St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church A Parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

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1 St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church A Parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Rev. Fr. Dave Urban, Pastor 2688 California Avenue Very Rev. Fr. John Brancho, Pastor Emeritus Pittsburgh, Pa Timothy Martin, Reader Rectory: Matthew Peifer, Stephen Brancho, & John Radick, Cantors OrthodoxPittsburgh1937@gmail.com Matthew Peifer, Church Council President June 25, 2017 A TWO (2) WEEK BULLETIN Volume III 3 rd Sunday after Pentecost / Venerable Onuphrius the Great 9:30 am Deacon s Service w/ Eucharist Tone 2 Liturgical Color: Green Epistle: Romans 5:1-10; Gospel: Matthew 6:22-33 Additional Collection for our Community Outreach READINGS FOR THE WEEK * Monday Romans 9:18-33 All Scripture is inspired by God and is Matthew 11:2-15 * Tuesday Romans 10:11-11:2 profitable for teaching, for reproof, for Matthew 11:16-20 * Wednesday Romans 11:2-12 correction, and for training in Matthew 11:20-26 * Thursday Romans 11:13-24 righteousness, that the man of God Matthew 11:27-30 * Friday Romans 11:25-36 may be complete, equipped for every good work. 1 Tim.3:16-17 Matthew 12:1-8 * Saturday Romans 6:11-17 Matthew 8:14-23 * Apostles Fast (Peter & Paul Fast) * Let us imitate Christ and the Saints and fast as they did. Sunday, July 2 nd - 4 th Sunday after Pentecost / Apostle Jude 9:30 am Deacon s Service w/ Eucharist Tone 3 Liturgical Color: Green Epistle: Romans 6:18-23; Gospel: Matthew 8:5-13 SERVICES AND READINGS FOR THE WEEK Friday, July 7 9:30 Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist * Monday Romans 12:4-5,15-21 All Scripture is inspired by God and is Matthew 11:2-15 * Tuesday Romans 14:9-18 profitable for teaching, for reproof, for Matthew 11:16-20 * Wednesday Romans 15:7-16 correction, and for training in Matthew 11:20-26 * Thursday Romans 15:17-29 righteousness, that the man of God Matthew 11:27-30 * Friday Romans 16:1-16 may be complete, equipped for every Matthew 12:1-8 * Saturday Romans 8:14-21 good work. 1 Tim.3:16-17 Matthew 8:14-23 * Apostles Fast (Peter & Paul Fast) * Let us imitate Christ and the Saints and fast as they did. Sunday, July 9 5 th Sunday after Pentecost / Venerable David of Salonica 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Tone 4 Liturgical Color: Green Epistle: Romans 10:1-10; Gospel: Matthew 8:28-9:1 Additional Collection for our Capital Improvement Fund / NS Parish Picnic A Warm Welcome To Our Visitors! Glory Be To Jesus Christ! (Glory Be Forever!) Slava Isusu Christu! (Slava na v iki!) We are happy that you have joined us today! Please join us downstairs for coffee and a bite to eat. It is our pleasure to have you in our presence this morning and we wish God s Blessings to all who visit with us today and hope you stop in again soon! If you have any questions in regards to our worship or Orthodoxy, please see Fr. Dave and he will gladly answer any of your questions to the best of his ability. He looks forward to meeting you! LOOKING AHEAD LOCALLY Wednesday, July 12 9:30 Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul Tuesday, July 18 7pm Moleben to St Nectarios with holy anointing and brief discussion Tues., July 25 7pm Akathist to the Icon of the Inexhaustible Cup with holy anointing & brief discussion BULLETIN BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS (Please have submissions for this section to Father by Wednesday.) Father s Vacation Father Dave is on vacation in Romania until Tuesday, July 4 th. Please contact the following priests for any hospital visits or other emergencies: Fr. Robert Prepelka: Fr. Nik Ferencz: *Fr. Michael Zak: (*Fr Zak will not be available from 6/25-28) This Bulletin is offered: In memory of +John Kailyar. May his memory be eternal! Transfiguration Donations Let s fill our donation bins in the hall for our annual drive for Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City. Please bring in your items ASAP. Icon Cards Please consider repurposing your greeting cards for the monastery. The collection box is in the vestibule. Thank you for giving back!

2 St John s Parish Picnic Our annual parish picnic is around the corner! We will gather on Sunday, July 9 th from Noon to 5:00 at The Cabin in North Park (988 E Ingomar Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101). Everyone is welcome! Come and experience a day of fun amongst family and friends. We will share a pot-luck meal so bring your favorite recipe to share (a sign up sheet is in the church hall so that we get a good variety). There will be activities for all! If you need directions, please see Fr Dave. For other questions, please see a Church Council member. Coat Drive Do you have a clean coat or two that you have not worn in years but it still looks good and you don t want to get rid of it? We are now collecting coats and jackets, in good condition, to donate to FOCUS Pittsburgh this August. We will store the clean coats on the coat rack in the church hall. Holy Fire from Jerusalem for your home - If you would like to take the Holy Fire home, one option is to purchase a 6-day candle (that fits nicely in car cup holders) and take the Light home. (It s not recommended to drive with the windows open.) When the candle is out, we d appreciate it if you brought the empty glass back to church with you the following week. (Purchase multiple candles and keep the flame going!) Garage Sale Items The church hall is ready to receive your articles that you are not using in your house, yet could be of good use to someone else! Begin bringing them in when you come for a service at the church. Coffee Social Stewards Are Needed! The sign up sheet for the weekly coffee social is in the church hall. On weeks that no one signs up for the coffee social, we will have a pot-luck meal. On these weeks, we ask that every household brings something small for a pot-luck surprise spread for the community to enjoy that week! On weeks that someone shows up, they are in charge of how they would like to handle that week s social. (Don t over think the menu - Plan to keep it simple J) The Divine Liturgy concludes at the final blessing, but the liturgy continues downstairs as we gather in love and fellowship with our parish family and visiting neighbors. Lets keep this critical ministry alive in our parish! Coffee Social Steward Schedule July 2: Pot-Luck July 9: Pot-Luck July 16: Pot-Luck July 23: Patty Watson Thank you to all those who support this critical ministry of our Church! Visit Our Parish & Diocese On-Line St John s: Diocesan Website: Camp Nazareth: FB: Twitter: twitter.com/acrodnews You Tube: youtube.com/acroddiocese ORTHODOXY AROUND DA BURGH Upcoming Greek Food Festivals: Ø July Holy Trinity (2930 Beaver Rd., Ambridge) Please see the flyer on the bulletin board in the church hall for times and more information or visit The Incredible Race Orthodox Christian Vacation Church School at Holy Cross (123 Gilkeson Rd., Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228). Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 from 9:00am ~ 12:00 Noon (*8:30am for Monday, July 24 th ). For all children age 3 through entering 6 th grade (older students, parents, and interested adults are welcome to volunteer!) Nominal registration fee: $12 if received by 6/30; $17 by 7/15; $22 after 7/15. Camp Bible School - Fellowship, Learning, and Fun at the O.C.A. Archdiocese Center (8641 Peters Rd., Cranberry Twp., PA 16066). Saturday, July 29 from 11:00am ~ 5:00pm with Vespers and Bonfire to follow. For all children Kindergarten through 6 th grade. Lunch, Dinner, and Desert by the campfire provided. RSVP to Nicole Yakich at by July 15 th. Holy Land Tour Journey through the land of Jesus Hosted by Taybeh Tours. 10 day Holy Land Tour from September 13-23, Deadline to sign up is June 25 th. Only 25 seats available. Cost is $2,950 all-inclusive (airline tickets, hotels, 3 meals a day, tour guide, and tips). More information is on the flyer in the Church Hall or by contacting TAYBEH TOURS: Rula Khoury: Cell: / taybehtours@gmail.com.

3 STEWARDSHIP SNIPPET From: Giving Away the Kingdom Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it. (Matthew 21: 43) The New Testament is full of parables which Christ attempts to teach us using common day examples. We see in Matthew, Chapter 21, several parables. The parable of the two sons (versus 28-32) and the parable of the wicked tenants (versus 33-41) both teach us that we are not guaranteed a place in the Kingdom of God. Eternal life is truly a gift that God has given us but how we experience that gift depends entirely on how we use the gifts that God has given us as well as expressing our gratitude for those gifts. In the first parable, we see one son promising his father that he will go into the fields and work while the second son states that he will not go into the field to work but changes his mind and does. Christ asks which of the sons obeyed his father? Are we like the first son who talked the game but that is all or like the second son who initially refused but then realized the errors of his ways and went to do what the father requested finally realizing all the father has given him. The second parable concerns a landowner who cleared the land, planted vines, makes a wine press and then turn it over to tenants to work. When the owner sends servants and his son, the tenants beat them and in the case of the son, kills him. He asks the question to the religious leaders, what will he do to those tenants? The religious leaders say that he should put them to death not realizing they in their selfrighteousness are condemning themselves. God has given them every spiritual advantage, instructions, liturgy, wisdom, the prophets and still, they missed the mark of the Messiah. They rejected the message. What was the result of all this, the Jews had their kingdom taken away, and God gave to another, who heard the message, accepted it and changed the world. What do you think will happen if the message is again rejected? WE must use the time, talents and treasure that God has given us to produce the fruits of the message, the fruits of the vineyard. We have been given so much and have done so little with it. It is not too late to start. Use the gifts that God has given you for the glory of God and for a good accounting at the awesome judgment seat by being good stewards. STEWARDSHIP SNIPPET (Take 2) Bad Excuses Honor the Lord with your substances and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (Proverbs 3: 9-10) We tend to shy away from a discussion involving money when it comes to stewardship. The reason lies in the fact that the Western church has put such an emphasis on it in America that even the Orthodox Church has adopted the westernization of stewardship. We have tried very hard to present the true biblical connotation of stewardship through the Diocesan Stewardship Commission. Stewardship of your treasure/wealth is an important factor in the church. Without it, the church cannot pay the mortgage, priest salary, utilities and most importantly, outreach efforts. Excuses for not giving in proportions to what God has given to you are usually based on the misunderstanding of scriptures and misunderstanding their church. There are five bad excuses for not giving to the church. First, God doesn t tell us to give! What? The scriptures are full of verses about generosity, look at Proverbs 3:9 or 1 Timothy 6: and then try to use the excuse that God does not tell us to give. PRAY VOLUNTEER DONATE Childhood hunger is a problem that affects over 13 million children in the United States, and too many of these children live right here in our community. For eleven weeks this summer, the Orthodox churches of Pittsburgh will serve over 1,000 meals to children who suffer from childhood hunger. We need volunteers to prepare and distribute meals! We need you June 13 - August 11! Sign up at For questions, apazzynski@focusna.org. I hear the next excuse all the time, I don t make enough money. Did you ever notice that there is no exclusion clause in the scriptures! Show me where it says that if you don t make enough money, you are excluded from giving to God. Read Luke 21: 1-4, where Christ commends the poor woman for giving in poverty and not of surplus. Next is the excuse that I am in debt. Remember you made the choices to put yourself in that position through your self-centered desires and although you should meet the obligations you committed yourself to, do not make the mistake of not giving to God in gratitude for what He has already given you. The fourth excuse is a dandy. This one states, My money won t make a difference! You feel that your contribution is too small to have an impact. NONSENSE! It is amazing what God can do when a lot of people contribute a small amount in cheerfulness and gratitude. That small amount helps pay the priest who administers the sacraments, helps counsel and mend marriages,

4 counsel those addicted, feeds the poor and all because you gave! And final we get the granddaddy of all excuses, I know how to manage money better than the church. Everybody is a financial whiz, how is that working for you? Have you taken the time to talk to your priest about how the money is spent and what impact it has in the parish? Have you taken the time to get involved with the parish and help impact the lives of others without being critical of everything that is being done? Have you tried to work in the church without being sensitive to who gets credit for successes or initiatives? If you are not giving to God (the Church) in proportion to what He has given you as the first fruits of what He has given you then you need to reread the scriptures and talk to your priest about how this may affect your salvation. Be a servant steward for our Lord. LIVING ORTHODOXY OUR TRUE SELF: The restoration of our true self The Lord Jesus Christ was humble, meek and an offering to God and with a commitment to good, and with the help of the Lord we too can be restore our soul to it's original state. True humble. Fasting and prayer are the means by repentance is the beginning of life and leads to which God can change our hearts, but we must communion with God. The restoration of our true approach both with humility and purpose. Saying self can only be done with God's help, for without our prayers quickly just to get through them is no Him we can do nothing. prayer at all. Fasting, likewise, must be done as Love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon GREATER VIRTUE: The great virtue of forgiving those who offend us There is the story of Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus who invited Hilarion the Great to dinner, and in order to show his hospitality place fried chicken on the table. Hilarion, when he saw the fried chicken, asked forgiveness, but said he had not eaten meat since his tonsure as a monk. Saint Epiphanius responded by saying that he, since his monastic tonsure, had never gone to bed without first forgiving his enemy. Moved by his words, Hilarion said: Your virtue is From the lighter side THE CAB DRIVE A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look mate, don't ever do Parish Stewardship Opportunities - Take one of the coffee social weeks - Bring in a lightly used coat for FOCUS - Join the ACRY - Attend additional services - Bring in items for the Garage Sale - Donate to our parish - Donate to our Monthly Community Outreach greater than mine, Oh holy master! Fasting is indeed an admirable thing, but it is more admirable to forgive those who have insulted us. It is through our fasting that we prepare for charity, but by forgiving insults, we show our charity. Our fasting precedes forgiveness, but fasting alone does not save without forgiveness. They both dined on fried chicken. With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon that again. You scared the daylights out of me!" The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much." The driver replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years". THINGS TO CONSIDER Office Hours Will resume after July 5 th - Monday-Friday from 9am 4pm OR by appointment. Online Community Please Fr. Dave at fr.sleepless@gmail.com to receive the weekly bulletin via . Phone Tree Please call Fr. Dave at to be added to our Phone Tree. Mystery of Confession Opportunities are available after every service, Saturdays during fasting periods from 11:00am to 1:00 pm, OR by appointment. Holy Communion/Eucharist The reception of the Holy Eucharist is encouraged by all Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared themselves, with fasting from midnight on, regular Confession, and forgiveness for all people. Those who are not Orthodox may receive a blessing from the chalice. Emergency Sick Calls Please notify Fr Dave when you or a family member are going into the hospital or having a procedure so he can pray with you and you may receive the Anointing to be fully prepared. Baptisms Please consult Father ASAP for details. Marriages Please consult Father ASAP for details (before arrangements are made for the hall). Church Funerals are provided for practicing Orthodox Christians who are current in their spiritual and financial obligations; otherwise burial is from the funeral home. The Church does not permit cremation. The cremation of bodies is not a Christian act. It is a custom of modern times. The body of a Christian has been sanctified with the Grace of the Holy Spirit, and as such may not be burned. God did not create our bodies for burning. - Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

5 PRAYER CORNER Our Parish Prayer List for Special Intentions & Other Needs * A Prayer For The Sick: O Christ, You alone are prompt to defend us; quickly visit Your suffering servant name. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, deliver him/her from sickness and bitter pain. Heal him/her so that he/she may sing to You and always praise You for You alone love us. Amen. For the Health of... Helen R., Ann, Eleanor D., Julie, Jane, Mildred, Mark, Viola, Juliana, Nathaniel, Katie, Kenneth, Michael, Teresa, David, Larry, Susan, Anna Mae, Roberta, Fr Shuster, Thomas, Lawrence, Fredrick, Donald, Iris, Helen B., Sharon, Dustin, Daniel, Herb, Maria, Matthew...through the prayers of St. Nectarios the Wonderworker; St. Luke, the Surgeon; and St. Panteleimon, the Great-Martyr & Healer. Birthday Prayers for Pańi Marianna Bannon (6/25), Darlene Labas (6/26), Nicole (Mushinsky) Maruscak (6/27), Ryan Dzadony (6/28), Aislinn Verbanick (6/28), John Radick (6/29), Dr. Elizabeth Radomsky (6/29), Fr Miles Zdinak (6/29), Joanna Delaney (7/2), Pańi Stacey Mihaly (7/5), Jessica Winkler (7/8) May God allow them to grow in peace & love all the days of their lives & may He grant them many & blessed years! Na Mnohaja I Blahaja L ita! Anniversary Prayers for Daniel & Linda Gavulich (6/27) May God fill them with His grace that they may continue to live in unity with Him! For the Special Intentions of... Bishop Gregory, Stephen, David, Joshua, Anastasia, Nicholas, Cassandra, Alexander, Nancy, Amee, Andrea, Christopher, Ryan, Marianne, Jason, Nicole, David, Penelope, Tyrone and our Church Council and Relocation Committee: Matthew, John, Timothy, Patricia, Theresa, Lawrence, Jane, Sharon, Cynthia, Katherine, Eleanor, John, Richard, John, and Margaret...through the prayers of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker; St. John the Baptist; the Archangels Michael & Gabriel; and the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. For those serving in the Armed Forces & Civil Authorities... Sgt. Walter Dylan Mushinsky, Maj. Michael Repasky...through the prayers of St George, the Great-Martyr & Wonderworker. For Expectant Mothers Jessica, Sharon, Roxanne, Pańi Katie, Pańi Kristina...through the prayers of St Anna, the mother of the Theotokos, & St Irene Chrysovalantou. For our Catechumens & Inquirers through the prayers of St. Paul the Apostle, St. Mary Magadalene, and St. John Maximovitch. For those preparing for Marriage through the prayers of Sts. Adrian & Natalia & all Holy Martyrs. * This is to be used for the special intentions of our brothers and sisters and can be inserted as a prayer itself into our daily prayers. Please let Fr. Dave know if you would wish to make additions or subtractions (in the case of answered prayers) to our Parish List. The words of the Gospel are true: it is good to pray for one another. Let this be a place where we lay out our concerns and beg the help of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Those whom we add to the list do NOT need to be Orthodox Christians. SPIRITUAL VITAMINS FOR THE WEEK Those who accept and appropriate Christ s love are reconciled to God, being restored to peace and communion with Him. God has not ceased to be our Friend, for He is unchangeable. We are the ones who have changed and thus need changing. So while we were still rebellious enemies of God, God was working in His love to restore us. " Orthodox Study Bible, Romans 5:10 A mere glance at holy books arouses one towards the pious life." +St. Epiphanius of Cyprus It is required that not only with the body should we fast, but with the soul. Now the soul is humbled when it does not follow wicked opinions, but feeds on becoming virtuous. For virtues and vices are the food of the soul, and it can eat either of these two. Bend your appetite toward virtues, as St Paul says, Being nourished by the Word of Truth." +St. Athanasius of Alexandria DEVOTIONAL PRAYER OF THE WEEK: Another Prayer for Travel O Lord Jesus Christ my God, be my Companion, guide and protector during my journey. Keep me from all danger, misfortune and temptation. By Your divine power grant me a peaceful and successful journey and safe arrival. In You I place my hope and trust and You I praise, honor and glorify, together with Your Father and Holy Spirit now and forever and ever. Amen.