3rd Sunday after Pentecost

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

Homily on the Third Sunday of Pentecost

Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfayev)

Let’s take a look at these words of the Lord from the Sermon on the Mount: “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is not sound, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Mt. 6:22-23).

The eye is the organ by which we perceive the world around us. Much in our lives depends not so much on the events which take place, but on how we perceive them. If glass is clean and transparent, the rays of the sun penetrate into a building without hindrance; the less transparent the glass, the darker it is in a room, and even on a sunny day it is gloomy in the house. It is the same with us: if our spiritual eye is darkened, then we are unable to perceive God’s light, we are unable to see God in the darkness of our souls.

In addition, with a darkened eye we are unable to adequately perceive the visible world. It seems that the Lord brings our attention to things which are insignificant that we ordinarily would not notice. “Look at the birds of the air,” — He says, — “they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin…” (Mt. 6:26-28). Lilies bloom for only a few days, then they perish and dry up, but when they are in bloom, their beauty surpasses the beauty of the garments worn by kings. 

The Lord cares not only about birds and flowers, but also about each one of us. Sometimes it seems to us that God cares for us poorly, and it is precisely because of this that we are unable to accept with piety and joy the world around us. Our soul is filled with fear and worry for the future and we neglect the present. The most valuable moment is the present, because what has occurred with us in the past is already gone, and that which awaits us in the future has not yet happened. Often we are prisoners of the past or the future, and we forget about the many blessings and good things which surround us in the present. We live as if we were only writing our life as a “rough draft” instead of actually living it, always waiting to see first what tomorrow or the day after tomorrow will bring before we finally start living for today. So we can actually spend our whole life not waiting for anything, because if we do not know now how to notice the blessings that the Lord sends us through our encounter with people, as well as the blessings we receive through the world around us, such as by the birds in the air and the lilies in the fields, if we are focused only on the negative sides of life, then we will never experience the joy of the here and now, no matter what tomorrow may bring. Many people are like the rich man in the Lord’s parable who says: “I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’” But the Lord said to him: “Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” (Lk. 12:16-21). The Lord tells us: it is necessary to accumulate not earthly wealth but the wealth of the Kingdom of God: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Mt. 6:33). The Lord will not leave us without daily bread, even if from time to time we have to live in difficulties and sometimes under desperate circumstances. If God feeds the birds in the air, then He will also feed us; if He clothes the lilies of the field, then He will clothe us as well. We must learn to be satisfied with a little, and rejoice in what we have, instead of waiting for what has not been given to us or what we may never receive, no matter how long we wait.

The Lord reveals this perspective when He says: “If your eye is clean, the your entire body will be full of light.” In Slavonic and in Greek it is expressed like this: “If your eye is simple, then your body will be full of light.” It is necessary to treat life in a more simple way, with trust in God, not ignoring and passing by even the most seemingly insignificant things in life, to wonder at the wisdom of God, which is manifest even in the flowers, the trees and in nature. This book of nature is open to all of us.

Once, Egyptian philosophers came to St. Anthony the Great, an Egyptian hermit of the IV century, and asked him, “How is it possible to live in the desert without any books?” The hermit answered: “The book which I am constantly reading is about the wonders of God which are found in nature. Observing nature I come into contact with the living God.” Many of us now have the chance during the summer to spend time in nature. Some go away on vacation, for at least a few days, tearing themselves away from the clutches of city life. Let us rejoice in these moments. If we cleanse our spiritual eye and learn to accept with gratitude and joy everything that God gives us, then with a grateful heart we will express all of this as praise and glorification of God. We will then learn what is the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we will understand who are the “pure in heart” who “will see God” (Mt. 5:8). For God can be seen only when our spiritual eye is pure and when we are accustomed to seeing God even in the most insignificant things. Let is rejoice in encountering God every minute, not only tomorrow, but today as well, not only in the past or in the future, but in the present time right now.

Commemorating St Tikhon Bishop of Amathus in Cyprus, Martyr Tigrius the Presbyter and Eutropius the Reader of Constantinople, Venerable Tikhon of Kaluga or Medin, Venerable Tikhon of Luchov Kostroma, St Kaikhosro the Georgian, Venerable Moses of Optina

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.

HOLY TYCHON OF AMATHUS TROPARION — TONE 3

God called you to the sacred priesthood as a worthy servant of the Holy Trinity. You shone forth with the grace of godliness strengthening the Church by many miracles. Righteous Tikhon, entreat Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.



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!

READERS:

This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Zach Bare

Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Natasha Milanovich

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: Brothers and Sisters, 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

~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, 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, Sophia Mummert, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo

Our Seminary Students

Elizabeth Bare

Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones

Fyodor Kochnev, Donald Semic, Alexandra “Soni” Dimond Martorano, Julian Naumenko, Eleni Ziogas, Miloš Balać, Milan Pejčić, Stephen Vulich, Djordje Gajovic





~Vigils Offered~

MATTHEW HOOVER Offered in celebration of his 21st birthday on June 28, Vidovdan. We love you Matthew and are proud of the young man you’ve become. May God grant you many more years! Živijo na Mnogaja Ljeta! With love from Mom and Dad.

MATTHEW HOOVER Offered in joyous celebration of our dear Mateja’s 21st birthday (Vidovdan—June 28). May God’s blessings be with you now and always. Mnogaja Ljeta! We are so proud of you! All our love, your Babi 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.

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 (20 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! 

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 6/22/2025

Collection: $2,701.00

Date 6/15/2025

Collection: $2,550.00

Date 6/8/2025

Collection: $3,710.00

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)

SAINTS OF OUR FRESCOES SERIES

The lecture series on the saints of our frescoes wraps up for the summer, after Liturgy today (June 29). Mrs. Martha Rakowski will speak today on the Serbian Saints of the 20th Century.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR

We are trying something new with our Fellowship Hour this July. We are asking for parishioner volunteers to sign up for a Sunday. We encourage families and friends to work together as there are 3 main areas to cover… setup, food and cleanup. Signup for a Sunday in July by calling the office, or using the sheet in the lobby.

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 Monday thru Thursday 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

Due to vacation schedules, the deadline for the July 20th Bulletin will be NEXT Thursday, July 10

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!

June Charity

Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg

The Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg, Inc. (OCCGH,) was formed in October of 2009 as a non-profit organization comprised of clergy and faithful from five local Orthodox Churches of the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area. Our goal is to provide opportunities for the citizens of the greater Harrisburg area to come into contact with Orthodoxy, to serve as an educational support to our local parishes, and to develop projects that witness to our Faith, as well as provide financial assistance to organizations and individuals who are in need. 

ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS CONDEMNS TERRORIST ATTACK ON ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS IN DWEIL’A, SYRIA

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Approved by the Executive Committee on June 23, 2025

Mourning the loss of at least 25 lives and lamenting the suffering of more than 60 wounded faithful Orthodox Christians violated during the Divine Liturgy at Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dweil’a on June 22, 2025, we, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, condemn the terrorist attack on the innocent parishioners as a cowardly display of extremism. As many leaders of various religions have expressed over the past half century, we promulgate the sentiment that violence in the name of any religion is violence against all religions and God Himself.

We pray fervently for the entire community of Mar Elias. We pray for the full recovery of those who survived the heinous attack, both bodily and spiritually, including their mental wellbeing. For those who lost their lives, we pray that they rest in the bosom of Abraham, in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain, sorrow, and sighing have fled away.

We reiterate our condemnation of violence, and, as we stated at the conclusion of our 2024 annual meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, “violence can never solve violence, and peace should be pursued at all costs.”

Source: assemblyofbishops.org

From the desk of Father Christopher

We seek neither violence, nor retribution in response to this attack. We condemn both. We condemn the cowardly attack. All such violence done in the name of any religion is against the Truth, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, taking the Lord’s example, we bless those who curse us and pray for those who do violence against us. We also ask for the intercession of these new martyrs killed only for worshiping the Living God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Trinity, One in Essence and Undivided.

We ask that our entire community pray for those affected by this terrible and tragic terrorist attack. Pray for those who were killed. Ask for their intercessions before the Lord. Pray for those who were injured or maimed. Pray for those who chose this terrible path, that they might repent of sending any further attacks, and might find salvation in our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ.