December 23
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-23
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Calendar
St. George News and Events
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (661) 325-8694
- Fax:
- (661)325-8694
- Email:
- secretary@ourparish.us
- Street Address:
- 401 Truxtun Avenue
- Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Mailing Address:
- 401 Truxtun Avenue
- Bakersfield, CA 93301
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sundays:
Orthros - 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy - 9:30 a.m.
Weekdays:
Evening Vespers - 6:00 p.m.
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2018-12-16
- Publish Date:
- 2018-12-09
- Publish Date:
- 2018-12-02
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-25
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-18
- Publish Date:
- 2018-11-11
Hymns of the Day
Resurrection in the Plagal First Tone
Ton na-nar-hon Lo-yon Pa-tri ke Pnev-ma-ti, ton ek Par-the-nou te-chthen-ta is so-ti-ri-an i-mon, a-ni-mni-so-men pi-sti ke pro-ski-ni-so-men. O-ti iv-dho-ki-se sar-ki a-mel-thin en to stav-ro ke tha-na-ton i-po-mi-ne ke e-yi-re tous teth-ne-o-tas en ti en-dho-xo A-na-sta-si Af-tou.
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Tone
Let us, the faithful, sing praise and bow down before the Word, who with the Father and Spirit has no beginning of end, of the Virgin, being born for our salvation’s sake. For He ascended the Cross in the flesh of mortal man and suffered death by His own choosing. By His glorious Resurrection, those who died are also raised up with Him.
Ton na-nar-hon Lo-yon Pa-tri ke Pnev-ma-ti, ton ek Par-the-nou te-chthen-ta is so-ti-ri-an i-mon, a-ni-mni-so-men pi-sti ke pro-ski-ni-so-men. O-ti iv-dho-ki-se sar-ki a-mel-thin en to stav-ro ke tha-na-ton i-po-mi-ne ke e-yi-re tous teth-ne-o-tas en ti en-dho-xo A-na-sta-si Af-tou.
Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Tone
O Bethlehem prepare, Eden is opened up for all; and Ephratha, take heed, make yourselves ready and prepare; the Tree of Life has bloomed forth from the Holy Virgin; and from her holy womb, spiritual Paradise, wherein is found to grow the divine rescuing Tree, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen before hand.
Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Tone
Great are the accomplishments of faith! For in the fountain of flame, as if they were lying on restful waters, the three Holy Youths took delight, and the prophet Daniel has shown himself to the the shepherd of the lions, as if they were sheep. By their prayers, Christ God, save our souls.
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 Third Tone
On this day the Virgin comes unto the cave to give birth there to the Word before all time: beyond all words is this wonder! Dance with joy, all of creation, hearing these tidings. Glorify, along with angels and the shepherds, him who willingly appears as a new born baby, yet he is God before time.
Saints and Feasts
December 23
Sunday before Nativity
On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.
December 23
Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.
BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us,that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Gospel Reading
Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25
The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
Wisdom of the Fathers
Great indeed was the faith of Abraham. . . It was necessary to go beyond human reasoning. . . to manifest also something more.
Homily XXV on Hebrews XI, 1,2. translation found in The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox, Monastery Books, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY 2003, p. 955., 4th Century
The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14).
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century
Calendar
-
St. George Calendar
December 23 to December 30, 2018
Sunday, December 23Advent Fast
9:00AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
12:00PM Coffee Hour
Monday, December 24Advent Fast
11:00PM Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, December 256:00PM Vespers
6:30PM Inquirer Class
Wednesday, December 266:00PM Vespers
Thursday, December 2710:00AM Divine Liturgy
6:00PM Vespers
Friday, December 286:00PM Paraklisis
Saturday, December 296:00PM Vespers
Sunday, December 309:00AM Orthros
10:00AM Divine Liturgy
12:00PM Coffee Hour
St. George News and Events
Engagement
Memorial
There will be a memorial today for the Madain and Salaita family members. May their memories be eternal.
Condolences
Our Condolences to the Jennings/Dean families on the falling asleep of Daniel Conner. The Godson and nephew of Mary Jennings and cousin of David, Leann, Matthew and Jenny. Please keep them all in your prayers. May his memory be eternal.
Magnetic Festival Signs
There are still quite a few out there. Please return the signs to the office.
Parish Council Election Results
Congratulations to the newly elected parish council members: Emmanuel Strategos, Theodore Budy, Tom Dorlis and Namaz Pimentel.
Men's Group
Next meeting to be announced.
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. 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.
Father Joseph's Hours
Father Joseph will be in the office Tuesday and Thursday form 11:00 to 3:00. Wednesday and Friday available at the church by appointment. Confessions appointments can be made with Sahar or Presbytera.
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 January 24th , at 7 p.m.
Prosphora Schedule
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
12/23 Danny & Ken, 12/30 Vago & Annette . Thank you.
Coffee Hour
Hosted by the Madain/Cisneros family.
Sunday School
Sunday school will resume January 6th. Anyone in grades 5th and up who is interested in having their children participate in the monthly skits please see Zain or Hana Ayoub..
Questions please call Michael or Gabriella Ryan at 219-3421.
HOPE/JOY
Next meeting to be announced.
Book Club
Our parish book club is currently reading Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica. Our next gathering is Sunday, January 27th during coffee hour. All are welcome to join us! For more info call or text Monica (Cassiana) 661-337-0566 or email mejiamoe@gmail.com
Bookstore
Visit or contact the parish bookstore to purchase gifts for your loved ones in time for Christmas! NEW ARRIVALS: Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent book, newly released Songs of Praise: A Psalter Devotional for Orthodox Women, Christmas greeting Cards, icons, and much more! Call or text Julie Pierucci (661) 342-2407.
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
Church Beautification
Church beautification/Capital Improvements Fund collections as of December 20th, 2018 are $6,850.00. Once more funds are collected we can begin Phase II.
Philoptochos Announcements
Think about joining the ranks of the Philoptochos!
We will be collecting dues now through February 3rd for 2019. $40 helps our charities!
You don’t have to be a female or orthodox to join - the only requirement is a minimum age of 18.
LOCAL WINTER GIVING PROJECT
Our local giving project for this winter is for the Kern Autism Society. We will be collecting items from Sunday, December 23rd through January 27th. Look for a flyer as well as the bins for deposit soon! Here is a “wish list” from them:
Small drinking water bottles Non-toxic paints
Non-toxic markers Construction Paper
Craft Supplies of all sorts Play-Doh-non toxic
LEGO kits in boxes new-all ages are appreciated Puzzles (large size pieces)
Coloring books Toys-sensory learning type-all ages
Children's picture books Printer Paper 8.5 X 11
Bubbles-small and large bottles Socks and underwear packages for all ages
Hats and Gloves for all ages Building Blocks/Board Games
Vasilopita Benefit Luncheon - January 6th
In 1944 the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America and later Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras designated the Ladies Philoptochos Society Chapters of our Archdiocese to raise funds for St. Basil's Academy in Garrison, N.Y. which housed at that time, as it does now, orphans, unwanted children, children from broken homes as well as children that families cannot economically provide for. One of the fund-raising events instituted at that time is the observance of the Vasilopita. The word Vasilopita is acompound Greek word that means the sweet bread of Saint Basil. The annual observance of the Vasilopita originated from the January 1st Feast Day of Saint Basil in respect for his many theological contributions to the Church and to mankind. This event gathers funds for our Local Philoptochos Charities as well as St Basils Academy which is owned and operated by the National Philoptochos. This event helps to raise the needed funds to care for these children – please plan on attending.
Annual Kids-n-Cancer Bingo Fundraiser Event – February 2nd
It's not too early to put our Annual Kids-n-Cancer Event on your calendars! It will be held on Saturday, February 2nd from 1:00- 4:00 pm. Tickets will be available starting January 6th. Every year we sell out as there are a limited number of seats - so get yours early!If you would like to help our Kids-n-Cancer event by being a part of our "basket teams", please contact any Philoptochos Board Member - we are looking for about 50 people to help (6 people to a basket).
This event is filled with lots of bingo fun, beautiful baskets to be raffled off and above all fellowship – all profits go to great causes: the Philoptochos Kids-n-Cancer Program and the Emilio Nares Foundation for transferring children back and forth between their hospital/medical visits and their homes. Tickets are $25 each and must be purchased before the event - tickets WILL NOT BE SOLD at the door!
Outreach
Evangelism and Outreach
uestions please call Michael Ryan at 747-1603.
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.
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), Joshua (Michael).
Holy Cross Seminarian Anthony Cornett and family (Anna, Miriam, and Zoë).
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-Elaine, Mary C., 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 -Angelica, David, 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 |
$1,293.72 |
|
Candles & Tray |
$325/week |
$180.00 |
Birthdays
- 12/14 Despina Chaffee
- 12/17 Ken Hackleman
- 12/20 Lynn Budy
- 12/22 Laila Ayoub
- 12/26 Sarah Asmeron
- 12/27 Marek Pearse
- 12/27 Erin (Zoe) Strategos
- 12/31 Sue-Ellen Mekhel