Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sunday
At the onset of Great Lent and a period of intense fasting, this Sunday reminds us of our need for God’s forgiveness and guides our hearts, minds, and spiritual efforts on returning to Him in repentance.
To read more visit: https://www.goarch.org/cheesefare
WELCOME! If you are a visitor or a guest and you are with us for the first time, please let us know by completing a welcome card. Also, please join us next door for the fellowship hour. We are happy to have you with us!
Memorial & Trisagion: A 40 day memorial for Charles James Karcanes, beloved husband of Bettee, loving father of Alecia and David. Adored grandfather of Caitlin, Austin, Noah and Isabella. Beloved brother of Susan and dear uncle to Stephanie Plakoudas and Jason Fink.
A 2 year memorial for Christina Kapas beloved daughter of Catherine and the late John Kapas; devoted mother of Marco and Alex De La Cruz. Beloved sister of Jim and Bill Kapas and dear aunt of Emilia and Christopher Kapas.
Eternal be their memory.
Fellowship is sponsored by the family and the Karcanes-Fink and Kapas families.
Religious Education: Religious Education students are expected to sit in the first 3 rows (reserved for them on pulpit side as you face the altar) for the children’s message. Your cooperation yields formation! :)
Tray Collection for MISSIONS: for Project Mexico and O.C.M.C.
Parish Council: Oath of Office today for parish council 2024. The elected members are Evans Agrapidis, Anton Ayvas, George Bayiokos, Angelo Lefer, Dean Mellas, Mary Boulos-Meyer, Charlie Pflager, Nick Pirsos, John Psomas, Bill Raczko, Paul Savidis, Menelaos Toskos, John Tsadilas, Kathy Van Dine, and Jon Zymaris.
The first Parish Council meeting of 2024 will be held this Thursday, March 21st at 7:30pm.
Philoptochos News: Please join us today for Cheesefare Sunday. Philoptochos will be serving a lite lunch of pitas, salad and dessert in the fellowship hall.
“Clean Monday” (Kathara Deftera): Tomorrow, “Clean Monday,” we commence the Great Lent, a time of preparation & transformation through self-denial, fasting, prayer and good works. In the early Church, the main purpose of the Great Lent was to prepare the ‘catechumen’, that is to say, the “about to be” Christian or person under instruction, for baptism, which at that time was performed during the Paschal liturgy. But even when the Church no longer baptized adults and the institution of the catechumenate disappeared, the basic meaning of Lent remained the same. For even though we are baptized, what we constantly lose and betray is precisely that which we received at baptism- the Grace of God through water, the Holy Spirit, Holy Chrism and Holy Communion. Therefore, Pascha (Easter) is our return every year to our own baptism (death and rebirth), whereas Lent is our preparation for that return – the slow, steady and sustained effort to attain our own ‘passage’, ‘Passover’, or ‘pascha’ into the new life in Christ. Each year the Lenten and Paschal periods are journeys of repentance, return and rediscovery of our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are created in His image & likeness and are to be persons that are Christ like. This process of becoming more Christ like involves growing through spiritual exercise (asceticism). Contact Fr. Bill to learn more at frbill@stnicholasnj.org. .
Scripture Talk Bible Study Ministry: Scripture Talk is a virtual Bible study with a different Orthodox priest participating in the weekly discussion. Held every Tuesday, 7-8pm EST, on Zoom. Currently discussing the Gospel of Matthew. Visit www.ScriptureUnveiled.com for the Zoom meeting information. All who seek are welcome, no commitment needed, and participants are free to simply listen or participate. Contact Christos Agrapidis for more information, 201-213-6959.
Lenten Services: This week’s services: 1st Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Wednesday, March 20th at 5:30pm; 1st Salutation Service, Friday, March 22nd at 7:00pm. Salutation to the Theotokos service books are available in the Narthex. Books contain the Friday evening Salutation Service (Akathist Hymn) and are $12 per copy.
The Saint Nicholas 2024 Lenten Lecture Series Begins this Wednesday, March 20th at 7:30p.m. Scott Davenport, will speak with us via Zoom remote. (See flyer insert) Please join us early for the Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts at 5:30pm, a light Lenten meal at 6:45pm and the presentation (lecture) at 7:30p.m. Contact Fr Bill for more info at frbill@stnicholasnj.org This event is sponsored by our Daughters of Penelope!
Saturday of Souls: The third Saturday of Souls will be observed on March 23rd withOrthros at 9:00 a.m. followed by Divine Liturgy at 10:00am. Prayer forms are available at the pangari in the narthex. We pray for the departed because we love them, they are part of the Body of Christ and we ask for divine intercession for their souls.
Our Local Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be held here on Sunday, March 24th, at 2:30pm. All youth ages 12-18 who are in grades 7-12 are expected to participate. Participation in the annual oratorical festival is required for all GOYAns who wish to compete in the Annual Metropolis of NJ GOYA Olympics this May! Registration is closed- deadline has passed. For info: Dr. Eliana Antoniou at antonioue@wpunj.edu
Greek Parade: Our Community will be marching in the Annual Greek Independence Day Parade in NYC on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Greek School, Religious Education, GOYA and our other ministries& organizations are encouraged to march and represent our parish. There will be a free bus leaving from the church immediately following Divine Liturgy to take us there and back. Please email Tammy Spyropoulos efstathiaspy@yahoo.com to RSVP for your seat on the bus and for more information.
Ramapo AHEPA Chapter 453 Scholarship Applications: Our local AHEPA Chapter, our AHEPA District, and AHEPA National (including Journey to Greece) are inviting all eligible high school seniors and/or college students to apply for a scholarship. Applications are available online at: http://ahepa453.org (click on education/scholarship). Deadlines: March 31st or April 30th.
AHEPA: Save the Date: 21st Annual Cigar Extravaganza sponsored by AHEPA Ramapo Chapter #453 will be held on Wednesday night, May 22, 2024 at Seasons Catering in Washington Township, NJ.
2024 Stewardship Campaign:God loves a cheerful giver! To recognize the love of God in everything brings us joy. Every breath we draw is a gift of His Love; every moment of existence is from His Grace, for Grace brings blessings from our Lord.
Our stewardship offerings provide the majority of funding for Saint Nicholas. To-date, 193 households have made 2024 stewardship pledges. Please join your fellow St. Nicholas stewards by completing & submitting your 2024 pledge card. Come visit us in the Narthex for your card, or make your pledge online on our church website https://www.stnicholasnj.org
Ionian Village (IV) offers 3 SUMMER programs in Greece, for high school students and young adults. REGISTRATION is OPEN! REGISTER AT WWW.IONIANVILLAGE.ORG. Need-based scholarships may be offered by contacting the IV office. Spots are limited and are offered on a first-come first-served basis. The dates for each session are as follows:
IV Next: June 6 - June 17 is for Young Adults who have completed one year of college or vocational school until 25 years of age
IV Session One: June 25 - July 14 for GOYA /Students who are currently in grades 9 – 12
IV Session Two: July 23 - August 11 for GOYA/Students who are currently in grades 9 – 12
For information about IV programs, visit www.ionianvillage.org, or go to the Frequently Asked Questions page at www.ionianvillage.org/faq. IV is fantastic and endorsed by Fr. Bill!
Center for Food Action Always Needs: Supermarket Gift Cards, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Mac & Cheese, Canned Meat, Tuna & Beans, White & Brown Rice, Pasta & Spaghetti Sauce, Hearty Soups/Low Sodium Soups, Canned Fruit & Vegetables, Low Sugar Cereal, 100% Juice, Diapers-sizes 2, 3, & 4, Infant Formula & Baby Food, Ensure or Similar Nutritional Drink, Dental Hygiene Products. A collection basket is placed under the community bulletin board. Thank you for your support!