Publish-header
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-11-11
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Calendar
St. George News and Events
Allsaint
Organization Icon
St. George Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (661) 325-8694
  • Fax:
  • (661)325-8694
  • Street Address:

  • 401 Truxtun Avenue

  • Bakersfield, CA 93301
  • Mailing Address:

  • 401 Truxtun Avenue

  • Bakersfield, CA 93301

Contact Information

Website / Email Editor


editor@ourparish.us | 661-564-2347

Services Schedule

Sundays:

Orthros - 8:30 a.m.

Divine Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.

Weekdays:

Evening Vespers - 6:00 p.m.

Calendar

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Grave Tone

Thou didst abolish death by Thy Cross; Thou didst open Paradise to the thief; Thou didst transform the myrrh-bearers' lamentation, and didst bid Thine Apostles to preach that Thou art risen, O Christ God, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Martyr Menas in the Fourth Tone

Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Apolytikion for the Church in the First Tone

As a liberator of prisoners, and as a guardian of the poor, a doctor of the sick, a defender of kings. Trophy bearer, O Great Martyr George. Intercede to Christ our God, and save our souls.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Fourth Tone

Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Allsaint
November 11

Theodore the Studite

Saint Theodore the Studite was born in Constantinople in 759; his pious parents were named Photinus and Theoctiste. He assumed the monastic habit in his youth, at the monastery called Sakkoudion, and became abbot there in 794. About the year 784 he was ordained deacon, and later presbyter by the most holy Patriarch Tarasius. On joining the brotherhood of the Monastery of Studium (which was named after its founder Studius, a Roman consul), the Saint received the surname "Studite." He proved to be a fervent zealot for the traditions of the Fathers and contested even unto death for the sake of his reverence for the holy icons. He endured three exiles because of his pious zeal. During the third one, to which he was condemned by the Iconoclast autocrat, Leo the Armenian, he endured courageously - being beaten and bound and led from one dark dungeon to another - for seven whole years. Finally he was recalled from exile by Michael the Stutterer. Receiving thus a small respite from his labours of long endurance, he reposed in the Lord on November 11, 826, a Sunday, while his disciples, who stood round about him, chanted the 118th Psalm. Some say that after receiving the immaculate Mysteries, he himself began chanting this psalm. And on reaching the verse, ' I will never forget Thy statutes, for in them hast Thou quickened me" (Ps. 118:93), he gave up his spirit, having lived for sixty-seven years. In addition to his other sacred writings, he composed, with the collaboration of his brother Joseph, almost the whole of the compunctionate book of the Triodion (see also July 14).

Goodsamaritan
November 11

8th Sunday of Luke

Menas
November 11

Menas of Egypt

Saint Menas, who had Egypt as his fatherland, contested in Cotyaeion of Phrygia in 296 during the reign of Diocletian and Maximian. A soldier distinguished for his valour in war, he renounced his rank and withdrew to devote himself to ascetical struggles and prayer in the mountains. Filled with zeal and more than human courage, he presented himself in the midst of a pagan festival in Cotyaeion and declared himself to be a Christian. After terrible torments which he endured with astonishing courage, he was beheaded. His martyrium in Egypt became a place of universal pilgrimage; evidence of ancient journeys to his shrine have been found as far away as Ireland. The glory and refuge of the Christians of Egypt, he has been revealed to be a worker of great miracles and a swift defender for all who call on him with faith; besides all else, he is also invoked for help in finding lost objects.

BACK TO TOP

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Psalm 67.35,26.
God is wonderful among his saints.
Verse: Bless God in the congregations.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians 4:6-15.

Brethren, it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we live we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, "I believed, and so I spoke," we too believe, and so we speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

Gospel Reading

8th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 10:25-37

At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

He who truly wishes to believe in God must be lifted above himself, his mind, and even the whole world. For this reason, the value of faith is considered higher than the value of man. It is even higher than the value of the whole world. Therefore, the reward of faith should be higher than all of man's possessions along with the glories of this world. The reward of faith is God.
Fr. Matthew the Poor
Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way, p. 74, 20th century

What is it that I love when I love you? Not the beauty of a body or the comeliness of time. Nor the luster of the light pleasing to the eyes, nor the sweet melodies of all manner of songs, nor the fragrance of flowers, ointments and spices, not manna and honey, nor limbs welcome to the embrace of the flesh - I do not love these when I love my God. And yet there is a kind of light, a kind of voice, a kind of fragrance, a kind of foods, a kind of embrace, when I love my God, who is the light, voice, fragrance, food, embrace of the inner man, where there shines into the soul that which no place can contain, and there sounds forth that which time cannot end, where there is fragrance which no breeze disperses, taste which eating does not make less, and a clinging together which fulfillment does not terminate. It is this that I love when I love my God.
St. Augustine
Confessions 10.6 in The Confessions of St. Augustine, p. 244, 5th century

BACK TO TOP

Calendar

  • St. George Calendar

    November 11 to November 18, 2018

    Sunday, November 11

    Community Christmas Card is on sale!

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Religious Education

    12:00PM Coffee Hour

    12:30PM Parish General Assembly

    Tuesday, November 13

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    Thursday, November 15

    Advent Fast

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Sunday, November 18

    Community Christmas Card is on sale!

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Religious Education

    11:00AM Religious Education

    12:00PM Help the Homeless Initiative

    12:00PM Coffee Hour

    12:30PM Youth Group Meeting

BACK TO TOP

St. George News and Events

Information_button

Engagement

40 day memorial

Joanne Liandes (Mary Chicklenis’ Sister) 40 day memorial will be on November 11th here at St. George. May her memory be eternal.

Magnetic Festival Signs

Please return the signs to the office.

Junior Choir

Youth Choir practice open to children and young adults.

Men's Group

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 a Parish Council member 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 for your 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.  

General Assembly 

November 11th immediately following service.

Parish Council 

Next meeting is November 15th , at 7 p.m. 

Prosphora Schedule 

11/11 Basema Madain, 11/18 Olympia Hackleman, 11/25 Mary Mekhel, 12/2 Elaine Dorlis, 12/9 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

11/11 Vago & Annette, 11/18 Youth Group, 11/25 Osama & Michael R., 12/2 Manny & Jim, 12/9 James & Michael N., 2/16 Youth Group, 12/23 Danny & Ken, 12/30 Vago & Annette . Thank you. 

Coffee Hour

Hosted by the Chicklenis family.

Religious Education

Sunday School

Sunday school lesson 7. Anyone in grades 5th and up who are interested in having their children participate in the monthly skits please see Zain or Hana Ayoub.

Youth Group/GOYA

Youth group will meet November 18th at 12:35 for prayer and direction on helping the parish wide homeless initiative and put together bags for the needy. Please call Michael or Gabriella Ryan at 661-219-3421.

HOPE/JOY

Nexy meeting will be in December. More information to come. Please email Jenny Dean at shea0509@yahoo.com if you want your child registered and haven't yet.

Book Club 

For November our parish book club is reading Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica. We will begin our first reading & discussion with "Part One: The Life of Elder Thaddeus".  Our next gathering is on NOV 18TH. For more info call or text Monica (Cassiana) 661-337-0566. 

Inquirers Class

Every Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. there will be an inquirers class for information regarding the Orthodox faith. We meet at the hall side door on U Street. Class is approximately 40 to 45 minutes. We are currently going through the “Journey of Faith” program by Fr. Barnabas. For more information please call Michael Ryan 661-747-1603.

Charity 

Homeless Initiative:

SIGN UP FOR DONATIONS!

Helping the Homeless Day is next week Sunday, November 18th - a parish-wide event - where we will put together Blessing Bags and Food Bags for the Homeless population near our church. 

We will be putting together 100 bags on this date! Please sign up for items and bring them as soon as you can and place them in our bins. The signup posters are on the bar counter, and the bins are located nearby the bar as well. Once your items are brought to church - cross your name off and mark DELIVERED! 

We will need all hands on deck for this endeavor.

From donating items to assembling the bags. Take part!  

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~Romans 12:13

 

Philoptochos Announcements

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.

Thank you to all those who participated in building our baskets for our Homebound Parishioners. Recipients of the baskets are expressing their deepest thanks to you all!

Congratulations to our Sts. Cosmas and Damianos Service Award Winner Nahla Demestihas. A very deserving member of Philoptochos - Axios! Many years!

Our next General Meeting will be our Christmas Party to be held on Sunday, December 2nd at 5:00 pm, at the Golden Ox Restaurant. Bring your families - hope you can all attend!

Outreach 

Evangelism and Outreach

Evangelism and Outreach meeting is Thursday, November 29th at 7:10 p.m. and we will meet in the hall. Refreshments will be served.  Topic through video, lesson and roleplay." All interested in helping our parish grow and reaching humanity for Christ should attend. For more info: please call Michael or Gabriella Ryan at 661-747-1603.

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. 

Endowment

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: 

Catechumens: Walter (George), Daniel (Porfiros). 

Our brothers & sisters unable to attend: 

Marika Psihoundas, Mary Valos, Zoe Spanos & 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

$3,750.00/week

$3,071.50

Candles & Tray

$325/week

$383.00

 Anniversaries     

  • 11/5 Manuel & Namaz Pimentel               

  • 11/6 Tom & Georgia Drulias

  • 11/8 Nick & Pam Valos                             

  • 11/9 Donald & Annette Londquist

  • 11/9 George & Nahla Demestihas                                               

  • 11/10 Fr. Joseph & Presbytera Despina Chaffee

 Birthdays     

  • 11/1 Anastasia Drulias      

  • 11/3 Molly Dean

  • 11/10 Nicole Strategos     

  • 11/10 Julie Pierucci               

  • 11/15 Chris Andrews

  • 11/16 Nicolas Cisneros     

  • 11/16 Bianca Gomez             

  • 11/17 Demetri Southerd

  • 11/20 Nikoloaos Exarchoulakos                                       

  • 11/27 Virginia Liascos

 

 

 

BACK TO TOP