WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS Whether you are new to Bangor or if you're just passing through - welcome! If you've come because you are curious about the Orthodox Church, its beliefs and worship, you are very welcome, too! 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.

COMMEMORATIONS THIS WEEK  Wednesday, 4 Dec, St. Barbara, the Great Martyr; St. John of Damascus; Friday, 6 Dec, St. Nicholas of Myra, the Wonderworker; Saturday, 7 Dec, St. Ambrose of Milan. Feast Day blessings to all who are celebrating this week!

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS  will be held TODAY and next Sunday, Dec 8.  Select four persons from the ballot.  Those running are George Leakos; Seraphim (Tim) Kulikowski; Areti Baldwin and Grigori (Gary) Fearon.  Sincere thanks to Basil (Cole) Brown and Jason Leighton who have served in parish council roles in the past--grateful to you all! 

SUNDAY SCHOOL  Mrs. Bucklin teaches class in the fellowship hall for ages 6+ immediately after Holy Communion.  Parents are always welcome to sit in on the class.

UPDATED PRAYER REQUESTS   For the Wlodkowski family who have suffered a bereavment--Sasha's father, Dimitri, passed from this life last Thursday. For Dr. Allison's mother, Paula, who's been diagnosed with a serious medical condition. For Pres. Candace who developed a shoulder impingement that is restricting movement of her right arm.  For Mona's dad, Fr. Anthony, a priest in Pakistan who is ill. He is stable, but weak. He is suffering from infection in some major organs. Mona is in Pakistan now.  Anthony is traveling to Pakistan tomorrow (12/1) to be with them all.  Pray that Mona's father recover his health, by the mercy of God. Pray for safety for Anthony and Mona. For Dr. Dave - for resolution of back pain with a surgery, hopefully soon, when a date is confirmed.  One of our catechumens, Nick, has asked for prayer support at this time.  His physical health has improved but still is in process of recovery.  Please keep remembering two Orthodox sisters in Christ recovering from strokes (slow, but sure), Panagiota (Jaye) and Seraphima (Linnea).  Please remember Pat E whose eyesight is limiting her options, but not her enthusiasm for serving the Christ and the Church--thank God!  Your prayers for these these brothers and sisters in Christ are of great assistance.  

PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR THOSE LEARNING ABOUT OUR FAITH Please pray for Dhesorae, Anita Rose and Vincent (mother & son), and Nicholas to your parish prayer list.  They are all learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith with intent to unite themselves to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church in due time.  God bless and lead you, one and all! 

MEMORY ETERNAL Last Thursday, Sasha had opportunity to talk with her father by phone and not long afterward, he reposed in Christ.  Please pray for rest for the soul of the servant of God, Dimitri and for comfort for his loved ones--wife, Antonina, son, Michael and daughters, Sasha and Ann.  Please pray for the Wlodkowski family--Paul, Sasha, Roman, Leo and Mila as they pass through this period of grief. Memory Eternal for God's servant, Dimitri!  A link to the obituary will be published when available.  

OUR CHRISTMAS FAMILY  Our family this year is an Orthodox mom with three little ones who live in The County.  Over the past two weeks, shopping has been done to give each family member a much needed wardrobe bump-up for the cold season.  Contributions to underwrite that cost will be gladly accepted by Presbytera.  Any amount received in excess of that already spent will be applied toward heating costs or any other immediate need specified by the family.  An alternative way to help the family is to donate toward their home heating costs for the winter season.  If you are on the parish mailing list, you should have received a related email about that yesterday. If you didn't receive it, please let Pres. know. 

DONATIONS TO BLESS OUR CHRISTMAS FAMILY--THE "HOW TO"  You can contribute in either or both of these ways:  (1) By cash or check payable to Presbytera Candace.  She has already purchased clothing, toys and games for the family--a generous and loving package of goods to bless the receivers!  If you want to and are able, contribute whatever amount seems reasonable to you.  Whatever is received will offset the cost to make this effort truly a "group" gift.  (2) Specific donations for home heating fuel can be made using cash or check.  You could write a check payable to St. George GOC (or put cash in an envelope) and mark the memo on your check "CHRISTMAS FAMILY," or label your envelope "Christmas Family."  IMPORTANT: Put any home heating fuel contribution in the winter themed basket in the church office.  Please DO NOT PUT IT IN THE OFFERING PLATE.  The office will accept those contributions as donations and write a check of benevolence to the mother so she can order the heating fuel needed (two kinds are used).  Thank you so much!

THE REGULAR TRAY COLLECTION is specifically for the needs of St. George Church.  It is not related to collections being received for our Christmas family.  

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE HEAT AND LIGHTS ON (AND MORE) HERE AT ST GEORGE  We appreciate all of you who are faithfully fulfilling pledges to keep St. George in good stead for the cold weather months.  Your love for God and for the church of St. George are known by Him--may your reward for faithfulness be from God's hand into eternity.  And may dear St. George who watches and prays for us all ever remember you in his intercessions before God's throne.  Gratefully, Donna Walter, Stewardship Chair  

IT PROBABLY GOES WITHOUT SAYING, BUT...Please remember to prioritize stewardship and then benevolence and not substitute one for the other.  God knows what each of us can and cannot do.  He often makes a way for us to do both--and provides a blessing as well!

FELLOWSHIP HOUR NOTE OF THANKS  To all who bring something for the table on Sundays, we're grateful!  Everyone is encouraged to bring something regularly. Just a reminder to avoid bringing any food containing peanuts. We do have some people (including visitors now and then) with allergies or sensitivites.  Gluten free or dairy free items are also always welcome and during fasting periods we endeavor to put out fast-friendly dishes. Thanks again for all your thoughtful offerings!

THE NATIVITY FAST IS IN PROGRESS Let us continue in this period of spiritual preparation for the Feast of Christ's Holy Nativity.  Advent lasts 40 days. Please keep to a vegan eating plan except this fast is modified to allow eating of fish on any day of the week except Wednesdays and Fridays.

NEED MEAL PREP IDEAS FOR THE ADVENT FAST?  Visit this site for some of the best tasting plant based dishes on the NET:  https://plantbasedcookingshow.com/.  Also you could look into the cuisines of India, many of them are primarily vegan and the dishes made tasty and healthy by use of spices and herbs. 

NICE WAY TO HELP ST. GEORGE  For an unspecified time, someone has offered to buy our bookshop stock as a donation so the church does not need to fund the stock purchases.  That means whenever you buy from our bookshop St. George benefits a good bit.  So please shop here and if there is a book or something else (icon, prayer rope, neck cross, bread seal, or the like) you're looking for, please let Pres. know so it can be ordered. 

NEW ITEMS!  There are more new books on the shelves in the bookshop and booklets in the narthex--stop by and see what's new.  If you have any special requests, please let Pres. know.

WE HAVE ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS CARDS in the bookshop.  Assorted packages of 15 cards for $16.95.

FINANCIALS  As of 31 October, we were in the red at -4700.91.  However, our successful Greek dance was held since then (thank you to all who made it a memorable event!) so please see the entry about the dance success!   

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GREEK DANCE!  As of Nov 17, we raised $5697--OPA!!  Thank you to all--this will greatly help us close the gap!