Special Events Happening Today:

Vasilopita Benefit Luncheon and Special Collection Tray:

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.

Engagement

House Blessings

Father will start house blessings from January 7^th through the end of February. Please contact Sahar or Presbytera to schedule.

Stewardships Envelopes

Each family is asked to sign off on a box of envelopes.  Please see Julie in the bookstore.

Men’s Group of St. George Church

Next meeting is January 10^th at 6:00 p.m.

Smart Phone Sunday January 13^th

Learn how to add our church calendar to your Smart Phone.  Keep up to date on all scheduled events in our parish. Lessons will be held in the hall after liturgy.

Couples Meeting

Thursday, February 7th, from 7:00 -8:00 p.m. at the home of Tom & Elaine Dorlis. 8813 Bridlewood Lane 93311.

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 

1/6 Sahar Ayoub, 1/13 Elaine Dorlis, 1/20 Mary Mekhel, 1/27 Nahla Demestihas, 2/3 Olympia Hackleman, 2/10 Sahar Ayoub, 2/17 Elaine Dorlis, 2/24 Mary Mekhel, 3/3 Nahla Demestihas, 3/10 Olympia Hackleman, 3/17 Sahar Ayoub, 3/24 Elaine Dorlis, 3/31 Mary Mekhel. 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.

Religious Education

Sunday School

Sunday school lesson 11.  Anyone in grades 5^th 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

The church bookstore is open Sundays during coffee hour. For more info, special ordering, or questions please 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 29th, 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:

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

Questions please call Michael Ryan at 747-1603.

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.

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). 

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

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

Please note:  All bulletin announcements must be received each week by 3:00 pm Tuesday to be included in the Sunday bulletin for that week.