FROM THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE 9/3/19

On September 3/16, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the Hieromartyr Anthimus of Nicomedia and those martyred with him; St. Theoctistus; Martyr Aristion, Bishop of Alexandria; Martyr Basilissa of Nicomedia; St. Phoebe, Deaconess of Corinth; Blessed John the Hairy, Fool for Christ; St. Ioannicius, Archbishop of Serbia; New Martyr Polydorus of Cyprus; Martyr Edward of England; Martyrs Chariton and Archontinus; and Emperor Constantine the New. Through the prayers of Thy Saints, O God, save, have mercy and protect Thy people. Amen

DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE: The regular order of Sunday Divine Liturgy Services will resume on Sunday, Sept. 8, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, when Orthros begins at 8:45 AM and Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. Please note the change and attend on time, to experience the fullness of the liturgy and to not to disturb others at prayer.

BIBLE STUDY 2019-2020:  “The Prison Epistles of St. Paul”  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. This Bible Study will focus on the epistles that St. Paul wrote while in prison to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon.  Begins September 12, 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM. Join us for this exploration of God’s Word through the voice of St. Paul.

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.

FOR REFLECTIONThe Gospel is simple and is very Good News. We have been saved, deified, purified, and lifted up into the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Do you doubt this? Read these words from St. John of Kronstadt (1829-1909): “Human nature is deified for the sake of the boundless compassion of the Son of God; and its sins are purified; the defiled are sanctified. The ailing are healed. Upon those in dishonour are boundless honor and glory bestowed. Those in darkness are enlightened by the Divine light of grace and reason.”

The Orthodox understanding of love and how his grace permeates creation has remained constant from the beginning until now. “We are saved by grace,” writes St. Paul, “and not by works.”  That human nature has been deified means that all that humanity has been saved, lifted up to God, given the promise of His Kingdom. St. John Chrysostom’s exquisite Paschal Sermon uses the Lord’s parable of the Workers who come at various times and are paid the very same wage. That is not fair, of course, but grace has nothing to do with fairness. Grace is not fair, it is amazingly unfair. That’s the Good News of the Gospel!
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50 PLUS:  The first meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 11:30 AM, luncheon will be served. Please make a special effort to attend as we will be having elections and need input for a planned bus trip to St. Michaels Island on Wednesday, Oct.  9.

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 7th Baltimore Running Festival to raise funds for those in need in places such as Ethiopia, Syria, Greece, the Holy Land, Haiti, Uganda and Nepal. 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

CHOIR: All are welcome to join us for our first service of the ecclesiastic year next Sunday September 15th and the rehearsal preceding it on Thursday September 12th @ 7:30 where we’ll be rehearsing Greek and English musical arrangements of the Liturgy.  If you’ve ever thought about singing with the choir, now’s the time to consider joining your voice with ours in worship during the Liturgy.  We will be spending extra time learning all voice parts thoroughly in anticipation of hosting over 75 singers at St. George for our Metropolis Annual Choir Conference October 17-20.  RSVP to our choir director Paul Mavromihalis at pmavromihalis@gmail.com or 301-455-6785.