TIME CHANGE - THIS FRIDAY'S AKATHIST HYMN SERVICE  The service will begin at 6PM, not 7.  Please make a note of this.  The service is a little longer on the fifth Friday and then we have George Z's Chrismation and afterglow reception.  So, please come at the earlier time, honor the Holy Mother of God, and share in George's joy as he becomes a member of the Orthodox Church.  Hope to see you!

WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS Whether you are new to Bangor or if you're just passing through - welcome! Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself to someone you've never met and consider staying for some refreshments and fellowship after the morning service. If you would like to receive mailings or otherwise stay in touch, please leave your contact information (name, address, phone, email) with the person in the church office.

PRE-SANCTIFIED DIVINE LITURGY WEDNESDAY at 6PM.  Please fast from noon to Commune in the evening.  To clarify, fasting means no food nor drink in preparation for Communion.  

THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 30  This is the calendar date designated for the reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete to be read in its entirety.  If you have a copy of the canon, it is usually prayed during the morning.  God bless all those who are able to offer it this season.  It is honored for its penitential theme.  Here it is in pdf -  http://www.saintjonah.org/services/greatcanon_sts.pdf

GEORGE Z TO BE RECEIVED INTO THE CHURCH AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE AKATHIST HYMN SErVICE THIS FRIDAY  Please read below:

George was born near Heidelberg, Germany in the 60's.  In 1984 he immigrated to the US, joined the military and retired in 2004.  He is married to Svetlana, a teacher, who was baptized into the Russian Orthodox Church in Almaty, Kazakhstan.  They have an adult son, Yuri.  George and Svetlana live in Lee with a host of animals on their modest homestead. 

George became acquainted with Eastern Orthodoxy through Svetlana's influence and prayers.  About twenty years passed before he decided to dig deeper.  Then he started reading the Fathers of the Church as well as writings of contemporary Saints and Elders.  His comments today?  "I knew I had found what I had been looking for all my life without knowing it.  I had nothing, and now I have everything, and mere words can't even begin to describe my state.  To say I'm grateful is an understatement.  Praise be to God."  Indeed, George, praise be to God - we are so very glad God brought you here to St. George! 

George will be received into the Church via Holy Chrismation at the conclusion of the Akathist Hymn service on Friday evening, March 31.  Lambros will be his sponsor.  An afterglow dessert reception hosted by George & Svetlana will follow.  Please make plans to be present that evening, if at all possible.  See you then!

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM LEE, PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT  Your 2023 stewardship pledge is needed.  Stewardship pledges help Parish Council reasonably plan for the year.  We pray you can, and will, be generous when remembering your Church and our Holy Patron, Saint George.  Pledge forms are available on the candle stand.  Please turn in your planned pledge to the church office TODAY if you haven't already done so.  You can also indicate your yearly pledge via postal mail (90 Sanford Street, Bangor 04401) or via email Thank you - we are a family in Christ and God is with us.  We can never outgive God Almighty and we are greatly blessed!  

2022 BUDGET DEFICIT The 2022 financial report from Parish Council is part of this bulletin, as an insert.  Please scroll down to read.  It's essential that all parishioners be aware of the parish's weekly financial needs and assist in meeting them.  Please let us work as a team, we have a very good track record in that way.  Thank you, Lee & Parish Council

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE DESIRNG TO UNITE THEMSELVES TO ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH  By the mercy of God, we plan to receive these three people as new members of the Orthodox Church in upcoming weeks:  George Z. (sponsor: Lambros); Gabriya S. (sponsor: Nina F.) and Katharine G. (sponsor: Pres. Candace).

AN ORTHODOX DRAMA THAT FOCUSES ON TRUE REPENTANCE This is a classic movie, not to be missed this season, subtitled in English.  You can watch "Ostrov: The Island," at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz-vegualMg

THE VISIT OF CHRIST PART 1 (dramatized, and subtitled in English):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64mDNq4nF9A; PART 2:  https://youtu.be/pR13ziHLyQI  When has He visited each of us lately?  

THE PRAYER OF ST. EPHRAIM THE SYRIAN  During Great Lent this penitential prayer is used at the conclusion of Vespers and Great Compline (after dinner prayers):  

 Lord and Master of my life, cast away from me the spirthe eating of fish as well as olive oil and wine.  May it be blessed!it of laziness, idle curiosity, love of power & vain talk. (prostration)

 But grant me, Your servant, the spirit of moderation, humility, patience, and love. (prostration)

 Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters.

 For You are blessed forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)

 12 bows / Repeat "Yes, Lord and King..." (prostration)

IF YOU WANT RED EGGS FOR PASCHA - KEEP SAVING YELLOW ONION SKINS and by the time Holy Week arrives you should have enough skins to dye Paschal eggs red (yes--onion skins will yield a beautiful red egg dye)! Have a goal to accumulate skins from 10-14 medium-large onions between now and Holy Thursday.  How-to directions will be posted soon.  It helps if parish families bring a dozen red eggs to the Anastasi service for Holy Pascha so there are enough to distribute and share after the service.  Thank you.

REALLY?  HEALTHY MELOMAKARONA SUITABLE FOR THE SEASON  Yes, it's true:  https://panoseats.com/the-most-delicious-healthy-paleo-melomakarona/

LENTEN KOULOURAKIA (dunking cookies for coffee or tea)  https://www.siftnwhisk.com/greek-easter-orange-cookies-koulourakia-portokaliou/

VEGAN SPANAKOPITA  https://thegreekvegan.com/spanakopita/

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO TRY VIOLIFE PRODUCTS THIS SEASON (vegan cheeses)  Violife is a company based outside Thessaloniki, Greece.  You can find them at Tiller and Rye (Brewer), Natural Living Center (Bangor), Hannaford & Shaw's.  Tiller and Rye, for sure, carries the vegan feta.  Watch the video on the product site to learn more about the company:  https://violifefoods.com/us/why-us/.  Recommended by Presbytera, who's tried almost all their products over time.

EASY VEGAN SALAD DRESSING / DIP  Using a large dollop of vegan mayonnaise (Vegenaise is a suggested brand found in the refrigerated section of the grocery), add salt, pepper, garlic powder, dillweed, 1-2 tsp dijon mustard and a generous splash of balsamic vinegar.  Mix well and taste.  This is a "to taste" recipe, so don't be shy about experimenting with it.  Very nice as a salad dressing and also as a dip for fresh veggie sticks, blanched & cooled broccoli or even french fries.  If you miss "creamy" dressing for salad, this is a good one to try.

REMINDER - PLEASE BRING STAPLE FOODS FOR MANNA MINISTRIES WEEKLY and leave them in the church office.  Remember, we have low income neighbors who need nourishing and somewhat easy to prepare items.  Thank you!

FOODS REQUESTED BY MANNA MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY  They are currently in need of canned soups, pasta sauce and tuna fish.  Other foods are also welcome, but those listed as especially sought now.  And, they sent a hearty thank you to our St. George community for all we've been sending over in recent weeks!  Again, thanks to Demetri for being our liaison with Manna.  Read further in this bulletin to learn more about Manna Ministries and why we support their work.

WHAT TO COOK & EAT DURING GREAT LENT?  One of the things that many people stumble over is what to eat / what to cook for the Season of Repentance (or any fasting season, really).  The diet the Church guides us to follow is, largely, plant based augmented with some seafood, if desired, along with wine and olive oil, if desired, on the weekends.  Nevertheless, there still seems to be the struggle of what to eat / what to prepare? May we suggest a very useful site to help answer these questions?  Jill Dalton of the Whole Food Plant Based Cooking Show is a plant based cook with a family and she has created some truly delicious dishes that fit right in with the dietary guidelines of Great Lent. Visit her site: https://plantbasedcookingshow.com/ and learn how to follow and cook for a whole food, plant based, diet.  Not only are Jill's recipes tasty, but they are gluten free, dairy free, oil free and sugar free.  Does that sound too good to be true?  It's not.  You might be surprised by how easy this is to do.  Anyway, before Great Lent arrives, consider visiting her site & channel and get some neat pointers and recipes to get your family through the season. This will also aid in keeping the Wednesday / Friday fasting days each week. Jill demonstrates how to cook all her recipes on YouTube, too, so it's a great learning experience.  Highly recommended.

A MINISTRY TO OUR CHURCH'S NEIGHBORS  Our church sits in a neighborhood where there are some obvious on-going needs.  A number of lower income people living nearby rely on Manna Ministries' food pantry and soup kitchen (located in the Old Brick Church) somewhat regularly.  In an effort to help the pantry help our neighbors, let us make the effort to bring some staple foods to church every Sunday and leave them in the office.  We will take the donated foods down to Manna Ministries so we can be part of the effort to feed those who are hungry in our area.  This is not meant to be a one-time thing, rather something we do routinely as a ministry to our neighbors.  A verse from the Old Testament speaks to the needs for on-going charity, Deuteronomy 15:11, For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.  And the Lord Jesus speaks about the effects of our charitable giving in Matthew 25:40, And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’ So, let us fulfill that which pleases God and He will reward the love and obedience of the giver.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO ST. GEORGE? If you are visiting our parish this morning, welcome! Orthodox Church tradition encourages Orthodox Christians in good standing with the Church to approach the Holy Chalice for Communion... however, if you are not Orthodox, we ask that you please refrain. All worshipers are welcome to receive antidoron (a piece of blessed bread) immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Please stay for fellowship hour that we might get to know you.

WORSHIPING THE TRUE & LIVING GOD Worshiping the Living God, the All-Holy Trinity, is a witness of our faith in and love for Him. The Divine Liturgy is the service of thanksgiving to God. The Divine Liturgy is also the service of particular nurture for the Orthodox Christian--Christ is Present in the elements of Holy Communion. He nurtures those who approach with fear (reverence), faith and love. Those who partake of Communion receive God within. This is a great Mystery, not to be taken lightly, but one that the Orthodox Christian is bid to COME. Please avail yourself of the opportunities to worship the Lord and to receive Him in faith.

JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP HOUR DOWNSTAIRS Everyone is encouraged to come downstairs after service for refreshments. If you’re visiting, please let us treat you. We’re a family here and we all contribute toward the table weekly. So, thank you to all who have made fellowship time possible again today!

ROUTINE SERVICE TIMES AT ST. GEORGE Orthros/Matins (morning prayers) 9AM; Divine Liturgy 10AM.

SPECIAL PRAYER SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED Fr. will offer particular prayers for you if you are going to be traveling or are preparing to have medical procedures done (hospitalization, etc.).  Please arrange with him according to need. Thank you.

OCN  Get to know the Orthodox Christian Network
http://myocn.net/

FR. LEO'S CONTACT INFORMATION 
cell: (207) 385-3000, call or text 
Mail: 17 Brunswick, Ft. Fairfield, ME 04742
email: 57frleo@gmail.com
Personal website:glt.goarch.org
Church website & Newsletter: http://www.stgeorge.me.goarch.org/
Weekly Bulletin: http://www.bulletinbuilder.org/stgeorgebangor/current
I am available to parishioners whenever needed; please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you. +Fr. Leo