Calendar

Parish Calendar

November 15 to November 27, 2022

Tuesday, November 15

+NATIVITY FAST+

Sunday, November 20

9th Sunday of Luke

8:15AM ORTHROS

9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

10:30AM Sunday School

11:00AM Philoptochos Bake Sale

11:30AM Sunday School Teachers Meeting

Monday, November 21

+ENTRANCE OF THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE

8:00AM ORTHROS

9:00AM DIVINE LITURGY

6:30PM Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday, November 22

7:00PM Catechism - Orthodoxy in America, Jurisdictions, & Missions

Thursday, November 24

Thanksgiving Day - Office Closed

Friday, November 25

Thanksgiving Holiday - Office Closed

+ST. KATHERINE

Sunday, November 27

13th Sunday of Luke

8:15AM ORTHROS

9:30AM DIVINE LITURGY

Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 2nd Tone

The angelic powers appeared at your tomb, the soldiers guarding it became as dead men, and Mary stood at your grave seeking, seeking your most pure body. But you made hell a captive; you were untouched by its might. You came to the virgin and granted life. O Lord, who rose from the dead, glory to you.

Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the 4th Tone

By blossoming forth the only Ever-virgin as fruit, today holy Anna doth betroth us all unto joy, instead of our former grief; on this day she doth fulfil her vows to the Most High, leading her with joy into the Lord's holy temple, who truly is the temple and pure Mother of God the Word.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Tone

The whole world is filled today with joy and gladness on the Theotokos's auspicious and resplendent feast, whereon with great voice it crieth out: The heavenly tabernacle is she in truth.

Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 2:4-10

Brethren, God who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God: not because of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Gospel Reading

9th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 12:16-21

The Lord said this parable: "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." As he said these things, he cried out: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Announcements

Greeters

Angie Kontenakos, Yodahe Gamada

Prosfora

anonymous

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to Lana Kartak for hosting this Sunday.

Philoptochos - Fall Bake Sale

Today, November 20, 11am-1pm!

Shop for delicious authentic handmade Greek baked goods! We will have a special selection of baked goods and holiday breads available for sale. Our sale will also feature the Greek Bazaar, where you can find imported products, gift items, and apparel from Greece. Also, you can visit our Craft and Artisan corner - a wonderful place to find many unique and one-of-a-kind creations as well as last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers!

Advent Pantry Drive

FOCUS MN's Second Helping Food Pantry is running low on essential staple items, so we are sponsoring a Pantry Drive to last through Advent until Christmas. We are collecting pasta, (any shape) pasta sauce, (any type) shelf-stable soups/stews, and oatmeal. Please drop them off in the collection box in the parking lot vestibule. Blessed Advent!

Loaves & Fishes

Please come out to help serve our last St. George meal of 2022. It will take place Monday, December 5 at St. Matthews on Hall Avenue. The time commitment is only a bit over 2 hours- 4:30-6:45/7:00. Please sign up here or https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d49ada623a0fcc70-december2 to help out.

Makers Mall is Back!!

Creation: Saturday, December 3 with Vespers at 5 pm and the making beginning at 6 pm.

Time to celebrate the season of giving - by creating gifts! We will once again transform the church hall into a busy workshop and create handmade gifts from the heart. There will be stations manned by our expert artisans and children can make cards and gifts. Dinner will be provided for all. Please email niko@stgeorgegoc.org with any questions. Merry Christmas!

Delivery: Sunday, December 18 after church. Two weeks later, after church, we will deliver our gifts to elderly homebound parishioners! After the Christmas program and caroling, we’ll divide into groups and visit 3-4 homebound parishioners each. Would you like to lead a group? Please see any of our Makers in the hall to coordinate. Or sign up to join a group that might be passing through your neighborhood! Please email niko@stgeorgegoc.org with any questions.

Union Depot Annual Holiday Bake Sale

Support Missions & Benevolence: on Saturday, Dec 10 in downtown St. Paul, 10am – 5pm. Along with top Twin Cities bakeries, M&B will offer their own Greek baked goods. https://fb.me/e/2VCivFnZz

Reminders

The Sunday Bulletin deadline is Wednesday at Noon each week. Blurbs, announcements, and photos can be emailed to office@stgeorgegoc.org. Also, Ministry Leaders: don't forget to check your mailboxes in the conference room periodically, thank you!

November-December 2022 Glad Tidings

Click https://www.stgeorgegoc.org/assets/GladTidings/GladTidings-2022-NovDec.pdf to see this issue which was mailed to homes on October 27.

2023 Wall Calendars

If you prefer NOT to receive a 2023 ecclesiastical wall calendar in the mail this year (and haven't already notified the office in previous years), please email office@stgeorgegoc.org or call the office at 651.222.6220; thank you!

Pictorial Directory

We’re in the final stages of preparing the Pictorial Directory (with family photos) for publication and will notify everyone when it becomes available!

2023 Winter Icon Classes from Korluka Studios

Session 1 “The Holy Face” at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Summit Avenue in St. Paul (including zoom) held on Tuesdays January 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 6-9 pm (Tuition $145.00).

Session 2 “Protection of the Theotokos” at St. George Greek Orthodox Church on Summit Avenue in St. Paul (including zoom) held on Tuesdays February 7, 21, 28 and March 7 from 6-9 pm (Tuition $145.00).

Please contact akorluka@aol.com or arsenault@gmail.com for registration. Materials are available at Wet Paint. More information to follow!

2023 Winter Camp - Save the Date!

January 13–16 at Camp St. Croix, youth grades 6-12. A weekend to be spent discussing how we can become better Orthodox Christians through practicing our faith and becoming vessels of the Holy Spirit. To register, visit https://bit.ly/wintercampreg. Cost $200 – To pay, visit: https://bit.ly/paywintercamp. See flyer here.

2023 Oratorical Festival

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24. This is the topic for the Oratorical Festival to be held at St. George GOC on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Wisdom of the Fathers

I cannot be silent about the story of Hesychius the Horebite. He passed his life in complete negligence, without paying the least attention to his soul. Then he became extremely ill, and for an hour he left his body.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

And when he came to himself, he begged us all to leave him immediately. And he built up the door of his cell, and he stayed in it for twelve years without ever uttering a word to anyone, and without eating anything but bread and water.

St. John Climacus

Ladder of Divine Ascent. Step 6: On Remembrance of Death, 6th Century

In Other News

Calling Mental Health Providers

Mark your calendars for the first gathering of Orthodox mental health providers in the Twin Cities Metro in this MEOCCA-sponsored event! Please join us for fellowship, snacks, and clinical consultation from 5:30-7:30pm on December 6 at Archangel Michael Hall (962 Forest St N, St Paul, MN 55106). RSVPS helpful to send to natasha@lakeandvalleyft.com, but not required!

Advent Concert - December 10

The Choir of St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral invites you to an Orthodox Advent Concert “Bear Witness to Wonder” on Saturday, December 10, at 7pm. Presented in the form of “Lessons and Carols”, this event comprises selections of Orthodox Liturgical Hymns from the Advent and Nativity seasons, para-liturgical songs, and beloved carols, framed by the Messianic prophecies and Gospel narratives concerning the mystery of Christ’s incarnation, that our God was born in human flesh.
Reception to follow in the Parish Center Dining Room. For more information, visit www.stmarysoca.org or call 612-781-7667.

FOCUS Now Accepting Winter Clothes

FOCUS is now accepting winter clothing especially winter outerwear of all sizes for men, women, and children. Bags can be taken to FOCUS House at 550 Rice Street, St Paul.

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.

2022 Roselawn Program Prices

Advance planning can give you and your family peace of mind and is also cost effective. Annual cost increases are typically at least 2% and have risen over 27% since 2013. The St. George Roselawn Cemetery Program continues to offer lots at Roselawn in Roseville for a 15% discount off list prices. All revenue from lots support our church and its ministries. These lots are in the St. George section, adjacent to the “Greek” section, and easily identifiable by the monument/altar table. Contact the church office for more information.

2022 Discounted Prices for Parishioners:

$6,715 = Monument Lot (2 Graves)

$4,670 = Flat Lot (2 Graves)

$2,995 = Flat Lot (1 Grave, Limited Availability)

This continues to be one of those great opportunities where you can support the church, save some money and create a legacy for your family all at the same time. Lots for both monument and marker stones are still available. Please follow Roselawn regulations for care and beautification of your lots.

Room Available for a Female Roommate near St. George

This home is a 2 bedroom/ 2bathroom condo about a mile south of Como Zoo. The owner is a mid-30s female who works in the nonprofit sector. She enjoys a clean and peaceful environment at home and would be happy to share her home with a fellow Orthodox Sister in Christ! Monthly rent is: $700 and includes all utilities, in-unit washer and dryer, off-street parking, and more. See photos here: bit.ly/CarlingDr_Rental. Email: alexis.s.nicolle@gmail.com for more information.

Saints and Feasts

November 20

Gregory the Righteous of Decapolis

Saint Gregory who was from Irenopolis of the Decapolis of Asia Minor, was the son of Sergius and Mary. He became a monk as a young man, and after struggling for many years in virtue and prayer under obedience to a wise spiritual father, he was informed by revelation that it was the will of God for him to live, like the Patriarch Abraham, with no certain dwelling, moving from place to place. His journeyings took him to Ephesus, Constantinople, Corinth, Rome, Sicily, Thessalonica, and again to Constantinople, where, after many labours in defence of Orthodoxy against Iconoclasm, he reposed in peace in the first half of the ninth century. He had two disciples, one of whom was Saint Joseph the Hymnographer (see Apr. 3), who wrote the Menaion service for Saint Gregory, his father in Christ.

November 21

The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.

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

$175,107 of $260,000 (through September)

Pledge Cards Received

As of November 17, 105 families have pledged a total of $171,683.

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.

Parish Email List Sign Up

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 or