|
Third Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - July 3, 2022
| |
Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo está entre nosotros! | |
Homily on Third Sunday after Pentecost
by V. Rev. Fr. Philip LeMasters
| |
|
Ours is an age of anxiety. Many people are overcome with worry about matters large and small. Some certainly do need the help of physicians and psychological counselors in order to cope with their fears. The sickness of our souls remains, however, at the very heart of all our collective and personal brokenness. If our souls are not healthy, we will never find the peace that truly satisfies us as God’s children who bear His image and likeness.
The Lord spoke of the health of our souls in terms of vision: “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 evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Christ taught that, if our spiritual vision is clear and focused, we will see ourselves and our problems in light of God’s kingdom. Then we will be able to serve our one true Master and gain strength for being at peace, regardless of the circumstances of our lives.
If our spiritual vision is clouded and unfocused, however, we will not have the strength to see our problems and challenges in light of the Kingdom. We will instead stumble in the darkness to the point that we make the passing things of this life our constant obsessions, which is a path only to greater worry, anxiety, and fear. For example, many people make money and possessions false gods for which they will sacrifice just about anything. Jesus Christ teaches that we are not to worry about our food, drink, and clothing. Instead, we are to trust that our Heavenly Father knows that we need these things. “Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.”
This teaching does not condemn reasonable provision for a decent life for ourselves and our families. It does not deny that the necessities of life are God’s good blessings. Instead, it gives us a clear example of how spiritual blindness enslaves us to idolatry, which leads only to constant worry. Poverty, hunger, and famine are always possibilities in our world. Economic depression, natural disaster, war, crime, disease, and disability are obvious threats to having adequate food, clothing, and shelter. There is simply no way that we can protect ourselves completely from such dangers. If we make the physical necessities of life our gods, we cannot avoid being consumed by worry about them. That kind of idolatry inevitably fuels anxiety.
If the eyes of our souls are gaining clarity and focus, however, we will not blindly view life’s necessities as the highest good, and neither will we make the lack of them the greatest evil. Instead, we will be illumined with the light of Christ to the point that we will see even the worst circumstances of life in this world as opportunities to serve our one true Master. We will already participate in God’s reign as we learn to trust more fully that our Heavenly Father will provide what we need in this life and beyond.
When we struggle to see that God cares for us in the midst of our challenges, we must remember St. Paul’s example of using suffering and difficulty for growth in holiness: “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character, hope.” Not simply wishful thinking, Paul’s hope is grounded in “the love of God …poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.” Christ died for the ungodly, including us, and has sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts and souls to enlighten us with the glory of the Kingdom. In this context, our difficulties and needs are opportunities for gaining greater healing for our souls. We must use these tribulations to gain greater spiritual strength, clarity, and vision by growing in trust, humility, and patience.
When we are overcome with worry about any problem or threat in life, we must use our weakness as an opportunity to gain greater spiritual strength: as a reminder to guard our thoughts as we turn our attention from obsessing about what we cannot change to an earnest, humble plea for the Lord’s healing mercy. That is how we will open ourselves to greater participation in His life and, thus, find true peace.
Some lose the joy of life because of worry fueled by the love of money; others become miserable because of domination by anger, fear, lust, gluttony, self-righteousness, or other passions. These and all our other habitual sins are symptoms of our spiritual blindness, of our darkened souls which keep us from seeing ourselves, others, and the entire creation in the glorious light of the Kingdom. As long as we remain in the dark, we will never see anything clearly and easily stumble and fall.
Those who are sick do not need relief only for their symptoms; they require healing from the causes of their disease. They need therapy that goes to the heart of the matter. We will find that kind of healing in the spiritual life by: opening our souls to the light of Christ through daily prayer; reading the Bible and the lives and teachings of the Saints; and watching our minds and mouths to reject thoughts and words that are not pleasing to God. We will find it by fasting in order to humble ourselves before the Lord and gain strength in refusing to be enslaved to selfish desires. We will find it by taking confession on a regular basis as we embrace the mercy of the Lord through sincere repentance. We will find it by: forgiving those who have wronged us and asking forgiveness of those we have wronged; giving generously of our time, attention, and resources to those in need; and attending the Divine Liturgy regularly as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ as often as possible.
This way of life is for our healing; it is for our good. It is what is necessary for us to open our darkened souls to the brilliant light of Christ as we learn to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. It is how we may gain the clarity and strength to serve our one true Master as we come to place our problems, fears, and worries in the context of trust in a Lord Who has conquered even death itself for our salvation purely out of love for His sons and daughters.
Regardless of the form that darkness takes in our lives, we must not despair. Instead, we must use our weakness and pain as reminders to open ourselves to the light of Christ as best we can. Stumbling around with our eyes closed is a good way to become disoriented and hurt ourselves. All of us have probably learned from experience that nothing but brokenness, pain, and worry come from embracing spiritual blindness. Since God created us in His image and likeness, we will never find ultimate satisfaction by looking for fulfillment in the passing things of this world. Doing so will only make us miserable and weak.
Let us, then, open ourselves to the healing light of Christ, trusting that He will respond graciously to even our small, faltering steps to put our lives in the context of His Kingdom. That is the ultimate cure for our worries. If we trust primarily in ourselves and what we can get by using worldly things according to our own designs, we will inevitably be consumed by anxiety and fear. But if we gain the spiritual clarity to behold all things in the light of His glory, we will know peace from the depths of our souls. The One Who dwells in our hearts has conquered even death itself and made us participants in His eternal life. He delivers us from slavery to the fears that are rooted in our blindness. He makes it possible for us to experience already the joy of heaven even as we live and breathe in this world with all of its and our problems. As the Lord said, “Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.”
| |
|
Commemorating St Nahum of Ochrid disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius Equals of the Apostles, St Leucius Bishop of Brindisi, St Callistus Patriarch of Constantinople, St Means Bishop of Polotsk, Hieromartyr Methodius Bishop of Patara, Translation of the relics of St Gurias Archbishop of Kazan, Martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma disciples of Apostle Andrew in Scythia, Martyrs Aristocles the Presbyter, Demetrian the Deacon and Athanasius the Reader of Cyprus, Venerable Nicholas Cabasilas, Blessed Prince Gleb Andreevich son of St Andrew Bogoliubsky
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 FATHER NAUM OF OCHRID TROPARION—TONE 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! O our holy father Naum, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
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!
| |
~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
|
READERS:
Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Marko Rocknage
Matins Next Week: Nicholas Ressetar Epistle Next Week: Grant Govelovich
EPISTLE: Romans 5: 1-10
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Second Tone: The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
CHOIR: The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
READER: v: The Lord has chastened me sorely, but He has not given me over to death.
CHOIR: The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
READER: The Lord is my strength and my song;
CHOIR: He has become my salvation.
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: May the Lord hear you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Save the King, O Lord, and hear us on the day we call!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Римљанима 5: 1-10
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 2 Господ је снага моја и пјесма; Он ми постаде спасење.
Хор: Господ је снага моја и пјесма; Он ми постаде спасење.
Читач: Карајући покара ме Господ, али ме смрти не предаде.
Хор: Господ је снага моја и пјесма; Он ми постаде спасење.
Читач: Господ је снага моја и пјесма;
Хор: Он ми постаде спасење.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од посланице Светог апостола Павла до Римљанима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, оправдавши се, дакле, вјером, имамо мир у Богу кроз Господа нашег Исуса Христа, кроз којега и приступисмо вјером у ову благодат у којој стојимо, и хвалимо се надањем славе Божије. И не само то, него се и хвалимо у невољама, знајући да невоља гради трпљење, а трпљење искуство, а искуство наду; А нада не постиђује, јер се љубав Божија излила у срца наша Духом Светим који је дат нама. Јер Христос, још док бјесмо немоћни, умрије у одређено вријеме за безбожнике. Јер једва ће ко умријети за праведника; а за доброга можда би се ко и усудио да умре. Али Бог показује своју љубав према нама, јер још док бијасмо грјешници, Христос умрије за нас. Много ћемо, дакле, прије бити кроз њега спасени од гњева сада када смо оправдани крвљу његовом. Јер када смо се као непријатељи помирили са Богом кроз смрт Сина његова, много ћемо се прије, већ помирени, спасти животом његовим.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Нека те услиши Господ у дан жалосни, нека те заштити име Бога Јаковљевога.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Господе, помози цару и услиши нас кад Те зовемо.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
| |
|
LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 6: 22-33
At that time, Jesus said “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
| |  |
|
ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 6: 22-33
Рече Господ: свјетиљка тијелу је око. Ако, дакле, око твоје буде здраво, све ће тијело твоје свијетло бити. Ако ли око твоје кварно буде, све ће тијело твоје тамно бити. Ако је, дакле, свјетлост која је у теби тама, колика је тек тама! Нико не може два господара служити; јер или ће једнога мрзити, а другога љубити; или ће се једнога држати, а другога презирати. Не можете служити Богу и мамону. Зато вам кажем: Не брините се душом својом, шта ћете јести, или шта ћете пити; ни тијелом својим, у шта ћете се одјенути. Није ли душа претежнија од хране, и тијело од одијела? Погледајте на птице небеске како не сију, нити жању, ни сабирају у житнице; па Отац ваш небески храни их. Нисте ли ви много претежнији од њих? А ко од вас бринући се може придодати расту своме лакат један? И за одијело што се бринете? Погледајте на кринове у пољу како расту; не труде се нити преду. Али ја вам кажем да се ни Соломон у свој слави својој не одјену као један од њих. Па када траву у пољу, која данас јесте а сутра се у пећ баца, Бог тако одијева; а камоли вас, маловјерни? Не брините се, дакле, говорећи: Шта ћемо јести, или шта ћемо пити, или чиме ћемо се одјенути? Јер све ово незнабошци ишту; а зна и Отац ваш небески да вама треба све ово. Него иштите најприје Царство Божије и правду његову, и ово ће вам се све додати.
| |
~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
|
~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Clara & Thea Goodling, their parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protopresbyter Srboljub and Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, 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, Jelena Bowser and newborn Misha Aleksandar, JoAnn Hernjak and the newborn William Nicholas, Cassandra Semic and the newborn Berkeley Blythe, Melissa Thomason and the child to be born of her, Clare Jurkovic and the child to be born of her, Lauren Spangler and the child to be born of her, Mara Bebeau 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, 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, 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, Priest Ioan Comanescu, Protinica Miryana Trbuhovich, Protinica Donna Merick, Elizabeth Rupich, Margaret Radanovic, Frederick Miroslav Pantelich, Milan Martich, Linda Wolf, Gene Himes
~Vigils Offered~
LOGAN ROSZKOWSKI Offered for improvement in health. With love from Zach, Elizabeth, Genevieve & Louise Bare.
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, Uncle Ben (17 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 and his nieces & nephews. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†MEGAN BOLTON Offered in loving memory of our Godchild/niece/cousin (19 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!
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!
| |
|
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!
| |
Stewardship Offering Information
Date 6/26/2022
Collection: $2,952.00
Date 6/19/2022
Collection: $3,220.00
Date 6/12/2022
Collection: $1,695.00
| |
|
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), Bo Hudson Paddock (July 11), Melania Skinder (July 12), Andrea Gunther (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)
| |
|
|
FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
We celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of St. John with the Liturgy at 9 am on Thursday, July 7. The scheduled Vespers of Wednesday is cancelled.
CALLING ALL GOLFERS (REGISTRATION DEADLINE)
Registration for the 6th Annual OCCGH Golf Tournament is underway and the deadline is this Thursday, July 7 (forms are on the tutor stand) ...4-person scramble, put your team together and sign up today! All proceeds benefit local charitable organizations such as Bethesda Mission, Downtown Daily Bread, Capital Area Pregnancy Center and more.
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!
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!
SPECIAL SHOW CASE OFFER
Just arrived… beautiful Visor Clips. Also available, 3 original children’s books ($20 each), signed by the author Miss Jane (Svitchan), Herman My Love, Mishka the Mouse, Matushka Z’s Very Russion Looking Hat.
ST. NICHOLAS FLOWER BEDS
The flowers in front of the Church and at the sign are growing beautifully. There are also many weeds growing, although not so beautifully. We are requesting all available hands to help weed the beds to prepare them for mulching. Please come whenever you are available this week or next week. Thanks to all for your help!
SODA CAN PULL TABS WANTED
Please save your pull tabs and deposit in the container in the lobby to benefit the Ronald McDonald House
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.
SPECIAL THANKS TO GOD
Karen and I would like to thank our friends, relatives and Kumovi that reached out to us during her sudden illness and long recovery. The kind words and prayers were greatly appreciated. Hope to see many of you soon—Karen & Dean Stefan
From the family of Peggy Radanovic, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love expressed through cards, flowers and donations sent to us since Peggy’s passing. Saturday marked the 40th day commemoration since her passing. Still sadly missed. May Peggy’s memory be eternal!
| |
|
Stewardship Reflection
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!
| | |
|
Yправљање
Pазмишљање
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!
| | |
|
July Charity
Monastery New 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 [email protected]
Monastery Marcha, 5095 Broadview Road, Richfield, OH 44286, (330) 659-3809
| | | | | |
