Sundays:
Orthros - 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.
Weekdays:
Evening Vespers - 6:00 p.m.
This came to pass fifteen months before the birth of Christ, after the vision of the Angel that Zacharias, the father of the Forerunner, saw in the Temple while he executed the priest's office in the order of his course during the feast of the Tabernacles, as tradition bears witness. In this vision, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and said to him, "Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). Knowing that Elizabeth was barren, and that both he and she were elderly, Zacharias did not believe what the Angel told him, although he had before him the example of Abraham and Sarah, of Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel, and of other barren women in Israel who gave birth by the power of God. Hence, he was condemned by the Archangel to remain speechless until the fulfilment of these words in their season, which also came to pass (Luke 1:7-24).
Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 4:22-27.
Brethren, Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."
1st Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 5:1-11
At that time, as Jesus was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Religious Education
11:30AM Coffee Hour
12:15PM Youth Group
7:00PM Parish Council Meeting
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Family Sunday
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 Aprons
New aprons will be available on Thursday, October 4th, to purchase for $12. They will also be available at the gyro booth. Please see Manny Strategos if you would like one.
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.
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 INTO MAKE SURE WE ARE STILL WORKING
Dear men of St. George Church,
We plan on meeting the 2nd Thursday of each month. Information for the next meeting will be announced at a later date.
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.
Appointments with Father Joseph
If you need to meet with father please make appointments during the week. Sunday should be left for Father to have time to visit with parishioners during coffee hour. Please give him the time to do so unless it is an emergency. Thank you for your understanding.
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
9/23 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
9/23 Danny & Ken, 9/30 Annette & Vago. Thank you.
Sunday School
Lesson 3 to immediately follow communion.
Youth Group meeting at 12:00 p.m. Youth group meeting to immediately follow dance. If interested 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.
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!
If you have not picked up a quarterly Philoptochos Newsletter please do!
It lists all our upcoming events - look for it in the Church or get one from a Board Member.
We are asking members of Philoptochos to be on the lookout for all opportunities to help with our church's festival - prep work as well as the weekend of festival. If you do not know where you can assist, please contact the church office.
Ladies of Philoptochos: We will be making 10 Baskets for our Home-bound Parishioners. Please think about what you would like to contribute to the baskets and bring your items to the November 4th meeting at church. We will build our baskets immediately after the meeting. Thank you in advance for all your help.
Next General Meeting of the Philoptochos Society will be Sunday, November 4th after the Divine Liturgy. We will be honoring our Sts. Cosmas and Damianos Service Award Winner.
Outreach
Evangelism and Outreach
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,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 |
$1,215.06 |
Candles & Tray |
$300/week |
$309.00 |
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