MAY 2017

upon us this year, and we don’t know if we will be blessed with another year to celebrate this or not. The Feast Day itself is con-sidered and lived as a sin-gle day of celebration, not with parties eating and drinking but in the holy churches having the tri-umphant hymns of Pascha on our lips. It is also the continuous enjoyment of the divine mysteries. the immortal food which de-scends from heaven. The Paschal season continues for forty days during which we joyously sing the hymn of the Resurrection. Even then, the celebration does not end, for in every Sunday Orthos (Matins) we continue to rejoice in the resurrection with the Gospel accounts of the

Resurrection of Christ. Pascha is continuous; Pascha raises our souls; Pascha is heaven on earth! The objective of all this celebration is to arouse the Orthodox Chris-tian souls to take part in a new and resurrected life, for the true

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One of the signs that

Orthodoxy is the true faith is the miracle that has been documented throughout the centuries at the Church of the Holy Sepul-cher in Jerusalem. This is the miracle of the Holy Fire in which the Ortho-dox Patriarch of Jerusalem waits inside the Tomb of Christ (which was recently restored for first time since 1802). Every year on Holy Saturday the miracle oc-curs that the unlit candles is lit and the Patriarch emerges from the Tomb of Christ and shares the Holy Fire with the pilgrims that have come to receive the Light. This Holy Fire only comes on the Orthodox date of Pascha and is only allowed to be received by the Ortho-dox Christian Patriarch. Pascha is the continuous celebration by Orthodox Christians being the Feast of feasts, and the time of great joy and exultation. In a few moments after 40 days of Great Lent and the many Holy Week services it will be

9400 WEST CONGRESS STREET MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53225 PH: 414.461.9400 www.annunciationwi.org

Pascha will Never End

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Orthodox Christian is the resurrected man. In the sec-ond Ode of the Paschal Canon we sing: “Yesterday I was buried with you, today I rise with your arising. Yesterday I was crucified with you, glorify me O Savior with you in your kingdom.” The resurrected person is the one who arises in the resurrection, the person whom God con-ceived from the beginning, and who gradually be-comes more and more His image and likeness. Christ speaks of such persons: “Be holy for I am holy. Be per-fect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” “Today I rise with your arising,” means that we rise above and out of reach of the demonic powers of this world, above the blasphemies, the cursing, the fornica-tions, the love of money, and the love of this world. As John the disciple whom Christ loves, says: “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world; And the world passes away, with its desires, but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1John 2:15-17). Rising above the world and its desires, does not mean that we stop eating, drinking, marrying, having chil-dren and exercising, but it means that we walk in the brilliancy of the resurrection, in the newness of life! We hear in every Divine Liturgy: “Let us commend ourselves and one another, and all our lives unto Christ our God.” How many of us really believe this? How many of us really want to do this? Also: “That we may have a good account at the fearful judgment seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.” Each day of our lives are granted to us by God, to do whatever we choose, but we need to watch and act properly for none of us know when we will be called to give an account for our choices in this life. The resurrected Orthodox Christian, will certainly arise in the general resurrection after leaving this pre-sent world. It is clear that God does not desire that we hate the world which He created and is filled with beauty, but rather the moral world which the Evil one controls, through sins and transgressions of men. For if everyone disobeyed the Devil, we would have peace on earth and good will among men. There would be no crime, no tyranny, no fornication, no adulteries, no jealousy no wars or revolutions.

(Continued from page 1) Pascha will Never End Pascha is not of this world, but is a continuous state of being for the resurrected man, who is raised above this world having chosen to live in the kingdom now, and his closest friends are the Theotokos and the many saints and martyrs. This resurrected life is a life of fre-quent prayer, reading of uplifting books primarily the Bible every day. It is attending Church services and re-ceiving with fear, faith and love, the Holy Mysteries, the medicine which eradicates sin within us and is the source of spiritual power and immortality. Where does this resurrected life lead to? Happiness and uninter-rupted joy every day of our lives regardless of circum-stances. Hope that warms our hearts and causes us to always render thanks to God for everything! May we all become children of the Resurrection and find our-selves welcomed by Christ into the future eternal Pascha! I beg you my brothers and sisters in Christ please realize that the Anastasi is not just one night and done, it is not even the 40 days of the Church cal-endar, it is everything, it is every Sunday, it is meant to be every aspect of our lives, the very purpose of our lives, the live the Resurrected Life in God’s Eternal Kingdom. Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen! Alithos Anesti! Truly He is Risen! (excerpts from the Anastasi service Sermon 2017) Father John Ketchum

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The Pentecostarion is the liturgical book used by the Or-thodox Churches during the Paschal Season which extends from Pascha (Easter) to the Sunday following All Saints Sunday. The name means the Book of the "Fifty Days", referring to the period of time from Pascha to Pentecost. The name "Pentecostarion" is also applied to the liturgical season covered by the book. The Pentecostarion is part of the Paschal cycle or "Moveable Cycle" of the ecclesiastical year. This cycle is dependent upon the date of Pascha and continued throughout the coming year until the next Pascha. Pascha (Easter) is the most important feast of the entire year, outranking by far all others. Each week of the Pentecostarion is named after the Gospel lesson which is read on the Sunday which begins i. During the liturgical season of the Pentecostarion, the Gospel of John is read in full, as is the Acts of the Apostles. Both of these books were chosen because of their instructive content. The two Sacred Mysteries of baptism and chrismation are reflected in the two feasts which mark the beginning and ending points of the Pentecostarion: Pascha and Pentecost. The services of the Pentecostarion begin during the Paschal Vigil starting at the stroke of midnight on Easter Sunday. The service for Pascha is radically different from the ser-vices of any other time of the year. Throughout the course of the Pentecostarion, they gradually return to regular order of services. Each of the major times of the Pentecostarion:

Bright Week: The seven days beginning on the Sunday of Pascha are referred to as "Bright Week" or "Renewal Week". On these days the services are completely different that the rest of the year..In the temple (church building), the Holy Doors on the iconostasis are left open for the en-tire week, symbolizing the open Tomb of Christ, and the Epitaphion (shroud) is visible on the Holy Table (altar), representing the burial cloths (John 20:6) which, according to Christian tradition, bore witness to the Resurrection of Jesus. Thomas Sunday: The Sunday which follows Pascha (the Second Sunday of Pascha) is called "Thomas Sunday", because it recounts the appearance of Jesus to the Apostle Thomas eight days after his resurrection (John 20:19-29). Thomas Sunday is also called "Antipascha" (which means Pascha again) because those who for honorable reason were not able to attend the Paschal Vigil, may attend ser-vices on this day instead. Pascha is a unique feast in the church year; being the "Feast of Feasts" it follows a format unlike any other day. Those liturgical elements normal to a Great Feast of the Lord which were displaced by Pascha's unique elements are instead chanted on Thomas Sunday.

Sunday of the Myrrhbearers: The Third Sunday of Pascha is dedicated to the 'Myrrhbearing Women' (the Theotokos, Mary Magdalene, and the other women who brought spices to the Tomb of Jesus) and also to Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who cared for the burial of Jesus after his crucifixion. Sunday of the Paralytic is the Fourth Sunday of Pascha, and recalls Jesus' healing of the Paralytic, as recounted in the Gospel reading for the day: John 5:1-15. Sunday of the Samaritan Woman: is the Fifth Sunday of Pascha, commemorating the Woman by the well, (traditionally known as Photini in Greek), as recounted in the Gospel reading for the day: John 4:5-42. Like the Paralytic, the Samaritan Woman is commemorated only on Sunday and half the week (in this case, the second half), the first half of the week be-ing dedicated to the afterfeast of Mid-Pentecost. Sunday of the Blind Man: The Sixth Sunday of Pascha, commemorating Jesus' healing of the man born blind (John 9:1-38), recounted in the Gospel lesson for this day's Divine Liturgy.

Ascension: The Great Feast of the Ascension falls on the 40th day after Pascha (inclusive), always on a Thurs-day. The Epitaphion (shroud), which had been on the Holy Table since the Paschal Vigil, is removed before the beginning of this service as an indication that the Ascension marked the end of Jesus' physical presence with his disciples after the Resurrection. Sunday of the Holy Fathers: The Seventh Sunday of Pascha com-memorates the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (325 AD). This Sunday falls during the After-feast of the Ascension. In addition to defending Christi-anity against Arianism, the Council also passed a num-ber of canons concerning church discipline, including setting the date for the celebration of Pascha.

Pentecost: Pentecost is the second most impor tant feast of the church year, second in importance only to Pascha itself. The Great Feast lasts for seven days, with its Apodosis falling on the following Saturday.It is cele-brated with an All-Night Vigil on the Eve of the Feast and Divine Liturgy on the day of the Feast. An extraor-dinary service called the Kneeling Prayer, is served on Pentecost. This is a Vespers service to which are added three sets of long poetical prayers. The whole week fol-lowing Pentecost is an important ecclesiastical feast, and is a fast-free week, during which meat and dairy prod-ucts may be eaten, even on Wednesday and Friday.

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Christ is Risen! What a beautiful Holy Week, sixteen services and multitudes of faithful coming to these special services. Thank you to all who attended these Divine Services that only happen once a year. We have to also thank our tireless chanter Nick Roumas for assisting with most of the services and to our fill in chanters for Holy Monday night and Holy Wednesday morning and those who assisted Nick during the week and our Choir. We have to thank our Altar Servers and Subdeacon Curtis Dowling for all their hard work all week. Diane Koukouras was in charge of all the flowers, Icon frames and iconostasis swags that decorated our Holy Week services. Thanks to those who came on Holy Friday and assisted with decorating the Kouvouklion and stripped the many bay leaves. We thank the Parish Council members that assisted with ushering and trays and stepped up to cover many responsibilities that were dropped at the last minute by others. We thank those who assisted dying many red Pascha eggs and the Prime Minister for offering 2 soups for our Anastasi meal and Emmanuel Mamalakis for overseeing the meal which filled the foyer. We thank the many donors for the various items that needed for Holy Week including the donors for the hotel rooms for Clergy and the costs of the visiting priest Fr. John Pilafas who assisted us for Holy Week. Remember we celebrate this Paschal season not just one day but for 40 days until the Ascension Thursday. God bless you all in this joyous season of our Lord’s Resurrection, see you in Church +Fr. John Ketchum, Proistamenos

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FATHER JOHN’S MONTHLY MESSAGE

“A FOUNDATION OF FAITH . . . SECURING OUR ORTHODOX FUTURE” FOUNDATION PARTNERS AS OF APRIL 16, 2017

Joan Andropolis, Rick Bolda, Robert and Grace Busse, Katherine Calarco, Joseph and Helen Caravella, James Chanos, John and Lin Constan ne, Constance Contos, Nick and Stella Contos, Dean and Toni Copoulos, Steve and Pa y Dietz, George and Sandy Dionisopoulos, Basil and Maria Doumas, John and Vivian Dro , Anthony Dynicki, James and Kathryn Eckstaedt, Norm and Martha Eckstaedt, Marlene Ego, Victor and Pa Frangopoulos, Nick and Kathy Galanis, Steve and Dolores Gaveras, Susan Gianos, Alex Gianos-Steinberg, Aspasia Harris, Eleni and Reider Hoff, Steve and Nancy Kailas, Ann Kapitz, Daniel Karrys, Greg and Ann Karvelas, Nick and Beth Kasemeotes, Gerri Katrichis, Ann Katsekes, Jeff and Paula Katsekes-Allen, Bob and Kathy Kobza, Tom and Fay Kolster, Dr. George and Penny Korkos, Dianne Kotsonis, Tom and Marina Kotsonis, Arthur and Chrys Labros, Tessie Leon, Nicholas and Susan Logarakis, Catherine LoMenzo, Douglas and Anna Losey, Elizabeth Lumb, Emmanouel Maheras, Markos Mamalakis, Be y Maris, Louis and Mariann Maris, Dan and Carol McGinley, Zoe Nicklos, Athena Pagedas, Michael and Olivia Pagedas, Tom and Elaine Pagedas, George and Angie Panagiotopoulos, Peter and Marian Panagis, Despina Panos, Andrew Papachristou, George and Karen Papachristou, Greg and Diana Papachristou, Ann Pa-pastefan, Theodore and Niki Pappas, Harry and Caroline Partsafas, Polly Pease, Peter and Rosemary Petroll, An-nuncia on Ladies Philoptochos Society, Andrew and Kathryn Potos, Chris and Lesa Potos, James Pouros, Cynthia Christopoulos and Family, Clarence and Niovi Pulos, Gregory and Stephanie Rothstein, Andrew and Vicki Saran-dos, Theodore and Dorothaya Sarandos, Elizabeth and Gregory Schmalbach, Michael Sikorski Family, John and Amalia Sorenson, Connie and Chris Soves, Manuel and Rita Staleos, Tom and Anna Stamas, Constan ne and Kathy Stamatelakys, Dennis and Sue Stappas, Michael and Anastasia Stavropoulos, Clemens and Nancy Stoeckl, Tim and Dena Taff, Mitchell Ticoras, Will and Be y Ticoras, Athanasios and Tia Tongas, Gregg Verge s, Kathleen Vosswinkel, Paul and Evonne Winston-Nausieda, Gene and Ann Wright, Lauren Wright, Greg and Susan Zacharias, Christ and Anastasia Zervas, Charles Zinos

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Dearest Annunciation family, CHRISTOS ANESTI! CHRIST IS RISEN!

On behalf of the entire Annunciation Parish Council I would like you all to know how grateful we are for your support and how thankful we are to see all of you in church espe-cially during Lent and Holy Week . It is so heartwarming to hear all the kind words and to see all the familiar faces as well as all the new faces especially seeing all the children that have blessed our church Community with smiles and enthusiasm. It is our goal as a Par-ish Council to reach out to the community and let them know we are working diligently on building and growing our community through the love of Jesus Christ.

We can't do it alone we need your help to reach out to friends and loved ones and ask them to come and witness the love at Annunciation. The more loving people we attract to the church the easier it is for all of us to support our Church and it's missions. We are also working with the metropolis of Chicago to help us with our financial obligations. I wanted to take a moment to point out 2015 we had an assessment from our metropolis for $102,000 they forgave $20,000 and a donor stepped forward and payed the additional $82,000. In 2016 the assessment was $92,000 (it's less because we have reduced our ex-penses.) we paid about half of that amount and approximately the other half was forgiv-en by the Metropolis. For 2017 the assessment is $92,000 we have made monthly pay-ments on time for the last three months and we are hopeful for an anonymous donor who will step forward to pay the remainder. All of the parishes in our Metropolis have to pay an assessment and when we have financial troubles as a member of Greek Orthodox churches of the Chicago Metropolis they're able to forgive when we're unable to pay. This is able to happen due to the support from all the other parishes in the community paying their assessments . In the past I'm sure Annunciation has helped them when they could-n't pay. The Metropolis also has resources that we will to look into to help us with things like reducing our mortgage payments etc. The assessment is based off of our expenses so the lower expenses the less our assessment.

So once again it's very important for all of us to reach out to friends and family and even an unfamiliar face that may be looking for somewhere to worship with a family of sup-portive people around them. I believe I speak for the entire Parish Council and Father John when I say we want to be positive and forward thinking attracting loving people to the parish through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior the more people we have in our family the easier it is for all of us to come to church and worship and not have to be con-stantly thinking about the finances. I want to thank every single person that donates their time, their talents and their treasures, there are too many to mention that I don't want to leave anyone out just know if you serve and or support our Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church we are truly thankful for every single person that helps with a loving and positive attitude.

Kind regards, Always Michael N Stavropoulos, Parish Council President

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FOUNDATION NEWS

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Dear Annunciation Family and Friends:

“Christos Anesti”

Holy Week is always very special as we renew our faith and reflect on our Orthodox traditions and theology. Thank you to Fr. John, Fr. John Pilafas from Chicago, the Cantors, Altar Staff, Parish Council, Philoptochos, Youth Groups and countless volunteers and donors that assisted so we could all enjoy the beautiful Pascha services at our Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

As we move forward, the Foundation wants you to be aware that we have submitted a grant application to “The National Fund For Sacred Places”. This group assists religious organizations with funds for capital projects that help renew and sustain existing structures. Our application focus is on the exterior of the church building, specifically the maintenance of the roof and the cleaning, repair and painting of the building. It is anticipated that 75 organizations will submit applications for the 12 available grants. A very special thank you to Maria Pandazi and her committee for the time and energy put forth on this application.

In my April letter it was stated that “We will continue to be forward thinking”. I want all of us to know that this philosophy has not changed. I encourage all of our parish members to search deep within your hearts and determine how you can help be a part of The Solution. Please do not be distracted. Our culture, our heritage and our faith are all way to important and precious for us to not nurture and embrace. Our House of Worship is at 92nd and Congress.

May the Holy Spirit love all of you as we all unconditionally Love One Another.

I remain,

In His Service,

Norman D. Eckstaedt

President, Annunciation Foundation

414.840.5484 (cell)

ndemce5@sbcglobal.net

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Stewardship KOINONIA

Dear Annunciation Parish Family,

The April Stewardship Report is included in this Koinonia. Thank you for your support of our Lord and His Church? Summary: 1. Number of Pledges received to date: 210 2. Total Amount Pledged: $232,649 3. Total Pledged Amount collected to date: $113,016 4. Number of Members who have not filled out pledge cards but gave a Stewardship Offering: 70 5. Total collected from members not filling out pledge cards: $16,877 6. Total number of Stewards (Members in Standing): 280 7. Total Stewardship Offerings Collected to date: $129,893 Stewardship Committee

Stewardship Report

2017 YTD 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 $10,000 and above 1 0 0 0 0 0 $9,000—$9,999 0 0 0 0 0 0 $8,000—$8,999 0 0 1 1 1 1 $7,000—$7,999 0 0 0 0 0 1 $6,000—$6,999 1 0 0 0 1 0 $5,000—$5,999 6 7 8 6 2 1 $4,000—$4,999 2 2 2 2 2 1 $3,000—$3,999 8 7 9 9 7 4 $2,000—$2,999 16 16 18 30 26 20 $1,000—$1,999 59 74 96 103 92 66 $900—$999 2 6 3 6 3 1 $800—$899 4 10 17 14 17 16 $700—$799 6 6 16 16 25 84 $600—$699 15 20 18 19 24 8 $500— $599 24 45 55 53 58 52 $400—$499 9 16 31 24 25 18 $300—$399 18 23 31 41 38 43 $200—$299 19 33 36 46 35 39 $100—$199 18 17 28 38 41 39 $1—$99 2 4 8 6 5 8 Total Number of Pledges 210 286 377 414 402 402 Total Amount Pledged $232,649 $263,279 $366,934 $360,476 $331,712 $299,114 Total Collected from Pledged $113,016 $237,146 $295,710 $360,365 $346,076 $285,463 Percent of Pledges Collected 48% 90% 80% 100% 104% 95% Average Pledge $1,107 $921 $973 $870 $825 $744 Median Pledge (half above/half below) $700 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 Total # of Non Pledged Members 70 100 50 46 53 30 Total Collected from Non Pledged Members $16,877 $151,316 $32,213 $20,344 $26,764 $9,260 Total Members Pledge & Non Pledged 280 386 427 460 455 432 Total Collected Pledged & Non-Pledged $129,893 $388,462 $327,923 $380,709 $372,840 $294,723

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The AHEPA Scholarship Awards Presentation Luncheon Sunday, May 7, 2017.

In the Cultural Center, Beginning at 12:30

Guest speaker Dr. Bob Gountis

Question should be directed to

Dr. Pete Gaveras at 414-795-7100 or lavajava@aol.com

Please remember to submit your 2017 Pledge Card. It is important for Financial planning.

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Preschool For Our Church

Christos Anesti! My name is Lynn Knutson. I have been working with the Parish Council to set up a preschool in our Cultural Center. The school would open up in September of 2018. This will be a multi-cultural school, all ethnicities will be included. The school will be licensed by the state of Wisconsin. We will operate from the first week in September and end in May before Memorial Day. This will be a half day program: Tuesdays and Thursdays we will have 3 and 4 year olds. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays we will have 4 and 5 year olds.

This will be the daily schedule: Children will arrive at 8:30 – 9:00 AM. School will begin at 9:00 AM. School will end at 11:45 – Noon. Parents must pick up their children by 12:30 PM.

We will use 2 classrooms. The school’s equipment will be separate from the Sunday School equipment. The school will run with 2 teachers and a director. We would also like to welcome the residents of the Greek Manor to volunteer to work with the children. Our next step is to choose a name for our school. We are inviting your ideas and suggestions. Please contact me or the church office with your ideas. Lynn Knutson Phone: (262) 547-0956 E Mail: lynn58dk@yahoo.com I am looking to set up a group of people to help me organize and get us started. Our school brings us closer to our community and our neighborhood. The school’s income will benefit our church and it’s growth. It also takes advantage of our Cultural Center. We are accepting any donations of toys or equipment that you might have available. Thank you for your consideration and care on this matter as we grow together and progress forward. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you,

Lynn Knutson

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PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS

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Dear Annunciation Family - Christos Anesti! The Annunciation Family enjoyed a beautiful Palm Sunday Plaki Dinner this year. Many volunteers made it possible for nearly 200 parishioners come together in the Cultural Center for this annual event. Once again, Peggy and Louie Markopoulos underwrote the entire event and even brought their staff from the Butler Inn to do the work! I can’t thank them enough for their generosity. And I don’t want to forget to thank George Papachristou for donating the wine for the meal. And what would we do without Chris and Diane Tsounis who organized the Palm Sunday bake sale? Every-one loved the delicious tsoureki breads that were baked this year by Chris Tsounis and Connie Contos. Thanks, also, to the baking angels for all their time and efforts. Harriet Sporaa and Harriett Alioto visited 20 of our shut-ins, on behalf of Philoptochos. God bless you both for this exceptional ministry. Thank you to Angela Garekis for heading up our Flower Gift Card sale. I can’t wait to go shopping with my gift cards!!! Lastly, it’s time to elect the 2017-2019 Philoptochos board. Please plan on attending the Philoptochos General Meeting on Monday, May 1st to vote for the next Board. Thank you all for your continued support, Dena Taff Philoptochos President

Philoptochos General Meeting

Open to All Members

Monday, May 1, 2017

7:00 PM

James Pihos Cultural Center

Please plan on attending this meeting to vote for the

2017 – 2019 Philoptochos Board!!!

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Congratulations to our Annunciation Church Oratorical Festival Representatives that will be presenting their speeches at...

For Jr. Division- Stephanie Kanavas (left in photo) For Sr. Division-Lia Ketchum

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Sunday School News

May 2017 Christos Anesti, Alithos Anesti! Our students were definitely busy during this Lenten period. The SS students participated in the beautiful procession of the Icons on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. They have been placing their spare change in the mission coin boxes which will go to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. On Saturday of Lazarus the students enjoyed a light Lenten brunch with other church parishioners and friends and assisted in folding the palms for Palm Sunday. Our teachers prepared rich lessons to re-enforce to their students the wonderful message that God so loved the world that He sent his only Son, who died on the cross, so that our sins may be forgiven. Let us continue to celebrate our RESURRECTED LORD.

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K5-1st grade class decorating red eggs K3-K4 learning about the crown Our Savior, Our King, wore (the crown of thorns not the kingly crown) and the nails he endeared.

Important Dates

May 21st-Last Day of Sunday School

May 21st-High School Seniors Honored at end of Liturgy by Father John. Last SS for Ortho-dox Teens(9th grade -12th) is May 14th.

May 21st_Ice Cream Social End of the year SS Celebration

Sept. 10th- First Day of SS

Volunteer Positions for next year

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Christmas Pageant -Co-coordinator/co-director- Sandy Draelos assist with the pageant but is in need of an assistant

Sunday School Teacher

Sunday School Substitute Teacher

Rotating Teacher for Orthodox Teen Classroom. Frequency 1 time to as many as you would like to teach.

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Greek Olympics-Father John is working on having our youth come together and participate in Junior Greek Olympics. This event will take place Memorial Day Weekend, May 26th-28th at Ascension of Our Lord Greek Orthodox Church in Lincolnshire, Ill. We are currently looking for individuals that would like to form a team. Participating in a team event, allows for great fun and fellowship. Please note there are individual events also. Events are for ages 7-18 years old: Track & Field, Tennis, Table Tennis, Chess,/Checkers, Backgammon/Tavli, Bowling, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball, Soccer, and Swimming. There will also be a 10K (ages 19-100). All skill levels welcome. This is sure to be a great event.

Oratorical Festival

Our 7th-12th grade students had the opportunity to participate in Our Local Oratorical Festival. The students had the opportunity to participate in 4 divisions: Poetry, Essay, Oratorical, and Iconography. Junior Division Winners: Oratorical -Stephanie Kanavas, Essay -Matthew Frangopoulos. Senior Division Winners: Oratorical-Lia Ketchum, Essay-Gabriella Frangopoulos, Rap-Poetry-Michael Ketchum and Essay-Ella Frangopoulos. Congratulations to all participants. Good luck at the Metropolis Level. Thank you to Helene Tzougros and Peter Liacopoulos for judging and assisting in preparing the students for the Oratori-cal Festival.

Wish List Items for the Sunday School Program

Sweeper Style Vacuum (non-motorized) for the Pre-School and Kindergarten rooms to share (after snack time crumbs)

Gift card to Office Max or Office Depot for miscellaneous SS supplies: glue sticks, tape, printer ink, etc.

As the Sunday School year is coming to a close, I would like to thank all the families that bring their children to church and to Sunday School. The teachers and I feel very fortunate that you entrust your children with us.

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A Message from the Choir... Join the choir! We welcome you!

We will sing on the following Sundays:

May 14, 21 and 28 Rehearsal schedule this month is

May 4 and 18. Hope to see you in the choir! Marlene Ego, Choir Director

Thanks to everyone who came out for the litur-gy and dinner on Wednesday at Saints Constantine and Helen! This was a great opportunity for lenten fellowship as we draw near to Holy Week. Please see below for updates about events. Monday, 4/10 Sharing an invite from YAL member Paul Mertz: The chamber choir I am in is having a joint (Free – good will offerings accepted) concert with the UW-Eau Claire choir this following Monday at St. Joseph’s Chapel here in Milwaukee. We are singing some great songs and the chapel is quite beau-tiful itself (great acoustics as well). https://www.facebook.com/events/436045720063709/ Saturday, 5/13 Save the Date - Pan Orthodox Youth Event May 13th Saturday at St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Registration at 11am. Free event! Friday, 5/19 Dinner and volunteer opportunity at Saints Constantine and Helen, May 19th. Join a special Friday parish fish fry with Life Navigators, and board games after dinner! The only experience needed is a warm welcoming presence and ability to play some board games. Join the dinner anytime from 4:30 to 6:00pm, and plan to stay from 6:00 to 7:00 for board games. Life Navigators is a non-profit organization that helps individuals living with disabilities. Likely June date for a visit to St. John Chrysostomos monastery in Pleasant Prairie, TBD. Looking ahead to Summer: Summer Parish Festivals: Sts C&H June 10, Annunciation June 23-25, St. Nicholas at Cedarburg Straw-berry Festival June 24-25, Serbian Days at St Sava likely last weekend of August. And Save the Date for these Fall events 2nd Annual YAL Milwaukee Cruise - Saturday September 9 Visit to local 'cool destination farm' and bonfire - Likely Sunday October 8, to be confirmed

YAL Activities

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Palm Strips donated by Philoptochos Extreme Humility Icon Frame donated for continued health of Demetra Gamouras from Grandchildren

Last Supper Icon Frame—In loving memory of Jim and Vicky Pope, Katherine Procopis and Bill & Helen Stergiades from children and grandchildren.

Crucifixion Icon Frame donated by Dennis & Rachel Fournogerakis 12 Gospel Candles contribution by Patra Gia-noulakis in loving memory of her husband John Gianoulakis Crown of Thorns—In loving memory of her daughter Connie and her husband Jim and family members that have gone before us. From Helen Mahos and family. Wreath at Base of Cross—For the health of our family by John & Pat Galanis

Epitaphio Cross donated by Clem & Nancy Stoeckl. Epitaphio Flowers and 4 Floral Arms contributions made by Ted & Mary Kanavas in loving memory of Nick, Min & Jeff Kanavas The Pouros Family Michael Doucos—in loving memory of Paul William Doucos

Candles for Epitachios—In loving memory of her mother Lambia Alexopoulous by Jane Alexopoulos-Walters. White Sheet donated by Gerri Katrichis Rose Petals & 4 Rose Water donated by Mike Kafarakis Gardenias for Epitaphion donated by Greg Papachristou and family.

Bay Leaves are donated by The Pouros Family Red Pascha Eggs contribution by The Pouros Family. Resurrection Icon donated by George & Jacque Batayias. 2 Iconastasis Swags are given by Vivian & Daniel Teska Lily Plants are given by - Georgia Stergiades (2) For the good health and well being of the Khoury family by Michelle Khoury. Ann Papastefan In loving memory of in-laws George and Sophie Nicolas For continued health and well being of my parents Demetrios & Vasiliki Tongas. In loving memory of Eugene Stella & Pamela Stawski with love from Chet & Ellen Nygren. (2) For the health of my children and Grandchildren by Patra Gianoulakis Pascal Clergy Lambatha donated by Sophia Doucas.

BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS!

Holy Week Gifts

22

KOINONIA

MEMORIAL SERVICES

March 26

Anthony Geinopolos—5 years

Bessie Geinopolos—1 year

April 2

Spyredoula Zaharopoulos—4 years

James J. Pouros—1 year

April 30

Sriny Stamatelakys—1 year

May 7

Anastasia Zervas—1 Year

May 14

Arete Chaltas—6 months

May 21

Dafne Amirsakis—1 year

FELLOWSHIP COFFEE SOCIALS IN THE CULTURAL CENTER

FOLLOWING LITURGY HOSTED BY

May 7 Zervas family May 14 OPEN May 21 OPEN May 23 OPEN

KOINONIA

Sacred Gifts

March 26

An Altar candle is offered in loving memory of Mike Keller (40 days) by his family.

In loving memory of Anthony and Bessie Geinopolos an Altar candle is given by GiGi Paddock and family & Mark Geinopolos and family.

April 2

In loving memory of Spyridoula Zaharopoulos, two Altar candles and 2 loaves of Prosphora are given by her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

An Altar candle is offered in loving memory of James J. Pouros from his family.

April 9

In loving memory of my husband, Constantine Alex, an Altar candle is given by his wife Barbara Alex.

An Altar candle is offered for the good health of my family, children, grandchildren and

greatgrandchildren by Maria Panos. April 12

In loving memory of Louis and Louis Demetral, an Altar candle is offered by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

April 15

Two Altar candles are given in celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

April 23

An Altar candle is given in loving memory of Thomas Katrichis from the Wudy—Baumann family. May his memory be Eternal!

May 7

An Altar candle is offered for the health and well being of Chrysanthe Arthur from the Wudy-Baumann family.

23

KOINONIA

Sacred Gifts

May 21

In loving memory of Damon Brice and Altar candle is offered by the Wudy & Baumann fami-lies. May his memory be eternal!

For the health and well being of Neva and Deno Brice an Altar candle is offered by the Wudy

& Baumann families.

24

Sacraments Funeral

April 6, 2017

Nickolas Kondos was buried from the Annunciation Church.

Internment at Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery.

April 7, 2017

Nick Tzakais was buried from the Annunciation Church.

Internment at Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery.

April 9, 2017

Athanasios (Tom) Domanos was buried from the Annunciation Church.

Internment at Forest Hill Memorial Park.

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Annunciation

Greek Orthodox Church

9400 West Congress Street

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53225

(414) 461-9400

Non-Profit Organization

STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 5274

MILWAUKEE, WI

Deliver To:

Or Current Resident

ANNUNCIATION LISTSERV If you would like to receive news and announcements by email through the new Annunciation Church Listserv, simply email info@annunciationwi.org with your first name, last name and email address.

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