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Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - August 7, 2022
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo está entre nosotros! | |
Homily on Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
by Iguman Tikhon
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In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...
“…the heart is first and foremost an organ of spiritual perception. Its primary function is to look beyond the obvious…and see into a deeper reality.” - Cynthia Bourgeault
I begin with this quote today because if we are not spiritually perceptive, the Gospel of the feeding of the 5,000 may seem to be nothing more than a simple miracle story of the feeding a whole lot of folks with just a little food. It is so much more than that and to see it we have to take some time, do some study, and reflection. And then, the most important part comes where we invite the story to live in us and speak to us.
One thing we must not do is impose our own meaning on scripture. We must always be open to God's voice, ever receptive to being surprised, and to changing our minds. There are many layers of meaning, and, depending on the level of our emptiness, that is, our openness and willingness, we receive what we at any given time are capable of receiving. But there is more. Always more.
Remember the Lord's admonition to the Pharisees, “You search the scriptures thinking that in them you find life, but the scriptures speak of me.” He is the deepest of all mysteries.
Here are a few things you may not know or may never have considered about the feeding of the 5,000.
1) The number 5 in the Bible is the number of God’s goodness and grace.
So, this is a story about the abundance of grace that God pours out on his creation. There is so much abundance that there is not just enough to satisfy the crowd (really well over 5,000 since women and children were not counted), but 12 baskets are left over. The grace and goodness of God are superabundant and he shares it with everyone without condition. The people he was feeding were, in the eyes of the religious of the time, poor and sinful, like Untouchables.
2) This is a story about the Compassion of God for all his creation.
Jesus was afraid that the hungry people might faint on the way home. He cared for them and loved them, so he took notice of their simplest need and did something about it. The Father of our Lord and Savior, is the All-Compassionate One, and Jesus is his perfect image.
3) This story is prophetic.
Does this remind you of a story from the Old Testament?
Jesus goes into the barren wilderness presumably to pray as he often did, and the people followed him. There he fed them with bread and fish. This is reminiscent of the feeding of the people of Israel as they sojourned in the desert. Remember manna, that mysterious bread-like substance that covered the ground in the morning that was given by God to feed the Hebrew people. The faithful Jews in the crowd that day would hardly fail to notice and connect the two events. Therefore, that Old Testament event was prophetic.
Looking at this Gospel at prison last week, one of the men had a revelation. “Maybe this was the first Mass!”
In a very real sense every meal and partaking of food is Eucharistic which is why in Orthodox tradition every meal begins and ends with prayers of blessing and thanksgiving. Why? Because all of life is sacrament!
It takes only a short leap to connect the feeding of the Hebrews in exile and the feeding of the 5,000, with the Eucharist. From the barrenness of this world we are invited to experience God's all-pervasive grace by receiving the New Manna which is the Lord's body and blood. One of the overarching themes of the feeding of the 5,000 and of every miracle is this: God is here and now and cares for us. He connects with us through the material of this world. This miracle, therefore, is also sacramental.
4) Every teaching of Jesus and every miracle he performed has a social element.
So does this one. He says to his disciples, “You give them something to eat.” He says the same to us. “Feed the hungry clothe the naked, welcome strangers, visit those who are sick and in prison.” In other words, “Do as I do.” I like the Dalai Lama’s prescription for the ending of world hunger. It is simply this, “Share.” Thus, this miracle has an ethical dimension.
"Bread for myself is a material question. Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one." Nikolai Berdyaev
Finally, we may ask, “How did he do it?” It is, as all things are, a mystery. We will never know, of course, but our belief is that the whole of the cosmos is shot through with grace. “The entire cosmos is one vast burning bush,” writes Metropolitan KALLISTOS Ware, "permeated by the fire of divine power and glory.”
If this is true, then nothing is impossible. The feeding of well over 5,000 men, women, and children is a demonstration of this truth. It reminds me of a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh that “because you are alive, everything is possible.” Because God is the glue that holds everything together and energy that courses through and gives life to everything, in the hands of the Son of God a few loaves and fishes was more than enough to feed them all.
Finally, the overall message to us is this: God and his kingdom are here and now, he loves us and cares for us unconditionally, and if we recognize our very real spiritual hunger, he will feed us abundantly. The proud cannot be fed for they won’t admit their poverty, the arrogant will not open their mouths because they cannot admit they are hungry. If we are humble and poor in spirit, God will always feed us.
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Commemorating the Dormition of the Righteous Anna the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, Commemoration of the Holy 165 Fathers of the Fifth Ecumenical Council, Holy Woman Olympias the Deaconess of Constantinople, Virgin Martyr Eupraxia of Tabenna, Venerable Makarios Abbot of Zheltovod and Unzha
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 7
By Your Cross You destroyed death. To the thief You opened Paradise. For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy. And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that You are risen, granting the world great mercy.
ST ANNA TROPARION—TONE 4
Divinely-wise Anna, you carried in your womb the pure Mother of God, who gave life to our Life. Therefore, you are now carried joyfully to the inheritance of heaven, to the abode of those who rejoice in glory, where you seek forgiveness of sins for those who faithfully honor you, ever blessed one.
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 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold mankind captive, for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers. Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry: “The Savior has come to those in faith; enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
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!
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:
Matins: Lenny Tepsic Epistle: Stefan Gligorevic
Matins Next Week: Nick Ressetar Epistle Next Week: Teddy Sukhernik
EPISTLE: I Corinthians 1: 10-18
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Seventh Tone: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
CHOIR: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
READER: v: Offer to the Lord, O you sons of God! Offer young rams to the Lord!
CHOIR: The Lord shall give strength to His people. The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
READER: The Lord shall give strength to His people.
CHOIR: The Lord shall bless His people with peace.
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: To declare Your mercy in the morning, and Your truth by night.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: 1 Коринћанима 1: 10-18
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 7 Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Хор: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Читач: Принесите Господу, синови Божји, принесите му младе овнове.
Хор: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме; Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Читач: Господ ће дати силу народу Своме;
Хор: Господ ће благословити народ Свој миром.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од Прве посланице Светог апостола Павла до Коринћана
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Молим вас пак, браћо, именом Господа нашега Исуса Христа да сви исто говорите, и да не буду међу вама раздори, него да будете утврђени у истом разуму и истој мисли. Јер сам чуо за вас, браћо моја, од Хлојиних, да су међу вама свађе. А ово кажем зато што сваки од вас говори: Ја сам Павлов, а ја Аполов, а ја Кифин, а ја Христов. Зар се Христос раздијели? Да се Павле не разапе за вас? Или се у име Павлово крстисте? Благодарим Богу што не крстих ни једнога од вас осим Криспа и Гаја, Да не би ко рекао да у име своје крстих. А крстих и дом Стефанинов; даље не знам да ли неког другог крстих. Јер ме Христос не посла да крштавам, него да проповиједам јеванђеље, не мудрим ријечима, да се не обеснажи крст Христов. Јер је ријеч о крсту лудост онима који гину, а сила Божија нама који се спасавамо.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Лепо је хвалити Господа, и певати имену Твоме, Вишњи.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Јављати јутром милост Твоју и истину Твоју сваке ноћи.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 14: 14-22
At that time, when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 14: 14-22
У вријеме оно Исус видје многи народ, и сажали се на њих, и исцијели болеснике њихове. А пред вече приступише му ученици његови говорећи: Овдје је пусто мјесто, а већ је доцкан; отпусти народ нека иде у села да купи себи хране. А Исус им рече: Нема потребе да иду; подајте им ви нека једу. А они му рекоше: Немамо овдје до само пет хљебова и двије рибе. А он рече: Донесите их мени овамо. И заповједи народу да посједају по трави, па узе оних пет хљебова и двије рибе, и погледавши на небо благослови, и преломивши даде ученицима, а ученици народу. И једоше сви и наситише се, и накупише комада што претече дванаест котарица пуних. А оних што су јели бјеше људи око пет хиљада, осим жена и дјеце. И одмах принуди Исус ученике своје да уђу у лађу и иду прије њега на ону страну док он отпусти народ.
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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, Protopresbyter Srboljub and 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, Melissa Thomason and the child newly born of her, Clare Jurkovic and the child newly born of her, Lauren Spangler and the child to be born of her, Mara Bebeau and the child to be born of her, Jazmin Cruz and the child to be born of her, Addy Andy, Louise Bare, Dori 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, Dan Haizlett, Basil Havalchak, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Tijana Jaksic, Slobodan Jovicic, Spencer Klinge, Ljuban Kosovac, Dorothy Krnjaich, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Catherine Lewis, Maggie Livingston, Stephen Lundingrin, Sandy Marijan, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Infant of God Ryan Leigh Moffitt, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Eva Orr, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Ned Pantelich, Ljubomir Pejanovic, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Michael Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Tracey Stanovich, Tim Stefan, Josephine Svitchan, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Dewey Yetter, Mileva “Millie” Yezdimir, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
COUNTRY MEADOWS HERSHEY: Eva Stimac; COUNTRY MEADOWS MECHANICSBURG: Florence Ivanoff; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic; SPRING CREEK: Chuck Belic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane Ivey Semic, Emilia Renee Peterson, Barrett Scott, Divna and Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine Van Huysen, Sloane York, Logan Michael Livingston
Our College Students
Anastasija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Maxim Reznitchenko, Madison Vorkapich
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Hieromonk Nektarios, Matushka Anna Hopko, Protinica Miryana Trbuhovich, Protinica Donna Merick, Elizabeth Rupich, Margaret Radanovic
~Parastos Offered~
†THEODORE & †SYLVIA STEFAN Offered Friday in loving memory of their repose by Dean & Karen Stefan, their family and their kumovi, John and Linda Szeerba.
†JOHN & †HELEN SZEERBA Offered Friday in loving memory of their repose by Linda & John Szeerba and their kumovi, Dean & Karen Stefan and their families.
~Vigils Offered~
DIETER GEIB Offered in joyful celebration of his 21st birthday (August 7). With much love from Gammy and Pap Pap. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
GRUICH FAMILY Offered in celebration of our Slava, St Panteleimon (August 9) and remembering our beloved husband/father/Jeddo Phil, who is loved and missed dearly.
DUKE & SUE PETROVICH Offered in celebration of their 52nd Wedding Anniversary (August 9). With God’s Blessings may you have many, many more years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Kuma Arlene & Kum Pete & family
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.
†VERA RADANOVIC Offered in loving remembrance on her birthday (Aug 12) by Daria, Dave, Jason & Sarah Milletics. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
PEOPLE OF UKRAINE – Offering prayers for all who are on the front lines defending the country, for those who are risking their lives to serve others, for those who are grieving, suffering and are victims of this war. For all who left as refugees and for those who stayed, living in war zones. May the Peace of Christ comfort them in this affliction. Praying for servicemen, civilians and children who have lost their lives because of the war in Ukraine. May God give them rest where there is neither sickness nor sorrow, but life everlasting. Especially praying for newly departed Yaroslav, father of two young children who died defending Ukraine. Memory Eternal!
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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, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 7/31/2022
Collection: $2,125.00
Date 7/24/2022
Collection: $2,595.00
Date 7/17/2022
Collection: $5,175.00
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August Birthdays
Ross Spangler (Aug 1), Tim Hook (Aug 1), Father Ilija Balach (Aug2), Kaitlyn Hook (Aug 2), Jela Nonkovic (Aug 3), Ted Yanich (Aug 4), Mike Healy (Aug 5), Chris Radanovic (Aug 7), Cathy Fagan (Aug 7), Dieter Geib (Aug 7), Igor Pejcic (Aug 7), Heather Heilman (Aug 9), Russ Hewitt (Aug 9), Bo Venesevich (Aug 11), Ioanna Radanovic (Aug 11), Theodore Sukernik (Aug 11), Victoria Fithian (Aug 11), Tracey Stanovich (Aug 15), Eva Sutkliffe (Aug 15), Marina Skinder (Aug 20), Stefan Gligorevic (Aug 21), Chase Hewitt (Aug 23), Chuck Belic (Aug 25), Vaciona Petrovich (Aug 25), Ferris Atty (Aug 27), Maryann Seiders (Aug 28), Chuck Miller (Aug 30), Florence Ivanoff
August Anniversaries
Chris & Beth Ann Radanovic (Aug 1), Duke & Sue Petrovich (Aug 9), Chuck & Jean Miller (Aug 9), Mike & Stephanie York (Aug 20), Dn. Bojan & Sladjana Gligorevic (Aug 31)
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KSS/CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS MEETING (TODAY)
The Sisters will be having a meeting after Liturgy TODAY, August 7th, in the library. All members are urged to attend.
CLUB SLAVA (TODAY)
The Club will be celebrating their Slava (Sveti Ilija) TODAY, August 7th. All Club Members are encouraged to join in the turning of the Slavski Kolach during Divine Liturgy.
BLESSING OF VEHICLES (TODAY)
Today, Sunday, August 7th, after the Fellowship Hour, Father Chris will be blessing vehicles outside of the Church. As you depart, stop to have your vehicle blessed with holy water, in honor and memory of the Holy Prophet Elijah, who rode upon a fiery chariot to the Heavenly Kingdom.
FEAST OF ST PANTELEIMON
Tuesday, August 9th we will celebrate the Feast of Great Martyr and Healer St Panteleimon with Liturgy beginning at 9 am.
MOTHERS CLUB 65TH (plus 1) SLAVA
Please join the St Nicholas Mothers Club for their 65th (plus 1) Slava on August 28th to celebrate the Holy Dormition of the Mother of God. Everyone is invited to a Slava brunch after church.
SERB FEST FLIERS (NEED HELP)
Our Annual Serb Fest is September 17 beginning at 11 am! If you are willing to help get the word out and distribute fliers around the area, please see Daria. There will also be available fliers in the church lobby (help yourself). And a big Thank You in advance.
SOTAYA ČEVAPI SALE
Our SOTAYA Group is once again selling frozen packs of cevapi at $15/pack (2 pounds, 32 pieces). To order see Dn. Bojan Gligorevic or call the office at 717-939-3872
SENIORS MEETING
The next meeting of the Senior’s will be held in September. Anyone 50+ is invited to join. Monthly luncheon meetings are held. Dues are $5 per year. Please consider joining us… Come and see!
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS BOOK DRIVE
Please bring any unwanted books to the Church for a book sale to take place during SerbFest to benefit the Seniors. Boxes will be on the table in the lobby for your books. You may take boxes home to pack up your books to bring to church. Please no romance novels. Children’s books, fiction and nonfiction, cookbooks, cocktail table books, self-improvement, DIY/how to books are welcome!
COAT ROOM CLEANUP
Please look in the Coat Room for any personal items of yours that may have been left. Any items left after August 31 will be donated.
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Reflection from St. John Chrysostom...
When a tailor makes and sells a garment, only one service is performed, that of putting clothes on the body. The same is true of the cobbler making and selling a pair of shoes; the only service in this case is to put shoes on the feet. But when a person makes a gift to another person, of money or some object, a double service is performed. First, the receiver derives a material benefit from the gift. Second, the giver derives a spiritual benefit because this act of generosity would have brought a blessing to his soul.
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Разматрање Од Светог Јована Златоустог ...
Када кројач искроји и прода одело онда је само једна служба учуњена , облачење некога. Када обућар направи пар ципела и прода их једнина услуга је начињена ономе који их носи. Али када нека особа даде нешто некоме , новац или било шта друго онда је учињена двострука услуга. Прво онај који добија , добија материјалини поклон и чини га срећним . Друго онај који даје добија духовни добитак јер чин даривања доноси благодат души.
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August Charity
Zoe for Life
Many women are fortunate to have the love and support structure to lead them to marriage, children, and a meaningful life. Others, however, are from different circumstances, and may find themselves in crisis because of an unplanned pregnancy. Their situation may have them in turmoil and panic, where healthy decisions are difficult to make. ZOE for Life!® serves as a conduit, guiding women to a wider range of support organizations, providing an attractive set of options and a promising outlook on their situation. There is counseling, housing referral assistance, referral for prenatal care, adoption and other services available for which most women in distress are unaware. It is the goal of ZOE for Life!® to offer more opportunities to women in unplanned pregnancies, and to empower them to make decisions everyone can live with. ZOE for Life!® is a pan-Orthodox outreach of Orthodox Christians. It is funded privately, and has received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. All gifts are tax-deductible as specified by law.
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