St. George Greek Orthodox Church

March 22, 2020

Sunday of the Holy Cross

The Church Still Thrives We are aware that there is a new normal when it comes to church attendance. By going online, we have actually increased our viewership of services exponentially. We have also enjoyed more people attending our chats and bible studies. Although not physically present on the church property at all times during the week. We have not ceased to make ourselves available, and to work hard to meet the needs of our community. Please take a look at our weekly schedule. Our priests and staff have con-tinued to be available to parishioners. We sincerely hope that you will continue to remember your beloved parish through your stewardship offerings. You can continue to mail in your stewardship to the church office, or make a donation on our church website via PayPal. Light a Candle If you would like us to light a candle in the church for you, please email the church office at sggoc@comcast.net. Parish Scholarships Available Applications for the Dr. Peter Scamagas Memorial Scholarship and the Athanasia G. Harris Memorial Scholarship are now available. Applications are available for download on the church website, www.stgeorgefresno.org. Completed applications must be post marked by May 11, 2020. See applications for more details. DOP Scholarships Available The Daughter of Penelope has several scholarships avail-able this year, for female and male students. Your mother or grandmother must be a member in good standing of DOP. Deadline for applications is April 1, 2020. For more information or to get an application, please contact Madelyn Jones at (559)434-6357. Text Message Updates and Go Paperless If you would like to receive updates about upcoming electronic meetings, bible studies and more via text mes-sage, or you would like to sign-up to go paperless, email Kristin in the church office sggoc@comcast.net.

Feastday of the Holy Cross Today marks the midpoint of Great Lent. At the mid-point of Great Lent we celebrate Sunday of the Holy Cross. During the service we have a processional to honor the holy cross and following we pass out a flower in commemoration. We are fully aware that services are being streamed. However, if you so choose, following the service you may drive by the church and pickup a blessed flower at the gate in front of the church. From 11:00am until 12:00pm. Please Pray For Does someone need prayer? Call the office in order to request a name to be put on the prayer list. When a fam-ily requests a name be placed on the list, the name will remain on the list for one month. Health: Michael, Jennifer, Darlene, Michael, John, Vic-tor, Sally, Mira, Dee, Carlo Military: Andreas, Joseph, Mike, Justin, Andy, Nick, Matthew, Gail & Tarek Digital Services, and Activities This Week Wednesday: Confessions: Email the church office to ar-range a time for confessions; Presanctified at 6:00pm via Facebook Live. Thursday: Zoom Morning Bible Study at 9:30am Friday: Presanctified at 8:00am; Salutations at 6:00pm via Facebook Live. Electronic Services Check on our website, stgeorgefresno.org, for the sched-ule of upcoming services via Facebook and Zoom Bible Studies, activities and chats.

Orthros Gospel– John 20: 1– 10 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Hebrews 4: 14– 5: 6 BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek."

Mark 8: 34– 9:1 The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

Epistle & Gospel Reading

Hymns of the Day

Third Sunday of Lent Veneration of the Holy Cross

For the feast Save O Lord, O Lord Your people and bless Your divine inheritance. Grant Vic’ try to the faithful against the adversaries of the faith. And protect You people. Thru Your holy cross, Your holy cross. O Lord by Your sacred Cross You abolished death, and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The apostles did preach the Good News at Your com-mand, that You had risen from the dead O Christ Our God, bestowing Your mercy upon the world ever-more. As the one renowned for setting captives free and for defending those in poverty, the physician of the sick and the champion of emperors, great and victorious Martyr George, interceded with Christ our God, be-seeching Him to save our souls. `

Kontakion O Champion General, I your City now inscribe to you Triumphant anthems as the tokens of my grati-tude, Being rescued from the terrors, O Theotokos. Inasmuch as you have power unassailable, From all kinds of perils free me, so that unto you I may cry aloud: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride.

Trisagios hymn We venerate Your Cross, O Master, and we glorify Your Holy Resurrection.

Hymn to the Theotokos In you, O Lady full of grace, rejoices all creation, the orders of Angels and the human race together. O hallowed temple and rational Garden of Paradise, the pride of virgins, from you did God become incar-nate, and our God who existed before the ages became a child. For He made your womb a throne for him-self, and your body He made wider than the heavens. In you, O Lady full of grace, rejoices all creation. Glory to you.

Communion hymn O Lord, the light of Your face was stamped upon us. Alleluia.

“A Time for Every Purpose Under Heaven” Orthodox Christian Stewardship Program

St. George Greek Orthodox Church

2219 N. Orchard Street

Fresno, CA 93703

559 233-0397

This past year we have continued to developed and began implementing Vision 100, part of

our Strategic Plan. In the coming year we will continue implementing this plan to grow

our church and its ministries. Copies of Vision 100 are available in the Narthex and on our

website at: http://stgeorgefresno.org/st.-george-strategic-plan.

We invite you to be part of this vision by becoming a Financial Steward of St. George

Church. By becoming a Financial Steward of St. George Church, you will insure the suc-

cess of the many current and future ministries we provide.

Become a Financial Steward of St. George Church:

Fill out a confidential 2020 Stewardship Commitment Form* and return it to the church

office, a parish council member or place it in the offering basket.

*Commitment forms are located in the Narthex, the church office or in the monthly

newsletter.

Fulfill your stewardship commitment in numerous ways:

Setup automatic monthly payments from your bank to the church. (Mailing Address:

2219 N. Orchard St.; Fresno, CA 93703)

Make a one time Stewardship payment or setup automatic monthly payments with your

credit card through the church website: http://www.stgeorgefresno.org/giving/treasure

Mail monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual stewardship checks to the church office.

(Mailing Address: 2219 N. Orchard St.; Fresno, CA 93703)

Place monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual stewardship checks in the Sunday of-

fering tray.

As highlighted in our annual budget, if the families that were Financial Stewards last year

increased the average commitment to $2,200 per family per year, we would fulfill the finan-

cial obligations of our church and let fundraisers fund improvements and growth.

Church Income & Expense UpdateChurch Income & Expense Update The figures below reflect current actual income and the budgeted expenses for the week prior to this Sunday. Followed by current actual year to date income and expenses. They are provided in order to give a ongoing

report as to what is necessary to cover the financial needs of our congregation. Thank you for your continued support.

@412fouronetwo sggoc@comcast.net www.stgeorgefresno.org Text the word ALERT to 22300

www.facebook.com/stgeorgegreekorthodoxchurch

If you would like to show your appreciation and love to our Lord and Savior, here is a list of flowers needed for the Church.

Miscellaneous Monetary donations are welcome.

3rd Sunday of Lent: Flowers to be passed out for the Sunday of the Holy Cross- $75.00

5 Fridays Supplication to the Virgin Mary: $50.00 for each Friday– 3 taken Palms for Children for Palm Sunday:

$80.00 Palm Sunday: To be used until Holy Thursday 2 Altar Cones- $45 ea. 2 Narthex- $45 ea 2 Candelabras-$70 ea Holy Wednesday: Mystical Supper Icon—$75 Holy Thursday: To be used from the Crucifixion services through Holy Saturday

12 Candles for Holy Thursday Gospels- $75 Candles for the Holy Cross $75 Charcoal- $25 Crucifixion Icon- $55

Holy Saturday: To be used for the Resurrection and Agape services 2 Candelabras $70 each - 4 Floral arrangements for Icon Screen - $70 each 2 Altar Cones $45 each 3 Paschal Candles $100 2 Narthex $45 ea.

Flowers for Lent and Pascha (Resurrection)

Weekly Income and Expenses

Income (actual) for the week of 03/15/2020 $ 3,893.95

Budgeted expenses ($580,244 for the year divided into 52 weeks) $ 11,159.00

Difference of: $ (7,265.05)

Year to Date Income (Actual) and Expense (Actual)

Income (actual) 1/1/2020-03/15/2020 $ 82,489.00

Expenses (actual) 1/1/2020-03/15/2020 $ 115,537.00

Difference of: $ (33,048.00)