PROTOCOLS FOR OUR PARISH:
Parishioners will no longer have to pre-register to attend church services. Attendance will be on a first come, first served basis. WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS. All unvaccinated parishioners must continue to wear protective masks indoors. The last two rows of pews in the church will be reserved as “Social Distance” seating with a mask requirement.
Website Links: Visit the church's website at www.stgeorgeclifton.org for our online streaming links. To find the prayers for each service and to follow along, go to agesinitiatives.com.
To light a candle or make a donation follow this link https://st-george-greek-orthodox-churchand-the-shrine-of-st-nectarios.square.site/.
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 DOWNSTAIRS HALL for Hospitality Hour.
Communion Guidelines:
Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared, according to the Holy Orthodox Church guidelines, may receive Holy Communion. Please allow families with young children to receive Holy Communion first and wait for the ushers to dismiss your row.
The Artoclasia Service today is offered by Dr. Peter Salierno; Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Patti Manis;
Mrs. Morfia Sokolic and Mrs. Kitsa Balasis for the health and well-being of all of their families and friends.
Liturgical Schedule:
Sunday, August 29th – Beheading of St. John the Baptist……..Orthros & Div. Liturgy 8:30AM
Greek Fire Relief Appeal from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros:
“I am calling upon every parish across our sacred Archdiocese to take-up a special collection (a special tray will be passed today) for this purpose. I ask that the Parish Councils forward the collected funds immediately to the Archdiocese, so that they may be deployed as expeditiously as possible. Furthermore, a portal has been created on the Archdiocese website(www.goarch.org), where anyone can make a direct donation to this noble cause. One hundred percent of your contributions will be given directly to those impacted most by the fires.”
Sunday Memorials, Artoclasias and Other Blessings:
Please inform the church office well in advance of Sunday mornings for all memorials, artoclasias, 40 day blessings and other blessings so as not to disrupt the Divine Liturgy. If any requests or lists of names are received after the Great Entrance they will have to wait until the following Sunday.
****Additionally, in order to preserve the sanctity of the Divine Liturgy, please wait to light candles in the St. Nectarios Chapel at the correct time. If one arrives after the Great Entrance, they will have to wait until the end of Liturgy, while the Andithoron is being given out, to light candles in the Chapel.
Holy Confession:
If you wish to partake in the Sacrament of Holy Confession, please feel free to call the Church office or Fr. Peter to arrange a time.
Mark Your Calendar:
Sunday, September 12th ……..Metropolis of NJ Holy Cross Celebration in Asbury Park, NJ
Saturday, September 18th ……Blessing of the Animals – 10:00am
Sunday, September 19th ……..Ministry Registration Sunday
Thursday, September 16th ……Greek School Classes Begins
Sunday, September 26th……….Sunday School Begins
Sunday, October 17th …………..100th Anniversary Gala at the Hanover Manor
100th Anniversary Gala Raffle Tickets:
Please support our efforts and join us at our 100th Anniversary Gala where the raffle drawing will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2021. Tickets will be sold for $25 each or one book of 5 tickets for $100! Tickets are available at the church office and during coffee hour. Winner need not be present.
Sponsor A Day Program:
As a church community, it is our ambitious goal 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. We want to thank the following for sponsoring August 15th – The Dormition of the Theotokos:
Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Patti Manis in honor of their son Christos’ birthday and their daughter Maria’s Name Day;
Christina Kyriazis in honor of her mother Maria Kyriazis;
Jerry and Jason Cammarata in loving memory or Debbie Cammarata;
John & Nickie Pilavas in honor of the feast day of the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Remember that as Orthodox Christians, we are also stewards of our Church family – those with whom we worship, fellowship and serve the community. In the same way that we care for our immediate family, we also care for our Christian brothers. For more information about the program, speak to one of our Parish Council members, Ministry Leaders or call the church office.
Feast Day Flower Donations:
During the Ecclesiastical year, our Church comes alive with many Liturgical services. It is customary in our faith to decorate icons used during special Feast Day services with flowers. We encourage our parishioners to offer a special contribution for this purpose. Your donation is a unique and appropriate way to remember your departed friends and relatives, as well as an expression of love on behalf of your family and prayers for your beloved ones. Donations are now being accepted for the following Feast Day celebrations:
- August 15 – Kimisis Tis Theotokou $100
- September 14 – Elevation of the Holy Cross $100
- November 9 – St. Nectarios the Wonderworker $500
Thank you in advance for your flower donations.
GOYA ATHLETICS – JOIN US!
We hope that everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of summer! The GOYA athletic season is approaching and in preparation, we have begun scheduling girls volleyball and boys basketball practices for later this month. All 7th to 12th grade girls and boys who are interested in (or considering) participating in GOYA volleyball or basketball are welcome to come and play or just find out more about our program. No prior experience is necessary. Practices will take place in the St. George gym as follows:
Girls Volleyball
Friday, August 27th 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, August 31st 8:00 – 9:30pm
Wednesday, Sept. 1st 7:00 – 8:30pm
Boys Basketball
Thursday, August 26th 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, August 31st 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Thursday, September 2nd 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Please spread the word to potentially new GOYAns. We are looking forward to seeing both new and old faces!
Hosting of Summer Coffee Hour:
During the months of July and August we can all share the undertaking of bringing food for our coffee hour. Please bring pastries, cookies, fruit, etc. to church with you from time to time to add to our coffee hour table. Or, arrange to host a coffee hour by contacting the church office. Additionally, our coffee hour will take place in the downstairs hall during the summer months. Thank you in advance for your participation this summer.
St. George Greek School:
Classes will begin on Thursday, September 16, 2021 starting with an Agiasmo blessing that day. We will return to in person instruction starting in September, and we are all looking forward to welcoming all of our returning and new students! As a friendly reminder, there will be a $50 discount per family to all registration forms returned by 8/14/2021! You may either drop off at the church office or mail in your registration forms with payments.
St. George GOYA:
GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association), is the ministry to Orthodox Christian teenagers for the purpose of fellowship, worship, service, and witness. The goal is to create a place where young people come to learn and grow as Orthodox Christians through a program of athletics, retreats, outreach and social activities. Orthodox Christian teenagers, (ages 12-18) who are in 7th through 12th grade are eligible and welcome to participate. Registration will take place in August and our first meeting will be in September. For questions or to be added to our email list please contact us at: GOYA@StGeorgeClifton.org.
Church School Volunteers:
We remain indebted and are thankful for our dedicated teaching staff who have stepped up and done an amazing job offering online religious education classes for our students during an unprecedented year. As we plan ahead and anticipate a more traditional Church School year in September, we are reaching out for volunteers to join our team. No teaching experience is needed to help make a difference in the life of a child! All are welcome. Please email us at: churchschool@stgeorgeclifton.org if you are interested or would simply like more information. Thank you!
Choir News:
Our St. George Choir is seeking volunteers to join us in September. So if you love to sing and want to enhance our Sunday services with your voice, please contact Angelo Duvlaris (aduvo@optonline.net) or Yiannis Magiros (yannis52@verizon.net) for more details. Prior knowledge of Greek is not necessary.