ANNOUNCEMENTS
This Saturday, Feb 27th, 11am, at Christ the Savior in Cincinnati, Fr Thomas Hopko will speak in two major presentations.  A lenten lunch will be served. $20.  Preregistration call 513 351-0907, or email steven.k@zoomtown.com

This Sunday, Feb 28th, 3pm, at St Paul parish in Dayton, Fr Hopko will speak.  This is free, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Monday, March 1st, 7pm, at Miami University Harrison Hall room 204, Fr Hopko will speak.  This is free, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Confession of sin is an essential aspect of genuine Christian life, and a requirement for receiving holy Communion.  It is especially important during Great and Holy Lent that every member come to confession.  Father Mark is available anytime, by appointment, for confession.

Many Thanks to all who support our budget through regularly giving to the parish.  Thanks to those who clean the Church every week.  Thanks to those who sing, serve at the altar, bake the bread, bring the refreshments, and give your time, talents and resources.  Thanks to those on mission council and those who minister to us all in many ways.  May God grant you many years!

Several Saturdays during Lent are special, "Memorial Saturday"s, when we commemorate those we love who have fallen asleep in the Lord.  If you have a loved one you wish prayed for, tell Father Mark and he will add your loved one to our mission’s list which we pray for every Memorial Saturday.  Give the name, his/her relationship to you, and the date of his/her falling asleep.

In the past, we have had a policy that if you cannot afford to buy a book, and if you agree to keep it in brand new condition, you may borrow one book at a time (making sure to read it quickly and return it, in new condition, to our bookstore).  This policy has been abused, so please, if you’ve borrowed any book from our bookstore and it is no longer in perfect condition, pay for it.

We need to schedule a WORK DAY to beautify our Church for Pascha!

A reminder to contribute to our candle box!  I (Father Mark) am very pleased to see we are using more candles, but the cost of candles has gone up.  Years ago, we decided to use beeswax candles, which add a great deal to the beauty and fragrance of our sanctuary, and we searched for the least expensive 100% beeswax candles.  Do not hesitate to take a candle anytime, at any or all services or at private times coming to Church, to offer prayers to God.  (And don’t disparage anyone from taking candles!)   However, if you can afford it, please donate generously in our candle box.  If those who can gave $1 for every candle they used, we would come closer to recouping the cost of our tapers.  They cost Saint Stephen’s $82.00 for ten pounds, and we just had to get a second order in the last couple of months.  This is a good thing;  I simply want to remind folks to contribute to the candle box!

Our prayer warriors, under the direction of Lois Hodges, continue to hold us all up before the Lord.  Please keep Lois informed of needs and health changes, so their prayer list can be up-to-date.  Being also our coordinator for Visitation to the Sick, let Lois know if you or anyone goes to the hospital.  Updates and feedback energize those who have been praying.  As Fr Dan Rentel puts it, “The responsibility taken on by the person requesting prayers to remain committed is not unlike that of the Good Samaritan, who was willing to return and be of service.  In such a renewing environment, energies go into praying and are not dissipated in wondering or not knowing.”  We are all VERY grateful to those warriors who take time for this truly holy ministry!  Two or three weeks after submission, names will be taken off our bulletin “We Are Praying For” list, unless they are renewed.

Because we at Saint Stephen’s have so few services during Great and Holy Lent, members are encouraged to come to Church daily to pray.  One of the most helpful prayers during Lent  is the Canon of Repentance, below.  Keep this bulletin in your car, so you can come to Church and pray anytime!