ORTHROS: 9:00
LITURGY: 10:00
THIS FRIDAY – THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS This is a strict fast day and one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church. Please plan to attend these services if at all possible. Great Vespers will be prayed this Thursday evening at 6PM. Friday morning Orthros at 9AM with Divine Liturgy following. We ask that fresh basil be supplied to decorate the Holy Cross before 9AM Friday morning. If you would like to contribute basil and/or decorate the Cross for the Friday morning service, please let Fr. Leo know today. Thank you.
SUNDAY SCHOOL will get underway the Sunday after next, September 23, for our Growing Saints class (ages 8+). Clean Slates (ages 5-7) will begin meeting Sunday, October 7, and will meet the first Sunday of every month. Classes meet after the Divine Liturgy, during the fellowship hour, once the young people have gotten a snack from the fellowship hall to bring to class.
The plan is for the first Growing Saints class to focus on iconography and the ministry and work of iconographers. God willing, we will view a presentation of a real life iconographer from California and the beautiful work he has offered the Orthodox Church of St. Lawrence there. Don’t miss it!
LOOKING AHEAD - ONE YEAR MEMORIAL Memorial prayers for Paul Flanzala will be offered on September 30, the last Sunday of this month.
GOD’S BLESSING ON ALL OUR STUDENTS who’ve returned to their studies this fall. God watch over and help each one to grow in knowledge this year. May they mature into the people He would have them to be, according to their unique set of talents, skills and interests. May their faith in Christ become a greater reality and may they embrace and be sustained by the love of God on their journeys in life. Grant this, O Lord!
LET’S TALK DESSERT! Got your attention? Hope so! Cathy Speronis has a sweet fund-raising idea for the holiday season to benefit St. George. She is proposing a special holiday dessert sale that will rival anything that can be store-bought in our area. We can all help her with preparations to make this a success. Please be in touch with her so she knows she can count on your help as needed. Send her a note at cooksotasty@gmail.com.
INTRODUCING THE “REAL” ST. NICHOLAS TO OTHERS THIS DECEMBER Would you like to help plan an evening event for the general public to introduce them to St. Nicholas of Myra during the first week of December? Of course, we’re referring to the “real” Santa Claus that many people have yet to learn about. Please let Pres. Candace know (doxa141@gmail.com). She’ll arrange a get together to plan this possible event, honoring one of the well-known and greatly loved Saints of the Orthodox Church.
TO OUR STEWARDS & BENEFACTORS Many thanks to all those who’ve increased their financial gifts to maintain the on-going worship and ministries here at St. George. As a gentle reminder, the Church does need increased stewardship to cover our operations as our parish will not be involved in the Folk Festival this summer. The Folk Festival income had always been our “bump up” funding each year. We will not have that funding this year.
As of August 19, we are running an approximate $5000 overall deficit. Believe that St. George is aware of all those who care about our spiritual house and his prayers are with us. Thank you for your continued stewardship and loving generosity for St. George, Bangor! We are keeping our heads almost above water because a few people have made some special contributions. Thanks again.
NOTE: Average weekly budgeted expenses for us are $1895.39. Our annual budgeted expenses are $98,560.28 which is lower than about 99% of all the other parishes in the GOA. Our budget was made with a “very sharp pencil.” Another observation: 64% through the year, we have spent 61% of the amount budgeted (this is a good thing).
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Donatiions can now be made online.
Apostoliki Diakonia
Diptixa 2018 PDF
FACEBOOK PAGE Pat Claus is happy to receive items you’d like to have posted on the church’s FB page. You can submit items to her at patclaus@roadrunner.com.
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!
VALET PARKING Some parishioners have difficulty walking distances and find it hard to park near enough to the church on Sunday mornings. If this applies to you, please do the following: park in the loading zone in front of the church, and come indoors with your car key and ask in the office for someone to park the car for you and you will be assisted. We are here to help one another. Please ask for help if needed. Thank you.
GREAT VESPERS St. George Church offers Great Vespers at 6PM on any evening before a Divine Liturgy will be served. Each Saturday evening at 6PM, Great Vespers is served in anticipation of Sunday morning’s Divine Liturgy. This will also be true of evenings preceding a major feast. Participation in these services is an opportunity for us to worship corporately and multiply the power of our prayers. If for any reason vespers will not be served, you will receive a message beforehand via the church list-server advising cancellation.
ROUTINE SERVICE TIMES AT ST. GEORGE Great Vespers 6PM (the evening before a Divine Liturgy); Orthros/Matins (morning prayers) 9AM; Divine Liturgy 10AM.
NAME DAYS If you would like to participate in a Divine Liturgy on your Name Day, please let Fr. Leo know to arrange this beforehand.
SPECIAL PRAYER SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED Fr. can meet you here at the church and offer particular prayers for you if you are going to be traveling or are preparing to have medical procedures done (hospitalization, etc.) He is available to make hospital visits and will routinely visit those in convalescent care. 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: 252 14th St., Bangor ME 04401
home: (207) 307-7852
email: 57frleo@gmail.com, frleoschefe@mail.goarch.org
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
Today, the day following the Nativity of the most holy Theotokos, we celebrate the synaxis of Saints Joachim and Anna, honouring them as her parents.
Saint Severian, a senator from Sebastia, was both an illustrious man of wealth and a fearless Christian. Because he encouraged the holy Forty Martyrs of Sebastia to stand fast in their confession, he was given over to terrible torments, and received his own crown during the reign of Licinius and Lysius the Duke, about the year 315.
Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτής,
καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής,
ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός,
βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος,
Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε,
πρέσβευε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ,
σωθῆναι τὰς ψυχὰς ἡμῶν.
AS the Liberator of captives,
and the protector of the poor,
a physician for the ill,
he defender of rulers,
O great Martyr, Saint George, victorious,
pray for us to Christ our God
to save our souls.
Sunday before Holy Cross
Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18
Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
Κατὰ Ἰωάννην 3:13-17
Εἶπεν ὁ Κύριος· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναβέβηκεν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εἰ μὴ ὁ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβάς, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ὁ ὤν ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ. καὶ καθὼς Μωϋσῆς ὕψωσε τὸν ὄφιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, οὕτως ὑψωθῆναι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. Οὕτω γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ' ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον. οὐ γὰρ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ Θεὸς τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν κόσμον ἵνα κρίνῃ τὸν κόσμον, ἀλλ' ἵνα σωθῇ ὁ κόσμος δι' αὐτοῦ.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
