News and Events

Coffee Hour
Today’s coffee hour is sponsored by Eugenia Tsakalakis – for Asteria. Thank you! Please sign up for the coffee hour. Sign up sheet is located on the wall next to the kitchen in the Parish home, and also online on our website.

Sunday School
Sunday School will be held immediately following communion. Please refer to the Youth Newsletter to get an update on our Youth Ministries. We all need to work together to support our youth as they grow in their Orthodox faith. They are the future of our church.

Pastichio for Sale
We are making room for the yummy things we are preparing for the Greek Festival. There are pans of pastichio that we are accepting donations for. Please see Cleopatra Nelson for details.

Items Needed for Church Services
Pascha is fast approaching and the church will need flowers, palms, candles, oil, etc for the various services. The list is in the narthex. Please stop by and sign up. Any amount will be greatly appreciated.

GOYA Updates
Oratorical Festival
This Sunday we will be hosting the Oratorical festival. Yanni Routsas is the only GOYAn who has signed up. He has worked hard and taken a lot of time to research and write his speech. I know that it takes some time and effort, but it is an important activity for our youth to participate in. Its so easy to go along for all the fun, including basketball tournaments and retreats, but it seems that we don`t have the participation in activities when it takes a little more effort. Parents, I need you to encourage your children to participate in activities such as the Oratorical Festival. It allows them to pick a topic of interest, research about their faith, and practice public speaking. Although one may not realize the benefits at first, it truly is a growing experience and more of our youth need to participate next year. Next Sunday Yanni will be competing at the diocese level festival at St. Basils. So, please offer him lots of encouragement!!!

Church Clean Up Day
On Saturday, March 27th, GOYA will be participating in the annual Church Clean Up Day! We need all GOYAns present and participating. This is again, one of those things that we can grow as a community and help our Church at the same time. It may not be as fun as a retreat or the basketball tournament, but it is just as important.

All Night Vigil
On Friday April 2 we will hold our annual all night vigil in the church. This is open to the Church members and youth. Our youth spend the night in the church on Holy Friday read the Gospels over Christ`s tomb. This year will be a little different, as there will be a question box placed in the youth center (this Sunday) for our kids to write down questions. We will have Orthodox discussion topics based on the questions submitted. There will be fasting food and snacks provided.

Retreat
Last weekend we attended the southern region diocese retreat. Our kids were on time and all present at the discussions and lectures given. They had positive attitudes and asked good questions. I`m proud of them and hope they continue to participate in all of the activities offered through St. Johns and the diocese.

Christina Varsos

Spring General Assembly
The Spring General Assembly will be on held on Sunday March 14, 2010 at 12:30 PM in the Church. In order to vote, members must be in good standing according to the by-laws, which includes submitting a 2010 pledge card. Please plan to attend this very important meeting.

2010 Stewardship Commitment
Please remember to fill out a new stewardship card for this year. Cards are available in the Narthex and online. Don’t forget to look on the back of the card!

Parish Financial Statistics:
# Pledging Families: 47
2010 Pledged Income: $54,444
2010 Pledge Income Budget: $92,000
Actual Pledges Collected: $13,744
DOLLAR A DAY $1887.00

Bake Sale
There are a few frozen spanakopites and tyropites left. Convenient to put some in the oven for a snack any time. Please see Cleopatra Nelson or any Philoptochos member.

2010 Greek Festival News
Upcoming 17th Annual Clear Lake Greek Festival -information. Clear Lake Greek Festival Kick-Off Party 2nd Annual Wine Tasting Hosted by Bakkhus in Kemah Sunday, April 11, 2010 @ 1:30 PM Wine Tasting Pre-sale Tickets are now available for $30 per person. 17th Annual Clear Lake Greek Festival May, 7, 8, 9th - Clear Lake Greek Festival Pre-sale Tickets are now available for purchase. Tickets are $12 each. New this year we have Greek Festival ENTRANCE tickets for sale for $3 each. Buy some ahead of time and give as gifts to family, friends and or co-workers. Please see Angela Fanos or Meni Koulakiotis for pre-sale tickets.

St. John’s Prayer List
The following parishioners are in need of prayers on their behalf. If possible, please pass this information

Parishioners:
Evangelia Mourtakos
Kelly Ford
Mary Zacharias
Trudy Balinbin
Mr. George Saphos
Mrs. Vasilia Liolios
Mrs. Kathy Bechtle
Mrs. Stavrula Lindsay

Parishioner Relatives:
Joseph Ancona (Mariam Campbell's Uncle)
Wilma Adams (sister of Phyllis Paris)
Juliana Balinbin (Creighton Balinbin’s Mother)
Vincenza Llone Esposito (Colette Thornton Daughter in-laws Sister)
Chase Lorenzetti (Helen Souris' Nephew)
Patsy Moore (Michael Moore's Mother)
Nuvia Murillo (Irma Patelis' Sister)
Diane Rafalin (Helen Souris' Sister)

Friends of Parishioner Families:
Nina Pilar Munoz (5 year old daughter of Fr. Mark & Presbytera Michelle Munoz from Sts. Anargyroi Church in Rochester, MN)
Linn Ward (friend of Trudy Balinbin)
Irene Hunsicker (friend of Mariam Campbell)
Paul Daigrepont (friend of Elena Black)
Max Priebe (friend of Elena Black)

God knows the soul, sufferings and sickness of everybody. Therefore, if further information is necessary, please call the family to share your concern and offer support.
If you know of others needing prayers, please let us know so we can place them on our prayer list. Thank you.

Food Pantry
Please don't forget to bring something to the church for those less fortunate than ourselves. Any nonperishable item - especially peanut butter, canned soups, canned stew, tuna or chicken or meat cans - and any toiletry item - toilet paper, shampoo, soap, diapers, detergent - will be greatly appreciated.

Prosforo Reminder
Please make sure that Prosforo is in church before the start of the service on Sunday. Please write the date (or put a sticker with the date) on the plastic bags with the Prosforo. That way the oldest will be used first. Thank you for your help, Cleopatra Nelson
February 28, 2010 Anna Sharkey
March 7, 2010 Alice Marinos
March 14, 2010 Helen Gazaw
March 21, 2010 Lela Yunakou
March 28, 2010 Evangelia Gazis
April 4, 2010 Kika Guadiano
April 11, 2010 Connie Hammack
April 18, 2010 Chrysanthy Cawood
April 25, 2010 Maria Simeon
May 2, 2010 Mary Zacharias
May 9, 2010 Zaneta Rapos
May 16, 2010 Vouli Koemtzopoulos
May 23, 2010 Andriana Tambourides
May 30, 2010 Merja Tambourides
June 6, 2010 Ellie Ashley
June 13, 2010 Soula Koumbias
June 20, 2010 Beth Kouloumoundras
June 27, 2010 Costas Metaxas

Planning
Please communicate use of parish facilities with Fr. Florin/Church Office so they can be included in the church calendar and announcements. Thank you.