Saint Thomas Bulletin

Sunday, Febraury 5

2012-02-05T06:03:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Publican & Pharisee – Tone 1

Epistle: 2 Tim 3:10-15 Gospel: Luke 18:10-14

BIRTHDAYS: Fana Nakovski (5), Nada Kabaivanoff (6), Tom Kostoff (6)

ANNIVERSARYS: Paul & Fana Nakovski (7)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial Service: We will have a Memorial Service for Fr. Christoff on his two year anniversary of his Falling Asleep in the Lord. Memory Eternal!!
Souperbowl Sunday: We will have our soup lunch after Liturgy today. Thanks to everyone who brought soup, a side or dessert!
Reverse Raffle: St. Thomas will be having a dinner, reverse raffle and silent auction on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 6pm. We need donated items for the silent auction and ask that you donate something or solicit a donated item from local businesses you frequently visit or from your company. Tickets are $50.00 for two (2) prime rib dinners, a ticket in the raffle drawing for a chance to win $500 and an open bar - a great deal! We are asking for items to be put into the silent auction to be held that same evening. See any board of Trustees member for tickets. Promote this fun event to your family, friends and fellow employees. Please support this important fund raiser for the church.
Lenten Tea: Save the date for March 11, 2012 for a special occasion, honoring Father Vlado and Popadia Toni. There will be a special Lenten Tea celebration, to welcome and honor Father and Popadia, as our new spiritual leaders of St. Thomas. The Lenten Tea celebration will be held in the St. Thomas banquet hall, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Please see Rose Yovanovich or Stacey Zahoranski, to sign up to bring Lenten tea cookies or sandwiches for this very special gathering.
Volunteers: We are looking for help with both the Reverse Raffle and the weekly Fish Fry's. The Fish Fry's are starting February 24, 2012. If you can help every week, every other week or once or twice in the six week period, please see Ann Fry, Carol or George Karakis, Joanne Karos or Rose Yovanovich. We also need a volunteer to tend bar during the reverse raffle, on February 25th. If you are willing to do this or alternate with someone, please see one of the board members.
Pascha Baking: If there are any volunteers who would like to help with baking for our Pascha bake sale, please see Annie Fry for dates and times. Advance order forms are available from Annie Fry.
Save the date! The St Thomas Rummage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 19th. Please begin boxing up and bringing in your donations. If you have questions, or need help with delivery to the church, see Jim or Robin Waltenberger. We will not be accepting any clothing. Last year's was a great success-let's do it again!
Survey: The church board has developed a short survey to learn how best to meet the needs of the congregation. The board requests you complete the survey today and place it in the labeled box located near the candle table. The survey is your opportunity to make your needs and wishes known. The board hopes each member will participate in this project. Many thanks for your help!
Church Office: We are looking for someone to donate a love seat in usable condition to put in our office. Thanks in advance!!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

James Anderson: Memory of Sandra Anderson

Pauline Patterson: Memory of Sandra Anderson on her 40 days.

Sunday, January 22

2012-01-22T06:14:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 32^nd Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 7

Epistle: 1 Tim 1:15-17 Gospel: Matt 15:21-28

Scripture Lesson for next week Zaccheus Sunday – Tone 8

Epistle: 1 Tim 4:9-15 Gospel: Luke 19:1-10

BIRTHDAYS: Albert Kurilko (25)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial Service: We will have a Memorial Service after Liturgy today for Elaine Marzuola's Aunt, Nadejda Hunter, who past away yesterday. Memory Eternal!!
All Church Birthday Party: Next Sunday is our All Church Birthday Party! If you would like to bake something for a specific month or decorate for a specific month, please sign up during Coffee Hour. Thanks!
Souperbowl Sunday: Superbowl Sunday is two weeks from today. We will have our soup lunch after Liturgy on February 5. Sign-up sheet will be out at Coffee Hour.
Reverse Raffle: St. Thomas will be having a dinner, reverse raffle and silent auction on Saturday, February 25, 2012. We need donated items for the silent auction and ask that you donate something or solicit a donated item from local businesses you frequently visit or from your company. Tickets are $50.00 for two (2) prime rib dinners, a ticket in the raffle drawing for a chance to win $500 and an open bar - a great deal! We are asking for items to be put into the silent auction to be held that same evening. See any board of Trustees member for tickets. Promote this fun event to your family, friends and fellow employees. Please support this important fund raiser for the church.
Pascha Baking: If there are any volunteers who would like to help with baking for our Pascha bake sale, please see Annie Fry for dates and times. Advance order forms are available from Annie Fry.
Church Office: We are looking for someone to donate a love seat in usable

condition to put in our office. Thanks in advance!!

Teen Sunday School: Do you have any big floor pillows or bean bag chairs you would like to get rid of? Please donate them for the Teen Sunday School class. We are setting up a teen room under the apse and would appreciate your help. See Nancy Watts if you would like to help.
Poinsettias: If you would like any of the Nativity Poinsettias, please feel free to do so!
Weekly Envelopes: You may pick up your new Church envelopes today. Please see the printed list that has your name with a number next to it. That number next to your name is the number on the box that holds your envelopes.

SUNDAY, January 8^th, 2012

Robin Djakovic: Memory of Bobby Petrovich

Lois Atterholt & Tracy Petrovich: Memory of Bobby Petrovich

Kostoff Family: Health of parents Chris & Sophia Kostoff

Mary Lazaroff: Health of Baker family. Memory of Gary Baker,

Lazaroff family, & loved ones.

Pauline Patterson: Memory of Bob Petrovich

Michael & Donna Tacasella: Memory of Bob Petrovich

Chris & Sophia Kostoff: Health of Kostoff family

Elaine Marzuola: Health of Teta Nonny Hunter – Very Ill!

Sunday January 15

2012-01-15T06:06:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 31^st Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 6

Epistle: 1 Tim 1:15-17 Gospel: Luke 18:35-43

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial/Coffee Hour: Jim Anderson is have a Memorial Service and sponsoring Coffee Hour for his wife Sandra (Thomas) Anderson on her 40 days. Memory Eternal!
Prayers: Father Vlado fell and damaged the ligaments and muscles in his right shoulder and arm yesterday. Please keep him in your prayers as he serves Liturgy today, seeing that he can't lift his right arm without being in pain. Thanks Sub-Deacon Dan for helping Father in the altar today!!
OCW Winter Retreat: OCW is having an Annual Winter Mini Retreat next Saturday January 21 at 9:20AM at Presentation of our Lord Orthodox Church. The event is free and everyone is welcome! There will be a guest speaker, Dr. Rick Newton, who will talk about "Who needs Orthodox Christian Woman?"
Reverse Raffle: St. Thomas will be having a dinner, reverse raffle and silent auction on Saturday, February 25, 2012. We need donated items for the silent auction and ask that you donate something or solicit a donated item from local businesses you frequently visit or from your company. Tickets are $50.00 for two (2) prime rib dinners, a ticket in the raffle drawing and an open bar - a great deal! See any board of Trustees member for tickets. Promote this fun event to your family, friends and fellow employees. Please support this important fund raiser for the church.
Thank You: Thank you to Nancy Boville and Joanne Karos for donating the containers to store our kitchen utensils in the hall cage. It has made organization so much better!
Teen Sunday School: Do you have any big floor pillows or bean bag chairs you would like to get rid of? Please donate them for the Teen Sunday School class. We are setting up a teen room under the apse and would appreciate your help. See Nancy Watts if you would like to help.
Weekly Envelopes: You may pick up your new Church envelopes today. Please see the printed list that has your name with a number next to it. That number next to your name is the number on the box that holds your envelopes.

Sunday, January 8

2012-01-08T06:03:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Sunday after Theophany – Tone 5

Epistle: Eph 4:7-13 Gospel: Matt 4:12-17

BIRTHDAYS: Donna Gorcoff (11), Rich Zahoranski (11)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial/Coffee Hour: Pauline Patterson is having a Memorial for her brother Robert on the 40 days of his Falling Asleep in the Lord. Coffee Hour will be cancelled today due to the use of our small hall being used for the Mercy Meal. Big thank you to our Mercy Meal sous chefs and helpers for all their help this morning!
A huge Thank You: Thanks to Jean Sombaty's thoughtful and touching idea, Alex Sombaty took home St. Thomas' amplifier, receiver and two microphones home with him to study and affect any necessary repairs, finding out they were beyond repair. Alex has so kindly donated a new receiver and two new wireless microphones to St Thomas in memory of his mother-in-law, Catherine, who Fell Asleep in the Lord this past September and as a thank you for all the prayers St. Thomas has given on Jean's behalf. Thank you Alex & Jean and Memory Eternal!!
Reverse Raffle: St. Thomas will be having a dinner, reverse raffle and silent auction on Saturday, February 25, 2012. We need donated items for the silent auction and ask that you donate something or solicit a donated item from local businesses you frequently visit or from your company. Tickets are $50.00 for two (2) prime rib dinners, a ticket in the raffle drawing and an open bar - a great deal! See any board of Trustees member for tickets. Promote this fun event to your family, friends and fellow employees. Please support this important fund raiser for the church.
Thank You: Thank you to Nancy Boville and Joanne Karos for donating the containers to store our kitchen utensils in the hall cage. It has made organization so much better!
Teen Sunday School: Do you have any big floor pillows or bean bag chairs you would like to get rid of? Please donate them for the Teen Sunday School class. We are setting up a teen room under the apse and would appreciate your help. See Nancy Watts if you would like to help.
Weekly Envelopes: You may pick up your new Church envelopes today. Please see the printed list that has your name with a number next to it. That number next to your name is the number on the box that holds your envelopes.

SUNDAY, December 18^th, 2011

Nancy Boville: Memory of mother Esther on 40 days & Christmas Flowers donated for health of family.

Nativity Donations

Popadia Toni

Jerry & Karen Frengou

L.N. Karapasher

Sharon & Paul Triffon

Kathy Dimitroff

Nativity Sunday

2011-12-24T12:37:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Nativity – Tone 3

Epistle: Gal 4:4-7 Gospel: Matt 2:1-12

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

No Coffee Hour: There will be no Coffee Hour today after Liturgy.
New Years Services: There will be no special new year service, only our normal Sunday Divine Liturgy at 10am.
Weekly Envelopes: You may pick up your new Church envelopes today. Please see the printed list that has your name with a number next to it. That number next to your name is the number on the box that holds your envelopes.
Church Calenders: Please feel free to take home a Church calendar for the new year!

Thoughts on the Nativity from the Church Fathers

If the Word has been made man, it is so that men may be made gods. —St. Irenaeus

The Christmas tree reminds us of the tree of knowledge as well as the tree of life, but especially the latter. It underlines clearly the truth that Christ is the tree of life and that we cannot live or fulfill the purpose of our existence unless we taste of this tree, "the producer of this life." —Met. Hierotheos Vlachos

O Lord, give us leave this day to celebrate Your true birthday, of which our annual festival puts us in mind. This day is like Yourself: it is the friend of man. Year by year it returns throughout the centuries, growing old with the aged, renewing itself with the newborn child. Year by year it comes to us, passes, and then returns, full of the old magic. —St. Ephrem the Syrian

The Ancient of Days is become a Child, to make us children of God. From glory in the Heavens, because of His love for mankind, He now lies in a manger. He has taken on my body, so that I am made capable to have within myself His Spirit. He has taken unto Himself my nature, being garbed in my body, and gives me His Spirit, so that I, giving and in turn receiving, might discover the treasure of life. —St. Gregory, Wonderworker of Neo-Ceasarea

He who is God by nature converses with those whom he has made gods by grace, as a friend converses with his friends, face to face. —St. Symeon the New Theologian

The child in that distant Bethlehem cave has no desire that we fear him; he enters our hearts not by frightening us, by proving his power and authority, but by love alone. He is given to us as a child, and only as children can we in turn love him and give ourselves to him. The world is ruled by authority and power, by fear and domination. The child God liberates us from that. All he desires from us is our love, freely given and joyful; all he desires is that we give him our heart. And we give it to a defenseless, endlessly trusting child. —Fr. Alexander Schmemann

On this great day now celebrated, of shattered chains, of Satan shamed, of all demons put to flight, the all-destroying death is replaced by life, paradise is opened to the thief, curses be transformed into blessings, all sins forgiven and evil banished, truth is come, and they have proclaimed tidings filled with reverence and love for God, traits pure and immaculate are implanted, virtue is exalted upon the earth, angels have greeted people, and people make bold to converse with angels. From where and why has all this happened? From this, that God has descended into the world and exalted mankind unto Heaven. —St. Gregory Thaumatourgos

SUNDAY, December 1^st, 2011

Popadia Toni: Health of Martha and for a speedy recovery after a fall.

Health of family and parishioners. Memory of Nancy Boville's mother – 40

days.

Mary Perch: Christmas Donation

Donna Kimevski: Health of family for Christmas.

Carol & George Karakis: Health of Olga Perch, Martha and a speedy recovery,

Matushka Kobbs. Memory of Nancy Boville's mom & son & our family who

passed.

Alex & Raisa Minev: Memory of Rosa Karataeva.

Nicholas Kostoff: Health of parents Chris & Sophia Kostoff.

Sunday before the Nativity

2011-12-18T06:20:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Sunday before Nativity – Tone 2

Epistle: Heb 11:9-10,17-23 Gospel: Matt 1:1-25

Scripture Lesson for next week Nativity of Christ– Tone 3

Epistle: Gal 4:4-7 Gospel: Matt 2:1-12

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Nativity Services:

o Christmas Eve: Saturday, December 24^th Vespers, 5pm

o Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25^th Divine Liturgy, 10am

Poinsettias: If you would like to order poinsettias in health of memory of a loved one, you may do so through the Candle Table. Thanks!
Prayers: Please keep in your prayers Martha Spanovich, who is recovering from a fall, Steve Dailey, Ann Fry's nephew-in-law who just has his leg amputated after an accident. Also, please keep in your prayers Joeseph Seif, who is a very close friend to Sub-Deacon Dan. He has a brain bleed and has suffered through a few strokes. He is currently in ICU. As always, please keep Sub-Deacon John Dodovich's brother, Philip, Diana Clance's father, Bernard, and Nadejda Hunter in your prayers.

MOTHER OF GOD AND EVER-VIRGIN MARY
"The child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit"

The veneration of the Virgin Mary as Mother of God is firmly rooted in the doctrine of the Incarnation – that is, the human birth of the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ - which is the central message of Christmas. In the very word 'Theotokos' is revealed the mystery of the Incarnation. The Virgin Mary gave birth to God in the flesh (Jesus Christ), one person with two natures – human and divine. We venerate the Mother of God always in the light of her role in the Incarnation. We do not venerate her simply on account of her own virtue, but in virtue of the fact that Christ entered the world through her. This is why most icons of the Mother of God show her with Christ in her arms. The veneration of the Mother of God is something that some non-Orthodox Christians are not comfortable with. Does not all this veneration of the Virgin Mary overshadow Jesus Christ? This is almost the knee-jerk reaction of such people when looking upon the significant position of the Virgin Mary in Orthodox worship. But is it not odd that the idea of revering the Mother of God can seem strange, while the idea of worshipping someone who has a mother does not strike us as equally strange? The simple fact of the matter is this: there would be no Jesus without Mary. To venerate the Virgin Mary is to revere Christ becoming a man for our salvation, to fall down in awe before the great mystery of the Incarnation. He Whom heaven itself, even the highest heaven, could not contain is contained in the womb of a young woman! The Ancient of Days becomes a newborn child! He Who existed before the world began is born of a virgin! How can we worship God without revering His coming to earth and revealing Himself to us as flesh and blood? But how can we remember this without remembering the woman from whom He took flesh? And how can we remember her without wonder and adoration? This is why we have such a profound reverence for the Mother of God. For in this very word, 'Theotokos', is contained the whole mystery of the Incarnation and the salvation of the human race! The Mother of God is hailed also as Ever-virgin (aeiparthenos). The Church Fathers and hymns refer repeatedly to this paradox: virginity and motherhood are in nature mutually exclusive, but in the Mother of God the two opposites meet and are joined together. Christ was born not of man but of the Holy Spirit, and Orthodox Tradition holds that the Mother of God remained a virgin after the Birth of Christ as well as before. Some Christians contest this, quoting as their argument a passage in the Gospel of Matthew (13:54-56): "When Jesus had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" Orthodox Tradition understands these brothers and sisters as 'siblings' from a former wife of Joseph, and not from Mary. Furthermore, "The terminology of Israel… made no distinction between brothers and cousins but referred to all as "brothers". "Mary had become the mother of all mankind through giving birth to God. She belonged completely and utterly to Him: "Becoming the vessel for the Lord of Glory Himself, and carrying in the flesh Him whom heaven and earth cannot contain, surely would have been grounds to consider her life, including her body, as fully consecrated to God and sexual relations as unthinkable. Even in the comparatively minor (and strikingly parallel) incident of the Lord's entry through the East gate of the Temple in Ezekiel 43-44, prompts the call: "This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no one shall enter by it, for the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut" (44:2)". Whenever we revere the Mother of God, we remember Christ; we venerate His divine humility and condescension: "Today the Virgin gives birth to him who is above all being, and the earth offers the cave to him whom no one can approach; Angels with shepherds give glory, while Magi travel with a star; for to us there has been born a little Child, God before the ages".

Sunday, December 11

2011-12-11T05:57:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Sunday of the Forefathers – Tone 1

Epistle: Col 3:4-11 Gospel: Luke 14:16-24

Scripture Lesson for next week Sunday Before Nativity– Tone 2

Epistle: Heb 11:9-10,17-23 Gospel: Matt 1:1-25

BIRTHDAYS: Larry Boville (13), Jonathan Halchak (13), Aaron Kimson (16)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial/Coffee Hour: Nance Boville is having a Memorial and sponsoring Coffee Hour today for her mother, Esther, on the 40 days of her Falling Asleep in the Lord. Alex Mivev is also having a Memorial for the one year anniversary of Raisa's sister, Rose. Memory Eternal!
Prayers: Please keep in your prayers Martha Spanovich, who took a nasty fall last Sunday while leaving church. Her family took her to the City Hospital and found out she fractured a couple of bones in her hand, mashed her nose and cut her lips. Fortunately, there were no signs of a concussion. She is home and recovering! Cards are welcomed! Please pray for the health of Steve Dailey, Ann Fry's nephew-in-law who just has his leg amputated after an accident. Also, please keep in your prayers Joeseph Seif, who is a very close friend to Sub-Deacon Dan. He has a brain bleed and has suffered through a few strokes. He is currently in ICU. As always, please keep Sub-Deacon John Dodovich's brother, Philip, Diana Clance's father, Bernard, and Nadejda Hunter in your prayers.

Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

"On this Sunday the Church commemorates the Holy Forefathers. What connection is there between them and us? In general, the Church brings them to our attention now, right before Christmas, largely because of their faith – their belief in the promise given by God to Adam during his expulsion from the garden of Eden; that in the end a Saviour will come into the world and will redeem mankind from original sin. All the forefathers – who lived on earth long before the birth of Christ – lived and burned with this faith, never allowing it to be extinguished. They are a shining example to us, who are living on earth after the incarnation of our Lord. Just like those ancient people we, too, have never actually seen Christ: they only knew that He would come into the world, while we know that He did come into the world. But they firmly believed in His coming and their faith was justified.

We are expected to have even greater faith. We must believe that the Lord was, and is, and will be; that He lived on earth as a man; that through His Church He remains with us constantly; and that He will again return to earth to judge mankind. But for such a faith the Lord Himself promises us eternal bliss. When Jesus Christ appeared before the doubting Apostle Thomas, who could not believe in the Lord's resurrection unless he actually touched Christ's wounds, and upon touching them cried out: "My Lord and my God!", then the Lord said to the apostle: "Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed; but blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

But apart from faith there is something else that binds us closely with the ancient forefathers – and that is their faithfulness to the awaited Messiah. They lived surrounded by a pagan world – a world which did not yet know Christ, but which had already rejected God. We too, dear brethren, live in a similar and even worse situation. For nineteen centuries after the birth of Christ the world lived with Christ and the Christian culture, but in the 20th century an abrupt change took place. We now live in a post-Christian era, in a world that has once again become totally immersed in paganism.

We often hear mention of the arrival of a "new age." However, there is nothing new in this "new age" except for its more modern form. It is the same old rejection of God and even negation of God, and moreover – a complete rejection of Christ and profanation of Christ. Most Christians do not even see how they are perverting their Christian faith in trying to modernize it, and how they are betraying Christ in attempting to unite with the religions of His persecutors and abusers.

And so, dear brethren, against the background of this horrifying world, let us remember not only the faith of the Holy Forefathers, but also their faithfulness to Christ the Saviour; and as we prepare very soon to celebrate His Nativity, let us turn away from the paganism that surrounds us, and let us witness our total devotion and loyalty to the One Who said: "Lo, I am with you until the end of time." Amen.

(www.holy-transfiguration.org)

Sunday, December 4th

2011-12-04T06:13:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 25^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 8

Epistle: Gal 3:23-29 Gospel: Mark 5:24-34

Scripture Lesson for next week Sunday of Forefathers– Tone 1

Epistle: Col 3:4-11 Gospel: Luke 14:16-24

BIRTHDAYS: Elisabeth Kimson (8)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial/Coffee Hour: Ivan Ivanov is holding a Memorial Service and sponsoring Coffee Hour for his daughter, Michelle on the year anniversary of her Falling Asleep in the Lord. Also, Sandra Anderson passed away on Friday; Fr. Lou will be holding the memorial for her on Wednesday with a Mercy Meal to follow at St. Thomas. Please call St. George at 330.666.7116 for more details. Memory Eternal!
Advent: Please fast according to you conscience; the fast will end December 25^th.
St. Luke's Advent Dinner: Today St. Luke's has invited us to their advent dinner from 5-7pm here at St. Thomas. They ask that families bring two side dishes & individuals bring one side dish.
Prayers: Please pray for the health of Steve Dailey, Ann Fry's nephew-in-law who just has his leg amputated after an accident. Also, please keep in your prayers Joeseph Seif, who is a very close friend to Sub-Deacon Dan. He has a brain bleed and has suffered through a few strokes. He is currently in ICU. Alex & Jean Sombaty would like to thank their church family for their thoughts and prayers during their time of need. Yet another surgery has been completed on Wednesday Nov. 30 of which they won't know the results for another ten days. As always, please keep Sub-Deacon John Dodovich's brother, Philip and Diana Clance's father, Bernard in your prayers.

St. Nicholas Archbishop of Myra, December 6^th

More than 1,600 years ago, in the year 270 AD, St. Nicholas was born not far from Myra, in a land that is now part of the country of Turkey. In those days Orthodox Christians were persecuted for their faith. It wasn't easy to be a Christian. Many of them were tortured and executed because they believed in Christ.

Nicholas was taught by his parents to love the Lord with his whole mind, heart, soul, and with ail his strength. When they died he inherited their money. He used this to help the poor, the hungry, and the sick. Whenever he helped anyone he did it secretly, so that only God would know, He did not want praise from people; he wanted his reward to be only in Heaven.

After he gave away the money his parents had left him he decided to become a monk. He went to a monastery where he lived and worked and prayed, intending to spend the rest of his life repenting of his sins. But soon it became clear that God wanted him to be a priest, and so he began to study the Law of God.

St. Nicholas became the parish priest of a village church after his ordination. He worked very hard, instructing his flock and helping those in need. He also performed all the Divine Services and was a spiritual father to all.

One day the Archbishop of Myra died. The other bishops, as well as the priests and people of the town, gathered to choose a successor. They couldn't decide who should be their new archbishop. They kept a vigil and prayed all night long in the cathedral, begging God to guide them. God revealed to one of the bishops that the first priest to enter the church in the morning should be chosen as the new archbishop. At sunrise, a simple priest, Father Nicholas, came quietly into the cathedral to say his morning prayers. In this way, the Lord God revealed His choice for archbishop.

In the year 325 a great Council of the Orthodox Church was held in the city of Nicea. 317 bishops from all over the world came. At this Council part of the Creed we sing in every Divine Liturgy was written down and St. Nicholas had a wonderful opportunity to defend the teachings of the Church against Arius who denied that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh and was leading many people astray by his false teaching.

St. Nicholas followed the words of our Lord, Lay up treasure for yourself in Heaven, by saying his prayers every day, by fasting, and by performing many good deeds. God was so pleased that He worked many miracles through him. Because he was able to calm storms on the sea he became known as the patron saint of sailors. Because he protected children (he even raised 3 children from the dead!), he is also a patron of young people. He was able to multiply food, just as our Saviour did with the fish and loaves, and in this way he once kept a whole city from starving. People began to call him a "wonderworker". They were so inspired by his life of service to others that many of them, too, began to lead holy lives, filled with good deeds.

After a long life, God called his slave home to heaven on December 6, 343. He was buried in his cathedral, but in the year 1087, his relics were taken to Italy to save them from the Turks who were persecuting Christians and destroying churches and holy objects, and they remain to this day in the city of Bari. The Orthodox Church celebrates this translation of his relics on May 9. St. Nicholas led a life so pleasing to God, that God glorified His saint even after his death. As a sign of God's grace, myrrh comes from the relics of St. Nicholas and many sick people anoint themselves with it and receive healing.

Sunday, November 27

2011-11-27T06:20:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week "Sign" Icon of the Theotokos – Tone 7

Epistle: Eph 2:14-22 Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Scripture Lesson for next week 25^thSunday after Pentecost – Tone 8

Epistle: Gal 3:23-29 Gospel: Mark 5:24-34

BIRTHDAYS: William Fry (1)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Advent: Please fast according to you conscience; the fast will end December 25^th.

· Big Christmas Tree: Change of date! We will be putting up and decorating the large Christmas tree on Friday, Dec. 2nd, starting at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to come and help or heckle - it's always a fun time! Also, we could use some muscle after Liturgy on Sunday, Nov 27th, to carry the pieces up to the big hall so it is ready to assemble on Friday. See Robin or Jim W. with questions or ideas. Thanks in advance!

· St. Luke's Advent Dinner: Next Sunday, St. Luke's has invited us to their advent dinner from 5-7pm here at St. Thomas. They ask that families bring two side dishes & individuals bring one side dish.

SUNDAY, November 27^th, 2011

Mitov Family: Health of Mitov family & memory of Fr. Stefan Mitov.

Tom & Christine Baker: Health of Baker family.

Mary Lazaroff: Health of Lazaroff famiy.

Sofi Kimivski: Memory of Nick Konstandaras' daughter, June.

Chris & Sophia Kostoff: Health of the Kostoff family.

Elaine Marzuola: Memory of my cousin Angela Naus, 4 years, we still miss her! Memory of Fr. Stefan Mitov. Birthday of grate-granddaughter, Elise, 8 years, may God grant her many more years.

Mary Perch: Memroy of Nick Konstandaras' daughter, June.

Sunday, November 20

2011-11-20T06:23:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Forefeast of Entry– Tone 6

Epistle: Eph 2:2-10 Gospel: Luke 12:16-21

Scripture Lesson for next week "Sign" Icon of the Theotokos– Tone 7

Epistle: Eph 2:14-22 Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

BIRTHDAYS: Daniel Jurabaev (20), Mary Nicoloff (22), Sophie Palmer (22)

ANNIVERSARYS: Casey & Elaine Marzuola (20), Ryun & Denise Louie (21) Steve & Nance Watts (21), Joe & Kari Sheehan (24)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial Service: We will have a Memorial Service for Rev. Fr. Mitov on the anniversary of his Falling Asleep in the Lord. Popadia Mitov is also sponsoring coffee hour. Memory Eternal!!
Advent: Please fast according to you conscience; the fast will end December 25^th.

· Big Thank You's: Thank you to all the donors who helped pay for a new floor for the business office and a big thanks to Rich Zahoranski and Steve Yovanovich (the elder) for doing the work! Also, Thank you to Jim and Robin Waltenberger for giving up part of their Saturday to do some cleaning in the church basement. Shelves were rearranged, items restocked and much junk removed! Finally, thanks to Diana & Nicholas Wood and Martha Spanovich who put in almost two days of work cleaning out all the leaves in the courtyard. Thank you so much for your hard work on some windy days.

Big Christmas Tree: Change of date! We will be putting up and decorating the large Christmas tree on Friday, Dec. 2nd, starting at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to come and help or heckle - it's always a fun time! Also, we could use some muscle after Liturgy on Sunday, Nov 27th, to carry the pieces up to the big hall so it is ready to assemble on Friday. See Robin or Jim W. with questions or ideas. Thanks in advance!
Dishwasher: One of St. Luke's parishioners worshiped with us last week and heard of our need to pay off the dishwasher repairs. St. Luke's Vestry was approached about the bill and they have donated the funds to pay off the account! Many thanks and many years to them for their generosity!!
Fallen Tree: As most of you may know, one of the large oak trees to the north of our property had dropped two very big limbs in the past few months. Our Lady of the Cedars Church was contacted by Parish President George Karakis and the tree was removed this week.

SUNDAY, November 6^th, 2011

Popadia Toni: Health of family and parishioners.

Nancy Boville: Memory of Esther F. Troutman.

SUNDAY, November 13^th, 2011

Popadia Toni: Memory of the daughter of Nick Konstandaras, June & Rev. Fr. Stephen.

Nancy Boville: Health of Diana Clance's father, Bernard. Thank you to all for

remembering my mother in your prayers.

Sunday, November 13

2011-11-14T10:22:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 22^nd Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 5

Epistle: Heb 7:26-8:2 Gospel: John 10:9-16

Scripture Lesson for next week 23^rd Sunday after Pentecost – Tone6

Epistle: Eph 2:2-10 Gospel: Luke 12:16-21

BIRTHDAYS: Bess Fry (15), Stacey Sporup (17)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial Service: We will have a Memorial Service for Nick Konstandaras' daughter, June, who Fell Asleep in the Lord this past week. We will also have a memorial for all of the Veterans and all of the departed of St. Thomas parish, for Memorial Saturday, including Carol Ludwig on her 5 year anniversary. Memory Eternal!!!
Parish Priest: St. Thomas is pleased to inform the parish that Fr. Vlado was voted as the new priest. He is currently part-time; in case of an emergency, please contact Father Lou Mashie at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 330.666.7116, or Father Ian Pac-Urar at Presentation of Our Lord Orthodox Church 330. 666.1782.
Advent: Advent starts this Tuesday, November 15^th. Please fast according to you conscience; the fast will end December 25^th.

· Thank You: Big thank you to our moving helpers on Saturday morning: Brad, Dan, Rich & Steve for their help with the office and the conference room. Extra thanks to Steve for cleaning carpet in office. Also, thank you the ladies (and men!) who helped work the bake sale at Polywogs to Frogs!

Big Christmas Tree: 'Tis the season to be jolly and to share good times with friends and families. You have an opportunity to share good times with friends the first Saturday in December, December 3^rd, when we will be putting up and decorating the large Christmas tree in the banquet hall .There will be spirits and Lenten snacks for all. Please let Ann Fry know you want to come and have a good time! Thanks!
Prayers: Sub-Deacon John Dodovich's brother Philip has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Please keep Phillip in your prayers as well as the Dodovich family. Also, please remember Stevan Stanisic in your prayers; Stevan is the 36 year old young man from Sarasota, Florida that was not expected to live because his pancreas had infected his stomach area so intensely. He is now in the Cleveland Clinic. Also, Yvonne Henkle is in ICU at Akron City in very dire condition. She is the cousin of Sandra Anderson (daughter of Mike and Sadie Thomas). She has pneumonia, is jaundiced and in need of a liver transplant. As always, please pray for Diana Clance's father, Bernard, who fell last Saturday evening in is home , fracturing his pelvis; he has been moved from home to Barberton Hospital. And continue praying for Alex Sombaty's spouse, Jean Sombaty and Elaine Marzuola's Aunt, Nadejda Hunter. Our fellow brothers and sister's in Christ need our prayers; this is what St. Thomas does best! Thank you for your heart-felt prayers.
Donations for Dishwasher: Thanks to the generous contributions from all of you, we have collected close to $500 out of the $1200 to put towards the repairs needed on our dishwasher! Thank you!!!
Donors Needed: Our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. We only need $700 more! Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

Sunday November 6

2011-11-06T06:21:00.001-08:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 21^st Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 4

Epistle: Gal 2:16-20 Gospel: Luke 8:41-56

Scripture Lesson for next week 22^ndSunday after Pentecost – Tone 5

Epistle: Heb 7:26-8:2 Gospel: John 10:9-16

ANNIVERSARYS: Tom & Olivera Gutshal (10)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Parish Priest: St. Thomas is pleased to inform the parish that Fr. Vlado was voted as the new priest. He is currently part-time; in case of an emergency, please contact Father Lou Mashie at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 330.666.7116, or Father Ian Pac-Urar at Presentation of Our Lord Orthodox Church 330. 666.1782.
Big Christmas Tree: 'Tis the season to be jolly and to share good times with friends and families. You have an opportunity to share good times with friends the first Saturday in December, December 3^rd, when we will be putting up and decorating the large Christmas tree in the banquet hall .There will be spirits and Lenten snacks for all. Please let Ann Fry know you want to come and have a good time! Thanks!
Pollywogs to Frogs Bake Sale: St. Thomas will be selling baked goods again during Pollywogs to Frogs since our sale was so successful last time! If you would please help St. Thomas out by baking for the bake sale this coming weekend, we would appreciate it! You may drop your baked goods off at St. Thomas this Thursday, November 10^th. Please contact Annie Fry during coffee hour or by phone if you have any questions. 330.328.5393.
Donations for Dishwasher: Thanks to the generous contributions from all of you, we have collected close to $500 out of the $1200 to put towards the repairs needed on our dishwasher! Thank you!!!
Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, who is back home, Alex Sombaty's spouse, Jean Sombaty and Elaine Marzuola's Aunt, Nadejda Hunter in your prayers.
Donors Needed: Our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. We only need $700 more! Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

SUNDAY, October 30^th, 2011

Popadia Toni: Happy Birthday to Fr. Vlado.

George & Carol Karakis: Donation for dishwasher.

Kostoff Family: Health of parents Christ & Sophia Kostoff.

Sunday, October 30

2011-10-30T06:21:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 20^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 3

Epistle: Gal 1:11-19 Gospel: Luke 8:26-31

Scripture Lesson for next week 21^stSundayafter Pentecost – Tone 4

Epistle: Gal 2:16-20 Gospel: Luke 8:41-56

BIRTHDAYS: Fr. Vlado (30), Kristen Latchaw (3)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Parish Priest: St. Thomas is pleased to inform the parish that Fr. Vlado was voted as the new priest. He is currently part-time; in case of an emergency, please contact Father Lou Mashie at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church (330)-666-7116, or Father Ian Pac-Urar at Presentation of Our Lord Orthodox Church (330)- 666-1782.
Memorial Service/Coffee Hour: Annie Fry is having a Memorial Service and sponsoring Coffee Hour in memory of her parents, Don Hoyt Trachsel, 15 years, & Mary (Dudich) Trachsel, 25 years. Memory Eternal!
Baby Shower: Ladies, please remember to join us after church for the Baby Shower for Julie and Joe Zampeno and their baby son, Zeno, in the Buffet Room behind our big hall today!
Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, who is back home, Alex Sombaty's spouse, Jean Sombaty and Elaine Marzuola's Aunt, Nadejda Hunter in your prayers.
Donors Needed: Our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

SUNDAY, October 16^th, 2011

Elaine Marzuola: Memory of cousin Christine Stephanoff & dad Red Welch on his 30 years. We still miss him.

Angelo & Mary Nicoloff: Safe trip to Florida & good health.

Steve & Rose Yovanovich: Memory of father Tom Kostoff.

SUNDAY, October 23^rd, 2011

Popadia Toni: Memoryf of Nancy Boville's mother Esther.

Jim & Diana Clance: Memory of Nancy Boville's mother.

George & Carol Karakis: Health of Nancy Boville, Diana Clance's dad Bernard & her mom, & Gus Karos. Memory of Nancy Boville's mom & son.

Gus & Joanne Karos: Health of Diana Clance's father Bernard & her mom. Memory of Nancy Boville's mom.

Elaine Marzuola: Memory of Esther – mother of Nancy Boville.

Sunday, October 23rd

2011-10-23T06:06:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 19^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 2

Epistle: 2 Cor 11:31-12; 6 Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

Scripture Lesson for next week 20^thSundayafter Pentecost – Tone 3

Epistle: Gal 1:11-19 Gospel: Luke 8:26-31

BIRTHDAYS: Scott Spidell (24), Steve Yovanovich (24), Karen Dodovich (27), Brad Bruns (28)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Memorial Service: We will have a Memorial Service for Nancy Boville's mother, Esther, who Fell Asleep in the Lord this past Thursday. Memory Eternal!

· Parish Meeting: Our parish meeting will be today following Divine Liturgy. The Sisterhood will provide a luncheon.

· Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, who is back home, Alex Sombaty's spouse, Jean Sombaty and Elaine Marzuola's Aunt, Nadejda Hunter in your prayers.

· Calling all handymen! There are some repairs and maintenance items that need to be performed in the church and the hall. If you are a handy guy or lady, please see Ann Fry to lend a hand.

· Donors Needed: Our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!

· E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

Sunday, October 16

2011-10-16T06:13:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 18^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 1

Epistle: 2 Cor 9:6-11 Gospel: Luke 8:5-15

Scripture Lesson for next week 19^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 2

Epistle: 2 Cor 11:31-12; 6 Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

BIRTHDAYS: Stacey Zahoranski (17)

ANNIVERSARYS: Alex & Raisa Minev (18), George & Carol Karakis (19), Dan Machar & Lisa Sprinston (21)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

OCW Tea: A big thank you for the many ladies from St. Thomas attending the OCW tea. We were very proud with our St. Thomas turn out. Thank you to Popadia Kim, Popadia Toni, Sara, Ann, Joanne, Stacey, Stephanie and Robin for their decorating, baking, serving and cleanup. Thank you Fr. Vlado for welcoming the ladies. It was such a joy to receive so many compliments on our sponsoring the OCW tea again this year!
Parish Meeting: St Thomas will have a parish meeting NEXT Sunday, October 23^rd. If you are unsure if you are a member and eligible to vote, please see Sara Tyrrell.
Proposed By-Law Changes: Please pick up a copy of the Proposed By-Law changes at the Candle Table, seeing that they will be discussed at next week's meeting.
Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, Alex Sombaty' spouse, Jean Sombaty and Elaine Marzuola's Aunt, Nadejda Hunter in your prayers.
Calling all handymen! There are some repairs and maintenance items that need to be performed in the church and the hall. If you are a handy guy or lady, please see Ann Fry to lend a hand.
Donors Needed: Our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!
Baby Shower: October 30th, following the Divine Liturgy, our Sisterhood will shower Julia Zumpano, with gifts and love, for the newest addition to the Zumpano family Baby Zeno!! All are welcome! We will have lunch, shower her and Zeno with gifts, and most of all, we will enjoy fun, friendship, laughter and the joy of the Holy Spirit, as we welcome Baby Zeno into the world! Please see Rose Yovanovich or Stacey Zahoranski, to RSVP for the shower, and for details on Julia's baby registry!
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

SUNDAY, October 9^th, 2011

Christine Baker: Health of George Baker, Tom Baker & Mary Baker.

Mary Lazaroff: Health of George Baker and Baker Family. Memory of Vasilika Lazaroff.

Steve & Rose Yovanovich: Memory of cousin Helen Vasiloff – 40 days since her passing away.

Sunday, October 9

2011-10-09T06:03:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 17^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 8

Epistle: 2 Cor 6:16-7:1 Gospel: Luke 7:11-16

Scripture Lesson for next week 18^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 1

Epistle: 2 Cor 9:6-11 Gospel: Luke 8:5-15

BIRTHDAYS: Yulia Batyrbaeva (10), Rose Yovanovich (11), Diana Clance (15)

ANNIVERSARYS: Scott & Jill Spidell (12)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial & Coffee Hour: The Yovanovich family is having a Memorial and sponsoring coffee hour in memory of Helen Vasiloff on her 40 days. Memory Eternal!
OCW Tea: St. Thomas is hosting the OCW Tea today at 3:00pm. Ladies, please join us and give St. Thomas a great showing!
Parish Meeting: St Thomas will have a parish meeting on October 23^rd. If you are unsure if you are a member and eligible to vote, please see Sara Tyrrell.
Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, in your prayers. He has moved to the Arbors next door.
Calling all handymen! There are some repairs and maintenance items that need to be performed in the church and the hall. If you are a handy guy or lady, please see Ann Fry to lend a hand.
Donors Needed: Our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!
Baby Shower: October 30th, following the Divine Liturgy, our Sisterhood will shower Julia Zumpano, with gifts and love, for the newest addition to the Zumpano family Baby Zeno!! All are welcome! We will have lunch, shower her and Zeno with gifts, and most of all, we will enjoy fun, friendship, laughter and the joy of the Holy Spirit, as we welcome Baby Zeno into the world! Please see Rose Yovanovich or Stacey Zahoranski, to RSVP for the shower, and for details on Julia's baby registry!
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

SUNDAY, September 4, 2011

Mike & Leppa Stakleff: Memory of Mike's sister, Costa of California.

Sunday, October 2

2011-10-02T06:10:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 16^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 7

Epistle: 2 Cor 6:1-10 Gospel: Luke 6:31-36

Scripture Lesson for next week 17^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 8

Epistle: 2 Cor 6:16-7:1 Gospel: Luke 7:11-16

BIRTHDAYS: Isaac & Jacob Machar (4), Katerina Kalchev (7), Nick Kostoff (7)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial & Coffee Hour: Nancy Boville will be having a memorial and sponsoring coffee hour for her son, Marc, on the two year anniversary of his Falling Asleep in the Lord. Memory Eternal!
OCW Tea: St. Thomas is hosting the OCW Tea this year again. It is next Sunday, October 9^th! Mark your calendars ladies! We would really love to have a big showing from St. Thomas! For more details, please see Rose or Carol.
Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, in your prayers. He has moved to the Arbors next door.
Calling all handymen! There are some repairs and maintenance items that need to be performed in the church and the hall. If you are a handy guy or lady, please see Ann Fry to lend a hand.
Donors Needed: Our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!
Spaghetti This Wednesday: We will have our Spaghetti Dinner this Wednesday, October 5^th, from 4:30-7:00pm. Even though our spaghetti dinners are only the first Wednesday of the month, we still need your help! Please see Joanne Karos or Ann Fry to lend a hand at these monthly dinners.
Baby Shower: October 30th, following the Divine Liturgy, our Sisterhood will shower Julia Zumpano, with gifts and love, for the newest addition to the Zumpano family Baby Zeno!! All are welcome! We will have lunch, shower her and Zeno with gifts, and most of all, we will enjoy fun, friendship, laughter and the joy of the Holy Spirit, as we welcome Baby Zeno into the world! Please see Rose Yovanovich or Stacey Zahoranski, to RSVP for the shower, and for details on Julia's baby registry!
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

Sunday, September 25

2011-09-25T06:17:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 15^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 6

Epistle: 2 Cor 4:6-15 Gospel: Luke 5:1-11

Scripture Lesson for next week 16^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 7

Epistle: 2 Cor 6:1-10 Gospel: Luke 6:31-36

BIRTHDAYS: Carol Karakis (28)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Coffee Hour: Coffee Hour is sponsored by Scott & Jill Spidell, in memory of their son, Andrew on his 16th birthday. Memory Eternal! Also, please keep the Vacarro family in your prayers as they cope with the loss of Frank Vacarro.
Calling all handymen! There are some repairs and maintenance items that need to be performed in the church and the hall. If you are a handy guy or lady, please see Ann Fry to lend a hand.
Donors Needed: our hall dishwasher needs some major repairs. A total of $1200 is needed. Please see Ann Fry if you could donate part of this sum to help complete this project. Thank you!
Spaghetti Workers Needed: Even though our spaghetti dinners are only the first Wednesday of the month, we still need your help! Please see Joanne Karos or Ann Fry to lend a hand at these monthly dinners.
Wine Tasting Cancelled: September 24th Wine Tasting and Baba Babysitting will not take place next weekend. We will need to reschedule this event. There is much effort being placed on interviewing for a new priest for our beloved St. Thomas Parish. We will let you know what date this event will be rescheduled for, after a new priest has been found.
Baby Shower: October 30th, following the Divine Liturgy, our Sisterhood will shower Julia Zumpano, with gifts and love, for the newest addition to the Zumpano family Baby Zeno!! All are welcome! We will have lunch, shower her and Zeno with gifts, and most of all, we will enjoy fun, friendship, laughter and the joy of the Holy Spirit, as we welcome Baby Zeno into the world! Please see Rose Yovanovich or Stacey Zahoranski, to RSVP for the shower, and for details on Julia's baby registry!
Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, in your prayers. He is in the hospital and is in serious condition.
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.

SUNDAY, September 25^th, 2011

Fr. Vlado & Popadia Toni: Health of parishioners.

Nancy Boville: Health of my son, Gary Ross.

Jerry Frengou: Memory of Lazo Frengou.

Sofie Kimevski: Memory of Lazo Frengou – 1 year passing.

Chris & Sophia Kostoff: Memory of Helen Vasillof.

Elaine Marzuola: Health of cousin Paul Dimitroff from Pitts, PA & the Wright family. Birthday

of our great-grandson, T.J. on his 5^th birthday.

Ann Nolan: Memory of Lazo Frengou, 1 year passing & husband Tom Nolan.

Mary Perch: Memory of Lazo Frengou – 1 year passing.

George & Frances Petroff: Memory of Lazo Frengou.

Vass Family: Memory of Lazo Frengou.

Anonymous: Memory of Connie Masloff in memory of Lazaroff loved ones.

Sunday, September 18

2011-09-17T19:18:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Sunday after Elevation – Tone 5

Epistle: 2 Cor 1:21-2:4 Gospel: Matt 22:1-14

BIRTHDAYS: Dorothy Frengou (23), Colleen Kimson (23), Olga Perch (24)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial Service/Coffee Hour: The Frengou family will be holding a memorial and sponsoring coffee hour for the one year anniversary of Lazo Frengou. Also, we will have a memorial for Very Rev. Fr. David (Lee) Wine who passed away last Sunday, September 11. Memorial Eternal!!
Church Picnic Thanks You's: Our Annual Picnic was outstanding, and the friendship enjoyed by all was irreplaceable. Thank you to everyone that donated to the Picnic and the many that volunteered their help. A big thank you to Charlie Karakis who won the 50/50 raffle at our Church Picnic and donated the winnings to the Church. May God grant you many years! Thank you Mary Nicoloff for surprising us with one of your delicious zelnics for the Picnic. It was without a doubt appreciated as with six zelnics we had only three pieces left at the end of the day. Thanks everyone for your help!
Wine Tasting Cancelled: September 24th Wine Tasting and Baba Babysitting will not take place next weekend. We will need to reschedule this event. There is much effort being placed on interviewing for a new priest for our beloved St. Thomas Parish. We will let you know what date this event will be rescheduled for, after a new priest has been found.
Baby Shower: October 30th, following the Divine Liturgy, our Sisterhood will shower Julia Zumpano, with gifts and love, for the newest addition to the Zumpano family Baby Zeno!! All are welcome! We will have lunch, shower her and Zeno with gifts, and most of all, we will enjoy fun, friendship, laughter and the joy of the Holy Spirit, as we welcome Baby Zeno into the world! Please see Rose Yovanovich or Stacey Zahoranski, to RSVP for the shower, and for details on Julia's baby registry!
St Lukes: St. Lukes Angelcon Church is worshiping in our banquet hall this morning. Please welcome them and show them courtesy.
Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, in your prayers. He is in the hospital and is in serious condition. Our former parishioner, Helen Vasiloff whose husband Chris was our first treasurer at St. Thomas Church, passed away in North Carolina on September 5th. Please remember Helen and her family in your prayers.
Special Thanks: Great big thank you to Jim Waltenberger with the assistance of Dave Startcher for all the repair work done this past week. May God grant them many years!

SUNDAY, September 11, 2011

Nancy Boville: Memory of my son – Marc A. Ross. Memory Eternal.

Mary Lazaroff: Health of Baker family and memory of Vasilka Lazaroff.

Mary Nicolof: Memory of Mary Frances Stakkleff, daughter-in-law of Mike & Leppa Stakleff.

SUNDAY, September 11, 2011

George & Carol Karakis Health of Diana Clance's father for a speedy recovery, Matushka Kobbs

on her birthday. Birthday of our son Nick & Peter & grandson Dimitri.

Mike & Leppa Stakleff: Memory of Mary Stakleff.

Sunday, September 4th

2011-09-03T16:30:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 12^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 3

Epistle: 1 Cor 15:1-11 Gospel: Matt 19:16-26

Scripture Lesson for next week 13^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 4

Epistle: 1 Cor 16:13-42 Gospel: Matt 21:33-42

BIRTHDAYS: Karl Angeloff (6)Matushka Kobbs (7), Alex Minev (8), Robin Waltenberger (8)

ANNIVERSARYS: Albert & Carole Kurilko (6)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Welcome! Welcome Fr. Germogen and Popadia Anna who came from Kentucky to be with us! Thank you Father for being here for these next two weeks for Vespers and Divine Liturgy. Please join us for Coffee Hour in our downstairs hall!

· Church Picnic: Our Church Picnic will be next Sunday, September 11 in the Church courtyard. $5 per person and $10 per family. Please contact Rose Yovanovich or Carol Karakis today during coffee hour to purchase tickets!

· Vespers: We will have Vespers September 10 at 6pm. See you there!

· Prayers: Please keep Diana Clance's father, Bernard, in your prayers. He is in the hospital and is in serious condition.

Chestito! Congratulations to the Zumpano family! Julia gave birth to Zeno Joseph just a few weeks ago! The ladies of the parish would like to celebrate this special occasion by throwing a shower for the new arrival! More details to follow, on the shower. Until then, please let Rose Yovanovich know if you'd like to attend and/or help with organizing. Please call Rose at (330) 836-5316 or e-mail her at roseyovo5@gmail.com
Wine Tasting: You Are Cordially Invited!! Wine tasting evening is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 24^th ! We are planning an evening for anyone interested in a social evening with friendship and fun, at Wolf Creek Winery. The Baba's in the church are hosting "Baba Babysitting Night" for parents in need of a break and, free babysitting! The plan is to meet up at the church at 5 pm, for those parents who would like to take advantage of "Baba's Babysitting". Drop the kids off with the Baba's, then head to Wolf Creek Winery to meet up with others. Wine is served at Wolf Creek by the glass or the bottle and we are permitted to bring our own munchies to snack on. So bring some munchies to pass and share. Please RSVP to Stacey Zahoranski at 330-819-0486, or by e-mail at Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com Everyone is welcome to attend!
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.

SUNDAY, August 28^th, 2011

George & Carole Karakis: Health of the Wright family, Nick

Konstandaras, & the Karakis family. Memory of brother-

in-law Ron on the anniversary of his passing, Yai Yai Karos

& Tom Karos. Happy Birthday to Laura!

Angelo & Mary Nicolof: Memory of daughter-in-law, Mary

Frances Stakkleff.

Sunday, August 21

2011-08-21T06:16:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 10^th Sunday after Pentecost– Tone 1

Epistle: 1 Cor 4:9-16 Gospel: Matt 17:14-23

Scripture Lesson for next week 11^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 2

Epistle: 1 Cor 9:2-12 Gospel: Matt 18:23-35

BIRTHDAYS: Steve Watts (27)

ANNIVERSARYS: Gus & Joanne Karos

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Memorial Service/Coffee Hour: The Karos family will be having a Memorial Service and sponsoring Coffee Hour for Tom Karos on his 40 days. Memory Eternal!

Church Picnic: Two of our Sunday School children will be standing by the doors to the vestibule to collect donations so that we can have a blow up play area for the children during the picnic. All donations are much appreciated.
Vacation Bible School: For any parents who are interested in attending Vacation Bible School at St. George Antiochian Church, please see Stacey Zahoranski with any questions. If we have a lot of interested families, we could all work together to coordinate car pools, in order to help get the children to and from the camp, as we know many parents work during the day. Copies of the flyer and registration forms for the 2011 summer church camp can be found at the Candle Table.
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.
St. Thomas Youth: We are still seeking committee chair and members for the Youth Committee. Please see a Board Member if you are interested helping to make a difference in the lives of our young children at St. Thomas.
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.

SUNDAY, August 14^th, 2011

George & Carol Karakis: Health of Travis Kurilko & a speedy recovery & the one survivor of the Copley tragedy. Memory of the seven people who died in Copley & Donna Konstandaras.

Sophie Kimevski: Memory of Bob Kimevski (husband) 9 years.

Mary Perch: Memory of Bob Kimevski; 9 years.

Sunday, July 24

2011-07-24T06:06:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 6^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 5

Epistle: Rom 12:6-14 Gospel: Matt 9:1-8

Scripture Lesson for next week 7^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 6

Epistle: Rom 15:1-7 Gospel: Matt 9:27-35

ANNIVERSARY'S: Karl & Maria Angeloff (27), Michael & Leppa Stakleff (27)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

"Dear Parish Family: Please note. . .my apologies go out to George and Carol Karakis! In last week's bulletin I mistakenly left their names off of the list of contributors towards the Courtyard Beautification Project. I had tried typing out the names in alphabetical order and I skipped over their names by mistake! Another contribution was made this week by Steve and Nance Watts. Thank you! Stacey Z."
Vacation Bible School: For any parents who are interested in attending Vacation Bible School at St. George Antiochian Church, please see Stacey Zahoranski with any questions. If we have a lot of interested families, we could all work together to coordinate car pools, in order to help get the children to and from the camp, as we know many parents work during the day. Copies of the flyer and registration forms for the 2011 summer church camp can be found at the Candle Table.
Church Convention: In case anyone wants to see some of the Sunday Services from the Convention in Chicago this past weekend, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxieVb7inJQ. Next year will be in Toronto.
No Vespers: There will be no Vespers Services for the next two Saturdays, July 30 & August 6.
Annual Church Picnic: The Annual Church Picnic will be held on September 11, 2011. The Church Board is looking for a person or persons interested in chairing this wonderful event. Please contact Annie Fry (330-328-5393) or any other board member to volunteer. This event already draws a great group of volunteers to help, but we need someone to organize al of us.
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.
St. Thomas Youth: We are still seeking committee chair and members for the Youth Committee. Please see a Board Member if you are interested helping to make a difference in the lives of our young children at St. Thomas.
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.

v Note: The weekly donations and list of prayers for health and memory will be in next week's bulletin.

Sunday, July 17

2011-07-18T04:44:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 5^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 4

Epistle: Rom 10:1-1 Gospel: Matt 8:28-9:1

Scripture Lesson for next week 6^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 5

Epistle: Rom 12:16-14 Gospel: Matt 9:1-8

BIRTHDAYS: Nancy Boville (18) Joanne Karos (19)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial Service: Sponsored by Mary & Vassili Illitch and Mike & Leppa Stakleff in memory of their parents, Alexandra & Haralambos, Terpana & Alexander, Magda & Stephan. Memory Eternal! Coffee Hour: The Illitch & Stakleff families will sponsor coffee hour in memory of their loved ones.
Lecture: We will have our monthly lecture today after a short coffee hour over "Heaven."
Thank you so very much, to all who contributed to the "Courtyard Beautification Project", both with monetary funds and laboring! Your donations and labor of love will help to make our courtyard look beautiful for those who visit and for us to enjoy, each time we enter the church. Thank you to the following for your contributions:
Anonymous donor
Nancy Boville
Jim and Diana Clance
Annie Fry
George & Carol Karakis
Joanne and Gus Karos
Mary Kimson
Elaine Marzoula
Nick Kostandaras Sr.
Jovan and Christina Laskovski
Denise and Ryun Louie
Dan, Lisa, Jacob & Isaac Machar
Lenni Mitov
Angelo and Mary Nicoloff
Stephanie Pfeiffer
Nikki Rafferty
Col. Joseph and Kari Sheehan
Popadia Kim and Father Jim
Robin and Jim Waltenberger
Steve and Kate Yovanovich
Rose and Steve Yovanovich

Special thanks to Richard Zahoranski for coordinating the project, for laboring to plant everything, and to all of those who donated their muscles and time to help plant!!! If you have not paid for the plants/flowers which you signed up for, please make your check out to St. Thomas, and indicate on the memo line "Courtyard Project". You may give your check to Stacey Zahoranski or Lenni Mitov. Thank you so much for your contributions!

SUNDAY, July 3, 2010

George & Carol Karakis: Health of our niece Rebbeca Gerstel and Diana Woods father who is undergoing more surgery. Memory of all our veterans. Birthday of Carol's sister Marlene.

Mary Lazaroff: Memory of Vasilka.

Dan & Lisa Machar: Memory of L.C. "Ike" Springston; 18 years Memory Eternal. Anniversary of Brad & Sara; and many, many more.

SUNDAY, July 10, 2010

Gus & Joanne Karos: Memory of Tom Karos.

Sophie Kimevski: Memory of Chris Perch & Tom Karos.

Elaine Marzuola: Memory of Tom Karos.

Ken & Michele Mellenbrook: Memory of Tom Karos

Ann Nolan: Memory of Tom Karos.

Mary Perch: Memory of Chris Perch – 21 years passing.

Simonovski Family: Memory of Nikolina Simeonoff.

Sunday, July 10

2011-07-10T06:13:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 4^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 3

Epistle: Rom 6:18-23 Gospel: Matt 8:5-13

Scripture Lesson for next week 5^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 4

Epistle: Rom 10:1-1 Gospel: Matt 8:28-9:1

BIRTHDAYS: Mary Kimson (12), Mary Kapitan (14)

ANNIVERSARS: Brad & Sara Tyrrell (10), Larry & Nancy Boville (14)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Memorial/Coffee Hour: Nick Konstandaras is having a Memorial Service and sponsoring coffee hour in memory of his wife, Donna Konstandaras, on the one year anniversary of her Falling Asleep in the Lord. Mike Simolovski is also having a Memorial Service in memory for his mother, Nicholina, on the three year anniversary of her Falling Asleep in the Lord. Memory Eternal!!
Annual Church Picnic: The Annual Church Picnic will be held on September 11, 2011. The Church Board is looking for a person or persons interested in chairing this wonderful event. Please contact Annie Fry (330-328-5393) or any other board member to volunteer. This event already draws a great group of volunteers to help, but we need someone to organize al of us.
Courtyard Beautification Project: A landscape design plan was crafted for our courtyard. We need your help in funding this project! The goal of the project is to add beauty to the courtyard, not only for parish members to enjoy, upon entering the church, but also for those patrons who rent the banquet hall, to enjoy, when an event is held. Please see the beautiful design hanging downstairs and we encourage each parish family member to sign up to donate a plant that will be put into the courtyard. The planting will be done on Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th. We are also seeking strong volunteers to help Rich with the plantings on this weekend. Please let Rich know if you can volunteer your time and muscles. Each plant on the list is quite affordable, so please do what you can to sign up for one of the plants. Checks for the plants should be made out to "St. Thomas" and in the memo line of your check, please note "courtyard planting donation". If you have any questions, please see Stacey or Richard Zahoranski.
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.
St. Thomas Youth: We are still seeking committee chair and members for the Youth Committee. Please see a Board Member if you are interested helping to make a difference in the lives of our young children at St. Thomas.
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.

v Note: The weekly donations and list of prayers for health and memory will be in next week's bulletin.

Independence Day

2011-07-03T06:14:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week 3^rd Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 2

Epistle: Rom 5:1-10 Gospel: Matt 6:22-23

Scripture Lesson for next week 4^th Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 3

Epistle: Rom 6:18-23 Gospel: Matt 8:5-13

BIRTHDAYS: Lisa Springston (3), George Kimson, III (9)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Independence Day: Happy Fourth of July! May we all take a moment to count our blessings and the wonderful freedom given to us by God and the men and women who defended and still defend the USA! Many Years!
Prayers: Let's do what we do best and keep Diana Woods' father in our prayers. He is over at the Arbors if you would like to go and see him or send a card.
Annual Church Picnic: The Annual Church Picnic will be held on September 11, 2011. The Church Board is looking for a person or persons interested in chairing this wonderful event. Please contact Annie Fry (330-328-5393) or any other board member to volunteer. This event already draws a great group of volunteers to help, but we need someone to organize al of us.
Courtyard Beautification Project: A landscape design plan was crafted for our courtyard. We need your help in funding this project! The goal of the project is to add beauty to the courtyard, not only for parish members to enjoy, upon entering the church, but also for those patrons who rent the banquet hall, to enjoy, when an event is held. Please see the beautiful design hanging downstairs and we encourage each parish family member to sign up to donate a plant that will be put into the courtyard. The planting will be done on Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th. We are also seeking strong volunteers to help Rich with the plantings on this weekend. Please let Rich know if you can volunteer your time and muscles. Each plant on the list is quite affordable, so please do what you can to sign up for one of the plants. Checks for the plants should be made out to "St. Thomas" and in the memo line of your check, please note "courtyard planting donation". If you have any questions, please see Stacey or Richard Zahoranski.
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already.
St. Thomas Youth: We are still seeking committee chair and members for the Youth Committee. Please see a Board Member if you are interested helping to make a difference in the lives of our young children at St. Thomas.
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.

SUNDAY, June 26^th, 2011

Elaine Marzuola: Health of my Teta Nonny Hunter, Birthday of our son Mike – "May God grant him many more years!"

Mary Ann Walker: Memory of parents Vasil & Lenka Balto.

SUNDAY, June 19^th, 2011

George & Carol Karakis: Memory of our fathers Peter & Edmund. Safe trip: Thank you

for a safe trip.

Sophia Kostoff: Health of my father Thomas W. Kostoff & my grandfather Chris

Kostoff on Fathers Day.

Mary Perch: Graduation of Mara Perch from Ohio State University – Honor Society –

Summa Cum Laude.

Stephanie Pfeiffer: Health of the Yovanovich & Pfeiffer families & Steve Stanisic.

Memory of Dedo Tom Kostoff on Fathers Day. Happy Fathers Day to my dad Steve &

my brother Steve.

Robin Waltenberger: Health of Lisa Springston.

Sunday, June 26

2011-06-26T09:01:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Regional All Saints– Tone 1

Epistle: Rom 2:10-16 Gospel: Matt 4:18-23

Scripture Lesson for next week 3^rd Sunday after Pentecost – Tone 2

Epistle: Rom 5:1-10 Gospel: 6:22-23

BIRTHDAYS: Jim Waltenberger (26), Gregory Watts (30)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Balkan Food Festival: Today after Liturgy, a sample tasting of the foods (made by Popadia Kim, Annie Fry, & Joanne Karos) for the Balkan Food Festival will be held. Please have a taste and offer your comments to Khouria Victoria or Annie Fry.
Annual Church Picnic: The Annual Church Picnic will be held on September 11, 2011. The Church Board is looking for a person or persons interested in chairing this wonderful event. Please contact Annie Fry (330-328-5393) or any other board member to volunteer. This event already draws a great group of volunteers to help, but we need someone to organize al of us.
Courtyard Beautification Project: A landscape design plan was crafted for our courtyard. We need your help in funding this project! The goal of the project is to add beauty to the courtyard, not only for parish members to enjoy, upon entering the church, but also for those patrons who rent the banquet hall, to enjoy, when an event is held. Please see the beautiful design hanging downstairs and we encourage each parish family member to sign up to donate a plant that will be put into the courtyard. The planting will be done on Saturday July 16th and Sunday July 17th. We are also seeking strong volunteers to help Rich with the plantings on this weekend. Please let Rich know if you can volunteer your time and muscles J Each plant on the list is quite affordable, so please do what you can to sign up for one of the plants. Checks for the plants should be made out to "St. Thomas" and in the memo line of your check, please note "courtyard planting donation". If you have any questions, please see Stacey or Richard Zahoranski.
E-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and other updated contact information is needed: The Board is working on an updated membership and 'friends of the parish' directory. We are mostly seeking out e-mail addresses from everyone, so that we can communicate with parish family members more frequently and more efficiently! Please see a Board Member to give your e-mail address and updated contact information, if you haven't done so already
St. Thomas Youth: We are still seeking committee chair and members for the Youth Committee. Please see a Board Member if you are interested helping to make a difference in the lives of our young children at St. Thomas.
2011 Christmas Pageant and 2012 Lenten "LOCK-IN" and Retreat: The Board would like to have the Youth of St. Thomas put on a 2011 Christmas Pageant this year, and would also like to host a fun 2012 Lenten Retreat and Lock-in too! This would be for all St. Thomas youth and for any other children from our community who are interested. If we gather a good committee, and start planning really early, we can make this happen for our children. Our children are the future of St. Thomas!!! Please volunteer your time for these important events, for the future of St. Thomas!! Please contact Stacey Zahoranski if you are interested in helping with either event! Call Stacey at 330-819-0486 cell phone or Stacey.zahoranski@wfadvisors.com.

SUNDAY, June 12^th, 2011

Dorothy Frengou: Memory of Lazo & Kathy.

Sophia Kostoff: Health of Grandfather George Copetas.

Holy Pentecost

2011-06-12T06:12:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Holy Pentecost – Tone 7

Epistle: Acts 2:1-11 Gospel: John 7:37-52, 8:12

Scripture Lesson for next week All Saints – Tone 8

Epistle: Heb 11:33-12:2 Gospel: Matt 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30

BIRTHDAYS: Nikola Kabaivanoff (15), Dan Machar (17)

ANNIVERSARYS: George & Frances Petroff (13)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Vespers: Vespers will resume this Saturday, June 18^th.

· Pentecost: This week is a fast free week due to Pentecost. Feel free to eat all the meat you wish this Wednesday and Friday. J

The Feast of Pentecost, also known as Trinity Sunday, is always celebrated 50 days after Pascha, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word "pentecost" in Greek literally means "fifty." At Pentecost, the disciples received the gift of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in the form of fiery tongues. This outpouring of the Spirit fulfilled the promise that Christ had made to His disciples while He was still with them. This Spirit was the third person of the Holy Trinity, the Comforter, who would lead them into the fullness of the Truth concerning God, and would be for them their primary gift from God for their ministry. As Orthodox Christians we each receive the seal of the Holy Spirit when we are chrismated into the Faith. This is our personal Pentecost. This feast reminds us of our apostolic calling as baptized and chrismated members of the Church—to spread the Gospel in word and deed wherever we happen to find ourselves in the world.

The main passage from the New Testament for this feast is taken from the Acts of the Apostles, which is read as the Epistle during the Divine Liturgy. The Gospel reading, taken from the words of Jesus which He spoke while the Jews were celebrating the feast of the Tabernacles, serves as a commentary on the Epistle. After summoning those who would follow Him and promising them the coming of the Holy Spirit, a debate ensued about Who Jesus really was. Was He a prophet? Was He the promised Messiah? Many in the crowd that day were hoping that He was the Messiah Who would lead them out of Roman occupation to political independence and freedom. However, Jesus Christ's mission was not one of political freedom fighter. He is God incarnate and brings freedom to liberate humanity from sin, the devil, and death. We are called to witness our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Master of our lives, in the midst of a world that may strongly disapprove and even persecute us for our convictions. Yet, we remain steadfast, praying that those who desire to know the Light will be brought to Him through the living light of the Gospel shining in our hearts, and will find in our words the living water of the Spirit.

Sunday, June 5

2011-06-05T05:46:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Holy Fathers First Ecumenical Council– Tone 6

Epistle: Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 Gospel: John 17: 1-13

Scripture Lesson for next week Holy Pentecost – Tone 7

Epistle: Acts 2:1-11 Gospel: John 7:37-52, 8:12

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Memorial/Coffee Hour: Jim & Robin Waltenberger will be having a memorial service in memory of Jim's father, Donald on his 40 days of Falling Asleep in the Lord. They are also sponsoring coffee hour. Memory Eternal!

· Monthly Lecture: Today after a short coffee hour we will have our monthly lecture over "What does God want?"

· No Vespers: There will be no vespers next Saturday, June 11. Vespers will return the following Saturday.

SUNDAY, May 29^th, 2011

Sofi Kimevski: Memory of father-in-law Vangil Kimevski.

Mary Perch: Memory of father Vangil Kimevski.

Pascha Donations

Angelo & Mary Nicoloff

SUNDAY, May 29^th, 2011

Candles $ 47.00

Collection Tray 75.00

Weekly Envelopes 1,405.00

Pascha 25.00

Donations 35.00

________________________________________

TOTAL $ 1,587.00

The story of the Ascension of our Lord, celebrated as one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Church, is found in the book of the Acts of the Apostles 1:3-11. It is also mentioned in the Gospels of Mark (16:19) and Luke (24:50-53). The moment of the Ascension is told in one sentence: "He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight" (Acts 1:9). Christ made His last appearance on earth, forty days after His Resurrection from the dead. The Acts of the Apostles states that the disciples were in Jerusalem. Jesus appeared before them and commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the "Promise of the Father". He stated, "You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts 1:5).

After Jesus gave these instructions, He led the disciples to the Mount of Olives. Here, He commissioned them to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). It is also at this time that the disciples were directed by Christ to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Jesus also told them that He would be with them always, "even to the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). As the disciples watched, Jesus lifted up His hands, blessed them, and then was taken up out of their sight (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9). Two angels appeared to them and asked them why they were gazing into heaven. Then one of the angels said, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him going into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

Sunday, May 29

2011-05-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Blindman – Tone 5

Epistle: Acts16:16-34 Gospel: John 9:1-38

Scripture Lesson for next week Holy Fathers First Eccumenical Council– Tone 6

Epistle:Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 Gospel: John 17: 1-13

BIRTHDAYS: Michael Sporup (29), Nada Devus (31), Olivera Gutshall (1)

ANNIVERSARYS: Jim & Robin Waltenberger (31)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Memorial/Coffee Hour: We will have a memorial in honor of all the veterans who have served our country. Coffee Hour will also be in memory of our passed veterans.

· A quote provided from Jim & Diana Clance: " A Veteran- whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve – is someone who, at one point in their life, signed a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. – Author Unknown"

· Fr. Jim's Cemetery Schedule for Memorial Day: Monday: 8:30 am Lakewood, 9:00 am Holy Cross, 10:00 am Mt Peace, 11:00 am Rose Hill

· Ascension: This Thursday is the Ascension of our Lord. We would normally have Vesperal/Liturgy Wednesday night, but due to spaghetti, we will have Ascension next Sunday.

· Summer Travels: George Kimson, III is leaving for Morocco this Wednesday to study Arabic! We wish him all the best and a safe flight over! God be with you!

· Balkan Food Festival: Khouria Victoria has graciously printed off a report on our festival to update the parish on what is to come in these months ahead. Thanks Khouria!

SUNDAY, May 22^nd, 2011

Jim & Diana Clance: Memory of Capt. James W Clance & Colonel Charles L Clance.

Dorothy Frengou: Memory of my husband Lazo, daughter Kathy & Tom Nolan.

Barbara Foster: Health of Matushka Kobbs and memory of Fr. Kobbs.

Ann Nolan: Memory of husband Tom Nolan.

Brad & Sara Tyrrell: Health of Fr. Jim & Popadia Kim, Metra, Doug Rena, & Matt Tyrrell. The Kimson & Sheehan Family. Memory of George Tyrrell on his 40 days. Safe trip for Metra traveling home and then back to Texas and also for George Kimson, III on his trip to Morocco. Thank you to Jim & Robin Waltenberger & everyone else who helped with the Rummage & Bake Sale!

Sunday, May 22

2011-05-23T05:13:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Samaritan Woman – Tone 4

Epistle: Acts 11:19-26, 29-30 Gospel: John 4:5-42

Scripture Lesson for next week Blindman – Tone 5

Epistle: Acts16:16-34 Gospel: John 9:1-38

BIRTHDAYS: Hudson Louie (28)

ANNIVERSARYS: Ed & Lori Latchaw (24), Lazo & Dorothy Frengou (26)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Memorial/Coffee Hour: Brad & Sara Tyrrell will be having a Memorial Service and sponsoring coffee hour in memory of their Grandfather George Tyrrell on the 40 days of his passing. Memory Eternal!

· Rummage Sale: A HUGE Thank You to EVERYONE who worked the Rummage Sale! It was a long week of preparation, but it certainly did pay off! The church raised $154.00 from the Bake Sale and $965.70 from the Rummage Sale and food, providing a total of $1,119.70 to the church! That is something to be proud of and we could not be more thankful to the parishioners who helped! May God grant you ALL many more years!

· Spaghetti Dinner Set-Up: Due to the Rummage Sale, we need help setting up the big hall for Spaghetti Dinner this Wednesday. Thanks! J

· Lecture: Our next lecture will be today Sunday, May 22 after a short coffee hour over "Sacred spaces and their significance." Hope to see you there!

· Church Repairs: Starting tomorrow, we will begin to fix the brick on the archway walking into the church from the courtyard.

· I.O.C.C: You can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the natural disasters in the United States, by making a financial gift to the United States Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225. Thanks!

SUNDAY, May 15^th, 2011

Elaine Marzuola: Memory of Father Kobbs.

George & Carol Karakis: Memory of our mothers, Mary Karakis & Mary Gerstel.

George & Frances Petroff: Memory of Jim & Robin Waltenberger's father, Donald.

Jim & Robin Waltenberger: Health of Fr. Jim & Popadia Kim and Thank you to our church family for prauers and support at our father's passing.

Sunday, May 15

2011-05-15T06:07:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Sunday of the Paralytic – Tone 3

Epistle: Acts 9:32-42 Gospel: John 5:1-15

Scripture Lesson for next week Samaritan Woman – Tone 4

Epistle: Acts 11:19-26, 29-30 Gospel: John 4:5-42

BIRTHDAYS: Pauline Patterson (16)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Memorial/Coffee Hour: Matushka Kobbs' & Nikki Rafferty are having a memorial service today for Fr. Nicholas Kobbs' 25th anniversary of his Falling Asleep in the Lord. They are also sponsoring coffee hour. Memory Eternal!

· Rummage Sale: Rummage & Bake Sale Time! Today after coffee hour we need the muscles of kids and adults to move the rummage from the storage rooms to the buffet room in preparation for final set up. Final set up is Friday 5/20, 10am until finished. Please donate whatever time you can. We guarantee a fun time! The Rummage & Bake Sale opens 9am THIS Saturday, runs until 3pm. Helpers for the rummage sale will need a belt or apron with pockets for making change (we have a couple extra, and will supply the change). Come and join the fun! If you have never worked a sale before, this will be a great first time. See Annie Fry, or Jim or Robin Waltenberger with your questions.

· Lecture: Our next lecture will be next Sunday, May 22 after a short coffee hour over "Sacred spaces and their significance." Hope to see you there!

SUNDAY, May 8^th, 2011

Mary & Ints Dedzins: Memory of Magda Doseff & Anna Dedzins on Mother's Day.

Elaine Marzuola: Health of the Marzuola Family and Birthday of our grandson Jason on his 28^th birthday. God Grant him many more years!

Angelo & Mary Nicoloff: Safe trip back from Florida, Special intentions: Memory of all our mother's on Mother's Day and Thank You to Jim Walternberger for mailing weekly bulletins to keep us up to date.

Steve & Rose Yovanovich: Health of Stevan Stansic and memory of mother's Maria & Stonia on Mother's Day.

St. Thomas Day Donations

Mary Kimson

Mother's Day Donations

Dan & Lisa Fana & Paul Nokovski

Mary Kimson George & Frances Petroff

Popadia Mitov Nikki Rafferty, Sheehan Family

Palm Sunday

2011-04-17T06:07:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Palm Sunday (Passion Week) – Tone 6

Epistle: Phil 4:4-9 Gospel: John 12:1-18

Scripture Lesson for next week Holy Resurrection (Bright Week)

Epistle: Acts 1:1-8 Gospel: John 1:1-17

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Holy Week Services: (All Services are posted on our website)

o Monday &Tuesday Night: Bridegroom Service: 6:30pm.

o Wednesday: Holy Unction 6:30pm (Please receive confession before Holy Unction).

o Thursday Night: The Twelve Gospels: 6:30pm.

o Friday Morning: Royal Hours & Vespers: 9am.

o Friday Night: Lamentations 6:30pm.

o Saturday Morning: Divine Liturgy: 9am.

o Saturday Night: Nocturnes/Matins/Divine Liturgy: 11:00pm

o Sunday Morning: Agape Vespers: 11am

· Sunday Agape Vespers Gospel: It has been St. Thomas' tradition to read the Gospel on

Holy Pascha in different languages. If you are interested in reading a section of the

Gospel in a specific language, please see Fr. Jim today after church.

· Easter Eggs: Anyone is invited to bring a carton of hard boiled Easter eggs to hand out after Agape Vespers next Sunday morning.

· Pascha Flowers: There will be a sign-up sheet at coffee hour for the Easter Lilies. They are 15 and you may purchase them in memory or health of a loved one.

· Candles: There will also be a sign-up sheet to purchase candles for Holy Thursday & Holy Friday.

· Holy Friday Tomb Guarding: If you would like to guard the Tomb anytime from Friday evening after Lamentations to the following evening up to Nocturnes at 11:30pm, please sign-up at coffee hour.

· Holy Friday Tomb Hoping: Immediately following Lamentations this Friday, a group of us will be going around to area churches to see their Tombs. If you would like to come along, please see Dan Machar or Sara Tyrrell.

· Pascha Bread: Thanks to everyone who helped bake Pascha Bread this week! You

may purchase your freshly baked bread at coffee hour.

· Courtyard/Painting & Storage Room Cleaning: A huge thank you to Steve Yovanovich & Jim Waltenberger for touching up the paint in the hall and cleaning the courtyard! Also, a huge thank to Jim & Robin Waltenberger for cleaning out the downstairs storage room! All tasks were a big undertaking and we appreciate your time! J

· St. Thomas Day: St. Thomas Day is on Sunday, May 1^st. We will have a lunch after church that day and we are asking for parishioners to bring a covered dish. If you would like to bring a dish, please sign-up at coffee hour. Remember to bring your friends and loved ones to this glorious Feast Day!

· Rummage Sale: St. Thomas will hold a church rummage sale on Saturday May 7^th. Please feel free to contribute all of your excess goods towards this sale. No clothing please. Goods may be brought to church. See Jim & Robin Waltenberger or Ann Fry.

SUNDAY, April 10^th, 2011

Elaine Marzuola: Health of the Marzuola Family. 25^th birthday of Grandson Nick Marzuola. "God Grant him many more years!"

Brad & Sara Tyrrell: Memory of our Grandfather George Tyrrell and traveling mercies for everyone traveling to the funeral.

Steve & Rose Yovanovich: Health of son Stevan, godson Steve Stanisic, brother John & Gus Karos.

Sunday, April 10

2011-04-10T06:25:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week Mary of Egypt– Tone 5

Epistle: Heb 6:13-20 Gospel: Mark 9:17-31

Scripture Lesson for next week Palm Sunday

Epistle: Phil 4:4-9 Gospel: John 12:1-18

BIRTHDAYS: Steve Yovanovich, Jr. (12)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Memorial Service: There will be a Memorial Service for Brad Tyrrell's Grandfather George, who passed away early Friday morning. The Very Rev. Theodore Elias Ziton, Fr. Steve Ziton's father, also passed away on Friday. Memory Eternal!!

· Fr. Jim: Fr. Jim will be in Columbus for training on Monday and Tuesday. Please contact Fr. Lou in an emergency. 330.760.9696.

· Lazarus Saturday: There will be Divine Liturgy this Saturday, April 16, for Lazarus Saturday at 9am.

· Pasha Bread: Thanks to our lovely ladies who made the Pascha Bread! You may

purchase your bread at coffee hour.

· Lenten Service: This Friday evening, April 15, we will have the Akathist Service at 6pm.

· Pan Orthodox Vespers: This evenings Vespers Service is at St. Elia Orthodox Church at 5pm.

· Parish General Meeting: Today we will have our Parish Meeting after Liturgy. The Sisterhood has provided a luncheon.

· Balkan Food Festival: St. Thomas' first food festival will be this October 15^th, 2011! Believe it or not, the months will pass by fast! This is why we are preparing our baked goods now and will then freeze them. Many of you have already signed up to help and we greatly appreciate it! Khouria Victoria has prepared flyers to hand out to everyone with more details explaining everything you need to do in these upcoming months. If you have any questions, please feel free to talk to Khouria Victoria after church or Ann Fry. Thank you to everyone who is helping with this big event! J

· I.O.C.C. You can help desperate moms and newborns! International Orthodox Christian Charities sends "Newborn Kits" to moms in disaster areas like Japan. With the cooperation of Oaks Family Care Center in Lodi, Robin Waltenberger has collected most of the items for 15 kits. There is still a need for 90 cloth diapers and 30 diaper pins; $100 total. If you are looking for a way to increase your "almsgiving" this Lent, here is the opportunity. Small or large, your gift will serve those in dire need. Any gifts in excess will be given to St Thomas Sunday School. For more information, go to IOCC's website at www.iocc.org/kits. Thank you in advance for your loving help!

· Life Line Screening: They will be back Friday, 15 April 2011. If you pre-register at 800.324-1851 you will receive a discount. Fight stroke with these valuable screenings!

SUNDAY, April 3^rd, 2011

Elaine Marzuola: Health of the Marzuola Family, Elise, Jimmy & Teta Nonny Hunter.

Sunday, April 3

2011-04-03T06:14:00.001-07:00

Scripture Lesson for this week St. John Climacus – Tone 4

Epistle: Heb 6:13-20 Gospel: Mark 9:17-31

Scripture Lesson for next week Mary of Egypt– Tone 5

Epistle: Heb 6:13-20 Gospel: Mark 9:17-31

BIRTHDAYS: Kari Sheehan (3), Joseph Sheehan (9), Claire Watts (9)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· Lenten Service: This Friday evening, April 8, we will have Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 6pm. Fast from 1pm on if you wish to receive.

· Pan Orthodox Vespers: This evenings Vespers Service is at St. George Orthodox Church at 5pm.

· Parish General Meeting: Next Sunday, April 10, is our parish meeting. There is a sign-up sheet downstairs for those who wish to bring a dish/dessert.

· Life Line Screening: They will be back Friday, 15 April 2011. If you pre-register at 800.324-1851 you will receive a discount. Fight stroke with these valuable screenings!

SUNDAY, March 27^th. 2011

Ed & Laurie Latchaw: Health of family and birthday of Laurie Latchaw.

Alex Minev & Julia Zumpano: Memory of Cveta Minev on her 6 year anniversary.

Stephanie Pfeiffer: Health of Chris Kostoff.