Greeters

Dylan Eisenhuth, Bill Clemons

Prosfora

Panorea Contolatis

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to Krisandrea Ballas and family for hosting this Sunday. 

Memory Eternal

It is with a heavy heart but with hope in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that we share with you the passing of +Lazaros Christoforides on November 24, 2022. Please click here to view +Lazaros' obituary. or https://willwerscheid.com/tribute/details/299698/Lazaros-Christoforides/obituary.html#tribute-start

May his memory be eternal! May the Lord grant him rest where all the saints repose.

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!

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. A price increase is expected January 1, 2023. Any purchase initiated after the new year will be subject to new pricing.

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. 

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...“

OUR 2022 STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM IS QUICKLY COMING TO A CLOSE!

Help us reach our 2022 goal! There is still time to pledge and contribute to the 2022 program.

A message from our chair...

As we enter the Holiday Season, we are reminded of the people and organizations that we are thankful for in our lives...one of which is St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Stewardship dollars provide the means for many of the services to our parish that are needed and valued by our community.... a place for prayer, community engagement and God's Mission—work for the greater good. For our parish to continue its work, please consider making St. George a part of your long term gifting plans for now and the future. We have included a list of some planned giving financial mechanisms that you and your family might consider.

1) An outright gift to the church whether as transfer of securities or writing a check or a contribution via credit card.

2) A gift from your IRA directly to the church which has great tax advantages (contributions up to $ 100,000 and upon the age of 72 years).

3) A gift from your trust or estate that is deferred.

4) If you are reviewing your will and estate designations, ask your financial advisor about including St. George in one of the following ways:      Charitable Remainder Trust; Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust; Charitable Annuity Trust or a Charitable Lead Trust.

However you choose to support St. George, we are forever grateful for your gifts and for your being a member of our community!

Yours in Christ,
Alexis Bighley, Stewardship Chair

2022 Stewardship Goal

$205,190 of $260,000 (through October)

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.

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 

Sign up for our email list to see what’s happening at St. George!

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 

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.

Below are the topics for the Oratorical Festival to be held at St. George GOC on Sunday, April 2, 2023. 

SENIOR DIVISION (GRADES 10-12) 

TOPIC 1
The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople is the highest seat and the Mother Church of Orthodox Christians. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. Discuss how the Patriarchate has been a symbol of unity, a source of missionary growth, an advocate of dialogue among Christians, and a defender of the historical Orthodox Faith. 

TOPIC 2
During times of crisis, our faith is tested. How are Orthodox Christians taught to understand and manage pain and suffering? 

TOPIC 3
The Christian message in C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has influenced many believers of Christ. How has another work of fiction inspired people to seek Jesus Christ?

TOPIC 4
We have lived through a pandemic and emerged with deep societal divides. How can our faith in Christ heal us and take us forward together?

TOPIC 5
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ both transforms the relationship between God and humanity and alters the course of history. How would you explain its significance to someone who has not heard about it or is unsure if God exists?

JUNIOR DIVISION (GRADES 7-9)

TOPIC 1
Orthodox tradition teaches that the saints remain spiritually active beyond their earthly life. Discuss how we ask the Saints to intercede and pray for us and why.

TOPIC 2
Orthodox Christians honor the Virgin Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos. What does the Orthodox Church believe about her and her role in our salvation?

TOPIC 3
The sacraments are the mysteries of the Church through which God gives us His grace by actions, words, and material objects (for example, oil, wine, and bread). Pick one sacrament and explain its meaning.

TOPIC 4
Jesus models and teaches humility throughout His life and ministry. Discuss the challenges of living according to Jesus’ teachings in a society that does not necessarily emphasize humility.

TOPIC 5
Consider and discuss why and how icons are central to our faith and Orthodox practice.