NEW CHURCH PROTOCOLS AS WE FACE COVID-19:
We ask that everyone please follow the protocol sent to us by the Archdiocese: Do not reverence the hand of any clergyman. Do not kiss the icons but just bow before them in reverence. There will be no books distributed in church so you are encouraged to bring your own book or go to agesinitiatives.com to download any service onto your mobile device or iPad. During the "kiss of peace" we ask that you just bow to one another with love and respect. If you do attend church and begin to not feel well, go home immediately. Please be mindful of respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Please do not leave any tissues or paper bulletins in the pews.
***Regarding our Religious Education School, Greek School, GOYA and all other Ministry events: Due to the growing concern of the Coronavirus during this unprecedented time, and out of an abundance of caution, all Ministry and non-worship events are cancelled until further notice. Please read the enclosed encyclical from His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos. Additionally, this Sunday’s Hospitality Hour will also be the last one until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation and always remember, God is with us!
ORTHROS BEGINS AT 8:30AM
The mission of our beloved parish of St. George is to put into practice our Orthodox faith for our spiritual growth while creating fellowship and ministries for all the faithful. It should be our mission to spread the word of the Gospel and build harmony and love within the community and be the example of our Orthodox faith for our youth.
WE WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR COMMUNITY!
We are grateful that you have joined us for prayer and worship. Please join us after the Divine Services in our Fellowship Hall for our Hospitality Hour hosted by the Rezitis family in memory of their beloved family member.
Memorial Services Today For:
Konstandinos Rezitis – 40 days Soterios Papdemas – 1 year
Constantine Sougelas – 10 years Roy Parks – 12 years James & Tillie Peterson
May their memory be eternal.
Liturgical Schedule:
Monday, March 16th – Compline ……………………………………………………………6:30PM
Wednesday, March 18th – Pre-Sanctified Liturgy ……………………………………6:00PM
Thursday, March 19th – Holy Unction…………………………………………...………….6:30PM
Friday, March 20th – 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos ……………………………6:30PM
Communion Guidelines:
Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared, according to the Holy Orthodox Church guidelines, may receive Holy Communion. Please allow our Sunday School children to receive Holy Communion first and wait for the ushers to dismiss your row.
Church Office Request:
For all church/ministry related matters, please make sure to call the office directly or email directly rather than using texts or various forms of social media. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Holy Unction:
From His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos: As Orthodox Christians we believe that the Holy Sacraments of the Church are beneficial to both our bodies and our souls especially the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Unction. Therefore on Thursday, March 19th at 6:30pm we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Unction so that we may entreat the Lord our God for the healing of both body and soul and so that we may pray as a united community of Orthodox Christians for the health of all people as the world confronts the Coronavirus.
Sponsor A Day Program:
In the New Year 2020 our ambitious goal is to meet our operating budget through Stewardship. It is estimated that the operating expenses of our church average to be $1,400 per steward/family. If this average were to be reached, then the Church would be able to pay all its bills only with Stewardship donations. All other funds collected from candles, trays, raffles, fundraisers, etc. could be used towards capital improvements. One way to bridge the gap is through our “Sponsor a Day” program. We encourage our parishioners to select a day that has special meaning to them like a birthday, feast day, anniversary or a memorial and make a $250 donation. All donors will be recognized on a calendar located in our atrium. We would like to thank the following for sponsoring March 17th: Mr. & Mrs. Alec & Frances Alexiades in honor of the feast day of St. Alexis the Man of God and the Delaney family in honor of the feast day of St. Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland. For more information about the program, speak to one of our Parish Council members or Ministry Leaders wearing their “Sponsor A Day” buttons.
St. George Endowment Fund Scholarship:
On June 7, 2020, the Endowment Committee will be awarding three memorial scholarships to graduating high school seniors from our community in the name of Aspasia Smith, the endowment fund’s original benefactor. The scholarship awards will be in the amount of $750, $500 and $250 respectively. Application must be filed no later than May 22, 2020. For more information about the memorial scholarship, please inquire at the church office or read our online bulletin.
St. Paraskevi Philoptochos News:
St. Anne's School in Raritan, NJ is having a fundraiser of recycling water bottle caps. Please save your bottle caps for charity and let's all help the school. Caps can be given to Phyllis Magiros or placed in the labeled container on the upstairs kitchen counter. We will be collecting until the end of June. Thank you for your kindness.
National Philoptochos Young Philanthropist Award:
This is a new initiative to promote Philanthropy among the next generation. Philanthropy makes a significant difference in a community and an impact on society. 18 award honorees will receive a gift of $1000 to design and establish a Philanthropic program within their community. Please see our online bulletin to download the application or visit the National Philoptochos website at: www.philoptochos.org and select Events-Conventions 2020. All applications must be received no later than April 15, 2020.
St. Paraskevi Philoptochos Cancer Awareness:
March is Colorectal Cancer, Kidney Cancer and Multiple Myeloma Cancer Month. Continuing with the Philoptochos' year-long cancer project, please see the online bulletin for a brief overview of these cancers.
Security System Upgrades:
We are still in need of donations that will be used to install a Door Access Control System on the church doors. The cost for the Door System is $6,700. A new fob security system will be installed on the front glass doors, the metal doors by the downstairs kitchen, the glass doors in the gym and the rear metal gym doors. All this will greatly enhance the security of our building. We ask that you please consider contributing to this project.