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. 

PRAYER REQUESTS Please lift up prayer for parishioners' loved ones and friends: Seraphima (Maria Flanzala's daughter) who suffered a stroke recently and is now recovering.  Maria will remain close by, assisting her as she recovers.  Please also keep Jaye Goulet in your prayers who is also in recovery from a stroke.  Her recovery has been slow, but she is making good progress and is grateful for your continued prayers.  

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIONS THIS WEEK  Today is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.  This Saturday, March 9, is the Feast Day of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste and also Presbytera's Name Day--God grant you many years!

SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY  Mrs. Bucklin continues to educate and delight our young people with Greek letters and Saints' lives--coloring and crafts.  We meet right after Holy Communion in the fellowship hall downstairs.  Suitable for ages 6-12.

SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP HOUR is our weekly pot-luck meal. If you are able and can bring something to share at table on any given Sunday, it is always appreciated--thank you! 

NEXT SUNDAY is Meatfare Sunday--that is, the last day to eat meat before Holy Pascha (May 5).  This is a regular week for fasting, that is fast from meat, dairy, fish and olive oil on Wednesday and Friday.  Feel free to bring a favorite meat dish for next Sunday's fellowship meal.

EXTRA LOAVES OF PROSFORA APPRECIATED Now is the time to be stocking our church freezer with extra loaves of the Bread of Offering.  If you have been / are a prosfora baker, your ministry is especially appreciated for the upcoming Lenten season when more breads are regularly needed and used. Thank you and God bless the ministry of your heart and hands!

HERE'S A RESOURCE FOR THE SEASON Stay on track during the weeks of the Triodion and Great Lent with "Our Journey to Pascha:"  https://www.bulletinbuilder.org/system/pdfs/journey-to-pascha-2024-0.pdf?1706130893

LEARN TO CHANT HERE AT ST. GEORGE  Lambros has graciously agreed to help interested parishioners learn how to chant in the Byzantine style.  For those who may not know, Lambros is the son of a priest, he grew up in Greece and learned to chant there.  We are blessed to have him as our lead chanter and resource for Byzantine church music.  How to start?  Lambros suggests you attend the Orthros service on Sunday mornings.  Service starts at 9AM.  The eight tones are well defined during Orthros and it is there you will start developing your ear.  Lambros looks forward to talking with all of you to discuss potential meeting times and lessons.  This is a unique opportunity within a parish setting and an opportunity for ministry.  A church with one or more trained church musicians is particularly blessed.  

DO WE HAVE OTHERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE PSALM READING GROUP FOR GREAT & HOLY LENT?  See below:

Great and Holy Lent (which starts on March 18) is a time of reflection, prayer, repentance and offerings of love.  It is a time to atune ourselves more closely to the Lord and His example for us. A tradition in many churches is to read the Psalter through twice during the Lenten season.  It is a beautiful and blessed tradition to participate in this way. 

In order to make this work, we'll need a group of 20 persons who will read one kathisma from the Book of Psalms each day (that would be a collection of assigned Psalms for each day). 

If all 20 persons pray daily, the Psalter will be read in its entirety every day.  By the time Great Lent concludes the participants will have read the Psalter through, completely, twice.  What will you need to participate?  Willingness and resolve to read--and a psalter that is divided into kathismata.  The Psalter can be ordered through our bookshop for $18.  

The Psalm readings are done at home, at a convenient time for you. You do not need to be a member of St. George to participate, just be an Orthodox Christian.  If you are interested in joining/ordering a Psalter book, please contact Pres. at doxa 141 at gmail dot com, preferably, this week.  Thank you.

PREPARING FOR THE COMING LENTEN SEASON  Feel free to share titles of your favorite "go-to" vegan cookbooks / resources or recipes for the season.  Then we can offer ideas to better prepare those who need to cook for their families or others in the spirit of the season.  It is said that 10 recipes are generally what most families rely on and cycle them over and over.  Sometimes finding a new cookbook, recipe or tip can make all the difference for a family.  Feel free to share your ideas with Pres. and we can publish them in the bulletin.

REMINDER: OUR NEW POINT PERSON  Nina Fearon accepted the challenge of updating our parish contact database.  Thank you, Nina!  This is what she needs from you to assure its success.  We ask all parishioners to provide her their most up to date information.  Please supply this information directly to her:  First & Last Name (include spouse's name if applicable); Postal address; Telephone number(s) and which person's phone it relates to; email address and if it's preferable to text you at your cell number. Your info will not be published--it will be maintained here only to better serve the needs of parishioners and keep everyone updated as necessary.

Please email your information to: nina.zagva@gmail.com.  Or you can write your information on paper and send it to the church office, attn: Nina Fearon (St. George GOC / 90 Sanford Street / Bangor, ME 04401).  Please submit your information this week if possible. We are trying to avoid the use of texting for this submission.  Thank you for your understanding and participation.  And thanks to all who've already responded!

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.  Jack Baldwin has graciously offered to drop off the donations regularly.  Protein foods are welcome and especially gluten free items as many people suffer with digestive problems.  Canned Vienna sausages and SPAM are both GF and good, easy to use, sources of protein.  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/ 

PLEASE HELP ST. GEORGE RAISE A BIT OF EXTRA INCOME by turning in bottles and cans for redemption at Damon's Beverage and Redemption Center at 700 Hogan Road in Bangor.  Last year St. George received just shy of $400 for the year by this redemption method--every little bit helps.  Thank you!

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.