Beloved in Christ,

Having already welcomed the arrival of Spring and observing the “Lenten Spring,” we are now looking ahead to our celebration of the Lord’s Paschal Mystery.  Chief among the events that take place in April (and indeed, the “main event” of the entire year), we joyfully anticipate our annual solemn services of Holy Week and Pascha.  Having completed the course of the Fast, the services of Holy Week offer us the opportunity to accompany the Lord in His last days, the saving days of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.  The Divine Services of Holy Week offer a unique vantage point that allows us to not only observe, but to truly enter into the experience of the Lord’s salvific death and life-giving resurrection.  We walk with the Lord as He enters Jerusalem in triumph, carries His cross to Golgotha, and is laid in the tomb.  And then, with the Holy Myrrhbearing Women, we discover that the tomb is empty and that Christ is risen.  The realities of these great mysteries are made available to us- through the Holy Spirit who enlightens our hearts and grants us to know, experience, and understand the meaning of that in which we participate.

Those who have been faithful in attending these services can attest to the power of the experience- indeed, there is no experience like it found outside the Orthodox Church.  And there is no celebration of Pascha like one that has been prepared for beforehand by participation in the services of Holy Week.   The schedule of our parish Holy Week and Pascha Services is included in this monthly newsletter and may also be found on our parish website; feel free to copy it and share it with family and friends and others you might wish to invite to share in this deeply spiritual and life-changing experience.

I look forward to celebrating and praying the Divine Services of Holy Week with you all.  May our participation in the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Savior bring all of us to the eternal joy of the Kingdom He has opened unto us.

With love in the Lord Who goes to His Saving Passion,

+Bishop Daniel

THANK YOU - His Beatitude Metropolitan HERMAN has expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received from our parish during his annual winter visit.  In return, we continue to pray for His Beatitude, asking the Lord to give him continued strength in bearing the cross of his illness.

HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA PARKING – Parking can be at a premium for the services of Holy Week and Pascha, during which we are happy to welcome our many guests - in addition to the faithful members of our own parish family.  We enjoy a good relationship with the Bamboo Bakery, directly across the street from the church, and are able to use their parking lot for our overflow parking.  Those who can are encouraged to park there in order to reserve parking spaces for guests as well as for our own parishioners who need to park in closer proximity to the church.  Please remember that the space between the back of the church and the hall is to be kept free for fire and emergency services. Please note that, as usual, security services have been retained for the Pascha services on Saturday night/early Sunday morning.

BLESSING OF PASCHA BASKETS – It is our tradition to bless Pascha baskets after the celebration of the Midnight Paschal Divine Liturgy and also following Vespers on the Sunday of Pascha.  Baskets are blessed in the parish hall.

PASCHA FLOWERS – Each year, our parish temple is beautifully decorated with flowers to beautify the Lord’s Tomb and to adorn the celebration of the Lord’s Glorious Resurrection.  If you would like to donate toward the purchase of flowers, please mark your check or envelope with the words: “Pascha Flowers.”  Many thanks to all who donate and to all who arrange the flower and decorate the temple.

PASCHA CARD -  proceeds to camp scholarships, etc.

EASTER EGG HUNT-

AGAPE POTLUCK – Every year, our parish hosts an Agape Vespers potluck following the Vespers of Pascha at 12:00 p.m.  This annual event brings together our parish family, friends, and guests from throughout the Valley.  It is a beautiful celebration of our community life and an expression of the our common joy in our celebration of the Lord’s Paschal Victory.  Please mark your calendars and plan on bringing something to share for the meal.  Also, your generous help is needed for setup, serving, and cleanup.  To help assist with preparing to celebrate and to welcome our guests, please see Heather Pfeifer