| Maranatha! Come, O Christ the Lord! On November 18, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Platon of Ancyra, Martyr Romanus the Deacon of Caesarea, St. Barulas the Youth of Antioch, the Holy Martys Zacchaeus the Deacon and Alphaeus of Caesarea in Palestine, and the New Martyr Anastasius of Epirus. Through the prayers of Thy Saints, O God, save, have mercy upon, and protect Thy people. Amen! THURSDAY, NOV. 21; FEAST OF OUR SOVEREIGN LADY THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE Orthros 8:30 AM and Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27: THANKSGIVING LITURGY 7:00 PM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM: PRE-NATIVITY REFLECTION DAY. The theme is “From the Altar to Belief: Orthodox Worship as the Source and Summit of Faith” The Orthodox Faith is established on different “connections” — one of which is the intimate link between the Divine Liturgy and Orthodox spirituality and theology. Discover in this presentation what those links are and how they might deepen both our worship and our personal spirituality. For all Sunday School teachers, Ministry Leads, and St. George families. A separate program will be offered for children who attend with their parents. Make ready to commemorate the coming of the Lord in the flesh and His coming again in glory. Join us! BIBLE STUDY 2019-2020: “The Prison Epistles of St. Paul” – 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 in the Church Library. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Adult Religious Education for 2019-2020 at 11:30 AM following Divine Liturgy in the Church Library. The theme is “Forming Christian Culture.” In His parables to the masses, Christ always uses practical examples from everyday life to help people understand and draw near to God. The format is a round-table discussion in a relaxed atmosphere. Please join and participate freely. JOURNEY TO ORTHODOXY: Ongoing inquiry class for adults becoming members of the Orthodox Church, culminating in the Holy Mysteries of Baptism or Chrismation. Sessions at 6:30 PM on Nov. 20; and Dec. 11, in the Church Library. If you just want to learn more about the faith that you hold, please attend these sessions. For more information or to sign up for the class, contact Fr. Dimitrios at FrAntokas@stgeorge.org FOR REFLECTION….. The people of Israel were singularly unprepared for God’s change of approach, and to find that He had come to live beside them. Now God could be found in their midst—going to the same school that they went to, working in the carpenter’s shop that they frequented, attending the same wedding in Cana that they attended, eating and drinking in their presence and teaching in their streets (Lk. 13:26). Poor little drummer boys could approach God on the first Christmas day and say, in the words of the Christmas song, “I am a poor boy too”. God had become a poor boy, a carpenter, a field preacher with nowhere to lay His head. He was now in their midst, Emmanuel, sharing their lot and their load—truly, the God of the unexpected. Make time this pre=Nativity season to spend time in quiet prayer with the unexpected God who comes into your life!
_________________________________________ NEW PARISH DIRECTORY: Sign up now to receive a free 8×10 family portrait and a free St. George Parish Directory scheduled to be published in Spring 2020. Working with Lifetouch, we invite every family to register following Divine Liturgy for the free one-hour portrait photography sessions, to be conducted Nov. 26-Jan. 3 (available date & time details at the sign-up table). Additional photographs can be purchased directly from Lifetouch, which will offer a $5.00 coupon to every family that donates clothing for the St. George “Clothing Drive.” 50 PLUS: Annual Thanksgiving Day Bake Sale, TODAY, after Divine Liturgy. We appreciate your support and also informing friends and family. All proceeds are given to St. George. ORTHODOX YOUTH MISSION TEAM: Sunday, Nov. 24 12:15 pm informational meeting in the Chapel following Divine Liturgy. Learn more about theupcoming July 2020 Mission Tripwith the Appalachia Service Project, working with families in this very poor region of theUS to help make their homes “warmer, safer and drier.” Registration is currently under way – the deadline is Dec. 30, 2019. All youth, parents and adults interested are encouraged to attend. PHILOPTOCHOS: 2019 Christmas Card. Send your Nativity greetings to your fellow St. George parishioners. Monday, Nov. 25 deadline for donation and submitted form, available at https://stgeorge.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019_StG_CC_Form-1.pdf Please visit our table following Divine Liturgy for cash and credit card payment, and to purchase 50th Anniversary commemorative ornament ($25). For information, contact Myranda Nickoloff at (301) 768-6364 or stgchristmascard@gmail.com LUNCH WITH SANTA: A beautiful tradition at St. George — will be hosted by the St. George Greek Preschool on Sunday, December 8th following the Divine Liturgy. Join us for lunch with a special visit from Santa. Tickets are available for purchase online at https://stgeorge.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/346/responses/new. Space is limited. If you have any questions please email St.George.Greek.Preschool@gmail.com. We look forward to you joining us! “Come, let us wonder at the virgin most pure, wondrous in herself, unique in creation, she gave birth, yet knew no man; her pure soul with wonder was filled, daily her mind gave praise in joy at the twofold wonder: her virginity preserved, her child most dear. Blessed is He who shone forth from her!” (St. Ephraim the Syrian, Songs of Praise) | 