September 10, 2017 Tone 5 / Eothinon 3

Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy CrossAfter-feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

On this day we commemorate: Martyrs Menodora, Metrodora andNymphodora of Bithynia; Empress Pulcheria; Peter, bishop of Nicaea

Divine Liturgy

Pastor The Very Rev. Anthony G. SabbaghAssistant Pastor Rev. Joseph LandinoDeacon Thomas UnderwoodSub-Deacon Peter AttarAltar Boy Captain George KhalloufAdministrative Committee The Very Rev. Anthony G. Sabbagh, Chairman Rev. Joseph Landino Elias Gharzouzi, Vice Chairman Albert Bitar, Treasurer George Nassoor, Secretary Fred Davis Robert Mimari Nasser Sabbagh Dave DavisOffice Administrator Donna BeckerCustodian Adnan SabbaghBuilding/Planning The Very Rev. Anthony G. Sabbagh, Pastor Rev. Joseph Landino, Ass’t. Pastor Dave Davis, Chair George Nassoor, Co-ChairChoir Gail Ortner, Director Members: Khouria Minerva Sabbagh Khouria Mary Landino Delores Edwards Christina Attar Jouhayna Al-Amm David T. Davis Amjad Khalil George Nassoor Marwan Sabbagh Chanters Marwan Sabbagh Hanna SayeghLadies Altar Society Lamia Younes, President Hind Azar, Vice President Kathy Miller, Treasurer Souha Hadeed, Corresponding Secretary Hanna Achkar, Secretary

Children’s Relief Fund Khouria Minerva SabbaghSunday School Sharon Barber-Lui, Director Teachers: Maggie Abboud Khouria Mary Landino Abe Assad Rita Mamari Christina Attar Julia Marques Peter Attar Hope Sabbagh Rula Elian Jaklin SabbaghTeen SOYO The Very Rev. Anthony G. Sabbagh, Pastor Rev. Joseph Landino, Spiritual Advisor Khouria Mary Landino, Head Lay Advisor Khalil Yacoub, Ass’t. Lay Advisor Reem Tannous, Ass’t. Lay Advisor Jessica Youwakim, Junior Advisor Ashley Chteh, President Meriam Deeb, Vice President Sami Barhoum, Treasurer Giovanna Nema, Recording Secretary Mary Yacoub, Corresponding Secretary Joey Maamari, Media Secretary/HistorianThe Fellowship of St. John the Divine Sawsan Khalouf, Chair Kh. Mary Landino,Co-Chair Ghazal Stity, Treasurer Amjad KhalilHomeless Dinner Ministry Naife Khalouf, Coordinator Members of Teen SOYOSt. George Bookstore Kh. Minerva SabbaghWebsite Elie Jabbour George IssaFacebook Hope SabbaghCharitable MinistriesPastoral Discretionary Fund The Very Rev. Anthony G. SabbaghNewcomer & Refugee Committee Marwan Sabbagh George Khalouf Nasser Sabbagh Hope Sabbagh

2017 St. George Church Staff and Organizations

THE EPISTLE(For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)

O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance.To Thee, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.

The Reading from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. (6:11-18)

BRETHREN, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised and only in order that they may not be perse-cuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the Law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all, who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Holy BreadThe Holy Bread is sponsored by:

Fr. Anthony, Kh. Minerva & Hope Sabbaghin loving memory of

Issa & Jamileh SabbaghSalim & Namnoume Haddad

•

Mahassen Al Cheikh & Familyin loving memory of

Elias Al Cheikh (40-Day Memorial)

THE GOSPEL(For the Sunday before the Elevation of the Holy Cross)

The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (3:13-17)

THE LORD said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilder-ness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

Thought for the Day“The power of Communion is within us, and it is our obligation to bring it to concrete expression.”

His Beatitude, Patriarch IGNATIUS IV

The Holy Bread of Oblation is offered before the Altar of Godv For Good Health, Well Being and Blessings v

Archbishop Paul Yazigi and Archbishop Youhanna Ibrahim; Metropolitan Jo-seph; Bishop Nicholas; Fr. Anthony, Kh. Minerva, Hope Sabbagh; Fr. Joshua Makoul; Sabbagh and Haddad Families; Theresa McCallister, parishioners, cler-gy; Mahassen Al Cheikh and Family; Fayez Awad; Rand, Roula, Rami, Rima, Awni and Families; Nicholas Makhoul; Wadad and Jacob Makhoul; John, Manwella, Mark, Angela, Michael, Meshleen, Hanna, Rafca; Evelyn Khouli; Sa-bri Khouly and Family; Bourham and Family; Michael and Family; Alisar and Family; Farouz and Family; Souha Hadeed and Family; Elias Joseph Shetayh; Haitham, Iklas, Mark and Matthew Zaiter; Jaklin and Abed Makhoul; George and Hiyam Tabchi; Simon, Melissa and Yasmin Tabchi; Rehab, Leo, Naomi Martin; Neph and Resam Andujar; Rahmeh Tabchi; Elias, Georgette, Jason, Joann, Janice Awad; Kenzi; Halim and Family; Georges Saba and Family; Sil-va, Issa, Reine; Eyad, Jennifer, Eyan and Zayn Alraei; Ziad Alraei; Afifeh Skaf; Zakieh Hanna; Michael Hanna and Family; Kathryn Moyer; the Nassar Family; Faisal and Nadia Daher; Bashar Hanna and Family; Rahmeh Hanna, children, grandchildren; Saba Family; Victor, Dima, Victoria, Gabriella, Anthony and Alexandria Hanna; Layal Hanna and Family; Mona, Wail, Heather, Mitchell, Mallory, Abeer, Elyssa and Eyanna; Albert, Shadia, Christian, Michael and Alex-ia Bitar; George and Mary Makdesi; Georges Bitar and Family.

v In Loving Memory vMetropolitan Philip; Fr. George; Issa and Jamileh Sabbagh; Salim and Nam-noume Haddad; Elias Al Cheikh; Salim Al Cheikh; Zaki Yazigi; Joseph Hadeed; Nawal Hanna; Mikhae, Aniseh, Sulieman Khouli; Brahim, Rahmeh Hanna; Fadil, Nayla, Georges Zaiter; Jabour, Mariam, Marwan, Adib, Rafat, Mikheil, Hafiza Issa; Brahim, Resmeh, Nawal, Janet, Zahieh, Mtanios, Milia, Maria Hanna; Sulieman and Hanna Tabchi; Nakhle Awad; Issa, Bedra and Sameer Saba; Abraham, Adla and Mary Awad; Georges Daher; Rafaat Alraei; Elias Saba; Zaki Skaf; Georges, Tony Hanna; Maryanna Nassar; Jamileh Abboud, Hanna, Georges and Summer Daher; Wajih Hanna, Elias and Raid Khouly; Azeezee Khouly; Antonios and Nadeema Hanna; Michel and Badih Bitar; Alfred Han-na; Steven Makdesi; Bassam, Khalil, Nizha Bitar.

7-Day Candle Sponsor

Kh. Minerva & Hope Sabbaghfor the good health of

Fr. Anthony

Memorial ServiceA Memorial Service is held for the rest of the soul of the servant of God:

Issa & Jamileh SabbaghSalim & Namnoume Haddad

Elias Al CheikhMay the Lord grant rest to His servants and remember them

in His kingdom, now and forever.

Coffee HourThank you to today’s Coffee Hour sponsor:

Mahassen Al Cheikh & Family

Eternal Candle Sponsors

Haitham & Iklas Zaiterfor the good health of

Mark & Matthew Zaiter•

Evelyn Khoulifor the good health of

Sabri Khouli & Family

Sponsor the Eternal Light or a Seven-Day CandleLooking for a tnagible way to remember a departed loved one or pray for the good health of a friend or relative, or recognize a special occasion? Consider a one-week sponsorship of the Eternal Light or a Seven-Day Candle that will burn continuously in the House of God asking Him to make your prayers ac-ceptable to his holy Majesty, that His love, mercy and peace will surround and sustain those whom you are praying for in this life and the life to come.• Sponsor’snameandwhoistobementionedandprayedforwillalsobe printed in this bulletin for the week selected.• Sponsorsareaskedtoconsideradonationof$10ormoreperweekto accompany their request.• PleaseseeHiyamTabchiafterChurchservicestosponsoraweekorcall thechurchofficeweekdaysat(610)439-1232.

Special donations to the ChurchWe acknowledge families and friends who have honored dear ones with mone-tary gifts given in the spirit of loving kindness.$ Fr.Anthony,Kh.MinervaandHopeSabbaghtotheChurchinloving memory of Issa and Jamileh Sabbagh; Salim and Namnoume Haddad; for the good health of Bishop Nicholas; Sabbagh and Haddad Families; Theresa McAllister; parishioners, clergy; Best Wishes to Fr. Joshua Makoul on his birthday,Sept.13.HappyBirthdayFatherJoshua!$ MahassenAlCheikhandFamilytotheChurchinlovingmemoryofElias Al Cheikh, Salim Al Cheikh, Zaki Yazigi; for the good health of Mahassen Al Cheikh; Fayez Awad; Rand, Roula, Rami, Rima, Awni and Families.$ NicholasMakhoultotheChurchforthegoodhealthofWadadandJacob Makhoul.$ JohnandManwellaDerghamtotheChurchforthegoodhealthofJohn, Manwella, Mark, Angela, Michael, Meshleen, Hanna, Rafca.$ EvelynKhoulitotheChurchinlovingmemoryofNawalHanna,Mikhael, Aniseh, Suliman Khouli; for the good health of Sabri, Bourhan and Family; Michael and Family; Alisar and Family; Farouz and Family.$ HaithamandIklasZaitertotheChurchinlovingmemoryofBrahim, Rahmeh Hanna; Fadil, Nayla, Georges Zaiter; for the good health of Mark, Matthew Zaiter.$ SouhaHadeedandFamilytoSundaySchoolinlovingmemoryofJoseph Hadeed(3years).$ SouhaHadeedandFamilytoTeenSOYOwithGod’sspecialblessingsonthe Baptism of Elias Joseph Shetayh. May love surround you and keep you always.$ JaklinandAbedMakhoultotheChurchinlovingmemoryofJabour, Mariam, Marwan, Adib, Rafat, Mikhel, Hafiza Issa.$ GeorgeandHiyamTabchitotheChurchwithCongratulationsandBest Wishes to Simon and Melissa Tabchi on the birth of their daughter, Yasmin. May God’s special blessings be on your baby today and in all the days ahead.$ GeorgeandHiyamTabchitotheChurchforthegoodhealthofSimon, Melissa and Yasmin Tabchi; Rehab, Leo, Naomi Martin; Neph and Resam

Andujar; Rahmeh Tabchi; in loving memory of Fr. George; Brahim, Resmeh, Nawal, Janet, Zahieh, Mtanios, Milia, Maria Hanna; Sulieman and Hanna Tabchi.$ EliasandGeorgetteAwadtotheLadiesAltarSocietyforthegoodhealthof Elias, Georgette, Jason, Joann, Janice Awad; Kenzi; Eyad, Jennifer, Eyan and Zayn Alraei; Halim and Family; Georges Saba and Family; Silva, Issa, Reine Saba; in loving memory of Nakhle Awad; Issa, Bedra and Sameer Saba; Abra- ham, Adla and Mary Awad; Georges Daher; Elias Saba.$ EyadAlraeiandFamilytoSundaySchoolforthegoodhealthofZiadAlraei; in loving memory of Rafaat Alraei.$ AfifehSkaftotheChurchinlovingmemoryofZakiSkaf.$ ZakiehHannatotheChurchinlovingmemoryofGeorges,TonyHanna; for the good health of Michael Hanna and Family.$ KathrynMoyertotheChurchinlovingmemoryofMaryannaNassar;for the good health of the Nassar Family.$ FaisalandNadiaDahertoSyrianOrphanagesforthegoodhealthofFaisal and Nadia Daher; in loving memory of Jamileh Abboud, Hanna Daher, Georges Daher; Sommer Daher.$ BasharHannatotheChurchforthegoodhealthofBasharHannaand Family; Rahmeh Hanna, children and grandchildren; in loving memory of Wajih Hanna, Elias and Raid Khouly; Azeezee Khouly; Antonios and Nadeema Hanna.$ GeorgeandMaryMakdesitotheChurchinlovingmemoryofSteven Makdesi.$ TheSabaFamilytotheChurchinlovingmemoryofEliasSaba.$ VictorandDimaHannatotheChurchforthegoodhealthofVictor,Dima, Victoria, Gabriella, Anthony and Alexandria.$ GeorgesBitarandFamilytotheChurchinlovingmemoryofBassam, Khalil, Nizha Bitar; Elias Saba.$ TheBitarFamilytotheChurchforthegoodhealthofMona,Wail,Heather, Mitchell, Mallory, Abeer, Elyssa and Eyanna; Albert, Shadia, Christian, Michael and Alexia Bitar; in loving memory of Michael and Badih Bitar.

Next Sunday, Sept. 17: join us for a“Falafel & Shawarma Lunch” FundraiserFalafel $5 Pre-orders welcome! To place your order call:Shawarma $7 Lamia (610) 837-9498French Fries $2 Hind (610) 264-4925Beverage $1 Fay (610) 437-3337

Sponsored by the Ladies Altar Society

Join us in observance of the Elevation of the Holy CrossThursday, Sept. 14, 10 am Two events connected to the Honorable Cross of our Lord are commemorated on this Feast Day: first, the finding of the Cross by the Empress Helena in the HolyLand;andsecond,thereturnoftheCrossfromPersiatoJerusalemin628.See more information on this Feast Day in this bulletin.

Within the ChurchWe wish each parishioner and friend of St. George Church a Happy Birthday or Anniversary. May God’s blessings shine down upon them throughout the coming year. Keep the Church Office informed of birthdays, anniversaries and specialevents.Call(610)439-1232.Happy Birthday 9/11 MikaylaHanna 9/16 NicholasAbboud9/12 NickMitry JohnAssad Helen Ghanam Deacon Thomas Underwood9/13 WalterMiller Fr. Joshua Makoul Happy Anniversary9/14 HessibJarrah 9/12/11 Hadi&MariamWakim AliceGeorge 9/15/08 Mark&NouhaBraadt Georgette Awad Charles Riad Dib Jonathan Shahoud Ghassan Mansour9/15 JaniceAwad Hanna Daher9/16 JoshuaSchaller Kamal Abboud

SurplusToday

Today after church the Ladies Altar Society is holding a Surplus Sale and offering frozen foods, soda, hot dog and hamburger rolls and more. Make sure to stop by and see what is available for sale.

Ladies Altar Society meeting set for Tuesday, Sept. 12We welcome all ladies of the church to join us for refreshments and a meeting onTuesday,Sept.12at7pm.Wewillbeplanningeventsandactivitiesforthecoming year and welcome your suggestions. We look forward to seeing you. For moreinformation,pleasecallLamia(610)837-9498.

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Iconography workshops St George Antiochian Orthodox Church

1011 Catasauqua Ave, Allentown, PA 18102

Sundays 4-7 Pm, Oct. 8 – Dec. 10, 2017

An introduction to the practice of Byzantine iconography in acrylic medium, led by iconographer Karsten Boyer

Open to teens and adults, no experience required Hands-on instruction toward the completion of the icon of our parish patron, St George

Registration Deadline: Sept. 24, 2017 Non-refundable Cost of $60 covers materials

Instruction is free Financial assistance may be available

Contact: Kh. Mary Landino

408-219-8644 Karsten Boyer 610-248-1355

Iconography workshops St George Antiochian Orthodox Church

1011 Catasauqua Ave, Allentown, PA 18102

Sundays 4-7 Pm, Oct. 8 – Dec. 10, 2017

An introduction to the practice of Byzantine iconography in acrylic medium, led by iconographer Karsten Boyer

Open to teens and adults, no experience required Hands-on instruction toward the completion of the icon of our parish patron, St George

Registration Deadline: Sept. 24, 2017 Non-refundable Cost of $60 covers materials

Instruction is free Financial assistance may be available

Contact: Kh. Mary Landino

408-219-8644 Karsten Boyer 610-248-1355

$$$ for your parish and grow the ClergyRetirement Fund with the “Rewards Program”•Shoponlineandinstoresatover4,000ofyourfavoriteretailers.•Saveandtakeadvantageofdiscountsandfreeshipping.•Support:Earn$$$foryourchurchandclergyoneverydollaryouspend at no additional cost to you.•Registeratantiochian.org/rewardsprogram.Selectourparish. Remember to install the “Support Button.”

Winter Family Camp at Antiochian VillageWinter Family Camp is a program that is the same as our summer Family Camp–exceptit’sduringthewinter!Itisan opportunity for your family to get away from everyday life and take a weekend as a family to grow closer to Christ, in the beau-tiful setting of the Antiochian Village Camp. At Winter Family Camp, eating a meal together as a family is the norm, not the exception. Not your typical vacation, Winter Family Camp offers a mini-vacation with-out maps, lines for popcorn, or decisions over where to eat. Our flexible sched-ule gives you the choice of “doing it all” from snowtubing to sledding, or just taking it easy sitting around our fireplace. Because you’re at the Village, the day is measured not so much by hours, but by prayer; the day is bookmarked with Matins and Vespers in beautiful St. Ig-natius Church, with services sung by everyone present. Family Builder sessions offer practical, down-to-earth resources for keeping our families strong. Some of our families come to meet up with families of far-away friends; oth-ers have come and made friends and come back to reunite. Either way, in addi-tion to family time, our moms, dads and kids also enjoy meeting and spending time together. For more information, please check the following website:https://avcamp.org/other-programs/winter-family-camp/

firstGreatFeastoftheYear,September8th,honorsherbirth;thelastGreatFeastoftheYear,August15,remembersherfallingasleep.BetweenthesetwoGreatFeaststheChurchmarks10othermajorFeastsandPASCHA,theFeastof Feasts. Our church calendr includes many of the daily saints and readings for the year. Also, most people have their own patron saint, or “nameday”, to re-member, as well as other favorite and family saints’ days.

Why not start the New Year off right? Mark your personal calendar with the Feasts, Fasts, and Saints days of the Church. Make a resolution to participate in the liturgical cycle of the Church. Unlike mundane New Year’s resolutions, marking your calendar, keeping the Feasts and Fasts, and embarking for a new life within the annual life of the Church is a wonderful way to sanctify time. Let’salljointogetherinmakingthisan“acceptableyearoftheLord!”HappyNewYear!

Here’s a list of those Feasts for the coming year:Birth of the Theotokos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .September8,2017Elevation of the Holy Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .September14,2017Entry of the Theotokos in the Temple . . . . . . . . . .November21,2017Nativity of Christ (Christmas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December25,2017

Preceded by a 40-day fast which begins on St Philip’s Day, November 15Baptism of Christ (Theophany). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January6,2018Presentation of Christ in the Temple. . . . . . . . . . . . . February2,2018Annunciation of the Theotokos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March25,2018Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April1,2018

Preceded by the Great Fast and followed by Passion WeekPASCHA (Easter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April8,2018Ascension of our Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May17,2018Pentecost Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May27,2018Transfiguration of our Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August6,2018Falling Asleep of the Theotokos (Dormition) . . . . . . .August15,2018

Preceded by a 2-week fast which begins on August 1

Happy (Church) New Year!By Fr. Joseph HuneycuttIt seems odd saying “Happy New Year” in September, but that’s when the ChurchmarksHerannualbeginning.September1stis,fortheChurch,thefirstday of a New Year.A pious tradition of the Church holds that Jesus of Nazareth beganpreachingthegoodnewsofHismissiononSeptember1st.WhenourLord entered the Synagogue, He was given the book of the Prophet Isaiah to read, and He opened it and found the place where it is written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the cap-tives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” Luke 4:18-21

Tradition also holds that it was during the month of September that the He-brews entered the Promised Land. And, the custom of beginning a new year with autumn was common in Biblical and Mediterranean lands because the summer harvest was completed, the crops were stored, and it was a time when people began preparing for a new agricultural cycle. It was an appropriate time for a new beginning. This is evident in the services for the New Year as the Church beseeches God for fair weather, seasonable rains, and an abundance of the fruits of the earth.

As we begin this new year it should be noted that the Church Calendar is load-edwithimportantevents--especiallythe12GreatFeasts,theFourFasts,andPASCHA. Also, each day of the Church Year is set aside to honor Saints; many of whom died on that particular date. Similar to our personal calendars where we mark the earthly birthdays of family and friends, the Church remembers the Saints on their “heavenly birthday” -- the day they passed from this life to Paradise.

Liturgically, the Church Year begins and ends with the Mother of God. The

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