Welcome to Saint George Church!

HEAR THE CHILDREN SING!

Our Sunday School Students will be assembled at 10:30 to begin the Divine Liturgy with the hymn CHRIST IS RISEN! / ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! in both English and Greek.

 Important Note: Please have children in church by 10:30am this Sunday, May 13.  The first chorus of Christos Anesti begins right at the start of Divine Liturgy.

Please join us for Sunday Worship and for a special fellowship hour in our new Great Room on the 2nd Floor. A special coffee hour is planned with excellent food and a magician for the kids. We will present the 4th Good Samaritan Award of 2018 to Kevin & Christina White and their family for their service to the Saint George community.

We hope you will join us on Sundays and to participate in our various programs as you are able. Fellowship hour follows Divine Liturgy and we welcome you to  join us for fellowship, food and refreshments. Visit us online to learn about our church and our various programs. Sign up for our weekly bulletin and become a supporting member at www.SaintGeorgeNYC.org.

VIEW THE COMPLETE MATINS SERVICE FOR TODAY IN ENGLISH & GREEK HERE.

 Sunday Service Schedule:

ORTHROS/MATINS AT 9:30 AM   

DIVINE LITURGY AT 10:30 AM

Celebrated mostly in English

 JOIN US!

All are Welcome

 Visit us on our web site and on  facebook.

HOLY WEEK AT SAINT GEORGE

SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Our Sunday School Students will have a lesson today after Holy Communion.

  The Students' Religious Art Projects Remain on Exhibit on the 2nd Floor

PARISH COUNCIL:

The Following Have Been Elected To The Parish Council:

John Coundouris, Anthony Louh, John Neamonitis, Alexandra Scuro, James Wilcox and Kevin White. The new council met and elected the following officers:

Kevin White - Parish Council President.

John Coundouris - 1st Vice President

Alexandra Scuro - 2nd Vice President

John Neamonitis - Secretary

Anthony Louh - Treasurer

James Wilcox - Assistant Treasurer

    Leaders don't create followers.They create more leaders

(Tom Peters)

 St John Chrysostom on Leadership:  “The most basic task of the Church leader is to discern the spiritual gifts of all those under his authority, and to encourage those gifts to be used to the full for the benefit of all. Only a person who can discern the gifts of others and can humbly re­joice at the flowering of those gifts is fit to lead the Church.”

"...I was a stranger and you welcomed me...."

Friendliness can have Eternal Consequences: Remember that Zacchaeus was converted merely by Christ’s acceptance of him. Reaching out to those who enter our doors with a sincere handshake, greeting and a welcoming smile could be the most important smissionary work we do.

VISIT OUR MINISTRIES PAGE: CLICK HERE

“Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15)

 

MAY MARILENA'S MEALS:  Sunday, May 27

Prep at 11:00. Distribution begins at 12:30. Please help as you are able.

Distribution volunteers will depart church in two Lyft cabs - one for Penn Station and the other to Port Authority Bus Terminal.  With 8 volunteers, we have 4 volunteers per car. If each volunteer distributes 7-8 meals, all should be headed home by 2:30. Meals not distributed by 2:30 should be distributed by volunteers as they head home.

Join our Saint George Marilena's Meals program, preparing and delivering 70 meals each month and feeding those in need in New York City on the last Sunday of each month. Preparers and deliverers are welcome! All volunteers please check in with Marilena in the church hall when you arrive Sunday morning. Thank you!!!

Marilena's meals for September was sponsored by Darrin Dayton in memory of his grandparents George & Edna Gallanis. October was sponsored by Nick & Tina Plagos. November was sponsored by George, Cindy and Sophia Koumbaroulis. December was sponsored by Taso & Maria Pardalis. January was sponsored by John & Terri Skiadas.  February is sponsored by Soula Lolis & Alexandra Lolis Vouvoudakis. March is sponsored by Violet & Vasili Mavrakis in memory of Nicholas & Eleni Cockinos. April is sponsored by Eugenia Gianos. May is sponsored by Gina & Evie Georgiou. THANK YOU!

Additional special thanks to George, Cindy and Sophia Koumbaroulis for providing hats and gloves for every recipient of the November Marilena's meals.

You may support this ministry in one of three ways:

2. Assist with Preparing & packing the lunches;

Maria P. Tsakos

Saint George Sunday School

Sunday School is held following Holy Communion near the library on the 2nd floor. Just before Holy Communion, Fr Jim invites the children to come forward to the seats behind the pulpit where they will be offered a brief sermon/reflection, after which Holy Communion is offered and then the children proceed Upstairs.  Parents are welcome to escort children upstairs and to assist as needed.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL FACULTY We are blessed to have excellent teachers for our Sunday School again this year: Elena L and Alexandra S.  They will be assisted as needed by Christina W.  All love the kids and love teaching them about the faith. Elena L (PhD) is a post doctoral researcher at Columbia University Medical Center. Alexandra S is a lawyer by profession and a long-time member of Saint George Church. Christina received her bachelor's degree from Dartmouth and her MBA from Columbia and is a mother of 4. Fr. Jim serves as spiritual advisor to our Sunday School.

Parents are asked to complete a Sunday School Registration Form and give it to the teachers. Parents are welcome to help with bringing the children upstairs.

AFTER SUNDAY SCHOOL PROJECTS  SUNDAY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR   Christina White serves as our Sunday School Activities Coordinator and organizes projects, games and other activities for after Sunday School.

The Children offer an exhibit of their art in the 2nd floor Great Room.

The children are engaged in activities following Sunday School ranging from art projects & games to community service projects. The children enjoy painting & building various art & design projects. They have participated with fun science projects and have assisted with preparing Marilena's meals.

In Spring 2016, and again in winter 2016-2017, our children assembled 100 emergency hygeine packets for IOCC - International Orthodox Christian Charities (www.iocc.org/take-action/assemble-emergency-kits). The packets are warehoused near IOCC headquarters in Baltimore so that they may be shipped on short notice when emergencies arise anywhere in the world. Supplies for the preparaton of 100 hygeine packets in Spring 2016 were provided by Cally Kordaris. This project was repeated by the Sunday School again in Winter 2017. To be a one-time sponsor of this project, the cost is $500. Contact FrJimK@goarch.org.

Do Your Best: A traditional American proverb says, “God makes this request of his children: Do the best you can – where you are, with what you have, now.” The story of Jesus Christ feeding the 5,000 illustrates this through the boy’s offering of all that he had – five loaves and two fish. This boy did his best with what he had, and Jesus used it to perform an incredible miracle.

We are Stewards of the Gospel: We are called to guard the Gospel message, but not to hoard it. We are instructed not to hide our light under a bushel. As we share the voice of Christ, the message we share is one of hope, truth, grace, divine power, life and invitation. In this busy, ever-changing world, His voice of wisdom is needed to guide us in discerning what is good, what is true and what will bring us closer to Him and to one another.

Saint George Church seeks to offer:

1. A sense of Peace and Presence of God in worship;
2. Opportunities to Serve Others;
3. Meaningful opportunities for Fellowship;
4. Education in aspects of the Faith for all ages; and
5. A well-maintained and inspiring place of worship & fellowship

    SAINT GEORGE PROFESSIONALS

Our mission is to bring together professional members & friends of St George Church to form stronger friendships through events & activities. We accomplish our mission through Laughing, Learning and Giving, alternating between social, philanthropic and spiritual activities. Questions or Ideas? Contact Sarah at sgalanis@hotmail.com . Contact Sarah at sgalanis@hotmail.com to be added to the YP e-list.

The New Saint George Church Library has been Completed,

and has been dedicated to Joseph Shantz

Donations of Books on Religion, Philosophy, Arts and Culture are Welcome

Bible Reading  In private study, when a Christian profitably reads the Bible, receiving inspiration and strength from it, family members, friends, relatives and even acquaintances will inevitably notice the difference. Any person who comes into contact with such a Christian cannot but notice the growing peace, love and inner assurance - the spirit of Christ - in that Christian, and will frequently ask (if not ask, certainly think) what gives that person such strength and radiance. God will provide many opportunities to the growing Christian for sharing with others his or her experience with the Bible. What better witness for the truth of the Christian faith than a solid Christian life nourished by Holy Scripture and radiating true Christian love at home, at Church and at work? The Christian's own life becomes a kind of gospel, a living Bible, in which other people observe, read and experience the truths of God in action.

From Bread for Life, by Father Theodore Stylianopoulos 

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Religious Education

PROSPHORO (offering bread)
A prosphoro (Greek for offering) is a small loaf of leavened bread used in Orthodox Christian liturgies. The term originally meant any offering made to a temple, but in Orthodox Christianity it has come to mean specifically the bread offered at the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist). We are blessed at Saint George that Kyria Dina Manos bakes prosphora for us as needed. This is a very special ministry and we thank God for Kyria Dina's service to our church.

WINE FOR HOLY COMMUNION If you would like to offer wine to be used for the preparation of Holy Communion at Saint George Church, you are welcome to do so. The sweet wines that we use for Holy Communion are: Mavrodaphne, Commondaria and Nama Byzantino.

 Life on earth is a gift. The work we do is also a gift if we see it as an opportunity to serve God and others. Saint Paul instructs us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men….” (Colossians 3:23).  When we see our work in this way, we are able to become Christian stewards of our work.

OUR CALLING:

Research shows that most unchurched Americans would come to church if invited. As the visible presence of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, we are called to witness to those within and those outside the community of believers.  If we believe that in Orthodoxy we have the fullness of the Truth, then we have the great responsibility to share it with all people. The very nature of this mission implies creative witness within society in word and in deed. Bring a friend to Church!

SUNDAY PARKING: is available for $10 at ICON Parking on 54th St just east of 8th Ave. Bring your ticket to the candle stand to be validated. Effective from 8:00 AM-2:00 PM after which regular rates will apply.

“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea

until we have someone to forgive.”

C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

 What is Christian Stewardship?

 Stewardship is caring for the needs of others.

 Stewardship is offering one’s self to God as He offered Himself to us.

Stewardship is what a person does after saying “I believe…” as proof of that belief.

 Williams and McKibben in Oriented Leadership

Click here to set up regular or 1-time stewardship contributions to St. George Church.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE CHURCH IN YOUR ESTATE PLANNING

BEFORE YOU RESERVE YOUR WEDDING DAY

The Holy Church has a sacred obligation to uphold and abide by the spiritual guidelines which have been formulated over the ages. One of these guidelines dictates that Wednesdays and Fridays are to be observed as days of fasting, in some cases that includes Saturdays and Sundays. Therefore, weddings are prohibited on such days. In order to avoid confusion and conflict, before you reserve a reception hall you need to check with the church if that day is indeed a day when weddings are allowed.

2017-2018 SAINT GEORGE PARISH CALENDAR

DECEMBER      

2 Saturday              Basile the Comedian Fundraiser on 2^nd Floor 7:00-9:00 pm

3 Sunday                Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal 12:00-1:00

                                 Parish Council Elections 11:30-1:00

10 Sunday              Christmas Pageant immediately following liturgy

30 Saturday            Marilena’s Meals:  Preparation 10:30  Distribution 12:30-2:30

JANUARY

21 Sunday              Vasilopita Luncheon following liturgy with Bishop Sebastian

28 Sunday              Marilena’s Meals: Preparation 10:30  Distribution 12:30-2:30

FEBRUARY

10 Saturday            Saturday of the Souls 10:00 Divine Liturgy followed by memorial prayers

17 Saturday            Saturday of the Souls 10:00 Divine Liturgy followed by memorial prayers

19 Monday            Great Lent Begins

24 Saturday            Saturday of the Souls 10:00 Divine Liturgy followed by memorial prayers

25 Sunday              Marilena’s Meals: Preparation 10:30  Distribution 12:30-2:30

 MARCH

4 Sunday                Children’s Art Exhibit on the 2^nd floor with coffee hour following liturgy

                                 LENTEN LECTURE: Rev. Dr. Anton Vrame, Director of Religious Education

                                 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

25 Sunday              Marilena’s Meals: Preparation 10:30  Distribution 12:30-2:30

31 Saturday            Saturday of Lazarus 9:30 Orthros  10:30 Divine Liturgy

 APRIL

1 Sunday                Palm Sunday 9:30 Orthros  10:30 Divine Liturgy

                                Palm Sunday Luncheon & Good Samaritan Awards  2^nd floor after Liturgy

2-6                          Holy Week (see separate schedule)

7  Sunday               Orthodox Easter Sunday

22 Sunday              5:00 PM Great Vespers - Feast of Saint George

23 Monday            Matins & Divine Liturgy - Feast of Saint George

29 Sunday              Marilena’s Meals: Preparation 10:30  Distribution 12:30-2:30

MAY

27 Sunday              Marilena’s Meals Preparation 10:30  Distribution 12:30-2:30

JUNE

3 Saturday              Saturday of the Souls 10:00 Divine Liturgy followed by memorial prayers

I Must Decrease!

By Fr. Mark Sietsema

John the Baptist as the role model for thoughtful Christian service.

I must decrease!

No, this is not an article about weight-loss resolutions. That would be a cruel thing to publish just after Thanksgiving and before Christmas.

I am referring to the words of Saint John the Baptist with regard to Jesus Christ (John 3:30): "He must increase, but I must decrease." John's point was simple: he himself was the warm-up act. Now the main attraction was onstage, and that was his cue to step aside.

Jesus Christ must increase: it was time for His ministry to grow and gather followers and garner strength. John must decrease: the mission of the Forerunner had been fulfilled. He had played his part in God's plan and prepared the way. His joy was full (John 3:29) at hearing the voice of the one who was to replace him. But now it was time for his ministry to diminish, for his disciples to join Jesus, and for his audiences to shift from the banks of the Jordan to the Teacher giving sermons on the mount.

I must decrease. These are words of tremendous faith. It takes a believer's heart to "let go and let God" be in charge of His Church, to trust that the future is in His hands, and to relinquish the control that we humans find so addictive.

I must decrease. These are words of tremendous humility. It takes a selfless soul to admit to one's limitations and to accept the loss of the limelight that the ego so eagerly craves.

I must decrease. These are words of tremendous strength and wisdom. It takes a truly mighty man to step aside gracefully and to master his inevitable feelings of rejection. It takes a truly wise man to realize that for everything--and everyone--there is a season, and that one's own seasons come and go; but also to realize that, with every decrease in one arena of life, there is an increase in another, one with the potential to be equally rewarding, equally glorifying to God.

We have developed new materials from the Archdiocese on parish administration and organization. There is an emphasis in these materials on the topics of volunteer mentoring and succession. The key concept was this: one of the duties of any parish volunteer is to help prepare the next generation of leadership--and then to step aside when willing workers come forward to offer their service.

No one is indispensable. On the contrary, we have a duty to make ourselves dispensable--by sharing our personal know-how freely, and by giving others their chance to lead once we have had our turn. This ensures smooth transition of leadership in all of the parish functions.

We can make our leadership felt in a negative way by letting the church struggle in our absence. Or we can empower others to offer their talents to serve the church as they have been blessed.

When people bring their own new ideas and offer them in service to the parish, there are two things we should never say:

1. We’ve never done it like that before; and
2. But this is the way we’ve always done it.

Good servants of the Church know that they must decrease when the time comes for others to increase. Responsible decreasing is like responsible weight-loss: it is done purposefully and methodically.

Responsible decreasers don't handpick their successors and then play puppet-master from the sidelines. They offer encouragement but not interference. Responsible decreasers don't sit back idly and throw stones of criticism. They help when asked, and they graciously support new leadership with praise and advice.

There is also a need for responsible increasers. These are people who step forward gladly when their turn comes up to take the lead. They don't wait to be courted or cajoled; they answer the call because they love their God and their Church. They don't get discouraged at a little sniping or pessimism from the old guard. They have the humility to listen to advice and the dedication to follow through on their commitments.

"I must decrease!" For his faith, humility, strength, and wisdom, John the Baptist received from Christ the highest compliment imaginable (Luke 7:28a): "I tell you, among those born of women, none is greater than John." They share in this greatness who decrease and increase as he did, at the right time, out of love for the Lord. By the intercessions of the Holy Forerunner and Prophet John the Baptist, may we all, as church volunteers and co-workers in the Kingdom, be enlightened to know when to serve and when to step aside, so that Christ may always increase among us!