Sunday of the Prodigal Son | |
Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Sunday of
the Prodigal Son
Archbishop Anthony of Sourozh
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
How simple and how restrained are the words in which the Gospel describes his cruel rejection of his father, and prepares his departure into the far, strange country! “Father, give me my part of thy inheritance!” Do these words not mean: “Father, I can’t wait until your death! You are still strong, and I am young; it is now that I want to reap the fruits of thy life, of thy labors; later they will grow stale. Let us come to an agreement: for me you are dead; give me what belongs to me or what would belong to me after your actual death, and I will go, and I will live the life I have chosen.”
This is what the young man really meant; but isn’t it very much the way we treat God and His gifts? As long as we are with Him we are in possession of all things, but we feel constrained by His presence, we feel limited by the inevitable rules of His household: He expects from us integrity and truth. He expects from us to learn from Him what it means to love with all our mind, all our heart, all our strength, and all our being—and that is too much for us. And we take all His gifts, and we turn away from Him to use these gifts so that they can profit us, and us alone, without any returns either to God, or to anyone else.
We all, without any exception but in different degrees obey the cruel, deceitful question of satan to Christ in the wilderness! You have the power to do it—make these stones to become bread; You are God’s child—use what God has given you of wisdom, of strength, use it for you own benefit! Why waste your time waiting until you are too old? Isn’t this a picture of our own behavior?
And then the young man leaves; he leaves for an alien country, a country that is not God’s own, a country that has rejected God, renounced God, that has been betrayed into the power of His adversary, a country where there is no place for God. And he lives according to the rules of this country and the desires of his heart. And then, hunger comes.
Now, we turn away, carrying with us the gifts of God; and we live in a country that is also alien; we live in a world that is man-made, but not God-made, or rather made by God and distorted by man. What kind of hunger comes to us? We are rich, we are safe, we have everything God gave us and continues to give us—only we don’t realize that God continues to give while we squander. But what is the hunger that can come to us? The awareness that Christ describes in the first Beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit, theirs is the Kingdom of God... Who are the poor in spirit? The poor in spirit are those who have understood, and understand day in, day out, throughout their lives that they have no existence except that God loved us into existence; we have no life except God’s life poured into us, His breath, the breath of life. And then we are so rich, because God has revealed Himself to us. He has revealed Who He is—we can love Him, know Him, worship Him, serve Him, and emulate Him because He has become man and has shown us what a man can be. And He has given us all our intelligence, a heart, a will, a body, the world around us, the people around us, the relationships that are ours—all these are God’s, because we cannot make them, we cannot force anyone to love us, and yet, we have friends and people who love us. We cannot be sure of our mind: in one moment a stroke can extinguish the greatest mind; there are moments when we want to respond to a need, to a suffering, and our heart is of stone; only God can give it life! We waver between good and evil, and only God can steady our will....
If we only realize this, then we will understand that we are totally destitute; we are nothing, we have nothing, and yet, we are so rich. Although destitute, we are endowed with all the gifts of God. Having betrayed Him and turned away from Him time and again, we still are loved by Him. Indeed, “blessed are the hungry, for they shall be filled”! If we would only realize our hunger for the real things, then they will come our way. But not simply because we are hungry—they will come our way at a moment when we are totally poor, yet we are loved—and this is the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of love. God loves us. And He has granted the gift of love to each of us. The young man felt hungry. He felt hungry for his father’s home, and yet he knew that he had no right anymore to call himself his son. He was a murderer! He had told him, “Die before your time that I may live according to my will...” And yet he goes, because he can still call the man whom he rejected, “Father”.
And what happens then? The father sees him coming from afar off. He does not wait in dignity for him to fall at his feet and confess his sins. He rushes towards him, he embraces him! And the young man makes his confession: “I am no longer worthy to be called thy son.” But at that moment the father stops him. “You may not be worthy of being my son, and yet you are my son, and you cannot become a hireling in you father’s house... He demands from him as God demands from us—that we should be aware, and grow to the level of our human greatness, to be the children of the Living God called to be partakers of the divine nature, His sons and daughters in Christ and in the Spirit.
That is what this parable tells us, that is what we must reflect on. Where do we stand in relation to the first, simple, cruel, murderous words of the young man? And are we aware of our prodigality? Are we hungry enough to realize that we must go home to the only One who loves us, and Who, seeing us fallen, still recognizes in us the greatness of sonship?
Let us reflect on this. It’s one more step towards the day when we will come in repentance to make our confession, and receive forgiveness. And if we were honest in our repentance, determined in our turning to God, we will be at home, and ready to enter into Holy week together with Christ the Son, together with the Father Who gives His Son, together with the Mother of God Who accepts the death upon the cross of Her Son, that we may be saved. Amen
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Commemorating the Afterfeast of the Meeting of our Lord in the Temple, Holy Righteous Simeon the God-Receiver, Holy Righteous Anna the Prophetess, Prophet Azariah, St Jacob Archbishop of Serbia, St Nicholas Enlightener of Japan, St Simeon Bishop of Polotsk and Tver, Martyrs Papias, Diodorus and Claudianus at Perge in Pamphylia, Martyrs Adrian, Eubulus and Blaise of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Right-Believing Prince Roman of Uglich, St Savva of Ioannina
RESURRECTION TROPARION - TONE 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, while the soldiers were guarding Your most pure body, You rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. The powers of heaven therefore cried to You, O Giver of Life: “Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your Kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, O Lover of mankind!”
MEETING OF OUR LORD TROPARION—TONE 1
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Full of Grace! From you shone the Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, enlightening those who sat in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous Elder, you accepted in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who grants us the Resurrection!
ST SIMEON TROPARION—TONE 4
Simeon the Elder is filled with joy today, receiving into his arms the Eternal God as an infant. Begging to be released from the bonds of the flesh he cries: “My eyes have seen the salvation, which You have prepared for all the nations to see!”
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!”
MEETING OF OUR LORD KONTAKION—TONE 1
By Your Nativity You sanctified the Virgin’s womb and blessed Simeon’s hands, O Christ God. Now You have come and saved us through love. Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of Man!
Instead of “It is truly meet,” we sing: TONE 3
O Virgin Theotokos, hope of all Christians, protect, preserve, and save those who hope in you! In the shadow and letter of the Law, let us, the faithful, discern a figure: every male [child] that opens the womb is holy to God. Therefore we magnify the firstborn Word of a Father Who has no beginning, the Son firstborn of a Mother who had not known man.
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Rdr Christopher Rakowski
Next Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Teddy Sukhernik
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 First Tone: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: v: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the just!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us ...
CHOIR: … as we have set our hope on You!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brothers and Sisters, 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: God gives vengeance unto me, and subdues people under me.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He magnifies the salvation of the King and deals mercifully with David, His anointed, and his seed forever.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: 1 Коринћанима 6: 12-20
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 1 Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Веселите се, праведници, пред Господом, праведнима доликује похвала.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе,
Хор: на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање 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: Бог ми даје освету и покорава ми народе.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Славно избављаш цара свога и чиниш милост помазанику своме Давиду и потомству његовом до вјека
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
Newly Illumined Bowen William Hook, his parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Ilija Balach, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Joseph Fester, 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, the child Penelope and her parents, Alex and Michelle Dowd, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Mara Bebeau and the newborn Jacob, Jessica Crowe and the newborn Maverick Archer, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Louise, Tony & infant of God Zayne, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, 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, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Edward Dry, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Eric 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, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Tony Kepp, Myong Sook Kim, Caryn Kiraly, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Sue Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, John Luksic, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Jean & Paul Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Rosanda Mitrovic, Diane & Slobodan Momic, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Jenny Moore Oliver, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Duke & Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Milena Pilipovic, Christopher Radanovic, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Greg Selman, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Milan Shumkaroff, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan & 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, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski, the unworthy presbyter Christopher Rocknage
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 Ereno Lewis, Barrett Scott, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York, Jacob Bebeau
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Kyle Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Faith Kingsbury, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo
Our Seminary Students
Elizabeth Bare
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Archbishop Anastasios, Peter Mrgich, Katherine Radoicich, Vladimir Djordjic, Vasil Mihailoff, Fyodor Kochnev, Donald Semic, Alexandra “Soni” Dimond Martorano, Julian Naumenko, Eleni Ziogas
~Congratulations~
We humbly offer congratulations in joyous celebration of the birth of Maverick Archer Crowe to Jessica and Chris, as well as to the new grandparents, Steve and Dori Barry. Živeli I Mnogoja I Blagaja Ljeta!
~Vigils Offered~
BOWEN WILLIAM HOOK Offered as we lift our hearts in joyful prayer and heartfelt thanksgiving as we recently celebrated Bowen’s first birthday (Feb 1) and with good wishes to his parents Kaitlyn & Tim, big brother Baylor, grandparents Bobbi & Bill Wenner and Uncle Brandon Mumma. May the Lord grant Bowen and his family Many Blessings for Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta!
BOWEN WILLIAM HOOK Offered by the family in joyful celebration of Bowen’s baptism (Feb 15) during which he was anointed with the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord! We offer thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and ask His blessings for the newly illumined Bowen, his parents Kaitlyn & Tim, his brother Baylor, his sponsors/Kumovi cousin Jazmin Wolf and Aunt Andrea Wolfinger, his grandparents Bill & Bobbi, Tim & Beth, his great-grandparents Carol, Millie, Paul & Diane and his Uncle Brandon. Srecna Krstenje I Mnogaja Ljeta! Joyful Baptism and 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.
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, 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, 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.
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!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 2/9/2025
Collection: $2,880.00
Date 2/2/2025
Collection: $8,343.00
Date 1/26/2025
Collection: $3,906.00
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February Birthdays
Chris Baker (Feb 1), Bowen Hook (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), Zach Bare (Feb 20), 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), Emma Howell (Feb 28), Alan Radanovic (Feb 28), Mike Sunajko
February Anniversaries
Dean & Karen Stefan (Feb 6), Ferris & Jody Atty (Feb 28)
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LENTEN RETREAT—APRIL 5
Our parishioners have early access to sign up for the Lenten Retreat on April 5. There will be onsite childcare available and lunch will be provided. Starting next week, registration will open up to all other parishes. Call or email the office at 717.939.3872 or office@stnicholassteelton.org to reserve. Space is first come, first served, so please reserve your space today!
THE SAINTS OF OUR FRESCOES (ADULT EDUCATION)
Our adult education class continues today Sunday, February 16 after Church with the Serbian Saints (Part 1): St Sava and his family. Part II will take place the following week (February 23) with Vidovdan and Serbian Christianity under the Ottoman Yoke. Come learn more about the saints that are depicted on the icons in the Church. Mrs. Martha Rakowski, Th.M., will be teaching the lives of these wondrous saints—many of whom we call our patrons!
HOUSE BLESSING 2025 POSTPONED (SIGNUP FOR BLESSING)
Due to ongoing recovery, Father Christopher will be postponing house blessings until he is able to walk unassisted. Notification will be given once this is possible. If you would like to be put on the list for House Blessing notification, please let Daria know (call 717-939-3872 or email office@stnicholassteelton.org). Thank you for understanding.
SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Gift cards are a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling Texas Roadhouse and Darden Restaurant Group cards (which includes Olive Garden, Longhorn, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52) at a face value of $50. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
2025 ORGANIZATIONAL DUES
To pay your 2025 dues (or if you still owe 2024 dues) please see Daria Milletics for KSS/Mothers Club, Jovanka Shaffer for Seniors, Jason Milletics for Choir and Protinica Andreja for Serb Club.
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PLEASE HELP - BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH
On the second Saturday of every month (the next one is this Saturday, March 8th), volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. In March, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church is hosting. 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 OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday 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
Please send all Bulletin Requests to the Church Office at office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (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 26th 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. Sava 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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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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WHERE ARE YOU, ADAM?
Orthodox Movie on monastic life is being shown at the Annville Theater on Sunday, February, 23, 2025 at 3:00pm. After the movie, all are welcome for fellowship and a Q&A session at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, PA. Tickets are available for $15.00 payable to Holy Resurrection Church.
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