Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
St. Nicholas Bulletin - August 22, 2021
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Christ is in our midst! Христос међу нама! Cristo esta entra nosotros! |
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It is easy to become discouraged by the distortions of Christianity in our culture. Some preach that those who truly believe will become rich and healthy with no problems at all. More assume that following Jesus Christ is just another way to have a bit of inner peace as they pursue what is really important in life: professional success, personal fulfillment, or some other worldly goal on their own terms. Neither approach, however, has much to do with truly participating in the life of our Lord.
Even a quick glance at Jesus Christ, His mother the Theotokos, or apostles such as St. Paul shows how weak such teachings are. They did not live what any mainstream culture—then or now–thinks of as a happy or successful life. Obviously, they lived the best and holiest of lives; they are models for us in how to live, to die, and enter into glory. But they appear strange to the world because they put the Kingdom of God first and refused to put even their own happiness before God’s will and the humble service of others. They suffered horribly by conventional standards, but thereby participated in a blessedness not of this world.
The Son of God lowered Himself in the Incarnation, becoming one of us and even enduring death and descent to Hades in order to conquer them and bring us into His eternal life through His resurrection. He was rejected by the leaders of His own people and brutally executed by the Roman authorities. The Theotokos accepted a scandalous pregnancy as the Lord’s virgin mother and saw her Son murdered by those He came to save. St. Paul endured hardships of all kinds, beatings, imprisonment, and ultimately martyrdom for Christ. These were not wealthy people; their lives did not follow conventional patterns; they were not in favor with the religious and political authorities of their day. They were outsiders and outcasts in many ways, but it was precisely through their difficult struggles that salvation has come to the world and we have inherited the blessings of life eternal.
That is an important truth to keep in mind when we read of the father of the epileptic boy kneeling before Christ to ask for the healing of his son. The disciples had been unable to cure him because of their lack of faith, prayer, and fasting. Consequently, they lacked the spiritual strength to overcome evil. Like most of the other Jews, they probably assumed that following the Messiah—thought to be a great king and military ruler– would result in a privileged life. In their hopes for that kind of savior, the disciples were part of a “faithless and perverse” generation that trusted in and served itself, rather than the one true God.
In contrast, the boy’s father had true faith, trust and humility before the Lord, kneeling down before him and asking for mercy from the bottom of his heart. He lowered himself before Christ, putting himself in the lowly place of one who could receive the blessing of the most humble One of all.
Unfortunately, many in the church of Corinth were nothing like that father; they were so full of pride that St. Paul had to set them straight on what it meant to serve Jesus Christ. He wrote that true apostles lived like “men sentenced to death,” as fools who are weak, dishonored, homeless, and treated as the filth of the world. Theirs was not a path for the rich and famous. The words used by St. Paul of his own ministry remind us of how our Lord identified Himself with “the least of these,” the hungry, the stranger, the prisoner, the sick—those on the margins of any society.
How ironic that the same Lord Who identified Himself with the wretched and miserable, and whose apostles suffered so greatly, was transfigured in glory before His disciples on Mt. Tabor. As He shone with the brilliant light of heaven and was shown to be superior to Moses and Elijah, the voice of the Father said “This is my beloved Son with Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” The divine glory of this most exalted One shines through the apparent weakness of a cross and a tomb, through what looked like failure and foolishness in the world as we know it. Indeed, He glorifies martyrs, confessors, and others who truly take up their crosses and die to the idolatry of self that is the real religion of so many, regardless of what we say we believe. To this very day, those who share in His glory first participate in His lowliness, meekness, and humility.
Despite what some of Christianity’s supporters and some of its foes like to say, our Lord’s salvation is not an extension of any earthly kingdom, culture, or achievement. Instead of building ourselves up according to designs of false gods, we must lower ourselves before Him like the father of the epileptic in order to be transfigured by His grace. We must go against the popular trends of our culture—and of any culture– in order to believe, pray, and deny ourselves if we are to open ourselves to His brilliant light, if we are to become radiant with His holiness. The journey to His Kingdom has nothing to do with acquiring earthly power, prominence, or popularity. As much as in the first century, His Kingdom is still not of this world. And some of the most dangerous temptations are to distort the Christian faith in the service of any worldly goal or agenda, regardless of the name it goes by at the time.
Instead of following the easy paths today of worshiping money, power, pleasure, and other forms of self-indulgence, we must follow the advice of the Lord Himself to the disciples on the necessity of faith, prayer, and fasting. Instead of believing that success according to the standards of any earthly realm is the highest good, we must entrust our lives to the One whose divinity shines forth through His humility and Who identifies Himself with the outcasts of all times and places.
Instead of defining ourselves by our busy schedules, routines, or obsessions about other earthly cares, we must—and we all can– carve out time every day for spiritual communion with the Lord. Instead of satisfying every desire and wallowing in unrestrained indulgence, we must learn to say no to our addiction to pleasure through appropriate forms of fasting and self-denial on a regular basis. Instead of making our faith a way to get what we want and gain the praise of others, we must learn the essential place of humility in the Christian life. For it is only when we stop focusing on ourselves—our strengths, our virtues, our abilities, as well as our failures and weaknesses—that we will be able to kneel before Christ like that father who was at the end of his rope and open ourselves to the mercy and healing of the Lord.
We have to accept that it is not all about us. If we make our faith basically about helping us get what we want, then we will always serve ourselves and become addicted to self-centered desires. We will become so enslaved to our bellies, our entertainment, our will, and our false hopes for fulfillment that we will become just like the disciples: powerless against the forces of evil in our own lives and totally unable to help others. If we serve and please only ourselves, we will become so self-focused and self-centered that we will find it impossible to cultivate the humility required to serve God and our neighbors. We will become so addicted to our desires that we will lack the ability to say no to ourselves for any reason, which is ultimately a recipe for nothing but despair.
Far better to look to Christ who came not to be served, but to serve, and Whose glory had nothing in common with worldly domination or success. He will transfigure us into participants in His divine glory through our humble faith, prayer, and fasting. In this season of the Dormition Fast, we follow the example of the Theotokos who was prepared and sustained for her sublime ministry by these spiritual disciplines. The same is true of St. Paul and the apostles.
There is hard work involved when we embrace humility, obedience, and self-denial. Should that be surprising if we serve a Lord Who told us to take up our crosses and follow Him? If our goal is to become so permeated with holiness that we radiate the divine beauty, should we be shocked that sacrifice is required?
By investing ourselves in the basic disciplines of the Christian life we will become more like the father of the epileptic boy who, in his humble faith, received the mercy and healing of the Lord. That is a blessing beyond the ability of this world and the only hope for the salvation of our souls.
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Commemorating the Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Translation of the Image “Not-Made-By-Hands” of our Lord Jesus Christ from Edessa to Constantinople, the Third “Feast of the Savior in August”, St Jevstatije, Patriarch of Serbia, St Joakim of Osogov, Sts Roman & Raphael of Banat, St Anthony of Martkofeli, Hieromartyr Nikodemos of Meteora, New Martyr Stamatius of Volos, Martyr Diomedes the Physician of Tarsus in Cilicia, Venerable Cherimon of Egypt, Martyr Christopher of Guria Georgia, Martyrs Isaac & Joseph of Karnu Georgia, Venerable Gerasimus the New Ascetic of Cephalonia, St Constantine Brancoveanu and those with him
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, while the soldiers were guarding Your most pure body, You rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world. The powers of heaven therefore cried to You, O Giver of Life: “Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Your Kingdom! Glory to Your dispensation, O Lover of mankind!”
ICON NOT-MADE-BY HANDS TROPARION—TONE 2
We venerate Your most pure image, O Good One, and ask forgiveness of our transgressions, O Christ God. Of Your own will You were pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh to deliver Your creatures from bondage to the Enemy. Therefore with thanksgiving we cry aloud to You: “You have filled all with joy, O our Savior, by coming to save the world.”
HOLY DORMITION TROPARION—TONE 1
In giving birth you preserved your virginity, in falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos. You were translated to life, O Mother of Life, and by your prayers, you deliver our souls from death.
RESURRECTION KONTAKION—TONE 1
As God, You rose from the tomb in glory, raising the world with Yourself. Human nature praises You as God, for death has vanished. Adam exults, O Master! Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to You: “You are the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
HOLY DORMITION KONTAKION—TONE 2
Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos, who is constant in prayer and our firm hope in her intercessions. For being the Mother of Life, she was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb.
INSTEAD OF “IT IS TRULY MEET”
The angels, as they looked upon the Dormition of the Virgin, were struck with wonder seeing how the Virgin went up from earth to heaven. The limits of nature are overcome in you, O pure Virgin; for birth-giving remains virginal and death is united to life; a virgin after childbearing and alive after death, you ever save your inheritance, O Theotokos.
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READERS:
Matins: Milan Radanovic Epistle: Marko Rocknage
Matins Next Week: Lenny Tepsic Epistle Next Week: Teddy Sukhernik
EPISTLE: I Corinthians 4: 9-16
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the First Tone: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: v: Rejoice in the Lord, O your righteous! Praise befits the just!
CHOIR: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us as we have set our hope on You!
READER: Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us ...
CHOIR: … as we have set our hope on You!
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brethren, for I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: God gives vengeance unto me, and subdues people under me.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: He magnifies the salvation of the King and deals mercifully with David, His
anointed, and his seed forever.
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: I Коринћанима 4: 9-16
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 1 Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Веселите се, праведници, пред Господом, праведнима доликује похвала.
Хор: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе, на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Читач: Нека буде милост Твоја, Господе,
Хор: на нама, као што се уздасмо у Тебе.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од Прве посланице Светог апостола Павла до Коринћана
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, мислим да Бог нас апостоле показа посљедње, као на смрт осуђене; јер постасмо призор и анђелима и људима. Ми луди Христа ради, а ви мудри у Христу; ми слаби, а ви јаки; ви славни, а ми презрени. До овога часа подносимо и глад и жеђ и голотињу и ударце, и потуцамо се, И трудимо се радећи својим рукама. Кад нас грде, благосиљамо; кад нас гоне, трпимо; Кад хуле на нас, молимо; постасмо као сметлиште свијета, свима смеће до данас. Не пишем ово да вас посрамим, него вас поучавам као своју милу дјецу. Јер ако имате и хиљаде учитеља у Христу, али немате много отаца. Јер вас у Христу Исусу ја родих јеванђељем. Молим вас, дакле, угледајте се на мене.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Бог ми даје освету и покорава људе испод мене.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Он увећава спасење Краља и милостиво се односи са Давидом, његовим помазаником и његовим сјеменом заувијек.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 17: 14-23
At that time, when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 17: 14-23
У вријеме оно, приступи Исусу неки човјек и паде на кољена пред њим говорећи: Господе, помилуј сина мојега, јер је мјесечар и мучи се љуто; јер много пута пада у ватру, и много пута у воду. И доведох га ученицима твојим и не могоше га исцијелити. А Исус одговарајући рече: O роде невјерни и покварени! Докле ћу бити с вама? Докле ћу вас трпљети? Доведите ми га амо. И запријети му Исус; и демон изиђе из њега; и оздрави момче од онога часа. Тада приступише ученици Исусу и насамо му рекоше: Зашто га ми не могосмо изгнати? А Исус им рече: За невјеровање ваше. Јер заиста вам кажем: Ако имате вјере колико зрно горушично, рећи ћете гори овој: пређи одавде тамо, и прећи ће, и ништа вам неће бити немогуће. А овај се род не изгони осим молитвом и постом. А кад су ходили по Галилеји, рече им Исус: Син Човјечији биће предан у руке људске: И убиће га, и трећи дан устаће. И веома се ожалостише.
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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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MOTHERS’ CLUB SLAVA (TODAY)
Today the Mothers’ Club celebrates their Slava (Dormition, the Falling Asleep of the Blessed Mother of God, Aug 28). Thank you to our honored Kumovi; Kata Gruich for making the Wheat and Zorka Starcevich for making the Kolach. After Liturgy, all are invited to help the Mothers’ Club continue the celebration with fellowship, as they will be hosting coffee hour. Congratulations ladies and thank you for your service and time.
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.
FOLKLORE MEETING
Next Sunday, September 5, 2021, we will have a meeting to discuss our kolo (youth and adult), folklore and tambura rehearsal times. Please meet in the Sunday School area after liturgy.
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).
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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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