Calendar

Parish Calendar

August 1 to August 21, 2022

Monday, August 1

+DORMITION FAST (through August 14)

Sunday, August 14

9th Sunday of Matthew

8:30AM ORTHROS

9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

4:00PM VESPERS at St. Mary's GOC

Monday, August 15

+DORMITION OF THEOTOKOS

8:00AM ORTHROS

9:00AM DIVINE LITURGY

6:30PM Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday, August 16

+ST. STAMATIOS

Wednesday, August 17

+FAST DAY

1:30PM Online Daytime Bible Study (via Zoom only)

Thursday, August 18

6:30PM Focus on the Heart - Fundraiser for FOCUS MN at St. Mary's GOC

6:30PM Capital Projects Committee Meeting

Friday, August 19

+FAST DAY

Saturday, August 20

+PROPHET SAMUEL

Sunday, August 21

10th Sunday of Matthew

8:30AM ORTHROS

9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

10:45AM Sunday School Teachers Meeting

11:00AM FOCUS Presentation
Ministries Calendar

August 14 to August 18, 2022

Sunday, August 14

Camp Sunday

11:00AM College Student Blessing & Scholarship Award Presentation

Thursday, August 18

12:00PM Youth & Family Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course Trip

6:00PM Twin Cities YAL Boat Cruise

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Tone

From on high you descended, O merciful Lord. You accepted the cross and three days in the tomb to free us from the bondage of sin, O our life and resurrection. Glory to you, O Lord.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Dormition in the 4th Tone

In faith, O ye people, leap for joy while clapping your hands; and gather in gladness on this day with longing and shout in radiant jubilance. For the Theotokos cometh nigh to departing from the earth unto the heights; and we glorify her with glory as the Mother of God in our unceasing hymns

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

In the Immaterial Spirit, the whole world hath been mystically adorned upon the glorious memory; and it doth cry to thee joyously: Rejoice, O Virgin, thou boast of the Christian race.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17

Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34

At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

Announcements

Greeters

Dean Natto, Jon Kennedy

Prosfora

anonymous

40-Day Blessing Today!

Elizabeth Paraschos and baby Anastasios. Petros is the happy and blessed husband and father.

Memorials

Chris (10 Years) & Helen (5 Years) Zubulake, Charles Zubulake (12 Years)

Jim (1 Year) & Maria (13 Years) Theros, Steve Theros (12 Years)

Camp and Graduate Sunday Today - August 14

After Liturgy, we will invite all who participated in summer camp this year to share a little about their experiences and what camp means to them. Following, we will invite our high school, college, and university graduates to the Solea to share their plans for the future, and those heading off to college and university will receive a blessing for a fruitful new school year.

College Scholarship Presentation

The winning essay in this year’s John Pitsavas Memorial Scholarship is by Evangelios Pappas. Thank you to Mrs. Theologia Pitsavas for generously sponsoring this scholarship. Missions & Benevolence scholarships are awarded to Evie Jordan and Parry Paraschou. Essayists discussed the topic, “As you go on to college, how might your Orthodox Christian faith give you direction and strength for the road ahead, especially during difficult times or when your faith is tested? You are encouraged to use examples from any past struggles." and were judged according to adherence to the topic, quality of content, and organization of ideas. Congratulations to all!

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to Maria Zubulake and family for hosting this Sunday.

Online Bible Study - August 17

Bible Study will meet Wednesday, August 17 at 1:30 pm on Zoom. Join us as we finish our study of Saint Paul’s letters to the churches in 1 Thessalonians 4.13-5.11 Everyone is welcome to become one of our Bible Buddies!

Join Zoom Meeting https://tinyurl.com/2wnwen64; Meeting ID: 897 8483 7249; Passcode: 428696; or dial +1 312 626 6799.

Our Bible Study is led and organized by Mrs. Kathy Ryan. We read the scheduled readings together and have plenty of time for discussion. Fr. Perry will be away during the month of August. Questions? Email Kathy at kathyryan.zoe@gmail.com

OCF Outreach

Parents and college students: if you know any students attending the University of St. Thomas or the University of St. Catherine in St. Paul who would be interested in joining an OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship), please send their contact information to niko@stgeorgegoc.org. We will be contacting the students later this summer.

Prayers in the Holy Altar

Please submit the names (first names only) of those you would like to pray for in the Holy Altar during Liturgy. Prayer cards are available at the candle stand.

Youth & Family Takes on Ninja Warrior!

Saint George Youth & Family is taking on the challenge of the Ninja Warrior Obstacle Academy! This is an event you won't want to miss -- and it is fun for the whole family. Children and Parents alike will be able to participate in this awesome event! Join us on August 18 from 12:00 - 2:30 pm for training, games, and an obstacle course. Lunch will be provided :) Meet at: 7615 Golden Triangle Dr. Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Ready for the challenge? RSVP to niko@stgeorgegoc.org

Twin Cities YAL Boat Cruise August 18

Young adults (ages 18-35) are invited aboard the Magnolia Blossom on Thursday evening, August 18, to dance the night away as we cruise down the Mississippi River! General admission tickets: $65 (Available July 19-August 1); Last call tickets: $75 (Available August 2-14). For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the YAL Cruise site or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/twin-cities-yal-boat-cruise-2022-tickets-370628950167

Intro to Orthodox Christianity - Fall 2022

Our MEOCCA catechism course, Intro to Orthodox Christianity, will begin on Tuesday, September 13, from 7-9 pm. Catechism is open to all; people interested in learning more about Orthodox Christianity, inquirers, catechumens, and current Orthodox Christians as well! The course is an excellent opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings in-person or online via Zoom. Register online at https://forms.gle/aFAzYJf7QH2A7dGb6. Learn more at meocca.org. Feel free to join us for an individual session as well!

Engaging Orthodoxy - An Advanced Catechism Course

This course will offer a pragmatic engagement of the Orthodox Christian tradition to help the students deepen both their understanding and their practice of the faith. Completion of the MEOCCA Introduction to Orthodox Christianity Course is a prerequisite for enrollment in the advanced course. The course will be 6 sessions scheduled every other week on Tuesdays, 7-9 pm, starting September 20. Classes will address topics such as scriptures, liturgy, feasts, prayer, iconography, and saints. Register here: https://forms.gle/PprBks8ZYZvcSJWt5. For more information, please contact our Assistant Coordinator, Dr. Ann Woods, at ann@stgeorgegoc.org or (651) 222-6220. This course has been made possible by a grant from our Metropolis of Chicago Mustard Seed Fund.

First Ever Youth Talent Show - October 8

All are invited to the first-ever Youth Talent Show at Saint George! Sign up your children to show off their musical skills, singing, acrobatic feats .. and more! As a guide, please plan for each performance to be roughly 3-7 minutes. In the comment section, please provide an explanation of the talent performance. Please email niko@stgeorgegoc.org with specific set-up requirements.

Please sign up! Text Message Reminders for Youth & Family Events!

We have some AWESOME Youth & Family events coming up, and you don't want to miss out. Join our text message system Remind to stay up to date with all of our communications. Join by clicking https://www.remind.com/join/stgyandf

Wisdom of the Fathers

Christ did not command the winds to cease at that time, but Himself stretched forth His hand and took hold of Peter, because here faith was required of him. When we do not do our part, divine (grace) slows and stands still.. . . it was not the wind that did Peter harm; his lack of faith sank him. Where faith is fruitfu, firm and strong, none of the evils that may befall us can do us any harm.

St. John Chrysostom

The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

And then we shall hear Him calling out and saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. This truth is supported by an understanding that the bad and terrible things of the present time are passing; they come and they go; therefore, fear not what is transient and evanescent. It is I, (He says,) meaning, I am ever-existent; as God I am He Who is. Do not betray your faith and your love for Me for the sake of the temporal things of the present.

St. John Chrysostom

The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century

In Other News

FOCUS Minnesota Annual Fundraiser August 18

Summer's here, and it will soon be time for our annual get-together. It's food, drink, music, fundraising, and a report back about all the wonderful things FOCUS Minnesota has been able to accomplish because of your support. Save the evening of Thursday, August 18th, 2022. It's guaranteed you will be uplifted and encouraged to hear about the work we are doing together for those in need. RSVP: focustwincities@gmail.com

Rochester Greek Fest, August 26-28

Saints Kosmas and Damianos Greek Orthodox Church, 703 West Center Street, Rochester: https://greekfestrochester.com/. The Original Greek Festival in Rochester, MN, is an annual event that has taken place during the last weekend in August since 1963! Due to several reasons, we are excited to announce a repeat of our DRIVE-THRU ONLY SERVICE but with a LARGER MENU!!!

Remote “Introduction to Orthodoxy” Classes at Hellenic College Starting August 29

Registration is now open and will close on August 22. Qualified applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The course is open to students and learners from around the globe. Please join us for this 3-credit, college-level course taught by Rev. Dr. Demetrios Tonias. Applicants must provide their most recent academic transcript and one letter of recommendation.

This three-credit undergraduate course costs $2,850 plus a remote access fee of $50. Generous scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance. If you wish to request scholarship information, indicate this on the course application. This class may be audited as well for a reduced fee. Apply at https://tinyurl.com/ycktym63.

Save the Date: Taste of Greece, in Minneapolis, Sept 9-11

Taste of Greece at St. Mary’s GOC in Minneapolis, September 9-11. https://mplsgreekfest.org/

Volunteer at A Taste of Greece

It's time to volunteer to help make A Taste of Greece 2022 a great success! Our annual Festival is just around the corner - September 9-11. To sign up for projects where help is needed leading up to the Festival (most of these take place during the late afternoon and early evening) click Festival Preparations Sign Up or https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b44a9ab2babfd0-festival2.

To sign up for a shift during the festival, click Festival Weekend Sign Up or https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0b44a9ab2babfd0-festival1

Don't wait too long so your favorite day and shift doesn't fill up before you get on the list. We can't wait to get our Festival back up and running after the two year hiatus!

Friends and Supporters of FOCUS Minnesota, WE NEED YOU!

Our staff is tiny, and volunteers are at the very center of how we manage and operate all of our programs. During the summer we are always looking to cover vacations and time away, for whatever reason, and it's a great opportunity for a short-term commitment. We also always have a need for help throughout the year.

(Graphic: Volunteer)

We could increase our programming by extending our hours or add another day if we had the volunteers to make it happen. Volunteering at FOCUS isn't a forever commitment. Offering us your time for 6-8 weeks during the summer would be a blessing. Joining one of our core volunteer teams also means you are free to miss whenever you need, to attend to everything else in your life! Visit our Help Helper page to see what's available.

Here's a quick summary:
•   Help in Clothing Closet - Monday through Thursday, help clients shop or sort our donations.
•   Help with our Food Shelf - the 3rd Saturday of the month.
•   Help on Sunday Nights - various duties around offering a hot meal to visitors, indoors and at our front door.
•   Anytime during the week or month - a shopper or gopher to help us bring in supplies and water.
• If a Saturday would work for you, once a month we'd like to start a Saturday Clothes Closet.
•   And don't forget our "Back Burner List!" This allows us to call you whenever we might have a need, sometimes on short notice, with the understanding that you'll decline the opportunity if it doesn't work. But you may be able to jump in!

Curious enough to find out more? Please call Vera Proctor for more information - 651-222-0712 or vproctor@focusna.org.

Support for those in Need

Please contact Fr. Perry or our Ladies Philoptochos if you or someone you know is in need (food, clothing, shelter, etc.). Our Ladies Philoptochos, Missions & Benevolence, Discretionary support, FOCUS MN, etc. are here to help.

Save the Date – September 18

Please support the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program by attending their annual gala on September 18, 2022, from 3:30-6 pm at the Korluka Equestrian Farm in Stillwater, MN. Enjoy great food, horses, yard games, silent auction, music, and more. See flyer at https://www.lomcp.com/gala.

About LOMCP

The mission of the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program is to help pay medical bills, overdue mortgage/rent, and utility bills due to loss of income as a result of a medical crisis. We still have more grants to give this year. Do you or someone you know need financial assistance due to a medical crisis? Go to https://www.lomcp.com/ to learn the criteria for receiving a grant.

Latest Issue of Glad Tidings

To view the July-August 2022 Glad Tidings: https://www.stgeorgegoc.org/assets/GladTidings/GladTidings-2022-JulyAugust.pdf

Lost & Found

Please check the Lost & Found box near the lower level coat rack for any items you might be missing, including winter jackets, water bottles, toys, etc. Items not claimed by September 1 will be donated.

Ancient Faith Women’s Retreat - November 10-13

This retreat will take place in Bolivar, PA. For more information and to register: https://store.ancientfaith.com/2022-afwr/

Family Camp 2022

October 7-9 - PRAYER!

Family Camp Registration opens this week! August 16! Whether you are a past Family Camp Family or are just curious, take a minute today to check out the Family Camp web page. There you will find information about our speakers, what a typical weekend would look like, what the facility has to offer, and much more! Family Camp has been an essential offering to families who want to take a break from the world, enjoy a northern Minnesota experience and add lifelong Orthodox friends to their lives. Adult-aged Family Camp past attendees have told us that some of their closest friends have been made at Family Camp! And, who doesn’t need a bit of a tune-up on their PRAYER life!

https://stmaryscamp.com/family-camp/

Saints and Feasts

August 14

The Holy Prophet Michaias (Micah)

This Prophet (whose name means "who is like God?"), was a Morasthite from the land of Judah. He prophesied more than fifty years in the days of Joatham, Ahaz, and Hezekias, Kings of Judah. These kings reigned in the eighth century before Christ. From this it is clear that this Michaias is not the one who was the son of Iembla (or Imlah-III Kings 22:8), who censured Ahab and was murdered by Ahab's son Joram, as the Synaxaristes says; for this Joram reigned the ninth century before Christ. Yet Michaias was still prophesying, as mentioned above, in the days of Hezekias, who was a contemporary of Hosea and Esaias, and of Hoshea, the last King of the ten tribes of Israel, when that kingdom was destroyed by Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians (IV Kings 17: 1 - 16; 18: 1). This Michaias is sixth in rank among the minor Prophets. His book of prophecy is divided into seven chapters; he prophesied that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (Michaias 5: 2). In the reign of Saint Theodosius the Great, the holy relics of the Prophets Michaias and Abbacum were found through a divine revelation to Zebennus, Bishop of Eleutheropolis (Sozomen, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 29).

August 15

The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary

Concerning the Dormition of the Theotokos, this is what the Church has received from ancient times from the tradition of the Fathers. When the time drew nigh that our Savior was well-pleased to take His Mother to Himself, He declared unto her through an Angel that three days hence, He would translate her from this temporal life to eternity and bliss. On hearing this, she went up with haste to the Mount of Olives, where she prayed continuously. Giving thanks to God, she returned to her house and prepared whatever was necessary for her burial. While these things were taking place, clouds caught up the Apostles from the ends of the earth, where each one happened to be preaching, and brought them at once to the house of the Mother of God, who informed them of the cause of their sudden gathering. As a mother, she consoled them in their affliction as was meet, and then raised her hands to Heaven and prayed for the peace of the world. She blessed the Apostles, and, reclining upon her bed with seemliness, gave up her all-holy spirit into the hands of her Son and God.

With reverence and many lights, and chanting burial hymns, the Apostles took up that God-receiving body and brought it to the sepulchre, while the Angels from Heaven chanted with them, and sent forth her who is higher than the Cherubim. But one Jew, moved by malice, audaciously stretched forth his hand upon the bed and immediately received from divine judgment the wages of his audacity. Those daring hands were severed by an invisible blow. But when he repented and asked forgiveness, his hands were restored. When they had reached the place called Gethsemane, they buried there with honor the all-immaculate body of the Theotokos, which was the source of Life. But on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, and raised up the artos (bread) in Jesus' Name, as was their custom, the Theotokos appeared in the air, saying "Rejoice" to them. From this they learned concerning the bodily translation of the Theotokos into the Heavens.

These things has the Church received from the traditions of the Fathers, who have composed many hymns out of reverence, to the glory of the Mother of our God (see Oct. 3 and 4).

Stewardship

Our 2022 theme is, "…Our Church Our Spiritual Home." In the words of Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos, "...in the Church we live eternal life starting from now. We do not simply await the life to come, but we experience and enjoy it from the present. The Kingdom of God, according to the Fathers, is not life beyond the grave but communion with God...“

2022 Stewardship Goal

Stewardship Goal

$132,407 of $260,000 (through June)

Pledges Received

As of July 7, 101 families have pledged a total of $166,183.

Make Your Stewardship Pledge Online

Thank you for your continued support! Make your 2022 pledge by visiting https://forms.gle/NjsemfkEqFihqn4F7. Please make sure to note any updates to your contact information as we prepare to publish our new pictorial directory. Please make special note of any information you would like unlisted/omitted from the directory.

Welcome Visitors!

Thank you for joining us in worship. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us! Although Holy Communion is offered only to baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians, all are invited to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of the service. The Antidoron and fellowship hour are reminiscent of the Agape Feast that followed worship in the early Church. One does not have to be of Greek descent nor speak Greek to be an Orthodox Christian and member of our parish. All people of any background are welcome to join the Orthodox Church. For those interested in learning more about the Christian Faith or becoming a member of our church, please contact Fr. Perry after services or at frperry@stgeorgegoc.org or (651) 222-6220.

We hope you will join us in our hall upstairs after service this morning for fellowship and refreshments.

Please Note

St. George GOC broadcasts its worship services live on the internet. Your presence in the church is subject to audio and video recording.

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