Sundays:
Orthros - 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy - 10:00 a.m.
Weekdays:
Evening Vespers - 6:30 p.m.
This holy Martyr was from the parts of Cappadocia, and lived a blameless life with his wife. During the reign of Julian the Apostate, this blessed one was filled with divine zeal and, with other Christians, destroyed the pagan temple dedicated to Fortune. Because of this he received the crown of martyrdom by beheading in the year 362.
Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 117.26,1.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His mercy endures forever.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-9.
BRETHREN, rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
Palm Sunday
The Reading is from John 12:1-18
Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazaros was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazaros was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazaros, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazaros also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
The next day a great crowd who had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" And Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it; as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!" His disciples did not understand this at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that this had been written of him and had been done to him. The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazaros out of the tomb and raised him from the dead bore witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign.
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Handicap Parking
New blue painted Handicap parking space on U street: You must have either a Special Handicap Placard on display or a Handicap License Plate
Holy Week
Please plan on coming to church to help in the decoration of the Kouvouklion –the tomb of our Lord on Friday April 14th from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (this is the morning of Holy Friday during Holy Week). Lots of hands are needed to ready the church for the afternoon and evening services.
Drivers needed to take parishioners to church and return them home. Fr. Joseph has contact information of our beloved shut-ins.
We are in need of a monitor. If anyone has an extra one please donate to the church officeOne Open Seat on Parish Council: If you are interested in serving on the Parish Council this year please see Fr. Joseph or Danny.
Next Parish Council Meeting is April 19th at 7 p.m.
Easter Picnic
Candy(no chocolate please) or small toys needed for the Easter picnic. Please give to James and Jenny Dean. Thank you.
Monastery Day Trip:
A trip to the Life Giving Spring Monastery in Dunlap is being
organized for the feast day, Friday April 21st. We will be meeting at 6:00 am in front of the
Strategos Medical Group Offices, 9330 Stockdale Highway. Our plan is to be at the
monastery for church service and have lunch on the grounds afterwards. We should be
returning back to Bakersfield sometime between 4:00-5:00 pm. If you would like to
carpool with us, please call the church office and put your name on the list. We are
looking for drivers as well as riders. We will leave promptly at 6:15 am. Please put your
name on the list no later than Wednesday April 19th so we can organize the cars – thank
you!
Other News
If you are attending the weekday services during the Lenten Season, they are now available on our website at http://www.stgeorgebakersfield.org/resources_and_links/lent-2017/lenten-service-books (copy and paste the link). You can bring your Ipad, tablet or smartphone, and follow along with the service. There are also many more resources located in the Lent Resources section such as podcasts, links to explanations of the Lenten services, readings and a link to our very own St George Lenten Cookbook with recipes from parishioners. Lots and lots of resources for your Lenten Journey.
Mochas for Missions has begun! Please pick up a marked container (yes, it's a coffee cup) and consider forgoing your coffee at least once each week (or other drink if you do not drink coffee) and placing that money in the container. All money collected goes to our Metropolis Missions and Evangelism programs to help beginning parishes. It is estimated that if every family in our community participates in the program and places $5 a week into the cup - by Pentecost that family will have collected at least $60 if not more. Multiply that by the number of families we have and we could generate $6000 for Missions - not bad from the little community of Bakersfield. Please consider Mochas for Missions as part of your alms-giving for the Lenten and Pentecostal Seasons.
Coffee Hour Opportunities
The new calendar for coffee hour schedule is up in the hall. Each family please sign up for a Sunday. April 30th and the month of May are available to sign up. Thank you.
Philoptochos News
The Philoptochos is in the process of putting together a care package for the continued education of the Cornett family who are at Holy Cross in Boston. If you would like to contribute, please give your money or check made out to Philoptochos at church on Sunday to Georgia Drulias. Our goal is to mail something this coming week to them. Thank you and God Bless.
The new Philoptochos newsletter is available! You can find it on our church website or you can pick up a copy at church. It covers our latest news and events for the coming months.
New Narthex Policy
Please enter the church and find a seat to hear the sermon rather than waiting in the Narthex.
Bookstore
Come by and check out the new merchandise that just arrived from the Holy Land.
Faith Tree Lion Heart
Mens focus group will be at Evangelos Demestihas’ house. Dates are TBA. Please RSVP in order to attend. Meetings will be at 1710 Greenhaven, 93312. Contact Evangelos if interested in attending.
Parishioner Visits
Helen Kemper is currently at Hallmark Homes, 2001 Akers, Room 223. Please find some time to go and visit her. The facility number is 831-7147.
Bakersfield Homeless Center Volunteers
The third Monday of each month, we as a community under the direction of the Philoptochos, will be volunteering to serve on the dinner line at the Bakersfield Homeless Center. This will be a coordinated effort and we ask you to sign up with Elaine Dorlis so we know that enough volunteers will be there. We need 6-8 volunteers each month.
In order to serve, you will need to sign a liability form from BHC (Elaine will have these - 1 per family is all that is needed), volunteers must be 12 years of age or older and our service hours are 4:00-6:00.
We ask that you arrive between 3:45 and 4:00 if possible as the first service is at 4:00 for single men, followed by a 4:30 service for single women, a short 30 min break followed by the family service at 5:30. This is a wonderful opportunity to show service to our greater community at large and help those who are less fortunate just down the street from our church. You can also email Elaine at elainedorlis1@gmail.com. Please sign up for April 17th and May 15th as we have slots available.
Dear Parishioners
Sundays should be set aside for quality time with God, our Church and Family. This is true for the Priest, Parish Secretary and Parish Council. Please let us try to address church business and make appointments during the week during office hours, and not wait until Sunday to address these matters. For the generous providers of Coffee Hour, please arrange all meal preparation so that everyone is attending Divine Liturgy. The hall will always be open at least one hour before Divine Liturgy begins, as well as the evening before from 6:30 to 7:30.
Hall Reservation System
There will be a new system to reserve the hall for any church functions or activities. Everyone must communicate with Annette 599-5455 or Sahar if you will be using the hall anytime to be placed on the calendar. This includes groups that meet on a regular basis or for any event. Thank you for your cooperation.
Anyone using the hall during the week, please make sure you turn off all lights, coffee maker and the hall is left clean.
Prosphora Offering
When making the Prosphora, please make 1 large for the Sunday service and 2 small loaves for mid week. Please make arrangements with Sahar or Despina to bring the offering Saturday night.
Prosphora Schedule
4/9 Basema Madain, 4/16 Sahar Ayoub 4/23 Jim Southerd, 4/30 Nahla Demestihas
Narthex Ushers
4/9 James & Mary, 4/16 Easter Sunday, 4/23 Youth Group, 4/30 Tom.
THIS SUNDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO MAKE RESERVATIONS
St George Celebration Weekend
This year, the feast day of St George falls on a Sunday after Easter. This has presented our community with the opportunity to come together to celebrate our patron saint of St George and all that he has done for us as an intercessor in heaven.
Historically speaking, this has not happened since 1974 when the feast day fell on a Sunday and it was after Easter. The next few times it will occur in our lifetimes will be in 2023 (our parish's 99th year), 2028, 2034 and 2045.
In honor of this occasion, the parish has 2 events planned for that weekend:
Saturday, April 22nd we will be celebrating our feast day with a dinner/dance. If you have not yet made your reservations, please do so by signing up in the hall or calling the church office 325-8694 and mailing in your payment. . You must have a reservation to attend. The cost is $30 per person. We ask that due to the nature of this event, small children not attend. The last day to make and pay for your reservations will be Palm Sunday, April 9th. Our menu will be a traditional Greek Chicken Dinner with appetizers, assorted desserts, wine, beer and soft drinks.
Sunday April 23rd a free luncheon will be offered to the community immediately following Divine Liturgy where every member of every family should attend. This is everyone's opportunity to come to church, and thank God for His blessings and the intercessions of St George, our patron saint.
A patron saint is an intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, or person. In Greece on the feast day of the saint, a "panayiri" or "party" is held and everyone offers up thanks to their patron saint by donating from the heart, a tithe, that will show their appreciation for the intercessions of our patron saint to God.
It is with that hope that the luncheon offered on Sunday be offered without a specified donation so that parishioners will be able to offer thanks to our patron saint.
Please plan on attending this historic weekend with us.
Save The Date
Saturday May 6,2017
Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church and Shrine
20340 East Covina Boulevard, Covina Ca 91724
Benefit Dinner for the completion of the Monastery’s Extension Project
Lent and Holy Week Needs
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR DONATIONS ACCORDING TO THE DAY NEEDED
Palm Sunday Evening (April 9th )
Flowers for the Icon of the Bridegroom -_________Eva Lance______________
Holy Wednesday (April 12th )
Olive Oil, Cotton Balls, Swabs, Bag of unbleached flour – _______Southerd Family________
Holy Thursday (April 13th )
Flowers for the Holy Cross – ______________Huntalas Family_____________________________
Beeswax Candles (15) _________________Ion Stanei_______________________
Holy Friday (April 14th )
Linen Sheet – ______________Sinopole Family__________________________________
Rose Petals – ______________Kozyr Family________________________________
Flowers for Epitaphion – Tray passed to congregation on Palm Sunday
Holy Saturday (April 15th )
Bay Leaves – ____Chaffee Family_________________________
Flowers for Icon of the Resurrection –____________Sahar Ayoub_______
Flowers for Banner of the Resurrection – _______Sahar Ayoub___________
150 Eggs – ____________________George & Nahla Demestihas___________________
Paschal Candle – ___________Emmanual & Erin Strategos__________________________
Easter Lilies (Would like a total of 30. More than one family can donate)
_____Becerra Family, Dawood Family______________________
Honor your loved ones birthday and or anniversary by making a contribution to the Endowment Fund in their name. Make checks payable to St. George Church and write Endowment Fund on the memo line. Distributions from the fund will benefit the youth and maintenance needs of the Parish. For more information contact a Parish Council Member.
Thank you.
Holy Week Services
SUN- 8:30 a.m. Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 6:00 p.m. Bridegroom Service
MON -6:00 p.m. Bridegroom Service
TUES- 6:00 Bridegroom Service
WED- 9:30 a.m. Presanctified Liturgy, 6:00 p.m. Sacrament of Holy Unction
THURS- 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy-Last Supper, 6:00 p.m. Passion of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
FRI- 9:00 a.m. Royal Hours and Decoration of Tomb of Christ, 3 p.m. Great Vespers-Removal of Christ from the Cross, 6:00 p.m. Lamentations-Procession with the Epitaphios
SAT- 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy, 11:00 p.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy-Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Pascha Picnic
Agape Services at 12 and picnic to follow. Lunch is available from1-2:30. Plate is $10 includes Lamb, Potatoes, vegetables, meze plate, bread and choice of 1 soft drink or water.
Father Joseph's Office Hours
Tuesday-Thursday from 1:30-7:30
About Communion
If you are a visitor and planning to take Holy Communion, please inform one of our ushers ahead of time. During Communion, parents with infants, and Sunday School Teachers should be first in line to receive Communion. All Christians Orthodox and Non-Orthodox are invited to come up to receive Blessed Bread (Antidoron) at the end of the service. However, present Church guidelines allow that only baptized and confirmed Eastern Orthodox Christians (who have properly prepared) may approach to receive Holy Communion. Thank you.
Sunday School
No Sunday school.
If you have any questions about youth group please contact Stephen and Nicole Strategos.
Greek School, with focus on conversational Greek, Greek orthodox hymns, and the Greek culture, held on Sundays will continue through the Summer. Books endorsed by the Metropolis are available but not necessary. Come and join us for fellowship while learning the Greek language. Contact Olympia at 972-0411 with any questions.
Friday Greek school hours are 4:30-6:30. Please contact Kathy Exarchoulakos if interested.
HOPE/JOY
Our next meet up will be April 29th. More information to follow. This group is for kindergartners (5 years old and up) to 6th graders. Contact Jenny or James Dean for more information.
Theft of Locks
To avoid ongoing theft of our locks on the gates and trash bins, please do not leave them in the unlocked open position hanging on the hook or gate.
Welcome New Parish Members
Prayers/Thanksgiving
Glory to God for His Bountiful Blessings
Prayers needed. Please add to your daily prayers for:
Our brothers & sisters unable to attend:
Becky Valos ,Marika Psihoundas, Mary Valos, Maria Sporaa.Healing: Michael George, Marika, Victor, Helen K., Irene, Mary, Mary, Gus, Serephima, and others in our parish.
Those who are traveling
Orthodox-Dan S., Monica, Yorgos K, Giorgos, Anna,Angela, Antonia, Stelios, Petros, Anne, Anna, Leonid, Mariyka,Helen Leyendecker, Archalia,Natalie, Eva,Eleni K.,Efstratios, Ourania, Christopher, Alice, Suha,Abla, Jennifer, Tom, Gabriela,Ion,Danny,Nadia, Niko, Musa Daoud, Vasiliki, Theodore, Achilles, Vasiliki, Elizabeth, Labrini, Bert & Louise Moosios,Olympia,Margarita, Seraphim, Mary, Tika,Maria Sporaa, Athina, Helen, Gerry Collis, Nektarios,Marika, Louis Strousos,Bessie Mattly, Noah A., Nick A.,Nick K., Kyriaki,Gus Huntalas, Fred, Hannah, Irene Sinopole, Helen Protopapas, Candess Strategos,Gene, Kathy, Sofia, Clemy (Clementina), Jane, and Matthew.
Non-Orthodox -Debbie, Emmitt, Donna,Steve, Richard,Donald, Christina, Eva, Dominic,Gaby Garcia,Romona, Elea, Graysen Astumian, Marie,Michelle, Irma, Julie, Greg, Allyson, Eric, Margaret, Valerie, Martha Rogers, Helen Kemper, Joseph, Stephen, Elizabeth,Ellen, Ling, Richard, Christine & David, Debby.
Catechumen: Paul,Nicoletta,Kyriaki & Nektarios.
Anniversaries
Birthdays