| May the Name of the Lord be blessed! Now and ever and utno the ages of ages. Amen!
On October 7/20, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus of Syria; Martyrs Julian the Presbyter and Caesarius the Deadon; Martyr Polychronius; Virgin Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus; St. Sergius, Abbot of Nurma; St. Sergius the Obedient of the Kiev Caves; St. Leontius the Governor; the 99 Fathers of Crete; the Martyrs Eusebius and Felix; and the Repose of Blessed Bishop Jonah of Manchuria in China. Through the prayers of Thy Saints, O God, save, have mercy upon and protect Thy people. Amen! Wednesday, October 23: FEAST OF THE HOLY APOSTLE JAMES Orthros 8:30 AM and Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM FOR REFLECTION: A prayer by St. Symeon the New Theologian whose feast we keep Saturday, October 12 “O grandeur of ineffable glory! O excess of love! He Who embraces all things makes His home within a mortal corruptible man, He by Whose indwelling might all things are governed, and the man becomes as a woman heavy with child. O astonishing miracle and incomprehensible deeds and mysteries of the incomprehensible God! A man carries God consciously within himself as light, carries Him Who has brought all things into being and created them, including the one who carries Him now. He carries Him within as a treasure inexpressible, unspeakable, without quality, quantity, or form, immaterial, shapeless, yet with form in beauty inexplicable, altogether simple, like light, Him Who transcends all light. And, clenching his hands at his sides, this man walks in our midst and is ignored by everyone who surrounds him. Who can then adequately explain the joy of such a man? Will he not be more blessed and more glorious than any emperor? Than whom, or than how many visible worlds, will he not be more wealthy? And in what shall such a man ever be lacking? Truly, in no way shall he lack any of God’s good things. Amen!” 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. Meets Thursdays at 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 is held at 11:30 AM follow-ing Divine Liturgy 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. JOURNEY TO ORTHODOXY: A new inquiry class begins Oct. 2, designed for adults who want to become members of the Orthodox Church, culminating in the Holy Mysteries of Baptism or Chrismation. Sessions will be held at 6:30 PM on Oct, 9, 16, and 23; Nov. 6, 13, and 20; and Dec. 11, in the Church Library. want to learn more about the faith that you hold, please attend these sessions. It could be the most important decision of your life! For more information or to sign up for the class, contact Fr. Dimitrios at FrAntokas@stgeorge.org ______________________________ 50 PLUS REMINDER: There will be no 50 Plus Meeting Wednesday, October 9, due to our Bus Trip to St. Michaels on that date. For those joining us for the trip, it is important that you be at the Church at 9:30am. For questions, please call Maria at (240) 421-9909. Next meeting will be November 13. UNIFIED YOUTH MINISTRIES REGISTRATION: Please register for all St. George Youth Ministries at https://stgeorge.org/ GREEK SCHOOL: Please register now at https://stgeorge.org/ “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession…Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer |