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Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - November 20, 2022
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo está entre nosotros! | |
Neither Pharisee nor Legion
by Fr. Philip LeMasters
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We all know what it is means not to feel like ourselves. We can become so out of sorts for all kinds of reasons that we do not think or act like we usually do. Sometimes we do not even recognize our thoughts, words, or deeds as our own, and wonder where certain impulses or behaviors come from. And we rightly fear what would happen if we accepted those inclinations and let them shape our souls.
St. Paul recognized that human beings do not become their true selves simply by trying to obey a code of conduct. The Old Testament law, about which he was an expert as a Pharisee, made clear to him how far he was from holiness, for he constantly fell short of it. But he found a new identity in dying and rising with Christ. He found his true self in God’s image and likeness, for “it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me.” Instead of being defined as one who inevitably fell short of the law and was captive to sin, he became through faith one who participates in the righteousness of Christ, one who has risen in Him from sin and death to the life of holiness for which God created us in the first place. By faith in Jesus Christ, St. Paul became his true self.
If that was a struggle for St. Paul, imagine what an ordeal it was for the Gadarene demoniac, the man in today’s gospel reading. He was so filled with demons and consumed by evil that he called himself “Legion,” which meant a division of the Roman army containing thousands of soldiers. His sense of personal identity had disintegrated into a mass of a great many demons. Like Adam and Eve who stripped themselves of the divine glory by their sin, he too was naked and without the dignity of a child of God. He lived among the tombs, held captive by corruption and cut off from everyone else. He was such a terror that he broke the chains that bound him and fled alone into the desert. This poor man is an icon of our alienation from ourselves, others, and life itself that evil so easily works in us. He was very far from his true self. And even the best code of behavior would not have helped him. He did not need just a bit of instruction; no, he needed the healing and cleansing of his soul—the restoration of his humanity. Like St. Paul, he needed to die to sin and rise to a new life in Christ.
That is what the Lord gave him by casting the demons into a herd of pigs, which then stampeded into the lake and drowned. The locals were so astonished by what had happened, and especially by seeing this fellow in his right mind, that they were terrified to the point of asking Christ to leave their region. Understandably, the man whom Christ delivered wanted to go with Him, but the Lord told him to stay there and proclaim all that He had done for him. He was to do the difficult job of bearing witness to the good news among people who knew him, and his horrible past, all too well.
Both St. Paul and the Gadarene demoniac remind us that we must accept a kind of death in order to become our true selves. It is a death, first, to our efforts at self-justification, to our attempts to make ourselves perfect simply by our own abilities. There is often no one more anxious and depressed than a perfectionist, for we never reach that high goal. If that is our approach, then we will be like St. Paul in gaining only slavery to a sense of imperfection and brokenness by obsessively trying to justify ourselves in doing everything right all the time. Though we may think that we are serving God in this way, we are actually serving only ourselves by doing all that we can to hide our sickness and corruption even from ourselves. At the root of our efforts at self-justification is pride, which blinds us from seeing the truth about ourselves, others, and God. We need to die and rise with Christ, not simply a list of rules against which to judge ourselves and others. Our justification is in Him, not in our own attempts to master a code of conduct.
Like the demon-possessed man, we must also die to accepting our distorted condition as normal, natural, or who we truly are. There is some pain in doing that, for we get used to living on our own terms, giving in to temptations that are all too familiar, and excusing any behavior by saying we are being true to ourselves. The problem is that the self so comfortable with sin is not our true self, but a form of “Legion”—of a distorted identity that we take on due to our acceptance of corruption in our hearts and lives. The Gadarene demoniac asked Christ not to torment him, and we may feel the same way when we realize that we must do the hard work of repenting and reorienting our lives according to God’s purposes for us. But like him, we must do so in order to become our true selves in the image and likeness of God. That is never a reward for legalistic perfection, but a way of dying and rising with Christ as we become more fully human in God’s image and likeness.
Our spiritual journeys will surely not be as flamboyant or famous as those of St. Paul and the Gadarene demoniac, but the challenges we face are very similar. Too many have turned Christianity into a self-righteous system of legalism in which it is all too easy for self-appointed judges to separate the sheep from the goats, as though they were the Lord as the Last Judgment. Instead of a vocation to shine with heavenly light and participate personally in God’s gracious Divine Energies, some water the faith down to a simple list of “do’s” and “don’ts” that usually fits with popular cultural notions about who is good and who is bad. Of course, there are paths that lead to holiness and paths that do not; the Church provides many clear and steadfast resources to guide us in the right direction. But the difference between true and false paths is not mere legalism. The key factor, instead, is whether a path leads to fuller participation in the life of Christ, which requires both faith and faithfulness and forbids the self-righteous condemnation of others. Saul, the great persecutor of Christians, became St. Paul by faith and repentance in response to the gracious calling of the Risen Lord. St. Paul called himself the chief of sinners and knew that he was made right with God by mercy, not his own accomplishment. “It is no longer I who live but Christ Who lives in me.” He gave up all attempts at self-justification. That is how he became his true self in God’s image and likeness.
On other hand, many others have turned Christianity into a kind of spiritual self-indulgence that requires very little of anyone. Some water the faith down to acceptance of virtually any belief, behavior, or inclination in what amounts to little more than religious sentimentality. Remember, however, that Christ did not simply help the demon-possessed man to feel better about himself and otherwise do as he pleased; no, he cast evil out of him, gave him his life back, and commanded him to stay in that region and bear witness to how God had delivered him. The Lord empowered him for a challenging life of holiness and changed him in a way that astonished everyone who knew him. That fellow could then say with St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live but Christ Who lives in me.” Like the Apostle, he surely knew that his salvation was not somehow his own accomplishment or just a nice feeling, but the gracious gift of a Lord “Who loved me and gave Himself for me” in ways that infinitely surpassed what even the best legal code could ever achieve.
Like St. Paul and the Gadarene demoniac, we will become our true selves in God’s image and likeness by participating in the grace and mercy of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. Like them, we must die both to self-righteous legalism and to the sinful corruptions that have become second nature to us. We must have faith in Christ even as we pursue a faithful life, turning away from all that distorts our beauty as the living icons of our Lord. The more closely we unite ourselves with Him, the more fully we become our true selves. For He made us to be neither Pharisees nor “Legion,” but His beloved sons and daughters who become ever more like Him in holiness. That is the calling of each and every one of us; and through repentance, faith, and love, we may answer it to the glory of God.
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Commemorating 33 Holy Hartyrs of Melitene, Martyrs Melasippus, Karina, their son Antoninus and 40 children converted by their martyrdom at Ancyra, Martyrs Auctus, Taurion and Thessalonica at Amphipolis in Macedonia, Martyr Theodotus of Ancyra, Venerable Lazarus Wonderworker of Mt Galesius Near Ephesus, the Discovery of the Relics of Venerable Zosimas Abbot of Vorbozomsk, Finding of the relics of Venerable Cyril Abbot of Novoezersk Vologda
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 6
The angelic powers were at Your tomb; the guards became as dead men. Mary stood by Your grave, seeking Your most pure body. You captured hell, not being tempted by it. You came to the Virgin, granting life. O Lord, Who rose from the dead, 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.
MARTYRS OF MELITENE TROPARION—TONE 4
Your thirty-three holy martyrs, O Lord, through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from You, our God. For having Your strength, they laid low their adversaries, and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through their intercessions, save our souls!
RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life, raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand, He bestowed resurrection on the human race. He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
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:
This Week: Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Wayln John
Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Dasha Gencturk
EPISTLE: Ephesians 2:4-10
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Sixth Tone: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: v: To You, O Lord, will I call. O my God, be not silent to me!
CHOIR: O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your inheritance!
READER: O Lord, save Your people ...
CHOIR: ...and bless Your inheritance!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Ephesians
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, but God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the heavenly God.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He will say to the Lord: “My Protector and my Refuge; my God, in Whom I trust.”
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: Ефесцима 2:4-10
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 6 Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Теби, Господе Боже мој, вапим: немој ме оставити без одговора.
Хор: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој и благослови наследство Своје.
Читач: Спаси, Господе, народ Свој
Хор: и благослови наследство Своје.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање посланице Светога апостола Павла Ефесцима
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, a Бог, који је богат у милости, због велике љубави своје којом нас завоље, и нас, који бијасмо мртви због гријехова, оживи са Христом – благодаћу сте спасени – И с Њим заједно васкрсе и заједно посади на небесима у Христу Исусу, да покаже у вијековима који долазе превелико богатство благодати своје добротом према нама у Христу Исусу. Јер сте благодаћу спасени кроз вјеру; и то није од вас, дар је Божији; Не од дјела, да се не би ко хвалисао. Јер смо његова творевина, саздани у Христу Исусу за дјела добра, која Бог унапријед припреми да у њима ходимо.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Који живи у закону Вишњега, у сјени Свемогућега почива.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Говори Господу: Ти си уточиште моје и бранич мој, Бог мој, у кога се уздам.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Luke 8: 26-39
At that time, they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Лука 8: 26-39
У вријеме оно, Исус доплови у земљу Гадаринску која је према Галилеји. А кад он изиђе на земљу, срете га неки човјек из града у коме бијаху демони дуго времена, и у хаљине не облачаше се, и не живљаше у кући, него у гробовима. А кад видје Исуса, узвикнувши паде пред њим и из свега гласа рече: Шта хоћеш од мене, Исусе, Сине Бога Вишњега? Молим те, не мучи ме! Јер он заповједи духу нечистоме да изиђе из човјека; јер га мучаше много година, и везиваху га веригама и ланцима чувајући га, и кидаше везе, и тјераше га демон по пустињама. А Исус га запита говорећи: Како ти је име? А он рече: Легион; јер многи демони бијаху ушли у њега. И мољаху га да им не заповједи да иду у бездан. А ондје пасијаше по гори велико крдо свиња, и мољаху га да им допусти да у њих уђу. И допусти им. А пошто изиђоше демони из човјека, уђоше у свиње; и јурну крдо са стрмени у језеро, и утопи се. А кад видјеше свињари шта се догодило, побјегоше и јавише у граду и по селима. И изиђоше да виде шта се десило, и дођоше Исусу, и нађоше човјека из кога бијаху изишли демони гдје сједи одјевен и присебан код ногу Исусових; и уплашише се. А они што бијаху видјели, обавијестише их како се спасе бјесомучни. И мољаше га сав народ из околине гадаринске да оде од њих; јер бијаху обузети страхом великим. А он уђе у лађу и врати се. А човјек из кога изиђоше демони мољаше га да би с њим био; али га Исус отпусти говорећи: Врати се дому своме, и казуј шта ти учини Бог. И отиде проповиједајући по свему граду шта му учини Исус.
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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, Jazmin Cruz and the child newly born of her, Lauren Spangler and the child newly born of her, Mara Bebeau and the child newly born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Michelle Adams, 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, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, 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, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Stephen Lundingrin, Dianne & Jim Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, Annabelle McLaughlin, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Infant of God Ryan Leigh Moffitt, Dave Morris, Peter Mrgich, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Eva Orr, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Ljubomir Pejanovic, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Tracy Petrovich, Logan Roszkowski, Greg Selman, Michael Schaffner, Michael Semic, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Pat Shoemaker, Branko Smitran, Tim Stefan, 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, Marija Zabrodnaya, Demetrios & Eleni Ziogas, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski
Those Who Need Special Care
COUNTRY MEADOWS MECHANICSBURG: Florence Ivanoff; MASONIC HOME ELIZABETHTOWN: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic; SPRING CREEK: Chuck Belic
Those to be Baptized
Sloane Ivey & Berkeley Blythe Semic, Emilia Renee Peterson, Barrett Scott, Divna and Danica Mitrovic, Nora Katherine & Maeve Noelle Van Huysen, Sloane York, Logan Michael Livingston, Bennett Noah Spangler, Ethan and Lauren Bebeau, Endora Wolf
Our College Students
Anastasija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Ioanna Radanovic, Kyranna Radanovic, Maxim Reznitchenko, Madison Vorkapich
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Matushka Anna Hopko, Protinica Miryana Trbuhovich, Protinica Donna Merick, Elizabeth Rupich, Margaret Radanovic, Nenad ‘Nesho’ Pantelich, Mark Gruin, Slobodanka Balaban, Mihailo Novakovic, Ljubica Tajkovic, Jo-An Tracey Stanovich, William Yovanovich, Eva Stimac, Ljubisa Stankovic, Natalija Mandic
~Vigils Offered~
BRIAN ‘PUTZ’ LEWIS Offered in celebration of my husband’s birthday (Nov 21). May God grant you many more years of good health and happiness! Ziveli! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Nikki and family.
BRIAN LEWIS SR Offered in celebration of his birthday (Nov 21). God’s blessings for many more! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Baba and family.
BRANDON DAVID MUMMA Offered in joyful celebration of his birthday (Nov 22). We pray our Lord guides him, protects him and keeps him in good health and well-being. Given by Godson/Nephew Baylor Hook and Kumovi/Cousins Joyce Matich & Tosh Yanich, and the whole family. Mnogaja Ljeta! Many Years!
DIANNE MARTIN Offered in celebration of her birthday (Nov 23). God’s blessings for many more! Mnogaja Ljeta! Love Kat & family.
DAVE MORRIS Offered for his health, with prayers that our Lord rest His healing hand on Dave and his health team so the treatment is successful and his recovery is full and complete. Given with love by the Yanich & Matich 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.
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.
†MILOS KRNJAIC Offered in loving memory of his repose (50 years—Nov 20) by his loving family. Vjecnaja Pamjat! 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 11/13/2022
Collection: $1,845.00
Date 11/6/2022
Collection: $3,985.00
Date 10/30/2022
Collection: $4,277.00
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November Birthdays
Vadim Reznitchenko (Nov 2), Calvin Filepas (Nov 5), Dori & Doug Bert (Nov 6), Mila Ann Livingston (Nov 6), Jim Werner (Nov 9), Marko Rocknage (Nov 11), Tomislav Gligorevic (Nov 13), Leann Cox (Nov 13), Trenton Petrovich Jr, (Nov 13), Philip Lamancusa (Nov 15), Helen Kapac (Nov 16), Dori Barry (Nov 16), Jovan Milanovich (Nov 16), Matt Healy (Nov 18), Millie Yezdimir (Nov 19), Tomislav Lojpur (Nov 19), Michelle Kingsbury (Nov 20), Michael Dean Stefan (Nov 21), Brian Lewis Sr (Nov 21), Brandon Mumma (Nov 22), Dianne Martin (Nov 23), Marko Miljkovic (Nov 24), Fr Srboljub Jockovich (Nov 29)
November Anniversaries
Danielle & Joseph Van Huysen (Nov 4), Paula & Jim Werner (Nov 5), Nicholas & Joann Hernjak (Nov 5), Mira & Milijan Lukic (Nov 11), Doni & Steve Cashman (Nov 21), Nick & Terry Govelovich (Nov 23)
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FEAST OF SYNAXIS OF HOLY ARCHANGELS
On Monday, November 21, we will celebrate the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels with Liturgy beginning at 9:00 am.
PASTORAL EMERGENCY
Father Christopher and family will be away for a family baptism from Wednesday, November 23 to Monday, November 28. In case of pastoral emergency, please call Father Joseph Fester at 412.607.7039.
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
THE DEADLINE IS TODAY
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. Please inform the church office by TODAY Sunday, November 20.
GREETERS TEAM
Hello! Welcome to St. Nick’s! If you can say this with a smile, you are a born GREETER. Have you ever felt uncomfortable upon entering a place where no one knows you? It is not a great feeling. St. Nick’s is asking you to be a steward willing to share your warm welcome to all those who enter our beautiful church for the first or the five hundredth time. Please let Daria or Terry know that you can be that steward once every 6 weeks.
NEW ITEMS AVAILABLE IN THE DISPLAY CASE
Check out the Mother’s Club Display Case as we are getting new items in weekly. There are also new Nativity/Christmas Cards available with a SPECIAL deal. Choose any 5 Nativity cards for only $9 (they are currently being displayed on the table next to the display case). Check them out!
OFFICE CLOSURE FOR THANKSGIVING AND BULLETIN DEADLINE
The office will be closed this week on Thursday and Friday (Nov 24-25). Bulletin Deadline is Tuesday, November 22 by 11 am.
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CHOIR CAROLING
Come join us for Christmas Carols on January 7th! Learn to sing a selection of beautiful Serbian and traditional Christmas carols in 4-part harmony. Non-choir members, you are invited to join the choir for four 30-minute rehearsals, then join us in the choir loft to sing Carols during communion and at the end of Liturgy on January 7th. Starting Thursday, November 17th, the choir will be dedicating the last 30 minutes of our weekly choir rehearsals, as well as 30 minutes on Sundays after Liturgy to rehearse Christmas carols. Plenty of dates to choose from. For November and December the rehearsal dates are: November 20, 27, December 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 29, If interested, and/or for more information, please contact Nina Radanovic at 717-634-6170, or by email: ninarad.mil19@gmail.com. Looking forward to singing with you!
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK
Office hours are Monday thru Wednesday from 9am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717-939-3972) or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.
BULLETIN DEADLINE
Bulletin Deadline is Tuesday at 11 am. Please send all bulletin requests to office@stnicholassteelton.org. You may also call the office at (717-939-3872).
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November Charity
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
IOCC has maintained an active partnership with the Serbian Orthodox Church since 1992, initially responding to crises of war, dislocation, and other hardships. IOCC aids those in need around the world, without discrimination, as it works to strengthen the capacity of national and local Orthodox Churches and organizations to avert disasters, respond to emergencies, and rebuild communities. IOCC has provided emergency assistance and sustainable development programs in all parts of Serbia. The more we practice spiritual hospitality, the closer we draw ourselves to Christ, and with Christ in our hearts and souls, the greater is our love for all people. Our donations become IOCC’s humanitarian works. It is our responsibility and our blessing to help IOCC continue its ministry. To learn more about IOCC’s programs, please visit the website at www.iocc.org
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The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael
and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers
Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world, but affirmed their proper veneration. A Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then “the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him” (Mt. 25:31).
The Angelic Ranks are divided into three Hierarchies: highest, middle, and lowest. The Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The six-winged SERAPHIM (Flaming, Fiery) (Is 6:2) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others. The many-eyed CHERUBIM (outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment) (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after the Seraphim. They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and knowledge of the mysteries of God. Through them wisdom is poured forth, and people’s minds are enlightened so they may know God and behold His glory. The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand after the Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the grace given them for their service. They are ministers of God’s justice, giving to tribunals, kings, etc. the capacity for righteous judgment.
The Middle Angelic Hierarchy consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities: DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule wisely, and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation. POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and give them spiritual strength and fortitude. AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations, and prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.
The Lowest Hierarchy includes the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels: PRINCIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command over the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God’s commands. They watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples. Principalities instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as befits their station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not for personal glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for the benefit of those under them. ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will of God, they spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel. ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy life. They support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.
All the Ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others.
Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means “who is like unto God”), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander. He cast down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other fallen spirits when they rebelled against God. Michael summoned the ranks of angels and cried out, “Let us attend! Let us stand aright before our Creator and do not consider doing what is displeasing unto God!”
Holy Scripture and Tradition give us the names of the Archangels: Gabriel: strength (power) of God, herald and servitor of Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the mysteries of God. Raphael: the healing of God, the curer of human infirmities (Tobit 3:16, 12:15) Uriel: the fire or light of God, enlightener (2 Esdras 5:20). We pray for him to enlighten those with darkened minds. Selaphiel: the prayer of God, impelling to prayer (2 Esdras 5:15). He prays to God for mankind. Jehudiel: the glorifying of God, encouraging exertion for the glory of the Lord and interceding for the reward of efforts. Barachiel: distributor of the blessings of God for good deeds, entreats the mercy of God for people. Jeremiel: the raising up to God (2 Esdras 4:36)
Each person has a guardian angel (Matt 18:10), and every nation also receives its own guardian angel from God (Dan. 10:13). When a church is consecrated, it also receives a guardian angel (Palladius, Dial. Ch. 10).
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Church School Corner -
Learn with your children at home!
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