Schedule for Friday, September 24th through Sunday, October 3rd
- Friday, September 24th: 6pm Brotherhood Meeting at the Rizk residence
- Saturday, September 25th: 10am Liturgy in Sedona, No Great Vespers
- Sunday, September 26th: 8:30am Orthros, 9:30am Divine Liturgy
- Wednesday, September 29th: 6pm Vespers
- Thursday, September 30th: 5pm Prosphora Baking Class in church kitchen
- Saturday October 2nd: 9am-5pm Gyros Booth on the Square, 5pm Great Vespers
- Sunday, October 3rd: 8:30am Orthros, 9:30am Divine Liturgy, 9am-4pm Gyros Booth on the Square, 10am-3pm Dogtoberfest booth at Watson Lake
Community News and Announcements
Gyros Booth!!
Sat 10/2, 9am-5pm & Sun 10/3, 9am-4pm, Prescott Courthouse Square
Fall Fest is next weekend! We could still use a few more helpers! Prep & set up will be Friday evening 10/1. Please see Ellen Winn to volunteer for an hour or two.
Dogtoberfest
Sunday, October 3rd, Watson Lake Park, 10am-3pm
Our Evangelism team has participated in Dogtoberfest for the past several years, as a form of outreach, and a way to be present in our dog-loving community. There are vendors, contests, demos, adoptions, and more. The St. George booth offers books and dog treats from the monks of New Skete Monastery (known worldwide for their dog training) in New York state, along with information about our parish. Father Jeffrey offers pet blessings, giving us an opportunity to pray for each person that comes to the booth. All money received in the booth is donated to a dog non-profit at the end of the event. Admission is free, parking is $5. If you have time after liturgy (and your shift at the Gyros Booth!), bring your pup to the park!
Mark your calendar:
The Parish General Assembly is scheduled for November 7th, more details will be available in the coming weeks.
Notes on Lining Up for Communion:
Glory to God, our church is quite full on Sunday mornings! In order for the the line to flow smoothly, parishioners should line up in the following order:
- Irina & Gloria
- Church School teachers & students
- Choir & greeters
- Those in the fellowship hall overflow & catechumen class
- Those in the nave, from the back to the front
Commemorations This Week
Sunday, September 26th, we commemorate
the Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian
This Apostle was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of James the elder. First a fisherman by trade, he became an Apostle and the beloved Disciple of Christ. Only he of all the Disciples followed Him even to the Cross, and was entrusted with the care of our Saviour's Mother, as it were another son to her, and a brother of Christ the Teacher. After this, he preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome, and there was cast into a vat filled to the brim with boiling oil. Coming forth therefrom unharmed, he was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Returning again to Ephesus after the death of the tyrant, he wrote his Gospel (after the other Evangelists had already written theirs) and his three Catholic Epistles. In all, he lived ninety-five years and fell asleep in the Lord during the reign of Trajan in the year 100. He was called Theologian because he loftily expounded in his Gospel the theology of the inexpressible and eternal birth of the Son and Word of God the Father. It is for this cause that an eagle-a symbol of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Irenaeus says-is often depicted in his icon, for this was one of the four symbolic living creatures that the Prophet Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:10).
Apolytikion for the Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian, Mode 2
O Apostle, beloved of Christ our God, Hasten to deliver a defenceless people. He that allowed thee to recline on His breast, receiveth thee bowing in intercession. Implore Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of the heathen, and ask for us His peace and great mercy.
Epistle and Gospel Readings for Sunday, September 26th
Matins Gospel: The Gospel According to Mark 16:9-20
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.
St. John's First Universal Letter 4:12-19
No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us.
The Gospel According to John 19:25-27; 21:24-25
At that time, standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Homily Archives
Evangelism Corner
It's Evangelism Season!
During the Evangelism Season (June 20th to November 15th) we ask our parishioners to consider how they might engage in evangelism. Each week will be providing some quotes to consider on what the church teaches about evangelism as well as a challenge. The challenge is meant to encourage you to take chances and step out of your comfort zone a bit as well as prepare for an encounter with someone who asks you about your faith.
I pray that you will take advantage of this time and look forward to hearing your stories about how you are sharing with others what was given to you.
In Christ,
Kenny Scott
I pray that you will take advantage of this time and look forward to hearing your stories about how you are sharing with others what was given to you.
In Christ,
Kenny Scott
Invite Your Neighbor
Ok, at this point you have gotten to know your neighbor twice and ideally made a sincere connection. Now comes the hard part. The invite to church. How are you feeling about your connection with your neighbor? Is this the right time to ask? Maybe it is not. If it really is not the right time, don't. Examine yourself, and make sure you don't feel it is not the right time because you are nervous about asking. If the time is right, face to face is best. If that is too nerve-wracking, try a text. "I am going to church this Sunday. I am not sure if you are interested in that sort of thing, but I would hate not to ask. It starts at 9:30 if you are interested. We would love to have you along." See what God does!
Ministry Opportunities
Opportunities for Fellowship & Enrichment
Bookstore
Where: Fellowship Hall
What: We have a bookstore full of Orthodox books, icons, and trinkets. If you want something we don’t have, Anne will be happy to help you find it.
Who: Please see Anne Lunsford or Laura Scott for more information
Catechism Class
When: Sunday mornings during Divine Liturgy, after the homily
Where: Upstairs Library
What: Instruction in the faith for those that are journeying towards chrismation
Who: Subdeacon John Sanchez
Lectio Divina (Holy Reading)
When: 9am, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month
Where: Church nave
What: We will practice reading a brief biblical passage in a way that is prayerful and reflective, seeking to find the application of this particular biblical passage to our life. We will include a little bit of time at the end for discussion. But the for the most part this is a time for us to gather to pray, and to quietly read the Scriptures together. Please bring a Bible and something to take notes.
What: We will practice reading a brief biblical passage in a way that is prayerful and reflective, seeking to find the application of this particular biblical passage to our life. We will include a little bit of time at the end for discussion. But the for the most part this is a time for us to gather to pray, and to quietly read the Scriptures together. Please bring a Bible and something to take notes.
Who: Led by Fr. Jeffrey
Lending Library
Where: upstairs near the parking lot entrance
What: We have a fairly well-stocked lending library. While it is in the process of bring re-organized, all are welcome to browse and borrow.
Who: Please see Laura Scott for more information
Small Groups
What: Small groups meet weekly for fellowship, reading Scripture, and discussion. All parishioners are invited to be a part of a group.
Who: Please see Kenny Scott or Ty Freedman for more information or to join a group
St George Brotherhood
What: The Brotherhood of St George gathers to involve our men in Christian fellowship, to equip men to become Christ-centered and service minded, while meeting the physical needs of our church, community and special mission activities or initiatives. They encourage and support each other spiritually and emotionally as they strive to be the better Christian men, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers.
Who: Please see John Winn for more information
Next Meeting: Friday, September 24th, 6pm at the Rizk residence
St George Sisterhood
What: This is a Philanthropic group of women who work not only for the church, but with local organizations that need assistance. Monthly meetings include fellowship and planning. Several ministries fall under the Sisterhood umbrella include the Prayer Chain, Meal Train, PASS meals, and Nave Cleaning as described below.
Who: Please see Ellen Winn for more information
Next Meeting: October, at the Winn residence, date & time to be determined
Youth Ministry
When: Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30
Where: Typically at the church
What: Discussion and fellowship for all teens
Who: Please see Mary Rizk for more information
Sunday School
What: Sunday School is available for children ages. It begins directly following communion each Sunday, and ends just just before Coffee Hour. We would love more volunteers to teach our children, even as subs or back-ups!
Who: Please see Church School Director Ben Maki for more information or to volunteer
Opportunities to Serve: Help Needed!
Coffee Hour Hosts
This Sunday 9/26: Laura Scott
Next Sunday 10/3: Please sign up!
When: Sunday mornings, starting at 9am
Where: Church kitchen & Fellowship Hall
What: All supplies and snacks are provided by the Sisterhood, and stocked and prepped prior to Sunday morning. The Coffee Hour host is responsible for making coffee, setting up the coffee & snack tables towards the end of Divine Liturgy, serving during Coffee Hour, and staying for a quick clean up shortly afterwards. The whole process is quite streamlined, and written instructions are provided. Ideally, we need 2 people each Sunday to make it work smoothly.
Who: Please see Ellen Winn to volunteer, helpers are always needed and appreciated.
Opportunities to Help Those in Need
Prayer Chain
What: We have so much to be thankful for, yet all of us at some time need the prayers from others to help us in any situation that may arise. That there is no greater thing that we can do for one another than keep you in our prayers, and when we pray in numbers, our blessings are multiplied. In light of this, our St. George Sisterhood has started a Prayer Chain Ministry. All are invited to be a part of the Prayer Chain, to share requests and to pray for others.
Who: Please see Anne Lunsford or Ellen Winn for more information or to join
Meal Train
What: We have a parish-wide Meal Train set up for those in need of a little extra help with meals help during a major life event. If you or someone you know are in recovery from illness, injury, or a medical procedure, have experienced a death in the family, have a new baby, or have moved, please let us know and we will coordinate details that work for you, and then set up the online Meal Train at mealtrain.com, which organizes all of the details from dates & drop-off times to meal preferences.
Who: Please see Presvytera Marisa Frate for more information
PASS (Prescott Area Shelter Services) Meal
What: On the last Saturday of each month, members of our parish provide a hot meal for a local women’s shelter.
Who: Please see Lola Rizk for more information
Opportunities to Serve & Support Liturgically
Acolytes (Altar Servers)
What: We have small rotating groups of liturgical servers that assist during services. If you have experience or would like to learn, please consider serving with us.
Who: Please see Father Jeffrey for more information
Chanters and Choir
What: Chanters and singers are needed at all services, both Sunday mornings and during the week. If you have a heart to sing, please consider serving with us!
Who: Please see Connor Kruse for more information
Church Nave Cleaning
What: We have a small team that cleans the nave of the church once a week, typically on Friday or Saturday mornings from 10-11:30am. If you are interested in helping care for our worship space, please consider lending a hand. Many hands make light work!
Who: Lauretta Gioia or Ellen Winn to volunteer or for more information
Epistle Readers
What: There is a rotation of parishioners that read the Epistle during Divine Liturgies on Sunday mornings.
Who: Please see Father Jeffrey to learn more
This Sunday 9/26: Kenny Scott
Next Sunday 10/3: Ben Maki
Greeters
What: We have a team of greeters on rotation to meet our parishioners at the door while also being ready to make new visitors feel loved and welcomed at our church.
Who: Please see Ty Freedman or Kenny Scott for more information
This Sunday 9/26: George Moshen & Ty Freedman
Next Sunday 10/3: Pres. Marisa Frate & Laura Scott
Other Ministries Behind the Scenes
Evangelism
What: We participate in local events, maintain an engaging social media presence, promote personal evangelism, and more. Our evangelism program is pretty robust, but it is also a one-person show and any help you can provide would be much appreciated!
Who: Please see Kenny Scott for more information
ONCD (Orthodox Natural Church Development)
What: Every year or so our parish takes a survey to see how we are doing in certain areas. From that survey the group formulates solutions to address those issues.
Who: Please see Kenny Scott for more information
Parish Council
Liz Winney, President; George Moshen, Vice President; Georgiana Daniels, Secretary; Jill Zogob, Treasurer. Council Members: Dennis Constantine, Ben Maki, Tami Pilgrim, George Rizk, and Ellen Winn.
Social Media Management & Graphic Design
What: Right now this is sort of a one-person show, but if you have some experience in this area, sharing the load would be much appreciated! This encompasses Facebook & Instagram presence, the church website, printed materials, and more.
Who: Please see Kenny Scott for more information
Stewardship
What: Stewardship is not just about finances at our parish! The team focuses on the holistic goal of motivating everyone to give not just of their treasure, but also of their time and talent.
Who: Please see George Moshen for more information, or to become a Steward
Treasurer & Finance
Jill Zogob
Weekly Update Emails & Paper Bulletins
Laura Scott
From the Metropolis and Archdiocese
What is My Cross?
By Rev. Father Anthony Cornett, Assistant Priest
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral – Los Angeles, California
My fellow followers of Christ, I would like each of you to ask yourself: What is my cross?
As Orthodox Christians, we each receive a baptismal cross, and we also learn from a young age how to make the sign of the cross. However, these forms of the cross are only reminders of that which Christ speaks about in the Gospel. As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Precious and Life-giving Cross of our Lord, He asks each of us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow Him. What is our cross?
In the 4th Century, Saint Helen found the True Cross of our Lord. This came at a time in the Empire when the Christians no longer struggled daily to keep their faith while facing death in the catacombs. Rather, the finding and Exaltation of the Cross came at a time when our fellow Christians were beginning to lose track of their own cross.
Persecution, prison, and punishment were now being replaced with protection and comfort. “Glory to God!” you might think. This protection of Christians allowed for the building of many Orthodox Churches—some of which still stand.
As Orthodox Christians, we each receive a baptismal cross, and we also learn from a young age how to make the sign of the cross. However, these forms of the cross are only reminders of that which Christ speaks about in the Gospel. As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Precious and Life-giving Cross of our Lord, He asks each of us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow Him. What is our cross?
In the 4th Century, Saint Helen found the True Cross of our Lord. This came at a time in the Empire when the Christians no longer struggled daily to keep their faith while facing death in the catacombs. Rather, the finding and Exaltation of the Cross came at a time when our fellow Christians were beginning to lose track of their own cross.
Persecution, prison, and punishment were now being replaced with protection and comfort. “Glory to God!” you might think. This protection of Christians allowed for the building of many Orthodox Churches—some of which still stand.
While many Christians rose from the slumber of the catacombs to worship our risen Lord, many also fell into the slumber of forgetting to heed His command to take up the cross. It was too easy to be distracted by this new life of protection in the Empire. This great blessing came at a great cost. It can only be God’s providence that allowed Saint Helen to raise the Cross as a reminder to all Christians of the path we are to take in following Christ...
Join Father Gary Kyriacou along with members of the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry team for an in-depth Zoom gathering on the Orthodox Christian response to bullying, how to deal with someone that is mean, and understanding brokenness. This series will aid the student’s social development by reinforcing the teachings of our Lord and His Church. If you are a Middle/Junior High School Student, we invite you and your parents to join us! This is a two-part series on Thursday, September 30 and October 7 OR Tuesday, October 19 and 26, both at 6:30 p.m.
Join Father Gary Kyriacou, Metropolis Pastor of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and members of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness team for an in-depth discussion on ZOOM!
The gathering will focus on the Orthodox Christian response to bullying, how to deal with someone that is mean, and understanding brokenness.
As the new school year begins our children are going to endure difficult situations. This series will aid the student’s social development by reinforcing the teachings of our Lord and His Church. If you are a Middle/Junior High School Student, we invite you and your parents to join us!
Join the discussion to understand our Orthodox Christian response to bullying and mean people. We will take a look at ourselves too, and do a little self-awareness.
SESSION ONE: Thursday, September 30 • 6:30 p.m. (PDT)
SESSION TWO: Thursday, October 7 • 6:30 p.m. (PDT)
The same two sessions will be repeated on Tuesdays for those who cannot
attend Thursday evenings:
SESSION ONE: Tuesday, October 19 • 6:30 p.m. (PDT)
SESSION TWO: Tuesday, October 26 • 6:30 p.m. (PDT)
For more information and to register for this free workshop, visit www.sanfran.goarch.org/orthotalks
The Family Wellness Ministry and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco are pleased to the announce their much-anticipated relationship series, Eight Dates, based on the book Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by John Gottman, PhD, and Julie Schwartz Gottman, PhD. This will be held bi-monthly on Thursday evenings via Zoom, beginning on October 14 and is offered free of charge to all interested couples.
The series is separated into biweekly Zoom gatherings where the members of the Family Wellness Ministry team cover a specific relationship topic through prayer, reflection, interactive questions, video presentations, break-out groups, and closing remarks. Homework for each attending couple is to read the corresponding chapter from Eight Dates, and to plan a date night to discuss and put into practice the advice from both the session and the book.
The series is separated into biweekly Zoom gatherings where the members of the Family Wellness Ministry team cover a specific relationship topic through prayer, reflection, interactive questions, video presentations, break-out groups, and closing remarks. Homework for each attending couple is to read the corresponding chapter from Eight Dates, and to plan a date night to discuss and put into practice the advice from both the session and the book.
Register today at familywellnessministry.org
GLORY TO GOD IN ALL THINGS!
We are so excited to offer an in-person Connect Conference in Dallas, Oct. 8-10. The last year has been full of unexpected challenges, and we look forward to gathering together again. As we prepare for the conference, we pray God helps us all think, speak an act Christ-like in the midst of difficulty. God's love is unconditional, and the Gospel gives us countless examples of Christ loving everyone around Him. Our theme this year will touch on divisiveness and our calling to act in truth, light and love.
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Links to the Weekly Update emails (like this one) can now be found on the church website. Click on "Media", then "Bulletins/Newsletters".