10748 E. 116th Street • Fishers, Indiana 46037 (317) 845-7755 • www.stgindy.org

V. Rev. Father Nabil L. Hanna, Pastor (317) 919-0841 • pastor@stgindy.org

Rev. James A. Childs, Deacon (317) 626-3943 • jachilds555@gmail.com

A Parish of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America • Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

TONE 8 DECEMBER 11, 2016 EOTHINON 3

SUNDAY OF FOREFATHERS OF CHRIST

VENERABLE DANIEL THE STYLITE • LUKE THE NEW STYLITE OF CHALCEDON NIKON “THE DRY” OF THE KIEV CAVES • VENERABLE LEONTIOS OF ACHAIA

MARTYR BARSABBAS OF PERSIA

STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT SUNDAY CHOIR AND CHANTER APPRECIATION SUNDAY

L I T U RGY VA R I AT I O N S

RESURRECTIONAL APOLYTIKION (TONE 8)

From the heights Thou didst descend, O compassionate One, and Thou didst submit to the three-day burial that Thou mightest

deliver us from passion. Thou art our Life and our Resurrection, O Lord, glory to Thee.

APOLYTIKIA AFTER THE ENTRANCE

Troparion of the Resurrection (Tone 8)

From the heights Thou didst descend….

Schedule of Regular Weekly Services

Sundays: Matins, 8:50 AM

Divine Liturgy, 10 AM

Wednesdays: Vespers, 6:30 PM

Saturdays: Great Vespers, 5 PM

Confession: After Saturday Vespers

During Sunday Matins

Or by Appointment Remember to turn cell phones off!

See Calendar for Feast Days and Other Weekday Services Scheduled

Order for Holy Communion Members of the Orthodox Church age seven and above must prepare for Holy Communion with a recent confession, prayer, fasting from all food and drink from midnight (unless medical condition preclude it), being in church before the Epistle and Gospel readings, and being at peace with everyone.

CHILDREN going to church school and their teachers should come down the center aisle first. (Small children may need to be assisted by their parents.)

ALL OTHERS should wait until an usher dismisses your row from the center aisle. Then return to your place by a side aisle for the prayers of thanksgiving and the final blessing and dismissal. Please let choir members pass when they come down for Communion

A Warm Welcome to Our Guests We are glad you are worshipping with us. Please note that participation in Holy Communion is limited to members of the Orthodox Church in good standing, who have prepared with prayer, fasting and confession.

For all others: though we cannot share Communion with you—since it is an expression of membership and full unity in faith—you are welcome to come forward after the dismissal, receive a blessing and partake of the blessed bread (from the large bowls). Please also sign our guest book, and introduce yourself to Fr. Nabil during the coffee hour. You may inquire with him how you can become a member.

Troparion of the Forefathers (Tone 2)

Thou hast justified by faith the ancient forefathers, and through them, Thou hast gone before and betrothed unto Thyself the Church of the Gentiles. Let the saints, therefore, take pride in glory, for from their

seed sprouted forth a noble Fruit, and she it was who gave birth to Thee without seed. Wherefore, by their pleadings, O Christ God, save our souls.

Troparion for St. George (Tone 4, Russian)

As Deliverer of captives and Defender of the poor, Healer of the infirm, Champion of kings, victorious Great-Martyr George,

intercede with Christ, our God, for our souls’ salvation.

Kontakion in Preparation for the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Tone 3)

The Virgin cometh today to the cave to give birth, ineffably to bring forth the Word eternal. Therefore, rejoice, O earth at the message. With the angels and shepherds

give glory to Him who shall appear by His own will as a young child, He Who is from eternity God.

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

Prokeimenon (Daniel 3.26-27 LXX; Tone 8)

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our Fathers. Verse: For You are just in all you have done.

Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians (3.4-11; 29th Sunday after Pentecost/Forefathers)

BRETHREN, when Christ Who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away; anger,

wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

Holy Gospel according to St. Luke (14.16-24; 11th Sunday of Luke/the Forefathers)

THE LORD SPOKE THIS PARABLE: “A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for all is now ready.’ But, one by one, they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and

reported this to his master. Then the house-holder in anger said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

HOLY OBLATIONS AND PRAYER REQUESTS

By Hailat and Almaz Seilu, for the health of Saron and Sabrina and of all their family.

By Michael Matly and family, in memory of Samira (6-year memorial), Elie, Toufla and Georges Matly.

By Gregory and Barbara Mitchell, for the health of Elia Hodson.

By Ken and Jody George, in memory of Zachary Moore.

A sign-up sheet for baking and offering the prosphora (altar bread) is posted on the bulletin board, next to the elevator. You can also contact Thelma Hoover at (317) 782-1633.

A N N O U N CE M E N T S

HOLY OBLATION • COFFEE HOUR • CHURCH SCHOOL SNACK

Sign-up Sheets for 2017 are available now on the bulletin board by the elevator. Something simple is all that’s expected, though you’re welcome to do more for a special occasion.

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY AND APPRECIATION LUNCH

Our pledge drive culminates today, our annual “Pledge Sunday,” where we make our pledges, followed by a brunch as a token of our appreciation for you and your sacrifices for God’s work.

Now this I say, whoever sows sparingly will also

reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will

also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has

decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under

compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

(2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

This is the day we all renew our commitments to God’s church by turning in our pledge cards that day (or mailing them back as soon as possible). This commitment is in the form of our annual stewardship pledge. This is the pledge we make to continue the operational support of our new church for the coming year and needs to be kept separate from the building fund pledge.

At the dismissal, Fr. Nabil and our parish council will begin with depositing their pledge cards, and we ask everyone to follow suit. We would like to receive all pledge cards on this day (otherwise, please mail them back to church as soon as you can).

We hope everyone is striving to reach a goal of at least 10% of their total income as a pledge. If you can’t reach 10%, please consider increasing your pledge from last year and continue to work toward 10% in the future. Please know that your pledge is strictly confidential, only processed by the office staff. We are asking for 100% participation from all members of St. George Parish. Please help us reach our goal!

The Stewardship Ministry Team, Duke Haddad, Thomas Assalley, Elaine Eckhart, Patrick Koers

“I/we pledge a reasonable and fair share of the blessings received from God

as a token of thanksgiving and in support for His Holy Church.”

FROM YOUR CHARITY MINISTRY TEAM: FOUR THINGS TO DO FOR CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR

1. Christmas Card

Please donate to the Christmas card. Your name will appear on the St. George Christmas card that is mailed to each parishioner. Donations for the Christmas card fund our charity ministries – locally and abroad – needs throughout the year. . Please complete the Christmas Card form, place it in the return envelope with your donation, and return it to the church—in the collection basket or by mail—by TODAY. You may also submit your Christmas card donation online at www.stgindy.org/category/donate

2. Coat drive and toiletries

We are collecting gently used COATS, HATS, GLOVES, ETC. for distributing through our Indianapolis FOCUS Ministry (the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve). Please place them in the large boxes in the lobby, near the stained glass windows.

3. Canned and Non-perishable Food

From now until Christmas, as part of our parish participation in the Archdiocese wide World Food Day program, we ask you to bring in canned goods and other non-perishable items..

Please check the expiration date on the items you purchase and try to bring items whose expiration date is in late 2017 or after. PLEASE DO NOT BRING EXPIRED ITEMS. You can place them on the table in the main Lobby.

In order to keep the food pantry manageable, please bring only the following items:

December 11 Spaghetti & other pastas, dry or canned; spaghetti sauce

December 18 Small boxes of cold cereal, oatmeal, non-fat dried milk

December 25 Any of the previous items: canned meat, dried beans, vegetables, fruits, soup or broth, crackers Mac and cheese, instant mashed potatoes, noodles and rice, peanut butter, jelly, breakfast bars, snack and/or protein bars

We have an abundance of green beans and corn, but can use other canned vegetables, esp. canned beans, tomatoes and tomato sauce.

We report the total poundage received to the Archdiocese, but we keep the items for our own food pantry to help those in need (including parishioners).

4. Christmas tree for our local needy families

We are providing support for families and children again this year, who need our assistance this Christmas Season from the Indianapolis area!

Return your gift, wrapped, TODAY. (Please do not put your own name on tag, as the gift is from the entire parish, but please keep the original tag with the gift, so we can identify who should receive it.)

a) Thank you: all tags have been taken from the Christmas Giving Tree. b) Return your gift, wrapped, NO later than December 11. (Please do not

put your own name on tag, as the gift is from the entire parish, but please keep the original tag with the gift, so we can identify who should receive it.)

c) We will also use funds from your generosity in the Christmas Card for fresh food.

d) We will gather at church at 10 am Saturday, Dec. 17, to load and deliver the gifts. This is a very moving experience for families, and the charity ministry team invites you to be part of this experience, which teaches our youth important lessons.

FESTIVAL WRAP-UP MEETING DECEMBER 12

Everyone is invited to a “de-briefing” at 7 pm on Monday, Dec. 12, regarding this year’s Festival and how to make next year’s even better. We will have final financial report at that time (making sure there are no other bills in the pipeline).

FOR THE FIRST ORTHODOX SAINT OF AMERICA

Known as the “Wonderworker of All America,” we celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of St. Herman Alaska at 10 am Tuesday, December 13.

"From this day, from this hour, from this minute, let us strive to love God above all

and to fulfill His holy will."

~ St. Herman of Alaska

HANGOUT ON WEDNESDAY

WHO: ALL CHURCH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN & TEENS

WHEN: VESPERS AT 6:30 PM, HANGOUT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS ON THE 2ND WEDNESDAY EACH MONTH

WHAT: It’s whatever YOU want to do. Whether it’s the YOUTH wanting to watch a movie in the teen room, crafts, game night, basketball outside, need help with homework, etc. It’s whatever YOU choose to do. It will end no later than 8:30pm.

Hosted by: Kathy Tingwald and Samantha Saba

WEDNESDAY EVENING STUDY

Bring your children the Youth Hangout, and sit in on one of the adult classes (even if you haven’t been to the whole series). Classes run from 7:00-8:30. This Wednesday we conclude our Fall studies:

Fr. Nabil’s class will be studying spirituality, including prayer, fasting, sickness, death, etc. Dn. James’ class will also conclude the study of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

DEC. 18: CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PRORAM & CHRISTMAS CAROLING

Next Sunday we look forward to our youth putting on a Christmas program. They are preparing an original play by our playwright in residence, Natalie Ashanin. They will be preparing for it again this Sunday.

Afterwards, our choir and Teen SOYO invite everyone to join in Christmas Caroling. We will be visiting some of our older parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes. It’s only a couple of hours, but it means so much to our shut-ins.

Please let Fr. Nabil know of any parishioner who is unable to get out right now and who could might appreciate a stop by the carolers. Please also let him know confidentially of any parishioners who could use assistance this holiday.

THINGS ARE A BIT DIFFERENT WHEN CHRISTMAS FALLS ON A SUNDAY

December 25 falls on a Sunday this year, and that changes things a bit.

If you remember that Christmas is patterned after Pascha, which always falls on a Sunday, the schedule will make sense immediately

Christmas Schedule:

Friday, December 23

8:15 a.m.Royal Hours of Christmas

Saturday, December 24

9:00 a.m. Matins

10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (Prefeast of Christmas) While we encourage all to come to both the morning and night services (which are not the same), this may be an excellent opportunity for young children and entire families to celebrate the birth of Christ together, especially if attendance at the late service be impossible.

5:00 p.m. Great Vespers

8:00 p.m. Confessions (or by appointment any time between now and Christmas)

9:00 p.m. Christmas Matins

10:00 p.m. CHRISTMAS DIVINE LITURGY In celebration of the Feast and as a token of our love and appreciation of you, Fr. Nabil and Khouriyah Elaine will host dinner in the church hall immediately following Liturgy, assisted by our parish council.

Sunday, December 25

NO Services – no morning liturgy

SAVE THE DATE: JAN. 14, CHILI BOWL

This is both a cooking competition, with prizes for the best chili in several categories, and a family night, with a football game, etc. See Doug or Billy Fadel for information about entering your chili.

HOLY LAND 2017

We have received permission from Metropolitan Joseph to resume our planning for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are looking at late September/early October 2017. All-inclusive cost will be about $3,000 per person (air fare, hotels, meals, etc.).

Please inform Fr. Nabil (pastor@stgindy.org) or Mina Khoury of your interest, so we can put you on the email list, get your input on dates, and keep you informed as details emerge.

2017 CHURCH CALENDARS

New church calendars are available in the Narthex. One per household, please.

IN CASE OF SNOW

When it’s cold or wet/snowy, kindly enter via the glass lobby doors instead of the big church doors (so we don’t let in a big blast of cold air or track in water).

Note: since we have the nice covered drop-off (porte cochère), we will NOT shovel or salt the plaza in front of the big doors.

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Please include in your daily prayers the following—those struggling with acute illness and those newly departed this life—from our parishioners and those for whom they have requested our prayers. (Names are kept for 40 days, the date indicated after the name, and may be renewed upon request of the patient/family.)

LIVING Metropolitan Paul and Archbishop John

Fr. Stephen Rhudy, 1/5

Mira McKary, 1/17

Kenneth Hanna, Clearvista Rehab., 1/16

Liza Nahas, 12/31

Robert Lantz, from Goshen, IU Med. Ctr, 1/13

Sharon Georges, friend of Martha Sleder, 12/26

Nancy and Bethany, Martha Sleder’s nieces, 12/23

John Kennedy, friend of Patrick and Diane Koers, 12/21

Presbytera Zoe Denas, friend of Kh. Elaine, 12/18

Tony Brown, Pam George’s brother 12/16

Gavin Vincent, friend of Issa and Sharon Mustaklem, 12/14

Messai Belayneh, on medical mission in Ivory Coast

All those suffering from illness, violence or want throughout the world

DEPARTED Zachary Moore, grandson of Martin and

Debra Barnes, 12/26

Helen Grace Dooley, 12/20

Tracy Osborne, Kelly Patton’s cousin, 12/13

Daniel Koutsis, friend of the Pattons’, 12/11

All Victims of violence across America, Syria, Iraq and all conflicts

ST. GEORGE PARISH CALENDAR

December 2016

Sun. 11

Stewardship Sunday

Matins, 8:50 am

Choir warm-up, 9 am

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

Church School

Stewardship Appreciation Lunch

Ladies of St. George meeting

Mon. 12 Festival Wrap-up meeting, 7 pm

Choir Messiah sing-along, 7 pm

Tue. 13 Feast of St. Herman of Alaska

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

Wed. 14

Vespers, 6:30 pm

Adult Christian Studies, 7 pm

Intro to the Orthodox Faith

The Epistle to the Hebrews

Youth Hangout, 7 pm

Thu. 15 Choir practice, 6:30 pm

Sat. 17

FOCUS Breakfast, 9:30 am at St. John’s

Sorting and delivering Christmas Gifts to needy families, 10 am

Great Vespers and Confession, 5 pm

Sun. 18

Matins, 8:50 am

Choir warm-up, 9 am

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

Church School Christmas play

Tue. 20

Feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch

Matins, 9 am

Divine Liturgy, 10 am

Parish Council, 7 pm

See Christmas Service Schedule inside

See the full calendar and the latest additions and updates at www.stgindy.org/calendar