September 9, 2012 Tone 5, Eothinon 3 Sunday before theelevation of thecross and after thenativity of the Theotokos On this day, we commemorate: The holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; Great-martyr Severian of Sebaste; the fathers of the Third Ecumenical Council; Venerable Joseph of Volotsk; uncovering of the relics of Theodosios, archbishop of Chernigov. Divine Liturgy Epistle Galatians 6:11-18 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Cross) O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God The Reading is from Saint Paul s Letter to the Galatians BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and not only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Gospel John 3:13-17 (Sunday before the Elevation of the Cross) The Reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. John The Lord said: No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Orthodox Thought for the Day I have realized that the destruction of man lies in the abundance of material goods, because it prevents him from experiencing the presence of God and appreciating His benevolence. If you want to take someone away from God, give him plenty of material goods. Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain September is The Fellowship of St. John the Divine Month The Fellowship of St. John the Divine is the service arm for lay ministry in the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. Its purpose is to promote and support lay ministry by offering programs that assist spiritual growth, provide leadership training for lay ministry, programs for young adults and opportunities for outreach and humanitarian activities. Each Sunday in September, The Fellowship will read the Epistle and usher during Divine Liturgy. For more information on activities of this ministry, call Christina Attar (610) 530-7630.
Sermon Fellowship of St. John the Divine Father Anthony, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Last Sunday, we celebrated 50 years of existence of our beloved church, St. George. It surely was a beautiful celebration. We were honored to have had our Grace Bishop Nicholas with us, as he was able to bless this special time in our church history. He enlightened us to have faith in God s power, in God s providence, and in achieving with God all things, even if it may seem to be an impossible dream. Those who attended experienced great fellowship with one another, and enjoyed an evening of dancing while strengthening relationships. Those who were not able to attend this special evening were greatly missed. My heart leapt with great joy when I saw the banquet hall full of Teen S.O.Y.O members and their families, as well as young children. Seeing this made me dream of a continually growing parish and its prosperity. On September 1, the Church celebrated the New Ecclesiastical Year. I am inspired to invite you to join the Fellowship of St. John the Divine this year! The Fellowship of St. John the Divine is for college students on up to adults. Our activities are focused on participating and strengthening our spiritual lives. We do this through social, spiritual, humanitarian, and fundraising events for our church and our Antiochian Archdiocese. This month, the Archdiocese promotes and celebrates the Fellowship of St. John the Divine. Each week in September, there will be members of this group who will read the Epistle and usher on Sundays. If you want to get involved in the Church, this organization is awaiting you with open arms. As a famous quote states, Carpe Diem Seize the Day. Let us all seize each day and work for the Lord. We only have one life in which to do this. Each Sunday you will find me downstairs at Coffee Hour awaiting your interest and contact information, so that we may grow with one another and move forward towards Christ and for His Church. I want you to close your eyes and think about yourself at your 80th birthday party. Who will be there to join you on this special day? Maybe your wife, husband, kids, grandkids, great-grandkids will be there. What will each person say about you while they toast you at your party? Will they say that you were nice, honest and caring? Those are great qualities but what can they say about the contributions that you made during your life to your community? What difference did you make in the life of other people? After all, it s actions that count not only words. Leadership comes from being inspired. What is our vision for our church? What impact could we have? Let s build our foundation on The Rock that Christ planted, because all other foundations will wither away. Let s make a difference today through The Fellowship of St. John the Divine. Thank you. Christina Attar The Nativity of the Theotokos For her [the Theotokos ] sake, the God-possessed prophets pronounced prophecies, and miracles are wrought to foretell that future great miracle of the world, the Ever-Virgin mother of God. Generation after generation of vicissitudes and historical events, make a path to their ultimate destination, to the new mystery that will be a type of the future truth of the Spirit. The end, or rather the beginning and root of those earlier events and wonders accomplished in the virtues, of what was to be accomplished (in their daughter). In another homily, he comments, all divinely-inspired Scripture was written for the sake of the Virgin who begat God. St. Gregory Palamas, from The Life of the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, written and compiled by Holy Apostles Convent, p. 13. Coffee Hour Join us today for Coffee Hour and fellowship immediately following Divine Liturgy. If you would like to sponsor a Coffee Hour, please call the Church office.
Holy Bread The Holy Bread is offered before the Altar of God by Father Atty for the living servants of God: Family of Ramza Ishak; Abe, John and Kate Assad; The Assad and Pavlick Families; Joshua Assad Pavlick; Abed, Jaklin, Saba, Elias, Tabitha, Thomas, Marianne Makhoul; Khalil Jacob; Fouad and Mouna Younes; Lamia, Joseph, Steve, Tina and Joey and their families; Mike and Mary Jo Makoul; Mona Makoul; John, Joann, Catlyn, Meredith, Kelsey Makoul; Ghazal Stity; Naife Khalouf; Youssef and Nour Atiyeh; Afifi Skaf and Family; Naziha Assad; Rahmeh Hanna; Georgette, Elias, Joann, Jason and Janice Awad; Jennifer, Eyad and Eyan Alrei; Haleem, Sylva, Issa and Rein; George, Hiyam, Rehab, Resam, Simon, Rahmeh Tabchi; Melissa Dib; Janet Hanna; The Mousa, Daiyoub, Bitar and Rafka Families; for the departed servants of God: Ramza Ishak; John Ray and Sameer Assad; Jabbour, Mariam, Adeeb, Marwan, Elias, Haloun, Rafaat, Mountaha; Farizah Jacob; Esber, Mary and Edmond Kassis; Doris Makoul; Aziz Makoul; Fadi Stity; Abd Almassih Stity; Elias and Danny Khalouf; Zaki Skaf; Fouad Assad; Wajih Hanna; Issa and Bedra Sabah; Abraham, Adla and Mary Awad; Fr. George Khouli; Brahim, Resmeah, Nawal, Maria and Alfred Hanna; Sueliman and Hanna Tabchi; Youssef, Georges, Klaudine, Anthony, Othman and Josephine Moussa; Nijmi; Nadim Daiyoub; Milad, Elias and Maher Bitar; Mariam; Michael and Nasima Rafka; Bassam Al aji. Special donations to the Church We acknowledge families and friends who have honored dear ones with monetary gifts given in the spirit of loving kindness. $ Family of Ramza Ishak to the Church in loving memory of Ramza Ishak. $ Abe Assad to the Church for the good health of the Assad and Pavlick Families and our children; John, Kate Assad and Joshua Assad Pavlick; in loving memory of John Ray and Sameer Assad. $ Abed and Jaklin Makhoul to the Church for the good health of Abed, Jaklin, Saba, Elias, Tabitha, Thomas, Marianne; in loving memory of Jabbour, Mariam, Adeeb, Marwan, Elias, Haloun, Rafaat, Mountaha. $ Khalil Jacob to Teen SOYO in loving memory of Farizah Jacob. $ Fouad and Mouna Younes to the Church with Best Wishes to Fouad on his 50th Birthday Happy Birthday Fouad and for God s blessings for their new home! $ Lamia and Joseph Younes to the Church for the good health of Lamia and Joseph Younes and their children, Steve, Tina and Joey and their families; in loving memory of Esber, Mary and Edmond Kassis. $ Mike Makoul to the Church in loving memory of Doris (Emily) Makoul; Aziz Makoul; for the good health of Mary Jo Makoul; Mona Makoul. John, Joann, Catlyn, Meredith, Kelsey Makoul. $ Ghazal Stity to the Church in loving memory of Fadi Stity, Abd Almassih Stity. $ Naife Khalouf to the Church in loving memory of Elias and Danny Khalouf; for the good health of Youssef and Nour Atiyeh. $ Afifi Skaf and Family to the Church in loving memory of Zaki Skaf. $ Naziha Assad to the Church in loving memory of Fouad Assad. $ Rahmeh Hanna to the Church in loving memory of Wajih Hanna. $ Georgette Awad to the Church for the good health of Joann, Jason and Janice Awad; Jennifer, Eyad and Eyan Alrei; Haleem, Sylva, Issa and Rein; in loving memory of Issa and Bedra Saba; Abraham, Adla and Mary Awad. $ Rehab Tabchi to the Church for the good health of Resam, Rahmeh, Nidal, Fadi, Melissa, Janet; for George and Hiyam on their 32nd Anniversary (8/31/12) Happy Anniversary!; for Simon on his 26th Birthday (9/5/12) Happy Birthday! in loving memory of Father George Khouli; Brahim, Resmeah, Nawal, Maria, Alfred Hanna; Sueliman and Hanna Tabchi. $ The Moussa Family to the Church in loving memory of Youssef, Georges, Klaudine, Anthony, Othman and Josephine Moussa; Nijmi; Nadim Daiyoub Milad, Elias and Maher Bitar; Mariam; Michael and Nasima Rafka; Bassam Al aji; for the good health of Families of Mousa, Daiyoub, Bitar and Rafka. $300 Family of Ramza Ishak to the Ladies Altar Society in loving memory of Ramza Ishak.
In the mail Dear St. George Church, 5 0 th 1962 We are very honored to accept this invitation (50 Anniversary Banquet) and thank you for your consideration. H.E. Dr. Bashar Ja afari is especially grateful to Father Sabbagh for taking time off his schedule to speak to him, and wishes to extend his thanks again for offering the opportunity to speak at this very important event. However, at this time, H.E. Dr. Ja afari is unable to attend as his schedule is very tight. It is, indeed, an unfortunate time for Syria and we are working tirelessly on our end to bring this situation around and give hope to our countrymen. His Excellency expresses his regrets at being unable to attend this event, and he thanks you again for remaining hopeful for our country. Many thanks, Maia Dumdum, Assistant to the Ambassador Permanent Mission of Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations 2012 Teen SOYO gears up for 2012-2013 We are pleased to announced the following officers for the 2012-2013 Teen SOYO. They are: President......................... Nicole Hamoui Vice President.................... Takla Zaghtiti Treasurer......................... Tony Sankari Recording Secretary............... Mishleen Bashour Corresponding Secretary........... Hilda Souid Media Secretary................... Clara Yazji Advisor.......................... Naife Khalouf Your continued prayers and support of Teen SOYO through events and fundraisers is an investment in our Orthodox youth which allows us to offer a sound religious-oriented foundation for our children that promotes the Christian values of worship, fellowship, service and witness. Sponsors needed for Homeless Dinners Become a sponsor of one of the monthly Teen SOYO Homeless Dinners offered to the poor in our community. The cost of $380. We are looking for a sponsor for this month September 23. Additional months open for sponsorship are October, December, January, February, April and May. For more information or for sponsorship, please contact Naife Khalouf, Teen SOYO advisor, at (610) 432-6101. Falafal Lunch to be held Oct. 7 Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 7 when Teen SOYO will hold a Falafal Lunch. We re counting on you to come and support our teens!
We welcome all children! Time to register your children for Sunday School We welcome Ebtisam Moussa, Sunday School director. Church School begins Sunday, September 23. Children attend Divine Liturgy, receive Communion first, and then leave as a group to the Church hall for classes until 11:30 a.m. Church School is open to children in kindergarten through 7th grade. Registration opens today and next Sunday Register today and September 16 during Coffee Hour. See Ebtisam Moussa at the Sunday School Registration Table. Or, complete the registration form in this bulletin and bring it when you register. Or, mail the registration form in this bulletin, along with registration fee to St. George Church, 1011 Catasauqua Ave., Allentown, PA 18102. Registration fee $10 per child or $25 per family. Please remit payment by cash or check (payable to St. George Church) and give to Ebtisam Moussa or mail it to the Church along with the completed registration form. Questions? Ebtisam Moussa (610) 866-4477 OR Father Anthony (610) 653-6405 Please consider your children for this wonderful opportunity! The curriculum provides your child with the essential concepts of the Orthodox Christian faith and practices in a warm and caring environment. Consider a donation to support Church School Make a donation and enable our Sunday School to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christian children entrusted in our care. Thank you. Name Address My donation: $. Please make your check payable to St. George Church, (Memo: Sunday School) and mail it to: St. George Church, 1011 Catasauqua Ave., Allentown, PA 18102. St. George Church School Student Registration Begins Sunday, September 23 Registration fee: $10 per child or $25 per family Home Address Street City State Zip Phone Cell Email address Father s Name Mother s Name Emergency Contact Name Phone Check to volunteer and/or donate materials Donate materials Help with Christmas Card Project Volunteer time Help with Christmas Play Donate snacks for parties Help with Creative Arts Set-up church school classrooms Help with Sunday School Bazaar Teach or assist Hoagie Sale/Bake Sale Easter Egg Hunt
Miraculous Icon to visit our church in October The miraculous Hawaiian Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon of the Mother of God will visit St. George Orthodox Church, Allentown, PA on Sunday evening, Oct. 21. A Paraclesis Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. This myrrh-streaming icon depicts the Mother of God holding the Christ child. The myrrh that flows from this icon is an oil-like substance possessing the fragrance of roses. It is considered a great blessing from the Mother of God and many healings, both spiritual and physical, have been attributed to it. The icon is a replica of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God of Montreal. The original icon of the Iveron Mother of God is still housed in the ancient Iveron Monastery on the monastic peninsula of Mount Athos, Greece. The Hawaiian Iveron Mother of God has a unique history; the icon is a mounted replica of the Montreal Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, made by the Sofrino Church Supply Company in Russia. It was given as a gift to an Orthodox believer in Hawaii by the parish rector in the summer of 2007. It was in October 2007 that the believer, Reader Nectarios, smelled a strong fragrance of roses coming from the area in which the icon was placed in his home. As he approached the area searching for the source of the strong aroma, he noticed that the icon of the Mother of God that he had received as a gift was completely saturated with the fragrant myrrh. After notifying the parish priest, the icon was brought to the church and completely wiped dry. A service of intercession was held before the icon and, by the end of the service, the icon was again streaming myrrh and the church was filled with the fragrance of roses. To this very day, many people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds come to venerate the icon of the Mother of God and ask for Her assistance with their troubles and maladies, as well as their physical ailments and spiritual needs. In June 2008, the Holy myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon was officially recognized by Archbishop Kyrill, ROCOR s Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, as miraculous and genuine. The icon and its bearer have been given the blessing to travel to the various churches and monasteries of Orthodox Church. The holy icon of the Mother of God continues to stream its fragrant myrrh to this day. Come to the St. Thekla Pilgramage, Sept. 21-23 Journey to Antiochian Village and set aside your earthly cares for a spiritual renewal on the weekend of Sept. 21-23. Come for sessions for learning and sharing as well as time to enjoy the spiritual oasis of Antiochian Village, nestled in the foothills of the Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania in the city of Bolivar. There will be time to read, fellowship with friends and pray. The library will be open and priests will be available to meet or for confession. Guest Hierarch is His Grace Bishoop Thomas. Reserve your space for this wonderful event by September 1. For more information: www.antiochian.org/sainttheklaconvent. or call (724) 238-2102. 20th Anniversary Annual Retreat Orthodox Women in the Healing Ministries Orthodox Women in the Healing Ministries hosts their annual retreat for Orthodox women who are in the medical and other healing professions. The retreat will be held Oct. 12-14 at Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, Michigan. Frederica Mathewes-Green, keynote speaker, will speak on Mary and the Early Christians. In addition, OWHM recognizes that most women minister to others and welcomes them to this retreat for prayer, rest, reflection, opportunities for networking and lectures given by outstanding speakers. More information: www.owhm.org or (517) 414-3829. Retirement banquet planned for Father Elias Bitar Join the Parish of St. George Church, Little Falls, NJ, for a Banquet to celebrate the life and Priesthood of the Very Rev. Elias Bitar. Known as The Voice of the Archdiocese, Father Elias is the former Vicar General of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, a faithful Priest, husband, father, teacher, advisor and friend. The Banquet will be held Saturday, Oct. 27 at Crowne Plaza, Fairfield, NJ. Ticket price is $100 and a group will be leaving from our Church. If you would like to reserve a seat, please call Donna in our Church Office (610) 439-1232 or talk to FatherAnthony.
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 9/9 Pamela Hanna 9/14 Hessib Jarrah Danielle Hanna Alice George Maria Youwakim Georgette Awad Linda ann Belles Charles Riad Dib Michael Dergham Jonathan Shahoud 9/10 Jonathan Wagner 9/15 Janice Awad 9/11 Mikayla Hanna 9/12 Nick Mitry Happy Anniversary 9/13 Walter R. Miller 9/15/08 Mark & Nouha Braadt Rev. Demitrios Makoul Antiochian Village Byzantine Chanting Workshop, Sept. 27-30 One of the most beautiful aspects of our Orthodox worship is the hymnography that is sung by chanters and choirs to lead the congregation in prayer. Antiochian Village s Byzantine Chant Workshop is designed for beginner and intermediate levels. Time will be spent chanting exercises / melodic formulas and liturgical hymns from music and text. This emphasis on learning and practicing formulas provides a learning environment for people with basic knowledge or no knowledge of the Byzantine Tones. All music is presented in western notation and will focus on the following three components: For information about the content of this workshop, please contact Dn. David Jacobs: david@antiochianvillage.org.registration questions should be addressed to Barli Ross: barli@antiochianvillage.org or 724.238.3677 x425.