Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church 1250 Oakdale Avenue West Saint Paul, Minnesota 55118 Parish Website: http://www.saintgeorge-church.org Very Reverend Archpriest Thomas Begley, Pastor Right Reverend Archimandrite Duane Pederson, attached Reverend Priest John Chagnon, attached V. Rev. Archpriest Paul Hodge, Assisting Priest Reverend Archdeacon Russell Hodge, Assisting Deacon Reverend Deacon John Mikhail, Assisting Deacon Reader Leonard Soroka, Director of Music

Church Phone - 651-457-0854 Pastor’s Phone - 651-882-7809 Cell: 612-723-0681 November 29, 2015 THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF LUKE TONE: 1 EOTHINON: 4 Commemorations: Martyr Paramonos and the 370 Martyrs in Bithynia; Martyr Philoumenos of Ancyra; Venerable Akakios of Sinai; Hieromartyr Dionysios, bishop of Corinth; Urban, bishop of Macedonia; Nicholas, archbishop of Thessalonica.

LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION IN TONE ONE While the stone was sealed by the Jews, and the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. For which cause the heavenly powers cried aloud unto Thee, O giver of life. Glory to Thy Res- urrection O Christ, glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind.

Now sing the apolytikion of St. George our patron saint.

KONTAKION OF PREPARATION OF CHRIST’S NATIVITY IN TONE THREE Today the Virgin cometh to the cave where she will give birth in an ineffable manner to the Word Who is before all the ages. Re- joice, therefore, O universe, when thou hearest it heralded: Glorify Him, with the angels and the shepherds, Who chose to be seen as a new-born babe, the God Who is before all the ages.

EPISTLE: Let Your mercy, O Lord be upon us. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.

The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians (5:8-19)

BZZ rethren, walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.

GOSPEL: The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (18:18-27) ATZZA t that time, a man came testing Jesus and asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’” And the man said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the man heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus, seeing him sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

HOLY BREAD Holy Bread is offered for the health and welfare of Brikti Haile, her family, Dehab, Girmay, Simon, Helen and her grandchildren and in memory of Brikti’s husband, mother, father, sisters, brothers and grandparents, who have fallen asleep in the Lord. COFFEE HOUR Coffee hour will follow the Divine Liturgy and is hosted by Brikti and her family. Please join us for this time of fellowship.

WELCOME to all our guests and visitors. We are delighted to have you visiting and worshipping with us this morning and hope that you return soon. We invite you to participate in the Divine Liturgy, but, sadly, due to the divisions in Christianity, only bap- tized/chrismated members of the Orthodox Church who have made their Confession before an Orthodox priest and pre- pared themselves by fasting may receive Holy Communion. Please come forward after Liturgy to venerate the Cross and par- take of the Antidoron-Holy Bread. Please join us in the Parish Hall for Coffee Hour after the Liturgy. Also, please turn off your cell phones and all electronic devices.

PRAY FOR THE SICK Please pray for Jim Etoll, Wally & Maria Golden, Allen & Nick Golden, John Etoll, Yasmin Kakish, Jakob Kakish, Carol Had- dad, Betty Ablan, Ted & Camille Goll, Kh. Vergin Khoury, Erma Ziton, Jackson & Hunter Golden, Mavis Aussey, Margaret Boalbey, Norm & Gracie Holmes, Dn. Russell & Phyllis Hodge, Sarah Vanlerberghe, Kh. Vera Proctor, Kh. Amy Hodge, Beryl Toms, Ellie Brynjulfson, Edgard Siouffy, Magdalen Ng, Berhane Haliemichael, John & Pat Burbank, George Droubie, Rosa Neimy, Sandi Heuer, Andree White, George Saba, Linda Hodge, Mitch, & Nancy Ayoub. If you are ill and wish to be remembered in the Liturgy and daily prayers of the priest, please contact Fr. Tom.

THIS WEEK

PARISH COUNCIL The Parish Council will meet Tuesday, December 1 at 6:30 P.M.

CHOIR Rehearsals on December 2, 9, 16 (Wednesdays at 7:00 pm) & Sunday following Divine Liturgy December 20. If need be December 23 at 7:00. – Lenny

ANTIOCHIAN WOMEN Our ladies meeting will be Thursday, December 3, 6:00 pm for dinner and meeting at 6:30 pm. After meeting, a special florist is coming to teach us to make a beautiful holiday centerpiece. A sample centerpiece is in the church hall. Those who are interested, please join us. Every one of you make a difference for the good. Thank you for being so supportive of your ladies club. – Sue P.

VESPERS We will serve Vespers, Saturday, November 28, at 5:00 PM.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME We welcome Sarah Botross to our St. George family. Sarah was received into the church this past week. Please take time to meet her, and welcome her to St. George.

2016 PARISH DIRECTORY A draft of the 2016 Parish Directory is located on a table in the Church Hall. Please review your contact information and cor- rect as needed. Thank you, Fr. Tom

NOVEMBER 15, 2015 FIRST DAY OF THE NATIVITY FAST This Fast is divided into two periods: The first is November 15th through December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (no meat, poultry, dairy, fish, wine, and in some traditions olive oil) is observed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with katalysis for wine and olive oil (some also permit fish) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and for fish, wine, and olive oil on Saturdays and Sundays. The second is the period of the Forefeast, December 20th through 24th, when the traditional fasting discipline is ob- served Monday through Friday, with katalysis for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday only.

MISSION TRIP "Hello brothers and sisters in Christ!” I have the incredible opportunity to go on a mission trip to San Miguel del Lago, an or- phanage and monastery in Guatemala. I will be going with a team of 14 from the different Orthodox churches in the Twin Cities from January 2nd-9th. We will eat, play, and worship with the children, perform some light maintenance work, and do any- thing else needed of us while we are there. I ask that you all keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this trip. If you’d like to make a donation to help support me, you can make checks out to St. George Church with "Jamie Zaine" on the memo line. I look forward to seeing everyone when I return from school in December. Thank you! Jamie Zaine

FOOD DRIVE Please help us stock the shelves of Neighbors Inc and Focus Minnesota this holiday season. Donations of nonperishable food items will be collected through Christmas. Please place items on the back collection tables outside the social hall and label the bag either Neighbors or Focus if you have a preference as to where you want your donation to go. Desired items include Pasta, sauce, mac and cheese, rice, cereals, tuna, peanut butter, soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, etc...Thank you in advance for your generosity.

UPCOMING EVENTS HOLY BREAD LIST COFFEE HOUR LIST December 6, Yousseff Haddad (memorial) Youssef Haddad December 13, Lamese McDowell/Nancy T. (mem) Nancy Toenniges and family December 20, Berhane and Kidan Berhane and Kidan December 25, Katrina Khoury Katrina Khoury

To schedule Holy Bread and/or memorial, please contact Joannie Alevizos. It is completely proper to have more than one memo- rial or Holy Bread on a Sunday. When signing up for Holy Bread, please indicate “yes” or “no” if you will also be providing coffee hour. If you would like to host a coffee hour please contact Sanaa Jubran. It is important to e-mail or call Fr. Tom or Brigitte Khoury [email protected] by Wednesday noon prior to the Sunday of your memorial, with your information in or- der to print the bulletin in a timely manner.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE BOOKSTORE/GIFT SHOP We will hold our holiday open house after church on December 6th. The store has many new icons and gift items for gift giving. Any sale during the open house will qualify for the raffle. The winner will receive a copy of the book, Seeking the Face of Christ- the Way of an Iconographer and a $15.00 gift certificate for the bookstore.

2016 DAILY LIVES, MIRACLES, AND WISDOM OF THE SAINTS AND FASTING CALENDAR This spiral bound 365-page daily devotional calendar is a great informational and spiritual guide. Order forms will be in the bookstore. Please order by December 15. Cost for each book is $19.00 (includes S&H)

HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE December 6 will be the day we do our annual cookie exchange in the Conference room after Divine Liturgy. Anyone may partici- pant who likes to bake cookies and share them. If 10 people sign up, bake 5 dozen cookies. Each person will get six cookies from each selection of cookies to put on your tray. A beautiful variety of cookies will go home with you. Please sign up on list in So- cial Hall and write down what kind of cookie you are baking so we have a variety. Thank You

ARABIC LITURGY Our next Arabic Liturgy has been changed to Friday, December 11, at 7:00 PM. This is a new starting time to allow people to get to church on time. Please do not come late!

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM/LENTEN POTLUCK Please join us on Sunday, December 13 after Divine Liturgy for this year's Christmas program /Lenten potluck and please bring a Lenten dish to share. Thank you to Myrna Rezcallah who has again volunteered to head up the program (if your child would like to be in the play, please contact Myrna by Nov 29). With the geography of the parishioners and the many secular events compet- ing for our children's time this program can be a challenge to coordinate, so please help get your children to whatever practices there are and work with them on saying or reading their parts at home.

GAME LEAGUE The next “Game League” will be Saturday, January 23 at St. George's Antiochian in West St. Paul. A Flyer and more details will follow! Hope you can make it!

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS If you would like to have an announcement published in the weekly bulletin, please note you must submit the information by Wednesday NOON before the Sunday you desire to have it in the bulletin. Please make sure the spelling of the names is correct.

KITCHEN USE The Parish Council has determined that anyone wishing to use the kitchen at any time must contact George Khoury to reserve their date and time on the kitchen calendar. Please remember, if you host a coffee hour you need to clean up the kitchen, take home the used linens, wash and return them, wipe the tables, take out the trash bags and put them into the dumpster. This is everyone's responsibility. Please help to preserve our beautiful hall.

It's More Than A Free Dinner Once a Week - FOCUS MN is Free Meals AND also Food Shelf, Clothes Closet, and is building a Mobile Clinic!. The Orthodox Community is working miracles! Please help out by bringing Shampoo, Tooth- paste/Toothbrushes, Aluminum Foil, Baggies - various sizes, Paper Towels, Coffee, Tuna, Spaghetti, Sauce, Cereal, Clothing, Men’s Shoes or giving of your time or money. For more info, go to http://areyouinfocus.weebly.com/ or contact our FOCUS li- aisons Pat Percy, Sue Perry or Lisa Mikhail.

NEIGHBORS INC A donation to Neighbors food shelf can make a bag full of groceries go a long way. By mixing and matching items, we can help a family eat balanced, nutritious meals. Many families assisted by our food shelf are working yet still hungry. Making a contribu- tion of food or dollars to Neighbors stays at Neighbors. The smallest things can make a big difference. Please give your cash do- nations to George Droubie or Michelle Apman. Thank you!