SPECIAL COMMEMORATIONS THIS WEEK  Today, Sunday, 31 December - St. Melania of Rome and Eve of St. Basil's Feast  / Monday, 1 January - Feast of St. Basil the Great and the Circumcision of Christ / Friday, 5 January - Eve of Holy Theophany / Saturday, 6 January - Feast of Holy Theophany. Xronia Polla!  Many Years to those celebrating their Name Day during this period!

IMPORTANT PRAYER REQUEST  Let's continue to prayerfully support our sister in Christ, Jaye Mendros Goulet of Lewiston.  She is slowly recovering from the effects of a stroke and subsequent surgery.  The family would appreciate prayers to aid in her recovery and well-being.  Jaye is a long-time friend of St. George and she has often blessed our parish with loaves of prosphora on a regular basis.  We are grateful for her love for the Church and for our St. George parish in particular.  Let us offer her our prayers in return and may God raise her up from her sick-bed and restore her health very soon.  Bless, O Lord!

MEMORY ETERNAL!  Claudia S's mother, Valeria, recently reposed in Romania.  Please support the family with your prayers at this time--Alex, Claudia & Teo--and pray for the rest of the soul of Valeria.  Cards of condolence can be sent to the Seviciu family at 92 Oak Grove Drive, Brewer, 04412-1268.

AVOID A WINTER PARKING TICKET by observing city guidelines:  If the day of the week is an even number then we park on the church side of the street.  If the day of the week is an odd number then we park across from the church.  This Sunday is an odd number, park on the opposite side of the street from the church.        

THANK YOU TO OUR DECORATORS  Warmest thanks to all those who helped decorate the nave, narthex and fellowship hall for the festal period.  Also much appreciation to those who made the floral decor possible--everything looks beautiful!    

HOLY THEOPHANY SERVICE SCHEDULE Saturday morning, January 6, Feast of Holy Theophany.  Orthros 9AM, Divine Liturgy 10AM, Great Blessing of the Water immediately following.  

CHRIST IS BORN!  GLORIFY HIM!

DECEMBER 31 IS THE SEVENTH HOLY DAY OF CHRISTMAS  Yes, we Orthodox Christians celebrate the Twelve Holy Days of Christmas which leads us to Holy Theophany.  This is, overall, a no fasting period.  We only fast on Friday, January 5 in anticipation of the Feast of Holy Theophany.  To learn more about the Twelve Holy Days of Christmas, read here: https://otftd.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-12-days-of-christmas-theyre-when.html

TODAY - FOCUS ON ST. BASIL'S FEAST We will cut the parish Vasilopites, in honor of the remembrance of St. Basil's miracle so long ago.  Also on this day, Lambros will lead us in singing traditional kalanda (carols) during the morning fellowship hour.  Our singing will be accompanied by instruments played by our Sunday School children.  

TODAY, PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING TREATS FOR OUR YOUNG ONES  We ask that parishioners be prepared to "reward" our young musicians with some coins or treats as they pass by your table this morning--as is the Greek tradition.  We estimate 10 or so children could participate. Thank you for helping keep a Greek New Year's tradition alive here in Maine!

WOULD YOU BE OUR MEAL COORDINATOR?  The ministry of St. George's meal coordinator and liaison with Salvation Army is now open! This is a volunteer coordinator ministry.  The coordinator assures we have enough prepared casseroles to deliver for the hot meal for the homeless--twice yearly. Our coordinator represents our parish and its effort to aid the homeless of Bangor by feeding the hungry.  Who will carry forth this ministry for St. George?  It's an important one.  Susan B has been our faithful meal coordinator for some years now and we're grateful for all her efforts.  She now feels it's time for someone else to carry on the responsibility.  Twice a year she's coordinated volunteers from St. George to be sure the homeless of Bangor receive a hot meal. We have a group of volunteers who prepare casseroles and deliver them to Salvation Army to provide those two hot meals a year.  But someone needs to make sure all the bases are covered.  That is our meal coordinator.  You can get details of what's expected by contacting Susan at 207.745.9167.

HELP FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PANTRY  The Bangor Area Homeless Shelter (263 Main Street) has reached out to us asking for staple foods for their food pantry which has run low on provisions.  Please add some staple items to your shopping cart weekly for the homeless shelter.  Leave your donation in the church office and we'll see that it gets delivered to them.  Please check out this link to learn more about the shelter's needs and how you can help meet them.  This is our neighborhood and these are our neighbors:  https://www.bangorareashelter.org/support-us/donate-to-the-bangor-area-shelter/

GOD NOTICES  The upkeep of our church shows love for God and the beauty of His house.  When we walk in and see a well kept area, it adds to the reverence we feel for our spiritual home and the welcome it affords those who enter.  Each week after services, vacuuming of the nave and narthex needs to be done. Would volunteers step up and do the vacuuming on Sunday when it's obvious it's not already been done?  It does not need to be the same person every week and can be done before leaving for home.  This ministry is much appreciated.  Most know that the church does not have a janitor and relies on the goodwill of parishioners to keep things looking nice. Thank you to all who will participate. 

SPECIAL THANKS to our young adults who often tidy up our sacred space.  We're always grateful for your ministry!

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE - Donations can be made online.