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Sunday of the Paralytic
St. Nicholas Bulletin - May 07, 2023
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Christ is Risen! Христос Васкрсе! Χριστός ἀνέστη! Cristo ha resuscitado! El Messieh Qa’am! | |
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Homily on the Healing of the Paralytic
By St. John Chrysostom
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If someone’s really knowledgeable about gold mines, they wouldn’t be able to bear not examining the smallest vein for the wealth it contained. So, in the Scriptures, it’s impossible without loss to pass over the merest jot. We must investigate everything since everything’s uttered by the Holy Spirit, and there’s nothing written in them to distract us.
Consider, for instance, what the Evangelist says here, ‘This is the second miracle that Jesus did, when He came out of Judaea into Galilee’. Even the word ‘second’ hasn’t been added without a reason, but so as to further exalt the Samaritans, by showing that even when a second miracle had been performed, the people who beheld it [the Jews] still hadn’t reached the heights of those who hadn’t even seen one [the Samaritans].
‘After this there was a feast of the Jews’. What ‘feast’? I think probably Pentecost. ‘And Jesus went up to Jerusalem’. He was often in attendance in the city at feasts, partly so that He might appear to feast with them and partly so that He might attract the multitude that was free from guile, because, during these days especially, people of a more simple disposition met together more than at other times.
‘Now there is at Jerusalem a sheep-dip [the Gospel actually talks of a pool near the Sheep Gate] called Bethesda in Hebrew, with five porticos. In these lay many invalids- lame, blind, paralyzed’, waiting for the water to be moved.
What sort of a cure is this? What mystery does it signify to us? These things aren’t written carelessly, or without a purpose, but as ‘figures’ and ‘types’ they underline things to come, so that what’s extremely strange shouldn’t harm the faith of the hearers by coming unexpectedly. What is it then that they underline? A baptism was about to take place, one of much power, and the greatest of gifts, a baptism that purged all sins, and made people alive rather than dead. These things are foreshadowed, as it were, in a picture of the circumstances by the pool, and by many other situations. First there’s water which purges the stains of our bodies, and those defilements which are not actually, but seem to be, from a funeral [cf. Numbers 5], from leprosy, and other similar causes.
First then, as I’ve just said, He does away with the defilements of our bodies- and afterwards infirmities of different kinds- by water. Because, by desiring to bring us closer to faith in baptism, God no longer heals only defilements, but diseases, too. Those ‘figures’ which are nearer in time to the reality, both as regards Baptism, the Passion, and other events, are more obvious than the more ancient ones. Just as the guards closest to the person of a prince are more splendid than those further away, so was it with the ‘types’.
‘An Angel came down and troubled the water’, and imbued it with healing power, so that the Jews might learn that the Lord of the Angels could do much more, by healing the diseases of the soul. It wasn’t simply the nature of the water itself that healed (because then it would have happened every time), but water joined to the action [or ‘energy’] of the Angel. So in this case, it’s not merely the water that works; it’s after it’s received the grace of the Spirit that it dispels all our sins. Around this pool ‘lay many invalids- lame, blind, paralyzed’, waiting for the water to be moved. But, where once infirmity was a hindrance to those who desired to be healed, now each person has the power to approach, because now it’s not an Angel that troubles the waters, it’s the Lord of the Angels who does everything. The sick can’t now say, ‘I’ve got nobody’; they can’t say, ‘While I am making my way someone else steps down in front of me’. Even if everyone in the world were to come, the grace wouldn’t be used up, the power wouldn’t be exhausted, but would remain as great as it was before. Just as the sun’s beams give light every day, but are never exhausted, nor is their light decreased by providing such an abundant a supply, so, and much more so, is the power of the Spirit in no way diminished by the numbers of those who enjoy it. And this miracle was performed so that, on learning that it’s possible to heal the diseases of the body by water, and having become accustomed to this over time, people should believe more easily that it can also heal the diseases of the soul.
But why did Jesus, leaving the rest, come to one who’d been there thirty-eight years? And why did He ask him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ Not to find out- there was no need- but to demonstrate the man’s perseverance, so that we might know that it was because of this that He left the others and came to him. What did the man say? ‘Yes, Sir, but I have no-one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am making my way someone else steps down in front of me’.
This is why Jesus asked, ‘Do you want to be made well’ and not, ‘Do you want me to heal you’ (because, as yet, the man had formed no great idea as regards His identity) but ‘Do you want to be made well’. The perseverance of the paralytic was astonishing: he’d been there thirty-eight years, hoping, each time, to be delivered from his disease. He continued in attendance, and didn’t give up. Had he not been so tenacious, wouldn’t the future, if not the past, have been enough to stop him being taken there? Just think, I beg of you, how watchful the other sick people would have been, since no-one knew exactly when the waters would be troubled. The lame and the paralyzed would have observed it, but what about the blind? Perhaps they would have realized from the clamor that arose.
We should be ashamed, my friends, ashamed, and lament our excessive sloth. The man had waited for thirty-eight years without getting what he wanted, but still didn’t give up. He hadn’t failed through any fault of his own, but through the oppression and violence of others, and yet he was still as keen as ever. We, on the other hand, if we’ve been praying for something for ten days and still haven’t obtained it, are too lazy thereafter to apply the same zeal. We wait on other people for any length of time, bickering, enduring hardships, performing servile tasks, and often, in the end, having our expectations dashed, but on our Master, from Whom we’re sure to obtain a reward greater than our labours- as the Apostle says, hope does not disappoint us- on Him we can’t bear to wait with due persistence. What chastisement this deserves. Even if we were to receive nothing from Him, oughtn’t we to consider our very converse with Him equal to ten thousand blessings? ‘But praying all the time is hard work’. Is anything that has to do with virtue not laborious? ‘Really’, some people say, ‘it’s very difficult that pleasure’s connected to vice, and labour to virtue’. I think a lot of people are troubled by this. What can the reason be, then? In the beginning, God gave us a life free from care and exempt from labour. We didn’t use the gift properly, but were perverted by doing nothing, and were banished from Paradise. Because of this, He made our life toil in future, assigning as it were His reasons for doing this to humankind. He said, ‘In the beginning I allowed you to lead a life of pleasure, but you were made worse by liberty and so I commanded that, from now on, labour and sweat be laid upon you’. And when even this labour didn’t restrain us, He then gave us a law containing many commandments, imposing it on us like bits and curbs on an unruly horse to stop it from prancing, as horse-breakers do. This is why life is laborious, because not to labour is bad for us. Our nature is such that we cannot bear to be doing nothing, and easily turn aside to wickedness. Suppose that somebody who’s temperate and who’s virtuous in all other respects, didn’t need to work and did everything in their sleep, how would they use their leisure time? Would it not be for pride and boastfulness?
‘But why’, you might ask, ‘has great pleasure been associated with vice, and great labour and toil with virtue?’ Well, what thanks would you have had, and why would you have received a reward, if the matter hadn’t been one of difficulty? Even now I can show you many who naturally hate having anything to do with women, and avoid conversation with them as impure. Shall we call them chaste; tell me, shall we crown them and proclaim them victors?
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Commemorating Saints Iorest and Savva Metropolitans of Ardeal Confessors of Romania, Hieromartyr and Confessor Elijah the Wallachian, St Joseph the Confessor of Maramures, Hieromartyr Branko parish priest of Veljun, Martyr Savva Stratelates ‘the General’ of Rome and 70 soldiers with him, Martyrs Valentine and Pasikrates in Moesia Bulgaria, Martyrs Eusebius, Neon, Leontius, Longinus and others at Nicomedia, Venerable Savva and Venerable Alexius Recluses of the Kiev Far Caves, Venerable Thomas the Fool of Syria, St Elizabeth Wonderworker of Constantinople
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 3
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world great mercy.
PARALYTIC SUNDAY KONTAKION —TONE 3
By Your divine intercession, O Lord, as You raised up the paralytic of old, so raise up my soul, paralyzed by sins and thoughtless acts; so that being saved I may sing to You: ‘Glory to Your power, O compassionate Christ!’
PASCHAL KONTAKION —TONE 8
You descended into the tomb, O Immortal, You destroyed the power of death. In victory You arose, O Christ God, proclaiming: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearing Women, granting peace to Your Apostles, and bestowing Resurrection on the fallen.
Instead of “It is Truly Meet…”
The Angel cried to the Lady, full of grace: “Rejoice, O pure Virgin! Again, I say: ‘Rejoice, your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb! With Himself He has raised all the dead.’” Rejoice, O Ye people! Shine, shine, O new Jerusalem! The glory of the Lord has shone on you. Exult now, and be glad, O Zion! Be radiant, O pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
Priest: “Blessed is the Kingdom…” Choir: Amen. Priest: Tropar 2 1/2 times. Choir: Finishes.
Priest: “In the fear of God …” Choir: “Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord...”
Priest: “O Lord, save Your people …” Choir: “Christ is risen from the dead … “ (slow version)
Priest: “Always, now and ever …” Choir: “Let our mouths be filled …”
(At the Dismissal, the Priest says: “Glory to You, O Christ….,” and the choir sings “Christ is risen from the dead….” (thrice).
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Dasha Gencturk
Next Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Natasha Milanovic
EPISTLE: Acts 9: 32-42
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the First Tone: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: v: Rejoice in the Lord, O your righteous! Praise befits the just!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us ...
CHOIR: ... as we have set our hope on You!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: For You have said: “Mercy will be established forever; Your truth will be prepared in the heavens.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Дјела Ап. 9: 32-42
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 1 Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Веселите се, праведници, пред Господом, праведнима доликује похвала.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе,
Хор: на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: читање из књиге дјела апостолских
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, У дане оне када је Петар обилазио све, сиђе и светима који живљаху у Лиди. И нађе тамо једнога човјека по имену Енеја, који већ осам година лежаше на одру, јер бјеше узет. И рече му Петар: Енеје, исцјељује те Исус Христос; устани и простри сам себи! И одмах устаде. И видјеше га сви који живљаху у Лиди и Сарону, и обратише се Господу. А у Јопи бјеше једна ученица, по имену Тавита, што преведено значи Срна, и она бјеше пуна добрих дјела и милостиња које чињаше. И догоди се у те дане да се она разбоље и умрије; онда је окупаше и положише у горњу собу. И будући да је Лида близу Јопе, ученици чувши да је Петар у њој, послаше два човјека молећи га да без оклијевања дође до њих. А Петар уставши отиде с њима; и кад дође, уведоше га у горњу собу и скупише се око њега све удовице плачући и показујући кошуље и хаљине што је радила Срна док је била с њима. А Петар изгнавши све напоље, клече на кољена и помоли се Богу, и окренувши се тијелу рече: Тавито, устани! А она отвори очи своје, и видјевши Петра придигну се и сједе. Он пак давши јој руку подиже је; и дозвавши свете и удовице показа је живу. И ово се разгласи по свој Јопи, и многи вјероваше у Господа.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Пјеваћу увјек милости Господње; од кољена на кољено јавићу истину Твоју устима својим.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Јер си рекао: Милост ће бити основана заувјек; на Небесима си утврдио истину Своју.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
John 5: 1-15
At that time there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Јован 5: 1-15
У вријеме оно бјеше празник јудејски, и изиђе Исус у Јерусалим. А у Јерусалиму код Овчијих врата постоји бања, која се јеврејски зове Витезда, и има пет тријемова. У њима лежаше велико мноштво болесника, слијепих, хромих, сухих, који чекаху да се вода заталаса. Јер анђео Господњи повремено силажаше и узбуркаваше воду; и који би први ушао пошто се узбурка вода, оздравио би, ма од какве болести боловао. А ондје бијаше неки човјек који тридесет и осам година бјеше болестан. Кад видје Исус овога гдје лежи, и разумје да је већ много година болестан, рече му: Хоћеш ли здрав да будеш? Одговори му болесник: Господе, човјека немам, да ме спусти у бању када се узбурка вода: а док ја дођем, други сиђе прије мене. Рече му Исус: Устани, узми одар свој и ходи! И одмах оздрави човјек, и узе одар свој и хођаше. А тај дан бјеше субота. Тада говораху Јудејци исцијељеном: Субота је, није ти допуштено да носиш одар. Он им одговори: Који ме учини здравим он ми рече: Узми одар свој и ходи. А они га запиташе: Ко је тај човјек који ти рече: Узми одар свој и ходи? А излијечени не знађаше ко је; јер се Исус бјеше удаљио због многог народа на ономе мјесту. Потом га нађе Исус у храму и рече му: Ето постао си здрав, више не гријеши, да ти се што горе не догоди. Човјек отиде и јави Јудејцима да је Исус тај који га учини здравим.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Bennett Noah Spangler, Christopher Baker, Song, Kelly, Casey and Carter Kim, and their sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Isadora Lazarevic and the newborn Luka John, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Kyranna Radanovic and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Dori Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Darlene & Larry Black, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Leann Cox, Joseph Derk, Art Dils, Draga Donato, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Anaya Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Basil Havalchak, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, John J Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Infant of God Ryan Leigh Moffitt, Dave Morris, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Eva Orr, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Nathan & Jane Rush, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Dewey Yetter, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Ashley Ziobrowski, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
COUNTRY MEADOWS MECHANICSBURG: Florence Ivanoff; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic; SPRING CREEK: Chuck Belic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane Ivey & Berkeley Blythe Semic, Emilia Renee Peterson, Barrett Scott, Divna and Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine & Maeve Noelle Van Huysen, Sloane York
Our College Students
Anastasija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Protopresbyter Srboljub Jockovic, Natalija Mandic, Djordje Kojic, Kristina Turuntas, Djuro Miljevic, Constantine Vloutely, Robert Bazdar, Ljuban Kosovac
~Vigils Offered~
SRECNA SLAVA to all who celebrate Ðurdevdan (May 6) as their Patron Saint. On this day our family honors the baptismal anniversaries of †Ljubica Viola Yanich (111th in her village church in the former Yugoslavia), Bosiljka Beba Yanich (84th in the old St Nicholas Church), Stefanija Stephi Yanich (66th in the old St Nicholas Church) and Ashtyn Isadora Cruz (11th in the present St Nicholas Church). We pray for the intercession of the Great Martyr George to keep us constant in faith and forever united with the Resurrected Christ. Offered with love by the family. Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
CHLOE LEWIS RUFF Offered in joyous celebration of her birthday (May 8). May God bless you with many more years full of love and happiness. Ziveli! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love mom and dad and family.
CHLOE ANN RUFF Offered for God’s blessings and much love for my beautiful granddaughter’s birthday (May 8). Much love from Baba. Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta!
TOOTSIE KRNJAICH Offering vigils and prayers for our Kuma Tootsie. May God’s blessings be with her during her rehab period. From her Godchildren, Kat and families.
DARLENE BLACK Offered with love by the Barber & Geib Families for God’s Blessings during her recovery. We pray that He will bless her with good health. Our Love & Prayers are with her.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†VICTORY DAY (May 9) Offered in Celebration of May 9th, the Great Victory Day over Nazi Germany in 1945. May we remember all who fought and died in the World War Two. Offered in loving memory of Aleksander Kochnev, Yegor Kochnev, Nikolay Kochnev, Iliya Kholodetskiy, Mikhail Konovalov, Leonid Khomenko, Aleksey Krutov. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory eternal!
†TARAS BODNARCZUK Offered for the newly departed servant of God Taras (April 27). May his soul dwell with the righteous and may his memory be eternal! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†GEORGE KRNJAIC Offered in loving memory of his birthday (May 7) by Kat and his loving family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†DANIEL RADANOVIC Offered in loving memory of our father/grandpa (14 years—May 8) by Daria, Dave, Jason & Sarah Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 4/16/2023
Collection: $5,037.00
Date 4/9/2023
Collection: $3,256.00
Date 4/2/2023
Collection: $3,560.00
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May Birthdays
Nicholas Hernjak (May 1), Cody Hewitt (May 2), Berkeley Semic (May 3), Jelena Bowser (May 7), Chloe Ruff (May 8), Kaila Chung (May 8), Bobbi Lynn Wenner (May 10), Bella Gilroy (May 10), Meghan Livingston (May 11), Brankica Skinder (May 12), Trenton Petrovich (May 13), Maria Bowers, (May 21), Jelena Lojpur (May 22), Inna Reznitchenko (May 23), Nikki Lewis (May 24), Ryan Spangler (May 25)
May Anniversaries
Michelle & Donald Kingsbury (May 1), Heather & Erik Barber (May 1), Pete & Arlene Barber (May 3), Heather & Craig Heilman (May 14), Mike & Carole Radosinovich (May 15), Ben & Jovanka Shaffer (May 15), Rod & Angie Vorkapich (May 20), Jelena & Christopher Harmantzis (May 21), Nina & Eric Gilroy (May 26), Matt & Pam Healy (May 29), Greg & Haley Book (May 29)
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SAVE THE DATE—OCTOBER 28-29, 2023
SSS Josif Marinkovic 90th Anniversary Weekend! Concert, Banquet, Dance, etc. More information will follow!
GRADUATING STUDENTS
Please contact the office with the following information: 1)NAME, 2) GRADUATING SCHOOL, 3) DEGREE EARNED, 4) HONORS, 5) EXTRA-CURRICULURS 6) FUTURE PLANS
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS
The next Seniors meeting/luncheon will be May 9, 2023, 12 Noon in the Church Social Hall. A big surprise is in store, the men will be doing the cooking, serving and clean-up. So, ladies we can sit back and enjoy. Thanks to Nick Blitva for taking charge of this. Hope to see you there.
BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH
On the second Saturday of every month, volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. St Nicholas is scheduled to host the lunch on Saturday, June 10, 2023. We also help with various projects and activities that assist with shelter operations. If anyone would like to volunteer or learn more about this important program, please contact Andrea Gunther.
7TH ANNUAL OCCGH GOLF TOURNAMENT
Register by July 6, 2023 for the OCCGH Annual Golf Tournament to be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Eagles Crossing Golf Course in Carlisle! Contact Carl Hisiro for details or sponsorship at chisiro@verizon.net or 717-903-2711
SERB PARK RENTALS
We are once again operating Serb Park for rent. Please contact Brian and Jill Swartz to make reservations or email serb.park@stnicholassteelton.org.
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SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Panera Bread gift card is a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling them at a face value of $25. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
SUMMER ROOM NEEDED
There is an Orthodox Christian young man, Stephen Pyle, a student at Millersville University who is in need of accommodations for the summer to do an internship in Middletown. He is recommended by Susana Troop of Holy Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster, as a faithful Orthodox Christian and a young man of good character. If you have a room available and are willing, please contact Fr. Chris at fr.chris@stnicholassteelton.org.
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Stewardship Reflection
May 7, 2023
Paschal Sunday of the Paralytic
Every year when I hear today's Gospel, I say "why didn't someone help him?" And then I think about the many occasions where a homeless person asked me for help, an elderly person was in need, a family member called me or my Church could have used my Time and Talents. Then I thought - what was present back then is still our crutch today - greed, not having enough time, selfishness, a focus on one's own needs, excuses... but what can change is how we approach these same situations. If we become good and faithful Stewards of what God has provided us with - we can make a difference and eliminate the passions that have a negative impact. For we, too, can be made whole!
Сваке године када чујем овај део из Светог Писма ја се упитам " Зашто му нико није помогао?" . И онда се сетим свих оних прилика када ме је бескућник питао за помоћ, остарелу особу којој је требала помоћ, неко из породице или ме је неко из Цркве звао и тако сам могао да употребим своје Време и Таленте. Онда ми падне на памет да све што је некад био морални изазов и проблем тако је и данас - похлепа, немање времена, брига око овога света, брига само о сби , многи изговори ....итд. Али шта се променило је то да истим ситуацијамам можемо да приступимо из другог угла. Ако постанемо добри и верни Старатељи Божије творевине и свега што нам је Бог дао ми онда можемо да у многочему направимо разлику и елиминишемо страсти које нас нападају. Јер и ми можемо да постанемо цели!
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April Charity
Bethesda Women & Children's Shelter
A House of Refuge
For over 34 years Bethesda Women and Children’s Mission has offered a place of healing, change, and hope for women in need of addiction recovery, safety and stability, a new start in life, and place where they can call home.
A House of Change
A Christ-Centered facility, we offer hope to those searching for their purpose and their place in this world, by offering an array of programs and services geared toward reconciliation, renewal and change. Our initial Discipleship and Recovery program is at least ONE YEAR long, and upon completion, women have the option to move to into our Transitional Living Program before moving out on their own.
A House of Healing
We have found that a long-termed recovery program is successful when each individual is permitted to rest, reflect, renew, and re-enter. Time to heal, encouragement for others, and new experiences assist in offering new life to those that come through our doors.
A House of Hope
In addition to internal programming, we utilize local social, medical, and educational services to help each new person to set attainable goals during their stay. Some women, after completing our programming either return to the workforce or continue their education at our local college. Many of our graduates remain in contact through calls, mentoring, or volunteering of their time.
https://www.bethesdamission.org/our-ministries/womens-mission/
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SAVE THE DATE!!
Club Picnic.............. July 30
Serb Fest.................. Sept 23
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