Maranatha! Come, O Christ the Lord!

On November 19/December 2, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates St. Porphyrios of Kapsokalyvia; the Repose of Elder Cleopas of Romania; St. Barlaam of Caesarea; St. Joasaph the Prince if India; St. Abenner the King; the Martyr Azes and the 150 Killed with him; St. Hellodurus of Pamphylia; St. Hilarion the Monk, Wonderworker of Thessaloniki; the Marrtyr Agapius; St. Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow; and the Icon of the Holy Theotokos “Joy or All Who Sorrow.”  Through the prayer of Thy Saints, O God, save, have mercy upon and protect Thy people. Amen!

Wednesday, November 21: FEAST OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE     Orthros  8:30 AM and Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM

Wednesday, November 21:  THANKSGIVING EVE LITURGY   7:00 PM

FOR REFLECTION: ON GIVING THANKS WITH HUMILITY BY ST. GREGORY PALAMAS

“Faith and contrition make prayer and supplication for the remission of sins effective once evil deeds have been renounced, but despair and hardness of heart make it ineffectual. Thanksgiving for the benefits received from God is made acceptable by humility and not looking down on those who lack them. it is rendered unacceptable, however, by being conceited, as if those benefits resulted from our own efforts and knowledge, and by condemning those who have not received them. the Pharisee’s behavior and words prove he was afflicted with both these diseases.  He went up to the Temple to give thanks, not to make supplication and, like a wretched fool, mingled conceit and condemnation of others with his thanksgiving. For he stood and prayed thus with himself: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers” (Luke 18:11)    (from Sermons on the Parables of Jesus)

BIBLE STUDY:  There is no Bible Study this Thursday, November 22, in observance of Thanksgiving Day.  The study will resume on Thursday, November 29 at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM
 
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 2018-2019: “The Shared Experience of the Orthodox Christian Faith.” Our faith is not about ideas or concepts, rules and regulations, but our relationship and daily connectedness with Jesus Christ. Starting after Divine Liturgy in the Church Library, through the Orthodox Christian Network’s live Facebook stream, the class reaches thousands in the United States, Canada, and dozens of countries worldwide. Enjoy the archives at http://myocn.net/orthodox-christianvideo-programs/adult-study-classes/
 
ADULT INQUIRY CLASS: For adults interested in joining the Orthodox Church. Through discussion, speakers, and personal sharing, adults will be preparing to receive Baptism or Chrismation. Sessions will be held at 7:30 PM on Wednesdays (except Nov. 21) in the Church Library. Contact Fr. Dimitrios for more information or to sign up at 301-469-7990.
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ORTHODOX YOUTH MISSION TEAM: St. George young adults and adult leaders are forming an Orthodox Youth Mission Team to participate July 7-13, 2019 in the Appalachian Service Project, working with families in this very poor region of the United States to help make their homes “warmer, safer and drier.” Registration deadline will be in November – contact Athena Kaiser for information at 240-498-0870 or
avkmail@verizon.net
 
GREEK PRESCHOOL, Lunch with Santa, Dec. 2, following Divine Liturgy. Adult tickets $17, children $8, children under 3 attend free. Space is limited, so purchase now at https://stgeorge.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/264/responses/new – for information, contact St.George.Greek.Preschool@gmail.com
 
HOPE & JOY: Christmas Tree Lighting, Dec. 7, 7:00 PM beginning in the main church, followed by the tree lighting and then potluck dinner. Please provide a Lenten dish ready to serve on a platter with serving utensils. Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0444afa628a2ff2-christmas
 
PHILOPTOCHOS  2018 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CARD: Sponsored by the St. George Philoptochos.  The Annual Saint George Community Christmas Card is one of the most important fundraisers of the Ladies Philoptochos. Please support this project and send your Christmas greetings to your fellow parishioners in the Saint George community this holiday season. Mail or drop off your donation and completed form to the church; or visit our table during Sunday coffee hour. Cash and credit cards will be accepted at coffee hour only. Deadline to submit form & donation is THIS Sunday, November 25th. Donations received after this deadline may not be included in the sponsors’ list.

SAVE THE DATE: The Annual Philoptochos Christmas Social will be on Sunday,  December 16 at Mykonos Restaurant 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Cost is $40 per person which includes choice from four various  3-course  meals (appetizer, meal, dessert, and beverages of coffee/tea); cash bar available. We are accepting monetary donations, that the Philoptochos will match DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR to support our selected  Christmas Outreach project for this year the Gaithersburg Community Holiday Gift Giving Coalition (teen/senior gift bags, or $15 gift cards to be distributed to children of families in need).  Accepting reservations thru 12/9/18 either in person by visiting our table on Sundays at coffee hour or email: 
Stgphiloptochos1019@gmail.com 

ST. GEORGE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT is available for purchase ($25 each)  during fellowship/coffee hour on Sundays or contact:  Stgphiloptochos1019@gmail.com

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS ARTS FESTIVAL: St. George GOYA presents its 3rd Annual Sights & Sounds Arts Festival on March 2 – 3, 2019.  All youth in 7th through 12th grade are encouraged to share their unique abilities through a wide use of creative mediums including painting, drawing, photography, music, dance, drama, and writing. An individual registration fee of $20.00 is required per participant and includes an event T-shirt. Please complete the registration form indicating what category(ies) you are submitting items for and/or participating as an individual or group talent at the following link: https://stgeorge.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/269/responses/new. 
Please consider supporting our Arts Program by purchasing an advertisement in our Program Book or becoming a “Patron of the Arts.”  Details on pricing and directions on how to send in the artwork can be found online at the following link:  https://stgeorge.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/271/responses/new

“The time before the commemoration of the Nativity is when the       Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is preparing to come again. When we remove all obstacles to His presence, He will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with Him the wonder of His grace.”  (Charles Borromeo)