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St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2019-12-15
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Calendar
St. George News and Events
Elefther
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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 Tom Dorlis


webmaster@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 First Tone

When the stone had been sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate Body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Saviour, granting life unto the world. Wherefore, the powers of the Heavens cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man.

Apolytikion for 11th Sun. of Luke in the Second Tone

By faith didst Thou justify the Forefathers, when through them Thou didst betroth Thyself aforetime to the Church from among the nations. The Saints boast in glory that from their seed there is a glorious fruit, even she that bare Thee seedlessly. By their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls.

Apolytikion for Hieromartyr Eleutherios and Anthia in the Fourth Tone

Being comely adorned in thy sacred priestly robes and newly drenched with the streams of thy pure and sanctified blood, thou didst soar aloft to stand before thy Master, Christ; hence never cease to intercede for those honouring with faith thy mighty and blessed contest, thou overthrower of Satan, O wise and blessed Eleutherius.

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 cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.
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Saints and Feasts

Elefther
December 15

Eleutherios the Hieromartyr, Bishop of Illyricum, and his mother Anthia

This Saint had Rome as his homeland. Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome (some call him Anencletus, or Anacletus), by whom he was instructed in the sacred letters (that is, the divine Scriptures). Though still very young in years, he was made Bishop of Illyricum by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned 117-138), the Saint was arrested by the tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded.

Allsaint
December 15

The Martyr Susannah the Deaconess

Forefathers
December 15

11th Sunday of Luke

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eleventh of this month, we commemorate Christ's forefathers according to the flesh, both those that came before the Law, and those that lived after the giving of the Law.

Special commemoration is made of the Patriarch Abraham, to whom the promise was first given, when God said to him, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen. 22:18). This promise was given some two thousand years before Christ, when Abraham was seventy-five years of age. God called him and commanded him to forsake his country, parents, and kinsmen, and to depart to the land of the Canaanites. When he arrived there, God told him, "I will give this land to thy seed" (Gen. 12:7); for this cause, that land was called the "Promised Land," which later became the country of the Hebrew people, and which is also called Palestine by the historians. There, after the passage of twenty-four years, Abraham received God's law concerning circumcision. In the one hundredth year of his life, when Sarah was in her ninetieth year, they became the parents of Isaac. Having lived 175 years altogether, he reposed in peace, a venerable elder full of days.

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 115.15,12.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Verse: What shall I render to the Lord for all that he has given me?

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 1:8-18.

TIMOTHY, my son, do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, and therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, and among them Phygelos and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphoros, for he often refreshed me; he was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me eagerly and found me - may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesos.

Gospel Reading

11th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 14:16-24

The Lord said this parable: "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.' But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.' And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room.' And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen.'"

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Wisdom of the Fathers

This parable ... proclaims beforehand both the casting out of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles; and it indicates together with this also the strictness of the life required, and how great the punishment appointed for the careless ....
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 69 on Matthew 22, 4th Century

And when were they bidden? By all the prophets; by John again; for unto Christ he would pass all on, saying, "He must increase, I must decrease;" by the Son Himself again, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you;" and again, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 69 on Matthew 22, 4th Century

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Calendar

  • St. George Calendar

    December 15 to December 22, 2019

    Sunday, December 15

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    12:00PM Youth Group Meeting

    12:30PM Youth Group Meeting

    Tuesday, December 17

    6:00PM Vespers

    6:30PM Inquirers Class

    Wednesday, December 18

    11:00AM Father Joseph Office Hours

    6:00PM Vespers

    Thursday, December 19

    11:00AM Father Joseph Office Hours

    6:00PM Vespers

    7:00PM Parish Council Meeting

    Friday, December 20

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    5:00PM Evening Office Hours - Sacrament of Holy Confession, No Appointment Necessary

    6:00PM Paraclesis

    Saturday, December 21

    6:00PM Vespers

    Sunday, December 22

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

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St. George News and Events

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Special Events Happening Today:

 

Ministries:

Philoptochos

Vasilopita Benefit Luncheon - January 5th
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 a compound 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/Philoptochos Charities Bingo Fundraiser Event – January 25th
It's not too early to put our Annual Kids-n-Cancer Event on your calendars! It will be held on Saturday, January 25th from 1:00- 4:00 pm. Tickets will be available starting December 29th. 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 such as the Philoptochos Kids-n-Cancer Program, the Emilio Nares Foundation, St Nicholas Ranch and many mores. Tickets are $25 each and must be purchased before the event - tickets WILL NOT BE SOLD at the door!

Condolences

To the family of the handmaiden of God Zoe Spanos.  Zoe contributed to our parish and Philoptochos in so many ways.  She was loved by all and will be greatly missed. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Trisagion Service for Zoe will be on Sunday, December 15th at 7 p.m. Funeral will be on Monday, December 16th at 10 a.m. May her memory be eternal.

Parish Council 

Next meeting is December 19th , at 7 p.m. 

Sunday School

Sunday School lesson 10. 

Sunday School Christmas Program

 Practice on December 21st at 10:30 a.m. Plan on attending if you would like a major part in the play.

Youth Group/GOYA 

Meeting will take place today in the hall after service.

Sunday Coffee Hour

There will be a new sign up for coffee hours next week. Please plan on signing up for a Sunday this year.

Bible Study

Next Bible study is to be announced. All parishioners are encouraged to attend. Bring and Orthodox Study Bible, pen, paper and highlighter. Study sessions will be held twice a month. Please check the St. George calendar online for future dates.

Women's Psalter Study Group 

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month. Join us for study, coffee, and fellowship! For more info or to RSVP, please visit our parish bookstore or contact Monica (Cassiana). 

Book Club 

All are welcome! For more details, see bookstore or contact Monica (Cassiana) 661-337-0566

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.

Coffee Hour

Hosted by the Antonaros family.

Prosphora Schedule 

12/15 Sahar Ayoub, 12/22 Joyce Cisneros, 12/29 Nahla Demestihas, 1/5 Olympia Hackleman, 1/12 Basema Madain, 1/19 Mary Mekhel, 1/26 Sahar Ayoub. 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.

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.

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

Thank you for helping keep our hall neat and clean.   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. 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. 

Father Joseph's Hours

Father Joseph will be in the office Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 to 3:00. 

Father will also maintain office hours on Friday evenings from from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the sacrament of Holy Confession.  He will be available to meet in the hall, narthex, or crying room on these nights.  Please feel free to send Father Joseph a text message at 661-496-5768 during this time to check his availability. You will receive an estimated wait time if any. 

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.

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), Angela, Michelle. 
  • Holy Cross Seminarian Anthony Cornett and family (Anna, Miriam,Zoë and Despina).
  • Our brothers & sisters unable to attend:  Marika Psihoundas, Mary Valos & Beverly Balasis.
  • Healing: Marika, Victor, Helen K., Irene, Mary, Mary, Serephima, and others in our parish.
  • Those who are traveling
  • Orthodox-Naguib,Katherine,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 K., Kyriaki, Fred, Hannah, Irene Sinopole, Helen Protopapas, Candess Strategos,Gene, Kathy, Sofia, Clemy (Clementina), Jane, and Matthew.
  • Non-Orthodox -Amparo, Mark, Uvaldo,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

$$2,200/week

$4,265.00

Candles & Tray

$300/week

$253.00

Annivesaries

  • 12/01 Jim & Eleni Southerd
  • 12/24 Joseph & Irene Sinopole
  • 12/28 James & Jennifer Dean

 

Birthdays  

  • 12/3 Zaid Dawood                             
  • 12/8 Nuha Al-Sheikh
  • 12/14 Despina Chaffee                     
  • 12/17 Ken Hackleman
  • 12/20 David Yanney                         
  • 12/22 Laila Ayoub      
  • 12/22 Lorin Neesan                          
  • 12/24 Nate Murray
  • 12/26 Sara Asmerom                        
  • 12/27 Marek Pearse
  • 12/27 Erin Strategos                          
  • 12/31 Sue-Ellen DiFilipe

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. 

 

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