NATIVITY OF THE HOLY VIRGIN RUSSIAN

ORTHODOX CHURCH
JACKSON, NEW JERSEY

MAY 2017 NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER SPONSOR:
THE KLING FAMILY

CHRIST IS RISEN!
INDEED HE IS RISEN!
CHRISTOS VOSKRESE!
VOISTINU VOSKRESE!

ASCENSION THURSDAY: May 25th: The Feast of the

Ascension of Our Lord will be held on Thursday with a
Divine Liturgy at 10 AM.
MOTHERS DAY: On Sunday, May 14th we will honor
the living Mothers of our parish with a flower in
appreciation of their love and dedication to
motherhood. We will also commemorate those Mothers
of our parish and our families who have gone to their
eternal reward with the singing of Eternal Memory at
the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON: Please be advised that
we will hold a Mothers Day Luncheon in the Parish
Home after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, May 14th.
Everyone is invited to celebrate this day with a fine
lunch in your Mothers Honor! So please bring your
mother to the Parish Home after the services.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY FROM the clergy and
Parish Council to all of the Mothers of Saint Marys
Parish! Many Blessed Years!
LIGHT A CANDLE: It is Important that we remember
the departed souls of our families by lighting a candle in
church. Please make an extra effort to Light a Candle
in Church for both your living and departed Mothers of
your families on Mothers Day as well.
STEWARDSHIP:
It has been frequently emphasized that stewardship is
not about money, but about our responsibility to care
for and nurture the gifts that have been given to us by
God. This also includes the nurturing of good
stewardship of the physical, financial and
administrative assets of the church, but all of these
should be seen as part of our spiritual life, not as
burdens or obstacles to the enjoyment of our life.
If anything our life is made richer the more we become
poor.
- His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Please be reminded to

remember in your prayers those who have lost their
lives for our country serving to defend their flag. Please
remember that this day is not only a day to enjoy the
festivities of picnics or good times but to honor those
military who fought to defend their country and
preserve our freedom.
NEW GOLD VESTMENTS NEEDED: The clergy of
our parish are in need of new gold vestments for Divine
Services. The vestments we are wearing are tattered
and worn out. If anyone would like to help defray the
cost of these vestments please see Matushka Ludmila at
the candle desk to find out the cost.
THANK YOU: Special Thanks to all who made our
Pascha celebration a memorable one. We are grateful to
all those who helped out in any way. To the Parish
Clergy, Matushki, Parish Council, Candle Sellers, Table
Setters, Altar Servers, Choir Members, and to the cooks
who prepared our luncheon and dessert we wish you
health, prosperity, and many more Blessed Years!
Christ is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!
NO KNEELING IN CHURCH UNTIL Pentecost
Sunday!
SUNDAY COLLECTIONS: As the summer approaches
Church attendance seems to drop. Please dont forget
that our monthly expenses are still here! We have the
electricity bill that goes up due to the use of the air
conditioners and other monthly obligations that must
be met! Please remember your church when away on
vacation! Your help in this matter is greatly
appreciated.
CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES are still being held this
month and will conclude on the last Sunday of May.
Please continue to be here and share in the good news of
Orthodoxy 101.
GENERAL CONFESSION will be held again on the
first Sunday of June.
WHAT CAN WE DO to get people to join our church?
Why is it that some think that only Christmas and
Easter are the only times to make an appearance in
church? Why are so many young adults falling away
from their faith? These are questions that are facing
religious organizations today and in the future. If we
were able to answer these questions then our churches
would be filled each and every Sunday. We need to get
the ball rolling and find answers to these questions or
our churches will be empty in years to come. Let us
work each and every day to expand the mission. We
need you to invite your friends and family who have
fallen away to a Divine Liturgy! Lets see if we can get
this done!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE EPISTLE OR
LEARN how to sing the responses to our Divine
Liturgy? Just take a walk up into the choir and see how
easy it is to sing! We need your help both young and
old! No experience is necessary!
PARISH DUES: Have you paid your church dues for
2017. If not please see Matushka Ludmila at the candle
desk. If you would like to join our parish it only cost
$175.00. We welcome you and others to join!
PARISH WALL UPDATE: We are ready to roll! The
plans are being finalized and work will begin shortly!
Please be advised that when the work commences we
will be blocking off the front of the church for a few
weeks so be careful when entering the church. We most
likely will be using the side entrance of the church!