NATIVITY OF THE HOLY VIRGIN RUSSIAN

ORTHODOX CHURCH
JACKSON, NEW JERSEY

MARCH 2017 NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER SPONSOR:
THE KLING FAMILY

GLORY BE TO JESUS CHRIST!

GLORY BE FOREVER!

HOLY SEASON OF GREAT LENT: Let us begin the Lenten

time with delightlet us fast from passions as we fast from
food, taking pleasure in the good words of the Spirit, that we
may be granted to see the holy passion of Christ our God and
His holy Pascha, spiritually rejoicing.
Thy grace has arisen upon us, O Lord, the illumination of our
souls has shown forth, behold, now is the acceptable time of
repentance. (Vespers Hymns)
In the Orthodox Church, Great Lent is not a season of
morbidity or gloominess. On the contrary, it is a time of
joyfulness and purification. It is a time of preparation for the
feast of the Resurrection of Christ. It is a time of renewed
devotion: of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
FRIENDLY REMINDER: Annual Dues for 2017 will now be
$175.00. If you would like to pay your dues for 2017, please see
Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to do so! Your help in
this matter is greatly appreciated. For those who would like to
become members of our Parish please see Matushka Ludmila
at the candle desk or call Father John at home.
CHURCH SCHOOL: Church School Classes are held every
Sunday beginning at 9:20 AM. Please plan on attending these
classes and learn about Orthodoxy 100. This year we will be
studying the Gospels and the message the Apostles delivered
in the Gospel lessons. During the season of Great Lent our
class will focus on the events leading up to Pascha. We will use
the bible to reflect on the importance of each significant
journey to Pascha.
PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE: It is important to inform you
the faithful about the happenings around our church. So in
every newsletter we are going to begin a new section called
Parish Council Update:
Our wall renovation has been delayed because we now have to
go to the Zoning Board for approval before permits can be
approved! The township of Jackson is making this difficult but
we will get it done according to the law! We hope this process
will be complete soon so we can finally get this wall built.
Please excuse our appearance in the front of the church as we
will be experiencing some major construction. We are hoping
that this construction will be completed before Pascha! We are
still accepting donations to complete this project! Please help!
PHOTOS NEEDED: Protodeacon John Suchernick is looking
for photos of parish events or photos from the beginning of our
Parish since 1940. He would like to compile some photographic
history for our church website. If anyone has photos from 1940
to the present please see Protodeacon John Suchernick and he
will inform you about his plans for those photos.
NEW GOLD VESTMENTS: The clergy of our Parish are in
need of new Gold Vestments. The Gold Vestments that we are
wearing now are fraying and are tattered and worn out. If any
parishioners are interested in sponsoring the new gold
vestments please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle desk to
help defray the cost of these vestments.
CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED: We are in dire need of new
choir members or old members who have decided not to sing
anymore. This is one way in which you can add to the beauty
of the services by going up the steps of the choir and adding
your voice to the choir. Please see Tatiana and make an effort
during the Lenten season to join the choir.
EPISTLE READERS: If you would like to read the Epistle on
Sunday or any of the services please see Protodeacon John
Suchernick so we can set up a time after the Sunday Liturgy to
work with you. We as a Parish would like to get you involved
in the liturgical services and this is another way that we you
can help your church.
PRAYER OF SAINT EPHRAIM OF SYRIA: At all of the
Lenten services this prayer of Saint Ephraim is read:
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth,
despair, lust of power and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and
love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions,
and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Please make this prayer a daily part of your morning and
evening prayers during Great Lent.
PASCHA FLOWERS: The cost of flowers is increasing every
year. Matushka Ludmila each year makes sure our church and
grave for vigil are decorated in the proper manner. If you can
help out to defray the cost of these flowers please see Matushka
Ludmila at the candle desk.
EASTER BASKET BLESSING: This year we will again bless
Easter Baskets on Holy Saturday in the Cemetery Parking Lot
at 5PM. We have drawn big crowds and we need your help to
remind your friends and families. We will also need help
setting up the tables and selling of candles on Holy Saturday
April 15th. Please see Matushka Ludmila to sign up at the
candle desk.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME: Please remember to push your
clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on March 11th.
Spring Ahead! On Sunday, March 12th, you will be late for
church if you fail to do this!