Glory to God, we were able to venerate this ancient and holy manifestation of God's grace, especially dear to the Russian people.  The photos were taken by Yohannen Abraham.

The Conference was, as always, a great success, with people gathering from around the country to share their lives in Christ and receive spiritual nourishment.  This year we were especially blessed to have His Beatitude Met. JONAH with us for the entirely of the Conference.  There was a hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Saturday, at which Met. JONAH awarded Fr. Moses the gold cross.
A short news report is posted on www.oca.org. FOR MORE INFORMATION, check out mosestheblack.org, website of the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black

James Mullin was tonsured a Reader by His Beautitude, Met. JONAH, on Saturday, May 15, 2010, in Anniston, AL at the Conference.  AXIOS, James!

Our sister in Christ Anna reposed peacefully on the evening of  Monday, Jan. 3.  Fr. Moses administered last rites and said the Akathist for the departure of the soul from the body.

Here is a photo from her funeral, on January 8, 2011.  Here also is one from the funeral of Seraphim Humiston, her husband, who reposed March 3, 2010.

These services are also on the Monthly Calendar.

Friday, March 29/April 11

6:00 pm                       Vigil for Lazarus Saturday

Saturday, March 30/April 12               Lazarus Saturday

9:00 am                       Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

5:00 pm                       Vigil for Palm Sunday

Sunday, March 31/April 13                 Palm Sunday

9:00 am                       Hours

9:30 am                       Divine Liturgy

Monday, April 1/14

6:00 pm                       Bridegroom Matins of Holy Week

Tuesday, April 2/15

6:00 pm                       Bridegroom Matins of Holy Week

Wednesday, April 3/16

6:00 pm                       Service of Holy Unction

Thursday, April 4/17   Holy Thursday

9:00 am                       Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil

6:00 pm                       Service of the 12 Passion Gospels

Friday, April 5/18     Holy Friday

9:00 am                       Royal Hours of Holy Friday

1:00 pm                       Vespers of Holy Saturday  

6:00 pm                       Matins of Holy Saturday (Lamentations)

Saturday, April 6/19     Holy Saturday

9:00 am                       Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday

10:30 pm                     Reading of the Acts of the Apostles

11:30 pm                     Midnight Office

Sunday, April 7/20   The Bright Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

12:00 am                     Paschal Matins, followed by Divine Liturgy of Pascha

                                    A festive meal will follow the Liturgy.

Monday, April 8/21                 Bright Monday

9:15     Hours

9:30     Divine Liturgy

 

Friday, April 22

6:00 pm                       Vigil for Lazarus Saturday

Saturday, April 23       Lazarus Saturday

9:00 am                       Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

5:00 pm                       Vigil for Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 24         Palm Sunday

9:00 am                       Hours

9:30 am                       Divine Liturgy

Monday, April 25

6:00 pm                       Bridegroom Matins of Holy Week

Tuesday, April 26

6:00 pm                       Bridegroom Matins of Holy Week

Wednesday, April 27

6:00 pm                       Service of Holy Unction

 Thursday, April 28

9:00 am                       Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil

6:00 pm                       Service of the 12 Passion Gospels

Friday, April 29

9:00 am                       Royal Hours of Holy Friday 

1:00 pm                       Vespers of Holy Saturday  

6:00 pm                       Matins of Holy Saturday  (Lamentations)

Saturday, April 30

9:00 am                       Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday 

10:30 pm                     Reading of the Acts of the Apostles

11:30 pm                     Midnight Office

Sunday, May 1

12:00 am                     Paschal Matins, followed by Divine Liturgy of Pascha

                                    A festive meal will follow the Liturgy.

2:00 pm                       Agape Vespers

 

On January 24, 2016, Matthew Mustain, John Pearlstein, Ephrem Tauck and David Woodmansee were tonsured Readers, and David was ordained subdeacon by His Grace, Bishop PAUL, our diocesan bishop, on his visit to Ash Grove.

Check out the Photo Gallery for lots of pictures!

Abbot Sergius of St. Tikhon's Monastery  conducted an all day retreat on Saturday, March 26 for the parish, beginning with Divine Liturgy and concluding with Vespers at 4:00. He talked about "Acquiring the Mind of Christ," and including time for discussion. A truly edifying and grace-filled weekend, in the company of St. Anna!

Here is a link to the monastery's home page, with pictures of the retreat .St. Tikhons news  All photos by Yohannan Abraham.  A gallery of photos from the event will be posted here shortly.

 

We've sent out our (I think) first ever fundraising letter for the purpose of collecting money to build an extension of our church social hall. The text of the letter is linked below. Mat. Magdalena (the parish secretary) has extra letters, if you'd like one to send to someone you know.

May God grant us success in this modest effort!

Social Hall letter

 

Congratulations to Ken (Thomas Michael) Bratcher, newly-baptised on Dec. 6, 2015.

Mark your Calendars!

Sunday, September 13: In honor of Fr. Moses’ names day (Aug. 10) and in general thanksgiving, we’re having a celebration after Divine Liturgy. Meat will be provided; bring a side dish or dessert to share!

Founders Day at Presentation of the Theotokos Monastery on Sept 18-19. We’ve been asked to help out with the festivities there - please see M. Magdalena for details. Call for Volunteers! If you’re interested in taking turns teaching Sunday School, please see Julie Fenton. Thanks!!

 

Memory Eternal! Anna Louise Renner, the mother of Abbess Sergia and a beloved member of our parish, fell asleep in the Lord on July 24, 2015. Funeral services were held at Theotokos "Unexpected Joy" and burial was in Holy Resurrection Cemetery. Fr. Timothy Sawchak, Hieromonk Alexii, Fr. Moses Berry, and Fr. Joel Wilson served.  We've added a  gallery of photos. Much thanks to Yohannan Abraham.

Here's a link to the most recent weekly Bulletin. Note the schedule for Transfiguration and Dormition; both glorious feasts coming in the next couple of weeks.

Bulletin

 

 

We were blessed to be able to host His Grace, Bishop Paul of the Diocese of the Midwest on the weekend of January 24.  This was his first visit to our parish. His Grace had a breakfast meeting with the Parish Council on Saturday morning, and then celebrated Vespers with the parish that evening. At Divine Liturgy on Sunday, he tonsured Readers Matthew Mustain, Ephrem Tauck, John Pearlstein, and David Woodmansee. He then made David sub-deacon, and elevated Fr. Moses to archpriest.

It was an entirely joyful and spiritual nourishing weekend. Axios to our new readers and subdeacon, and to Fr. Moses as well!

A collection of photos from the event  can be found on our Photos page. Thank you, Yohannan Abraham for these lovely photographs!

 

Unexpected Joy Orthodox Church, Ash Grove, MO, cordially invites you to
AN EVENING WITH BISHOP NEOFITOS NEO
of Kenya
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
5:00 pm Akathist at Holy Resurrection Cemetery
6:00 pm Talk about missionary work in Kenya by His Grace, at Unexpected Joy Church, followed by a light reception.

Fr. Alexii Altschul of Holy Archangel Michael and All Angels Skete will be the guest homilist at Vespers. Everyone's invited and encouraged to attend!

Light refreshments will follow the service.

Time:  6:00 pm

Place: Theotokos "Unexpected Joy" Orthodox Christian Church

We greet you with the joy of the Feast!  What a wonderful, blessed, time we shared.  Here is a link to photographs of Holy Week and Pascha services taken by Yohannan Abraham. 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNSTtpp-oeui1_Mbna5c1OLNjh3aY5NwOp1Kfz-LBDlQCqv2O4H2dOMho9_cUNiUQ?key=YzVFRkhhYXNRT2VBek9qQU5INWtqUTRSNXhXQTFn