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Twenty-Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday of the Forefathers
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Great Supper of Heaven
St. John of Kronstadt
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel according to Luke that was read today the Lord pronounced a fearsome, righteous sentence on those who were called, but did not come for reasons of negligence and laziness, to the great supper prepared by the Creator and Righteous Judge of the entire world that will have its beginning following the end of the current age. None of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper; for many are called, but few are chosen. Hearken, dear brothers and sisters: we, too, are understood to be among those called to the supper, for we, too, are called to it by the Lord from the time that we were baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, having previously renounced the devil and his angels, and all his works, and all his pride. This great meal or supper is the Heavenly Kingdom, prepared for all those who are faithful, love God, and keep His commandments.
Let us turn our attention to the reasons for which the invited did not come. One said to the messenger: I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. Another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. The third said: I have married a wife: and therefore I cannot come (Luke 14:16-24). From the words cited it is clear as day that those called to the supper by the Master of the house – that is, the Lord – renounced it due to an inexcusable, irrational passion for the earthly, for temporal goods, and for their passionate and corrupt nature; and for their neglect of the immortal soul, created in the image of God, so loved by the Creator and Lord that He Himself came to earth to rescue it, which had been deceived, redeeming it Himself by His suffering and death, taking it upon His shoulders to deliver it to the Heavenly Father.
Why did none of those called taste of the Lord’s supper and enter into the eternal Kingdom? Because none of those called was ready to forsake himself, to educate himself for it, to nurture himself for it, neither to develop a spiritual taste, nor to acquire a spiritual robe; they were alien to all virtue, ragged, and ugly due to the multitude of their sins. And what fellowship has light with darkness and righteousness with unrighteousness (cf., 2 Corinthians 6:14). None. Those called to the supper – for reasons of unforgiveable faithlessness, neglect, and ingratitude to the One calling them – spent their whole lives laboring only for their mortal bodies, for the sinful flesh and its passions, for its pleasures, and did nothing for our immortal soul: they did not cleanse it with repentance, were not concerned with cutting off their passions and vices and curbing their sinful inclinations; thus they died in their impurities, in their alienation from God. How could they have tasted of the spiritual supper? They could not; they were unable. If they had been taken up into Paradise for even a moment, they would have found it extremely difficult there, unbearable, and blinding because of their sinfulness, earthliness, coarseness, and uncleanness. They would have condemned themselves to Hades, to those like themselves, in the stinking prison and fire prepared for sinners. Such is the share of unrepentant sinners; such is the end of human passions.
How did the saints value the Lord’s call to the great supper? With what zeal did they follow the voice of the One Inviting them? How did they prepare themselves? What example did they leave us? How do they pray for us to the Lord, that He would find us worthy as well to be with them and would save us from the deception of the present world and its vain pleasures – so that we, too, would be aroused to repentance, correction, and would give us the zeal for all ascetic labors of virtues?
Let us all prepare ourselves for the great supper of the Heavenly Kingdom; let us cast aside idleness and negligence; let us mortify our carnal passions that prevent us from living for the Lord and for the immortal soul, loving God and neighbor. And in this love is the entire Law. Amen.
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Commemorating Martyrs Akepsimas and Aithalas of Egypt, Martyr Mirax of Egypt, Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Venerable Nikon the Dry of the Kiev Near Caves, Venerable Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon, Synaxis of the Saints of Georgia
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 4
When the women Disciples of the Lord learned from the Angel the joyous message of the Resurrection, they cast away the ancestral curse and elatedly told the Apostles: “Death is overthrown! Christ God is risen, granting the world great mercy!”
FOREFATHERS TROPARION—TONE 2
Through faith You justified the Forefathers, betrothing through them the Church of the gentiles. These saints exult in glory, for from their seed came forth a glorious fruit: she who bore You without seed. So by their prayers, O Christ God, have mercy on us!
FOREFATHERS KONTAKION - TONE 6
You did not worship the graven image, O thrice-blessed ones, but armed with the immaterial Essence of God, you were glorified in a trial by fire. From the midst of unbearable flames you called on God, crying: “Hasten, O compassionate One! Speedily come to our aid, for You are merciful and able to do as You will!”
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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: Natasha Milanovich
EPISTLE: Colossians 3:4-11
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Fourth Tone: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
READER: v: For You are just in all that You have done for us!
CHOIR: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
READER: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers...
CHOIR: ...and praised and glorified is Your name forever!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel also was among those who called on His Name.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: They called to the Lord and He answered them.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Колошанима 3:4-11
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 4 Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Хор: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Читач: Јер си праведан у свему што си нам учинио.
Хор: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших, и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Читач: Благословен си, Господе Боже отаца наших,
Хор: и хваљено и прослављено је име Твоје у вјекове.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање посланице Светога апостола Павла Колошанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, када се јави Христос, живот наш, онда ћете се и ви с Њиме јавити у слави. Умртвите, дакле, удове своје који су на земљи: блуд, нечистоту, страст, злу похоту и лакомство, што је идолопоклонство, због којих долази гњев Божији на синове противљења, у којима и ви негда ходисте, када живљасте у њима. А сад одбаците и ви то све: гњев, љутину, пакост, хуљење, срамотне ријечи из уста својих. Не лажите један другога, јер свукосте старога човјека са дјелима његовим, и обукосте се у новога, који се обнавља за познање, према лику Онога који га је саздао, гдје нема Јелина ни Јудејца, обрезања ни необрезања, варварина ни Скита, роба ни слободњака, него је све и у свему Христос.
Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Мојсеј и Арон, свештеници Његови, и Самуило један од оних који призиваху име његово.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Призиваху Господа, и Он их услиши.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 14:16-24
Then the Lord spoke this parable, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 14:16-24
Каза Господ причу ову: Неки човјек зготови велику вечеру и позва многе. И у вријеме вечере, посла слугу својега да каже званицама: Дођите, јер је већ све готово. И почеше се сви редом изговарати. Први му рече: Купих њиву и морам изићи да је видим; молим те, изговори ме. И други рече: Купих пет јармова волова, и идем да их огледам; молим те, изговори ме. И трећи рече: Ожених се, и зато не могу доћи. И дошавши слуга тај, јави ово господару своме. Тада се разгњеви домаћин и рече слуги своме: Изиђи брзо на тргове и улице градске, и доведи амо сиромахе, и богаље и хроме, и слијепе. И рече слуга: Господару, учињено је како си заповједио, и још има мјеста. И рече господар слуги: Изиђи на путеве и међу ограде, и приволи их да уђу да ми се напуни дом. Јер вам кажем да ниједан од оних званих људи неће окусити моје вечере. Јер је много званих, али је мало изабраних.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
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 child to be born of her, Cassandra Semic and the child to be born of her, Catherine Lewis and the child to be born of her, Kyranna Baker and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Darlene & Larry Black, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Rebecca Cappetta, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Leann Cox, Victoria Cox, Art Dils, Tommy and Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Edward Hojnicki, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Dave Morris, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Katherine Nation, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Linda Rodgers, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Nathan & Jane Rush, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, 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, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane & Berkeley Semic, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, Kyranna Baker, Cameron Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija 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
Protopresbyter Alexander Veronis, Mileva Maran, Eva Orr, Helen Kapac, Basil Havalchak, Dragoljub (Don) Maransky, Marshall Vujasinovich, Goran Stekovic, Louis 'Chuck' Belic, Florence Ivanoff
~Our Deepest Sympathy~
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Florence Ivanoff, who reposed in the Lord on Wednesday, December 20th. May her soul dwell with the righteous and be numbered among the just! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
~Flowers and Vigils Offered~
†LJUBICA VIOLA YANICH Offered in loving memory of Mom/Grammy/Nin/Ojna as we observe the 11th anniversary (Dec 24) of her repose. We are sustained by memories of her wisdom, faith and good humor and lifted by the certainty that she rests peacefully in Christ’s eternal light. Given by her Family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
~Vigils Offered~
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.
†VERNA TARASI Offered in loving memory for the repose of grandmother & friend Verna (9 years—Dec 21). May she rest peacefully in the Lord’s mercy and grace. Given by the Yanich, Wenner, Mumma, Hook, Cruz & Wolf Family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†CAROLE HEALY Offered in loving memory of my dear friend’s birthday (Dec 24). Sadly missed by Sandy. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†VIOLA YANICH Offered in memory of our Kuma Viola on the anniversary of her falling asleep in the Lord (Dec 24). Offered in love by her Godchildren Donald Semic, Michael Semic and Shirley Hathaway. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†ANNA BARBER Offered in loving memory of Mother/Baba/Great-Baba for her repose (21 years—Dec 27). Sadly missed and always in our hearts and prayers. Given by the Foltz, Barber and Geib families. 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, 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 12/17/2023
Collection: $4,122.00
Date 12/10/2023
Collection: $2,306.00
Date 12/3/2023
Collection: $4,040.00
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December Birthdays
Laurie Brosius (Dec 1), Stephani York (Dec 2), Alex Govelovich (Dec 2), Gordana Fasnacht (Dec 4), Alexandra McFall (Dec 4), Paul Kasper (Dec 7), Alexa Healy (Dec 10), Nicholas Blitva (Dec 11), Sarah Milletics (Dec 11), Lorraine James (Dec 15), Quinn Gilroy (Dec 15), Irina Miljkovic (Dec 17), Steve Barry (Dec 17), Michael Filepas Jr (Dec 23), Carole Blitva (Dec 25), Josh Howell (Dec 30)
December Anniversaries
Alex & Nicole Bazdar (Dec 11), Dori & Doug Bert (Dec 18), Lauren & Ross Spangler (Dec 21), Pharon & Christine Bertsch (Dec 27)
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NATIVITY FAST
The Nativity Fast began on Tuesday, November 28. This means that we prepare the body to receive the Incarnate Christ Child through fasting, alms-giving and prayer. It is a time to focus upon giving alms to the poor. It is a time to focus upon offering ourselves to God’s Church. It is a time to re-dedicate ourselves to praying to God, both in Divine Services and at home. Receive the Fast with Joy!
PARISH COUNCIL SERVICE
We are fast approaching the end of the year 2023, preparing for our upcoming Annual Assembly in February. Please consider serving on the Parish Council. We are currently in need of the following positions in the coming year: Treasurer, Vice President and Member at Large. Please see Nikki Lewis, Nina Radanovic, Tatyana Reznitchenko or Father Chris if you are able to serve our community.
ADULT EDUCATION CLASS
There will be no Adult Education class this week. We will resume after Vespers on Wednesday evenings on January 3rd.
WAYS TO BE A GOOD STEWARD
If you are wondering what you can do as a Steward of the Church, please consider becoming a Greeter or a Tutor. A Greeter does just that, they greet those who come to share in the services held in our church (Divine Liturgies as well as other events such as Lenten services or Pan Orthodox events). If you are willing to serve the church as a Greeter or Tutor please contact the church office or Terry Govelovich at 717-561-1590 (leave a message if there is no answer).
SOTAYA LAMB SALE (DEADLINE APPROACHING)
We are once again having our Christmas Fund Raising event. For your Christmas dinner on January 7, let us provide you with hot Roast Lamb. This year the lamb will be sold by the pound, for $16 per pound. Deadline to place your lamb order is Sunday, December 31. Contact Sladjana Gligorevic at 717-538-2073 or sladjagligorevic@gmail.com
NEW ITEMS AVAILABLE IN THE DISPLAY CASE
Check out the Mother’s Club Display Case as we are getting new items in weekly. There are new Nativity/Christmas Cards available. Check them out! There are also new items available for purchase that were donated by Fr Dcn Bojan, from his recent trip to Serbia.
HIRING CUSTODIAN
As our beloved brother in Christ, Michael Healy will be retiring from this position in January, we are looking for his replacement. Please see Father Christopher, Nick Ressetar, or Zach Bare if interested in applying for the position.
MOTHER’S CLUB PARTY!!!
On Sunday, January 14th, the Mothers Club will have their annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Gilligan’s Restaurant after Liturgy. All Mothers are encouraged to attend, and bring a gift to be exchanged in a White Elephant game.
EXPERIENCED WOOD FINISHERS
We are calling all experienced wood finishers to assist with the pew restoration and installation. Once we have the process mapped out, workers will be able to sand and refinish pews at their convenience. Please contact Father Christopher 412.400.7146 or Dean Stefan 717.679.1907 to get more information.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO GOD
We would like to thank Dewey Yetter for once again assembling and donating the kits the Sunday School used for planting wheat on St Nicholas Day. We are thankful he continues to share his stewardship with our students.
The Bethesda Women’s Shelter would like to thank the congregation for the items recently donated to the Mission. The Pantry Box is located in the lobby and welcomes donations throughout the year that benefit the shelter. Please donate any nonperishable and women’s hygiene products when you are able.
CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION
It is that time again, getting ready for a new academic year. Please follow this link to register your children for our Church School program. All children, ages 3—18 are expected to attend classes each Sunday to grow in the Faith and in fellowship.
https://forms.gle/SGWWhv3iBLWqJfHd7
2024 ORGANIZATIONAL DUES
To pay your 2024 dues (or if you still owe 2023 dues) please see Nikki Lewis for Mothers Club, Jovanka Shaffer for KSS, Linda Yandric for Seniors, Jason Milletics for Choir and Protinica Andreja for Serb Club.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS (this week)
Office hours are Tuesday thru 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 at (717) 939-3872
BURN THE MORTGAGE/CHURCH FINANCES
We are entreating the Lord for help with this good work, paying our debt and having sustainable income. This week, the last two Moliebens will be served Monday and Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm. We will continue this Molieben for 40 days, entreating the Lord to provide for our needs. Come and pray for the stability of our St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church.
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December Charity
Very Reverend Stavrophor Srboljub Jockovich Fund
for St. Nicholas Church Ministries & those in Need
In 2010, our congregation established The Fr. Srboljub Fund as a permanent resource for special ministries and other special needs or events in our church community or with our Orthodox Christian partners in the Central PA area or the larger Orthodox Christian community. Each month we participate in the Charity Sunday program and we always give those donations to an outside charity. Through the Fr. Srboljub Fund, we have created a dynamic new way to support the special ministries of our Church community and to respond to the special needs of our Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters. We are preparing ourselves to respond to ministries and programs in areas such as feeding the hungry, youth and senior programs, library needs, gift shop resources, education and outreach initiatives, visitation efforts and unforeseen emergencies or crises.
Please give generously to the Fr. Srboljub Fund so we may honor the memory of our long-time spiritual leader in this unique way as we grow our resources and are prepared to respond when a special need arises. God bless you and thank you for your generosity.
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