3rd Sunday after Pentecost | |
Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Saints of North America
Father Robert Miclean
Christ calls the two sons of Zebedee, Peter and Andrew, and immediately, they leave their nets and follow Christ. You can almost see their willing heart to sacrifice everything in order to follow Christ, to serve Him, to become the “fishers of men” that Christ has called them to be. Their response is astonishing, childlike in its innocence, manly in its ready and courageous response. They left the security of their father, their homes and families, their livelihood, everything, to follow Christ. Often, they didn’t even know where their next meal would come from or where they would lay their heads. After Christ’s resurrection, all were imprisoned, persecuted, tortured, and, eventually martyred or exiled for sharing the Gospel, the Good News that Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, had come to give mankind new life—eternal life—to all.
In other words, in calling them to be “fishers of men,” evangelists, Christ God wasn’t calling them to a life of ease or even physical safety, and certainly not to comfort, but rather, of self-denial, of service, of dying to self—even at the cost of their earthly lives, so that they could enable others to attain to eternal life as well. He called them to put Christ and His Church, the life of the Gospel, above all things. He was preparing them to take up the cross to spread the Gospel, the Good News of mankind’s return to Eden, to a transformed life, with Christ God.
We often think of missions, missionaries, and evangelists as something that only a select few are called to—something that’s the job of the bishops and priests. The reality is that ALL of us by virtue of our baptism are called to be missionaries, ministers and witnesses of the Gospel—loving God and caring for the salvation of others, more than fearing the rejection of others.
St. Tikhon the Confessor and Enlightener of North America, whose memory, together with the other North American Saints, we keep today, has this to say to us on this topic of evangelism: “The spread of Christ’s Faith ought to be near and precious to the heart of every Orthodox Christian.” Christ, in His own words, says, “you are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world” (Mt. 5:13-14). His commandment to “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,“ (Matt. 28:19) and teaching them to observe all things He’s commanded is the calling of every baptized Orthodox Christian.
This calling means that we need to be willing to give up some of the “creature comforts” our society tells us we need to do more to participate in the worship of Holy Church in a sacrificial way, to support her ministries, and to be ourselves part of her ministering to others. This goes beyond and above our tithing, giving alms, and doing good. It means that each person is responsible for how you live out the Gospel in your own daily life and how faithful and fervent is your witness to those who do not yet know Christ and His holy Church.
This is the part most people find challenging—we’re called to witness to the truth of Christ, the new life in Christ, to a world or even in a family that tells you to keep your faith quiet, that constantly presents a way of life contrary to the Gospel and Orthodox Faith. In last Sunday’s Gospel Christ says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me… and he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Mt. 10: 37, 38).
Through their communion with and love for God, the disciples also grew in love for their fellow man. This is the natural fruit born from a growing relationship and communion with God. At great cost to themselves, they brought the world to the knowledge and love of Christ and His salvation through their authentic and true witness of the new life offered to all in Jesus Christ.
We see this same example of selfless and Christ-centered love in the Saints of North America. They risked their physical lives on this continent to bring the life-saving Gospel and Orthodox Faith, the very presence of Christ, to this spiritually barren and hostile land (we remember that St. Juvenaly and Peter the Aleut were both martyred). They all suffered, just as the Apostles did, to preach and witness the timeless truth of Christ for love of a people they didn’t even know.
Later, as the number of Orthodox increased through conversion and immigration, they reassured their scattered, uncertain flock that it is in their grounding, their identity in Christ in His Church, that they (and we) find our true home—beyond any ethnic or national identities, beyond what it means to be an American or, at first, in the case of Alaska, good Russians. Instead, they came to make men and women true Christians, to bring them to the knowledge and love of God. Two of them went from being missionaries in America to being two of the greatest hierarchs of modern Russia. St. John Kochurov became the first clergyman martyred by the Bolsheviks.
We celebrate their legacy of love, courage, and zeal for the Gospel today as their spiritual progeny in this land. We ask for their prayers in our own efforts to carry on their work—with all its challenges wrought by aggressive humanism and secularism—to grow in courage to share the Gospel and the Orthodox Faith in this spiritually dry and thirsty land in great need of Christ.
The Lord calls on us in today’s Gospel to be “fishers of men” too—in our homes, businesses, at the grocery store, at school, in the midst of the hardships of your Plebe Summer training, to serve and evangelize in His name. Wherever you and I go, we need to be conscious of striving to bring Christ with us and be ready to stand up to identify ourselves as Orthodox Christians, worshipers of the One true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Keep the Faith and share it because it’s life for us and those who receive it! We witness to the truth and living faith we share as Orthodox in our daily struggle to pray, to repent of sin, to live humbly and in accordance with the Gospel.
How? Authenticity speaks, our witness speaks, but it costs us something: it costs us our time, coming to worship even when we don’t feel like it or when those errands are pressing, inviting others to join us for worship, loving each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, being willing to tell others about Christ and the Orthodox Faith, even just identifying ourselves as Orthodox Christians, making the sign of the cross before starting to eat—fearing God more than we fear men. All of these actions help promote a culture of Christian faith in our secular culture.
If we want to see our church grow and our region changed into a God-loving, God-fearing place, more reflective of God’s Kingdom, if we want to see others experience the new life in Christ we have, if we want to see strong families and children growing confidently in their identity, firmly grounded in Christ, then we come to see ourselves as “fishers of men,” missionaries, Christ’s evangelists, living this life for God’s glory above all else. May each of us pray for such love to be true fishers of men. Holy Saints of North America pray for us that we too may be missionaries, glorifying God with our lives through our witness, our words, and our deeds!
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Commemorating Holy Wonderworking Unmercenary Physicians Cosmas & Damian at Rome, Martyr Potitus at Naples, Venerable Peter of Constantinople, St Angelina of Serbia, Translation of the relics of Venerable John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila, St Leontius of Radauti
RESURRECTIONAL 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!”
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.
SAINTS OF NORTH AMERICA TROPARION — TONE 8
As the bountiful harvest of Your sowing of salvation, the lands of North America offer to You, O Lord, all the saints who have shone in them. By their prayers keep the Church and our land in abiding peace through the Theotokos, O most Merciful One.
RESURRECTIONAL 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, my Savior, praises You forever.
HYMN TO THE MOTHER OF GOD KONTAKION — TONE 6
Steadfast Protectress of Christians and constant Advocate before the Creator; despise not the cry of us sinners, but come speedily to help those who call on You in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for You always protect those who honor You!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Stefan Gligorevic
Next Week: Matins: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle: Christopher Krakowski
EPISTLE: Romans 5:1-10
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 Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
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: Римљанима 5:1-10
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 посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, оправдавши се, дакле, вјером, имамо мир у Богу кроз Господа нашег Исуса Христа, кроз којега и приступисмо вјером у ову благодат у којој стојимо, и хвалимо се надањем славе Божије. И не само то, него се и хвалимо у невољама, знајући да невоља гради трпљење, а трпљење искуство, а искуство наду; А нада не постиђује, јер се љубав Божија излила у срца наша Духом Светим који је дат нама. Јер Христос, још док бјесмо немоћни, умрије у одређено вријеме за безбожнике. Јер једва ће ко умријети за праведника; а за доброга можда би се ко и усудио да умре. Али Бог показује своју љубав према нама, јер још док бијасмо грјешници, Христос умрије за нас. Много ћемо, дакле, прије бити кроз њега спасени од гњева сада када смо оправдани крвљу његовом. Јер када смо се као непријатељи помирили са Богом кроз смрт Сина његова, много ћемо се прије, већ помирени, спасти животом његовим.
Свештеник: Мир свима 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:
Matthew 6:22-33
At that time, Jesus said “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 6:22-33
Рече Господ: свјетиљка тијелу је око. Ако, дакле, око твоје буде здраво, све ће тијело твоје свијетло бити. Ако ли око твоје кварно буде, све ће тијело твоје тамно бити. Ако је, дакле, свјетлост која је у теби тама, колика је тек тама! Нико не може два господара служити; јер или ће једнога мрзити, а другога љубити; или ће се једнога држати, а другога презирати. Не можете служити Богу и мамону. Зато вам кажем: Не брините се душом својом, шта ћете јести, или шта ћете пити; ни тијелом својим, у шта ћете се одјенути. Није ли душа претежнија од хране, и тијело од одијела? Погледајте на птице небеске како не сију, нити жању, ни сабирају у житнице; па Отац ваш небески храни их. Нисте ли ви много претежнији од њих? А ко од вас бринући се може придодати расту своме лакат један? И за одијело што се бринете? Погледајте на кринове у пољу како расту; не труде се нити преду. Али ја вам кажем да се ни Соломон у свој слави својој не одјену као један од њих. Па када траву у пољу, која данас јесте а сутра се у пећ баца, Бог тако одијева; а камоли вас, маловјерни? Не брините се, дакле, говорећи: Шта ћемо јести, или шта ћемо пити, или чиме ћемо се одјенути? Јер све ово незнабошци ишту; а зна и Отац ваш небески да вама треба све ово. Него иштите најприје Царство Божије и правду његову, и ово ће вам се све додати.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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Seek first the Kingdom of God!
Today's Gospel reflects on what many of us do - worry about the earthly and have little faith in God. We spend so much time thinking, wondering, worrying or getting upset about those things that are out of our control. Most of the time, they don't even happen. Let's consider our Stewardship of faith and that if God takes care of the birds, how He will bless and take care of us! Seek first the Kingdom of God and place your faith in Him as your priority! Focus your Time, Talents and Treasures on Him!
Прво тражите Царство Небеско!
Данашње Јеванђеље говори о ономе о чему многи од нас раде- брину о земаљском и како имамо веома мало вере у Бога. Ми потрошимо много времена нервирајући се, у свађању и бринући се о ономе што је ван наше моћи. Много путе се те свари чак и не догоде. Ајде да узмемо у обзир Старарељство наше вере и да ако Бог се толико брине о птицама колико се тек брине о нама!? Прво тражите Царства небеског и нека ваша вера у Бога буде ваш приоритет. Концетришите ваше Време, Таленте и Новце на Њега!
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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 newborn Bowen William, Cassandra Semic and the newborn Palmer Belle, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Kyranna Baker and the newborn Christopher Aaron Jr, Mara Bebeau and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Larry Black, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Maria Chigrintseva, Susan & Jim Cibort, Leann Cox, Victoria Cox, Art Dils, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Edward Dry, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Nevenka Gojkovic, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Tony Kepp, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, John Luksic, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Daria Milletics, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Christopher Radanovic, Linda Rodgers, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan and Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Beverly Yanich, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
ECUMENICAL (COUNTRY MEADOWS) Jane Rush, HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane, Berkeley & Palmer Semic, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, 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
Dr Stevan ‘Rick’ Zivic, Radenko Kuzmanovic, Nathan Rush, Slavko Djordjic, Slobodan Saran, George Radanovic, Edward Hojnicki, Meilka “Sandy” Marijan, Bogoljub Blagojevic, Jovanka Foltz, Bozidar 'Bobby' Bulatovich, Demetrios Ziogas
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~Our Deepest Sympathy~
†DEMETRIOS ZIOGAS We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Demetrios Ziogas, who reposed in the Lord on Saturday, July 6. May his soul dwell with the righteous and be numbered among the just! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
~Parastos to be Offered~
Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†INFANT OF GOD CATHERINE RADANOVIC To be offered by her family after liturgy today (July 14) in loving memory of the anniversary of her repose (30 years—July 15).
~Vigils Offered~
KYLE BARBER Offered in joyous celebration of his 18th birthday (July 10). May God grant you many more! Ziveli! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Baba & PapPap.
PAULA WERNER Offered in celebration of Paula’s 60th birthday (July 11). May God bless you with many more years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Ziveli! Love Nikki, Putz, Brian, Catherine, Chloe, Dennis and Caleb.
JAZMIN CRUZ Offered in joyful celebration of her birthday (July 13). May the Lord continue to grant her Many Blessings for Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Offered with love by Steph, Curran, Sonora, Ashtyn, Endora and the whole family.
LENNY & ALANA TEPSICH Offered in celebration of the birthdays of my Godchildren Lenny (July 16) and Alana (July 17). May God bless you both with many more years! Ziveli! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Kuma Nikki & family.
CHLOE & DENNIS RUFF Offered in celebration of their 3rd Wedding Anniversary (July 17). May God bless you with many more years! Ziveli! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love mom and dad.
CHLOE & DENNIS RUFF Offered in joyous celebration of their 3rd Wedding Anniversary (July 17). May God grant you Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! With love from Baba.
LARRY BLACK Offered with love by the Barber, Geib & McLaughlin Families for God’s Blessings during his recovery. We pray that He will bless him with good health. Our Love & Prayers are with him.
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.
†JASON LEWIS Offered in loving memory of his birthday (July 12). May his Memory be Eternal! Vjecnaja Pamjat! Missed dearly by Nikki, Putz & family.
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no division.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 7/7/2024
Collection: $4,765.00
Date 6/30/2024
Collection: $3,534.00
Date 6/23/2024
Collection: $2,780.00
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July Birthdays
Edie Venesevich (July 6), Jovanka Shaffer (July 7), Christian Gunther (July 8), Sloane Ivey Semic (July 8), Cindy Semic (July 10), Kyle Barber (July 10), Faith Kingsbury (July 10), Duke Petrovich (July 11), Paula Werner (July 11), Bo Hudson Paddock (July 11), Melania Skinder (July 12), Andrea Gunther (July 13), Jenny James (July 13), Jazmin Wolf (July 13), Pam Healy (July 14), Jevgenija Radanovic (July 16), Lenny Tepsich Jr (July 16), Alana Tepsich (July 17), Igor Skinder (July 18), Katya Kotchneva (July 18), Ana Lynn Howell (July 21), Milan Radanovic (July 22), Avery Baker (July 22), Paul Kessler (July 30), Erik Barber (July 31), Jovan Grujic, Bojan Lazarevic
July Anniversaries
Chloe & Dennis Ruff (July 17)
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PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, July 15 at 6:30pm we have the Parish Council meeting including the representatives from our organizations and ministries.
COMBINED MOTHERS CLUB AND KSS MEETING DATE CHANGE (AUGUST 11)
Our next meeting for both the Mothers Club and Circle of Serbian Sisters (KSS) will be Sunday, August 11, 2024 in the Church Library after Divine Liturgy. All members are urged to attend this very important meeting.
ST. SAVA CAMP—SHADELAND PHILANTHROPY
As a part of the new religious education lessons, campers will be making blankets for the homeless in Erie, PA. Additionally, they will be making 50 lunches each week to be delivered to “The Upper Room of Erie.” All campers and families are asked to bring small, unopened personal hygiene products to be distributed at the Upper Room with the weekly delivery. Examples include: ibuprofen, toothpaste, toothbrush, powdered laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, lotion, razors, bar soap or body wash, deodorant. We will not be accepting any clothing at this time. Items are to be brought with the camper to the Administrative Building upon checking in.
PANTRY BOX IN THE LOBBY
The Pantry Box helps to supply much needed goods to the Bethesda Women’s Shelter. Please remember to drop off items like examples listed above...
SOTAYA ČEVAPI SALE
Our SOTAYA Group is once again selling frozen packs of cevapi at $17/pack (32 pieces). To order see Dn. Bojan Gligorevic or call the office at 717.939.3872.
MOTHER’S CLUB KIOSK
New items have arrived. Stop by and check out the new Eye Glass Cases, Cards and Prayer Bracelets.
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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 OFFICE HOURS (THIS WEEK)
Office hours are Monday and 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 (THIS WEEK)
Bulletin Deadline is Monday at 11 am. Please send all bulletin requests to the church office at
office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717) 939-3872
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SAVE THE DATE!!
Club Picnic ..................... July 28
Kids Back to School BBQ September 7
Serb Fest ........................ Sept 14
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July Charity
Monastery Marcha
On July 26, Monastery Marcha celebrates its Slava, the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel, so it is fitting that the monastery is our Charity Sunday recipient this month. It is the first monastery established for Serbian Orthodox nuns in the United States and was begun in 1975 by His Grace, the late Bishop Dr. Sava. Its inspiration was the original 17th century Monastery Marcha of Serbia, destroyed by war twice in the 20th century. From modest beginnings, Monastery Marcha has grown. In addition to the new monastery church erected in 2001, there is a residence and lodgings for visiting monastics. The weekly Divine Liturgy is celebrated by nearby clergy. Mother Anna, of blessed memory, was the first American-born Serbian Orthodox nun who took residence at Monastery Marcha, and we, at St. Nicholas Church, counted Mother Anna as our dear friend. We have been blessed to have had her visit with us. Monastery Marcha’s main income is derived from the sale of candles, prayer ropes and other religious articles. If you travel to the Cleveland, Ohio area, plan to visit Monastery Marcha in nearby Richfield. It is a beautiful and uplifting spiritual site and visitors are welcomed with great warmth and hospitality.
You can send an email to the Monastery at monasterymarcha@yahoo.com
Monastery Marcha, 5095 Broadview Road, Richfield, OH 44286, (330) 659-3809
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Life of Venerable Sebastian of Jackson
Venerable Sebastian (Dabovich) of Jackson, California was born on June 9, 1863 in San Francisco to Serbian emigrés. Jovan Dabovich studied at the Kiev and St. Petersburg Theological Academies. In 1887, while pursuing his studies at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, he was tonsured as a monk, and then ordained as a Hierodeacon. After completing his education, Father Sebastian returned to the United States, where he began to serve at Saint Alexander Nevsky church in San Francisco. On August 16, 1892 he was ordained as a Hieromonk by Bishop Nicholas (Ziorov) of the Diocese of the Aleutians and Alaska, who sent him to Minneapolis to replace Saint Alexis Toth as the priest of Saint Mary's Church. Under Bishop Nicholas's omophorion he carried out a program of educational, missionary, and pastoral work in Washington, California, and Minneapolis. Then he worked in the administration of the North American mission under Saint Tikhon (Belavin), the future Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, preaching in English, Serbian, and Russian. In 1894 he built a church for the Serbian community in Jackson, California in honor of Saint Savva of Serbia, which was the first Serbian parish in America. he was assigned to assist at Saint Michael's Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska. During his lifetime, the missionary priest crossed the Atlantic Ocean fifteen times and the Pacific Ocean nine times, when he needed to visit Serbia and Russia, and also his missionary journeys to Japan, where Father Sebastian met Saint Nicholas (Kasatkin) of Japan. In 1905 Igoumen Sebastian was appointed to the post of Dean of Serbian churches, and in that same year, by decree of the Synod, he became the head of the Serbian mission. Archbishop Tikhon asked Father Sebastian to head a Serbian Mission in the North American diocese. On August 15, 1905, Archbishop Tikhon elevated him to the rank of Archimandrite for his zealous labors for the Church. In 1910, Father Sebastian went to Serbia, serving as a chaplain in the Serbian Army during the Second Balkan War (1912-1913), and also during World War I (1914-1918). From 1936 until the end of his earthly life, he lived in retirement at the Saint Savva of Serbia Monastery in Žića. He reposed there on November 17/30, 1940, and Saint Nicholas (Velimirovich) presided at his funeral. In 2007, Venerable Sebastian's relics were reburied in the church of Saint Savva in Jackson, California, which he had founded. On May 29, 2015 by the decision of the Bishops' Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Archimandrite Sebastian was glorified as a Saint. His formal canonization took place on September 4, 2015, and Patriarch Irinej of Serbia presided at the service in Saint Stephen's Cathedral, Alhambra, California.
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