WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS Whether you are new to Bangor or if you're just passing through - welcome! Please don't hesitate to introduce yourself to someone you've never met and consider staying for some refreshments and fellowship after the morning service. If you would like to receive mailings or otherwise stay in touch, please leave your contact information (name, address, phone, email) with the person in the church office.

CHOIR MEMBERS, WE NEED YOU  As you all know, this is vacation season.  Choir, we ask you to keep this in mind and make every effort to be present to offer the Divine Liturgy every Sunday during the summer season, especially.  Thank you!

THIS TUESDAY, AUG 6 is the Feast of the Holy Tansfiguration.  On that day, the fast is relaxed to allow for a festal meal containing fish.  Some beautiful meditations for the Feast can be found on the Full of Grace and Truth blogspot:  https://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/08/holy-transfiguration-of-our-lord-god.html

DORMITION FAST  The fasting period for the Holy Dormition began on Thursday, August 1 and continues through Thursday, August 14.  The fast is broken on the Feast of the Panagia's Holy Dormition, August 15.  The Church guides us to fast as during Great Lent, that is, eat a vegan diet (no meat, fish or dairy products during this period), although fish is permitted on Tuesday, August 6 for the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration.  Seafood is always acceptable during fasting days / seasons.  The Church guides us wisely--roughly half the year is spent following a vegan diet which more and more people realize is to our health's benefit.  Not only is it to our health's benefit, but it is also a great spiritual benefit.  Places you can look on-line for recipe ideas:  https://plantbasedcookingshow.com/ and YouTube.com--look for the channel "Heavenly Fan."  Fan follows a vegan keto plan and has had much success over a number of years.  Both cooks--Jill from the Plant Based Cooking Show and Fan of the Heavenly Fan channel are both excellent cooks with tasty recipes.

IF YOU ARE NOT YET FAMILIAR... make an effort to learn to chant the small paraklesis service to the Mother of God (the Holy Theotkos) during the Dormition Fast this year.  It is customary to offer paraklesis prayers to the Mother of God on the weekdays of the Dormition Fast.  The Orthodox choral group, Eikona, has made this beautiful service accessible to us in the English language.  You can listen to the prayers being chanted at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbfD6pYWu5g.  If you print out the text, you can learn to chant along with Eikona.  The words are here:  https://hrmonline.org/documents/2016/10/Paraklesis%2020161021.pdf.

THE MOTHER OF GOD IS THE MOTHER OF ALL CHRISTIANS  She is a strong ally and protection for God's children.  Give her your love and devotion, she is more than deserving of every laud we can raise to her name.  As a good and loving Mother, she is always there for us and comes to our aid when we call out to her.

WOULD YOU BAKE SOME PROSFORA?  Our supply of breads is running low.  If you can bake prosfora, would you kindly let Fr. Leo that you will bake some bread for the Holy  Offering?

PRAYER REQUESTS  Seraphima (Linnea) is continuing to improve slowly, but surely, in her stroke recovery.  It's a blessing and encouragment for her and all the Flazala family members.  Panagiota (Jaye) Goulet is at home and continuing her recovery after a number of months in the hospital.  This is a great encouragement not only to her, but to her entire family and host of prayer partners!  God bless and strengthen His two children--Seraphima and Panagiota on their way to full recovery by the mercy and grace of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ!  Please continue to pray for them both.  Remember, too, Pat Egan who has gone through two eye surgeries with reasonable success.  Even though she's had surgery to arrest deterioration, it hasn't actually improved her eyesight significantly.  Life is more challenging as a result, but Pat is undaunted--she has too much yet to accomplish!  Her writing profession does take a toll on her eyesight.  So, she asks that you please continue to pray for her and says, "thank you!"  

THANK YOU to everyone who brings something to share at table during fellowship hour.  Fellowship hour is that much more pleasant with refreshments thanks to your thoughtful generosity each week!

PLEASE HELP ST. GEORGE RAISE A BIT OF EXTRA INCOME by turning in bottles and cans for redemption at Damon's Beverage and Redemption Center at 700 Hogan Road in Bangor.  Last year St. George received just shy of $400 for the year by this redemption method--every little bit helps.  Thank you! 

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE - Donations can be made online.