May the Name of the Lord be blessed!

On August 26/September 8, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the Martyrs Adrian and Natalia at Nicomedia; St. Tithoes of the Thebaid, disciple of St. Pachomius; St. Ibestion the Confessor of Egypt; Martyrs Atticus and Sisinnius; and the Commemoration of the Meeting of the “Vladimir” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. Through the prayers of Thy Saints, O God, save, have mercy, and protect Thy people. Amen!

Thursday, August 29: Commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist    Orthros 8:30 AM   Divine Liturgy  9:30 AM

Reminder: The regular schedule for Sunday Divine Services will begin Sunday, September 8, Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.  Orthros will be at 8:45 AM and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM  Please note this change.

BIBLE STUDY 2019-2020: The Prison Epistles of St. Paul  the Apostle
From the depths of a Roman prison, words of encouragement and instruction from the great Apostle Paul were sent in a series of letters to communities throughout the Roman Empire. St. Paul may have been fettered and shackled to a series of Roman guards, but the Word he preached remained unfettered and free. The epistles that St. Paul wrote while in prison were to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. Join us for this study of St. Paul profound works beginning on Thursday, September 12 at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM and every Thursday thereafter. This is an excellent way to nurture your faith!

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Adult Religious Education for 2019-2020 will begin Sunday, September 15, at 11:30 am in the Church library. The theme for this year is: ”Forming Christian Culture”. The class format is a round-table discussion format and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed so feel free to join and participate. These are not classes on high theology that are intimidating or difficult to understand. We focus on the “down to earth” and practical ways we should understand and live our faith. In His parables to the masses, Christ always used practical examples from everyday life to help people understand and draw near to God. We use the same model and spirit in this class.

PRAYER TO ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER AND BAPTISTThou who didst baptize Christ, preacher of repentance, despise not us that repent: but, together with the host of Heaven, pray to the Master for us unworthy ones, in our despondency, weakness and sorrow: for we have fallen into many troubles, weighed down by the stormy thoughts of our minds. For we are become a den of evil works, having no end to our sinful habits: our mind is nailed to worldly things. What we shall do, we know not, and nor to whom we shall flee, that our souls might be saved, save unto thee, holy John, who art named for Grace, whom we know to be greater than any, but the Theotokos, that are born before the Lord: for thou was found worthy to touch the head of Christ the King, Who taketh away the sins of the world, the Lamb of God: to Whom pray thou for our sinful souls, that at least from henceforth in the eleventh hour, we may bear the good burden and receive our reward among the last. Yea, O thou who didst baptize Christ, thou revered Forerunner and last of the Prophets, first of the Martyrs according to Grace, mentor of fasters and those who fled to the desert, teacher of purity and close friend of Christ, we pray thee, we flee to thee for refuge: cast us not away from thy protection, but rather raise us up who are fallen in many sins: renew our spirit through repentance, as it were by a second baptism, washing away sin, and preaching penitence unto the cleansing of the ill deeds of each: wash us, indeed, who are stained with sins, and cause us to enter that place where nothing impure hath entry, into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Amen!

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UNIFIED YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION: Please register for all St. George Youth Ministries at https://stgeorge.org/ministries/youth-ministries-registration/ – this includes Sunday School and its Choir, Altar Boys, Hope/Joy, GOYA and the St. George Counselors-in-Training (C.I.T.s).
 
GREEK SCHOOL: Children’s registration for 2019-2020 school year begins on Sept. 6 for Friday classes and Sept. 7 for Saturday classes. Conversational Greek classes begin in October, Wednesday evenings for ages 5-7, and for 7 and up. Adult Greek classes begin in October, Monday and Tuesday evenings, for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Please visit https://stgeorge.org/education/greek-school/ for all registrations. Contact Greek School Director Eirini Iatrou at eirini.iatrou@gmail.com for additional information.
 
IOCC RACE TO RESPOND: Oct. 19. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is sponsoring the 7 th Baltimore Running Festival to raise funds for those in need in places such as Ethiopia, Greece, the Holy Land, and around the world. All abilities of walkers and runners are welcome as there is a range of participants options: 5K, Team Relay, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon. Please register at www.iocc.org/baltimore

“No one can have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother.” (St. Cyprian of Carthage)