Sundays:
Orthros - 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.
Weekdays:
Evening Vespers - 6:00 p.m.
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Religious Education
11:30AM Philoptochos General Meeting
11:30AM Coffee Hour
1:30PM Youth Group
6:00PM Men’s Group Fellowship
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Religious Education
11:30AM Health and Wellness Event
11:30AM Coffee Hour
Engagement
Church services will take place in the Hall this week due to church beautification project underway to drywall, prime and paint over the existing ceiling to create a smooth surface. If you have any projects or activities to take care of in the hall please do so before Sunday morning.
FOOD FESTIVAL MAGNETIC SIGNS
Now available! If you preordered one please see Sahar. We do have extras. It’s an easy way to advertise the festival. Donations of $30 per sign is recommended.
Festival Prep
Saturday, September 22nd we will be preparing the pastitsio for the festival. Please come join us at 9:30 to help. Thank you.
FESTIVAL BAKING SCHEDULE
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH CUSTARD FILLEDPHYLLO FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL FINISHED,TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH CUSTARD FILLED PHYLLO FROM 10 A.M. UNTIL FINISHED, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH , KOUROUMBIEDES 10 A.M. UNTIL FINISHED
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH , MELOMAKARINA 11 A.M. UNTIL FINISHED
PACKING
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH , 12 P.M. UNTIL EVENING, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, IMMEDIATELY AFTER COFFEE HOUR
PLEASE CALL MARY MEKHEL AT 900-4298 BEFORE COMING IN THE EVENINGS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE STILL BAKING.
Dear men of St. George Church,
Men’s Group fellowship meeting Thursday September 13th at 6pm at Goose Loonies on 816 18th Street. They have a full menu and drink selection for you to purchase and enjoy during the meeting. We plan on meeting the 2nd Thursday of each month. Manny will lead the first meeting.
Parish Council News
THE PARISH COUNCIL HAS IMPLEMENTED NEW SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE HALL. THE FRONT HALL DOORS WILL REMAIN CLOSED DURING CHURCH SERVICES. PLEASE SEE CHART FOR ACCESS TO THE HALL AND/OR RESTROOMS DURING SERVICES. FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT USE THE STEPS PLEASE ASK AN USHER OR PARISH COUNCIL MEMBER TO ESCORT YOU AND TO UNLOCK THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HALL FOR YOU. ON SUNDAYS, THE FRONT DOORS WILL BE OPENED AFTER HOLY COMMUNION.
THANK YOU FORYOUR UNDERSTANDING AS WE WANT TO KEEP OUR FACILITIES SECURE.
ALSO NOTE: PLEASE CONTACT A PARISH COUNCIL MEMBER OR USHER IF ANYONE IS LOITERING IN THE HALL DURING SERVICES.
THANK YOU.
Women’s Prayer Group
There will be a stand in the Narthex for you to leave your prayer request to be added to the list our prayer list. We need women’s prayer group partners. Please see or call Irene Sinopole at 832-1871.
Next meeting is September 27th, at 7 p.m.
Festival will be from October 5th through the 7th. Please approach a parish council member if you would like to volunteer. Festival flyers are in a box in the hall, please take some to your friends, family and co-workers.
Dance Group Practice
Led today by Nikoli Hackleman.
Prosphora Schedule
9/9 Elaine Dorlis, 9/16 Basema Madain, 9/23 Sahar Ayoub, 9/30 Olympia Hackleman, 10/7 Nahla Demestihas, 10/14 Mary Mekhel, 10/21 Sahar Ayoub, 10/28 Elaine Dorlis, 11/4 Elaine Dorlis, 11/11 Basema Madain, 11/18 Olympia Hackleman, 11/25 Mary Mekhel, 12/2 Elaine Dorlis, 122/9 Sahar Ayoub, 12/16 Basema Madain, 12/23 Nahla Demestihas, 12/30 Olympia Hackleman. Thank you.Please make arrangements with Sahar or Despina to bring the offering Saturday night either to the church or Father's home. We are looking for more people to make the blessed bread. Please approach Father Joseph if interested.Thank you.
Narthex Ushers
9/9 James & Michael N. 9/16 Youth Group, 9/23 Danny & Ken, 9/30 Annette & Vago. Thank you.
Coffee hour-Hosted by the Andrews family.
First Youth Group, Sunday Sept 9th.Parent meeting at 12:40 and youth group to meet after dance practice. For questions please call Michael or Gabriela Ryan 661-747-1603 or 661-219-3421
HOPE/JOY
1st HOPE JOY Meetup will be Saturday October 27th. Please email Jenny Dean at shea0509@yahoo.com if you want your child registered and haven't yet.
Sunday school resumes September 9th.
Charity
Feeding the Homeless Initiative - Sunday November 18th
" For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ This is what we are charged to do as Christians - make a difference in lives of people who need us the most. We will be having a Parish Wide Event on this date to help make a difference in the lives of those who live near and around the church.
If you are interested in helping us plan this event, please mark SUNDAY OCTOBER 21ST on your calendar for our ONE PLANNING MEETING. We will be needing EVERYONE'S help in the month leading up to this event.....stay tuned!
Today immediately after Church Services we will be having our first Philoptochos meeting of the Liturgical Calendar Year. Please join us as we lay out our plans for the coming year. Hope to see you there - everyone is welcome!!
Annual Health and Wellness Luncheon is just around the corner! Please save the date of Sunday September 16th to attend this event that helps the Metropolis Health and Wellness Ministries as well as the Metropolis Emergency Relief Fund.
Outreach
Evangelism and Outreach
Welcoming, Evangelism, Outreach ministry class Thursday, September 20th, 7:10-8:30 pm. In the church hall. More information to follow. All parish council and festival leaders should attend. Please contact Michael and Gabriella Ryan 661-747-1603 or 661-219-3421.
Coffee Hour Opportunities
The 2018 calendar for coffee hour is up in the hall. Each family please sign up for a Sunday.
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.
Legacy
Scrip Cards
Scrip gift cards are now accessible online. You choose the card (cards) you would like and St. George Church receives a percentage of each sale. If you choose e-cards you will receive them same day in your email. If you choose gift cards, we will receive a notice and the order will be delivered to the church. Best to select e-cards so no shipping fee. Use this link and code when purchasing online. www.shopwithscrip.com, Code:42A1521E58345.
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.
Father Joseph's Office Hours
Father Joseph's office hours-Tuesday-Thursday 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Fridays are for visitations.
About Communion
If you are a visitor and planning to take Holy Communion, please inform one of our ushers in the Narthex 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.
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
To reserve the hall for any church functions or activities please communicate with Annette 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.
Welcome New Parish Members
Prayers/Thanksgiving
Glory to God for His Bountiful Blessings
Please add to your daily prayers for:
Our brothers & sisters unable to attend:
Marika Psihoundas, Mary Valos, Zoe Spanos, Gus & Beverly Balasis.
Healing: Marika, Victor, Helen K., Irene, Mary, Mary, Serephima, and others in our parish.
Those who are traveling
Orthodox-Sophia,Virginia, Petros, Panagi, Elle, Eva L., 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, Fred, Hannah, Irene Sinopole, Helen Protopapas, Candess Strategos,Gene, Kathy, Sofia, Clemy (Clementina), Jane, and Matthew.
Non-Orthodox -Nancy, Bud Lung,Julie, Pamela Y., Debbie, Emmitt, Donna,Steve, Richard,Donald, Christina, Eva, Dominic,Gaby Garcia,Romona, Elea, Graysen Astumian, Marie,Michelle, Irma, Julie, Greg, Allyson, Margaret, Valerie, Martha Rogers, Helen Kemper, Joseph, Stephen, Elizabeth,Ellen, Ling, Richard, Christine & David, Debby.
Financials Budgeted Actual
Stewardship |
$2,800/week |
$2,325.06 |
Candles & Tray |
$300/week |
$365.50.00 |
Anniversaries
9/16 Joshua & Joyce Cisneros
9/17 Hesham & Sahar Ayoub
9/17 Osama & Angie Dawood
9/18 Matthew & Nani Antonaros
9/19 Evangelos & Kelly Demstihas
Birthdays
9/2 Naguib Mekhel
9/4 Nader Al-Sheikh
9/8 Joshua Ryan
9/9 Jimmy Andrews
9/15 Mary Mekhel
9/15 Nani Antonaros
9/19 Zain Ayoub
9/19 Fotini Chaffee
9/21 Annette Londquist
9/23 Dena Southerd