St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church سينيكيدرألا ةيألاطلألن سيدقرواسنكيدقلا ةسينك 915-584-9100 www.stgeorge-elpaso.org And the Disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26 The DECEMBER 06, 2015 Nicholas the wonderworker, archbishop of Myra in Lycia & Tenth Sunday of Luke TONE 2 EOTHINON 05 Sunday Service: Orthros (Matins) 9:20 AM, Followed by the Divine Liturgy Confessions by Appointment Only. On this day, we commemorate: Nicholas, Bishop of Patara; New-Martyr Nicholas of Karamania in Asia Minor. Epistle: Salma Isaac. Ushers: Annette Haddad, Bryan Haddad, Nahed Khouri, Alexis Gerena. Altar Boys: All are encouraged and welcome to serve. Sermonette: Kh. Mageda. RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION (TONE TWO) 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. APOLYTIKION OF ST. NICHOLAS (TONE FOUR) Thy work of justice did reveal thee to thy community as a canon of faith, the likeness of humility and the teacher of abstinence, O thou Father and great Bishop Nicholas. Wherefore, by humility thou didst achieve exaltation, and by thy meekness wealth. Intercede, therefore, intercede with Christ that He will save our souls. APOLYTIKION FOR ST. GEORGE THE GREAT-MARTYR (TONE FOUR) Since thou art a liberator and deliverer of captives, a help and support of the poor and needy, a healing physician of the sick, a contender and fighter for kings, O great among Martyrs, the victory-clad George; intercede with Christ God for the salvation of our souls. KONTAKION OF PREPARATION OF CHRIST S NATIVITY (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. Rejoice, 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. Holy Bread will be offered by: Rodolfo & Daria Salinas: In Memory of our beloved mother Marina (Daria s mother) who passed to the Lord in 2002. May her Memory be Eternal. For the health of our family-luka, Daria, Boris, Anastasia, Aleksey & Eliza Veta. Ibrahim & Layla Salloum: For our good health and the good health of our children. Thought for the Day "Do not delay, unless you wish to teach your children procrastination. Instead, show them your love and gratitude to God for His blessings by working hard to complete your work, and you will teach your children to be grateful for what they have." -- His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH.
THE EPISTLE (For St. Nicholas) Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. What shall I render to the Lord for all that He has given me? The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews. (13:17-21) Brethren, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace Who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. THE GOSPEL (For the Tenth Sunday of Luke) The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke. (13:10-17) At that time, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her and said to her, Woman, you are freed from your infirmity. And He laid His hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. Then the Lord answered him, You hypocrite! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? As Jesus said this, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by Him. DONATIONS Sub-Deacon Michael and Choir: In Memory of Cathy Sheppard, a past Choir member and who donated the organ when the Church moved to its present location. She will always be remembered for her gift of love. May our Lord welcome her into His Father's kingdom, where there is no sickness, sighing nor sorrow but Eternal life. Memory Eternal. In Memory of Cathy Sheppard Sub-Deacon Michael Sifuentes Zayna Shaheen Archdiocese Dues Ibrahim, Layla, Jeanette, Aida & Nassim Salloum Tony, Michael & Liza Dayoub Michel, Antwanette & William Shaghoury Art & Martha Hernandez Adrian Hernandez Lauren Reyes Zayna Shaheen Norman & Hope Ekery Icon Fund Lon Silagi Senior Citizens Donation Seminary Ned & Wilda Abraham Salma Isaac Many Thanks To all for their prayers, donations, visits and phone calls during my hospital stay. Allen Borschow The St. George Sunday School Christmas Pageant dress rehearsal will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Church. All students - The pageant need to be present. Rehearsal should take no longer than 1 1/2 hours.
St. George Ladies Society Christmas Celebration Monday, December 14, 2015 Time: 6:00 PM @ Great American Land & Cattle 701 S. Mesa Hills Menu: Chicken, brisket combo, baked potato, beans, coleslaw, a roll & ice tea or soft drink. $25.00 per person Raffle & Prizes Cash prizes. Restaurant gift cards. Baskets and more. Your monetary or gift cards donations is greatly appreciated. Please, see Kh. Mageda or Rose Beard by next Sunday. Last day to purchase your tickets is next Sunday, December 6, 2015. Please, bring a wrapped toy with age & gender marked for the less fortunate children. Thank you & God bless you. Donations George & Mary Esther Salom Drs. Hassan & Maha Salloum CONDOLENCES Our sympathy goes to Thomas Stewart Sheppard, Steven James Sheppard; and to Mark (Judy) Stewart; Andrew P. (Melissa) Stewart and Elizabeth C. Stewart on the departing to the Lord of their beloved Cathy J. Sheppard on Thursday, November 19, 2015 in Butler, PA. May her Memory be Eternal. Annual Senior Citizens' Dinner The Annual Senior Citizens' Dinner will be held Wednesday, December 09, 2015, at 5:00 PM in the Summit Hall. We are asking all parishioners to participate however they can in this very worthwhile community event. Unfortunately we are not getting turkeys donated from a corporate sponsor as we had in the past 14 years; so we need your help even more this year. Please donate whatever you can and know all donations will be put to a good use for this great event. We would appreciate donations earmarked Senior Citizens Dinner by Sunday, November 22, 2015. If you have any questions, please call Deanna Nasser at 204-4245. Thank you for your support and God bless you all. The St. George Sunday School s Annual Christmas Pageant & Dinner Will take place on Sunday, December 13, 2015 @ 5:30 PM. The Christmas pageant will be followed by dinner and our one-a-year fundraising auction. All proceeds will support our Sunday school throughout the year. All St. George families & friends are invited to attend this annual & joyful event in celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ s birth. Spouses, Friends & Family Members are welcome. Jamell Bettor Nahed & Mary Khouri ARCHDIOCESE DUES FOR 2015 Please make sure to pay your family dues for the year 2015 (It is $ 35.00/Baptized Soul). Our Church has to pay for the one s who consider themselves members but don't pay. Please make it a priority to pay before the end of November, 2015. Thank you & God bless you all ALL ST. GEORGE PARISHIOERS VERY IMPORTANT As the year is coming to an end & the Church is working on the 2016 Budget. We ask all parishioners who either have not pledged, or did not fulfill their pledges, may be forgot to pay the 10% Tithing for their families and the Archdiocese Dues; please do so. Remember that the Church operates on your donations only. We thank you all for continuing to support your St. George Church. May the Great God bless you and your families a hundred folds for thy great service to your One and Holy Orthodox Faith.
November 15th, 2015 First Day of the Nativity Fast This Fast is divided into two periods: The First is Sunday, November 15th through Saturday, December 19th when the traditional fasting discipline (NO meat, poultry, dairy, fish, wine, and 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, Sunday, December 20th through Thursday, 24th, when the traditional fasting discipline is observed Monday through Friday, with katalysis for wine and olive oil on Saturday and Sunday only. St. George Church Sunday School We are very proud of the following students who were present at this past Sunday s Church School: Pre-School: Joseph Salloum, Nia Isaac, Giselle Gerena, Abram Isaac. Grades Kinder/1:. Grades 2/3: Kendall Olivas, Avea Acosta. Grades 4/5: Emma Isaac, Sami Odeh. Grades 6/7: Teresa Salloum. Grades 8-12: Angela Al-Hanna, Johnny Odeh, Joseph Odeh, James Shaheen. Parents & Students: Please remember that it is very important to be at Sunday School at 9:15 AM in order to open all sessions with a prayer with Fr. George. The opening prayer establishes our Sunday School sessions with the focus of our minds and spirits to learn about our faith. St. George Teen SOYO presents our: ANNUAL CLOTHES DRIVE October 19 th to December 6 th, 2015 Please donate good condition clothing to St. George Orthodox Church for the needy in El Paso. Address: 120 N. Festival Dr. El Paso, Texas Please drop off clothing to the Teen Room or ask for a Teen Member to help. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUPPORT ST. GEORGE CHURCH Remember our Abducted Syrian Orthodox Innocent Hierarchs in your prayers 958 Days For Pastoral Emergencies, or to notify The Very Reverend Fr. George of ill or hospitalized parishioner, please call: Church: 584-9100 OR Cell: 345-9800 THE SYNAXARION (Commemoration) On December 6 in the Holy Orthodox Church we commemorate our Father among the Saints Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia. His eminent and wealthy parents, Theophanes and Nona, returned their gift of an only child to God by dedicating Nicholas to Him. Following the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed all his inherited goods to the poor, not keeping anything for himself. As a Priest in Patara, he was known for his charity, even though he carefully concealed his charitable works, fulfilling the words of the Lord: Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth (Matthew 6:3). When he gave himself over to solitude and silence, a voice from on high came to him: Nicholas, for your ascetic labor, work among the people, if thou desirest to be crowned by Me. By God s wondrous providence, he was chosen Archbishop of the city of Myra in Lycia. Merciful, wise and fearless, Nicholas was a true shepherd to his flock. He was cast in and out of prison, he defended the true nature of Christ in the First Ecumenical Council, and he even saved men from unjust death sentences. Nicholas entered into eternal rest on December 6, 343. On this day, we also commemorate our father among the saints Nicholas, Bishop of Patara, the uncle of the Wonderworker; and New-Martyr Nicholas of Karamania in Asia Minor. By their Holy intercessions, O God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
ST. GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH 120 NORTH FESTIVAL DRIVE EL PASO, TX 79912 PH. 915-584-9100 Fax. 915-760-5547 November 01, 2015 Beloved St. George Family, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! This letter is to notify you of the upcoming Annual General Parish Meeting which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 06, 2015 immediately after the Divine Liturgy in the Church Summit Hall. A luncheon will be served. It is very important that all Church Members attend in order to review and discuss all the important issues concerning our beloved Holy Church, including financial statements, proposed 2016 budget, organizational reports, and election of New Parish Council Members to serve for the year 2016-2017. All parishioners are reminded to be sure that their 2015 Membership pledges must be up to date to be eligible, voting members. In order for you to vote on any matter according to our Church Constitution and By-Laws, you must: "... Be Eighteen (18) years of age and over... In a good canonical standing Been Baptized and accepted in the membership of the Holy St. George Orthodox Church,...Practice its faith and discipline Attend worship services on a regular basis Partake of the Holy Sacraments of "The Church" Make payment of dues, pledges and assessments as are prescribed by the Parish Council." Minimum financial contributions must be at least $500.00, and a payment of thirty-five ($35.00) as a yearly Archdiocese Commitment per Baptized soul. In order to be nominated and/or elected to St. George Parish Council, per Constitution and By-Laws: "... A candidate must be Twenty-One (21) years of age or over, have been a voting Member of St. George Church for a period of one (1) year, and have fulfilled the Canonical Requirements of the Orthodox Faith. A candidate to St. George Parish Council must be in good standing spiritually, and have fulfilled his/her financial requirements as prescribed by the Parish Council." We look forward to seeing all of you at our St. George Church Annual General Parish Meeting on Sunday, December 06, 2015. God Bless You All and your families to serve His Holy Church faithfully and diligently for His glory always. Sincerely, The Very Reverend Fr. George Al-Dehneh Salma Isaac Parish Council Members Pastor Parish Council President FUTURE PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS As leaders of the community, parish council members are on the front lines and are able to have a long-term effect on their parish and community. To serve on the parish council is a ministry. Mission of the Parish Council The mission of the parish Council is to keep, practice and proclaim the Orthodox Christian Faith pure and undefiled. We believe that in Orthodoxy we have the fullness of the Truth, then we have the great responsibility to share it with everyone. Choosing Suitable Candidates for the Parish Council The best parish council members are those who are Church-oriented and Christ-centered. To be a good council member, one must be active in the worship and sacramental life of the Church. The best candidates are easy to find-they are in the Church. The Priest is head of the Parish, and is charged with the guidance of the total Parish program. The parish council consists of the Priest, and the elected lay members, and is referred to as Parish Council. This is because one of the identifying traits of the Orthodox Church is that we are conciliar-decisions are made in council. Setting An Example for the Parish The duties of a parish council member include regular attendance at divine services and participation in the sacramental life of the Church,...thereby setting an example for the parish. A Commitment to Serve In the Oath of Office, the parish council members affirm that they...will fulfill faithfully and sincerely the duties and the obligations required of a member of the Parish Council No contract is signed, but a promise is made which rests on the shared commitment of all council members to serve the Church, which is the Body of Christ on earth. We are His hands, feet, eyes and more. To serve on the council is a ministry and a mission. We are called to use the gifts with which we have been blessed to carry out the work of the Church.
Honor Bishop BASIL on his Name s Day: The Feast of St. Basil the Great, January 31, 2016 Bishop BASIL Mission Endowment Fund Dioceses of Wichita and Mid America (DOWAMA) Contribute by January 31, 2015. Please make check payable to St. George Church earmarked BB Name s Day PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH DOES NOT SKIP THE SUNDAYS THAT YOUR ARE NOT IN CHURCH. A BLESSED BIRTH Congratulations to Charlie & Kate Dayoub; to Tony, Liza & Michael Dayoub and to all the Dayoub family on the blessed birth of their son, grandson & nephew Charles Anthony Dayoub on Thursday, November 26, 2015 (Thanksgiving Day). May God grant him and his fami- ألف مبروك happiness. ly many years of health, faith and To request a Dome Lighting for the health & well-being of your beloved ones or in Memory of family members who departed to His heavenly kingdom, please contact Fr. George @ 584-9100. The donation is $ 50.00 per lighting Annual General Parish Meeting On SUNDAY, DECEMBER 06, 2015, there will be a General Parish Meeting and the Election of New Officers following The Divine Liturgy. A Lunch will be provided in the Church Hall. Please make plans to attend. Please remember: NO NOMINATIONS from the floor. Many Thanks To St. George Ladies Society for serving the Refreshments for the month of November. God grant you and your families good health. December is St. Ignatius Month The month of December is designated by our Archdiocese to honor this great organization throughout North America. The members will be ushering, reading Epistles, sermonizing & serving refreshments. The Feast of St. Nicholas Following the feast of St. Andrew, prefeast hymns of the Nativity are heard once again on the feast of St. Nicholas, the fourthcentury Bishop of Myra in Lycia who through the ages had come to be especially connected with the festival of Christ's birth. O you who love the festivals, Come gather and sing the praises of the fair beauty of Bishops, The glory of the fathers, The fountain of wonders and great protector of the faithful. Let us all say: Rejoice, O guardian of the people of Myra, Their head and honored counselor, The pillar of the Church which cannot be shaken. Rejoice, O light full of brightness, That makes the ends of the world shine with wonders. Rejoice, O divine delight of the afflicted, The fervent advocate of those who suffer from injustice. And now, O all-blessed Nicholas, Never cease praying to Christ our God For those who honor the festival of your memory With faith and love.