, we also see His mother Mary undergo the ritual purification offering the sacrifices prescribed in the Law. In the feast Christ’s encounters, the Elder Simeon who had long awaited His coming, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, leads the Messiah into the Temple. We will celebrate the feast this Friday evening February 1st at 7:00 p.m. with Vespers and Saturday February 2nd Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. Join us!

On Saturday, February 2nd following the liturgy for the feast we will be offering a special choir rehearsal. The rehearsal is for both current and non-choir persons, so all are invited. We will have a small coffee hour for all participants. Please consider offering yourself to our choir ministry.

St. Michaels will be hosting a Lenten Mission Service (Orthodoxy Sunday) on Sunday, March 17th at 4:00 p.m. We are asking for volunteers to help organize and put the meal together. We will need everyone’s help as we will be hosting The Philadelphia Clergy Brotherhood as well as the faithful from our surrounding area. Please email Alice Morjana at namorjana@aol.com or see Alice to let her know you can help.

Our cupola renovation project is underway. Two weeks ago, the main cross was removed for duplication and in the coming weeks the main cupola will be removed, evaluated, and restored. We will also have some widows and siding replaced. Please see Jeff Kendall or Ed Hojnicki for any questions or updates on the progress.

Holy water will be available following next week’s liturgy. Fr. Barnabas will also be available for home blessings, please see Fr. Barnabas or Mat. Daria for scheduling.

We’ll be co-hosting Family Promise January 14, 15 and 17 at St Philips Lutheran Church, 5320 Limestone Rd, Wilmington 19808. Please sign up on the Family Promise board in narthex. We will serve home cooked meals and share fellowship with four homeless families in our community. Please see Ellen Gundersen or email her at puffins1000@gmail.com with questions.

This past Thursday five of us continued reading and discussing the Sermon on the Mount in the 4th chapter of St. Matthew. Our Study group will be taking a break for Nativity and Theophany. We will meet again on Thursday January 10 at 10 a.m. All are welcome to join us.

The schedule for the feast of the Nativity of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ will be as follows: Monday December 24th Royal Hours at 9:00 a.m. with Vigil for the Nativity of our Lord at 7:00 pm. Then on Christmas morning Tuesday December 25th at 9:00 am we will offer the Divine Liturgy for the Nativity. Please be sure to make plans now to be with us for this blessed feast of our Lord.

On Saturday, December 15th starting at 9:00 a.m. we will have a general church cleaning in preparation for the feast of Nativity. All help is welcome!

Holy Supper on Nativity eve is a pious tradition from the Christian faithful of various Eastern European regions. The supper is observed on the eves of our Lord’s Nativity in the flesh and His baptism by Saint John in the Jordan River. The meal is a fasting meal with 12 courses representing Christ’s twelve apostles. We will once again have a Parish Holy Supper on the Eve of Nativity. We will begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by Nativity Vigil at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to join us. Please see the sign up in the Narthex.

Our Parish Bookstore has a wide selection of gifts for this Nativity season.  Stop by and pick something up today!

This is just a reminder that the Nativity fast continues until December 25th. The celebration of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in the Orthodox Church is patterned after the celebration of the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection. A fast of forty days precedes the feast, with special preparatory days announcing the approaching birth of the Savior. Thus, on Saint Andrew’s Day (November 30) and Saint Nicholas Day (December 6) songs are sung to announce the coming birthday of the Lord: ‘Adorn yourself, O Cavern. Make ready, O Manger. O Shepherds and wisemen, bring your gifts and bear witness. For the Virgin is coming bearing Christ in her womb’ (Vesperal Hymn of Saint Nicholas Day).

Our study group will resume this Thursday, November 29th with Chapter 4 of the Gospel According to St Matthew.  All are welcome to join us!

On Saturday November 10th we will welcome into the Church Anastasia Grace Riley, daughter of Jeremy & Stephanie Riley, through the sacraments of holy baptism and chrismation. All are welcome to join us. Services will begin at 10;00 a.m.

The feast day of the Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Powers will be celebrated Wednesday, November 7th with Vespers & Litiya at 7:00 p.m. and then on Thursday, November 8th at 9:00 a.m. with Divine Liturgy. Joyous feast to all!

Choir rehearsals for Christmas and Epiphany will be held on the following dates:

- Saturday, November 17th
- Saturday, December 1st

- Saturday, December 15th

All rehearsals will begin at 3:30 p.m.

This past Thursday ten of us the continued our study of the Gospel According to St. Matthew. Our study group will continue this week with chapter 4. All are welcome to join us!

Our Parish Bookstore is having a sale during the month of October. Please stop by for that book that you wanted at a discounted price.

Next Saturday, October 20th, at 4:00 p.m. we will offer a memorial service for Marie Holowatch on the 40th day of her falling asleep.

This past Thursday nine of us finished the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 3. We will continue this week with chapters 3 of St. Matthew. All are welcome to join us!

This past Thursday nine of us finished the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter 2 and began chapter 3. We will continue this week with chapters 3 of St. Matthew. All are welcome to join us!

Just a reminder that there will be a parish council meeting this Thursday October 11th at 7:00 p.m.

On Sunday November 4th, 2018, during the coffee hour, we will have our Annual All Parish Meeting. Please make plans to stay following Divine Liturgy for this important work in the life of the church.

Just a reminder that all reports for the annual all parish meeting should be sent to Jeff Kendall as soon as possible.

We are collecting clean winter coats for the Sunday Breakfast Mission in Wilmington. They feed, clothe and shelter men, women and families. Please drop CLEAN winter coats for all ages in the bin in the narthex. Used coats should be in good condition. LAST DAY IS OCTOBER 28TH. See Ellen Gundersen with questions.

On Sunday October 7th we will welcome into the Church Nicholas Thomas DiDonato by the sacraments of holy baptism and chrismation. Services will begin at 8:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us!

Marie Holowatch (Karen Hojnicki's mother) fell asleep in the Lord this past week. The services will be this evening (September 16th) at St. Michael's with visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 p.m. and then Monday burial at St. Tikhon's Monastery. Please remember the newly departed Marie, as well as the Hojnicki family in your prayers. May her memory be eternal!

Our Study group resumed this past Thursday. Eleven of us began reading and discussing the Gospel of St. Matthew chapter one. We will meet again this coming Thursday at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us!

The second major feast of the church year is the Elevation or Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Truly, the Nativity of the Theotokos is seen as the beginning of our salvation, and the Cross is seen as the culmination of our salvation. By Christ's death on It, our salvation was accomplished. Mary is also closely associated with the Cross, for she was the mystical paradise in whom the Tree of Life sprouted; this Tree of Life, Christ our Savior, then planted on earth the life-creating Tree of the Cross (from the Feast). And as He suffered and died on the Life-giving Tree of the Cross, so too we are called upon to take up our own crosses on our shoulders and to die daily for the sake of Him Who died for us. We will celebrate with Great Vespers on Thursday, September 13th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Friday, September 14th at 9:00 a.m. Join us!

Our September parish council meeting will be held this Thursday September 6th at 7:00 p.m. We will be meeting with the contractor to discuss the upcoming dome project. Please see Jeff Kendall if you are unable to attend.

We will celebrate the first major feast of the new church year (Sept.1) with the Nativity of the Theotokos. The feast honors the birth of the Mother of God and the salvation that comes through her Son. We will celebrate with both Vespers on the eve of the feast Friday September 7th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy Saturday, September 8th at 9:00 a.m.

We are still looking for volunteers, teachers, and substitutes for the upcoming 2018-19 church school year. All those interested in helping with church school please see Fr. Barnabas. The Moliben for the beginning of church school will be offered today as others prepare and set up for the picnic.

On Saturday, September 15th we will host a Royal Saints & Tea at 10:00 am. Everyone is welcome. We will learn about several Royal Saints & Families & our Royal Priesthood prior to Tea.
You may come dressed as princes & princesses. Parents are especially encouraged to participate as a special princess guest joins us after tea. Please see Catalina Finck for more details.

Just a reminder that we will have a parish pot luck next week (September 2nd) as the first Sunday of the month.

We are planning to have our annual parish picnic on Sunday, September 16th.  Once again, this year we hope that by having the picnic after Labor Day the weather (Good willing) will be a bit cooler and that more will be able to attend.  Hope to see you there!

Please mark your calendars for the start of our Thursday Study Group. Our Study group will resume on Thursday, September 13th at 10 a.m. We will be reading and discussing the Gospel of St. Matthew with commentary from the holy fathers. All are welcome to join us!

Family Promise is collecting money for homeless children's "back to school" supplies. Will you please donate cash or check (to St. Michaels for family promise) in the basket after liturgy or during coffee hour? We'll use this to buy Walmart / Target gift cards to give to Family Promise children. Thank you for your kindness. see Ellen Gundersen with questions.

St. Michaels will co-host Family Promise the week of September 2nd. Will you please sign up on the board to cook, serve & provide hospitality at St. Philips Lutheran Church, 5320 Limestone Road, Wilmington on these days: Monday, September 3rd, Tuesday, September 4th & Thursday, September 6th. Contact Ellen Gundersen at 610.388.0695 or email at ellengundersen5@gmail.com. These families need and appreciate your compassion and understanding.

Thanks to all parents, participants, and helpers for our 2018 VCS. We had a fruitful week focusing on the Cross and celebrating the feast of the Procession of the Holy Cross (August 1st). A special thanks to Laura (Julia) Whalen and Maria Peck for organizing this year’s VCS. Many years to all who help in the ministry to our youth!

Next Saturday August 11th at 4:00 p.m. we will welcome into the Church Ruby Mackenzie.by the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation. Please join us to “officially” welcome this little one into the Body of Christ at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church!

This Wednesday and Friday evening (August 8th and 10th) we will offer the Small Paraklesis, at 6:30 p.m., in preparation for the feast Dormition of the Mother of God. Come be a part of the mid-week service of supplication.

Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period begins on August 1st and peaks on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the great feast of the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos. We will celebrate the feast Tues. Aug 14th with Great Vespers 7:00 p.m. and Wed. Aug. 15th Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. On this feast we traditionally bless fragrant herbage, flowers, and seed. Please be attentive to this final major feast of the liturgical year!

Today and tomorrow we will celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. This feast commemorates our Lord's transfiguration before his disciples on Mt. Tabor. In His Transfiguration He reveals His glory to the disciples. In Him they (and we) now see for themselves the glory of God present in the person of Christ. Be sure to make plans for the coming fast and feasts. Great Vespers for the feast will today, Aug. 5th, following the coffee hour and then tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 6th , Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. followed by the blessing of first fruits.

On August 6th we will celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. This feast commemorates our Lord's transfiguration before his disciples on Mt. Tabor. In His Transfiguration He reveals His glory to the disciples. In Him they (and we) now see for themselves the glory of God present in the person of Christ. Be sure to make plans for the coming fast and feasts. Great Vespers for the feast will be next Sunday August 5th following the coffee hour and then Monday, August 6th Divnie Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. followed by the blessing of first fruits.

The liturgical calendar comes to its close in August with the fourth and final fasting season of the Church year along with two major feasts. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period begins on August 1st and peaks on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the great feast of the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos.

The parish office will be closed this week (July 22-28) for Fr. Barnabas to attend the AAC in St. Louis. Please call Fr. Dn. James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeff Kendall (302) 420-6600 if there are any parish emergencies or problems. Thank you!

The liturgical calendar comes to its close in August with the fourth and final fasting season of the Church year along with two major feasts. Every year the Orthodox Church sets aside the first fourteen days of August in honor of the Virgin Mary. This fast period begins on August 1st and peaks on August 15th, when the Church gathers to celebrate the great feast of the Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos. On Aug 6th, the Church celebrates the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord. This feast commemorates our Lord's transfiguration before his disciples on Mt. Tabor. In His Transfiguration He reveals His glory to the disciples. In Him they (and we) now see for themselves the glory of God present in the person of Christ. Be sure to make plans for the coming fast and feasts.

According to the Statute of The Orthodox Church in America, "the highest legislative and administrative authority within the Church is the All-American Council" (Article III, Section 1). All parishes are required to send delegates to the All-American Council. Every three years, the bishops, clergy and lay delegates of the Orthodox Church in America gather together in Council. The Church assembles for various reasons: to pray together, to discuss the state of the Church, to share experiences and thoughts, and then to deliberate and to make decisions affecting her life. The 19th All-American Council is to be held on July 23 to 27, 2018 with the theme "For the Life of the World" from Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann's book of the same name. This Council builds on the work of the 18th All-American Council and integrates a discussion on the future work of the Church in North America. Catalina Finck and Fr. Barnabas will be representing St. Michael’s. Please pray for safe travels and a fruitful AAC.

We will be offering Vacation Church School July 30th through August 1st. All of our Orthodox youth are invited to participate. We will begin each evening with a potluck dinner followed by activities, crafts, and more. At the end of each day we will offer the Evening Prayers together. All parents are encouraged to help with meal & snack coordination, etc. and certainly encouraged to participate in the prayers. For more information or details please see Laura Whalen or Maria Peck. We hope all can join us!

Just a reminder that this week is the celebration of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Vespers for the feast will be Thursday June 28th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on June 29th at 9:00 a.m. Join us for this feast celebrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

The parish office will be closed this week (June 18-22). Please call Father Deacon James Carpenter (609) 202-4255 or Jeffrey Kendall (302) 420-6600 if there are any parish emergencies or problems. Thank you!

Today (June 17th) is our annual Father’s Day Luncheon. Any and all are invited to join us. We want to offer to all a Happy Father’s day, Many years!

Thanks to all who helped at today’s luncheon honoring our fathers.

We will be holding a special all parish meeting on Sunday, July 8th, 2018 during coffee hour. We ask for as many as possible to stay as the council will present cupola maintenance and repair work.

Next Sunday we will be honoring the 2018 graduates from St. Michael’s. Congratulations and Many Years to our graduates Kate Bunitsky and Nicholas Carey!

Our Study group will be taking a break for the Summer months of June /July/August. We will meet once again in September.

There is a signup sheet in the Narthex for all who is are willing to help with our annual Father’s Day Luncheon on June 17th. Please sign up today. Father has graciously given a dispensation for dairy items (please indicate foods with dairy). If you have any questions, please see Juliana Bunitsky or Silvana Oberto.

The spirit of Holy Pentecost leads us to another feast and fast of the church. The feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29th. From the 4th Century on, the Church has celebrated this feast which is spiritually linked with Holy Pentecost. It stands as the witness of the Apostles immediate fruit at the descent of the Holy Spirit when it came upon them. The Feast is preceded by a fasting period called Saints Peter and Paul Fast.” The fast is different from year to year since it always begins on the Monday following the first Sunday after Pentecost (All Saints' Sunday). Vespers for the feast will be Thursday, June 28th at 7:00 p.m. and Divine Liturgy on Friday, June 29th at 9:00 a.m.

Just a reminder that the parish council will meet on Thursday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. Please see Jeff Kendall if you are unable to attend.

Just a reminder that the first Sunday of the month, we will have a parish pot luck. We hope that during the Summer months we can extend our pot lucks to include some extended fellowship outdoors. We invite all to participate in our parish potluck and some extended fellowship outside.

Next Saturday at 4:00 p.m., we will serve a memorial service for all the departed. Please see Father Barnabas or Father Deacon James Carpenter if you have any newly departed to add to our prayer list.

Our Study group will be taking a break for the Summer months of June, July and August. We will meet one more time this coming Thursday May 24th at 10:00 a.m. We will try to finish our reading of “Courage to Pray” by Met. Anthony. All are welcome to join us.

In two weeks we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday (May 27th). Liturgically, aside from Pascha, Pentecost is the greatest of the 12 Great Feasts. (Pascha is in a category all by itself!) Pentecost is the “Birthday of the Church”, the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit, a celebration of the very Life that we all embrace as the people of
God, members of Christ’s holy church. The traditional Vespers of Pentecost with the special “Kneeling” prayers and petitions is served following the Divine Liturgy on Pentecost Sunday. In Orthodoxy, we go from glory to glory - come let us welcome the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth!

Everyone is invited to our Mother’s Day luncheon today. Many years to all of our mothers! Happy Mother’s Day!

Our Study group will continue this Thursday May 10th at 10:00 a.m. with “Courage to Pray” by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom. All are welcome to join us.

We will have a Vacation Church School Meeting today (Sunday, May 6th) during the coffee hour. We are asking all parents who are interested in VCS to attend and share in this work.

The ascension of Christ is His final physical departure from this world after the resurrection. It is the formal completion of His mission in this world as the Messianic Savior. The Ascension itself is not to be understood as though it were simply the supernatural event of a man floating up and away into the skies. The holy scripture stresses Christ’s physical departure and His glorification with God the Father, together with the great joy which His disciples had as they received the promise of the Holy Spirit Who was to come to assure the Lord’s presence with them, enabling them to be His witnesses to the ends of earth. The celebration of the feast of Ascension begins with Vespers and Litiya on Wednesday evening May 16th at 7:00 p.m. and concludes with Divine Liturgy on Thursday May 17th at 9:00 a.m. Join us!

There is a signup sheet in the Narthex for all who is are willing to help with our annual Mother’s Day Luncheon on May 13th . Please sign up today. If you have any questions, please see Tom Sulpizi or Rasheed Elia.

Our Paschal celebration on Monday morning April 9th at 9:00 a.m. with Paschal Divine Liturgy. Join us!

Our Study group will take a break for Holy Week and Bright Week.

Just a reminder that our Holy Week schedule begins today following coffee hour with Bridegroom Matins. During Holy Week the Church commemorates our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem, His Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Holy Week is when all Orthodox Christians should make extra effort to give their full attention to the services of Holy Week and Pascha. Please join us as we journey to the Blessed Pascha of our Lord. April calendars are available in the Narthex.

Next Sunday morning at 8:15 a.m. we will welcome into the Church Stephanie Riley through the sacrament of Holy Chrismation. May God grant her many years! All are welcome to attend.

This coming Saturday (March 31st) we will celebrate Lazarus Saturday with liturgy at 9:00 a.m. One week from today (April 1st) is Palm Sunday, our Lord’s entrance in to Jerusalem, and the beginning of the Holy Week schedule. During Holy Week the Church commemorates our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem, His Betrayal, Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. Holy Week is when all Orthodox Christians should make extra effort to give their full attention to the services of the Holy Week and Pascha. April calendars are available in the Narthex.

During the 5th week of Great Lent the Church calls us once again to the Canon of Repentance by St. Andrew of Crete. We will repeat the canon as in the first week of Lent.  However, this time the reading of the life of St. Mary of Egypt is prescribed along with the canon. We will offer this service this Thursday March 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

Elizabeth Clause is hosting a Lenten book study on Mondays from 7:30-9 p.m. The group is reading and discussing “The Lenten Spring” by Father Thomas Hopko. All are welcome.

This Saturday, March 17, guest speaker Frederica Mathewes-Green will offer the talk “Mary, as the Early Christians Knew Her”. Retreat Schedule 9:00 am Prayer, 10:00 am Session 1 followed by lunch, and at 1:00 pm Session 2 followed by Vespers.

We'll be providing dinners and fellowship for Family Promise Monday, March 26th and Tuesday, March 27th at St. Philips Lutheran Church (5320 Limestone Rd. 19808). However, on Thursday, March 29th, we will serve dinner here in St. Michael's social hall due to evening services at St. Philips. Please sign up to help on the board in the narthex and contact Ellen Gundersen with questions 610.388.0695.

We are in need of a few volunteers to help with food preparations, set up and clean up. Please see Alice Morjana to volunteer. We are also looking for some volunteers to take care of finding and heading up child care in the basement during the retreat.  Please see Jeff Kendall if you can help.

Our study group will meet this Thursday March 1st. We will continue with the second half of Courage to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom. Our Thursday study is an excellent opportunity for continuing Orthodox education. Please join us!

We are happy to announce that His Eminence Archbishop MARK will join us this year for Holy Pascha. Archbishop MARK will spend Holy Week visiting different parishes and will be with us for Pascha night (Nocturnes, Matins, Paschal Divine Liturgy). His Eminence will also be with us for our Pascha night agape & sharing of the baskets.

Next Sunday, February 25th, the first Sunday of Great Lent is called the Triumph of Orthodoxy.  It is a historical feast commemorating the return of the icons to the churches in the year 843 after the heresy of iconoclasm was overcome.  The spiritual theme of the day is first of all the victory of the True Faith.  "This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith" (1 John 5:4).  Secondly, the icons of the saints bear witness that man, "created in the image and lineness of God" (Gen 1:26) becomes holy and godlike through the purification of himself as God's living image.

We will have our usual icon procession with the parish youth.  Don't forget to bring your favorite icon!

There will be a Lenten choir rehearsal on Saturday, March 24th at 3:30 p.m.

On March 17th we are planning on having a Lenten retreat. The guest speaker will once again be Frederica Mathewes-Green. She will be speaking on "Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her". There will be more details to come in future bulletins.

The Small Paraklesis will continue this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.. Come be a part of the mid-week service of supplication.

Note: The Small Paraklesis will continue on Wednesday evenings until the start of Great Lent.

Our weekly study group will continue Thursday with Courage to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony. Please feel free to join us on Thursday mornings at 10:00 a.m. All are encouraged to come for continued Adult Education.

Our Lenten journey will begin with Forgiveness Vespers Sunday, February18th following coffee hour. All should make a sincere effort to begin the Lenten season with this service and the “Mutual rite of forgiveness”. “On Forgiveness Sunday, we sing of Adam’s exile from paradise. We identify ourselves with Adam, lamenting our loss of the beauty, dignity and delight of our original creation, mourning our corruption in sin. We also hear on this day the Lord’s teaching about fasting and forgiveness, and we enter the season of the fast forgiving one another so that God will forgive us. If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses" (Mt 6.14–18).

On March 17th we are planning on having a Lenten retreat. The guest speaker will once again be Frederica Mathewes-Green. She will be speaking on "Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her". There will be more details to come in future bulletins.