The Promise

maRch - may 2012

FRom the scRIptuRes
As the brAnch cAnnot beAr fruit of itself, unless it Abides in the vine,
neither cAn you

Abide in Me, And i in you.

Me. i AM the true vine, you Are the brAnches. he who Abides in Me, And i in hiM, beArs Much fruit
unless you Abide in

JOHN 15:4-5

dates to RemembeR
Feast oF the annunciation & Parish Luncheon

InsIde thIs Issue

Pastoral Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Picturing our last 100 years . . . . . . . 5 exPloring Matthew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 inside the annunciation . . . . . . . . . . . 10 sPeak My naMe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 uPcoMing lenten services . . . . . . . . . . 16 labor for body & soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 basketball scenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 holy week services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Mistaken identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 reflections on stewardshiP . . . . . . . . 26 calendars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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maRch 25th

apRIl 7th - 14th

hoLy Week Pascha

apRIl 15th may 6th

sunday schooL Graduation & schoLarshiP Luncheon

may 18th - 20th

our FestivaL

THE PROMISE

pastoRal message
ore often than not, when Christian men and women search their heart and soul with an honest eye on their relationship with Christ, they are quick to find all those areas where in one way or another, they are falling short of the mark. Indeed, any genuine self-assessment will certainly reveal gaps between where we are and the perfection expected of us. As faithful servants of the Lord, there is indeed no question that we are continuously called upon to seek the very High and Holy Way of the Lord. But at the very same time, we must not loose sight of our progress. In other words, the mountain top may be high, and sometimes it may even appear far off from where we are standing, but no faithful member of the Church is ever so far flung as to have no hope. We may very well have miles to go before we sleep, but at least we are making the trip! At least we are striving to stay on the straight and narrow path! At least we know where we want to go and are trying to get there!

know where hope and life can be found. We too may only be worthy of crumbs from the Masters table, but in committing our whole life to Christ, we no less can hear the Lord say unto us, Great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire. For example, on Sunday mornings each and every one of us can easily decide to sleep in and enjoy a day off. The vast majority of the world would understand such a position. It even encourages such indulgences by relentlessly reminding us that life is hard, work is demanding and rest is precious. But every time we shake off the spirit of lethargy for the sake of participating in the Divine Liturgy (or for any other Church service), we openly reject the ways of the secular world and seek out Christ our God. And like the Canaanite woman, we do so with no greater enticement than the opportunity to honor the Lord with our prayers and our presence in His Holy House. We may have a thousand worries on our shoulders and ten thousand demands to meet, but faithful Orthodox Christians freely choose to regularly worship in His Holy House because we realize deep down inside that is where, when and how we approach the living God. Much like the Canaanite woman, we know to look to Christ. And for this reason, we should have no doubt - Jesus Christ looks upon us as we gather for Divine services week after week and says to each of us, Great is your faith! Be it done as you desire. This also means that every time we stop what we are doing, or make time in our day to pray to God and ask for His grace, mercy and guidance; we are in fact reflecting a faith in Him that is sadly a minority position in our modern day society. But at the same time, not all that far removed from what the Gospel records (Continued on page 4)

Great

is your Faith

In more ways than one, we have much in common with the Canaanite Woman in the Gospel according to Matthew 15:21-28. The woman has shortcomings, but she knows that her help comes from Christ alone. Without any assurance or encouragement, the Canaanite woman boldly goes out of her way to seek out and meet Jesus. And although she is far from perfect, the Lord is so moved by the womans passionate and faithful resolve to reach out to Him, that He says to her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire. Let us now pause for a moment and appreciate the fact that we too know what we need help for and who alone can provide it. Like the Canaanite, we also
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march - may 2012

baptIzed Into chRIst

The Annunciation family congratulates Gregory & Manal Arman on the baptism of their son, Brody Zachariah, who was baptized at the Annunciation on FeBruary 18th. Ranya Kassees is the proud godmother. May the Lord bless our newest servant of the Lord, along with all of his family and friends!

Make your legacy of love for your parish eternal, remember the Annunciation in your Will.

The Annunciation family congratulates Liquat & Iryna Kasi on the baptism of their son, danyal alexander, who was baptized at the Annunciation on FeBruary 18th. Haitham & Majida Fanek are the proud godparents. May the Lord bless our newest servant of the Lord, along with all of his family and friends!

I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13
Without GOD, our week would be: sindAy, MourndAy, teArsdAy, wAstedAy, thirstdAy, fightdAy & shAtterdAy. Remember seven days WITHOUT GOD makes: One WEAK!!
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The Annunciation family congratulates Michael constantine napoli, who was baptized at the Annunciation and entered the Chuch on FeBruary 25th. John & Carole Hawkins are the proud godparents. We welcome Michael into our parish and pray that the Lord will continue to bless our newest servant of the Lord, along with all of his family and friends!

Remember Mothers Day Sunday, May 13th

THE PROMISE

the pastoRal message

(Continued from page 2)

transpired more than 2000 years ago in the encounter with the Canaanite woman. For of all the people that needed Gods help as Jesus passed through the district of Tyre and Sidon, is it not striking that only the Canaanite woman went out of her way to approach Christ? She risked the ridicule of the crowd. She had no guarantees to the outcome and she knew that she was far from perfect. Nonetheless, the Gospel notes that the Canaanite woman was the only person who clearly sought out God. And dare we say that as devout Orthodox Christians, we are not all together different from that ancient woman. Society is quick to give us a million recommendations other than prayer and we are all keenly aware of our unworthiness before the Lord. But when we make a genuine effort to draw closer to Christ in word and in deed (in effect crying out to Him in faith), we must have no doubt that He sees us and say to us as well, Great is your faith! Be it done as you desire. Furthermore, when we organize our week in such a way as to make time to read the Scriptures, discipline our ways through prayer and fasting as well as live according to His Word; we honor the living God in ways that are more the exception rather than the modern day rule. Such a way of life, while far from easy, manifests a genuine desire to draw closer to God. So every time, we choose the moral way; every time we reject sin and manifest our active faith before all the world, we may very well be mocked. We may be dismissed and we may be attacked. Our motives may be questioned and we may even feel very much out of step with the crowd. But let there be no question, the Lord our God will not send us away empty and forlorn. Instead, we too shall spiritually hear His voice echo, Great is your faith! Be it done as you desire. Now let us also be especially careful before making any rash conclusions. This in no way implies that as faithful Orthodox Christians we, in one way or another, can sit on our laurels. After all, the Canaanite
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woman could have easily given up when the Lord first tested her, and hope He would be touched by her mere attempt to speak to Him. Had she relied on doing the bare minimum, she most likely would have never experienced the full measure of Gods love and mercy. Therefore, it is our duty to continuously strive to improve as Christians! It is our never-ending calling to always try to be better followers of Christ no matter what others may say or what we even think is personally possible, let alone attainable. We do not strive to be devout Orthodox Christians for the sake of competition or accolades; but out of an abiding faith and love for the Lord our God. Knowing how near Christ is to us must always motivate us to grow as Christians and join in the cry of the Canaanite woman, Have mercy on me O Lord! Therefore it is to our utter folly that we dismiss the voice of the Father who sees our genuine efforts to draw nearer to Him. To know that we can do better as Orthodox Christians does not mean we are abject failures! The length of the road we have to travel as Christians is not a sign of failure as long as we never stop pushing ahead. After all, if only the perfect please the Lord, all would surely be lost. There would be no hope for anyone, for only God is perfect. In fact, if the Lord were only pleased with perfect followers, (Continued on page 7)

As we consider our life in Christ and our Lenten journey, it should be from the perspective of how to improve it, not merely how much more we have to do.

march - may 2012

embRacIng the beauty oF the annuncIatIon

One of the great feasts of the Holy Orthodox Church and the blessed feast day of our parish is on the horizon! On March 24th & 25th, let us pause to honor the example of steadfast faith and obedience embodied in the person of the Theotokos as well as celebrate the gift of salvation that unfolds with the great feast of the Annunciation. It is the feast day of our parish and a celebration of an exquisite way of life.

pIctuRIng ouR last 100 yeaRs

Part of our plans to herald the Annunciations 100th Anniversary include showcasing the people and life of our parish through the years. For this to happen, we need our church FaMilys direct help. If you have pictures of Weddings, Baptisms, Sunday School programs, Family moments and/or Festival endeavors at the Annunciation, we desperately want to make copies of your best pictures to include in a Commemorative Album and/or DVD.

The Feast of the Annunciation

Here is How YoU can Help:

1) Select some of the best pictures in your collection of family moments at the Annunciation. (For example, a wedding portrait taken in a studio is not applicable, a picture of the wedding service or reception in the Church is perfect!) Remember scenes from a Baptism, your baby graduating Sunday School, working at the Festival or having fun at a Church dinner are great windows into parish life. please inclUde tHe date, or at least tHe Year of tHe pictUre. 2) Place your pictures in an envelope with: a. your name b. your e-mail & phone number. c. The number of photos submitted (This information is critical if we are going to be able to return the photos.) d. The date, or at least the year, of the scene captured in your photo.

Saturday, March 24th at 6:30pM

Great Vespers

3) There will be a bin on the church oFFice credenZa labeled Incoming Pictures - place your envelope in it. The parish will make copies of the pictures and will, within a few weeks, contact you when they are ready to be picked up from the bin on the church oFFice credenZa labeled Outgoing Pictures. For a complete picture of life at the Annunciation in Little Rock over the last 100 years, we need images of your life at the Annunciation. please, help us today!!!
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Sunday, March 25th to Be Followed By our

DiVine LiturGy

Feast Day Luncheon

THE PROMISE

Welcome
We are pleased to announce that the

2012 dates For st. nicholas suMMer caMp

have been announced! July 7 - 13, 2012 (Saturday - Friday) Mandatory Staff Orientation: Friday, July 6, 2012

CAMP WEEK:

NaCoMe Conference Center - Pleasantville, TN www.nacome.org

LOCATION:

The Orthodox Church and the Annunciation in particular, had the privilege to warmly welcome into its warm and loving embrace through Chrismation on Sunday, January 29th the beloved servants of God: terry Spyridon Mccoy & cryStal Sophia JoneS whose entrance into the Holy Church was sponsored by Brock & Christina Martin. Having been formally received into the Orthodox Church and become beloved members of our Church family in January, we look forward to walking together on the path of life and faith. With our newly enlisted Orthodox Christian, let us ask our Lord and Savior to continue to show us the way of the Christ centered life.

CAMPER REGISTRATION
will begin March 1, 2012 Please email snsc@detroit.goarch.org with any questions or to join our e-Newsletter group. You can also look for updates at the following locations: St. Nicholas Summer Camp Official Website: www. southerncaMp.coM (Currently under construction for updates). St. Nicholas Summer Camp Facebook Page: http://www.FaceBook.coM stnicholassuMMercaMp

WIsdom FRom the scRIptuRes

Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.

agape canIsteR pRogRam RepoRt

Helen Hronas is happy to report that with the three Agape canisters in our area (the parish, Joes Grocery and Arkansas Burgers) to help support OCMC - Orthodox Missions, a total of $1,103.00 was collected in 2011. Many thanks to all who donated at the church and to Joe & Sana Alley and Dan & Jeanne Spencer for sponsoring a canister at their businesses. This was the 20th year that weve had the Agape Canisters, and have collected more than $20,000 (approximately) for Orthodox Missions in that period of time.
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Malachi 3:10

march - may 2012

the pastoRal message

(Continued from page 4)

WIsdom oF the FatheRs:

A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away... remains his forever. st John Chrysostom

there surely would be no record of the encounter with the Canaanite woman. Instead the totality of the Scriptures are clear, God embraces imperfect servants who genuinely yearn for Him. Then, by His power and grace (conveyed through the Sacraments), He gives us the ability to grow as faithful Christians along with every reason to have hope. As we consider our life in Christ and our Lenten journey, it should be from the perspective of how to improve it, not merely how much more we have to do. For no athlete, musician, student or employee has ever improved by simply focusing on how far they are from the goal. No one has ever trained for a marathon with the expectation of running 26 miles in under two hours on day one. Infants must crawl, before they can walk. Thus it is safe to say that we must continuously work on being Orthodox Christians in order to ultimately be able to hear the Lord say to us, Great is your faith! Be it done as you desire. In the final analysis, we all have room to improve our spiritual life. We all can be better Orthodox Christians than we are at this very moment. That is an indisputable fact that must motivate us to spiritually improve, and not the reason we stop trying. With eyes set on Christ, a steadfast determination to follow the Lord, and with hearts filled with love for Him, we must never tire of trying to draw closer to God. For only with the devotion and steadfastness of the Canaanite woman can we be confident that we too shall hear the voice of the Lord our God say to us: Great is your faith! Be it done as you desire.

2012 Parish Assembly Sunday, april 1St

Working together for the glory of God and His Holy House at the Annunciation in Little Rock!
ts:

Have a blessed Lent & Pascha!

Rev Dr. Nicholas J. Verdaris

es not pray man who do The lave, remains a s mechanisms the complex enclosed in and of the tural world of the na passions s of his own movement ven more dominated e is by which he outside. by the world than 93), ae (1903-19 ru Staniloodox theologian Dumit th
Romanian O r
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deep though

THE PROMISE

2012
May 18 - 20, 2012
As we prepare this parish-wide herculean effort, everyone in our Church family is urged to get involved in this dynamic and powerful ministry tool! With your help, our Church is going to have another outstanding International Greek Food Festival!! As we all know, this grand project is a critical component of the financial wellbeing of our parish. The proceeds of our annual Festival help ensure that our parish is able to share the Good News of Christ by helping to meet some of the financial obligations necessary for continued growth. By volunteering at the Festival from the beginning, we help to ensure that the ministries of the Annunciation are never stunted by a lack of funds. And because our Church is always mindful of the broader community which we endeavor to minister to, every year through the grace of God we highlight the work of local non-denominational charities and share a portion of our bounty from the Festival with them. In addition to the our scholarship Foundation, this year we as a parish have selected the following charities to support and increase the awareness of their good works:

the FestIval pastRy pRoject needs Your help!

We are asking for members of our Church family to please find some time Monday through Friday between 9:30am - 2:30pm to come to the Church kitchen and help prepare some of our delicious pastries for the Festival. This monumental project cannot be fulfilled without everyones help. The more people who come to help with this endeavor, the more manageable the entire mission.

Cant commit to a week? How about a day? Or even a few hours?

Please see Anna Clift or Pat Diggins if there are any questions

abIde In me
Our personal commitment to the Annunciation determines what kind of parish we will personally maintain and grow to the glory of God in 2012. As the Lords cheerful and faithful givers let us all actively contribute to Gods work in the world through our parish with our 2012 Stewardship Commitment. Visit our website: www.orthodoxchurch.coM and find our 2012 Presentation, Stewardship booklet & card. One can complete a Stewardship commitment online or contribute directly to the parish via PayPal. We ask everyone who loves the Annunciation to please complete a 2012 Stewardship card and all together help to ensure that our parish is able to operate and minister to the glory of God, through our individual commitment of faith, love and stewardship.

carti coMMunity connections centers For youth & FaMily easter seals love truth care Ministries youth hoMe arkansas pediatric Facility

Lets do our part towards helping the Annunciation to shine!

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march - may 2012

exploRIng mattheW 17:14-23

by Jarrod Russell
(Please note that due to space constraints within The Promise, citations & references have been deleted)

Jesus Christ tells his twelve disciples in the Gospel According to St. Matthew, For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from there, and it will be moved. And nothing will be impossible for you. (Brown & Comfort, 1990, Matt. 17:20) I have heard this statement by our Lord and Savior quoted or referred to in various contexts. Primarily, I have heard it referenced as a statement of encouragement and hope. A person might say in the face of difficult circumstances, Since I have faith like a mustard seed, I will be able to make it through this difficult time. I have also heard it used as a challenge to increase a persons faith. In a time of crisis, a person might think, If only I had faith like a mustard seed, I would be able to face this crisis with strength and resolve. These interpretations are reasonable, and I would not discourage someone from using this statement by Jesus Christ in either context. However, both of these interpretations of the statement by our Lord and Savior fail to ask two critical questions. First, what kind of faith is Jesus talking about? Second, what level or degree of faith do you need so that nothing will be impossible? These two questions require the reader to put this statement in its immediate context and to consider the place of this passage of Scripture in the entire New Testament. Dr. Charles H. Talbert (Matthew. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010) notes that the New Testament addresses different types of faith citing saving faith and miracle-working faith as two examples. He contends that the type of faith referenced in Matthew 17:20 by Christ is miracle-working faith. Does the immediate context of this passage support Dr. Talberts contention? In the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel

According to St. Matthew, a man brings his epileptic son before Jesus to be cured after the disciples were unable to heal the boy. (Matt. 17:14-16) Jesus publicly rebukes nine of his disciples (Sts. Peter, James, and John were not among the disciples unable to cure the boy (Chrysostom, paragraph 3) and heals the child. (Matt. 17:17-18) Afterwards, the disciples ask Jesus privately why they were unable to heal the boy, and Jesus responds with the statement about having faith like a mustard seed. (Matt. 17:19-21). Thus, the immediate context of the statement supports Dr. Talberts conclusion that Jesus is talking about miracle-working faith. But, is Jesus really saying that if a person has miracleworking faith like a mustard seed, he or she will be able to move mountains, to literally do the impossible? At first, this might seem accurate since Jesus also says that nothing will be impossible for him who has faith like a mustard seed. (Matt. 17:20) However, St. John Chrysostoms Homily LVII on Matthew suggests otherwise. The saintly Archbishop of Constantinople explains that, What he saith is like this: Such abundance of power is with me, that I can even make others work these miracles. So that if thou believe as one ought, even thou thyself art able, saith He, to heal both this one, and many others. (Chrysostom, paragraph 3) Similarly, Eugene Boring writes that this is not a saying about the power of faith but about the power of God, even if God language is not used in either place. . . God is the one who acts, not an attitude called faith. Accordingly, it is the power of God working through the person with the miracle working faith like a mustard seed, not simply the faith of the person, which moves mountains, that accomplishes the impossible. This conclusion can be further supported by the Greek word used by Jesus. When Jesus says, nothing will be impossible for you, he uses the Greek word, adunathsei, for the phrase will be impossible. (Matt. 17:20) This word is used one other time in the New Testament. Specifically, it is used by the Archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation of the Theotokos. After the Archangel greets the Panagia and tells her that she (Continued on page 15)
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THE PROMISE

InsIde the annuncIatIon

(Excerpts from the forthcoming annunciation tour Book)

v icon oF the cruciFixion v

(Commemorated on Holy Friday)

the Greek words meaning Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. To the left of the image of the crucified Christ, are images of the women that the Gospels record kept watch: Mary the Theotokos, Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Clopas. On the right side of the icon are depicted St. John the Beloved Disciple and St. Longinus the Centurion who cried out: Truly, this was the Son of God! (Mark 15:39)

v icon oF the resurrection v

(Commemorated on Pascha)

A seminal moment of the Christian faith, this large mural illustrates the Gospel account of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. At the center of the icon is the image of Jesus nailed to the Cross with the city walls and gates of Jerusalem in the background. His right side is pierced and from the wound flows blood and water. Though there is no doubt that crucifixion was a barbarous form of execution, it is customary for Jesus to be depicted in serenity. The intent is not to dismiss the pain He endured for the sake of all mankind, but rather to emphasize the understanding that Jesus was not an unwitting victim of crime or taken against His wishes, but that He willingly sacrificed Himself on the Cross for the life of the world. At the foot of the Cross is a skull. First and foremost, Golgotha, the Mount of the Crucifixion, means the place of the skull. This detail helps to underscore the belief that Jesus is the New Adam, as well as make clear that with Christs sacrifice on the Cross, death is defeated. On the top bar of the Cross is the inscription I.N.B.I., the initials for
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One of the most symbolic of the Festal Icons of the Orthodox Church is that of the Holy Resurrection. In the center of the icon is the image of the radiant Christ with a unilateral motion pulling Adam and Eve (symbolic of the human race) up from their tombs. As a result of this action, the garment of the triumphant Christ is depicted being blown upwards by the wind. Then, with the understanding that the Lord descended into Hades with authority, He is shown with a firm footing and a powerful stance upon the gates of Hades, fallen in the shape of an X surrounded by broken bits of chain, keys and shattered locks. This further (Continued on page 12)

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march - may 2012

speak my name
by Benjamin T. Peck Sermon delivered at the Festival of Young Preachers, January, 2012. Oh Heavenly King, the comforter, the spirit of Truth, who art everywhere and fillest all things. Treasury of blessings, and giver of life; come and abide in us, cleanse us of every impurity and save our souls, oh Good One. Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, peace, goodwill towards men. Oh Lord, open Thou my lips that my mouth may show forth Thy praise. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Glory to Jesus Christ. My brothers, my sisters... my fellow sinners. It is important to note just that; we are all sinners. Sinners among brothers and as such we are called to do but one thing to one another; forgive. The Lord God said If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins, in Matthew 6:15. To forgive is an act of love, a loving act of forgiveness is an act of meekness, and as we know from the Sermon on the Mount to be meek is to inherit the Earth. But what do we really know about being meek? To be meek is to not respond harshly, in anger, agitation, irritant or even in sarcasm to those around us. It is to be utterly calm, peaceful; loving to one another. I tell you now when I was in High School I made the conscious effort that I was going to go an entire day of being meek, I wanted to try it and see if I could achieve such love. Do you know happened? Not even three hours into that day, and I failed out of habit. Habit struck me down and caused me to respond harshly and sarcastically to someone I barely even knew. Isnt that sad? So sad is it our society has so much habit on not loving. I couldnt even make it three hours being loving and calm, let alone an entire day. Love and forgiveness are two of the hardest things we will ever accomplish and be called to do as men and women of God. I find this humorous because when our friends struggle offenses made against them, we say to them is it really so hard to forgive and forget? And thats a really stupid question, we know darn well how hard it is

to move on and forgive, because it is so much easier and justifiable to our society to stew in our hatred, boil our rage and let our grudges bubble and brew. The other amusing thing is when we say to one another loving is easy! Its not so hard to love, which is also not true. Love is patient, love is sometimes kind, but it sure as heck isnt easy! Its easy to love those who love you back; your mother, father, brother, sister, dog, cat, goldfish, turtle they all return the love you give them. But Christ said in Matthew 5:43-47 ~ You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? How often do we follow this command? How often do we truly love our enemies, do we even think about it? Let me give you some examples, brethren; the terrorists from 9/11, were supposed to love and pray for them. If a man murders his wife, his children, his friend, your friend or my friend; we have to love, forgive and pray for him. That awkward relative nobody wants to admit they have, we have to love and pray for them. Do not mistake me, brothers and sisters we are not called to love them for what theyve done, we are called to love them because, like us, they are children of God. You may or may not be fathers or mothers, and I certainly am not, but I know that when I am a father, despite what sins my child may commit, despite what atrocities they may do, even if I am the victim of their crimes I will still love them. They are my children; a father cant not love his child, and just as I cannot unlove my children, God does not stop loving his children. Christ said Forgive them, Father; they know not what they do. And these fellow children who have fallen from Gods grace know not what they do. Gods grace is given unto us freely, but our forgiveness, our penance is conditional. We are not saved the moment we believe, we do not get a meal ticket to Heaven. A few (Continued on page 22)
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THE PROMISE

InsIde the annuncIatIon

(Continued from page 10) signifies the understanding that in Christs resurrection, the shackles of death have been shattered and has been defeated once and for all. The imagery recalls the words of St. Paul: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55) To the left of the icon, King David and his son Solomon are presented wearing crowns, while on the right side, St. John the Baptist stands pointing to the risen Lord. Just behind John the Baptist is a young, beardless man with a long shepherds staff looking on in awe. This is a portrayal of Abel from the Old Testament, the son of Adam and the first man to die. He serves to highlight how all of humanity is affected by the Resurrection.

h Yout l for Our ea gAM e! n Hoauuster epari s Pr orciabdo & Jan H n the D to Gab A )
thanks sistance (Many their as for

lIFe Is Funny....
A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their sixyear-old little boy and said: Would you like to say the blessing? I wouldnt know what to say, the boy replied. Just say what you hear Mommy say, the wife answered. The little boy bowed his head and said, Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?

the annuncIatIon needs heR Flock!

On HolY fridaY, april 13tH EVERY able man, woman and child is invited to help decorate the Sepulcher & Church in anticipation of the Lamentations and Pascha Services. It is a tradition in our Church to make Holy Friday a day of prayers and service centered at the Church. It will begin with the service of the Royal Hours at 9:00am and then all together we will help prepare the House of the Lord for the great and sacred events that unfold within it thereafter. Please plan to attend the service at 9:00am in the morning and then stay aFterwards to participate in this sacred undertaking. As we hear at every Liturgy, the Lord blesses and sanctifies those who love the beauty of His House.
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march - may 2012

holy scRIptuRe says:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends;

centennIal update
At the end of May there will only be until the Centennial Anniversary of the Annunciation in Little Rock!
** there will Be a critical Meeting on MondaY, MarcH 5tH at 6:00pM
to organiZe Matters For the

213 days

annunciations centennial. **

The St. John Ch Festival is r a celebrati ysostom Oratoric al on of the Churchs legacy of most gifte our d orator encourag a e young people to nd seeks to presentati likewise m ons on a the faith March 11 . on su ke th we w nday, ill be cond Oratorica ucting the l Fe 2012 youth. Lis stival with our Jun ior & Sen tening to ior our youth sincere an present th d enthusia eir sti Orthodox faith & valu c speeches about th e es that we is truly in a spiring an d you won ll hold dear, it. All are t want to invited to miss attend!

2012 st. john chRysos tom oRatoRI cal Fe stIval

1st Corinthians 13: 1- 7

Philoptochos Lenten Luncheon Sunday, March 11th

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13

THE PROMISE to our parishioners celebrating during the upcoming months!

March 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Catherine Burks Jacob Farah March 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nicholas Bell March 6th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Edward Farah March 9th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monica Sadaka March 11th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Andreea Terlea March 13th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristen Mirontschuk March 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Pappas Martha Tyer March 16th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nikolas Petropoulakos March 17th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Peter Petropoulakos March 18th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Forrest Abdo March 23rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helen Hronas March 24th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tyler Alley Lee Bailey March 26th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harriet Delfos Simon Gess March 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Wilcox March 28th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Giovana Stanford March 29th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Anaissie March 30th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christina Hronas March 31st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zain Fanek April 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Liz Masching April 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Alley Katherine Verdaris April 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kerri Moutos April 5th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oleksandra Pavliv Brooklyn Zraick Kaitlyn Zraick April 6th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caroline Lewis April 10th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Haycook Sultaneh Kassissieh April 11th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Alley April 12th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brody Arman April 13th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ana Stathakis April 14th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jessica Alley Jerry Melnyk Grace Rutter April 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kevin Wilcox
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Happy BirtHday

April 16th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garland Hurst April 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graham Campbell April 24th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Will Ramser April 25th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Janet Miron April 26th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sam Cimino Kiki Plastiras Roxana Terlea April 28th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Antoine Yared April 29th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madeleine Gess April 30th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Terry McCoy May 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie Blackwell May 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harley Burks May 7th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kaitlyn Akel Lauren Bailey May 11th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alex Harb May 13th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bobby Bishara May 14th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Hawkins May 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ian Ramser May 19th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Erin Kaiser May 20th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elias Bishara May 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Jones May 29th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Cora Anna Cora May 30th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ken Haycook

outReach commIttee
meet & gReet schedule
March 4th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Hunter March 11th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Jones March 18th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan McDowell March 25th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sharon Johnson April 1st . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Huckabay April 8th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jack Weatherly April 15th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Hunter April 22nd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Jones April 29th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan McDowell May 6th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sharon Johnson May 13th . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Huckabay May 20th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jack Weatherly May 27th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Hunter

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march - may 2012

exploRIng mattheW
(Continued from page 9) will bear the Christ child, she responds, How will this be, since I do not know a man? (Luke 1:30-34) Archangel Gabriel answered that this will occur through the Holy Spirit coming upon her and overshadowing her and that her relative Elizabeth has conceived in her old age. (Luke 1:25-36). He then stated, For nothing will be impossible with God. (Matt. 1:37 NRSV) Here, the Greek word, adunathsei, is used by the Archangel for will be impossible. (Luke 1:37) The Panagia then demonstrates the highest level of faith when she says, Behold the bondmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to the word of you. (Luke 1:38) It is at this point, with the Holy Virgins full cooperation, consent, and faith that the ultimate impossibility occurs. The Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages, becomes incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and becomes man. Stated differently, the Virgin Marys miracle-working faith, the faith like a mustard seed, allowed the Son of God to become incarnate. The Panagias response at the Annunciation is crucial to our understanding of the level or degree of faith necessary so that nothing will be impossible. Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware) explained the importance of the Panagias response as follows: Mary did not become Gods Mother against her will. When God made man after His own image and likeness, He endowed His creature with the gift of free will; and despite the distortion of mans nature at the fall, this divine gift of freedom has never been withdrawn. . . . This

cardinal principle of liberty applies at the Incarnation as at all other times. In St. Lukes account of the Annunciation, Mary is revealed as the supreme example of synergeia or voluntary co-operation. Thus, the faith necessary is the voluntary co-operation demonstrated by the Panagia at the Annunciation. To sum it up, the New Testament uses the Greek word, adunathsei, twice. Jesus uses the word once to explain that if a person has miracle-working faith like a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible. Properly understood, this miracle-working faith actually allows the power of God to work through the one possessing the faith. In the second instance, the Archangel Gabriel uses the word to explain to the Panagia that with God, nothing will be impossible. Upon her fiat, the ultimate expression of miracle-working faith like a mustard seed, the greatest miracle in history, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, occurs. Through this connection, we see that the miracle working faith required so that nothing will be impossible is exemplified in the Panagia, the supreme example of voluntary cooperation with God.

A VErY SPECIAL INVITATIoN To THE ANNuNCIATIoN CHurCH FAMILY

On sunday, may 6th immediately following the Divine Liturgy, in the Cultural Center A Luncheon Honoring Our Graduating Sunday School Seniors! Perfect Attendance Awards and Class Promotion Certificates! Teacher Recognition and Appreciation!
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THE PROMISE

the upcomIng lenten seRvIces

SUNDAY, March 4th -

SUNDAY, March 18th -

Sunday

of the

holy CroSS

Matins: 9:00am / Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

WEDNESDAY, March 21st Presanctified Liturgy: 6:30pm

Sunday

of

orthodoxy

Matins: 9:00am / Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

FRIDAY, March 23rd Salutation Service: 6:30pm

WEDNESDAY, March 7th Presanctified Liturgy: 6:30pm

SATURDAY, March 24th Great Vespers for the Annunciation: 6:30pm

FRIDAY, March 9th Salutation Service: 6:30pm

SUNDAY, March 25th Matins: 9:00am / Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

SUNDAY, March 11th Matins: 9:00am / Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

feaSt of the annunciation

Sunday of St. GreGory PalamaS

WEDNESDAY, March 28th Presanctified Liturgy: 6:30pm

WEDNESDAY, March 14th Presanctified Liturgy: 6:30pm

FRIDAY, March 30th The Akathist Hymn: 6:30pm

FRIDAY, March 16th Salutation Service: 6:30pm

SUNDAY, April 1st -

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Sunday

of

Mary

of

egypt

Matins: 9:00am / Divine Liturgy: 10:00am

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march - may 2012

ouR covenant WIth chRIst

On the Sunday of Forgiveness, we were all invited to consider the great love of God and the manner and means by which we will choose to respond to Him. In order to help us focus on this blessed endeavor and put this spiritual journey in its proper perspective, everyone in our Church family has been invited to make a personal covenant with the Lord. Hopefully, this call to action will help those who choose to participate to grow in their relationship with Christ through the instructions and disciplines of the Holy Orthodox Church. This covenant is meant to be a source of motivation to greet each day of Great Lent with even greater determination than the day before. The call to fasting, prayer and almsgiving is open to all. Hopefully, the covenant with christ will again motivate everyone in our Church family to embrace the services and work of Great Lent & Holy Week to the glory of God. We especially invite the younger members of the Annunciation, ages 12-18 (with a little help from their parents) to establish some important Lenten goals if they choose to participate in the covenant with christ. In addition to their faithful Sunday Divine Liturgy attendance and whatever other means they will personally employ to honor our Lord and Savior during this most sacred season, our young people are being asked to attend at least one lenten service each week oF great lent: Wednesdays Presanctified Liturgy at 6:30pm or Fridays Salutation Service at 6:30pm, for a MiniMuM oF Four services during great lent. (There are 11 evening services in Lent and taken into account is a possible absence for those going out of town for Spring Break). In addition, during Holy Week the youth are asked to commit themselves to attend every single evening service oF holy week (this means seven evening services in addition to the two day services of Holy Friday which are a part of their responsibility in attending the Good Friday Retreat), for a grand total oF nine services during holy week. Then in order to support and acknowledge such a faithful commitment, the Annunciation Church family will present those members of the GOYA who choose to complete this covenant with christ at the conclusion

of the Resurrection Service on Holy Saturday with a blessed symbol of love. parents, as you personally strive to fulfill your own covenant with the Lord, please help your child grow closer to Christ by encouraging them to embrace this spiritual challenge. Nothing would be more beautiful than for men and women of all ages who consciously walked the Lenten journey to herald the Resurrection of Our Lord during the wee hours of Pascha together.

e FelloWshIp houR d
If you or your family would like to commemorate a special event, honor the memory of a loved one or would simply like to after a gift to the Annunciation family... you too can sponsor a Fellowship hour! Please check the Bulletin Board and sign up today!

St. Pauls Advice:

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word,

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:14
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THE PROMISE

the satuRday oF lazaRus & you!

satUrdaY, april 7tH 9:30aM
This great and high feast day will begin with a very special divine litUrGY at 9:30aM. Not only does this service mark the dawn of Holy Week, but it is also our tradition at the Annunciation to celebrate this service in a manner that allows all those in attendance to better see and comprehend the elements to the service. Immediately following the Divine Liturgy, all those in attendance are invited to attend our annual annunciation youth coMMunion BreakFast. After some refreshment and fellowship, our GOYA ministry will host our youngest parishioners in our annual youth easter egg hunt. (All of our youth are encouraged to prepare to receive Holy Communion on the Saturday of Lazarus together.) Finally, EVERY Man, woMan and child will be needed to help prepare the palM crosses that are distributed on Palm Sunday. There is no expertise required to make this important religious symbol, only a willing spirit. If everyone will sacrifice a small portion of their day after the Communion Breakfast, this critical endeavor will be completed with ease to the glory of God.

holy FRIday youth encounteR

Every member of the Annunciation GoYa and Jr. GoYa is reminded that on Holy Friday, April 13th, we will be conducting our annual Holy Friday Youth Encounter. The program begins at 9:00am sharp with the service of the Royal Hours and the program will end at the conclusion of the Service of the Descent from the Cross in the afternoon. This annual tradition of the Annunciation is a perfect way for us to serve Christs Church as well as remain in His holy presence as we commemorate the Lords Crucifixion and Burial. This gathering is a perfect opportunity for us to spend some time with each other, work together and give glory to God. If you require an excused absence letter for school, please submit your name to the Church Office ASAP. Please note that all GOYAns are expected to be present and participate in the Holy Friday Youth Encounter (attendance is part of our Scholarship Foundation requirements).

attention GoYans: we need you to not only set the example by attending the Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning, we also need you to share some of your precious time and many talents with the Annunciation to help ensure a special Saturday of Lazarus for all. We will need you to help make Palm Crosses and conduct the Easter Egg Hunt: please set aside some of your Saturday morning for the Church.
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JoY MeMbers are also reminded that we have planned a very special Lenten program just for them on Holy Friday that will also begin at 9:00am with the service of the Royal Hours and conclude with the Service of the Descent from the Cross.

This holy day by every definition is a day of prayer and a time for people to gather together at the Church in order to serve the Lord in word, thought and deed.

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march - may 2012

check us out
Dont forget our website: www. ortHodoxcHUrcH.coM! It has an up to date monthly calendar, the latest edition of the proMise, serMons and all sorts of information. You can even contribute to the Church online! Find us on FaceBook at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and like us! If you know someone who might be interested in being a vendor at the 2012 Festival, have them visit www.greekFoodFest.coM - application forms & information are available.

makIng lent gReat

Great Lent give us the opportunity to change for the glory of God! The choice for us this Lenten season is to either continue to follow the flawed routines of the past that have kept us from glorifying the Lord regularly and at the appointed hour OR to meaningfully change our ways and honor the Lord by attending the Divine Services faithfully and on time. Our spiritual life is in the balance! Either our life in Christ can be refreshed by faith in action, or we can fail to be vigilant about our spiritual life and we will keep His love at bay. This Lenten season, let us all redouble our efforts to gather at the Annunciation at 10:00am at the latest in order to worship our Lord and draw closer to Him and one another.

Holy Week BEGINS April 8th

memoRIal day

easteR FloWeRs aRe needed!

In the celebration of Christs Holy Resurrection, flowers play a special role in the Churchs expression of profound joy. Not only is the Church beautifully adorned with flowers, but the very services and customs of Holy Week mandate the use of flowers. With that in mind, we can help support the liturgical expressions of Holy Week and Pascha by making an extra donation for the flowers that will play an integral role in heralding the life-giving news of Christs Resurrection. We seek extra donations for the the following: $300.00 For holy week $300.00 For paScha 24 potted lilieS For $10.00 each If you can make a donation of any kind to help the Annunciation meet this need, please see a Parish Council member or submit a specific offering to the Church Office.
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Most of those who died in defense of our country were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives - the one they were living, and the one they would have lived. They gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up everything for their country... for us. All we can do is remember. - Ronald Reagan -

19

THE PROMISE

Ba

2012 ment urna ll To etba sk

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march - may 2012

many thanks!
As the pictures highlight, a great time was had by all who participated in this years Dallas GOYA Basketball Tournament! While athletic ability on the basketball court is by no means necessary to participate and enjoy this wonderful outing, we are pleased to announce that some our youth were recognized by the Tournament: Amber Alley & Hayden Huckabay were selected as Most Valuable Players. Above all, we are pleased to note that again this year all of our GOYAns beautifully embodied the very best attributes of our Church family in all facets of the trip and Tournament. Our Church family must also make sure to give special thanks to the adults who, along with Fr. Nicholas, made this worthwhile excursion possible: stephanie alley (a graduate of our GOYA ministry), Mike Bailey, catherine Burks, Jarrod russell & presv. Maria. This year we even had a very special assistant coach, Jaeger Burks, and the scoreboard shows that he helped to make a difference! Our Church is not only blessed to be able to provide our youth with such opportunities, but we are also fortunate to have adults willing to make such events feasible. Without the commitment of our entire parish, the Christian integrity of our youth and the sacrifice of parents and advisors, such events would be hard to envision. Thanks be to God for the youth ministry at the Annunciation!
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THE PROMISE

speak my name
(Continued from page 11) months ago I met a man who said I am righteous, I have been baptized since I was nine and now I cannot sin. I asked him if he meant that if he sins hell go to Hell, he responded no I literally cannot sin. Nothing I do is sinful. I am saved, I am righteous. I couldnt help but laugh at such ignorance, such arrogance, such harmful pride. Righteousness is something we all strive, thirst and starve for, but it is not so easily attained. Believe me! I wish that when I was baptized at the age of three nothing I did since then was a sin. Lying to my parents about cleaning my room, fighting both physically and verbally with my brothers, and if you have siblings you know what I mean. Or, as an adolescent teenager, looking at someone in a way I knew I shouldnt have been looking. Itd be nice if none of those, or anything else Id done, wasnt a sin; thatd just be swell. But the problem is it doesnt work like that, I still sin when I dont love. Loving is difficult, it takes practice and perseverance to love everyone around us, especially our enemies. It is even harder nowadays, considering that the world hates us. The world wants us to go away, wants to ignore us, it wants to pretend we never existed in the first place, in fact it makes consistent efforts to ignore us and cover us up. On December 22nd a Ugandan Bishop had acid thrown on his face and poured down his back, just for preaching love and forgiveness. There was no news coverage, save a small news website. CNN didnt touch it, Fox didnt touch it, they ignored it, they tried to ignore us. December 25th, there were three bombings in Nigeria, on Catholic churches during their Christmas mass, for honor kills. No news coverage, no story. No care. And yet we must find a way to forgive them for these atrocities, and so if nothing else baptism raises the bar for us and calls us to be that much stronger, do that much more in our daily lives and make our lives that much harder because we know the reward that awaits us in Heaven. I do not condone the actions of those terrorists but let me assure you every man, woman and child who died is sitting on a throne in Heaven at the foot of God
Page

because they died in prayer, and they died in faith. This is important to note, my friends, that when we get into the enemys head with our talk of love and compassion, when they know were right and the only response they can think of is to kill us off, weve won. This is our victory! The world doesnt like being confronted, it doesnt like it when we win. They dont like it when we wont go away. St. Maximus the Confessor, when arguing with fellow Christians, would not stop preaching the Gospel, preaching the Orthodox Church, and beating them in theological discussions, they cut out his tongue and cut off his right hand. This way he could not longer write or speak the word of the Gospel. Thats good preaching! St. John the Baptist, they had enough! They were tired of hearing about the Messiah, about the Christ, about God so they cut off his head. Good preaching! My patron saint, St. Benjamin the Deacon, in 424 A.D. was martyred. They initially captured and tortured him for preaching the Gospel. They later released him saying Dont do that anymore! So what did he do? He preached louder, he preached harder, he preached more until they captured him again, stuck barbed wire under his toenails and finger nails, and left him to bleed to death. I have a lot to live up to, and I certainly hope that is never my fate, but you know what? That is great preaching! It gives me no pleasure to say this, brothers and sisters, but the day is coming, possibly even in our lifetimes, where Christianity is openly persecuted in America. Let me assure you, this is a victory, for the Lord our God says Blessed are you when men shall revile and persecute you for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in Heaven! And blessed will we be. On that day it will be our duty as Christians, as soldiers of Gods mercy, to stand with stalwart hearts and unflinching convictions even as the faithless come to hunt and attempt to remove us, but we must stand our ground. So when the heretics come to make that list, brethren; speak my name. Benjamin T. Peck is a freshman at Holy Cross College in Boston, Massachusetts.

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march - may 2012

2012 holy Week & pascha at the annuncIatIon

Saturday of LazaruS
April 7th divine Liturgy - 9:30am

aPriL 12th divine liturgy of SAint BASil the greAt - 9:30Am the Service of the crucifixion & pASSion of chriSt - 7:00pm

hoLy thurSday

April 8th matinS: 9:00am / divine Liturgy: 10:00am

aPriL 13th royAl hourS - 9:00Am (Youth Retreat - 9:00am) the Service of the deScent from the croSS - 3:00pm the office of the lAmentAtionS & the proceSSion of the Sepulcher - 7:00pm

PaLm Sunday

hoLy friday

the Bridegroom Service - 7:00Pm

PaLm Sunday evening

April 9th the Bridegroom Service - 7:00pm

hoLy monday

aPriL 14th divine liturgy of SAint BASil the greAt - 9:30Am mAtinS & divine liturgy of the reSurrection of our lord JeSuS chriSt 11:00pm

hoLy Saturday

April 10th the Bridegroom Service & hymn of KASSiAni - 7:00pm

hoLy tueSday

April 11th the liturgy of the preSAnctified giftS - 9:30Am the SAcrAment of unction - 6:00pm
(note the time change)

holy WedneSdAy

great & hoLy PaScha

aPriL 15th the AgApe Service - 11:30Am

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THE PROMISE

a case oF mIstaken IdentIty

by Fr. Vasile Catalin Tudora nothing to do with the true reality of God, but it pleases the senses and promises everything and beyond. We got hooked by his promises and now we live in this world with the illusion that it can fulfill us, we struggle everyday to achieve meaningless goals, missing completely our true purpose and destiny. A saint on the other hand is a person that has uncovered the image of God in him and has found his place in the world by acting according to His likeness. A saint shows to the world his true identity, imitating Christ almost to the point of confusion. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20). A saint is a person that has renounced to himself and yet his identity and alterity have been fulfilled above any imagination. This is not, however, limited only to the saints. After all we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:5-9). But, paradoxically, in order for us to become who we really are, we should let Christ take over. He must increase, but [we] must decrease. (John 3:30) until we reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13). We might seem to live plentifully in this world, but it is only an illusion For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Col 3:3) We are not ourselves and we are not truly living until we are with Christ. Dont let the world tell you otherwise; our true identity is fulfilled only by being Christians. Christians dont just believe differently than others, they exist in a different reality; a genuine reality in which God becomes man and man becomes god. This is Gods edition of reality, the only one true and original. I am Christian therefore I exist!

When I was still living in Romania I was going for confession to a hieromonk in a monastery not very far from my hometown. One day I took Maria, my daughter, with me. We participated in the services, got a blessing from the elder and on our way home she asked me, after being very silent and observant all the way: Dad was that man Jesus? A similar confusion happened to St. John the Baptist when the people of Israel confused him with Messiah: this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. (John 1:19-21) More so, in the tradition of iconography all the saints are depicted with features that resemble the icon of Christ, with the same transfigured sensory organs and heavenly appearance. They all look like they are members of the same family. All these cases of mistaken identity share the same root: a prophet, a saint and a monk, all resemble the Son of God. How is it possible? As humans we all share the image of God planted in us from our creation. We all share in fact this divine identity but, under sin, Gods face is covered in us and we become, at least outwardly, someone else. Through sin we lose our resemblance with God and we take the appearance that the godless world around has painted on us. The world itself has long lost its identity. It ceased to be a vehicle for mans edification in God and was transformed in a purpose to itself, an apple of discord and enmity between people. The devil, the greatest identity thief, diabolos, the deceiver, has succeeded to sell us, starting with Adam and Eve a reality that has
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march - may 2012

lenten chaRIty pRoject: The OrThOdOx Orphanage in guaTemala

Whoever receives one little child like this in My Name, receives Me - Matthew 18:5 The hogar raFael ayau is the only Orthodox orphanage that welcomes orphans, lost, abandoned and battered children whose ages range from newly born infants to early teens in Guatemala and Central America. But with nearly 200 children to care for at a cost of $35,000 dollars per month to operate, they need our support, along with our prayers. During this Lenten season the entire Annunciation Church family is invited to make the Orphanage one of their special almsgiving projects in their spiritual preparations to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. every sunday throughout great lent, we will be passing a second tray to collect funds in support of the Orphanage. As we fast and pray in order to prepare our souls for the Risen Lord, let us also make some extra contributions in His Name for our brothers and sisters at the Orthodox Orphanage in Guatemala and thereby embody His love.

Please bring your faithful StewardShip Offering to the Lords House at the Annunciation in Little Rock for the firSt tray. Please bring an extra dOnatiOn to offer for the SecOnd tray in support of the Orphanage in Guatemala.
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THE PROMISE

peRsonal ReFlectIons on steWaRdshIp

by Peter Gess, Stewardship Co-Chair For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. - Romans 12:4-8 Through my professional and civic life, I have had the opportunity to work with various foundation, advisory and governance boards, whether as a board member myself or a staff member assigned to support the activities of the board. There is a mantra, or slogan, used to stipulate the requirements for board membership. Known as the three Ws, it stands for wealth, wisdom and work. As applied, a potential board member must bring at least two of the three Ws with him or her to the table. This is a reflection, of course, that not everyone has the same attributes, the same strengths to add to the effort. However, through collective action, the board or organization is the best possible because of the aggregated Ws. When we speak of Christian stewardship, we do not use the three Ws, but rather the three Ts: time, treasure and talent. The concept here is the same, and is reflected throughout scripture: we give to Christs Church and each other in proportion to Gods gifts to each of us. We are one body of Christ, and by working together we can continuously move closer to the goal of creating Gods kingdom here on earth. The purpose of the University of Arkansas Foundation, for example, is to raise money from the larger community (defined broadly) to support the mission of the university: teaching, research and service. A worthwhile goal, of course, and the Foundation Board
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is populated by the whos who of Arkansas education, business and politics. All of these folks bring at least two Ws to the boardroom. Is our goal at Annunciation any less important? Of course not. For this reason we are asked to provide not two Ws, but all three Ts. The stewardship commitment form that every family submits each fall asks us to reflect each of these: treasure (financial support of the Parishs operating expenses), time (committees and ministries on which we volunteer to serve), and talent (special skills we possess to help further the mission of the Church). As individual families, we have different needs and demands. Perhaps some of the young families are not able to commit as much treasure now as they would like to down the road, God willing. Perhaps the current economic challenges are hurting some of us more than others. But all of us have been blessed with certain skills, certain abilities, that we can commit to our Parish family. Modern life in the U.S. keeps us all running around at break-neck speed, but it is important to think about time commitments to the Parish. Indeed, it is helpful each fall to take stock of what we offered our fellow parishioners and Christs Church the year before, and what we can do the coming year. Most of us make family financial budgets, but can we do the same with our time and talents? Ten percent may seem a useful rule, but stewardship is in proportion to the gifts (treasure, time, talents) that God has given us. It seems that everyone and his brother have parodied the popular Mastercard ad campaign, so much so that I think even Mastercard has grown tired of the campaign. But if you will allow one more (purely as an example), in conclusion: weekly treasures contriButed: $50 tiMe given to the church each week: 5 hours talents used in support oF the annunciation Mission: Teaching Sunday School helping to Build the kingdoM oF god on earth: Priceless!

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march - may 2012

thank you
to these FamIlIes FoR completIng a 2012

steWaRdshIp caRd:
Randy & Nisreen Akel Richard & Star Akel Haitham & Tina Alley Mike & Raeda Alley Wayne & Clair Alley Katherine Apostle Mike & Amy Bailey Mark & Nicole Bell David & Tetyana Brice Daniela Buhayevska Jesse & Catherine Burks Paul & Mary Cantrell Anna Cimino Sam & Giovana Cimino Steve & Anna Clift Brad & Anna Cobb Mihaela Coman James & Eleanora Daly Pat Diggins Ibrahim Fahdi Keith & Allison Freeman Cindy George Peter & Jennifer Gess Adam & Lisa Gianulis Cathryn Gillaspy Ray & Lea Ging Lyle & Josie Glass Leila Harb Michael & Darla Harb Ron & Joyce Harb John & Carole Hawkins Ken & Linda Haycook Helen Hronas

Christopher Huckabay Mark & Jana Hunter Sharon Johnson Robin Jones Mary Karrant Raouf & Tamara Kassissieh Phoebe Kutait Sarah Lee Brock & Christina Martin K.V. & Ammini Mathen Terry & Crystal McCoy Lynn & Susan McDowell Art & Magidah Mnatzaganian Dean & Toni Moutos Mark & Christina Myers Michael & Debra Napoli James & Eva Pappas Pat & Alice Pappas Angelo & Dena Parker Nick & Sarah Paslidis Haytham Safi David & Eva Sargent Gordon & Martha Tyer Steve & Libbie Vaden Fr. Nicholas & Presv. Maria Verdaris John & Marlene Verdaris Gus & Irene Vratsinas Pete Vratsinas Jack & Jill Weatherly Kevin & Stephanie Wilcox Richard & Amanda Zraick

As of today, we have received Commitment CArds from 64 families for a totAl of $155, 396 towards the goAl of $300,000.
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THE PROMISE

FestIval notes
Attention Annunciation family, our Festival is quickly drawing near and if you are looking for a place or way to help this years Festival, please come forward! Remember these points:

FestIval dIvIne lItuRgy

on May 20th, the Sunday oF the FeStival,
the

divine liturGy will Be celeBrated at 9:30aM.

1) praY.

Without deference to God nothing is possible. Pray for good weather. And pray that He will help us bear this labor well in order to shine for Him.

2)volUnteer.

This blessing and responsibility of our parish can not succeed without all hands on deck!

You can help the Festival by telling friends and neighbors, putting up posters and helping to distribute brochures via e-mail or Facebook. We all have to make sure that the Little Rock area knows about our Festival and you are our best source of promotion!!!

3) Help spread tHe word.

4) friends of tHe festival.

Help defray soaring food costs by underwriting a food item for this years Festival. Every dollar donated towards the food supplies makes the Festival one dollar more successful and helps ensure the continued growth of our parish and the wonderful charities we are sponsoring this year.

If you want to help a critical fund-raiser for the annunciation along with super charities like easter seals & coMMunity connections, consider supporting the 2012 GreekFeSt GolF claSSic on Monday, May 14th! It is a fantastic time that does great things for a players body and soul. In these troubled financial times, our participation and sponsorship are needed now more than ever!

5) festival MoneY.

Please remember that Festival Money will only be pre-sold. It will not be available for purchase during the Festival. These funds are non-refundable and cannot be changed for cash. To place a minimum order of $100.00 please see Raouf Kassissieh

6) festival pastrY packinG.

In addition, mark your calendars for thurSday, May 10th and the taste of tHe Mediterranean basH! A tasty evening that you will not want to miss. This annual event is not only delicious and fun, but it also goes a long way towards helping support the work of easter seals & coMMunity connections and the ministries of the annunciation. If you would like to help with these critical fund-raisers to the Annunciation please see Haitham Alley, the more the merrier!

When the time comes to start packing pastries, please pitch in. The more parishioners that will help pack the pastries, the sweeter it is for our entire parish.
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march - may 2012

ouR centennIal

6) a Missions trip

g bratin Cele ars 100 Ye

Create and/or participate in a mission trip to help share the Good News. Peter Gess is exploring this possibility. Maybe find a way to have interested parishioners to partner with another parishs mission trip (i.e. to the Orphanage in Guatemala).

7) parish picnic

Presv. Maria is looking at have a tasty fellowship picnic in the park after a Divine Liturgy. Haitham Alley is exploring an evening fellowship event featuring music, dancing, ethnic hors doeuvres or pot luck. Sam & Janet Alley / Steve & Anna Clift volunteered to head up a project along the lines of the Taste of the Mediterranean (with auctions, sponsorships & tickets) whereby we would split the proceeds with charities, and apply our portion towards offsetting the costs of the Parishs Centennial celebrations & Courtyard/Garden. Sam & Janet Alley / Steve & Anna Clift volunteered to heading up an evening for our Church family to formally celebrate our blessings. It is hoped that the Archbishop & Metropolitan will attend together this very special night and bless us. To highlight and commemorate the legacy of the parish we are exploring the construction of a Courtyard (in accordance with Church tradition) in addition to a Garden. The Parish Council will be recommending at the April 1st Parish Assembly a proposal to engage a Landscape Architect to look at the Courtyard and asking the Lily Garden Club to develop a Garden (which in time could be gradually expanded to enhance the Napa Valley side of the parish). Then at the August 26th Parish Assembly we can decide if we wish to proceed forward with these projects and the manner by which we will fund-raise & honor the memory of those who have gone before us.

8) cultural night
With little more than 200 days until our Centennial year, the committee has been meeting and is proposing several endeavors for our Church family to consider in order to commemorate our 100th Anniversary. If there is a way in which you can help us all honor the legacy of our parish, please step forward and/or attend an upcoming Centennial Meetings. Below is an outline of proposals:

9) charity Fundraising Banquet

1) puBlicity

We need a chairperson to help coordinate efforts to work with the press & community about this milestone. Having begun the process to collect pictures and material. We want to explore the potential of offsetting the cost of the Album with advertising. We need someone to explore and advance this aspect of the project. A souvenir of a special event.

10) parish centennial gala

2) coMMeMorative alBuM & dvd

11) courtyard & garden

3) a coMMeMorative MeMento 4) icon show

Father, Peter Gess & Robin Jones exploring a venue for such an event that would expand its outreach opportunities. Invite (2-3) clergy to make presentations on Orthodoxy one specific weekend for parishioners & general public discover more about our legacy of Faith. Create additional events to host speakers from Holy Cross School of Theology (our seminary) & International Orthodox Christian Charities.

5) orthodox christian ForuMs

NEXT Centennial Meeting: March 5th at 6:00pm All are encouraged to participate & contribute!
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THE PROMISE

ANNuNCIATIoN GrEEK orTHoDoX CHurCH

1100 NAPA VALLEY DrIVE, LITTLE roCK, Ar 72211 rEV. Dr. NICHoLAS J. VErDArIS, PASTor

m aRch 2012
Sun Mon Tues Wed 1 Thurs 2 Fri 3 Sat
3rd Saturday of the Souls Liturgy 9:30am

Salutation Service 6:30pm

Sunday of Orthodoxy Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Arkansas Vespers for the Sunday of Orthodoxy 6:30pm

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Centennial Meeting 6:00pm

Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm

Salutation Service 6:30pm

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Sunday of St. Gregory Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Philoptochos Lenten Luncheon Oratorical Festival

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Parish Council Meeting 6:00pm

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14

15

16

17
Happy St. Patricks Day

Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm

Salutation Service 6:30pm

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Sunday of the Cross Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am

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21

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Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm

Salutation Service 6:30pm

Great Vespers for the Annunciation 6:30pm

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The Annunciation Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Parish Feastday Luncheon

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Presanctified Liturgy 6:30pm

Akathist Hymn 6:30pm

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march - may 2012

ANNuNCIATIoN GrEEK orTHoDoX CHurCH

1100 NAPA VALLEY DrIVE, LITTLE roCK, Ar 72211 rEV. Dr. NICHoLAS J. VErDArIS, PASTor

a pRIl 2012
Sun
Sunday of St. Mary Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am

Mon 1 2

Tues 3

Wed 4

Thurs 5

Fri 6

Sat 7
Saturday of Lazarus Liturgy 9:30am Youth Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt

Parish Assembly

Palm Sunday Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am

10

Presanctified Liturgy 9:30am

11

St. Basil Liturgy 9:30am

12

Royal Hours 9:00am

13

Divine Liturgy 9:30am

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Bridegroom Service 7:00pm

Bridegroom Service 7:00pm

Bridegroom Service 7:00pm

Unction Service 6:00pm

Descent from the Cross 3:00pm Passion Service 7:00pm Lamentation Service 7:00pm Pascha Services 11:00pm

Great & Holy Pascha Agape Service 11:30am

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Sunday of Thomas Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am

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Parish Council Meeting 6:00pm

Holy Myrrhbearers Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am

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THE PROMISE

ANNuNCIATIoN GrEEK orTHoDoX CHurCH

1100 NAPA VALLEY DrIVE, LITTLE roCK, Ar 72211 rEV. Dr. NICHoLAS J. VErDArIS, PASTor

m ay 2012
Sun Mon 1 Tues 2 Wed Thurs 3 Fri 4 5 Sat

Sunday of Paralytic Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Graduation & Scholarship Luncheon

10
2012 Taste of the Mediterranean

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12

Parish Council Meeting 6:00pm

Sunday of Samaritan Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Happy Mothers Day

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15

16

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2012 International Greek Food Festival

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2012 International Greek Food Festival

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Sunday of Blind Man Divine Liturgy 9:30am 2012 International Greek Food Festival

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Feast of the Ascension Liturgy 9:30am

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Sunday of Fathers Matins 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am

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Happy Memorial Day Church Offices Closed

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JUne 1

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