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Sunday of the Prodigal Son
St. Nicholas Bulletin - February 12, 2023
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Christ is in our midst! Христос Међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on Sunday of the Prodigal Son
by Fr. Philip LeMasters
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In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
We have all had the experience of being ashamed of ourselves. We had done, said, or thought something which probably seemed fine to us at the time, but which we later realized was simply terrible. Sometimes when that happens, we catch a glimpse of truth about ourselves that is hard to bear. Sometimes when that happens, we are paralyzed by shame, by a prideful refusal to accept in humility that we—like everyone else in this life—are very far from perfect and in constant need of our Lord’s mercy and grace. Those who remain stuck in the rut of shame will face great obstacles in finding healing for their souls.
The prodigal son in today’s gospel reading provides a wonderful example of how to get over wounded pride and repent of even the most shameful acts. Remember that this fellow had given his father the ultimate insult by asking for his inheritance, which was basically to tell the old man that he was tired of waiting for him to die. The father apparently meant nothing to this son other than as a source of cash that he could use to fund a debauched life. The young man was apparently blind to the gravity of what he had done until he found himself in truly wretched circumstances, especially for a Jew. In a foreign land, he tended pigs and was so hungry that he envied the food of the swine. Then it dawned on him what he had done. He came to himself and began the long journey home, knowing that the most he could possibly expect from his father was to become one of his hired servants. When he finally arrived at home, he said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” The son knew what he had done, made no excuses, and was not going to ask anything from the father other than to become one of his hired hands. He knew the seemingly irreparable harm that he had done. He had come to see clearly the seriousness of his rotten behavior. He was well aware that his father owed him nothing at all. He was totally dependent upon his mercy.
Before we continue with the story of the parable, we should pause to admire the courage and humility of the prodigal son. After seeing how horribly he had treated his father, he refused to be paralyzed by shame. He began the journey home, accepted the truth about what he had done, and was ready to accept whatever rejection, criticism, or awkwardness resulted from daring to show his face to the father whom he had rejected. At this point, he had no illusions about himself, his behavior, or how it had impacted others. He knew that he could hope, at the very most, to return to the household as a servant, not a son. Nonetheless, he still took the long journey home.
Had the son not done so, he would not have put himself in the place where it was possible for him to receive his father’s unbelievable mercy. The father ran out to greet him when he was still a long way off, which shows that the old man had been scanning the horizon and hoping for this moment. When the father embraced him, the son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But before he could ask to become only a servant in the household, the father restored him fully as a son with a robe, a ring, shoes, and a party with music, dancing, and a great feast. For from the father’s perspective, he was not simply forgiving someone who had rejected and insulted him. No, he was celebrating a resurrection: “for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”
Most of us do not have to think very hard to recognize times in our lives when we have done, said, or thought shameful things. We usually do not like to be reminded of them because they challenge our pride. Unfortunately, some of us go through life with a crippling sense of shame, which is more a reflection of our refusal to accept in humility the truth about ourselves than of anything else. If we have the proper attitude, the intensified spiritual disciplines of the coming weeks of Great Lent can help to heal us from shame, for they are not only for you, me, or anyone else in particular. They are a common calling of the Church because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We have all failed to love the Lord with every ounce of our being and our neighbors as ourselves. We are not perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. We have all turned away from fulfilling our vocation to become ever more like God in holiness. That is why we all need the coming weeks of intensified prayer, fasting, generosity to the poor, and repentance. Through them, we will come to know our true spiritual state more clearly and open ourselves more fully to receive the mercy of our Lord.
Before the infinite holiness of God, we are all guilty of shameful thoughts, words, and deeds, but none of us should be stuck in a rut of pride that keeps us from taking the journey home. Some disregard Lent and avoid Confession because they cannot believe that God would ever really forgive them for what they have done. Today’s parable is a good remedy for that attitude, for the father in the story is an image of our Heavenly Father, Whose love is such that He will restore our dignity as His sons and daughters through our repentance. His abundant mercy is eternal, but we must respond as the prodigal son. That means acknowledging our failings, sincerely regretting them, knowing that we deserve nothing by our own merits, and actually beginning the journey home.
As we prepare for the spiritual disciplines of Lent, we must all keep the lessons of this parable squarely in mind, for it provides such a powerful image of what happens when we come to our senses and recognize our sins, turn away from them, and turn toward the Lord. The overwhelming mercy of the father in the story is an image of the abundant grace of God. For He does not settle simply with forgiveness, but restores us fully to the dignity of His sons and daughters. He makes us true participants in eternal life by grace, not hired hands with some low level of blessing who somehow sneak into the Kingdom through the backdoor. He does not scold or shame us, but truly welcomes us home with love beyond what we can understand.
Sin is shameful because it is ultimately a rejection of our Lord and His blessed purposes for us. Repentance, however, is never shameful because it is an acceptance of our Lord and His blessed purposes for us. How tragic it would have been for the prodigal son to have remained as a starving laborer on a pig farm due to wounded pride, for him to have chosen such lonely misery over the joyful restoration that he found when he went home. The same is true for us, no matter what we have done, thought, or said, no matter how far we have strayed from our Heavenly Father.
The prodigal son’s return home was a resurrection from death to life, which is why his father called for such a great celebration. Lent prepares us to follow our Savior to His Cross and the glory of the empty tomb at Pascha. We must die to sin so that we will be prepared to behold with joy our Lord’s victory over death and to enter into eternal celebration of the Heavenly Banquet. There is no shame in preparing ourselves to accept such a great invitation. In fact, the only shame would be if we refused to accept it out of wounded pride.
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Commemorating the Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, Hieromartyr Hippolytus and those with him, Martyr Theophilus the New in Cyprus, St Demetrius New Martyr of Sliven, New Martyr Theodore, Venerable Zeno the Faster of the Kiev Caves, Venerable Zeno the Hermit of Antioch disciple of St Basil the Great, Blessed Peter King of Bulgaria
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 2
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal, You destroyed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead. And when from the depths You raised the dead, all the powers of heaven cried out: “O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!”
HIERARCHS TROPARION—TONE 1
Let us who love their words come together, honoring with hymns, the three greatest luminaries of the Three-Sunned divinity: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, together with the renowned John Chrysostom, of golden speech. They have illumined the entire world with the rays of divine doctrines; they are sweetly-flowing rivers of wisdom, who with divine knowledge have watered all of creation with clear streams; for they always intercede with the Trinity for us.
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.
RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 2
Hell became afraid, O Almighty Savior, seeing the miracle of Your resurrection from the tomb! The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with You! And the world, O my Savior, praises You forever!
PRODIGAL SON KONTAKION—TONE 3
I have recklessly forgotten Your glory, O Father; and among sinners I have scattered the riches which You gave me. And now I cry to You as the Prodigal: “I have sinned before You, O merciful Father; receive me a penitent, and make me as one of Your hired servants!”
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Wayln John
Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Dasha Gencturk
EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Second Tone: The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my Salvation!
CHOIR: The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my Salvation!
READER: v: The Lord has chastened me sorely, but He has not given me over to death.
CHOIR: The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my Salvation!
READER: The Lord is my strength and my song;
CHOIR: … He has become my Salvation!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, all things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Save the King, O Lord, and hear us on the day we call!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: 1 Коринћанима 6: 12-20
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 2 Господ је снага моја и пјесма; Он ми постаде спасење.
Хор: Господ је снага моја и пјесма; Он ми постаде спасење.
Читач: Карајући покара ме Господ, али ме смрти не предаде.
Хор: Господ је снага моја и пјесма; Он ми постаде спасење.
Читач: Господ је снага моја и пјесма;
Хор: Он ми постаде спасење.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од Прве посланице Светог апостола Павла до Коринћана
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, све ми је дозвољено, али све не користи; све ми је дозвољено, али не дам да ишта овлада мноме. Јела су за стомак и стомак за јела, али ће Бог и једно и друго укинути. А тијело није за блуд него за Господа, и Господ за тијело. А Бог и Господа васкрсе, и нас ће васкрснути силом својом. Не знате ли да су тјелеса ваша удови Христови? Хоћу ли, дакле, узети удове Христове и од њих начинити удове блуднице? Никако! Или не знате, да ко се са блудницом свеже једно је тијело с њом? Јер је речено: Биће двоје једно тијело. А ко се сједини са Господом, један је дух с Њиме. Бјежите од блуда. Сваки гријех који човјек учини ван тијела је, а који блудничи своме тијелу гријеши. Или не знате да је тијело ваше храм Светога Духа који је у вама, којега имате од Бога и нисте своји? Јер сте купљени скупо. Прославите дакле, Бога тијелом својим и духом својим, јер су Божији.
Свештеник: Мир ти читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Нека те услиши Господ у дан жалосни, нека те заштити име Бога Јаковљевога.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Господе, помози цару и услиши нас кад Те зовемо.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 15: 11-32
The Lord said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 15: 11-32
Каза Господ причу ову: Човјек неки имађаше два сина, и рече млађи од њих оцу: Оче, дај ми дио имања што припада мени. И он им подијели имање. И послије неколико дана покупи млађи син све своје, и отиде у земљу далеку, и онамо просу имање своје живећи развратно. А кад потроши све, настаде велика глад у земљи оној, и он поче оскудијевати. И отишавши приби се код једнога житеља оне земље, и он га посла у поље своје да чува свиње. И жељаше напунити трбух свој рошчићима које свиње јеђаху, и нико му не даваше. А кад дође себи, рече: Колико најамника у оца мога имају хљеба исувише, а ја умирем од глади! Уставши отићи ћу оцу својему, па ћу му рећи: Оче, сагријеших небу и теби, и више нисам достојан назвати се сином твојим: прими ме као једнога од најамника својих. И уставши отиде оцу својему. А кад је још подалеко био, угледа га отац његов и сажали му се, и потрчавши загрли га и пољуби. А син му рече: Оче, сагријеших небу и теби, и више нисам достојан назвати се сином твојим. А отац рече слугама својим: Изнесите најљепшу хаљину и обуците га, и подајте му прстен на руку и обућу на ноге. И доведите теле угојено те закољите, да једемо и да се веселимо. Јер овај син мој бјеше мртав, и оживје; и изгубљен бјеше, и нађе се. И стадоше се веселити. А син његов старији бијаше у пољу и долазећи, када се приближи кући, чу пјевање и играње. И дозвавши једнога од слугу питаше: Шта је то? А он му рече: Брат је твој дошао; и отац твој закла теле угојено што га је здрава дочекао. А он се расрди и не хтједе да уђе. Тада изиђе отац његов и мољаше га. А он одговарајући рече оцу: Ето служим те толико година и никад не преступих заповијест твоју, па мени никад ниси дао ни јарета да бих се провеселио са пријатељима својим. А када дође тај твој син, који је расуо имање твоје са блудницама, заклао си му теле угојено. А он му рече: Чедо, ти си свагда са мном, и све моје јесте твоје. Требало је развеселити се и обрадовати, јер овај брат твој мртав бјеше, и оживје; и изгубљен бјеше, и нађе се.
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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, Protopresbyter Srboljub and 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, Lauren Spangler and the child newly born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Louise 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, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Tijana Jaksic, Slobodan Jovicic, Spencer Klinge, Ljuban Kosovac, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, 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, Ljubomir Pejanovic, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Nathan & Jane Rush, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Michael Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Tim Stefan, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Dewey Yetter, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, 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, Logan Michael Livingston, Bennett Noah Spangler
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
Matushka Anna Hopko, Nenad ‘Nesho’ Pantelich, Mark Gruin, Slobodanka Balaban, Mihailo Novakovic, Ljubica Turajlic, Jo-An Tracey Stanovich, William Yovanovich, Eva Stimac, Dr Ljubisa Stankovic, Natalija Mandic, Djordje Kojic, Kristina Turuntas, Djuro Miljevic
~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.
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.
†PAVLE PAUL MRAOVIC Offered in loving memory of our Uncle Paul (47 years —Feb 11) by his nieces and nephews. We pray our Lord grants him rest where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing but life everlasting. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MEGAN BOLTON Offered in loving memory of our Godchild/niece/cousin on her birthday (Feb 15) by Daria, Dave, Jason and 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 all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, 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 2/5/2023
Collection: $6,692.00
Date 1/29/2023
Collection: $1,871.00
Date 1/22/2023
Collection: $3,990.00
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February Birthdays
Linsay Barry (Feb 1), Sloane York (Feb 2), Lincoln Grey Moore (Feb 5), Pete & Joe Petrovich (Feb 6), Jasmine Jacobs (Feb 6), Rod Vorkapich (Feb 8), Maeve Van Huysen (Feb 8), Sladjana Gligorevic (Feb 9), Parker Rae Petrovich (Feb 10), Ruby Cangialosi (Feb 12), Isla Goodling (Feb 13), Waad Jacobs (Feb 15), Blake Bazdar (Feb 16), Susan Jacobs (Feb 18), John Semic (Feb 21), Anaya Garvin (Feb 21), Emily Fithian (Feb 22), Ethan Imschweiler (Feb 22), Janet Krnjaic (Feb 24), Michael York (Feb 24), Natasha Milanovich (Feb 26), Steve Cashman (Feb 27), Alan Radanovic (Feb 28), Mike Sunajko
February Anniversaries
Dean & Karen Stefan (Feb 6), Ferris & Jody Atty (Feb 28)
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HOUSE BLESSING 2023 HAS BEGUN
As with previous years, Fr. Chris will be blessing homes according to the zip code schedule printed in the bulletin. You will receive a call and/or email the week beforehand, letting you know which day Father will be coming. Please have ready: a candle, a bowl of water, the list of names you would like Fr. Chris to pray for, both living and departed.
SAINT NICHOLAS SENIORS
The next Seniors meeting/luncheon will be Tuesday, February 14 in the Church Social Hall starting at 12 noon. Hope to see you there.
MOTHER’S CLUB MEETING
The next Mother’s Club Meeting will be held after Liturgy on Sunday, February 26. All members are urged to attend.
MOTHER’S CLUB DISPLAY CASE
If you haven’t stopped by the display case in the lobby recently, take a look. There are now Pascha items available.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717-939-3972) 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 office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call the office at (717-939-3872).
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February Charity
St Sava School of Theology – Libertyville IL
St. Sava School of Theology is named in memory of St. Sava, the first archbishop, teacher and enlightener of the Serbian people. On January 29th we celebrated St. Sava’s Day and it is fitting that we also offer support to the theological seminary in the US named for him. The main mission and goal of the school is to provide religious education and train candidates for the Holy Priesthood in the Serbian Orthodox Church specifically as well as interested Orthodox Christian individuals of other ethnic jurisdictions. St. Save School is the educational center for individuals committed to serving the Serbian Orthodox Church and her people in a multi-lingual environment. The school presently offers study leading to the Bachelor of Divinity Degree. Graduate level programs of study are also being developed at the School and in conjunction with other institutions. Funding is provided by an annual budget proposed by the School and adopted and implemented by the Central Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the US and Canada. Financial support is sought from all the Serbian Orthodox Dioceses and church congregations. More information about the School’s programs, plans and course of study may be found at the diocesan website at the following link: http://www.serborth.org/education.html
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FOOD PANTRY BOX - ITEMS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED
We are still collecting items for those enduring poverty. Please consider dropping off non expired canned and dry goods along with paper towels, tissues, feminine products, diapers, etc… in the Food Pantry Box, located in our lobby. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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SAVE THE DATE!!
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Kumovi Sunday..... March 26
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PASCHA................. April 16
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Church Slava.......... May 21
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Church Picnic......... June 4
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Club Picnic.............. July 30
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Serb Fest.................. Sept 23
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Stewardship Reflection
The Sunday of the Prodigal Son
I have recklessly forgotten Your glory, O Father; and among sinners I have scattered the riches which You had given me. Therefore, I cry to You like the Prodigal: "I have sinned before You, O compassionate Father; receive me a penitent and make me as one of Your hired servants."
-Kontakion from the Sunday of the Prodigal Son
This Sunday, the Gospel reading focuses on the Prodigal Son's return to his father. The Holy Fathers have said that if this were the only Scripture to survive, it would fully represent the love that God, as our Father, has for us. The question we must reflect upon is are we good and faithful Stewards with what God has given us? Do we squander all that He provides or do we take responsibility for how we use our Time, Talents and Treasures? As we contemplate our personal return to God through Great Lent, will we take the time to reflect on our Stewardship? God loves us and will continue to take care of us, however, we have to be responsible in all that we do. As our Church represents the love that God has for us and through the death of His Son, the forgiveness for our sins, what explanation would we ever need when asked to support our Church? Through Stewardship, we can return our love to God, and be thankful for all that He continues to do.
Старатељска Порука
Удаљих се од Твоје славе Оче, безумно и међу злима потроших богатство које си ми предао. Зато Ти глас блудног сина при-носим: Сагреших пред Тобом, Оче Милостиви, прими ме у покајању, и учини ме да будем као један од слугу Твојих."
Кондак у Недељу Блуднога Сина
Ове Недеље , у Јеванђељу читамо о Блудноме сину који се враћа оцу. Свети Оци кажу да је ово јединна Јеванђељска прича која постоји , у пуноћи би преставила љубав коју Бог, као наш Отац , има за нас. Питање које треба себе да питамо јесте , да ли смо ми добри и верни Старатељи оног што нам је Бог даривао? Да ли мо протраћимо све љто нам је поверено и дати или или се према томе односимо одговорно - како користимо наше Време , Таленте и Благо? И док размишљамо о нашем личном односу према Богу кроз Часни и Велики Пост , да ли ће мо размишљати о нашем Стратељству? Господ нас воли и наставља да се брине о нама али ми морамо да будемо одговорни у свему што радимо. Као што наша Црква преставља Божију љубав коју Он има за нас, и кроз смрт свога Сина , опраштање наших грехова - и када нас питају да помогнемо нашој Цркви - шта ту још има нејасно? Кроз Старатељство , ми узвраћамо љубав Божију кроз захвалност за све што Он непрестано чини за нас
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Upcoming House Blessing Schedule
Monday, February 13 — Wednesday, February 15,
Friday, February 17 — Saturday, February 18
17019, 17221, 17225, 17257, 17315, 17316, 17320, 17331, 17365
17070, 17319, 17339, 17345, 17361, 17362, 17363, 17370, 17402, 17406, 17408
Friday, February 24 — Saturday, February 25
17003, 17028, 17032, 17038, 17042, 17045, 17067, 17078
17502, 17512, 17522, 17540, 17543, 17545, 17552, 17557, 17601, 17602, 17603
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