Photos from Macedonia: April 2014

UMW Excursion to Philippi - April 26, 2014

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, 48 members of women's groups (UMW) made a one-day excursion by bus to ancient Philippi and Kavala, Greece. For most of these women it was their first opportunity to see these places that were visited by the Apostle Paul. Philippi is a 4 hour drive from Strumica. (Thanks to Pavlina Manavska for many of these photos.)

In the ancient theater, singing praises to God

In front of what tradition says was Paul's prison cell - only a legend!

At the museum

On the go, across the agora

At Basilica B

The Church of St Lydia (modern)

Photos in front of the church

Inside the church

On to the city of Kavala (formerly Neopolis) where Paul arrived in Europe after his call to go to Macedonia

New monument to the Apostle Paul, showing his vision of the Macedonian asking for help (Acts 16:9) and his arrival in Neopolis

Children's Easter Program - April 20, 2014

On Easter Sunday evening, the children presented an hour-long program of drama and songs. The first scene of the dramas was the Last Supper.

The disciples await Jesus's arrival at the Last Supper.

Jesus greets the disciples.

Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to the disciples.

Jesus prays in the garden.

While Jesus prays, the disciples fall asleep.

The soldiers come for Jesus and Peter cuts off the ear of the servant Malchus.

Peter denies Jesus... and the rooster crows.

"You were with Jesus of Nazareth!" the girl accuses Peter.

John and Peter go with the women to the tomb.

Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus at the empty tomb.

Thomas puts his hand in the wound in Jesus's side.

Second drama: Jesus wants these individuals to follow him, but they are stuck in their boxes.
The boxes read FEAR, PRIDE, DISBELIEF and IGNORANCE.

Lenten wreath - March 9 - April 20

The Lenten wreath resembles a crown of thorns. There are six candles, one for each week of Lent. Each Sunday of Lent a "guest" from the story of Jesus's last week on earth comes to tell his or her story and to extinguish one candle, until on Good Friday all the light is gone. The candles return on Easter.

On the first Sunday of Lent, the wreath has six candles.

Stefanija plays the High Priest Caiaphas who extinguishes the first candle.

Dragi plays Amos, a moneychanger in the temple.

Vaska is Claudia, wife of Pontius Pilate.

Anastasija is Cornelius the Centurion who extinguishes the last candle. On Good Friday all the Light is gone.

The Light returns on Easter. Stefanija lights the six new candles.

The Easter Wreath with flowers and new candles celebrates the resurrection. The red egg in the center is a symbol of the blood of Christ.

Making cookies and cards for church workers - March 15, 2014

At Saturday class on March 15, the children made cookies and thank you cards for the staff of the church and the Miss Stone Center. Our Meals on Wheels are prepared at and delivered by the Miss Stone Center.

Making cards

Nice card!

Mixing cookies

Stir, stir, stir

The recipe was in English.

Brother and sister

Putting them on the tray to bake

Not too close together!

Good job!

Into the oven!

Delivering cookies to some of the workers at the Miss Stone Center

Cookies and cards

Taking cookies and card to the church secretary

Celebrating World Day of Prayer - March 7, 2014

This year we celebrated World Day of Prayer in our church, along with women from the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. The liturgy was written by the women from Egypt, on the theme "Streams in the Desert". More than 100 women attended in Strumica. Services were held in 9 other UMCs as well.