Sundays:
Orthros - 9:00 a.m.
Divine Liturgy - 10:00 a.m.
Weekdays:
Evening Vespers - 6:30 p.m.
During the reign of Leo the Great (457-474) two patricians and brethren on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land lodged with an old widow, a Christian of Jewish descent. Seeing the many miracles wrought at a small shrine in her house, they pressed her until she revealed to them that she had raiment of the most holy Theotokos kept in a small coffer. Our Lady had had two virgins in her lifetime who attended upon her; before her holy dormition, she gave each of them one of her divine garments as a blessing. This old widow was of the family of one of those two virgins, and it had come through the generations into her hands. With the permission of God, that this holy relic might be had for the profit of many, the two men took the garment by stealth and brought it to Blachernae near Constantinople, and building a church in honor of the Apostles Peter and Mark, they secretly enshrined the garment therein. But here again, because of the multitude of miracles that were worked, it became known to the Emperor Leo, and a magnificent church was built, as some say, by that same Leo, but according to others, by his predecessors Marcian and Pulcheria, and enlarged by Leo when the holy raiment was found. The Emperor Justin the Younger completed the church, which the Emperor Romanus IV Diogenes raised up immediately again after it had burned in 1070. It burned again in 1434, and from that time it remained a small house of prayer together with the renowned holy spring. After the seventh century, the name Blachernae was given to other churches and monasteries by their pious founders out of reverence for this famous church in Constantinople. In this church John Catacuzene was crowned in 1345; also, the Council against Acindynus, the follower of Barlaam, was convoked here (see the Second Sunday of the Great Fast).
Prokeimenon. Third Mode. Luke 1: 46-48.
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Verse: For he has regarded the humility of his servant.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 9:1-7.
BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people.
4th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 8:5-13
At that time, as Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, beseeching him and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress." And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." But the centurion answered him, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard him, he marveled, and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; be it done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment.
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Uber Available
The church is setting up a new Uber account for parishioners needing a ride to services. The service will be available starting next week. Please contact Sahar Ayoub in the office at 325-8694 to be put on the list.
Imbibe/St. George Fundraiser
July 8th there will be a fundraiser at Imbibe Wine at 4140 Truxtun Avenue. Tickets will be sold on July 2nd in the hall. Tickets are $40 per person.
Philoptochos Announcements
1) Please return your Mochas for Missions coffee cup as soon as possible to any Philoptochos board member. We are trying to collect it all quickly. Thank you for participating in raising funds for missions in our metropolis.
2) Congratulations to our new Philoptochos Board and Officers serving for 2017-2019: Elaine Dorlis-President, Kelly Demestihas-Vice-President, Georgia Drulias-Treasurer, Angela Becerra-Secretary, Erin Strategos-Advisor,Presbytera Despina Chaffee, Namaz Habroun-Pimentel, Olympia Hackleman and Pam Dorothea Jones, Board Members
Coffee Hour Opportunities
The calendar for coffee hour schedule is up in the hall. Each family please sign up for a Sunday.
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.
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 July 17th & August 21st.
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. We are looking for more people to make the blessed bread. Please approach Father Joseph if interested.
Prosphora Schedule
7/2 Mary Mekhel, 7/9 Sahar Ayoub, 7/16 Sahar Ayoub, 7/23 Elaine Dorlis, 7/30 Olympia Hackleman, 8/6 Sahar Ayoub, 8/13 Elaine Dorlis, 8/20 Mary Mekhel, 8/27 Olympia Hackleman, 9/3 Sahar Ayoub, 9/10 Mary Mekhel, 9/17 Elaine Dorlis, 9/24 Olympia Hackleman.
Narthex Ushers
7/2 Osama & Michael, 7/9 Manny & Michael Niz, 7/16 Danny & Ken, 7/23 James & Mary, 7/30 Tom. Thank you.
Coffee Hour
Hosted by the Antonaros 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.
SUN- 8:30 a.m. Orthros, 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
MON -Office Closed
TUES-6:30 p.m. Vespers
WED- 6:30 p.m. Vespers, Faith Class immediately to follow.
THURS- 6:30 p.m. Vespers
FRI- 6:30 p.m. Vespers
SAT- 6:30 p.m. Vespers
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
Will Resume in the Fall.
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
Will resume in the fall. Look for information on an upcomig Fiesta fundraiser. 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:
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-Nicholetta Y., Dan S., Monica, Yorgos K, Giorgos, Anna,Angela, Antonia, Stelios, Petros, Anne, Anna, Leonid, Mariyka, 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 -Pamela Y., 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 & Kyriaki.
Financials Budgeted Actual
Stewardship |
$1,750/week |
$3,787.25 |
Candles & Tray |
$250/week |
$233.00 |
Anniversaries
Birthdays