Publish-header
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-30
Bulletin Contents
Nativity
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



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

Resurrection Apolytikion 6 – “Angelic Powers” in the Plagal Second Tone

An-ghe-li-ke dhi-na-mis e-pi to mni-ma sou, ke I fi-las-son-des a-pe-ne-kro-thi-san, ke i-sta-to Ma-ri-a en to ta-fo zi-tou-sa to a-hran-ton sou so-ma. E-ski-lef-sas ton A-dhin mi pi-ra-sthis ip af-tou; i-pin-ti-sas ti Par-the-no, dho-rou-me-nos tin zo-in. O A-na-stas ek ton ne-kron, Ky-ri-e, dho-xa si.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal Second Tone

When the angelic powers appeared before Your grave, the soldiers guarding it took on the look of death, and standing at Your sepulcher was Mary, there seeking Your pure and spotless Body. Despoiling Hades’ armor, You were not stained by his touch. You came forth to meet the Virgin, bestowing eternal life. And You are risen from the dead; glory to you, O Lord!

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Tone

Your birth, O Christ our God, rises upon the world and makes the light of wisdom to shine over all the earth. Those who bowed in adoration before the stars have be a star been led to worship you. You are the Sun of righteousness and they bow before you who are known as the Dawn rising from on high. Glory to you, O Lord.

Apolytikion for Sun. after Nativity in the Second Tone

Proclaim, O Joseph, unto David, the forefather of God, that you have seen these miracles: you beheld the Virgin great with child; with the Magi you worshiped Him; with the shepherds you glorified Him; by the angel you were forewarned. Entreat Christ our God that our souls be saved.

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 bears Him who surpasses all essence, and the earth holds forth a cave to One beyond our approaching! Angles sing along with shepherds praising his glory. Wise men come; led by a star, they journey to find him who for us is now brought forth as a new-born baby, yet He is God before time.
BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Nativity
December 30

Sunday after Nativity

On the Sunday that falls on or immediately after the twenty-sixth of this month, we make commemoration of Saints Joseph, the Betrothed of the Virgin; David, the Prophet and King; and James, the Brother of God. When there is no Sunday within this period, we celebrate this commemoration on the 26th.

Saint Joseph (whose name means "one who increases") was the son of Jacob, and the son-in-law - and hence, as it were, the son - of Eli (who was also called Eliakim or Joachim), who was the father of Mary the Virgin (Matt. 1:16; Luke 3:23). He was of the tribe of Judah, of the family of David, an inhabitant of Nazareth, a carpenter by Trade, and advanced in age when, by God's good will, he was betrothed to the Virgin, that he might minister to the great mystery of God's dispensation in the flesh by protecting her, providing for her, and being known as her husband so that she, being a virgin, would not suffer reproach when she was found to be with child. Joseph had been married before his betrothal to our Lady; they who are called Jesus' "brethren and sisters" (Matt. 13:55-56) are the children of Joseph by his first marriage. From Scripture, we know that Saint Joseph lived at least until the Twelfth year after the birth of Christ (Luke 2:41-52); according to the tradition of the Fathers, he reposed before the beginning of the public ministry of Christ.

The child of God and ancestor of God, David, the great Prophet after Moses, sprang from the tribe of Judah. He was the son of Jesse, and was born in Bethlehem (whence it is called the City of David), in the year 1085 before Christ. While yet a youth, at the command of God he was anointed secretly by the Prophet Samuel to be the second King of the Israelites, while Saul - who had already been deprived of divine grace - was yet living. In the thirtieth year of his life, when Saul had been slain in battle, David was raised to the dignity of King, first, by his own tribe, and then by all the Israelite people, and he reigned for forty years. Having lived seventy years, he reposed in 1015 before Christ, having proclaimed beforehand that his son Solomon was to be the successor to the throne.

The sacred history has recorded not only the grace of the Spirit that dwelt in him from his youth, his heroic exploits in war, and his great piety towards God, but also his transgressions and failings as a man. Yet his repentance was greater than his transgresssions, and his love for God fervent and exemplary; so highly did God honour this man, that when his son Solomon sinned, the Lord told him that He would not rend the kingdom in his lifetime "for David thy father's sake" (III Kings 12:12). Of The Kings of Israel, Jesus the Son of Sirach testifies, "All, except David and Hezekias and Josias, were defective" (Ecclus. 49:4). The name David means "beloved."

His melodious Psalter is the foundation of all the services of the Church; there is not one service that is not filled with Psalms and psalmic verses. It was the means whereby old Israel praised God, and was used by the Apostles and the Lord Himself. It is so imbued with the spirit of prayer that the monastic fathers of all ages have used it as their trainer and teacher for their inner life of converse with God. Besides eloquently portraying every state and emotion of the soul before her Maker, the Psalter is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ. It foretells His Incarnation, "He bowed the heavens and came down" (Psalm 17:9), His Baptism in the Jordan, "The waters saw Thee, O God, The waters saw Thee and were afraid" (76:15), His Crucifixion in its details, "They have pierced My hands and My feet .... They have parted My garments amongst themselves, and for My vesture have they cast lots" (21:16, 18). "For My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink" (68:26), His descent into Hades, "For Thou wilt not abandon My soul in Hades, nor wilt Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption" (15:10) and Resurrection, "Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered" (67:1). His Ascension, "God is gone up in jubilation" (46:5), and so forth.

As for James, the Brother of God, see October 23.


Allsaint
December 30

Anysia the Virgin-martyr of Thessaloniki

This Saint, who was from Thessalonica, was the daughter of pious and wealthy parents, After their death, she passed her life in virginity, serving God by means of good deeds. One day, as she was on her way to church, a pagan soldier approached her and asked her to accompany him to the temple of the idols, but she refused. When he began to drag her with him, she spit in his face and confessed Christ. Filled with anger, he thrust his sword into her side and slew her, in the year 299, during the reign of Maximian.

Because of the Apodosis of the Feast of the Nativity on the 31st of this month, the hymns of Saint Melania the Younger are transferred to this day.


Allsaint
December 30

Gideon the New Martyr of Mount Athos


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 Letter to the Galatians 1:11-19.

Brethren, I would have you know that the gospel which was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it; and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.


Gospel Reading

Sunday after Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 2:13-23

When the wise men departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaos reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."


BACK TO TOP

Wisdom of the Fathers

Nathanael too enters ... saying, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" ... Nevertheless, He is not ashamed to be named even from thence, signifying that He needs not ought of the things of men; and His disciples also He chooses out of Galilee.
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 9 on Matthew 2, 4th Century

At His birth [He] is laid in a manger, and abides in an inn, and takes a mother of low estate; teaching us to think no such thing a disgrace, and from the first outset trampling under foot the haughtiness of man, and bidding us give ourselves up to virtue only. For why do you pride yourself on your country, when I am commanding thee to be a stranger to the whole world?
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 9 on Matthew 2, 4th Century

BACK TO TOP

Calendar

  • St. George Calendar

    December 30, 2018 to January 6, 2019

    DECEMBER

    Sunday, December 30

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Coffee Hour

    JANUARY

    Tuesday, January 1

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Vespers

    6:30PM Inquirer Class

    Wednesday, January 2

    6:00PM Vespers

    Thursday, January 3

    6:00PM Vespers

    7:00PM Couples Meeting

    Friday, January 4

    4:00PM Royal Hours of Theophany

    6:00PM Great Vespers

    Saturday, January 5

    9:00AM Divine Liturgy

    10:30AM Great Blessing of the Waters

    6:00PM Vespers

    Sunday, January 6

    Theophany

    9:00AM Orthros

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Religious Education

    12:00PM Philoptochos: Vasilopita Luncheon

    12:00PM Coffee Hour

BACK TO TOP

St. George News and Events

Information_button

Engagement

Couples Meeting

Thursday, January 3rd will be a couples meeting from 7:00-8:30 p.m. At the home of Tom & Elaine Dorlis, 8813 Bridlewood Lane, 93311. 

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.  

Parish Council 

Next meeting is January 24th , at 7 p.m. 

Prosphora Schedule 

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

12/30 Vago & Annette . Thank you. 

Religious Education

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..

Youth Group/GOYA

Sunday January 13th is youth group at 12:30 and we are trying to have a movie fellowship at approximately 2. 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.comCode: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.

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 (Porphyrios), 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, 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

Anniversaries

  • 1/9 Tom & Elaine Dorlis
  • 1/28 Michael & Kim Niz

      

Birthdays   

  • 1/2 Melena Demestihas
  • 1/3 Hesham Ayoub
  • 1/3 Athina Kinsley
  • 1/4 Tegest Mesfin
  • 1/6 Cathleen Budy
  • 1/16 Fantanesh Birehanu
  • 1/18 Achilles Canellis
  • 1/24 Chuy Cisneros
  • 1/24 Sofia Asmerom
  • 1/25 Joseph Chaffee

 

 

 

BACK TO TOP