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Saint Orthodox Church American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese 903 Ann Street Homestead, PA 15120 Rectory Office Phone: (412) 461-3264 Church Office & Auditorium: (412) 461-9437 Web Site: www.stnichomestead.org E-mail Address: [email protected] E-mail Address: [email protected] Pastor – Very Rev. R. Zak, Cell phone:(412)-804-8865 Attached to St. Nicholas Church: Rev. Fr. Dr. Marc Wisnosky Deacon: Fr. Deacons Artemius Stienstra Sub- Deacon: Andrew Halapin, Jr. Cantor/Choir Director: Danielle Bartko Assistant Cantors: Donald Bodnar, Jr. & Michele Tomko Parish Council President: Tom Pingor Vol. 8; No. 51 Sunday, 27, 2020 SUNDAY OF THE HOLY FOREFATHERS Chanting of the Nativity : 8:20 A.M : 9:00 A.M. Epistle: Colossians 3:4-11; Resurrection Tone: 4; Gospel: Luke 14:16-24 Tropar & Kondak: Blue Book: 90-92; 128 / Red Book: 105-107; 145-146 Panachida Service conducted for the repose of the souls of God’s departed servants, +Marie Potemry and +Michael Corcoran, offered by Lucy & Andrew Tomko and Ann Tomko. Panachida Service conducted for the repose of the soul of God’s departed servant, the priest: +Rev. Fr. Albert Tomko, offered by Cheryl & Michele Tomko. ****************************************************************************** Tuesday, (December 29)… 9:00 A.M. Divine Liturgy for the repose of the souls of God’s departed servants, +Libbie & +Michael Bachofsky, offered by The Family.

Saturday, (January 2)… 9:00 A.M. Divine Liturgy for the repose of the soul of God’s departed servant, +Suzana Tartaka, offered by Mary, John, Michael (Children). 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon – Hearing of Confessions during the . ****************************************************************************** Sunday, January 3, 2021 SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY Chanting of the Nativity Canon: 8:20 A.M. Divine Liturgy: 9:00 A.M. Epistle: Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40; Resurrection Tone: 5; Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25 Tropar & Kondak: Blue Book: 93-95, 129 / Red Book: 108-110; 146-148 Panachida Service conducted for the repose of the soul of God’s departed servant, +Ann Timko, on the 4th Anniversary of her falling asleep in the Lord, offered by Trona.

Luke 14:16-24 – 14:16, 17 – This parable operates on two levels, illustrating both the first and second coming of Christ, who is the servant sent to gather many. Supper indicates evening, the end of the age. The people invited are first the Jews, then all mankind. 14:18-20 – The Fathers see the three excuses as having both a literal meaning, that many are too attached to worldly care to accept the Kingdom of God (v. 26; 18:29), and spiritual meanings. St. Ambrose sees the three excuses of I cannot come representing the Gentile, the Jew, and the heretic. The Gentile’s devotion to earthly wealth is represented by the piece of ground, the Jew’s enslavement is the five books of the Law by the five yoke of oxen, and the heretic’s espousal of error by the man refusing on the account of his wife. Theophylact more generally associates the excuses with people devoted to earthly matters, to things pertaining to the five senses, and to all pleasures of the flesh. 14:21-23 – Those in the streets and lanes indicate (1) the Gentiles who accepted Christ after the faithless Jews rejected Him, and (2) those outside the Church replacing those within who have rejected their own baptism. RECTORY OFFICE HOURS are 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Monday thru Friday.

EMERGENCY SICK CALLS can be made anytime. Please notify your Pastor when someone is taken to the hospital; Sacred Scriptures remind us to call the presbyter to anoint the sick. MARRIAGES are celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays. Consult the Pastor at least 6 months in advance and before wedding reception plans have been made. Marriages cannot be celebrated during Lent or , or on Fridays. BAPTISMS are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 A.M. Two God-parents are required; at least one of whom must be an Orthodox Christian by Faith, and the other a practicing Christian. An infant’s first or middle name must be a saint’s name. CHURCH FUNERALS are provided for parishioners who are current in their spiritual and financial obligations to the Parish. Otherwise, burial is from the funeral home. The Church does not permit cremation. ****************************************************************************** FOLLOW OUR DIOCESE ON-LINE! Diocesan Website: http://www.acrod.org Camp Nazareth: http://www.campnazareth.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acroddiocese Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrodnews You Tube: https://youtube.com/acroddiocese ************************************************************************************************************************ THE KING PRAISES GOD Daniel 3:91-97 Now Nebuchadnezzar heard their singing,, and he marveled and rose up in haste, and said to his nobles, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They replied to the king, “Truly, O king.” Then the king said, “Behold, I see four men untied and walking in the midst of the fire, yet they are not destroyed; and the vision of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Then the king approached the door of the burning fiery furnace, and called out to them by name, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come forth and come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came forth from the midst of the fire. Then the governors, the commanders, the viceroys, and the court officials gathered together and beheld the men, that the fire had no power over their bodies, neither had it singed their hair, nor scorched their clothes, nor was the smell of fire on them. So King Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed is the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent His Angel and saved His servants who trusted in Him; for they altered the word of the king and handed over their bodies to be burned, so as not to serve and worship any god other than their God. Therefore I make a decree: ‘Any people, tribe, or language that blasphemes the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be destroyed, and their houses plundered, because there is no other God who can deliver in this way.’” Then the king gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego authority over the province of Babylon, and considered them worthy to be the rulers of all the Jews in his kingdom.

Daniel 3:91, 92 – St. Hippolytus writes that the king’s recognition of the fourth man in the furnace was a sign that the Gentiles would recognize the Incarnate Word when He came. “The three youths he thus called by name. But he found no name by which to call the fourth. For He was not yet that born of the Virgin.” St. Jerome comments that the presence of the Son of God in the furnace is a type of Christ’s descent into Hades, where the souls of the dead were imprisoned, that He might deliver the righteous faithful by breaking the chains of death. ****************************************************************** PARISHIONER RUTH SALIO EXPRESSES HER GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE! Ruth is thankful to the faithful of St. Nicholas for the memorial cards, and especially the prayers offered in behalf of her beloved husband, +Alexander (God’s newly-departed servant). Your sincere condolences and physical presence during this trying time is deeply appreciated and shall not be forgotten. ************************************************************************************************************************** COME TO CONFESSION DURING THE NATIVITY FAST TO PUT THE BODY IN ITS PROPER PLACE – BELOW THE SOUL! In the Mystery of Penance, we prostrate ourselves in humility and place the whole self – body, mind, and spirit – before God. And we prepare our hearts to become the mangers of the Incarnate Word of God, Christ our Saviour. Partaking of the life-giving Sacraments certainly enables us to “keep Christ in .” Do not delay in confessing your sins to the spiritual Father in order for God to absolve you of all your transgressions. Procrastination is unacceptable in the liturgical life of the Church ************************************************************************************************************************** A VIRTUAL ST. NICHOLAS CHARITY DINNER THIS MONTH! Our Pittsburgh Deanery Dean, Protopresbyter Joseph Fester has suggested a Christ-centered and charitable action of Alms-giving for the

benefit of Christ the Saviour Seminary by all faithful of the District. Our God-saved parishioners are implored “to secure” a “$35 ticket” for the virtual St. Nicholas Charity Dinner this year to aid our theological school in Johnstown, PA. During the Nativity Fast and in the spirit of our beloved , submit your donation to Father Michael, the treasurer of the Pittsburgh Deanery. Monetary gifts by check should be made out to the “Pittsburgh Deanery”. The beloved of commends your sacrificial and generous efforts in preparation for the Incarnation of the Son of God as True Man. ************************************************************************************************************************** OUR NATIVITY FAST MISSIONARY ASSISTANCE! OCMC has been able to continue its ministry through the current virus situation both at the center in St. Augustine, Florida and all the field locations. Elaine Piniat, a new missionary candidate, is in her final preparations and fund raising before being assigned to the new mission effort beginning in Sweden and Scandinavia. She has been able to continue the process by using Zoom presentations. Fr. Luke Mihaly spoke to Metropolitan Gregory and received his blessing to allow Elaine to have access to our diocesan parishes for her Zoom meetings. This would be just a onetime effort to help Elaine get to her mission field location as soon as possible. Elaine would be very appreciative of any small or one-time donations. If you would like to read more about her background you can do so here: https://www.ocmc.org/about/view_missionary.aspx?MissionaryId=53. For your alms- giving this Advent, deposit your treasures in an envelope, marked “Missionary Assistance” or use the Lenten Coin Banks available on the table in the vestibule. ************************************************************************************************************************** BROWSE OUR SHOP AND BOOK STORE AFTER THE LITURGY THIS MORNING! Proceed downstairs after services and view the wonderful display of , spiritual books, religious jewelry, Nativity cards and other attractive items. Opened for just 30 minutes, purchase that unique for family, relatives and friends at the feast of our Lord’s glorious Nativity! ************************************************************************************************************************** SENIOR A.C.R.Y. CHAPTER NEWS! The Sr. ACRY would like to Thank everyone who purchased the Gertrude Hawk Candy. Even with facing the challenges of the Corona Virus, the candy sale was very successful. Thank you all for your support, kindness and generosity. May God Bless You and Keep you in His care. Also, Attention: ACRY MEMBERS: The 2021 Sr. ACRY Dues are due by: December 1, 2020. Please contact Michelle Hubert. Thank You! ************************************************************************************************************************** PARISHIONER ANN ARENDAS WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Ann is a present resident of the Grand Residence assisted living facility in Upper St. Clair, PA. Telephone her at (412) 308-1232 and fill her in on what’s taking place at St. Nicholas Church in Homestead. She certainly would be appreciative of hearing from one of our faithful members. ************************************************************************************************************************** EMAIL ADDRESSES NEEDED! We are looking to become more connected as a parish by sending out important announcements, updates, death and sickness notices, and other pertinent information via email. Our high school Sunday School class has volunteered to collect these email addresses. If you have not already provided your email address, we invite you to do so. Email addresses can be submitted by writing it on the sheet in the vestibule, giving it to any high school Sunday School student or by emailing Bob Bartko at [email protected]. Thank you for your participation. ************************************************************************************************************************** TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUNDAY DIVINE LITURGIES OR COME TO CONFESSION… make reservations to share in “Heavenly worship” at St. Nicholas Church on every Lord’s Day during the . Phone (412-461-3264) or e- mail ([email protected]) Fr. Michael to indicate your and your family’s intentions to attend the Sunday Divine Liturgy. Father Zak will hear confessions following any listed divine services. Or, you can call or e-mail your pastor for an appointment at the church for the Mystery of Penance, with the safe distancing practice in place. You must wear a mask before entering the church. ************************************************************************************************************************************************** PICK UP THE 2021 ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH CALENDAR IN THE VESTIBUE THIS MORNING!

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church