SUNDAY BULLETIN Saint Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, 971 St. Clair Rd, Johnstown, PA 15905 Rev. Presbyter Dragan Vukovic [email protected] SUNDAY, JANUARY 3rd , 2021 SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY: THE HOLY FATHERS Epistle Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40 Gospel Matthew 1:1-25 The Sunday before the Nativity The Sunday of the Holy Fathers Matthew 1:25 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.(KJV) The current Gospel is prescribed for the Sunday before the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ each year. From Abraham to Joseph, the ancestral lineage is traced. The Church wants believers to think back through the centuries and understand there is an order according to God which takes place. Mary’s virgin birth of the Savior is central to the Gospel. St. Matthew’s Gospel identifies JESUS as the savior. Christ’s birth was interpreted as “God with us.” On the Feast of the Nativity, church choirs proclaim with great joy,” God is with us!” The Church is celebrating the Forefeast of the Nativity. This is a time of anticipation and continued reflection on the importance of Jesus Christ taking on human flesh. Just as Joseph came to understand within himself the virgin birth of Christ and the action of the Holy Spirit in Christ’s birth, each believer learns from the teachings of the Church about this joyful mystical birth. Hearts and minds are filled with anticipation at this time of the Forefeast. The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ always brings the message of hope. In these challenging days of our lives, the message of hope is certainly welcomed. Believers have had to contend with major changes to daily life. The Lord has been the prevailing hope throughout difficult times in history. A careful look at the lives mentioned in the Gospel genealogy will reflect God at work through the ages. Now is the time for believers to build on the hope residual in Jesus Christ. Now is the time to increase love and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ’s birth fills receptive hearts with love, peace and joy. The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is a new beginning for all living in Christ. Renewal in Christ occurs in each believer with the arrival of the Feast of the Nativity. The Nativity Fast has been a time of great preparation for this feast. Order and purpose exist in the Church to guide believers from Holy Baptism to departure from this life. The feasts of the Church give structure to the Church year and to the lives of believers ardently following the Church calendar. Each day offers nourishment, strength, inspiration and purpose for believers. Believers are never abandoned by the Lord God. Jesus Christ’s birth verifies God is with us! The Christ Child is born in each heart welcoming and cherishing Him. This is a time of anticipatory joy, a time to savor the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph and Mary experienced the joy and honor of the Christ Child’s birth. Each believer in each century is able to participate in the unending joy emanating from Christ’s birth. Welcoming hearts do not contain the joy of Christ’s birth. Welcoming hearts share the joy of Christ in daily life, throughout life. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Thirtieth Sunday after Pentecost. The Sunday of the Holy Fathers. Holy Virgin Martyr Juliana. St. Peter of the Kievan Caves. Serbian Father’s Day. Father Rodney Torbic Donations Sunday, December 20, 2020 Offering - $2,355.00 Candles - $93.00 Dues - $350.00 Sunday School Donation Danica Wess - $100 Slava Donations Danica Wess - $200 Joe & Connie Bartis - $10 Sylvester Gjurich - $20 Building Fund In Memory of Teresa Vuckovich – Sylvester Gjurich - $20 In Memory of Parents, Robert & Lillian Fleck – Debra & Gary Carpenter - $100 Large Candle Donations Stella Nikolenic in memory of Kata & Stanko Villa Richard Kondash in memory of parents Amelia & Joe Kondash Cam Palmer in memory of Eva Visnich Johnson Peter & Joanne Todorich in memory of Nikola & Milka, Nick Jr Todorich Richard & Suzette Gardenhour in memory of the Grisin & Gardenhour Families We are very happy to welcome our new Parish Priest Father Dragan Vukovic, his Popadija Vladanka, and 3 year old son Petar who arrive yesterday from Charlotte North Carolina. Please join us in the church hall, following the Divine Liturgy in welcoming them to our family! DOLLAR-A-DAY A reminder that the final collection for the Dollar-A-Day is due. Thanks to all who contributed! It was a great success! *************** MEN’S CLUB The Men’s Club will be celebrating their Slava Sveti Jovan (January 20) on Sunday, January 24, 2020 with the Blessing of the Kolac, zito and wine. They will holding a Serbian Steak Take-Out Dinner on that Sunday – details to follow. *************** FISH FRY Friday, January 29, 2020 3:00 PM to 6:30 Take out Only *************** SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NATIVITY WEBINAR ON JANUARY 2-3, 2021 With the blessings of His Grace Irinej, the Bishop of Eastern America SOC, the Department of Christian Education organizes the Webinar titled THE JOY OF NATIVITY for all the faithful people of our Diocese and their families. Please, join us! https://easterndiocese.org/news_201221_1 For more information and registration go to: https://forms.gle/GbVynYTTVSE2UofH9 *************** S t. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church- Johnstown CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 30th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (January 3rd) – The Holy Fathers (Serbian Fathers` Day) 10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy - Liturgical Readings: Epistle (Col. 3, 4-11) & Gospel (Lk. 14, 16-24) WEDNESDAY (January 6th) - Christmas Eve 9:30 AM – Divine Liturgy (of St. Basil the Great) 7:00 PM - Vigil and Blessing of the Yule Log (Badnjak) followed by blessing of Cesnica with Golden Coin and Holy Fathers’ message for everyone THURSDAY (January 7th) – The Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ - BOŽIĆ 10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy FRIDAY (January 8th) – Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos 9:30 AM – Divine Liturgy SATURDAY (January 9th) - Holy Apostle, Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen 9:30 AM – Divine Liturgy 31st SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (January 10th) – The Holy God-bearing Fathers 10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy Peace from God! Christ is born! Happy and blessed New Year 2021 to all our Parishioners! .