Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Tone. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8.
TIMOTHY, my son, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Προκείμενον. Plagal Second Tone. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 27.9,1.
Σῶσον, Κύριε τὸν λαὸν σου καὶ εὐλόγησον τὴν κληρονομίαν σου.
Στίχ. Πρὸς σἐ, Κύριε, κεκράξομαι ὁ Θεός μου.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Τιμόθεον β' 4:5-8.
Τέκνον Τιμόθεε, νῆφε ἐν πᾶσιν, κακοπάθησον, ἔργον ποίησον εὐαγγελιστοῦ, τὴν διακονίαν σου πληροφόρησον. Ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι, καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἐμῆς ἀναλύσεως ἐφέστηκεν. Τὸν ἀγῶνα τὸν καλὸν ἠγώνισμαι, τὸν δρόμον τετέλεκα, τὴν πίστιν τετήρηκα· λοιπόν, ἀπόκειταί μοι ὁ τῆς δικαιοσύνης στέφανος, ὃν ἀποδώσει μοι ὁ κύριος ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, ὁ δίκαιος κριτής· οὐ μόνον δὲ ἐμοί, ἀλλὰ καὶ πάσιν τοῖς ἠγαπηκόσιν τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτοῦ.
Sunday before Epiphany
The Reading is from Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophets, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.' John was baptizing in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Sunday before Epiphany
Κατὰ Μᾶρκον 1:1-8
᾿Αρχὴ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ, υἱοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ. ῾Ως γέγραπται ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου· φωνὴ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ, ἐγένετο ᾿Ιωάννης βαπτίζων ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν. Καὶ ἐξεπορεύετο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσα ἡ ᾿Ιουδαία χώρα καὶ οἱ ῾Ιεροσολυμῖται, καὶ ἐβαπτίζοντο πάντες ἐν τῷ ᾿Ιορδάνῃ ποταμῷ ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐξομολογούμενοι τὰς ἁμαρτίας αὐτῶν. Ἦν δὲ ὁ ᾿Ιωάννης ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περὶ τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐσθίων ἀκρίδας καὶ μέλι ἄγριον. Καὶ ἐκήρυσσε λέγων· ἔρχεται ὁ ἰσχυρότερός μου ὀπίσω μου, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς κύψας λῦσαι τὸν ἱμάντα τῶν ὑποδημάτων αὐτοῦ· ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβάπτισα ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι, αὐτὸς δὲ βαπτίσει ὑμᾶς ἐν Πνεύματι ῾Αγίῳ.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
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Welcome Newcomers & Visitors!
Please stop by the Welcome Table at Coffee Hour!
We would love to meet you!
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Altar Poinsettia Plants are sponsored by Billy & George Athans
in loving memory of their parents Peter & Georgia Athans
Altar Flowers are offered to the Greater Glory of God
& in loving memory of Spiros & Helen Michals
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Memorial
Peter S. Argyris ~ 1 year
May his memory be eternal
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Upcoming Services
Monday, January 6, 2020
Theophany
8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
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Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Saint John the Baptist
8:30 am Orthros 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
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Sunday, January 5, 2020
St. George Philoptochos Vasilopita Reception
Cultural Center
Contacts: Gayle Billows: 732-241-5323; Deirdre Kosmas: 732-766-2733;
Angie Vrettos: 908-489-8880
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Thursday, January 9, 2020 ~ Kali Parea Vasilopita Luncheon ~ 12 noon
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Sunday, January 12, 2020 ~ following Divine Liturgy
Video Presentation ~ Library
'Fishers of Men: Winning Converts to the Orthodox Faith'
Refreshments & Coffee
See flyer
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Bible Study
Book of James
Beginning Tuesday, January 28th 7:00 - 8:00 pm library
Bring Bible & pen & paper
Facilitators: Teri Lalli and Father Andrew
Questions, please contact Teri: lalliptds@comcast.net
1/28 James - Chapter 1
2/11 James - Chapter 2
2/18 James - Chapter 3
3/10 James - Chapter 4
3/17 James - Chapter 5
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SAVE THE DATE!!!
St. George Annual Lenten Retreat and Luncheon
Saturday, March 28, 2020 ~ 10 am - 3 pm
'Healing Our Diseases: The Church as a Spiritual Hospital'
Retreat Master: Father Josiah Trenham
Cultural Center
Friday, March 27, 2020 ~ following Salutations ~ Library
Meet & Greet Father Josiah
See Flyer
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MUSTARD SEED BOOKSTORE and ST. BASIL'S LENDING LIBRARY
Orthodoxy is a way of life. Let us help you bring it into the lives of others. Keep us in mind for upcoming name days, birthdays and special occasions.
Stop by & see new items in stock including upcoming Book Corner recommended reading! Can't find what you want? Ask about our ordering options. Open Sundays following Divine Liturgy & during Church Office Hours.
SHARING OUR FAITH BOOK CORNER
***DATE CHANGE***
'Let All Creation Rejoice: Reflections for Advent, The Nativity and Epiphany' by Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis (Mustard Seed Bookstore $20)
NEW DATE: Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm with refreshments
Church Library
All invited to join in our discussion of the author's message & share encouragement
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Sunday School 2019 - 2020
Reminders and info via text messages, text @familiesst to 81010
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STEWARDSHIP
2020 Stewardship forms are available at the church office or the narthex
If you have not pledged or contributed for 2019, it is not too late to submit your 2019 form
and become a supporting Steward of our St. George. If you do not feel like filling out a form for
2019, but would like to contribute, please do so from your heart and to the best of your ability.
"As the Father has sent me, so I send you!" (John 20:21)
Be a part of the St. George Family!!!
Stewardship is an opportunity to examine our priorities and values, to express our thankfulness
for all the blessings God has bestowed upon us, and to grow in grace.
Please Complete your 2020 Commitment Form today!
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men….” (Colossians 3:23)
Thank you to all our faithful Stewards for their support of our St. George Stewardship Program!
If not you – who? If not now – when?
Time + Talent + Treasure = Stewardship!
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PLEASE NOTE: Recurring Stewardship payments for 2019 do not automatically renew for 2020. Please set up your payments for 2020.
ENJOY THE CONVENIENCE OF ELECTRONIC GIVING!!!
Did you know that St. George Church offers you the convenience of electronic giving? You can now make all donations to your parish life online! Pledge & donate your Stewardship for 2019 online! Give your weekly candle and tray offerings, Easter offerings, Epitaphios offerings, as well as donations towards the Epitaphio flowers, coffee hour, cemetery grave purchases and more! You can pledge & donate online to our Iconography Project. Be a part of our Community Icon, or donate an icon of your own.
You can make a one-time payment, or schedule weekly/monthly/quarterly payments automatically! For additional information contact the church office or log onto www.stgeorgeap.org/vanco and start today!
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STEWARDSHIP TABLE
For questions regarding Stewardship, please visit our Stewardship Table during any Sunday Coffee Hour or contact the Church Office
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ICONOGRAPHY PROJECT UPDATE
At this time of Thanksgiving, we, the community of St George Ocean, NJ, have much to be thankful for. We celebrated our 90th Anniversary this fall. As we outgrew our roots in Asbury Park, we began a journey to expand our footprint in Ocean, NJ. Despite a recession, we were able to begin construction in 2008, celebrate our Thyranixia in 2012, and complete the Iconography necessary to Consecrate our church in 2020. More important than the physical vessels that we have built are the ministries that have flourished.
I would like to thank Father Andrew, our Parish Presidents Spiro Pappas and John Vrettos; the Executive Iconography Committee Members including Athena Loesch; Manny Tsarnas our attorney;
Parish Council members George Costidis, Theo Koufidakis, George Moutis, Mike Psomias, Barbara Kissas Terlecsky, and Peter Thomas; Scaffolding Committee members Marko Parlamas and George Nicholas; Fundraising Subcommittee Chair John Michals; the entire Iconography Committee including Pandora Jacobs; Karen Catizone; all the donors including our Ministries and Organizations; our Iconographers George Giariskanis, Manolis/Basilios/Constantinos/Alexandros Vlachos, Antonios Ladias, Nikos Bakalias, Anastasia Mavridou, Peter Giariskanis, Antonis Anastisiades, and mosaic craftsman Marion Apatachioae; and Atlas Pro Scaffolding.
Without all of your collaboration and support, we would not have gotten this far.
On December 1, we celebrated Iconography Sunday where Phase 2 Iconography was unveiled. We ask those of you who have pledged to fulfill your pledge, and those of you who have not yet contributed to join us. The following icons are available:
7 Prophets
7 Crosses in Windows
Crucifixion
Pentecost
2 Scenes of Life of St George (George Moutis is organizing Georges who would like to contribute)
St Rafael Nicholas Irene to Left of Choir Loft
St Katerina to Right of Choir Loft
Medallions- Gabriel and Michael
St Antonios Behind Icon Stand
In the Altar
2 Hierarchs Half (Gregory and Fotios)
Diakonikon
4 Deacons
2 Angels Gabriel and Michael
Artoforio Amnos tou Theo
Gold Leaf Program
Or Any donoation you would like to offer to the Community Icon
We thank you for your generosity.
Chair Anne Papageorge
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Faithful Hands Crochet & Knitting Ministry
Faithful Hands ministry is making baby blankets for a local group to send all throughout the world to families with babies recovering from airway surgery. These tiny babies need our extra hugs and prayers!
If you have any leftover baby yarn you can donate to our project, please drop it into our YARN DONATION box near our Mustard Seed bookstore. Any color yarn would be a blessing!
Please visit copingwithlm.org for more information on this caring group. Of course EVERYONE is welcome to join our Faithful Hands group - see our notice below for dates and times!
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Join us for fun and fellowship: create beautiful lap blankets and baby blankets for 40 day blessings. Beginners and experienced crocheters and knitters welcome! Help us in our current project making lap blankets for St. Michael's residents. Yarn, Needles and Hooks provided. Afternoon group - Tuesdays 4:00pm - 6:00pm in the Library. Please contact Bea Paparsenos at: 732-922-9463 or email: beapap@live.com
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St. George Philoptochos "Cookbook"
To order our fabulous cookbook
Please send an email to Errie Teevan
cteevan@optonline.com or call 732-294-9327
See Flyer below
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Fellowship in Prayer
"Heavenly father physician of our souls and bodies, you have sent Your only-begotten Son and Our Lord Jesus Christ to heal every sickness and infirmity, we ask that you visit and heal also your servants Melina, Sue, Kosta, George, Nick, George, Art, Madoula, Georgia, Maria, Steve, George, Elly, Tiffany, Tyler, Jerry, Vicki, Cleo, Stephen, Mihali, Alexios, Alexandra, Hurricane Dorian people, George, Donna, Joseph, Barbara, Megan, Matthew, Amber, Domna, Spiro, Gabe, Angela, Maria and our Security Forces from all physical and spiritual ailments through the grace of Your Christ. Grant them patience through this hardship, strength of body and spirit and recovery of health. Lord, You have taught us through Your word to pray for each other that we may be healed. We pray that You heal Your Servents and grant them the gift of complete joy in You. For You are the source of healing and to You we give glory in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen!
For an addition to this list,
please contact the Church Office: 732-775-2777
or George Moutis gmoutis@scinj.com
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ST. GEORGE SOCIAL MEDIA
Remember to register St. George Greek Orthodox Church for all your Amazon purchases. Our Church receives .5% for every purchase. Simply paste the link below in your browser, to be directed to the registration page Amazonsmile: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/21-0643361. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn. Watch our live services each Sunday.
Link for our web site for your convenience: www.stgeorgeap.org
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE ST. GEORGE?
Get trained for Narthex Service: open/close the doors, extinguish candles & clean Icons, 7-Day Candle Placement; rotating schedule for service. Can you help? Please contact the Church Office at 732-775-2777.
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BUILDING CAMPAIGN
Several naming opportunities for our building campaign are available:
johnp@warshauer.com or johnvret@aol.com
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CHURCH OFFICE
Friendly reminder: When making a contribution, please ensure all checks include the specific “fund” and year where your contribution should be applied. THANK YOU!!
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AS DEVOTED AND RESPECTFUL
PARISHIONERS OF ST. GEORGE
Please be considerate and make room in the pews for others. If you insist on keeping the end of the pew, please be aware of others looking for a seat and step out to allow them to enter. Those in the stasidia must step down onto the floor as follows: *When the Gospel is being read, *During the Small and Great entrances, *During Holy Communion. It is disrespectful to stand higher than the Holy Gifts. Please instruct your children in this discipline as well.
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PROCEDURE FOR HOLY COMMUNION DISMISSAL
In order to insure proper reverence for the Holy Gifts before us:
1) Please exit FROM YOUR ROW, row by row into the CENTER AISLE
2) Only Newly-Illumined Christians, infants from the crying room, Sunday School teachers and their families, and the Choir proceed from the back rope-FIRST
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WHO ARE MAINTAINING ORDER FOR YOUR PRAYERFUL APPROACH
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SECURITY
All doors and lights must be secured before leaving facility. The Township of Ocean has advised that fire lanes must be kept clear. Lost keys or fobs will require a fifty dollar fee to replace. Please do not adjust the thermostats.
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Effective Immediately - the following items are prohibited during church services:
Back Packs of any size - Shopping bags
Fanny Packs - Brief Cases
Shoulder Book bags - Luggage of any type
Boxes of any kind - Food or Drinks
Cameras or Video equipment
For any questions, please see a Parish Council Member
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, March 28, 2020 ~ 10 am - 3 pm St. George Annual Lenten Retreat & Luncheon Retreat Master: Fr. Josiah Trenham 'Healing Our Diseases: The Church as a Spiritual Hospital'
Philoptochos Cook Book
Environmental Stewardship and Protection Ministry
Spiritual Enrichment Winter 2020