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Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - July 2, 2023
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! | |
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Homily for the
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
by Father Antony Hughes
Today we read a most beautiful, inspiring and enlightening story in the life of Jesus. It is a story of a meeting between kindred spirits, an awakened soul and the One who awakens all. They meet and recognize each other. They share in a communion of Divine Love that only those who are enlightened know and what comes of it is healing and transformation – not only for the young man who is the Centurion’s beloved servant, but for the Centurion himself and for all the witnesses there who have ears to hear and eyes to see.
And who of us doesn’t? Even those who are blind and deaf have spiritual eyes and ears. Only those who are sleeping, who either refuse to see or are kept from seeing by fear and desire, have “no eyes and ears” with which to see and hear. The Centurion is awake. Jesus is drawn to him. He is drawn to Jesus. Why? Because both are filled with Compassion.
The Sufi poet Hafiz puts his finger on it.
"The wise man learns.
What draws God near.
It is the beauty of compassion in your heart.”
The Centurion loved this particular servant so deeply that he risked public humiliation by begging publicly for his life. He, a Roman soldier, in the streets of Judea, before a bunch of Jews who are more likely to hate him than anything, comes and begs to an itinerant rabbi. Only those who are empty of self attain such heights of humility.
Jesus is like this. That is why they connect so deeply. They are alike. The image of God shines brightly in the Centurion on this day. Jesus, being the perfect image of the Father, sees the soldier as if he were looking into a mirror. The Lord looks at this soldier and sees himself. The deep calls out to the deep. What would be most wonderful is to be able to read meet this Centurion and ask him what he believed was important in life. Looks to me like he would have much to teach us. Was he a believer in God, an atheist, or somewhere in between? Did he call God Jupiter, or Mithra, or Adonai? Did he call God anything at all? How many people had he wounded, sent to prison, or killed? Centurions, after all, were soldiers. Did he have a loving family? Or was he orphaned and alone as a child? Was he raised in a comfortable home or in poverty? We don’t know anything at all about him except that he was a Centurion and a man capable of deep and utterly selfless acts of love and compassion. We really don’t need to know anything else, but it would be interesting.
I believe that on that day, in this most amazing and intimate encounter, the Centurion and Jesus bonded in a way all of us in our heart of hearts hopes to do someday – with God, with one another.
The real message in this Gospel for me today is that if we want to draw near to God and want him to draw near to us, there is one sure way to make that happen. Become full of compassion. That is, become like God. One’s background, career, religion, and race, not one of the accidentals of life we think are so important really matter. There is only one thing that matters and Frank Schaeffer puts it well, "...the whole point of life is to create beauty, give love and to be at peace."
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Commemorating the Apostle Jude Brother of the Lord, St. John of San Francisco, Repose of St Job Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, Venerable Barlaam of Shenkursk, Martyr Zosimus the Soldier at Antioch in Pisidia, Venerable Paisius the Great, St John the Solitary of Jerusalem, Venerable Paisius of Hilandar Bulgaria
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION — TONE 3
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm! He has trampled down death by death! He has become the first-born of the dead! He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted the world great mercy!
APOSTLE JUDE TROPARION—TONE 1
Divinely we praise you, O Jude, as a faithful witness, knowing you to be the brother of Christ. You trampled on delusion, and so preserved the faith. Today as we celebrate your holy memory, by your intercessions we receive remission of sins.
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.
ST. JOHN OF SAN FRANCISCO TROPARION—TONE 6
Glorious apostle to an age of coldness and unbelief, invested with the grace-filled power of the saints of old; divinely-illumined seer of heavenly mysteries, feeder of orphans, hope of the hopeless: you enkindled on earth the fire of love for Christ upon the dark eve of the day of judgment. Pray now that this sacred flame may also rise from our hearts!
RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION — TONE 3
On this day You arose from the tomb, O Merciful One, leading us from the gates of death. On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; with the prophets and the patriarchs they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Your power!
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: Natalija Gligorevic
Next Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Natasha Milanovich
EPISTLE: Romans 6: 18-23
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Third Tone: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: v: Clap your hands, O people, shout to God with loud songs of joy!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: In You, O Lord, have I hoped. Let me never be put to shame!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Be a God of protection for me! A house of refuge in order to save me!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Римљанима 6: 18-23
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 3 Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Сви народи, запљескајте рукама, покликните Богу гласом радосним!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Појте Богу нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, ослободивши се пак гријеха, постадосте слуге праведности. Као човјек говорим због немоћи вашега тијела. Јер као што давасте уде своје да робују нечистоти и безакоњу за безакоње, тако сада дајте уде своје да служе правди за освећење. Јер када бијасте робови гријеха, слободни бијасте од праведности. Какав, дакле, плод имадосте тада од онога чега се сада стидите? Јер је крај онога смрт. А сад, ослободивши се од гријеха и поставши слуге Божије, имате плод свој на освећење, а крај живот вјечни. Јер је плата за гријех смрт, а дар Божији је живот вјечни у Христу Исусу, Господу нашем.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: У тебе се, Господе, уздам, немој ме оставити под срамотом до вјека.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Буди ми Бог заштитник, дом уточишта, да би ме спасао.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 8: 5-13
At that time, when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 8: 5-13
У вријеме оно, кад Исус уђе у Капернаум, приступи му капетан молећи га и говорећи: Господе, слуга мој лежи дома одузет, и страшно се мучи. А Исус му рече: Ја ћу доћи и исцијелићу га. И капетан одговори и рече: Господе, нисам достојан да под кров мој уђеш, него само реци ријеч, и оздравиће слуга мој. Јер и ја сам човјек под влашћу, и имам под собом војнике, па речем једноме: иди, и иде: и другоме: дођи, и дође; и слуги своме: учини то, и учини. А кад чу Исус, задиви се и рече онима што иду за њим: Заиста вам кажем: ни у Израиљу толике вјере не нађох. А кажем вам да ће многи од истока и запада доћи и сјешће за трпезу с Авраамом, и Исаком, и Јаковом у Царству небескоме; а синови царства биће изгнани у таму најкрајњу; ондје ће бити плач и шкргут зуба. А капетану рече Исус: Иди, и како си вјеровао нека ти буде. И оздрави слуга његов у тај час.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Danijela and her parents Mark and Jennifer Belo, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Isadora Lazarevic and the newborn Luka John, Bethany Peterson and the newborn Delilah Marie, Shayle York and the newborn Šaran Lily, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Kyranna Baker and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Ferris Atty, Lori Bare, Dori & Doug 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, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Myong Sook Kim, Spencer Klinge, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, 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, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Suellen Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Nathan & Jane Rush, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Dewey Yetter, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Ashley Ziobrowski, 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 & Delilah Marie Peterson, Barrett Scott, Divna & Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine & Maeve Noelle Van Huysen, Sloane & Šaran York
Our College Students
Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Baker, Madison Vorkapich
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Protopresbyter Srboljub Jockovic, Protopresbyter Alexander Veronis, Djordje Kojic, Kristina Turuntas, Djuro Miljevic, Constantine Vloutely, Robert Bazdar, Ljuban Kosovac, John J Milakovic, Mileva Maran
~Congratulations~
We offer congratulations in joyous celebration of the birth of Šaran Lily York born June 20 to Shayle & Mikey York from Las Vegas Nevada, as well as to her grandparents, Stephanie & Mike York. Much love and God’s blessings to all. Your PA family.
~Vigils Offered~
ŠARAN LILY YORK Offered in joyful celebration and glorious thanksgiving on the birth of Šaran on Tuesday, June 20. Congratulations to parents Shayle & Mikey York, big sister Sloane and grandparents Stephanie & Mike York. May the Lord grant you Many Blessings for Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Given with love by Pram Baba Kata and the whole family.
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.
†DRAGAN BEN YANICH Offered in loving memory of father, grandfather, great-grandfather Ben (18 years—July 1) with prayers for his peaceful repose in the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given by Danilo, Rose, Tosh, Tosha, Emily, Braydon & Victoria. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MEGAN BOLTON Offered in loving memory of our Godchild/niece/cousin (20 years—July 8). Forever in our hearts, Daria, Dave, Jason and Sarah Milletics. Memory Eternal! Vjecnaja Pamjat!
†MILOS KRNJAIC Offered by his family, in loving memory of his birthday (July 8). Memory Eternal! Vjecnaja Pamjat!
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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 and Russia, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 6/25/2023
Collection: $3,885.00
Date 6/18/2023
Collection: $1,681.00
Date 6/11/2023
Collection: $2,920.00
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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 Cruz (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), Milan Radanovic (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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FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
We celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of St. John beginning with Festal Vespers at 6:30 pm on Thursday, July 6, followed with Liturgy at 9 am on Friday, July 7.
BABY SHOWER!
Today, July 2, the Marinkovich Choir is hosting a Baby Shower/Coffee Hour for Emma and Josh Howell. Please join us in the Social Hall after Divine Liturgy.
CALLING ALL GOLFERS (REGISTRATION DEADLINE)
Registration for the 7th Annual OCCGH Golf Tournament is underway and the deadline is this Thursday, July 6 (forms are on the tutor stand) … 4-person scramble, put your team together and sign up today! All proceeds benefit local charitable organizations.
ST NICHOLAS CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS (KSS) MEETING
Our next meeting will be July 16, 2023 in the Church Library after Divine Liturgy. All members are urged to attend.
SAVE THE DATE—OCTOBER 28-29, 2023
SSS Josif Marinkovic 90th Anniversary Weekend! Concert, Banquet, Dance, etc. More information will follow!
SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Panera Bread gift card is a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling them at a face value of $25. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
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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
Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday at 11 am. Please send all requests to the church office at office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717) 939-3872
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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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SAVE THE DATE!!
Serb Fest.................. Sept 23
90th Anniversary of the SSS Marinkovic...... October 28-29, 2023
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