7th Sunday after Pentecost | |
Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Healing of the Blind and Dumb
By Father Andrew Louth
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel tells the story of the healing of two blind men and a dumb demoniac. At first sight, the first part of the account looks like the retelling of a story told at greater length by Mark (Mark 10: 46–52; cf. Luke 18: 35–43), but Matthew also retells Mark’s story later on in his Gospel (Matt. 20: 29–34), including, as he does not in the account we have just heard, the futile reaction of the people to the shouting of the blind men, which only makes them cry out the more (v. 31), and Jesus’ pity for the blind men (v. 34: σπλαγχνισθεὶς); in contrast, Matthew’s account in today’s Gospel is, like the Gospel passages for the last two Sundays, very much stripped down to what he must have regarded as the essentials (whether or not it is a duplicate of the account in Matt. 20: 29–34 or the record of another similar occasion). The account of the dumb demoniac also has a parallel later on Matthew’s Gospel (12: 22–4), where the complaint of the Pharisees, that he has power over the demons because he is in league with them himself, is the bridge to a more explicit confrontation, in which Jesus argues that if the kingdom of Satan is indeed divided against itself, then its days are numbered (Matt. 12: 24–30): an account that Luke tells in his own way (Luke 11: 14–23). I mention these parallels and apparent duplicates, for anyone reading the Gospel is likely to wonder why. The most likely explanation is, it seems to me, that Jesus’ ministry was indeed a ministry of preaching and healing: healing was an important aspect of his mission; it was much talked about—and this is reflected in the Gospels. Indeed, such an account of a holy man, marked by such abundance of miracles, is unparalleled in antiquity, whether Jewish or classical, the nearest parallel being Philostratos’ life of Apollonios of Tyana, which was written in the third century, and is clearly influenced by the Gospel accounts of Jesus. Stories about Jesus’ preaching and works of healing initially circulated by word of mouth among his followers, and it is on these that the Evangelists drew, when writing their gospels (as well as borrowing from each other), and this accounts for parallels between accounts that sometimes otherwise suggest that they come from a different period of Jesus’ ministry (which probably lasted for several years, though the hectic pace of the accounts in the Synoptic Gospels rather gives the impression that it was compressed into a short space of time).
So here, as last week and the Sunday before that, Jesus’ works of healing—of two blind men and a man possessed by demons who robbed him of his speech—are told in Matthew’s stripped-down manner (at least in these two chapters that follow the Sermon on the Mount and lead up to the mission of his disciples, the Twelve Apostles: Matt. 8–9): essentially an encounter with someone sick or disabled, leading to Jesus’ act of healing, and then usually concluding with complaints, either from the scribes and Pharisees, or, last week, from the people of the nearby city. Matthew seems to omit other elements characteristic of these healing stories, both elsewhere in his own Gospel and in the others—the reaction of the crowd, the involvement of his disciples. Here, at this point in the development of the Gospel, Matthew wants to concentrate on the essential action. Which is? The recognition of sickness, disease, disability—recognition of the part of those suffering, and often by others; the request for healing, sometimes by others (as in the paralytic) or, implicitly by the demons, who realize what it means to encounter the living embodiment of God’s holy fire; Jesus’ act of healing, told in abrupt terms, and the restoration of the one or ones healed to health and life; the reaction of those around—amazement, wonder bordering on belief, doubt, dismay at the disruption brought by healing. Even in the very cut-down account we have heard today, there are tiny, significant, developments. The blind men cry, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David’—the mention of David recalls the whole messianic expectation that surrounds the coming of Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one, focusing attention on who Jesus is. The Christ, the Messiah, was thought to be coming to bring renewal to the created order. Just a few chapters later, Matthew tells the story of John the Baptist, from prison, sending some of his disciples to ask of Jesus who he is: Are the one who is coming, or should we wait for another? And Jesus replies by telling John’s disciples to go back and tell what they have heard and seen—and Jesus goes on to quote from the Prophet Isaias:
The blind see and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf-and-dumb hear, and the dead are raised up and the poor hear the good news of the Gospel (not an exact quotation, but recalling various passages in Isaias).
Jesus lets them see how the prophetic expectation of the Messianic age is fulfilled in him (cf. Matt. 11: 2–15). Hence the blind men’s calling him ‘Son of David’. In crying out, ‘Have mercy’, they are recognizing their need for healing. Lord, have mercy, Κύριε ἐλέησον, Господи, помилуй, Doamne, miluieşte!—we keep on repeating this in the course of the Divine Liturgy, but perhaps do not dwell enough on what we are saying, for we are asking for healing, acknowledging our need for healing—healing of both soul and body. But in the account we have heard, their cry is not enough: Jesus questions them, ‘Do you believe that I can do this?’ to which they reply, ‘Yes, Lord’. So, too, we need to believe in our hearts that the Lord can heal us, forgive our sins, heal our weakness and infirmity. And then Jesus touches their eyes, saying, ‘Let it be according to your faith’, and their eyes are opened. The encounter with Jesus and the blind men then takes a strange turn: Jesus scolds them (ἐνεβριμήθη), and says, ‘See that no one comes to know this’—and, despite this sharp warning, the blind men go off and spread his fame in the whole of the land! The theme that Jesus sometimes asks those healed not to tell about what has happened, sometime quite sternly, as here, occurs throughout the Gospels, developed in various ways, but here no hint is given of what Jesus meant and why he scolded the blind men restored to sight.
Then follows an even briefer account of someone deaf-and-dumb. He is brought to Jesus, presumably by his friends. The record is as brief as it could possibly be: ‘And when the demon as cast out, the dumb man spoke. And the crowds were amazed, saying, never has this been seen in Israel’. And then the final comment: ‘The Pharisees were saying, He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons’. And there the account ends (in the text of the Gospel it ends, too, and the narrative moves on).
What are we to take away from this? This is presented as an episode (or two) in Jesus’ preaching of the Kingdom—the kingdom of the Messiah, the Christ, in which kingdom disease, sickness, disability will be done away: and this is manifest in the presence of Christ. Those who encounter him, hear his healing word, are healed. Healing is sometimes not what we want: it opens up new possibilities, new responsibilities, hence the ambiguous reaction to Jesus’ actions. None of us is without need of the healing touch of Christ: let our cry, ‘Lord, have mercy!’, come from our hearts and make possible that healing touch. Amen.
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Commemorating the Nativity of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, Martyr Callinicus of Gangra in Asia Minor, Venerable Constantine and Cosmas Abbots of Kosinsk, Virgin Martyr Seraphima of Antioch, Martyr Theodota and her 3 sons in Bithynia, Martyr Eustathius of Mtskheta in Georgia, Martyr Bessarion Bishop of Smolyan, Child Schemamonk Bogolep, St Roman of Kirzhachsk, Martyr Michael “the Black-Robed” of St Savva Monastery, Martyr Michael, Emperor Theodosios the Younger
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb; the guards became as dead men. Mary stood by Your grave, seeking Your most pure body. You took captive hell, not being tempted by it. You came to the Virgin, granting life. O Lord, Who rose from the dead, glory to You.
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4
Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
HOLY MARTYR CALLINICUS TROPARION—TONE 4
Your holy martyr Callinicus, O Lord, through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God. For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through his intercessions save our souls.
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION—TONE 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life, raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, He bestowed resurrection on the human race. He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD KONTAKION—TONE 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who honor You!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Marijana Rocknage
Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Ruby Cangialosi
EPISTLE: Romans 15:1-7
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Sixth Tone: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: v: To You, O Lord, will I call. O my God, be not silent to me!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: O Lord, save Your people ...
CHOIR: … and bless Your inheritance!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, we then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the heavenly God.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He will say to the Lord: “My Protector and my Refuge; my God, in Whom I trust.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Римљанима 15:1-7
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 6 Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Теби, Господе вапим: Боже мој, немој ме оставити без одговора!
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој
Хор: и благослови наследство Своје.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, дужни смо пак ми јаки слабости слабих носити, и не себи угађати. Сваки од нас нека угађа ближњему на добро ради напретка. Јер и Христос не угоди себи, него као што је писано: Ружења оних који руже тебе падоше на мене. Јер што се раније написа за нашу се поуку написа, да кроз трпљење и утјехом Писма имамо наду. А Бог трпљења и утјехе нека вам да исто да мислите међу собом по Христу Исусу, Да би једнодушно, једним устима славили Бога и Оца Господа нашега Исуса Христа. Зато примајте један другога. као што је и Христос примио вас на славу Божију.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Који живи у закону Вишњега, у сјени Свемогућега почива.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Говори Господу: Ти си уточиште моје и бранич мој, Бог мој, у кога се уздам.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 9:27-35
At that time, when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 9:27-35
А када је Исус одлазио оданде, за њим иђаху два слијепца вичући и говорећи: Помилуј нас, сине Давидов! А када дође у кућу, приступише му слијепци, и рече им Исус: Вјерујете ли да могу то учинити? А они му рекоше: Да, Господе. Тада се дохвати очију њихових говорећи: По вјери вашој нека вам буде. И отворише им се очи. И запријети им Исус говорећи: Гледајте да нико не дозна! А они изишавши, разгласише га по свој земљи оној. Када пак они излажаху, гле, доведоше му човјека нијема и бјесомучна. И пошто изагна демона, проговори нијеми. И дивљаше се народ говорећи: Никада се то није видјело у Израиљу. А фарисеји говораху: Помоћу кнеза демонског изгони демоне. И прохођаше Исус по свим градовима и селима учећи по синагогама њиховим и проповиједајући јеванђеље о Царству, и исцјељујући сваку болест и сваку немоћ у народу.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
TODAY!!!! AUGUST 11 at 3 pm | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Sloane, Berkeley and Palmer Semic their parents and sponsors, Christopher Aaron Baker Jr, his parents and 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 Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Shayle York and the newborn Šeren Lily, Kaitlyn Hook and the newborn Bowen William, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Mara Bebeau and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Maria Chigrintseva, Susan & Jim Cibort, Leann Cox, Victoria Cox, Art Dils, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Edward Dry, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Eric Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Nevenka Gojkovic, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Tony Kepp, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, John Luksic, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Daria Milletics, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Christopher Radanovic, Linda Rodgers, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan and Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Beverly Yanich, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
ECUMENICAL (COUNTRY MEADOWS) Jane Rush, HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic
Those to be Baptized
Bowen William Hook, Caleb Ereno Lewis, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Faith Kingsbury, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Radenko Kuzmanovic, Nathan Rush, Slavko Djordjic, Slobodan Saran, George Radanovic, Edward Hojnicki, Meilka “Sandy” Marijan, Bogoljub Blagojevic, Jovanka Foltz, Bozidar 'Bobby' Bulatovich, Demetrios Ziogas
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~Our Deepest Sympathy~
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the Pete & Arlene Barber and their family after the passing of their brother-in-law Larry Black on Tuesday, August 6. May his soul dwell with the righteous and be numbered among the just! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
~Parastos to be Offered~
Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†EVA ORR Offered today after liturgy by Fr Christopher and his family in loving remembrance of his Teti’s repose (1 year—August 11).
~Flowers in front of the Theotokos Offered~
†ANDELIJA KOBAC MRAOVIC & †LJUBICA MRAOVIC YANICH Offered with love for Grammom & Grammy who arrived at Ellis Island 103 years ago (Aug 12) after traveling by wagon from their village of Bovic to Zagreb, then by train to Belgrade, and a second train to Trieste, and then by ship to New York’s Ellis Island. We praise God for granting them unwavering courage, boldness of spirit and abiding faith in making such a journey. We are profoundly grateful. Given with love and respect by 4 generations of the family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
~Vigils Offered~
DUKE & SUE PETROVICH Offered in celebration of their Wedding Anniversary (August 9). With God’s Blessings may you have many, many more years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Kuma Arlene & Kum Pete & family
TAYLOR GRENIER Offered in joyful celebration of her birthday (Aug 16). Much love from Baba and the family. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
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.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†SUB-DEACON RICHARD HATHAWAY Offered in loving memory (11 years—Aug 3) of husband, father & grandfather, by Shirley, Traci, Michelle, Kyle & Jason Jr. Always in our memories and hearts. Memory Eternal! Vjecnaja Pamjat!
†LARRY BLACK Offered in loving memory after the passing of our brother-in-law, this past Tuesday, August 6. May his Memory be Eternal. Vjecnaja Pamjat! With love by the Barber, Geib, McLaughlin & Reed Families.
†EVELYN RUSSIN Offered with love and in remembrance of her repose (16 years—Aug 11) by Frank & Marie Brescia and family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†BECKI CRAWSHAW MOLINARO Offered in memory of my dear friend on her birthday (Aug 11). Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal! Love Nikki Lewis and family.
†VERA RADANOVIC Offered in loving remembrance on her birthday (Aug 12) by Daria, Dave, Jason & Sarah Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†HOPE ‘TSETSIE’ KLIPA Offered in loving memory of her repose (9 years—August 14). 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, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, 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 division.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 8/4/2024
Collection: $2,354.00
Date 7/28/2024
Collection: $4,878.00
Date 7/21/2024
Collection: $1,631.00
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August Birthdays
Ross Spangler (Aug 1), Tim Hook (Aug 1), Father Ilija Balach (Aug 2), Kaitlyn Hook (Aug 2), Jela Nonkovic (Aug 3), Ted Yanich (Aug 4), Mike Healy (Aug 5), Chris Radanovic (Aug 7), Cathy Fagan (Aug 7), Dieter Geib (Aug 7), Igor Pejcic (Aug 7), Heather Heilman (Aug 9), Russ Hewitt (Aug 9), Bo Venesevich (Aug 11), Ioanna Radanovic (Aug 11), Theodore Sukernik (Aug 11), Victoria Fithian (Aug 11), Eva Sutkliffe (Aug 15), Marina Skinder (Aug 20), Stefan Gligorevic (Aug 21), Chase Hewitt (Aug 23), Endora Wolf (Aug 23), Vaciona Petrovich (Aug 25), Ferris Atty (Aug 27), Maryann Seiders (Aug 28), Chuck Miller (Aug 30)
August Anniversaries
Chris & Jevgenija Radanovic (Aug 1), Duke & Sue Petrovich (Aug 9), Chuck & Jean Miller (Aug 9), Mike & Stephanie York (Aug 20), Zach & Elizabeth Bare (Aug 20), Dn. Bojan & Sladjana Gligorevic (Aug 31)
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COMBINED MOTHERS CLUB & KSS MEETING (TODAY)
Our next meeting for both the Mothers Club and Circle of Serbian Sisters (KSS) will be TODAY, August 11, 2024 in the Church Library after Divine Liturgy. All members are urged to attend this very important meeting.
PANTRY BOX IN THE LOBBY
The Pantry Box helps to supply much needed goods to the Bethesda Women’s Shelter. Please remember to drop off items like: ibuprofen, toothpaste, toothbrush, powdered laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, lotion, razors, bar soap or body wash, deodorant.
MOTHER’S CLUB KIOSK
New items have arrived. Stop by and check out the new Eye Glass Cases, Cards and Prayer Bracelets.
PLEASE HELP — 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. 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.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717) 939-3872 or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.
BULLETIN DEADLINE
Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday at 11 am. Please send all bulletin requests to the church office at
office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717) 939-3872
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August Charity
Zoe for Life
Many women are fortunate to have the love and support structure to lead them to marriage, children, and a meaningful life. Others, however, are from different circumstances, and may find themselves in crisis because of an unplanned pregnancy. Their situation may have them in turmoil and panic, where healthy decisions are difficult to make. ZOE for Life!® serves as a conduit, guiding women to a wider range of support organizations, providing an attractive set of options and a promising outlook on their situation. There is counseling, housing referral assistance, referral for prenatal care, adoption and other services available for which most women in distress are unaware. It is the goal of ZOE for Life!® to offer more opportunities to women in unplanned pregnancies, and to empower them to make decisions everyone can live with. ZOE for Life!® is a pan-Orthodox outreach of Orthodox Christians. It is funded privately, and has received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. All gifts are tax-deductible as specified by law.
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Stewardship Reflection
Reflection from a parishioner...
I recently read my morning Scriptures and reflected on an article discussing aspects of worship. In the Orthodox faith, we attend the Divine Liturgy on a weekly basis as a community and are expected to worship God privately each and every day of our lives. This includes our daily prayers, thanksgiving, almsgiving, gratitude - many ways we can praise and thank God for all that He has provided.
This then led to a reflection on my life as a Steward - this isn't a commitment that is completed weekly, or when a collection tray is passed or once a year at a festival we volunteer for. This is a commitment that must be exercised daily as well. When we thank God for all that He provides us, His only expectation is that we be good and faithful Stewards with what He has entrusted to us. Each function of our daily life should focus on our Time, Talents and Treasures and how we are using them.
Разматрање парохијана
Недавно сам читао Свето Писмо и замислих се на чланку који разматра аспекте Богослужења. У православној вери, ми идемо на Свету Литургију сваке Недеље као заједица и од нас се очекије да се молимо Богу код куће сваки дан током нашег живота. Ово укључује свакодневну молитву, захвалност, помагање сиротима-много начина ми можемо захвалити Богу за све што нам Је дао.
То ме је навело да се замислим о моме животу као Старатељ- ово није обавеза која се испињава седмично, или када се тас пронесе кроз Цркву или када једном годишње волонтирамо за Црквени Фестивал. Ово нас обавезујемо да радимо сваки дан . Када се ми захваљујемо Богу за све што нам је дао, једино што Он очекује је да будемо верни Старатељи са оним што нам је Он дао. Све што радимо током дана треба да се фокусирамо на наше Време , Таленте и Новце и како да их употребимо
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