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 Deacon Russell Hodge, Assisting Deacon

Reader Leonard Soroka, Director of Music

Church Phone - 651-457-0854                   Pastor’s Phone - 651-882-7809

SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2008

THE SUNDAY OF THE GREAT FEAST OF PENTECOST

TONE:                                                                                                               EOTHINON:                                                                                

On this day, we commemorate: The Feast Day of Pentecost.

                    

DIVINE LITURGY TODAY 

During and after the Little Entrance with the Gospel Book, sing the Troparion of Pentecost in Tone 8:

Most blessed art thou, O Christ our God, who when thou hast made the fisherman most wise, did send down upon them the Holy Spirit.  And through them didst fish the world into thy net; O lover of mankind, glory to thee.

Then sing the Kontakion of Pentecost in Tone 8: 

When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, he divided the nations; but when he distributed the tongues of fire, he called all to unity, and with one voice, we glorify the all-holy Spirit.

 

                         

Prokeimenon:  Their voice has gone out into all the earth.

                         The heavens declare the glory of God.

                 

EPISTLE: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles

(2: 1-11) 

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.   And     suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

     Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”      

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN

(7-37-52; 8:12)

       

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, “If anyone

thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now this He said about the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

     When they heard these words, many of the people said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ is descended from David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So there was a division among the people over Him. Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

     The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Are you led astray, you also? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd, who do not know the Law, are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our Law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee.”

     Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

HOLY BREAD

Holy bread is given today for the health of: Our Father and Bishop Mark, Archpriest Thomas, Kh. Elizebeth, John, Philip & Michael, Archmandrite Duane, Priest John & Kh. Jane, Kh. Vergin, Dn. Russell & Sh. Phyllis.  For the repose of the souls of the servants of God: The Archpriest John Khoury & ZuZu , John & Stelli Boojamra, and Solomon Murad. 
 

COFFEE HOUR

Coffee Hour will follow the Divine Liturgy. It will be served by the Ladies in Honor of Father's Day to all the men of St. George Church. Everyone is invited for this period of fellowship.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 again soon.  We invite you to participate in the Divine Liturgy, but due to the sad divisions in Christianity only baptized/chrismated members of the Orthodox Church who have made their Confession before an Orthodox priest and prepared themselves by fasting may receive Holy Communion.  Please come forward after Liturgy to venerate the Cross and partake of the Antidoron - Holy Bread - at the end of the Service. Please join us in the Parish Hall for Coffee Hour after the Liturgy.   

PRAY FOR THE SICK

Please pray for Lorraine DeFlorin, Wally Golden, Nicholas Marinkov, Don Droubie, Yasmin Kakish, Mary Saba, Erma Ziton, Peter Hafiz, John Etoll, Nicholas Bolt and John Feilmeier, Renee, Nick & Julie, Jackson & Hunter Golden, George Saba, Joni Meister, Julie Funari,

Denise, Christine, Robert & Barbara Hafiz,

If you are ill and wish to be remembered in the Liturgy and daily prayers of the priest, please

contact Father Tom. 

WELCOME!

We are privileged to welcome our Father in Christ, Bishop MARK.  We also welcome his Episcopal Assistant, Joe Olas, who is traveling with His Grace.  Many years Master! 

SPIRIT FEST & BISHOP’S VISIT

We at St. George are privileged to host Spirit Fest today, June 15, 2:00-5:00 P.M.  We will have many of the Orthodox Churches participate.  This is a chance for people across the Twin Cites to find out more about Orthodoxy.  Bishop MARK will be with us to preside over the Pentecost Vespers at 5:00 P.M. this evening. 

All parishioners are invited to attend Spirit Fest. It's a great opportunity for all to learn and share our faith.  Bishop MARK is the keynote speaker  

LADIES MEETING TUESDAY 6pm Tuesday, June 17. 
To all the ladies of  St. George, come and join us on Tuesday evening at 6pm, we 
will have dinner and then the meeting will follow. Hope to see you all there. 
Thanks, Sana 

CHOIR PRACTICE

We will have choir practice Wednesday, June 18 at 7:00 PM. 

PARISH COUNCIL

There will be a Parish Council meeting Thursday, June 19 at 6:30 P.M.

VESPERS

Vespers will be served at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, June 21. 

BENEVOLENCE FUND

Each month we ask our parishioners to make a free will donation to a worthy cause.  We have set a goal of ten dollars each month for those who chose to participate.  From June through August we will be supporting Neighbors, Inc.  Due to the rapid growth in the need for service to our local community, Neighbors finished the past year with a $15,000 deficit.  Let us act in Christian love and support those in need in our community!  Please mark your donation to the Benevolence Fund. 

DINNER REPORT

The Annual Spring Dinner ticket money has been collected. For those who have remaining tickets, please turn them in to Ellie Hafiz or Gracie Holmes. The total income now is $21,289.05. The net profit total is $16,312.35.  Thank You again for all your efforts to support our Church. You made it Happen!!  

FR. TOM & ST GEORGE FAMILY

I would like to thank you so very much for all the prayers, cards & visits during my surgery, hospital stay and recovery.  God is our healer, mind, body, and soul.  He was & is with me everyday.  His mercy & love are my joy and strength.  God bless all of you.

Christine Johnson. 

FFHP - Thank you to everyone for your contributions to FFHP.  $652.06 was forwarded to the Archdiocese.   

THE ORDER OF ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH

Did you know...?   The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch provides financial support to approved Orthodox outreach and charitable organizations such as IOCC, Project Mexico, and the Orthodox Study Bible.  The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch...become a part of this ministry.

 
The Order is the philanthropic arm of our Archdiocese.  For more information  
about becoming a member and being inducted by His Grace Bishop MARK in June,  
please contact Christina Andrews Worrall: 952-920-8020 or  
rjwcaw@comcast.net; Cindy Karos:  952-929-6371 or ckaros@visi.com; or any  
member of the Order. 
 
 

COFFEE HOUR

If you would like to host the coffee hour on Sunday after liturgy, please call Sana Jubran (651)-731-2988.  We need people to host coffee hour.  Also, please consider hosting the coffee hour the same day that you offer the holy bread.  Thank you. 
 

IMPORTANT

Fr. Tom has a friend who desires to come to the Twin Cities to pursue a monastic vocation.  His greatest concern at this time is to find a home for his dog Buster, which would then enable him to come to the Skete in Fridley.

He describes his dog in this way: Buster is a Bridle Terrier.  He is about knee high.  Slender in build with good muscle tone.  Buster is a very loving dog.  Buster is very loyal.  He is good with other animals and seems to be good with people in general, old and young.  He can be hyper but will calm down on command.  He can do high five’s, shake, and lie down on command.  He knows the word treat and gets excited by the word treat.  He is kennel trained and will go to the kennel on the command word cage.  I do take him to the dog park here in Sioux City at Bacon Creek park and he interacts very well with other dogs.  Buster also interacts well with cats.

Buster is a lover.  He loves positive feed back, kind words.  He also loves kisses and if you tell Buster to give you a kiss he will.  I feel Buster is fairly socialized and Buster has been around other animals and people since being a pup.

Buster was the runt of his liter.  He was so very small as a pup that I did not think that he would make it.  I bottled fed him because I did not think he was eating like he should.  Buster gets scared from thunder storms.  Buster loves the outdoors but also loves and enjoys being with his master.  He is a very social dog.  He greets me at the door when I come home.  He is fully potty trained.  As an interesting note, Buster when sick will go to his kennel to get sick.  I have never had to clean up throw up or the other when he has been sick, which was only once. 

Buster is very special, I feel. He loves just to be loved and he really does think he is a lap dog.  He loves to play and take car rides.  He will play fetch but, often times does not bring the stick back to you.  He is a very active dog and his new owner will also have to be active, maybe even more so than what I have been.  Also Buster can sit on command.  He also knows what you mean when you say, you want to go potty?  That is how I potty trained him by saying, you want to go potty?  Buster is very smart and I am sure there are so many things he could be taught.

Buster is at least two years old, I will double check.  I am not looking to sell him but to just give him away to the right owner, an owner that likes and loves Buster and who Buster will like and love.  Buster is a gift and as such should be given to a loving home.  I am thinking that I will come to the Skete by the end of this summer.

Please contact Fr. Tom if you, or someone you know, would like to have Buster.  He would be a great dog for a child and would allow our brother Anthony to come to the Twin Cities and take up the monastic life.   Thank You!  Fr. Tom 
 
 

BOOKSTORE

Deb is getting ready for her next trip to Russia and Ukraine. Please let me know if there is anything special that you want me to find. Some of you have already given me your requests. Due to the airline quota of checking in one suitcase, I probably will concentrate on bringing back more gold and silver crosses and chains, and smaller unusual items.

The store is always there for you as a spiritual resource. Please, I am always interested in your creative ideas to help engage sharing what the store has to offer. I am not bringing in very many new books anymore; new books are ordered by special request. The store will stock what is regularly selling; please feel free to place orders, or make a visit to Light and Life when you are in the area. We do not receive a discount on all books, therefore-do-not-hesitate to make a purchase in your most convenient way. There are so many good books available for Christian and Orthodox study, these books have the potential to become your best friend in grief, in pain, in growth and in discovering the joy of your faith!         

UPCOMING ICON CLASSES, LECTURES AND OPEN STUDIO ACTIVITIES!!

A monthly newsletter is released from my website at www.icon-art-studios.com                . Please subscribe to receive all upcoming information about exhibits, teaching and travel related to the study of iconography and Orthodox spirituality facilitated by Icon Art Studios and participating colleagues.  

Upcoming Tours and Pilgrimages to Russia and Ukraine

"The Art of Ballet St. Petersburg, Russia" June 17-29, 2008.  Saint Paul City Ballet, Icon Art Studios and Book It! Travel have collaborated to create a  very personalized and unique tour which will focus on the life of ballet, the arts and all general cultural tour sites in St. Petersburg. A day trip to Novgorod is scheduled which will include visits to art museums and monasteries. The tour ids designed to offer dancers master classes conducted by Gabriela Komleva, coach and prime ballerina of the Maryinsky Theatre (Kirov) in St. Petersburg. During the time of dance instruction, Deb and those not involved in the instruction will visit studios and other planned activities. Reservation space is still available for this tour. Brochure and registration is posted on the website.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thou hast raised up in Bethany Lazarus that was four days dead; for as soon as Thou camest to the tomb, Thy voice became life to the dead man.  Groaning aloud, Hades released him in fear.  O mighty miracle!  O Lord of many mercies, glory to Thee. 

Tone 1: 

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 Resurrection O Christ,

glory to Thy kingdom, glory to Thy providence, O Thou Who alone art the lover of mankind. 

Tone 2: 

When Thou didst submit Thyself  unto death, O Thou deathless and immortal One, then Thou

didst destroy hell with Thy Godly power. And when Thou didst raise the dead from beneath the earth, all the powers of heaven did cry aloud unto Thee: O Christ, Thou giver of life, glory to Thee. 

Tone 3: 

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm, He hath trampled down death by death and become the first born from the dead.  He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades granting the world the great mercy. 

Tone 4: 

Having learned the joyful message of the resurrection from the angel the women disciples of the Lord cast from them their parental condemnation and proudly broke the news to the disciples saying death hath been spoiled Christ God is risen granting the world great mercy. 
 

Tone 5: 

Let us believers praise and worship the Word coeternal with the Father and the Spirit born of the Virgin for our salvation.  For He took pleasure in ascending the cross in the flesh to suffer death and to raise the dead by His glorious resurrection. 

Tone 6: 

When Mary stood at thy grave looking for thy sacred body, angelic powers shone above they revered tomb and the soldiers who were to keep guard became as dead men.  Thou led Hades captive and wast not tempted there-by.  Thou didst meet the Virgin and didst give life to the world, O thou who art risen from the dead, O Lord, Glory to thee. 

Tone 7: 

Thou dist shatter death by Thy cross, Thou didst open paradise to the thief, Thou turn sadness of the ointment bearing women into joy, and didst bid thine apostles proclaim a warning that Thou hast risen O Christ, granting to the world the great mercy. 

Tone 8:

From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial, that Thou might deliver us from passion; Thou art our life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee. 

To the people of St. George Orthodox Church,  
The church council has approved the use of GoodSearch. Good Search is a search engine on the internet just like Google and Yahoo! In fact GoodSearch is powered by Yahoo! The difference is, with every search on GoodSearch, St. George will receive a donation. The people at GoodSearch receive sponsor/advertisement money and in turn give a portion of that money back to churches and other non-profit organizations listed with them. Here is how it works. Have GoodSearch as a bookmark and when you need to do a search, list the subject to be searched in the box provided and then click on St. George Orthodox Church in the dropdown right below the search box (The first time using the search you will have to type in St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church. Click on our church and for future searches the name will appear). Simple and easy, plus you are providing needed funds to the church. St. George is approved and on the GoodSearch list ready to use today!