2015 St. George Church Staff and Organizations March 8, 2015 Tone 6, Eothinon 6 Pastor The Very Rev. Anthony G. Sabbagh Assistant Pastor Rev. Joseph Landino Administrative Committee Elias Gharzouzi, Chairman Albert Bitar, Treasurer Rehab Tabchi Robert Mimari Nasser Sabbagh George Nassoor Office Administrator Donna Becker Custodian Adnan Sabbagh Building/Planning Dr. George Nassoor Dave Davis Altar Servers Peter Attar, Subdeacon 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 Khouria Mary Landino, Chair Sawsan Khalouf Amjad Khalil Ghazal Stity, 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 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 Second Sunday of Great Lent On this day we commemorate: Commemoration of Gregory Palamas, archbishop of Thessalonica; Theophylact the Confessor, bishop of Nicomedia; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy Divine Liturgy THE EPISTLE O Lord, Thou wilt preserve us and keep us from this generation. Save me, O Lord, for the godly man hath disappeared. The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (1:10-2:3) In the beginning, Thou, O Lord, didst found the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they will perish, but Thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle Thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years will never end. But to what angel has He ever said, Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a stool for thy feet? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation? Therefore, we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message, declared by angels, was valid and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard Him. THE GOSPEL The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (2:1-12) At that time, when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the Word to them. And they came, bringing to Jesus a paralyt-
ic carried by four men. And when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. Now, some of the scribes were sitting there, reasoning in their hearts, Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone? And immediately Jesus, perceiving in His spirit that they thus reasoned within themselves, said to them, Why do you reason thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins He said to the paralytic I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home. And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all. So that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this! Holy Bread The Holy Bread is sponsored by: Ferial Al Ashar in loving memory of Etab Al Ashar (Sixth-Month Memorial) Souha Hadeed and Children in loving memory of Joseph Hadeed (Six-Month Memorial) The Holy Bread is offered before the Altar of God by Father Anthony for the living servants of God: Metropolitan Joseph; Bishop Nicholas; Ferial Al Ashar, Souha Hadeed and Children; Amanda Hadeed; Diab Shetayh; Mazhar Hanna, Jaklin Makhoul; Janice Awad; Simon, Melissa, Resam Tabchi; Rehab and Leo Martin; Neph; Michael Khouli; Andrew; Nagwa Awad; Dr. Sami and Ebtisam Moussa; Joseph and Mouna Salloum; George, Bashar and Issa Salloum and their Families; Naziha Assad and Family; Zakih Hanna; Fadi, Nesreen, Jowell, Juliet and Luna Hanna; Abraham and Alis Atiyeh and Family; Labiby Joseph and children; Michelle Joseph; Tiffany Hein; David, Fay, Lisa and Dawn Moses; Faisal and Nadia Daher; Bashar Hanna; Rahmeh Hanna, children and grandchildren; Naife Khalouf; Nour Atiyeh; Assad and Pavlick Families; Lawahiz, Abe, John, Kate Assad; Mary Assad, Tom Pavlick and Joshua Assad Pavlick; George Assad; Zakieh Makdesi; Robert and Family; Najib and Family; Nabeel and Family; Mona Bitar and Family; Rami; Mona, Wail, Heather, Mitchell, Mallory, Abeer, Elyssa and Eyanna; Albert, Shadia, Christian and Michael Bitar; Naify Hanna; Layal, Samantha, Alfred and Rita Hanna; Georges Bitar; for the departed servants of God: Patriarch Elias; Patriarch Hazim; Metropolitan Philip; Fr. George, Etab Al Ashar; Joseph Hadeed; Brahim, Resmeh, Nawal, Janet, Mtanios, Milia, Marie Hanna; Sueliman and Hanna Tabchi; Khalil and Abdalla Daas; Milad Berro; Matanios and Issa Hezeem; Makhoul Nader Makhoul; Nader Makhoul; Fouad and Ethman Assad; Georges and Tony Hanna; Georges and Zakieha Salloum; Wajih Hanna; Jamileh Abboud; Hanna Daher; Elias and Danny Khalouf; Youssef Atiyeh; John Ray and Sameer Assad; Hanna, Dalal, Jamileh; Michel and Badih Bitar; Alfred Hanna; Bassam, Khalil and Nizha Bitar. Memorial Service A Memorial Service is held for the rest of the souls of the servants of God: Etab Al Ashar Joseph Hadeed May the Lord grant rest to His servants and remember them in His kingdom, now and forever. Thought for the Day We know that prayer in and of itself cannot save us, but carrying it out before God can. For when the Lord s eyes are upon us He sanctifies us, as the sun warms everything upon which it shines. St. Gregory Palamas
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. $ George and Hiyam Tabchi to the Church in loving memory of Fr. George Khouli; Brahim, Resmeh, Nawal, Janet, Mtanios, Milia, Maria Hanna; Sueliman and Hanna Tabchi; for the good health of Mazhar Hanna, Jaklin Makhoul, Janice Awad; Simon, Melissa, Resam Tabchi; Rehab and Leo Martin; Neph; Michael Khouli; Andrew. $ Souha Hadeed and Family to the Church in loving memory of Joseph Hadeed. $ Souha Hadeed and Family to Sunday School with Best Wishes to Amanda Hadeed and Diab Shetayh on their Engagement; for the good health of the Hadeed Family. $ Nagwa Awad to the Church in loving memory of Khalil Daas, Abdalla Daas. $ Dr. Sami and Ebtisam Moussa to the Church in loving memory of Milad Berro. $ Fadi and Nesreen Hanna to the Church for the good health of Fadi, Nesreen and their children, Jowell, Juliet and Luna Hanna; in loving memory of Matanios and Issa Hezeem. $ Abraham and Alis Atiyeh and Family to the Church in loving memory of Makhoul Nader Makhoul; Nader Makhoul; for the good health of Abraham, Alis Atiyeh and Family. $1,000 Labiby Joseph to the Church for the good health of her children; Best Wishes to Michelle Joseph on her birthday today Happy Birthday Michelle! Congratulations and Best Wishes to Tiffany Hein on her Engagement! $ David and Fay Moses to the Church with Best Wishes to Lisa and Dawn Moses on their birthdays Happy Birthday Lisa and Dawn! $ David and Fay Moses to the Church for the good health and prayers for a speedy recovery for Janice Awad. $ Joseph and Mouna Salloum to the Church for the good health of George Salloum and Family; Bashar Salloum and Family; Issa Salloum and Family. $ Joseph and Mouna Salloum to the Church in loving memory of Georges and Zakiha Salloum. $ Naziha Assad and Family to the Church in loving memory of Fouad and Ethman Assad. $ Zakih Hanna to the Church in loving memory of Georges and Tony Hanna. $ Faisal and Nadia Daher to the Church in loving memory of Jamileh Abboud; Hanna Daher; for the good health of Faisal and Nadia Daher. $ Bashar Hanna to the Church in loving memory of Wajih Hanna; for the good health of Rahmeh Hanna, children and grandchildren. $ 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. $ Zakieh Makdesi to the Church for the good health of Robert and Family, Najib and Family; Nabeel and Family; Michael and Family; Rami; in loving memory of Hanna, Dalal, Jamilieh. $ The Bitar Family to the Church in loving memory of Michel and Badih Bitar; for the good health of Mona, Wail, Heather, Mitchell, Mallory, Abeer, Elyssa and Eyanna; Albert, Shadia, Christian, and Michael Bitar. $ Naify Hanna to the Church in loving memory of Alfred Hanna. $ Layal Hanna and Family to the Church in loving memory of Alfred Hanna; for the good health of Layal, Samantha, Alfred and Rita Hanna. $ Georges Bitar to the Church in loving memory of Bassam, Khalil and Nizha Bitar.
March is Antiochian Women s Month The month of March is recognized by the Archdiocese as Antiochian Women s Month. Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America has been an official organization of our Archdiocese for over 30 years. The entire month is dedicated and set aside for the participation of Orthodox women in Church life. The organization is open to all antiochian Orthodox women a sisterhood of women who have committed themselves to serve our Lord, our faith, our parishes and our Archdiocese. They serve in the spirit of Christian leadership, fostering love and service through charitable acts and creating a fellowship and understanding through their faith and traditions. Annunciation Vigil to be held at St. Thekla Convent The Annunciation Vigil will be held at the Convent of Saint Thekla, 5409 Allison Mill Rd., Glenville, PA 17329 from 8 pm, Tuesday, April 24 through 2 a.m. Wednesday, April 25. Metropolitan Joseph, Bishop Nicholas and Bishop Thomas will be in attendance. Limited lodging at the Convent; hotel lodging nearby. Those interesting in attending, contact Kh. Minerva (610) 264-0566 by April 10. The Convent of St. Thekla is a female monastic community under the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The first Antiochian Orthodox Monastery for Nuns in North America, the purpose of the convent is to pray for the salvation of the whole world and to lead a life of repentance. Antiochian Women of the East Upcoming Lenten Retreat at Antiochian Village A Lenten Retreat He Who, Me Who, What s a woman to do? will be offered at Antiochian Village on March 27-29. Featured speaker is Father John Nosal. In the context of the challenging words spoken in and around Verse 37 of St. Matthew s Gospel, the group will discuss and consider what to do about who we are, who Christ is, and what to do about who we are in Christ. To register go to http://www.antiochianvillage.org/conferences-meetings/events/. Lehigh Valley Pan-Orthodox Lenten Services 2015 Come together with your brother and sister Orthodox christians of the parishes of the Lehigh Valley Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood to worship and break bread in Lenten fellowship. All services will be followed by a Lenten meal. Lenten Vespers...............................Sunday, March 8, 7 pm St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1607 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem Soul Saturday Liturgy...Saturday, March 14, 10 am St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, 156 E. Main St., Emmaus Bring legibly written lists of names of the departed. Lenten Vespers..............................Sunday, March 15, 4 pm Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 135 Stokes Ave., Stroudsburg Annunciation Vespers...Tuesday, March 24, 7 pm Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 319 S. 20th St., Easton Lenten Vespers..............................Sunday, March 29, 4 pm St. Philip Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1970 Clearview Rd., Souderton St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church Lenten Fish Dinners offered March 6, 20 and April 3 All welcome to Lenten Fish Dinners at St. Nicholas Church. The menu includes a choice of Baked or Fried Haddock w/oven roasted potatoes, vegetable, pickled cabbage, bread, beverage and homemade dessert. Adults: $10; children $6. Eat in or take out. Themed raffle baskets with drawing on April 3. St. Nicholas Church is located at 980 Bridle Path Rd., Bethlehem. Contact (610) 867-0402 or www.stnicholasoca.org. Teen SOYO advisor needed St. George Church is seeking an adult female Teen SOYO advisor. Those interested should contact Fr. Anthony (610) 653-6405 for more information.
Spiritual Reflection on the Second Sunday of Lent On the Second Sunday of Great Lent, a Sunday when we remember St. Gregory Palamas, we need to examine ourselves as to who we are within the spiritual realm of our existence. It seems in today s world, society and culture, we continue to revert back to our primitive state of hatred, contempt and distrust. Not looking to our Savior Jesus Christ for peace in our soul, and to offer love and compassion to our brothers in need. To show Christ s mercy and forgiveness to those who have wronged, not only us personally, but on a larger scale, whatever that scale may be. In our self-examination during the Lenten Season, we need to turn away from the errors of the world, to turn closer to Christ, and ask for His intervention in the crisis that exists globally. But how can the world change if we haven t changed? Again, through our internal prayer, or as St. Gregory Palamas has taught us, through the integration of hesychasm, or silent prayer. This allows us, as Father John Meyendorff wrote in his book on St. Gregory Palamas, the positive element in spirituality, acquisition of grace and of the life in Jesus Christ, is based on the uninterrupted monological prayer. This prayer is a memory of God, a conscious activity of the human being, when the Apostle Paul recommended to pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17). As we grow spiritually in our faith, so will our inner change of heart grow as well. That neighbor that was annoying may not be so annoying after all. Friends who can sometimes be overbearing may need to be seen in a different light. Our spouses or children or relatives may act troubling towards us because we fail to understand how they love us. Our enemies may not understand us, therefore hate us, but have we tried to get into their mind set or offer an olive branch of peace to them? These are critical questions with critical answers. As Pascha quickly draws near, let our love and joy in the Resurrection of our Lord shine, not briefly flicker on that day alone, but let it glow brightly everyday of our life. May the words of the Evangelist Luke resonate in our souls, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you and pray for them who persecute you and say evil of you falsely. (Luke 6:27) Personal spiritual reflection written by Rev. Angelo Pappas, IOCC frontliner, one of 100 specially trained Orthodox clergy and laypeople who offer spiritual and emotional care to people following disasters in the United States.
Upcoming events and meetings Ladies Altar Society Meeting....Monday, March 9, 8 pm St. George Night Hockey Game: Phantoms vs. Penguins... Sat., March 28 Sponsored by The Fellowship of St. John the Divine Palm Sunday............................................. April 5 Pascha................................................. April 12 St. George Feast Day.............................. Thursday, April 23 Paint & Party...Sunday, April 26, 5:30 pm See ad in this bulletin. Sponsored by The Fellowship of St. John the Divine St. George Banquet...Saturday, May 9, 6 pm Bible Study FOR ADULTS AND TEENS Fridays at 7 pm IOCC assists Syrian Christians in deadly attack Exhausted and traumatized Christians from villages in northeastern Syria gather at an Orthodox Christian Church in Hasakah, seeking refuge after their small communities were terrorized this week. photo: IOCC/GOPA Baltimore, MD (IOCC) Fleeing for their lives, more than 2,400 exhausted and traumatized Christians from northeastern Syria sought refuge in the towns of Hasakah and Qamishli after their small communities were terrorized this week. The attackers targeted a stretch of villages along the southern bank of the Khabour River, where they burned homes and churches, murdered a fleeing 16-year-old boy, and abducted 150 Assyrian Christian men, women and children from their homes. For those who managed to escape the attack and seek shelter in Hasakah, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), with its church partner, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA), is providing food, medical attention, and emergency aid. IOCC/GOPA, which has offices in both Hasakah and Qamishli, is responding to the immediate needs of more than 1,000 displaced Syrian families seeking shelter at the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Assyrian Church in the Al Nasreh neighborhood of Hasakah with the distribution of food parcels, bedding, infant clothing and shoes. More than 600 of the survivors who fled the onslaught are children. IOCC, an ACT Alliance member, is one of the few humanitarian organizations inside Syria providing immediate assistance to displaced families and elderly who have endured four years of a brutal war. Working in 28 offices across Syria, IOCC has provided relief to 2.5 million vulnerable people inside Syria since 2012. HOW YOU CAN HELP You can help the victims of poverty and conflicts around the world by making a financial gift to the International Emergency Response Fund which will provide immediate relief, as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit iocc.org or call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297. ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $538 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 140 churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy, and a member of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S. based secular and faith-based organizations working to improve the lives of the world s most poor and vulnerable populations. To learn more about IOCC, visit iocc.org.
March 20 deadline to Easter Candles and Sweet Bread Easter Candles $18 Sweat Bread Braid $7 2 1/2 lb (approx.) round $14 2 lb. round $12 Resources for Lent During this Lenten season, stop by our Bookstore and see our Orthodox resources to teach, strengthen and encourage you and those you love. Many items in our Bookstore would also make a wonderful gift. You are sure to find a fresh word from God among the variety of books. For more information or if you would like an item that is not displayed, please contact Kh. Minerva Sabbagh at (610) 264-0566. Some of the items we carry: Arabic prayer books Bibles DVDs music jewelry children s items soaps lotions Lip balm incense 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. Keep the Church Office informed of birthdays, anniversaries and special family events call (610) 439-1232. Happy Birthday 3/8 Michelle Joseph 3/11 Elias Awad 3/13 Victor C. Koury Milad Berro Lamis Awad Janet Nanouh bushra Fries Salma Morro Tony Hanna Salwa Issa 3/12 Hend Azar 3/14 Julie Isaacson Mie Bitar Samia Berro 3/9 Jacqueline Sabbagh Sabah Makhoul george Nassoor 3/13 Steve Younes 3/10 Wajih Khouly Dawn Moses Sakher Oweis Mona Marie Skaf LADIES ALTAR SOCIETY 2015 Humanitarian Project: Baby Care Kits St. George Ladies Altar Society is collecting items needed to assemble Baby Care Kits to help young mothers care for their newborn babies. With the help of the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) these kits will be sent to areas of extreme poverty and to disaster areas where the need is great. Baby Care Kits include the following: 6 cloth diapers 2 T-shirts or undershirts (no onesies) 2 washcloths 2 gowns or sleepers 2 diaper pins 1 sweater or sweatshirt (can be hand-knitted or crocheted) 2 receiving blankets (one can be. hand-knitted or crocheted baby. blanket) All items must be new and sized for 12 months and younger. Also, financial donations are welcome to purchase needed items. Will you help? Bring any of the needed items to Church and give to Diane Gharzouzi or Fay Moses. Items can also be brought to the church weekdays and given to our church secretary, Donna Becker. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration in assisting with this worthy cause. Your care for others is a testimony of God s love in your heart. About IOCC: Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $438 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries.
Eleventh Annual Danny E. Khalouf Scholarship Memorial Banquet March 22, 2015 4-7 pm Dinner Buffet served at 4 p.m. Days Hotel 3400 Airport Rd., Allentown, PA Donation: $65 Keynote Speaker: Andre Reed, Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014. Pictures For tickets or more information (610) 432-6101 Applications available for Danny Khalouf Scholarship The Danny Elias Khalouf Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Danny Khalouf, a 1994 Dieruff High School graduate. Scholarship applications are now available at Dieruff High School. Application deadline is March 10, 2015. For more information, call Renee Saleh, Selection Committee, at (610) 395-0534. Sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine Sunday April 26 5:30-7:30 pm at Paint and Party 1901 W. Allen St. Allentown, PA Paint a 16 by 20 canvas of a beach scene. Profits will help purchase new Altar Boy robes. Tix $34pp More info: Christina Attar (610) 530-7630 Sawsan Khalouf (484) 281-3737 HOW TO REGISTER Complete the registration form in this bulletin OR register and pay via this website: http://paintandpartystudios.com/event/st-john-divine-fundraiser/ Click the sign-up button or pay upon arrival the night of the event. Sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine Paint & Party Registration Yes, I will attend Paint & Party on April 26. Name Address Phone Total number of people attending Tickets $34 pp Enclosed: $ Complete this form and mail it, along with your check payable to St. George Church. Send it to St. George Church, 1011 Catasauqua Ave., Allentown, PA 18102 or give it to Christina Attar or Sawsan Khalouf. Thank you for your support!