THE EPISTLE

Prokeimenon: The Lord will give strength to his people.

Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord honor and glory.

The reading is from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews.

BRETHREN, when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore to himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

THE EUCHARISTIC OFFERINGS

The Holy Oblations are offered at the Offertory of the Great Entrance today for the health and welfare of those living members, and for those departed this life in Christ, of the Salloum, Sayegh, and El Chaer Families.

The Coffee and Reception Hour in the Church Hall is offered today by the Salloum, Sayegh, and Hanna Families. We remind our parishioners that each family should take its turn and sponsor the Coffee and Reception Hour for our parish. Please see the chart posted in the Church Hall which lists what is needed in order to offer this reception. Please do no wait to sign up for this.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Today, there will be a Memorial Service for the late servant of God +MONA ISSA, mother of our parishioner Ibrahim Hanna. MEMORY ETERNAL!

2. Today, the fourth Sunday of the Great Fast, we welcome the Rev. John Kaloudis. Father John is representing the IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities), which is a department and commission administered under SCOBA (The Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in the Americas). The IOCC does outstanding work for so many charitable causes around the world; we will learn more about their work from Father John. Of course, this is part of our Outreach Program, in conjunction with our Golden Jubilee Year. Welcome Father John! To help Father John and the wonderful work of the IOCC, there will be a SECOND COLLECTION today; the first collection is your weekly stewardship pledge.

3. NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 9^th, we are honored to welcome to St. Anthony’s His Grace Bishop THOMAS. His Grace lives in Ligonier, PA, where he presides over the diocese of Oakland, PA, and the East.

4. ALSO next Sunday, our Fellowship sponsors our Annual COMMUNION BREAKFAST. All parishioners, including all TEENS and CHURCH SCHOOL STUDENTS should be present to welcome and greet Bishop THOMAS to our home!

5. GREETING A BISHOP IN THE ORTHODOX TRADITION: When directly addressing a Bishop (Hierarch), he is called “Your Grace.” If it is our Archbishop, he is called “Your Eminence.” Thus, when greeting Bishop THOMAS, and receiving his blessing, we address him as “Your Grace.” When we are referring to him, we say “His Grace.” The proper way Orthodox Christians greet any Orthodox Hierarch is to kiss his hand, since by hand ordination and consecration we preserve the continuance of the Church (“Laying on of hands”).

6. CHURCH SCHOOL

A. We thank, in advance, Church School Director Nike Bach, the students and entire staff for preparing the “Bishop’s Program” next week, especially during this Lenten Season when, along with Chair Helen Chimel, our Women’s Guild (who ALSO deserve our heartfelt thanks), we have been presenting a truly unique Spring Adult Education Program.

B. PARENTS: Please remember the Church School EGG HUNT is scheduled to follow the Liturgy on St. Lazarus Saturday, April 15^th. On that day we also hold our annual Lazarus Saturday Communion Breakfast and the preparation of the PALM CROSSES for the next morning’s procession.

C. On Lazarus Saturday the ladies and gentlemen of the church are invited to learn how to make Holy Bread. Please bring a large bowl, and let Betty Gakos know if you plan to participate in this wonderful learning experience.

7. AND DID YOU KNOW THAT OUR PARISH PHOTOGRAPH FOR OUR GOLDEN JUBILEEE WILL BE TAKEN ON PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 16^th!? Parents should please dress the children appropriately. Also the Organizational Photos (Women’s Guild, Fellowship, Church School, Choir, and TEEN SOYO) will be taken on that Sunday. PLEASE PASS THE WORD; we want our entire parish present for this historic photograph.

8. Friday, April 14^th, is our Annual LENTEN SUPPER, prepared and hosted by our TEEN SOYO. Let us plan to be here on that evening and to help our Teens in their program. It will begin at 7:00 PM.

9. Have you returned your LENTEN ENVELOPE? It was sent out to the entire parish with your Lenten Schedule, and can be returned any time before Holy Pascha.

10. DON’T FORGET TO BUY YOUR SCRIP! With Easter soon arriving, we ALL must do our food shopping, and by using the scrip, our parish makes 5% off your purchases. It cost us nothing, and yet helps St. Anthony’s. See Betty Gakos.

11. The deadline for the May/June issue of The Desert News is today April 2, 2006. Anyone with information they'd like to include should contact Arlene Assile or Carol Giffen. Reminder to all High School Seniors, your profile is due Wednesday, April 5^th or we will be unable to publish it in this issue of The Desert News.

12. St. Anthony’s Jubilee Savings Club is available for families to save on a monthly basis for the Jubilee Weekend in June 2007. Speak with Angela Bogris, Andy Deraney, Betty or John Gakos for details. More information available in the upcoming Desert News.

13. Do you need a ride to Church for any of the special services or programs during Great Lent or even to a doctor’s appointment? Please contact Betty Gakos, a member of our Outreach Committee, to arrange for a ride or to volunteer to help.

14. We are looking for members for the ADULT BIBILE BOWL TEAM and the TEEN BIBLE BOWL TEAM, as well as teens who are interested in delivering an Oratorical at the Eastern Region Parish Life Conference in Pittsburgh, PA from July 6-9, 2006. Please see Nike Bach, Cathy Giffen, or Will Gakos if you are interested in participating in either or both of these events.

15. EASTER BREAD SALE. Our teens will again be selling Easter Breads. Forms are available this week and next week during Coffee Hour. Please support our teens and place your order today or next week. Your purchases may be picked up on Friday, April 14, at the Lenten Supper or on Palm Sunday, April 16^th.

16. LENTEN SCHEDULE

A. This Wednesday, April 5^th , is our fifth PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, beginning at 6:45 PM, followed by the Parish Council Meeting for April.

1. We PREPARE to receive the Presanctified Gifts through Abstinence (fasting) and prayer. A small snack is allowed after school, but please eat lightly after 12:00 Noon.

2. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL HOLY WEEK TO ATTEND TO THE SACRAMENT OF REPENTANCE! Confessions are heard before and after the Presanctified Liturgies, and every parent, teen, and child should receive this sacrament during the Great Fast. This is the Sacrament of Renewal, sometimes called a “Second Baptism.”

B. This Friday, April 7th , is our fifth AKATHIST HYMN to Our Lady, the Blessed Theotokos and Virgin Mary, beginning at 7:30 PM.

1. Please remember that Confessions are scheduled only BEFORE this service.

2. After the Akathist Hymn this Friday, we will continue our Spring Adult Education Program. On this night we will see the second part of the program entitled “The Face of Christ.” This is an award winning historical story after which you will be able to ask questions.

17. Don’t forget the Women’s Guild BAKELESS BAKE SALE. If you haven’t handed in your donation see Valyce Andrews or Ellie Marcopul today.