St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
2101 NE 162nd Ave.
P.O. Box 20695
Portland, Oregon 97294
www.stgeorgeportland.org
His Grace, Right Rev. JOSEPH, Bishop of Los Angeles and the
West
Very Rev. Fr. Alban West, Pastor
503-284-2760 fralban@comcast.net
Rev. Deacon Dionysius Seib
Schedule of Services:
Saturday - Great Vespers 6:00pm
Sunday - Matins 9:00am, Divine Liturgy 10:00am
Confession, Unction and other sacraments and services may be
arranged by appointment.
A Warm Welcome to Our Guests!
We are very pleased to have you worshipping with us today. Please
join us in the Parish Hall after the service, and introduce yourself
to Fr. Alban and to the members of the community.
While we are more than happy to have you join your prayer with ours,
please note that we understand the reception of Holy Communion to be
the highest expression of our unity in the Orthodox faith. For this
reason Communion is only for members of the Orthodox Church who have
prepared themselves by prayer, fasting, and periodic Confession.
Everyone, however, is encouraged to partake of the blessed bread
which will be offered at the end of the service and which may also be
offered to you by one of your neighbors at Communion time as a sign
of hospitality and blessing.
September 7, 2008
UPCOMING EVENTS
MIDDLE EASTERN FESTIVAL –The St. George Middle Eastern
Festival will take place today from Noon to 7pm.
FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS – We will celebrate the Feast of the
Elevation of the Holy Cross next Sunday, September 14. The
Feast of the Cross is a day of strict fasting, but because this year
it falls on a Sunday, wine and oil are permitted.
CHURCH SCHOOL – The 2008-09 Church School year will begin with
an orientation for parents on Sunday, September 14, and the beginning
of classes on Sunday, September 21.
MONASTERY BUILDERS BENEFIT DINNER – Gerontissa Efpraxia and
her Synodia request the honor of your presence at the Second Annual
Monastery Benefit Dinner and Auction. Enjoy an evening of fine dining
and inspiration in support of St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox
Monastery Sunday, September 28, 2008 5:30 p.m. at the Civic Ballroom,
323 4th St., The Dalles, OR 97058. The evening will feature authentic
Greek cuisine prepared by the nuns of St. John’s. Fr. Theodore
Dorrance, of St. John the Baptist parish in Beaverton, OR will be the
featured speaker. Come enjoy photo updates on the monastery building
project, a silent auction, and much more. Tickets: $60.00/person.
Reserve your spot by mailing payment to: Benefit Dinner Committee,
P.O. Box 662, Goldendale WA, 98620. Space is limited. For more
information please call 509-773-9944 or visit
monasterybuilders.org.
Holy Bread & Coffee Hour: Today – Antiochian Women; Sept.
14 – Suzy Hadeed; Sept. 21 – Samia Faris; Sept. 28
– Karen West
Ushers: Today – Bill Bitar, Paull Kaady; Sept. 14 – Tony
Faris, Margaret Bitar; Sept. 21 – Michel Teeny, Jill Phipps;
Sept. 28 – Joe Hadeed, George Faris
Church Cleaning: Today – Professional cleaners; Sept. 14
– Doug & Marianna O’Brien, Dennis & Noelle Cox;
Sept. 21 – Bill & Margaret Bitar, Khalil & Venus Azar;
Sept. 28 – Don & Karen West, Gregory & Melanie Nickel
You say your incapacity to resist temptations,
your slowness to conquer your passions, and your general moral
debility depress you greatly, which only proves that you count on
acquiring salvation through your own merits. I however, would
have you bear this in mind; you—such as you are
today—could perhaps rid yourself of every one of the sins that
depress you; but only at the price of developing one that is the root
of them all. And yet, this one has, apparently, never depressed
you: because you have never suspected it was there. For
good reason, it is your pride.
But look: if we are humble, God helps us to
fight our sinfulness; if we are proud, He does not. And how can
we acquire humility unless we are constantly humbled through seeing
ourselves as we are—the worst of sinners? Unless we are
constantly brought to our knees in penitence?
If our daily work—the constant fight
against passions and inertia—did not keep us on the alert, we
should come to live in an illusion of our sinlessness, joyously
nursing our pride. And we would soon be wallowing in the
abominable sin of imagined saintliness.
—Staretz Macarius of Optina, Russian Letters of Spiritual
Direction
St. Paul's Letter 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 not only in order that
they may not be persecuted 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.
The 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 wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that
whoever believes in him may 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 the Son into the
world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved
through him.”
|