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

December 23, 2007       SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

TODAY`S EVENTS: CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Epistle: Ted Andrews
Prosfora: Rita Kanavati
Fellowship: The Greek School Bake Sale
Usher: Joe Weiser
12Noon: Christmas Pageant
2:00PM: Greek School Caroling

Monday 12-24 EVE OF NATIVITY OF OUR LORD — ROYAL HOURS — 8:00AM
VESPERAL LITURGY OF ST BASIL 10:00AM
OFFICE CLOSED — CHRISTMAS EVE
NO Greek School
Tuesday 12-25 NATIVITY OF OUR LORD — ORTHROS – 9:00AM
DIVINE LITURGY 10:00AM
OFFICE CLOSED — CHRISTMAS DAY
Saturday 12-29 Hellenic Holiday Party at St Mary GOC 6:00PM
Sunday 12-30 ORTHROS & DIVINE LITURGY — SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY 8:30AM
Monday 12-31 NO Greek School
Annual Baffa New Year’s Party at St Mary GOC 7:30-11:15PM
Tuesday 01-01-08 DIVINE LITURGY — ST. BASIL / CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD 10:00AM
OFFICE CLOSED — NEW YEAR”S DAY

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
May Her Memory Be Eternal! — Helen Graves, a shut-in of our parish, fell asleep in the Lord Friday, December 14. Her Funeral and Burial took place on December 18.

Congratulations! — To George & Christy Antoniou, proud parents of daughter Julia. Congratulations also to Yiayia Marina & Papou John and to brother Yanni.

Children’s Christmas Program
Thank you to all the leaders, volunteers and participants in this year’s program. Great job!

Christmas Celebration
Jesus’ birthday is in two days. 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.

End Of Year Giving
·Help us meet our budgeted income goals by giving generously and sacrificially. Please be sure to mail or bring your end-of-year contributions on or before next Sunday, December 30, so they may be deposited and credited to your 2007 statement. Contributions for 2007 received after December 30 will be credited to your 2007 stewardship but will appear on your 2008 statement.
·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. Thank you for your support.

6TH Annual Rob Baffa Safe New Year’s Eve Party — 7:30-11:15PM, Monday, December 31, 2007, St Mary GOC. Bring in the New Year on New York Time with Face Painting, Moon Walk, Youth Room, Open Gym, Board Games, Karaoke, DDR & Guitar Hero, Bingo, (temporary) Tattoos, a piñata, and light dinner! $10 for ages 11+, $8 ages 4-10 years, 3 and under, Free! Ticket deadline Sunday, Dec 30. Nancy & Bryn Hartwig, 952-949-6149

Come Receive The Light National Orthodox Radio Program — 12/29/07 Listen Saturdays, KKMS 980AM, at 5PM, or anytime at www.receive.org

Trinity Mission Food Shelf
Don’t forget those less fortunate; their need continues after Christmas is over. Fifteen (15) bags of groceries were delivered during our Parish Community Night on November 14. On Wednesday, December 19, additional bags were delivered by the Missions & Benevolence committee. Please continue to give and support families in need.

Church Fathers Speak: – This is the true athlete—one who is crowned for having victory over all passions in the great stadium, the world. For He who directs the contest is the Almighty God, and He who awards the prize is the Only-begotten Son of God. Angels and demons are the spectators. And the context, containing all the different exercises, is “not against flesh and blood,” but against the spiritual powers of unregulated passions that work through the flesh. Those who master these struggles and overthrow the tempter win eternal life. St Clement Alexandria

Greek Dancers Of Minnesota — There is no practice December 23 & 30, or January 6. Rehearsals start again January 13, 4:30-6:30PM.

Stewardship Update
·All parishioners should have received 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. Help us meet our budget and fully support the ministries of our parish. Thank you for fulfilling your obligations to the Lord.
·As of December 19, 60 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.

Wisdom from the Fathers
Fasting from food is of no benefit for those who fail to fast with all their senses; for whosoever is successfully wagin his battle must be temperate in all things. St Isidore of Pelusium

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.

Coming Up In January- Plan Ahead
·Theophany, the revelation of the Holy Trinity at Christ’s baptism is on Sunday, January 6. We will celebrate with the Great Agiasmos Holy Water Blessing Service and the cutting of the Vasilopita St Basil’s Bread.
·Bible Study at Fr Rick and Pres Jane’s home on Tuesday, January 8. It is an informal discussion about the following Sunday’s gospel and/or epistle reading. Bring a friend.
·Youth Tubing Event on Saturday, January 12; stay tuned for more info.
·Parish Family Night on Friday, January 18, at the home of Tony and Toni Selliris. A fellowship gathering for everyone, including kids. Please RSVP to tselliris@yahoo.com, 715-386-5490.

Visit the Home-Bound
Please visit our home-bound during the holidays. They greatly appreciate your company.

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

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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