2014 St. George Church Staff and Organizations Pastor The Very Rev. Anthony G. Sabbagh Administrative Committee Elias Gharzouzi, Chairman Albert Bitar, Treasurer Rehab Tabchi Robert Mimari Abe Assad Nasser Sabbagh George Nassoor Office Administrator Donna Becker Custodian Adnan Sabbagh Building/Planning Dr. George Nassoor Dave Davis Altar Servers Peter Attar, Subdeacon Joseph Landino, Assistant Priest Anthony Youwakim, Altar Boy Captain Choir Gail Ortner, Director Naida Abraham, Treasurer Members: Kh. Minerva Sabbagh Mary Landino Christina Attar Jouhayna Al-Amm Mishleen Bashour Sean Thornton Wayne Burke David T. Davis George Nassoor Vilma Abraham Delores Edwards Helena Yurconic Ron Benner Amjed Khalil Chanters Hweida Moussa Marwan Sabbagh Antoun Saba The Fellowship of St. John the Divine Christina Attar, Chair Abe Assad, Co-Chair Rehab Tabchi, Treasurer Ladies Altar Society Diane Gharzouzi, President Suzanna Zoudeh, Vice President Ebtisam Richie, Treasurer Fay Moses, Secretary Children s Relief Fund Kh. Minerva Sabbagh Sunday School Ebtisam Moussa, Director Teachers: Khouria Mary Landino Abe Assad Dr. Rehab Tabchi Christina Attar Assistants Mark Zaiter Helen Khouli Rita Mamari Teen SOYO The Very Rev. Anthony G. Sabbagh, Spiritual Advisor Kh. Minerva Sabbagh, Advisor Khalil Yacoub, Advisor Hope Sabbagh, Ass t. Advisor Joe Nehme, Ass t. Advisor Hilda Souid, President Jack Barakat, Vice President Jayson Saleet, Treasurer Clara Yazji, Recording Secretary Jack Yacoub, Corresponding Secretary St. George Bookstore Mary Landino, Chair Kh. Minerva Sabbagh, Treasurer Rehab Tabchi Website Elie Jabbour George Issa Charitable Ministries Annual Appeal for Syrian Orphanages Kamal Abboud, Chair Pastoral Discretionary Fund The Very Rev. Anthony G. Sabbagh Albert Bitar Newcomer Committee November 16, 2014 Tone 6, Eothinon 1 The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew On this day we commemorate: Martyr Ephygenia of Ethiopia, disciple of St. Matthew; Fulvian, prince of Ethiopia Divine Liturgy THE EPISTLE (For St. Matthew) His voice has gone out into all the earth. The heavens declare the glory of God. The Reading from the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. (4:9-16) Brethren, 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 off-scouring 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 GOSPEL (For St. Matthew) The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (9:9-13) At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man called
Matthew sitting at the tax office; and He said to him, Follow Me. And he rose and followed Him. And as He sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? But when Jesus heard it, He said, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Orthodox thought for the day On the feast of St. Matthew we read the gospel reading about his call. St. John Chrysostom (Gospel of Matthew, Homily 30.1, NPNF 1 10:198-199) comments on our Lord s timing in Matthew s call. Perhaps this can speak to the questions in our heart. Why did Jesus not call Matthew at the same time as he called Peter and John and the rest? He came to each one at a particular time when he knew that they would respond to him. He came at a different time to Matthew when he was assured that Matthew would surrender to his call. Similarly, he called Paul at a different time when he was vulnerable. We may admire, incidentally, the self-effacing temperament of Matthew, for we note how he does not disguise his own former life. - St John Chrysostom Holy Bread The Holy Bread is sponsored by: Father Anthony, Khouria Minerva and Hope Sabbagh in loving memory of Salim & Namnoume Haddad The Holy Bread is offered before the Altar of God by Father Anthony for the living servants of God: Metropolitan Joseph; Bishop Nicholas; Fr. Anthony, Kh. Minerva and Hope Sabbagh; Kh. Nadia Khouli; Sabbagh and Haddad Families; Douraid and Hend Yazigi and Family; Nasser Sabbagh and Family; Tamra and Family; Brian, Gus, Delia and their families; Sana Bitar; Monera Bitar; Shehda, Jouhayna, Louana and Nicholas Al-Amm; Nicole and Jeremy Makos; Najah Makhoul; Norvine and Malek Nomir; Nicholas, George, Sawsan Khouli; Nibal and Helen Khouli; Marcos and Maria Nomir; Raymond, Jaklin; John, Jamie and Joy Sabbagh; Joseph and Mouna Salloum; George Salloum and Family; Bashar Salloum and Family; Issam Salloum; George, Hiyam, Simon, Melissa, Resam, Fadi and Rahmeh Tabchi; Rehab and Leo Martin; Lascelles and Claudette Martin; Afifeh Skaf; Zakih Hanna; Faisal and Nadia Daher; Naife Khalouf; Nour Atiyeh; Assad and Pavlick Families; Lawahiz, Abe, John, Kate Assad; Mary Assad, Tom Pavlick and Joshua Assad Pavlick; George Assad; Layal Hanna and Family; Georges Bitar; Michael, Mona, Wail, Heather, Mitchell, Mallory, Abeer, Elyssa and Eyanna; Albert, Shadia and Christian Bitar; for the departed servants of God: Patriarch Elias; Patriarch Hazim; Metropolitan Philip; Fr. George Khouli; Salim and Namnoume Haddad; Issa and Jamileh Sabbagh; Betty, Richard; Abdalla Safi; Mouwaffak and Nedal Makhoul; Safi Safi; Nouhad Jarouj; George Safi; Brahim, Resmeh, Nawal, Mtanios, Melia, Maria Hanna; Sulieman and Hanna Tabchi; Zaki Skaf; Georges, Tony Hanna; Barhoun Saba; Wajih Hanna; Jamileh Abboud; Hanna Daher; Elias and Danny Khalouf; Youssef Atiyeh; John Ray and Sameer Assad; Alfred Hanna; Badih Bitar; Bassam, Khalil and Nizha Bitar. Memorial Service A Memorial Service is held for the rest of the souls of the servants of God: Salim & Namnoume Haddad May the Lord grant rest to His servants and remember them in His kingdom, now and forever.
Special donations to the Church We acknowledge families and friends who have honored dear ones with monety gifts given in the spirit of loving kindness. $ Father Anthony, Khouria Minerva and Hope Sabbagh to the Church in loving memory of Patriarch Elias; Metropolitan Philip; Salim and Namnoume Haddad; Issa and Jamileh Sabbagh, Betty, Richard; for the good health of the Sabbagh and Haddad Families; Douraid and Hend Yazigi and Family; Nasser Sabbagh and Family; Tamra and Family; Brian, Gus, Delia and their Families. $ Sana Bitar to the Church for the good health of Monera Bitar. $ Shehda and Jouhayna Al-Amm to the Bazaar for the good health of Shehda, Jouhayna, Louana and Nicholas Al-Amm; Nicole and Jeremy Makos; Happy Birthday to Louana!; in loving memory of Abdalla Safi. $ Najah Makhoul to the Church in loving memory of Mouwaffak and Nedal Makhoul. $ Norvine and Malek Nomir to the Church in loving memory of Fr. George Khouli; for the good health of Nadia Khouli; Nicholas, George, Sawsan Khouli; Nibal and Helen Khouli; Marcos and Maria Nomir. $ Raymond Sabbagh to the Church in loving memory of Safi Safi; Nouhad Jarouj; George Safi; for the good health of Raymond, Jaklin, John, Jamie and Joy Sabbagh. $ Joseph and Mouna Salloum to the Church for the good health of George Salloum and Family; Bashar Salloum and Family; Issam Salloum. $ Leo and Rehab Martin to the Church for the good health of George, Hiyam, Resam, Simon, Melissa, Fadi and Rahmeh Tabchi; Lascelles and Claudette Martin. $ Leo and Rehab Martin to the Church in loving memory of Fr. George Khouli; Brahim, Resmeah, Nawal, Mtanios, Melia, Maria and Alfred Hanna; Sueliman and Hanna Tabchi. $ Afifeh Skaf to the Church in loving memory of Zaki Skaf. $ Zakih Hanna to the Church in loving memory of Georges, Tony Hanna; Barhoun Saba. $ Faisal and Nadia Daher to the Church in loving memory of Wajih Hanna; Jamileh Abboud; Hanna Daher. $ Naife Khalouf to the Church in loving memory of Elias and Danny Khalouf; Youssef Atiyeh; for the good health of Nour Atiyeh. $ Abe Assad and Mary Assad to Church School for the good health of the Assad and Pavlick Families; Lawahiz, Abe, John, Kate Assad, Mary Assad; Tom Pavlick and Joshua Assad Pavlick; George Assad; in loving memory of John Ray and Sameer Assad. $ Layal Hanna and Family to the Church in loving memory of Alfred Hanna. $ Georges Bitar to the Church in loving memory of Bassam, Khalil and Nizha Bitar. $ The Bitar Family to the Church in loving memory of Badih Bitar; for the good health of Michael, Mona, Wail, Heather, Mitchell, Mallory, Abeer, Elyssa and Eyanna; Albert, Shadia and Christian Bitar. Within the Church We wish each parishioner and friend of St. George Church a Happy Birthday or Anniversary. May God s blessings shine down upon them throughout the coming year. Please keep the church office (610) 439-1232 informed of birthdays, anniversaries and special family events. Best wishes for a wonderful Birthday/Anniversary and a year filled with good health and happiness! May happiness be yours on this special day and in the year ahead! Happy Birthday 11/16 Amjed Saigh 11/22 Jared Maalouf Mark Khoury Watfa Issa 11/17 Amanda Hadeed Albert Yacoub Happy Anniversary 11/19 Shennon Kayal 11/19/2010 Kh. Mary Landino Ghassan & Mie Bitar 11/20 Basel Nanoah Richard Koury 11/20/1966 Sammy Khalouf Maurice & Sylvia Abboud
Annual Fall Bazaar enjoyed by all The Ladies Altar Society thanks everyone for their support for the recent Fall Bazaar and pleased to report a profit of $4,422. They thank our wonderful bakers who provided delicious pastries for our bake sale, our great cooks, our terrific volunteers, and all who supported the Bazaar with donations. Spinach, Meat Pies and Kibbee available Buy a dozen spinach or meat pies for only $20 or a dozen kibbee for $32. See a Ladies Altar Society member after church to purchase. Teen SOYO planning annual Christmas visitation to our shut-ins on December 13 Teen SOYO will be visiting shut-ins on Saturday, Dec. 13. If you know of someone that would like this special Christmas visit, please call Donna in the Church Office at (610) 439-1232 with their name, address and phone number. 2015 Church Calendars are here Please pick up your 2015 Church calendar today. There are four beautiful designs to choose from. Thank you to Nicos Elias Funeral Home for sponsoring our annual calendar. Pick up your 2015 contribution envelopes Our 2015 contribution envelopes are available for you to pick up in the church hall. These boxed envelopes are organized by number, not by alphabetical name. If you know your envelope number, that will help find your box in a timely manner. If you do not know your envelope number, there is an alphabetical list of names with your envelope number located by the contribution envelopes. All boxed envelopes are labeled with your name and address. Please check this label to make sure you have the correct box. Help the church avoid the high cost of postage by not mailing your envelopes. Thank you for your cooperation. Homeless Dinner Sponsors needed for July, August With the need so great here in our own community, we ve expanded sponsorship of Homeless Dinners for the entire year. (Previously, Homeless Dinners were sponsored September through May). These dinners are offered to the poor at the Salvation Army in Allentown and served by our Teen SOYO members. Sponsorship for the months of July and August are needed. Sponsorship can be given in loving memory or in honor of a loved one. To become a sponsor or for more information, contact Naife Khalouf at (610) 432-6101.
Enthronement of Metropolitan Joseph Bus chartered for parishioners to attend Divine Liturgy on Dec. 7 at St. Nicholas Cathedral, NYC Bus departs on Sunday, December 7, at 6 a.m. from St. George Church to St. Nicholas Cathedral, NYC to attend Divine Liturgy with Patriarch John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, on the occasion of his enthronement as Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America. Don t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Bus ticket: $50 (non-refundable) Divine Liturgy begins 10:30 a.m. Depart 6 a.m. Return (estimated time: 5 p.m.) To reserve bus seating, call the church office (610) 439-1232 by December 1. Seating in St. Nicholas Cathedral for the general public for all services will be on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be closed-circuit television in the basement of the Cathedral for the overflow crowd. Plans are to live-stream both the enthronement and the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy via antiochian.org and NOUR- SAT, who will be providing live coverage. Preparations are underway and hierarchs and guests will be attending from across the world for the enthronement of Metropolitan Joseph. Enthronement for Metropolitan Joseph planned By the Grace of God His Beatitude, John X Patriarch of the Great City of God, Antioch and all the East together with Members of the Holy Synod of the See of Antioch Our beloved Hierarchs Archdiocesan Board of Trustees and the entire Archdiocese of North America invite you to prayerfully participate in the Enthronement of His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America Saturday, December 6, 2014, 4:30 pm, during Great Vespers. St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral 355 State Street, Brooklyn, New York Reception and Banquet to follow. The full schedule and more information is available at www.antiochian.org regarding the weekend of Dec. 5-7 for events of the Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph and visit of His Beatitude Patriarch John X, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. Preparations are underway and hierarchs and guests will be attending from across the world. Banquet tickets: $200 per guest and obtained by mailing a check payable to St. Nicholas Cathedral to the following address: St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, 355 State St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, Attn: Banquet Committee. Or, you may also inform our church office as we are compiling a list of attendees from this church. Please clearly print the names of those attending as well as a phone number and email address if possible so reservations can be acknowledged. Please note that this is for banquet tickets only.
Themed Basket Raffle See these beautiful baskets in the church hall Tickets: $5 each or 3 for $10 Drawing: Sunday, Dec. 21 Sponsored by Fellowship of St. John the Divine Advent Fast now through December 25 Saturday, Nov. 15 begins this year s Nativity Fast. It is one of the four Canonical Fasting Seasons in the Church year. This is a joyous fast in anticipation of the Nativity of Christ. In the weeks between Nov. 15 and Dec. 25, Orthodox Christians prepare themselves to celebrate the birth of Christ. As we begin the Fast, we encourage both believing Orthodox and inquirers to review the reflections and resources in the special Nativity section found at www.antiochian.org. We prepare by our increased attendance at Divine Liturgy and by observing the following fasting discipline: Wednesdays and Fridays are strict fast days. On other days of the week, we abstain from meat and dairy products, but fish, wine and olive oil are permitted. Eggs are not permitted on any days. During the final weeks of the Fast, Dec. 13-24, the Fast is stricter and no fish is permitted. Olive oil and wine are permitted on Saturday and Sunday only. Upcoming Events at St. George Church November 22 (Saturday) 9:30 am-5:45 pm Village-At-Home (Sunday School & Teen SOYO) Special camping program for students in Grades 3-12. See insert in this bulletin. December 7 (Sunday) 6 am Bus departs to St. Nicholas Cathedral, NYC to attend Divine Liturgy with Patriarch John X and Metropolitan Joseph. See ad in this bulletin. December 20 (Saturday) 12 noon Decorate Church for Christmas (Teen SOYO) December 20 (Saturday) 4 pm Christmas Party (Sunday School) December 21 (Sunday) 11:30 am Christmas Concert (Sunday School) SUNDAY SCHOOL Christmas Concert Practice Sunday School children will be practicing for the Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. If you have questions, please call Helen Khouli at (484) 274-2099. FOOD FOR HUNGRY Annual canned food drive now through December Support our local food banks through our anual Food for Hungry Canned Food Drive now through Dec. 31. Bring your donations to the Church on Sundays of weekdays to the Church Hall and place in the boxes marked Food for Hungry. Make sure to check expiration dates on food donations.
St. George Church Saturday Dec. 20 Sunday School 4 pm All children are invited to our annual Sunday School Christmas Party! Don t miss this! St. George Church Sunday, Dec. 21 11:30 am All our Sunday School children are invited to participate in a special Christmas Concert to sing Arabic and English Christmas Carols. Attention interested students: Please come to our meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. or call Helen Khouli at (484) 274-2099.
St. Philip Orthodox Church Teen / Young Adult Retreat December 5 & 6, 2014 Friday, Dec 5th Exploring ways we can focus on what is good and beautiful in our everyday lives Presented by Steve Christoforou 7:00 pm Great Vespers & Artoklasia for St Nicholas sung by Youth Choir 8:00 pm St. Nicholas story time Saturday, Dec 6th 9:00 am Orthros 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 11:30 am Brunch 12:30 pm Session 1 1:30 pm Break/Snack 2:00 pm Session 2 3:00 pm Break/Snack and Activity 4:00 pm Session 3 or Service Project 5:00 pm Dinner 6:00 pm Great Vespers 7:00 pm Discussion with Young Adults Steve Christoforou graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in the Spring of 2013. Since then, he's been working with Y 2 AM, The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries. Best known for his weekly "Be the Bee" video series and "ExeGenius" annotated Gospel passages, Steve is committed to presenting the richness and beauty of the Orthodox tradition in an accessible, easy-to-understand way. Before Seminary, Steve worked for two years as an attorney. He graduated from Fordham University School of Law in 2007, and Yale University in 2004. St Philip Orthodox Christian Church 1970 Clearview Rd. - Souderton, PA 18964 215-721-4947 - www.st-philip.net - office@st-philip.net There is NO COST for this event. Advance registration is appreciated. Mail to Be the Bee, St Philip Church, 1970 Clearview Rd, Souderton, PA 18964 Name: Phone: Full Address: Email: Home Church: