29^th Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday of the Forefathers

Христос међу нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta entra nosotros!

Homily on the Great Banquet

Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom)

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Time and again we hear this parable of Christ. If we only received it deep in our hearts, if we only saw ourselves as we are depicted in it, both to our shame and to our glory, to our hope! How many of us are those who are described there, are the people who could say when they are called by God – not to do anything in particular, but simply to be with Him, to share His joy, to be partakers of the grace – how many of us would say to Him (and we do, but are we aware of it?): Lord, I belong to the earth; didn't You take me out of the earth, have I not been fashioned out of the dust? The earth is my mother, the earth is the closest thing to me, I belong to it. Forgetting that indeed, we belong to it; we are taken out of it, fashioned out of it, but we shall return to it as dust, unless there is the other dimension that has grown in us, unless we realize, not only with our mind – with all our being, that we were indeed made out of earth, but by the powerful, the creative word of God, and that we belong to Him Who spoke this word, we are akin to Him more than we are to this earth, if that is possible. We feel as though we have set roots deep, deep into the earth, as though we derived from it all that we are: our life – yes, called out of it; but also all that it produces, beauty and joy, and everything; and it is so easy to forget that we are called to be more than just the dust of this earth!



And then, how often do we think, there is no time for me to spend in the intimacy of God, to be with Him, just to be, just to be happy, to be together with Him: haven’t I got a task? It may be something that I feel is important! It may even be something that we imagine is important to God – is there time for me to be with Him? We may be with Him later, one day, when all things are fulfilled, or when death has severed our fetters, our link with the earth and with what we imagine is our task. And our tasks are endless; one or another of the divines of the past had said that the image of the five yokes of oxen indeed speaks of the work we feel we must fulfill; but also perhaps, do they not represent our five senses? Do they not represent the five senses which we use continuously, in all directions, anarchically, unpurposefully being by them blinded to the invisible? Isn’t it true that the demon of the noonday is this moment when everything created, all the visible becomes so intensely, powerfully perceptible to us and blinds us to the invisible?

And then, the last man said, I can’t share your joy, oh Lord, I have my own. I have taken a bride, my heart is full of rejoicing! Can I turn away from my joy, forget it for one moment, let go of it and share yours? Let this joy of mine become every day’s life; loose its newness perhaps, and then I will share yours.

Isn’t that the various images which depict us? And what can God do about it? He offers Himself; He wants to share with us all there is: yes, even this earth, but on His terms; to use an image of Saint Ephraim of Syria, to make for us this very earth a sacrament of initiation: a sacrament, a divine act by which He Himself is disclosed, and the means by which He discloses Himself become holy, sacred, shining with glory divine… Yes, He wants us to fulfill a task on earth, but that this task should be what He is doing, make us co-workers with Him, not people sent away from His presence, but people who had become so perfectly one with Him that what we do is what He does and what we are is what He is, ultimately, and that His joy should be ours, the joy that cannot be contained in our hearts, so great it is – it fills the heart of God.

But isn’t there a way? Yes! Become like the people to whom the King send His servants: they were lame, they were beggars, they were in rags, they were the scum of the earth; but because they were deprived of everything, their longing was for all; and all was not simply the little things of the earth that seem so great to us, but something greater: the Kingdom of God, where all should be love, beauty, truth, justice they have longed all their lives; and it is to them the Angels of God, the servants of the King were sent!

What about us? Couldn’t we become, each of us, one of these people? Aren’t we as blind as the blind, as lame as the lame, as poor as the poorest? Why not turn to God and receive the earth, and our task, and all that can fill our life and our hearts on God’s own terms, with Him? And this is what He is offering us on this day of the Nativity which we will keep next week; the day when He became one of us to show us that while being human totally, perfectly, unreservedly human, and yet, totally pervaded with divinity, we can become one with Him, partakers of the divine nature, partakers of His cross and of His glory. Let us reflect on this; let us become the lame, and the poor, and the blind, and the hungry; and then as the Beatitude tells us we shall be fed. Amen.

Commemorating Hieromartyr Eleutherius Bishop of Illyria, his mother, Martyr Evanthia and Caribus the Eparch, St Stephen the Confessor Archbishop of Sourozh Crimea, Hieromartyr Hilarion Archbishop of Verey, Martyr Jonah disciple of Tryphon of Pechenga, Martyr Eleutherius at Constantinople, Venerable Paul of Latros, Venerable Tryphon Abbot of Pechenga, Venerable Pardus the Hermit of Palestine, Saint Nectarius of Bitel 

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!”

READERS:

This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Dasha Gencturk

Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Marko Rocknage

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

~Prayers for the Faithful~

In Our Prayers

Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Protostavrofor Ilija Balach, Protostavrofor Joseph Fester, Archpriest Gabriel Rochelle, Protinica Ana Stepanov, Matushka Barbara Ealy, Matushka Theodora Ressetar, Khouria Patricia Moslener, Sister Anastasija, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the children Genevieve and Louise Bare and their parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Mileva Repasky and the newborn Caroline Grace, Kyranna Baker and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Samuel Atzeff, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, Dori Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Carole & Nick Blitva, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Voni Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Maria Chigrintseva, Leann Cox, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Eric Garvin, Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Rdr. Nicholas & Teresa Govelovich, Kata Gruich, Travis Heilman, Kay Himes, Matthew Hoover, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Caryn Kiraly, Nadine Klipa, Christine Krnjaic, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Susan Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Elliott Mamula, Dianne & Jim Martin, Jean & Paul Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Slavka Miljevic, Marija Miljkovic, Rosanda Mitrovic, Diane & Slobodan Momic, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Lila Packer, Melanie Pavich, Mildred (Blitva) Pavich, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Kobe Petrovich, Duke & Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Milena Pilipovic, Christopher Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Chloe Ruff, Christina Sakmar, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, Milan Shumkaroff, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Karen Stefan, Timothy Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan & Mary Stojic, Linda Szeerba, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Peter Velencia, Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Magdalen Vloutely, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Paula Werner, Nicolette & Nikola Wiel, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Elizabeth Yezdimir, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya,

Non Orthodox: Catherine Lewis, Bethany Peterson, Jensen Swartz, Addy Andy, Kevin Appleby, Doug Bert, Jason Brill, Susan & Jim Cibort, Victoria Cox, Barry Dean Jr, Christian Geib, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Tony Kepp, Stephen Kerstetter, Keith & Kelly Kessler, Myong Sook Kim, Stella Wren Lappas, Richard Livingston, Margaret Livingston, Stephen Lundgren, Penny MacDonald, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Hope Pesner, Makaylie Peterson, Logan Roszkowski, Greg Selman, John Sheaffer, Maximilian Stelzer, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Edith Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Traci Weaver, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, 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

Caleb Lewis, Barrett Scott, Maverick Peterson, Caroline Repasky, Trace Swartz

Our College Students

Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Kyle Barber, Dieter Geib, Gunner Geib, Kirsten Geib, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Matthew Hoover, Faith Kingsbury, Natasha Milanovich, Sophia Mummert, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Aleksandra Šaran, Theodore Sukhernik, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo

Our Seminary Students

Elizabeth Bare

Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones

Vera Ressetar Bortniak, Eleana Silk, Maryann Seiders

Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine and Russia, 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. We also pray for the Orthodox clergy in Alaska, that the Lord might grant them more than enough to feed their families.

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Stewardship Offering Information

Date 12/21/2025

Collection: $4,380.00

Date 12/14/2025

Collection: $5,094.00

Date 12/7/2025

Collection: $4,328.00

~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.



†ANNA BARBER Offered in loving memory of Mother/Baba/Great-Baba for her repose (23 years—Dec 27). Sadly missed and always in our hearts and prayers. Given by the Foltz, Barber and Geib families. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

Remaining December Birthday

Josh Howell (Dec 30)

January Birthdays

Kristina Carricato (Jan 3), Brad Livingston (Jan 4), Betty Matovich (Jan 5), Chris Krnjaic (Jan 5), Voni Brown (Jan 6), Jody Atty (Jan 7), Fred Book (Jan 7), Ellen Long (Jan 8), Lauren Spangler (Jan 9), Jason Milletics (Jan 11), William Hernjak (Jan 12), JoAnn Filepas (Jan 13), Tracy Petrovich (Jan 13), Bill Wenner (Jan 15), Nicole Stefan Imschweiler (Jan 15), Christina Radanovic (Jan 15), Tatyana Reznitchenko (Jan 16), Sylvia Stefan (Jan 18), Nina Radanovic (Jan 19), Makrina Rocknage (Jan 19), Kristina Vukalo (Jan 20), Rita Vorkapich (Jan 22), Protinica Andreja (Jan 24), Kobe Petrovich (Jan 24), Andjelija Lojpur (Jan 27), Sophia Mummert (Jan 28), Jane Svitchan (Jan 29), Maxim Reznitchenko (Jan 29), Susan Vorkapich (Jan 30), Ashtyn Isadora Cruz (Jan 30)

RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

This is a gentle reminder regarding preparing for and receiving the Holy Eucharist. As the Lord said, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, first be reconciled, then come to receive. We are called to be prepared and receive at each and every Liturgy.

PREPARATION AND THANKSGIVING PRAYERS

We are also called to pray the prayers in preparation for Holy Communion, and to stay and pray the prayers in thanksgiving for Holy Communion after Liturgy.

KEEPING THE FASTS

Whether we receive the Holy Mysteries or not, ALL Orthodox Christians are called to keep the fasts of the Church as best as they are able. This includes all Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as the special fast periods of the Church. Also, unless medically necessary and blessed by your father confessor, no eating or drinking from midnight until receiving Holy Communion.

KEEPING THE FEASTS

We should be in attendance for Great and Holy Week, Pascha, and all of the 12 Great Feasts of the Church. If we cannot make the liturgy, come for Vespers or Vigil the night before. If traveling, find the closest Orthodox Church and keep the feast there.

FREQUENCY OF HOLY CONFESSION

We are all called to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now”. We should take inventory of our souls regularly—at least on a monthly basis. Let the Lord lift the heavy burden of sin, for as He said, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.

HERE WE GO A-CAROLING! 

Dear St. Nicholas community. The Choir and friends will be going Caroling again NEXT Sunday, January 4. Please join us for this festive outreach to those who are homebound or in nursing homes. You do not need to be in the Choir to carol with us. We will be singing Serbian as well as traditional carols. Not sure if you'll know what we are singing? You are welcome to join the last half hour of Choir practice to check it out. Questions? Please contact Nina Radanovic (717) 634-6170, or ninarad.mil19@gmail.com for more information. Looking forward to caroling with you!

CALLING ALL BAKERS!!

Would you consider baking for the dessert table at our dance on January 10? Please contact Nicole Petrovich at 

nicolepetrovich@yahoo.com or (717) 648-8061 (leave a message if no answer). Hvala!"

SISTERS/MOTHER’S CLUB PARTY (JANUARY 11, 2026)

The Sisters/Mothers Club will host its annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Gilligan’s Restaurant after Liturgy. All ladies of the church are warmly invited to attend. Please bring a $15 gift to participate in the White Elephant game. However, you are free to choose not to participate in the gift exchange. Join us for an afternoon of fellowship and fun. If you plan to attend, please text or call Doni at 717-887-9146.

SAVE THE DATE—THE TAMBURITZANS ARE COMING!!!

The Parish Council is thrilled to announce that we are sponsoring The Tamburitzans (formerly of Duquesne University) for a show on Saturday, January 10th at 3pm. Tickets are $35 until January 9th, $40 at the door, and $30 for 55+, under 18, and with a valid student ID. Tickets may be purchased in the office, or by clicking on the following link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-tamburitzans.

SUVO MESO DONATIONS FOR TAMBURITZAN DANCE

Please consider donating for the dance on January 10, 2026. So many of our members make the best smoked meat! Would you consider donating smoked meat/suvo meso for the event? If yes, please text, call, or email Stacy Milanovich at tacy1123@gmail.com

(724) 709-4746. Thank you for your consideration! Hvala!

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.

CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION

Register for the 2025-2026 Church School year with the following link:

https://forms.gle/JuVAESBtWpQL6X7s8

BULLETIN DEADLINE

Please send all Bulletin requests to the church office at office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call (717) 939-3872. Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday at 11 am.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9:00 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.

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.  

Charitable Contributions to the Church

The Finance Committee is making an appeal for the months of November and December asking for tax deductible charitable contributions. These funds will be dedicated to paying down the mortgage and boosting our reserve funds. The “Burn the Mortgage” Capitol Campaign that we previously ran enabled us to pay down $160,000 on our mortgage balance. Currently our mortgage is down to approximately $500,000. We thank God for your efforts—they have been a big help!

However, our investment account is down to $200,000. We continue to withdraw from our reserves, supplementing mortgage payments as well as paying the bills. Below are a few options:

· If you receive an RMD (required minimum distribution) you can transfer a tax free distribution to the church up to $100,000.

· Donation of dividends from stock, annuities and insurance policies can be used to lessen your tax burden.

· Charitable cash gifts are also tax deductible.

Consult your tax specialist or financial planner to see what you can do to help. No contribution to your church is too big or too small! Any member of our finance committee will be able to offer assistance. Please inquire at the church office.

Are you a kolo dancer? Or perhaps would like to be and don’t feel you have

the coordination? Maybe your kids dance kolos and now you would love to do the same?

No worries – we are here to help!

Join us TODAY for...

♫ ♫ “Family Kolo Funday” ♫ ♫

Mom, Dad, kids, and anyone who wants to kick up their heels

and learn to dance kolos. Our first session will be held

TODAY, Sunday, December 28^th

All you need is a good pair of shoes and a desire to learn. We’ll take care of the rest!

Dancing will start after all classes/meetings have ended for anyone who is interested.

There is no obligation, just come and have some fun!

♫ ♫ IGRAJ KOLO ♫ ♫