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, AUGUST 24, 2008

THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

TONE: 1                                                                                                                 EOTHINON: 10                                                                            

On this day, we commemorate:  Hieromartyr Euthyches, Disciple of John the Theologian; New Hieromartyr Cosmas Aitolos, equal to the Apostles and Evangelizer of Southern Albania.

 

DIVINE LITURGY TODAY

 

During and after the Little Entrance with the Gospel Book, sing the Troparion of the resurrection in 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.

 

Then sing the Troparion of St. George.

 

The Kontakion of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Tone 4.

 

By thy holy nativity, O immaculate one, Joachim and Anna were delivered from the reproach of barrenness, and Adam and Eve from the corruption of death; thy people celebrate it, having been saved from the penalty of their transgressions, crying unto thee:  The barren doth give birth to the Theotokos, the nourisher of our life.

                      

                           Prokeimenon:  Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us.

                                                    Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.

 

EPISTLE: The Reading is from St. Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians

 (4:9-16)

B

 

  

rethren, God has exhibited us Apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death;

because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill clad and buffeted and homeless; and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things.

     I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

 

THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW

A

(17:14-23)

       

t that time, a man came up to Jesus and kneeling before Him said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Thy disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because you have no faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. This kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.”

     As they were traveling together through Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.”

 

HOLY BREAD

Holy bread is given for the health and welfare of Sandi and Rick Heuer. In memory of Robert Heuer.

MEMORIAL

Trisagion is served for the repose of the soul of Joseph Hodge. May is memory be eternal!

 

COFFEE HOUR

Coffee Hour will follow the Divine Liturgy. Everyone is invited for this period of fellowhip. .

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

W

ELCOME 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, 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, & Mavis, Reader Michael.

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

contact Father Tom.

 

AUGUST 24th CHURCH PICNIC 

The church picnic  will start after the Divine Liturgy today, August 24th.  The picnic will be held at Garlough Park in West St. Paul.  The park is next to Garlough Elementary School on the corner of Marie and Charlton.   Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring a salad or dessert to share.  Bring your own beverage.  The park has a softball field, playground, basketball court, area to throw a football and walking trails.   We hope you can join us for this fun family event!

 

CHOIR

Choir practice will be held Wednesday, August 27 at 7:00 P.M.

 

VESPERS  

We will serve Vespers Saturday, August 30 at 5:00 P.M.

 

MEMORIAL GIFTS

St. George Orthodox Church has received a memorial gift of three, beautiful cloth Gospel covers and one gold cloth cover for the chalice and diskos.  These donations were made in memory of Joe Hodge by his family.  St. George has also received gift toward the building program in Joe’s memory.  May his memory be eternal!

 

MEALS ON WHEELS

For over 20 years members of our parish have been participating in this program delivering hot meals to shut-ins in South St. Paul, West St. Paul and in Inver Grove Hts., representing our church (with 19 other churches).  It is a very rewarding program and very much appreciated.  The following persons are presently drivers from our church and we recognize them today: Sandi Heuer, Betty Ablan, Ramona and John Etoll.  If you are interested in substituting once in a while, see Sandi Heuer.  We deliver once a month.  Past Drivers were: Grace and Norm Holmes, Bev and Joe Zaine, Joan Alevizos, George Droubie and Reem Burnham.

 

BAKING - BAKLAWA

We will be baking another batch of Baklawa on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 9:30 A.M. If you are able to help, call Sue Perry - 651-905-0123.

 

BAKE SESSION FOR FESTIVAL/BAZAAR

We had a successful bake session on Wed. 8-13-08 making Beautiful Baklawa with Barbara Hafiz. Thanks to Barbara and her crew- Khouria Beth, Rosa, Beverly. Ellie Hafiz, Lamese, Georgette, Vicky Jabbra, Betty Arcand, Denise Ferraro, Gracie Holmes, Brenda Hafiz, Betty Ablan, Bobbie Hafiz, Joannie and Aurelia. Thanks to Angelos for catering the delicious lunch donated by Barbara and Bob Hafiz.  We want to thank all those who helped Rosa and Lamese with the Apricot Fingers on Saturday, 8-23-08. We are very fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers at St. George

 

MAKING HOLY BREAD

Rosa Neimy will be making Holy Bread the next four Saturdays (Aug 23rd - Sept. 13th).  If you are interested in learning how to make Holy Bread the way Rosa does, please contact her.  It's a tradition she is glad to pass on.  Thank you Rosa!

 

CHURCH SCHOOL

Anybody with a child 4 years or older by September of this year, who is not enrolled in the Church school program and would like to be, please contact Lisa Mikhail (952-888-8419) or JoAnne Droubie (651-457-4218) so they get added to our class lists.

 

SOMBOOSIK FOR THE FESTIVAL/BAZAAR

We will be baking Somboosik, Tuesday, September 9th, beginning at 9:30. Your help is needed to make these cookies or packing them. Men and  women (you will enjoy the fellowship). Questions: Beverly Zaine

 

CHURCH SCHOOL STARTS SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH

The first day of Sunday school will be Sept. 14th. Students should gather in the church by 8:45 for a group meeting with Father Tom. At 9:00 the students will split into their separate classes. The commissioning of the Church school will follow the Divine Liturgy. All students, parents, grandparents, and godparents are encouraged to be in attendance.

 

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Are you buying school supplies this year? If so, why not help area school children by throwing a few extra items in your shopping cart? St. George Church is sponsoring a school supply drive to benefit low-income students. New pens, markers, notebooks and glue sticks can help students feel ready to start the new year.  Supplies needed include backpacks, markers, colored pencils, crayons, bottled and stick glue, loose leaf paper, pencils, pens of blue, black, and red ink, erasers, scissors, etc....Donations will be accepted through September 28th.  All donations are appreciated!!!

 

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.

 

WANTED CLEAN SHEETS

We need sheets for the bread baking. If you have any, please bring them to Church. Questions: Beverly Zaine.

 

MINNEAPOLIS GREEK FESTIVAL

St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church will host its annual “Taste of Greece” September 5-7.  Please check the Flyer on the bulletin board for further information.  Free tickets are available on the table by the bulletin board!

 

SAINT GEORGE CHURCH FALL FESTIVAL AND BAZAAR 2008!!

SAVE THE DATE!!!  

    If anyone would like to be a Sponsor, do an Advertisement, Business Card or in Memory or in Honor of a Loved One Donation, please let us know. Please inform your friends, family, co-workers to SAVE THE DATE!!. We are all working on this together.

    MOST IMPORTANT, the Church Tours and Book Store with Christian Educational Material on Orthodoxy are the Most Important aspect of who we are. We bring Orthodoxy to our guests through Icons, Church Tours, Religious items in the Book Store and welcoming them to our Parish. We want to reach out to others and spread the Word of Orthodoxy. Let us show our guests the Spirit of Saint George Church. Our parishioners make it happen!! We need to think ahead and get everything organized to enjoy this Special and Exciting time together. To make this event a Huge Success, we need everyone’s support. Thank you for making a difference!! God Bless, Sue (Bazaar Co-Chair), Anthony and John K. (Festival Co-Chairs) they will keep you posted on the Festival Activities.

    The weekend dates for the Festival and Bazaar Event are Sept.26th, Friday, Noon until 10.00PM, Sept. 27th, Saturday, 11:00AM until 10:00 PM, and Sept. 28th, Sunday after Divine Liturgy noon until 8:00 PM.

PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY ON THE JOB LIST IN THE CHURCH HALL!

 

VARIETY BOOTH

We are looking for donations for the Variety Booth. If you are shopping and see a good buy, please remember we need many donations of various themes including children’s toys, household goods, stationary items, snacks, etc. Please make sure items are NEW and in good condition. Any cash donations are also welcomed. You can bring items to the church anytime and give them to Lisa Mikhail. I am also looking for an adult interested in running the booth on the Saturday and Sunday of the Festival/Bazaar as I will be unable to attend those days. Please let me know if you can help. Lisa Mikhail - 952-888-8419.

 

FROM SANDI HEUER:

I am pleased to announce that Boshra Haddad has volunteered to take over the scheduling of Holy Bread for Sundays and Feast Days. I know she will do a great job and I ask that you be as good to her as you have been to me. Thank you so much for your kindness the last 17 years and a special thank you to Rosa Neimy and Mary Rudquist who have always been there whenever I didn't have anybody. Thank you Boshra and God Bless everyone.  Sandi Heuer

 

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.

 

DANCE PRACTICE

We will have dance practice after coffee hour for 15+ minutes each Sunday. We will discuss and practice the Dubkee Dances for the Fall Festival and Bazaar. Which is held September 26th, 27th, 28th. Those who wish to join the Dance Group, please attend also. We need your talent!!

 

SUMMER GREETINGS!

I have just returned from a splendid stay in Ukraine and Russia.  The next travel event in Russia is the pilgrimage in collaboration with United Theological and scheduled to take place from January 14th to the 25th, 2009.  This program has been developed with a number of colleagues in Russia; Tamara Mikhailova, Nadia Kolesnikova and Slava Benois Rogalski of  the Benois Institute.  The Benois Institute is a private non-commercial project to promote education in the area of fine arts and history of culture.  It delivers specialized services for students, post-graduates, educators dedicated to Russian art, culture and history as well as establishing contacts between people of different cultural traditions.  Relationships form cooperative efforts with the University of Saint Petersburg, the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, and the Mariinsky in the development of such programs.  In addition to that mentioned, the January pilgrimage will receive lecture from priests at St. Alexander Nevsky Monastery, and will visit parishes that are implementing social programs.  Space for this pilgrimage is still available.  Please obtain the brochure on the web site or from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities  http://www.unitedseminary.edu/programs/arts.asp#russia.

Icon classes will be held at St. Maron Maronite Catholic Church this fall.  Dates are: Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:00 on October 9,16,23,30 November 6 and 13.  Please call Deb at 651-439-4850 to register.  Class information will be posted on the web site.  Tuition and material fee for new students- $290.00.  Tuition fee for return students- $125.00 (materials extra).

A busy fall and winter calendar is shaping up.  We can look forward to the Basilica of Saint Mary's Icon Festival, another new exhibit with icon classes scheduled at Westminster Presbyterian, and activities associated with many pending commissions.  Please stay tuned.

I dedicate this letter in closing to my many mentors in Ukraine and Russia.  In periods of social upheaval, it is not easy to hold on to the will to work, to stay true to traditions and also oneself.  The tensions become exhausting in the struggle to survive and create real art in the realm of commercial success and yet, self sacrificing oneself to preserve the values and concerns of the past.  My Russian and Ukrainian colleagues continue to exemplify that suffering and self-sacrifice is the true lot of any thinker and artist.  They constantly teach me that a genuine seeker of truth and creativity will always suffer in company of his fellow humans.   This return to my mentors is always given to me when I feel that what has been achieved in my work is incomplete.  I continue to realize that the destination that I seek through my art and iconography is the joy revealed in the collaborative effort, my anxieties then seek to share the discoveries and suffer in the need to express this; and in the desire to do good work by working long and tirelessly; tomorrow will always be too late.   The joy revealed is that which is always embraced in an authentic and genuine spirit- Thanks be to God!

My good wishes.  Fall and winter calendar additions will be updated by August 1st!

- Deb Korluka

 

IMPORTANT

Fr. Tom has a friend who desires to come to the Twin Cities to pursue a monastic vocation.  The friend’s 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.  Hopefully, we will have a picture of Buster soon.

 

If you are interested please contact Fr. Tom

 

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

 

 

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.  

 

 

 

 

 

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!