ST GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
REV FR RICHARD D. ANDREWS, PRESBYTER
www.stgeorgegoc.org

December 16, 2007 11TH SUNDAY OF LUKE

TODAY`S EVENTS: GREEK SCHOOL BAKE SALE
Epistle: Stephen Kanavati
Prosfora: Dimitra Kaniamos
Memorial: Yorgo, George & Mersina Kaniamos, Theodore Papakonstantinou, Georgios Vodenlis (40 days)
Fellowship: The Kaniamos Family and Sophie & Dimitri Pitsavas
Usher: Dimitri Dokos
12Noon: Junior Choir & Christmas Pageant rehearsals
4:30PM: Greek Dance Practice

Monday 12-17 Greek School 6:15PM
Thursday 12-20 MEOCCA Meeting at St Herman OCA 12Noon
Saturday 12-22 DIVINE LITURGY — ST ANASTASIA (relics in our Holy Altar Table) 9:00AM
Sunday 12-23 ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY — SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY 8:30AM
Children’s Christmas Program 12Noon
Greek School Bake Sale 12Noon
Greek School Caroling 2:00PM
Monday 12-24 ROYAL HOURS – EVE OF NATIVITY 8:00AM
VESPERAL LITURGY OF ST BASIL 10:00AM
OFFICE CLOSED — CHRISTMAS EVE
Tuesday 12-25 ORTHROS – NATIVITY OF OUR LORD 9:00AM
DIVINE LITURGY 10:00AM
OFFICE CLOSED — CHRISTMAS DAY

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
May His Memory Be Eternal!
George Tortorelis fell asleep in the Lord on December 12. Funeral and Burial were Saturday, December 15. Sympathies to his children, Dean & Athena Keifer, sister Joanna Angelis, and the rest of the family.

Sympathies & Prayers — to family of Craig Moskal, who fell asleep in the Lord on December 8 after a four year battle with cancer. Craig was a member of Holy Trinity OCA in Clayton, WI. He leaves his wife Angie and three children – Courtney (6th grade), Tiffany (4th grade), and Christopher (2nd grade). May his memory be eternal!

Advent Fast Intensifies
The Church has instituted a Fast during the 40 days preceding the Nativity of our Lord to help prepare us for this great and glorious Feast. The Fast prescribes that we should avoid all meat and dairy products during the 40 days. However, fish, wine and oil are permitted except on Wednesdays, Fridays and the period after December 17. Therefore, the Nativity Fast is different in nature and has a more joyous character than the Great Lent. Please remember to intensify your prayer life and giving of alms (good works for the benefit of others) along with fasting. The Fast is also an appropriate time to express your repentance by coming to the priest for Holy Confession. Please call to make an appointment.

Christmas Celebration
Jesus’ birthday will arrive shortly. His Father has invited everyone to come to His home and celebrate. Please accept the invitation and plan to come. There are two liturgies, one on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas day that provide ample opportunity for many to participate. Be an example to your family and friends of true Orthodox ascetical practice and joy. If you are traveling, be safe, and look for a church to attend during your trip.

Come Receive The Light National Orthodox Radio Program — 12/21/07 Listen Saturdays, KKMS 980AM, at 5PM, or anytime at www.receive.org

Trinity Mission Food Shelf
·Annual Adopt-a-Family — This year, St George parish has adopted 9 families from Trinity Mission Food Shelf in St Paul for Christmas gift giving. Please sign up for one person or an entire family. The sign up poster is located in the social hall along with description sheets to help you purchase gifts and necessities. The deadline to get the items to St George was Sunday, December 9. If you have any questions, please speak with Presvytera Jane.
·Fifteen (15) bags of groceries were delivered during our Parish Community Night on November 14. We will
be going again on Wednesday, December 19. Please continue to give and support families in need.

Church Fathers Speak: – Everyone is made in God’s image; but to be in His likeness is granted only to those who through great love have brought their own freedom into subjection to God. For only when we do not belong to ourselves do we become like Him who through love has reconciled us to Himself. No one achieves this unless he persuades his soul not to be distracted by the false glitter of this life. St Diadochos of Photiki

Greek Dancers Of Minnesota Rehearsal TODAY
This is the final rehearsal before Christmas break. There is no practice December 23 & 30, or January 6. Rehearsals start again January 13, 4:30-6:30PM.

Wisdom from the Fathers
Fight always with our thoughts and call them back when they wander away. God does not demand of those under obedience that their thoughts be totally undistracted when they pray. And do not lose heart when your thoughts are stolen away. Just remain calm, and constantly call your mind back. St John Climacus

Basketball Program Beginning
Our basketball program for all ages is starting up again. We invite children of all ages to sign-up for practices and the GOYAL tournament in East Moline, February 8,9,10, 2008. There are divisions for men, women, boys, girls and JOY. Info packets for tournament are available on www.greekbball.org. Some paper copies are in the social hall. Please email Fr Rick at fatherrick@usa.com or call the office to sign-up.

Stewardship Update
·All parishioners will receive a statement and letter in the mail. This is to remind and encourage everyone to give generously and sacrificially before the end of the year to meet our budget and fully support the ministries of our parish. Thank you for fulfilling your obligations to the Lord.
·As of December 13, 56 parishioners have submitted a pledge card. If you have not already, please make your commitment of time, talents and treasures to God in our parish of St George. We are encouraging everyone to tithe (give 10% of gross income) by increasing their giving from the previous year.
·Current versus Future Year donation – some people may wish to pay their stewardship pledge for next year before December 31 to maximize their charitable tax deductions. If you wish to do this, please mark your envelope and/or check clearly so that we may record it properly. Your statement will reflect only donations given in the current year.

Parish Christmas Card and Christmas Flowers
Today is the last day to submit your name and donation for the Parish Christmas card and Christmas flowers. See insert to fill out form and submit donation.

Glad Tidings deadline: the 10th of each month. Example; Jan 10th for Feb 2008 Glad Tidings.
Glad Tidings email: stgeorgegladtidings@excite.com
Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday Noon each week. Secretary’s email: fionamaria_1@netzero.net

---

St. George Church
1111 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105

Phone: (651) 222-6220
Fax: (651) 225-9276
Website: www.stgeorgegoc.org
Email: stgeorgegoc@msn.com

Proistamenos: Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews
Email: fatherrick@usa.com