Sunday 28th March, 3PM (at St. Gregory’s):

Gala Concert from the creators of the new Phoenicia Festival of the Voice

Join internationally recognized opera singers, Maria Todaro (Opera Nacional di Rio di Janiero, San Antonio Opera), Louis Otey (Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera) and Kerry Henderson (Australian Opera, Teatro di San Carlo) in a concert to promote an exciting new festival coming to Phoenicia this summer. Many will remember Maria, Louis and Kerry from the well attended “Pianists for Peace” concert at St Gregory’s in 2008. The three artists will speak about the new festival, and offer a selection of best loved arias and duets from opera, vocal treasures from the world of song and highlights from Broadway shows.

The Phoenicia Festival of the Voice will run August 13thto 15th, and will promote the human voice as an instrument of healing, peace and artistic expression, through performances of opera, art song, sacred song, choral music and the vocal arts of traditional cultures.

TheYoung Artists Concert Series for Spring

Named after the patron saint of the arts, St. Gregory's the Great, St. Gregory's Woodstock has been well-known from its inception in 1954 for its support of the arts. In the fall of 2005, the Young Artists Concert Series was created to provide support for talented and gifted young musicians from Julliard who are in the Pre-College Division. This spring, aduiences at St. Gregory's will hear performances by students on the viola, cello, violin and paino, as well as students studying voice at Juillard. Admission is always free. Voluntary donations at the door are used to help defray the expenses that performers generally encounter traveling to and from Woodstock.

March 21:Isabella Palacpac, age 12, cello and piano.
April 11:Christine Price, age 17, Devon Mehring, sopranos; Brian and Tyler Zimmerman, bass-baritones, and two more vocalists.

Involvement in Church:    Ministry leaders will be available after the service to describe differing ministries, i.e.: Acolytes, Altar Guild, Choir, Music, Hospitality, Garden Committee, Food Pantry, Eucharistic Ministers, Buildings and Grounds.

WINTER BLUES FLEA MARKET

Saturday, March 20

Proceeds benefit St. Gregory's Garden and its expansion.
Donations of items accepted beginning Monday, March 15.
(Good condtion please - you are donating - not because something is falling apart but because you are giving something that will benefit others. No electronic 'stuff' please).

Easter Day

THE GREAT VIGIL OF EASTER -- SATURDAY, APRIL 3 AT 8:00 PM
Weather permitting, we will gather outside the church entrance to begin the service. If you desire to be baptized -- please contact the Vicar. Baptism is appropriate for the Easter Vigil.
This is a dramatic service where we liturgically enact the contrast of tomb and sun, moving from the darkness of Good Friday to the light of the Resurrection. In a blaze of light and with glorious songs of praise, we celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. This is a spiritually powerful and joyous way to begin the celebration of Easter! Following the service, the congregation is cordially invited to an Easter feast of punch, wine, cheese and fruit in the Parish Hall.

EASTER DAY -- SUNDAY, APRIL 4: ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!

Easter is the central celebration of the christian faith; it celebrates the one event without which Christianity would never have begun. It was not the birth, the parables, nor the miracles that changed Jesus' followers into the leaders of a new faith; it was the resurrection. Christianity recognizes this by celebrating the resurrection weekly throughout the year. Easter is the high point - our opportunity to act out the moment when God's creation was remade in a fresh way.

FESTIVAL HOLY EUCHARIST RITE II & SERMON - 10:00 AM

This jubilant service celebrates the glorious resurrection of Christ and invites even the very youngest to experience the incredible joy and hope that comes from knowing Christ has given us eternal life through his victory over death.

The Flowering of the Cross: Everyone is invited to bring fresh cut flowers to help turn a bare wooden cross into a symbol of new life. The cross will be decorated during the service. Special Easter activity bags are available for children. Please join us after the service for refreshments.

On Going: The Centering Prayer Group continues to meet on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 10:30. Newcomers are always welcome.

Help!!!  We need volunteers!  Where?  For the coffee hour in Swezy Hall each Sunday after church.