6th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Homily on the 6th Sunday of Pentecost

by Fr. Lawrence Farley

The words of the title of this post were spoken by Reza Aslan, author of a new book on Jesus entitled, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. Despite his boasting of being “an expert in the history of religions,” Aslan actually makes his living as an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at a local college, so that in writing his book he is writing outside his field and way beyond his competence. This was apparent when he was interviewed by National Public Radio about his book. He was asked about whether or not Jesus claimed to be divine and he responded, “Absolutely no. Such a thing did not exist in Judaism. In the 5,000-year history of Jewish thought, the notion of a God-man is completely anathema to everything Judaism stands for.” With this last statement the Jewish adversaries of Jesus in the Gospel for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Matthew 9:1-8) would certainly have agreed.

In that Gospel story, Jesus was in the house of Peter, teaching the crowds, when a paralyzed man was dropped in front of Him. The size of the crowd around Jesus meant that the friends carrying the paralytic would never be able to muscle their way through the throng to reach Him. So, they climbed up the outside stairs that were standard in Palestinian homes back then, broke up some of the thatched roof (branches and rushes laid over the roof’s beams and covered with dried mud), and let the man down in front of Jesus. The whole operation took a lot of perseverance and effort, and showed the greatness of their faith. Knowing how sin and disaster are intimately tied together, the Lord undertook to heal the whole man, and said the fateful words, “Take heart, my son. Your sins are forgiven.”

Those standing about knew perfectly well that only God in heaven had the authority to forgive sins. We on earth could only plead for forgiveness and hope for the best. With scarcely concealed indignation they whispered among themselves, denouncing the blasphemy. “For who,” they said, “could forgive sins, but God alone?”

This was not the only time that Jesus scandalized traditional Jewish piety, or said things which were “completely anathema to everything Judaism stands for.” Jesus not only claimed to have the authority from God in heaven to forgive sins on earth, He also claimed that He would be the One to say who entered the Kingdom and who did not (Matthew 7:21-23). He claimed that confessing Him before men would bring salvation, while denying Him before men would bring eternal disaster (Matthew 10:32-33). He claimed to be exempt from keeping the Sabbath, even as God was exempt from keeping the Sabbath, thus making Himself equal with God (John 5:17-18). He claimed, like God, to be the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28). He claimed to be one with God (John 10:30), and to be the great I AM who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58). He claimed that if anyone kept His word, he would never taste death (John 8:52).

Those are a lot of claims. No wonder the Pharisees were aghast at it all, for such things indeed “did not exist in Judaism.” The Judaism which God brought into the world through Abraham and Moses was water to a thirsty world, but here was something even more wonderful. The water was good, but now God was turning the water into wine. And He was also keeping His word: He promised through the prophets long ago, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth—do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19). In Jesus, God was doing a new thing in the world, and Judaism was giving place to the Kingdom.

The proof for the Pharisees that day was plain enough and soon to come. They were aghast at His claim to have power to forgive sins. Anyone could say that they had the power; actually having it was something else again. It was easy enough to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” but how could one know that they were actually forgiven? In the same way, Christ agreed that anyone could say to the paralytic, “Rise and walk,” but actually making him was arise and walk was something else. As all the crowd looked at Him, Jesus turned from the Pharisees and faced the paralytic who was lying breathlessly before Him, curled up in a crippled ball on the pallet. Gently He said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and go home.” Slowly the man uncurled from the pallet, and stretched his limbs, and rose, and stretched his limbs some more, and took up his pallet like one in a dream, and went home. We may imagine that the stricken crowd this time made way for him. The departing paralytic was literally walking proof of Christ’s divine authority to forgive sins.

But, it may be objected, we were not there to see the miracle. How do we know that it actually occurred? Let’s look for a moment then not just at the controverted miracle, but at the uncontroverted claims. Everyone then, both Christ’s disciples and His adversaries, agreed that He made astonishing claims. As far as His adversaries were concerned (according to Jewish sources), Jesus “practiced sorcery and led Israel astray.” As far as His disciples were concerned, Jesus did the works of the Father, and was God in the flesh. But how do we today decide between those two options?

The magnitude of His claims in fact limits our choices. As others have pointed out, given such astonishing claims, there are only three sensible conclusions about Jesus: either Jesus was 1) a lunatic, 2) a liar, or 3) the Lord. Whatever He was, He was not simply a good man, or a great teacher, or a wise person with valuable ethical teaching, or any of the other patronizing nonsensical estimations made about Him by modern secularists. Wise and ethical teachers do not claim to be divine; such a thing not only did not exist in Judaism; it also doesn’t exist in the mind of any sane man. Can we really bring ourselves though to believe that the one who gave mankind the Sermon on the Mount was either a nut or a con-man? Even secular people are forced to acknowledge the unsurpassed wisdom of Jesus’ teaching, and the revolutionary nature of the love He brought into this hard world. So, if Jesus was not a lunatic, nor a liar, what can we say about Him? We can say what those who saw the miracle that day said about Him: they glorified God, who can indeed given such authority to men. The paralytic walking through the crowd leaves us with a confession on our lips. Jesus is Lord, the Son of the living God.

Commemorating Martyrs Peregrinus, Lucian, Ompeius, Hesychius, Papius, Saturninus and Germanus of Dyrrachium in Macedonia, Martyr Evangelicus Bishop of Tomis Constanta in Romania, Martyr Kyriake of Nicomedia, Venerable Thomas of Mount Maleos, Venerable Acacius of Sinai who is mentioned in the Ladder, Venerable Eudokia Grand Duchess of Moscow, Saint Prosper of Aquitaine

RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 5

Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, born for our salvation from the Virgin; for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh, to endure death, and to raise the dead by His glorious Resurrection.

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.

RESURRECTIONAL KONTAKION—TONE 5

You descended into hell, O my Savior, shattering its gates as Almighty, resurrecting the dead as Creator, and destroying the sting of death. You have delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man, and we cry to You: “O Lord, save us!”

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!

READERS:

This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Aleksandra Saran

Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Grant Govelovich

EPISTLE: Romans 12:6-14

DEACON:      Let us pay attention. 

PRIEST:        Peace be unto all!

READER:      And with your spirit!

DEACON:      Wisdom.

READER:     The Prokeimenon in the Fifth Tone: You, O Lord, shall protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.

CHOIR:         You, O Lord, shall protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.

READER: v: Save me, O Lord, for there is no longer any that is godly!

CHOIR: You, O Lord, shall protect us and preserve us from this generation forever.

READER: You, O Lord, shall protect us ...

CHOIR: … and preserve us from this generation forever.

DEACON: Wisdom!

READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.

DEACON: Let us attend!

READER: Brothers and Sisters, having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!

READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth from generation to generation.

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

READER: For You have said: “Mercy will be established forever; My truth will be prepared in the heavens.”

CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

АПОСТОЛ: Римљанима 12:6-14

Ђакон:          Пазимо

Свештеник: Мир свима!

Читач:           I Духу Твоме!

Ђакон:          Премудрост

Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 5 Ти ћеш нас, Господе, одбранити и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.

Хор:               Ти ћеш нас, Господе, одбранити и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.

Читач: Помилуј ме Господе, јер неста Светих, јер је мало вјерних међу синовима човјечијим.

Хор: Ти ћеш нас, Господе, одбранити и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.

Читач: Ти ћеш нас, Господе, одбранити 

Хор: и сачувати од рода овога до вјека.

Ђакон: Премудрост

Читач: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима

Ђакон: Пазимо

Читач: Браћо, имамо пак различите дарове по благодати која нам је дата: ако је пророштво, нека је по мјери вјере; Ако је служба, нека је у служењу; учитељство, нека је у учењу; Ако је тјешитељ, нека тјеши; који даје, нека даје искрено; који управља, нека је ревностан; који чини милостињу, нека чини радосно. Љубав да не буде лицемјерна. Мрзећи зло држите се добра. У братољубљу будите једни према другима њежни; чашћу чините једни друге већим од себе. У ревности не будите лијени: будите духом ватрени; Господу служите. Будите у нади радосни y невољи трпељиви, у молитви постојани. Помажите светима у потребама; будите гостољубиви. Благосиљајте оне који вас гоне, благосиљајте а не куните.

Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!

Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Пјеваћу увјек милости Господње; од кољена на кољено јавићу истину Твоју устима својим.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

Читач: Јер си рекао: Милост ће бити основана заувјек; на Небесима си утврдио истину Своју.

Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа

~Prayers for the Faithful~

In Our Prayers

Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Ilija Balach, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Joseph Fester, Father Gabriel Rochelle, Protinica Ana Stepanov, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Jessica Crowe and the newborn Maverick Archer, Emma Howell and the newborn Evelyn Caryn, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Mileva Repasky and the child to be born of her, Jensen Swartz and the child to be born of her, Kyranna Baker and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Kevin Appleby, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Jason Brill, Voni 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, Nadine Klipa, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Sue Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Jean & Paul Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Slavka Miljevic, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Rosanda Mitrovic, Diane & Slobodan Momic, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Duke & Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Milena Pilipovic, Christopher Radanovic, Marilynn “Chi Chi” Rapasky, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Greg Selman, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Milan Shumkaroff, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Karen Stefan, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan & Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Linda Szeerba, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Magdalen Vloutely, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Traci Weaver, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Elizabeth Yezdimir, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski

Those Who Need Special Care 

ECUMENICAL (COUNTRY MEADOWS) Jane Rush, HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic

Those to be Baptized

Caleb Ereno Lewis, Barrett Scott, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York

Our College Students

Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Kyle Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Matthew Hoover, Faith Kingsbury, Natasha Milanovich, Sophia Mummert, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo

Our Seminary Students

Elizabeth Bare

Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones

Miloš Balać, Milan Pejčić, Stephen Vulich, Djordje Gajovic



~Parastos to be Offered~

Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!



†SAMUEL RADANOVIC Offered by his family in loving memory of his repose (4 years—July 22) at Churchville Cemetery on Tuesday, July 22 at 6 pm.

~Vigils Offered~

TOOTSIE KRNJAICH Offering vigils and prayers for our Kuma Tootsie. May God’s blessings be with her during her rehab period. From her Godchildren, Kat and families.

MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.

†FRANCIS X BRESCIA SR Offered with love and in remembrance of his repose (24 years—July 24) by Frank & Marie Brescia and family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine and Russia, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race. We also pray for the Orthodox clergy in Alaska, that the Lord might grant them more than enough to feed their families.

LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!

Stewardship Offering Information

Date 7/13/2025

Collection: $3,613.00

Date 7/6/2025

Collection: $3,659.00

Date 6/29/2025

Collection: $2,615.00

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), 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)

KSS/MOTHERS CLUB MEETING

The next KSS/Mothers Club Meeting will be held TODAY, July 20 after Liturgy in the Library. All members are urged to attend.

CLUB PICNIC 2025

The Club will be having its Annual Picnic on July 27 after Liturgy. If you are able to help in any way by working a shift or providing baked goods, please contact Paula Werner at 717-433-4158. Thank You in advance! And please join us at the picnic for fellowship!

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!

FOOD SURPLUS FOR SHADELAND

A generous donor has given us a gift of surplus food. PLEASE visit the table in the Social Hall and take what you or someone you know can use. Donate what you can, help someone in need and save money at the same time! Remember to check the table every time you are at church as supplies will change frequently. ALL proceeds will go to support our St. Sava Shadeland Camp!!!

SHADELAND COLLECTION

The operation of our St. Sava Shadeland Camp has been subsidized by the Diocesan Endowment for the Future. This endowment was based upon the royalties we received from natural gas and oil wells and is now depleted. Currently, we no longer have any reliable income from these wells. Camp fees have been kept artificially low due to these royalties. This means that there is a deficit of $150,000 to run the camp each year. Additionally, there are approximately $225,000 in repairs and maintenance that will be necessary in the next 3 years. The Diocese is asking for donations to offset the operating costs. These donations may be given directly to the Diocese, to our local church here at St. Nicholas, by renting Shadeland Camp for your event, or purchasing a hunting license, thus increasing annual revenue. Checks can be made payable to St. Nicholas Church with Shadeland in the memo and given to our Church, or go to easterndiocese.org to donate directly to the Diocese.

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.

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.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS (THIS WEEK)

Office hours are 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. Bulletin Deadline is Wednesday at 11 am.

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

Stewardship Reflection

In today's Epistle to the Romans, we reflect upon the gifts we are blessed with. Not everyone is the same and with those who have comparable gifts, some are much greater. 

I can complete very basic household projects while my neighbor can add an addition to his home all by himself. God's concern is not on this difference but that we each exercise our gifts to their fullest. We will be judged on our works so however small we believe our gifts to be, we must use them!

У днашњој посланици Римљанима ми можемо да се подсетимо на све дарове којима смо благословени. Нико није исти сви имамо различите дарове. Ја можда могу да помогнем комшији око неког пола на кући или можда сам направити целу кућу. Богу није стало до наших разлика него да наших сличности и како можемо да користиомо наше дарове да помогнемо једни другима. Ми ћемо бити суђени по нашим делима и колико год да су наши дарови мали или велики ми морамо да их користимо.