Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - September 12, 2021
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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Homily for the 12th Sunday of Matthew
from Fr. Martin Person
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The gospel reading we heard today about the rich young man is such a pertinent reading for us today in this greatly prosperous time we live in. In this teaching given to us by the Apostle Matthew, a rich young man comes up to Christ to ask him, what can he do to inherit eternal life. After all, who wouldn't want to be able to have life everlasting without death, suffering, or any worldly cares? And Christ tells this man to follow all the commandments of God, such as not murdering, not lying, and honoring one's parents. After hearing these commandments, the man responds with almost a proud-like answer: "All these things have I kept from my youth up" (Matthew 19:20). Many of us hearing this would think that he is acting with great pride and even possibly being a bit snobby. However, the Gospel of Mark, which also relates this story, adds a very important detail (and this detail is only present in the Gospel of Mark). After the man says that I have kept all these commandments, it says that Jesus "beholding him loved him" (Mark 10:21). By adding this small detail it seems to show that Christ saw through this man and saw that he was probably being truthful in his actions. By keeping these commandments this man seems to be a great example for us as Christians.
However, this man had just one passion that was holding him back from being able to inherit eternal life. Christ knowing all things was able to see in the heart of this young man that which was holding him back from paradise. The passion holding him back was the love of worldly possessions. This is precisely why Jesus instructs the man to give all that he has to the poor. And yet this man unable to let go of all that great wealth was unable to follow God, and walked away with great sadness in his heart. These possessions he had, possessed his own soul and made him unable to realize his full potential. After all, he was a faithful man, he kept all the great commandments of God. But the care about the things of this world was his ultimate demise.
The disciples seeing this were puzzled. After all, in the Old Testament Church, having wealth was a sign of great blessings from God. Those who had riches were seen as being the elite of that time. They were the ones who were truly faithful to God and God blessed them with great wealth. And at the same token, the rich were also the ones who were supposed to be the first to inherit the kingdom of heaven. How could it be so? Why were the poor the ones who were blessed and not those with great possessions.
Yes wealth is a blessing from God. This is attested by the Church as well. But having great wealth is also a great responsibility and we will be judged based on what we do with our wealth. As we hear from the Gospel of Luke: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48). And this is why this Gospel reading of the rich young man is so important to us today, because unlike 1st Century Jews, much has been given to us. Many of us today probably have middle-class wages which makes us much more wealthy than the rich young man. Even wealthy people in his time had to worry about starving if their crops would not provide enough food, or if their animals died. For us, we just have to go to the grocery store and all our needs are taken care of. Many wealthy people would get sick and that was it for them, their life was over. But for us, we can go to see a doctor and are able to get great medical care. The wealthy in the first century would live in fear of bandits robbing and destroying their livelihood, whereas today we live in an overall pretty safe society. There are so many great blessings given to us, great wealth, and amazing quality of life. And yet, are we any better than the rich young man?
St Isaac the Syrian says: "He who is master of possessions, is the slave of passions. Do not estimate gold and silver only as possessions, but all things thou possess for the sake of the desire of thy will". Everything we have been given is given to us to be able to do good with it. Do we have a large house? Then we should invite those who need a place to stay to stay with us. Do we have an extra car? Maybe we should give it to those who do not have one. Do we have the latest smartphones, and all the best gadgets? Maybe we should instead buy them for someone else, or use the money to support our Church. The poor are all around us, we just have to open our eyes. There are so many who have lost all they have in fires, we should be the first as Christians to help them. A great priest that I know says "you cannot take any of that wealth with you to the grave, it all remains here." So let us therefore use what we have for good and have only what we need because that is what will give us the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
I remember hearing a story about a poor young married couple who lived off of only 90% of what they earned. The rest they gave to the Church and to the poor. Over time, they had acquired great wealth, but they still lived off of the same amount that they lived when they were poor, which eventually ended up being on about 10% of what they earned. And the 90% that they had in surplus? They gave to the Church, or helped those in need. This is a true example of what we should strive to be. Live off of only what we need which actually ends up being very little if we think about it. The rest we should be helping those who are in need and especially the Church God. This way, we will be not like the rich young fool, but rather we will be a true follower of Christ.
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Commemorating Synaxis of the Serbian Hierarchs, Saints Spyridon, Macarius and Gabriel I, Patriarchs of Serbia, St Gregory the Bishop, Saints Alexander, John, and Paul Patriarchs of Constantinople, Venerable Alexander Abbot of Svir, Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Uncovering of the relics of St Daniel Prince of Moscow, St Christopher of Palestine, St Fantinus of Calabria,
RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION—TONE 3
Let the heavens rejoice! Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. He has trampled down death by death. He has become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of hell, and has granted to the world great mercy.
FORERUNNER TROPARION—TONE 2
The memory of the righteous is celebrated with hymns of praise, but the Lord’s testimony is sufficient for you, O Forerunner. You were shown in truth to be the most honorable of the Prophets, for you were deemed worthy to baptize in the steams of the Jordan Him Whom they foretold. Therefore, having suffered for the truth with joy, you proclaimed to those in hell God Who appeared in the flesh, Who takes away the sin of the world and grants us great mercy.
SYNAXIS OF SERBIAN HIERARCHS TROPARION—TONE 4
As the enlighteners of the Serbian people, O God-bearing Fathers, holy patriarchs and great shepherds, guardians of the Apostolic traditions, unshakable pillars, and teachers of Orthodoxy: Beseech Christ, the Master of All, to grant peace to the world, and to our souls great mercy.
RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 3
On this day You rose from the tomb, O Merciful One, leading us from the gates of death. On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; with the Prophets and Patriarchs they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Your power.
FORERUNNER KONTAKION—TONE 5
The glorious beheading of the Forerunner became an act of divine dispensation, for he preached to those in hell the coming of the Savior. Let Herodias lament, for she entreated lawless murder, loving not the Law of God, nor eternal life, but that which is false and temporal.
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: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Marijana Rocknage
Matins Next Week: Nick Ressetar Epistle Next Week: Dasha Gencturk
EPISTLE: I Corinthians 15: 1-11
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Third Tone: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: v: Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
READER: Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
CHOIR: Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the first Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: In You, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be put to shame!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Be a God of protection for me, a house of refuge in order to save me!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: I Коринћанима 15: 1-11
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 3 Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Сви народи, запљескајте рукама, покликните Богу гласом радосним!
Хор: Појте Богу нашему, појте! Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Читач: Појте Богу нашему, појте!
Хор: Појте Цару нашему, појте!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од Прве посланице Светог апостола Павла до Коринћана
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Али вама напомињем, браћо, јеванђеље које вам проповиједах, које и примисте, у коме и стојите, Кроз које се и спасавате, ако држите онако како вам проповиједах, осим ако узалуд не повјеровасте. Јер вам најприје предадох што и примих, да Христос умрије за гријехе наше по Писму, И да би погребен, и да је устао трећи дан, по Писму, и да се јавио Кифи, затим Дванаесторици; Потом се он јавио одједном више од пет стотина браће, од којих су већина и сада живи, а неки се упокојише. Потом се јавио Јакову, затим свима апостолима; А послије свију. као каквом недоношчету, јавио се и мени. Јер сам ја најмањи од апостола, који нисам достојан назвати се апостол, зато што гоних Цркву Божију. Но благодаћу Божијом јесам што јесам, и благодат његова која је у мени не оста празна, него се потрудих више од свију њих, али не ја, него благодат Божија која је са мном. Било, дакле, ја било они, тако проповиједамо, и тако повјеровасте.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: У тебе се, Господе, уздам, немој ме оставити под срамотом до вјека.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Буди ми Бог заштитник, дом уточишта, да би ме спасао.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 19: 16-26
At that time, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 19: 16-26
У вријем оно, један младић приступи Исусу клањајући му се и рече: Учитељу благи, које добро да учиним да имам живот вјечни? А он му рече: Што ме зовеш благим? Нико није благ осим једнога Бога. А ако хоћеш ући у живот држи заповијести. Рече му: Које? А Исус рече: Не убиј; не учини прељубу; не укради; не свједочи лажно; Поштуј оца и матер; и љуби ближњега својега као себе самога. Рече му младић: Све ово сачувах од младости своје; шта ми још недостаје? Рече му Исус: Ако хоћеш савршен да будеш, иди продај све што имаш и подај сиромасима, и имаћеш благо на небу, па хајде за мном. А када чу младић ријеч, отиде жалостан; јер имађаше многа имања. А Исус рече ученицима својим: Заиста вам кажем да је тешко богатоме ући у Царство небеско. И опет вам кажем: Лакше је камили проћи кроз иглене уши неголи богатоме ући у Царство Божје. А када то чуше ученици, чуђаху се веома говорећи: Ко се, дакле, може спасти? А Исус погледавши на њих, рече им: Људима је ово немогуће, а Богу је све могуће.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ |
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September Birthdays
Elliott Klipa (Sep 2), Andjela Lojpur (Sep 3), Graham Bazdar (Sep 3), Dominik Bowser (Sep 3), Aleksandar Gerhart (Sep 4), Peter Barber (Sep 5), Lincoln Govelovich (Sep 6), Mike York (Sep 6), Stacey Mummert (Sep 9), Tina Tepsich (Sep 10), Nemanja Jovic (Sep 13), Kat Gruich (Sep 14), Ben Shaffer (Sep 18), Zeljko Raic (Sep 18), Angie Vorkapich (Sep 21), Terry Govelovich (Sep 22), Dean Stefan (Sep 22), Milijan Lukic (Sep 22), Ljilja Lazarevic (Sep 24), Fran Radosevich (Sep 29)
September Anniversaries
Mark & Yovanka Hoover (Sep 9), Dori & Steve Barry (Sep 9), Marina & Alan Radanovic (Sep 9), Luke & Waad Jacobs (Sep 13), Val & Fran Radosevich (Sep 16), Tim & Kaitlyn Hook (Sep 19), Brian & Catherine Lewis (Sep 19), Tina & Lenny Tepsich (Sep 20), John & Cindy Semic (Sep 26)
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DEADLINE FOR SEPT 26 BULLETIN
Daria will be out of the office the week of September 20th, please have any bulletin requests for the September 26 bulletin to her by Thursday, Sept 16.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWEST EAGLE SCOUT
Congratulations to Matthew Hoover on earning his Eagle Scout rank with the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of Troop 190 in Mechanicsburg. And congratulations to his proud parents Mark & Yovanka Hoover. May God grant Matthew and his parents many years! Ziveli na Mnogaja Ljeta!
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER TEACHERS FOR CHURCH SCHOOL
Our Church School year is just around the corner. This year, some of our most faithful stewards would like to retire from the Church School ministry. We are so thankful for the offering of their time and talents to invite our children to participate in this wonderful and awesome relationship with our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thus, we now need some new stewards to pick up the torch, continuing to lead our children with the Light of Christ. There are opportunities for main teachers and substitutes available. Please see/call/email Fr. Christopher or Dr. Jevgenija Radanovic for more information and to volunteer.
ST NICHOLAS SENIORS
The regular scheduled meeting/luncheon for September 14, 2021 is being cancelled. You will be informed when our next meeting will take place. The Seniors will celebrate their Slava on September 26, 2021 at Divine Liturgy, and all preparations for this are made. Please attend if possible.
SERBFEST (HELP NEEDED)
Serb Fest is returning this year to an in-person event! The date will be Saturday, September 18th starting at 11am. Plan on a wonderful day of good food, music and fun! You should have already received the mailer with more information. Sign up sheets are in the lobby. And fliers and booster letters are available for distribution to local establishments (see Daria).
COVID19 REMINDER
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all people wear masks in crowded places while indoors. This is due to the possibility of spreading the Delta variant of the SARS-Cov2 virus among those who are not vaccinated (especially children under 12).
ANNUAL KSS PULLED PORK & PALACINKE SALE (DRIVE THRU)
The Kolo Srpskih Sestara/Circle of the Serbian Sisters will hold their annual fundraiser on Sunday, October 3, with a Drive Thru format. All sales are PRE-ORDER by Sept 26. The menu will include pulled pork sandwiches for $5, cheese palacinke for $2, strawberry and applebutter palacinkes for $1.50. Pick up will be from 12 pm to 1 pm on October 3. Forms are available on the tutors stand, or call Linda Yandric at 717-939-5309 or Daria Milletics at 717-939-3872
DEADLINE IS APPROACHING
If you are not receiving envelopes and wish to. If you are receiving envelopes and no longer wish to. Or if you need to make an address change. You must inform Andrea Gunther or Daria Milletics by September 15.
CTS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Christ the Savior will be hosting a Cornhole Tournament at their church on Sunday, Sept 26 at 12 noon. 2 players per team (there is a 20 team limit). Cash prize for 1st place and food & drink available for purchase. Any youth from our parish who is interested should contact SOTAYA President Matthew Hoover (717-495-6426). SOTAYA will cover registration fees.
CHURCH SCHOOL RESUMES
On Sunday, September 19, we will bless the new Church School Year, our children and teachers at the end of liturgy. Classes will begin in person the following week, on Sunday, September 26 after liturgy. Glory to God!
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September Charity
St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary
The mission of St. Vladimir’s Seminary is to “serve Christ, His Church, and the world through Orthodox Christian theological education, research, and scholarship, and the promotion of inter-Orthodox cooperation”.
The Seminary offers educational programs for clergy, those preparing for clerical ministries, lay leaders and religious scholars so they “may build up Orthodox communities, foster Church growth through mission and evangelism, teach the Orthodox faith, and care for those in need”. The Seminary has a diverse student body and a strong faculty committed to teaching, learning, and serving the Church to the glory of God. Academic programs include Master level degrees in divinity, theology, and religious studies for lay leaders. A stimulating array of special academic programs is also available. We encourage you to visit the St. Vladimir’s Seminary website listed above to learn more about the exciting and challenging learning opportunities, programs and resources.
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His Holinesss, PORFIRIJE, Metropolitan of Belgrade, Archbishop of Pec, Patriarch of the Serbian Lands, arrives in Cetinje to enthrone His Eminence JOANIKIJE II, as Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral.
Protestors from surrounding towns tried to blockade Cetinje from the Patriarch's entrance. However, he flew in by helicopter, at great personal risk, to serve Christ and His Church. Glory to God!
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