June 02
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-06-02
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:
- 2019-06-09
- Publish Date:
- 2019-05-26
- Publish Date:
- 2019-05-19
- Publish Date:
- 2019-05-12
- Publish Date:
- 2019-05-05
- Publish Date:
- 2019-04-21
Hymns of the Day
Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Tone
Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Tone
Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.
Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Tone
Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
Saints and Feasts
June 02
Sunday of the Blind Man
The Lord Jesus was coming from the Temple on the Sabbath, when, while walking in the way, He saw the blind man mentioned in today's Gospel. This man had been born thus from his mother's womb, that is, he had been born without eyes (see Saint John Chrysostom, Homily LVI on Matthew; Saint Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V:15; and the second Exorcism of Saint Basil the Great). When the disciples saw this, they asked their Teacher, "Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?" They asked this because when the Lord had healed the paralytic at the Sheep's Pool, He had told him, "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14); so they wondered, if sickness was caused by sin, what sin could have been the cause of his being born without eyes. But the Lord answered that this was for the glory of God. Then the God-man spat on the ground and made clay with the spittle. He anointed the eyes of the blind man and said to him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam (which means "sent") was a well-known spring in Jerusalem used by the inhabitants for its waters, which flowed to the eastern side of the city and collected in a large pool called "the Pool of Siloam."
Therefore, the Saviour sent the blind man to this pool that he might wash his eyes, which had been anointed with the clay-not that the pool's water had such power, but that the faith and obedience of the one sent might be made manifest, and that the miracle might become more remarkable and known to all, and leave no room for doubt. Thus, the blind man believed in Jesus' words, obeyed His command, went and washed himself, and returned, no longer blind, but having eyes and seeing. This was the greatest miracle that our Lord had yet worked; as the man healed of his blindness himself testified, "Since time began, never was it heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind," although the Lord had already healed the blind eyes of many. Because he now had eyes, some even doubted that he was the same person (John 9:8-9); and it was still lively in their remembrance when Christ came to the tomb of Lazarus, for they said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Saint John Chrysostom gives a thorough and brilliant exposition of our Lord's meeting with the woman of Samaria, the healing of the paralytic, and the miracle of the blind man in his commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John.
June 02
Nicephorus the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople
Saint Nicephorus was born in Constantinople about the year 758, of pious parents; his father Theodore endured exile and tribulation for the holy icons during the reign of Constantine Copronymus (741-775). Nicephorus served in the imperial palace as a secretary. Later, he took up the monastic life, and struggled in asceticism not far from the imperial city; he also founded monasteries on the eastern shore of the Bosphorus, among them one dedicated to the Great Martyr Theodore.
After the repose of the holy Patriarch Tarasius, he was ordained Patriarch, on April 12, 806, and in this high office led the Orthodox resistance to the Iconoclasts' war on piety, which was stirred up by Leo the Armenian. Because Nicephorus championed the veneration of the icons, Leo drove Nicephorus from his throne on March 13, 815, exiling him from one place to another, and lastly to the Monastery of Saint Theodore which Nicephorus himself had founded. It was here that, after glorifying God for nine years as Patriarch, and then for thirteen years as an exile, tormented and afflicted, he gave up his blameless soul in 828 at about the age of seventy. See also March 8.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal First Tone. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 16:16-34.
IN THOSE DAYS, as we apostles were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. She followed Paul and us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers; and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
Wisdom of the Fathers
But I assert that he even received benefit from his blindness: since he recovered the sight of the eyes within.
Homily 56 on John 9, 4th Century
When, then, have they taken place, save when the Word of God Himself came in the body? Or when did He come, if not when lame men walked, and stammerers were made to speak plain, and deaf men heard, and men blind from birth regained their sight? For this was the very thing the Jews said who then witnessed it, because they had not heard of these things having taken place at any other time.
Incarnation of the Word 38, 4th Century
Calendar
-
St. George Calendar
June 2 to June 9, 2019
Sunday, June 28:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
11:00AM Philoptochos Board Pledge
11:30AM Youth Group Recognition and Boulevard Trip
11:30AM Coffee Hour
11:30AM Homeless Initiative Food Bag Assembly and Distribution
Tuesday, June 46:00PM Vespers
Wednesday, June 59:30AM Divine Liturgy
6:00PM Vespers
Thursday, June 69:30AM Divine Liturgy
6:00PM Vespers
Friday, June 76:00PM Paraclesis
Saturday, June 86:00PM Vespers
Sunday, June 98:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
11:30AM Coffee Hour
St. George News and Events
Special Events Happening Today:
Timely Notes:
Support St. George by using the Amazon Smile program when shopping on Amazon. You still get the same Amazon selection, and the same Amazon prices. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to our parish.
Here's how to shop AmazonSmile:
1. Visit smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials
3. Choose a charitable organization to receive donations, or search for the charity of your choice (search "st george bakersfield").
4. Select your charity
5. Start shopping!
6. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile
Ministries:
Philoptochos
Missions Possible!
Missions Possible 2019 is happening! The goal of this annual campaign is to educate the faithful about our evangelistic calling and to raise funds for our Metropolis missions, as well as two other worthwhile charities: Project Mexico/St Innocent Orphanage and St Ignatius School in Calcutta, India. Our goal this year is to raise $2000 or more! Please pick up a cup and bring it each week to add your donation to our rising thermometer! Together we can do much for missions work in the US and abroad. Last day to donate is June 2nd and we are accepting credit card donations as well - come by the table!
We will collect on June 2nd and June 16th - our last 2 dates.
TOTAL COLLECTED AFTER THE END OF WEEK 9: $1063.50
HOMELESS INITIATIVE
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help with the Homeless Initiative - we have everything signed up for! GLORY TO GOD! This Sunday, June 2nd we will put together our lunch bags, then go out and deliver the Blessing Bags and Food Bags for the Homeless population near our church. Please follow these guidelines if you would like to help deliver Blessing & Food Bags:
1) You must be at least 16 years of age or attending with your parent.
2) Wear your Festival T-Shirt as it identifies all of us as being from St George
3) Do not wear jewelry or open toed shoes
4) Dress conservatively.
We will split into 3 teams and go out as soon as we make 240 sandwiches and pack 120 lunch bags.
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~Romans 12:13
Congratulations to the new Philoptochos Board which will be sworn in today following the Divine Liturgy: Sahar Ayoub, Presbytera Despina Chaffee, Jenny Dean, Elaine Dorlis, Georgia Drulias, Olympia Hackleman, Monica Mejia Pegg, Erin Strategos and Diana Thabit.
Men’s Group of St. George Church
Will Resume in the Fall.
Couples Ministry
Next meeting is June 6th at the home of Tom & Elaine Dorlis. Please bring an appetizer to share. Visit our Couples Ministry resource page for more information and a link to the videos.
Ministry Chairs
Father Joseph has will be meeting with all ministry chairs. If you haven’t already done so please make an appointment with the Sahar in the office.
Next meeting is June 27th , at 7 p.m.
Will Resume in the Fall.
Questions please call Michael or Gabriella Ryan at 219-3421.
HOPE/JOY
Next meeting to be announced.
Book Club
Join our parish book club this summer as we read Becoming a Healing Presence by Dr. Albert S. Rossi. Summer monthly reading and meeting dates: Chapters 1-3: June 23rd, Chapters 4-6: July 21st, and Chapters 7-9: August 18th. Meetings are once a month on Sundays during coffee hour. All are welcome to join! For more details, call or text Monica (Cassiana) 337-0566 or email mejiamoe@gmail.com
Bookstore
The church bookstore is open Sundays during coffee hour or by appointment. For more info, special ordering, or questions please call or text Julie Pierucci (661) 342-2407.
Prosphora Schedule
6/2 Olympia Hackleman, 6/9 Sahar Ayoub, 6/16 Elaine Dorlis, 6/23 Mary Mekhel, 6/30 Basema Madain. 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. If you want to learn more about how to make Prosphora, you can visit our Prosphoro site under the "Resources" tab on our website. Thank you.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow and join us on Facebook!
St George Orthodox Christian Church of Bakersfield: www.facebook.com/StGeorgeOrthodoxBakersfield
St George Orthodox Community of Bakersfield (Facebook Group): www.facebook.com/groups/175227557308
General Announcements:
Legacy
Leave your mark!
Consider naming St. George Church as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy. It's a great legacy gift to your parish and very easy to do...just ask your provider for the change beneficiary form and complete and return to them. The legal name for the church is Hellenic Community St. George Church Tax ID #95-3575365 God bless you.
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.
Text Notifications
If you would like to be part of our system, please provide your phone number to Sahar (stgeosecretary@gmail.com).
This service will only be used to notify parishioners of any changes to service times or to provide information on events or occurences that affect the entire parish. We see this as being used infrequently but feel that we need to an effective way to communicate important information quickly.
Stewardships Envelopes
Each family is asked to sign off on a box of envelopes. Please see Julie in the bookstore.
Items on the Bar in the Hall
We are asking all parishioners--young and old--to help clean the hall clutter. Many items are frequently left in the bar area, kitchen and back room. Beginning in January, any clothing, books, decorations, office supplies, etc. will be saved for two weeks. After that time all remaining items will be gathered and donated to local charities.
Please check the hall every Sunday to claim your family's items and take them home.
Thank you for helping keep our hall neat and clean.
Father Joseph's Hours
Father Joseph will be in the office Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 3:00. Wednesday and Friday and available at the church by appointment. Confessions appointments can be made with Sahar or Presbytera.
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.
Church Beautification
Church beautification/Capital Improvements Fund collections as of May 28th are $6,850.00. Once more funds are collected we can begin Phase II.
Hall Reservation System
To reserve the hall for any church functions or activities please communicate with 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: Daniel(Moses).
- Holy Cross Seminarian Anthony Cornett and family (Anna, Miriam,Zoë and Despina).
- 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-Kaliope,Lorece Noel,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,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 -Yesenia, 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 |
$2,000/week |
$1,220.00 |
|
Candles & Tray |
$500/week |
$235.00 |
Anniversaries
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6/16 Mark & Mariane Pearse
Birthdays
- 6/5 Anna Cornett
- 6/7 Robert Neesan
- 6/10 Simon Asmerom
- 6/12 Joseph Ayoub
- 6/12 Constantine Strategos
- 6/23 Kelly Demestihas
- 6/23 Irene Sinopole
- 6/24 Eleni Southerd
- 6/26 Lukia Strategos
- 6/26 Harry Chicklenis
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.