Parish Contact Information. December 30, Canada Road Painted Post, NY 14870

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1 Special points of interest: Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:4-11 Gospel Reading: Luke 14:16-24 Tone: 6 Liturgical Color: Purple December 30, Canada Road Painted Post, NY S A I N T M A R Y ' S O R T H O D O X C H U R C H THE THEOTOKIAN Sunday, December 30, :30am Divine Liturgy Sunday of the Holy Forefathers Panachida memory of +Mae Mary Shonak offered by Helen Molson; Panachida memory of +Paul Mertus offered by Mertus Family Tuesday, January 1, :00 Annual Parastas memory of +Charles, +Anna Havalchak; +Andrew Minchie offered by Havalchak Family 9:30am Saturday, January 5, :00pm Vespers/Confessions Sunday, January 6, 2019 Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom SUNDAY BEFORE NATIVITY STRICT FAST 7:00pm Nativity Eve Vigil WELCOME! Welcome to all our visitors and guests who participate in our celebration of the Divine Liturgy today. We are glad you are here. While Holy Communion may only be received by prepared Orthodox Christians, our guests are welcome to join us in venerating the cross and receiving blessed bread at the conclusion of the Liturgy. We also hope you will join us for the Coffee Social afterward. Parish Contact Information Rev. Father Daniel Mahler Presiding Priest Rectory: Father s Cell: Father s Office:: Charles (Chuck) Coons Council President/Cantor:

2 THE THEOTOKIAN Epistle Reading: Colossians 3:4-11 Brethren, When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all. Gospel Reading: Saint Luke 14: Let us attend, The Lord said this parable: A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time of the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, Come; for all is now ready. But they all alike began to make excuses. The firs said to him, I have bought a field, and I go out and see it; I pray you, have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to examine them; I pray you, have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame. And the servant said, Sir, what you commanded has been done, and there is still room. And the master said to the servant, Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste may banquet. For many are called, but few are chosen. 2

3 THE THEOTOKIAN By Stanley S. Harakas JEWISH COVENANT Q: Isn t it true that Christ, also being a Jew, fulfilled the Jewish Covenant with God and that because of Christ, the Jews therefore didn t fail God? And through Jesus Christ Jews and Gentiles were brought into the heavenly Holy of Holies? Isn t it true that the Old Testament tabernacle (of Moses time) was to teach that sin kept humanity from God? A: You are actually asking two questions, one about Jews and Gentiles, and one about the meaning of the Tabernacle. In response to the first point, it is quite clear that the New Testament and the whole Christian tradition understands Jesus Christ as fulfilling the Covenant of God with the Hebrew people, in that Jesus is the Messiah. However, the coming of Christ was an act of God, not an act of human persons. From Romans 1-4, we understand the New Testament approach to the Jews and to the Gentiles. St. Paul s purpose in this letter is to show that both Jews and Gentile people have not lived up to God s expectations of them: the Gentiles because they disobeyed the moral law which they know by nature, and the Jews because they disobeyed the mosaic law which they received by divine revelation from God. Thus, St. Paul concludes: All who have sinned without the law will be judged by the law (Romans 2:12). And further, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This means that all have need of the saving work of Jesus Christ. Though the Jews have a certain privileged status because they were chosen by God to be the vehicle for His revelation to humankind, it does not avail them anything regarding salvation since they, like the Gentiles ( the Greeks ) are sinners who cannot save themselves, but need the Savior, Jesus Christ, for salvation (Romans 3:1-8). So he says, What then? Are we Jews any better off (then the Gentiles)? No, not at all: for I have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin. (Romans 3:9). Jesus s saving work, then was for all people, Jews and Gentile, He made it possible that all people be saved. But it is not automatic, neither for the Jews nor the Greeks (the pagan Gentiles). For either to appropriate for themselves what God has done for humanity both Jews and pagan Gentiles must believe in what Christ has done for us. As St. Paul puts it: God is one; and He will justify the circumcised (the Jews) on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised (the pagan Gentiles) through their faith (Romans 3:30). Speaking of both Jews and pagan Gentiles, St. Paul thus concludes: Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God (Romans 5: 1-2). In chapters 7-10 of the New Testament book of Hebrews this same truth is stated in terms of the difference between the inadequate priestly worship of the Old Testament as compared with the High Priestly work of Jesus Christ. In these chapters a detailed parallel is drawn between the two. Thus, you are correct when you suggest that both Jews and Gentiles were brought into the heavenly Holy of Holies. But it must be understood here, as we, that this is not automatic and mechanical. It requires our response of faith, and a life in conformity with that faith for our salvation to be realized and for us as persons to enter in that heavenly Holy of Holies. 3

4 THE THEOTOKIAN PREPARING OUR BETHLEHEM Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to aa!/adorn yourself, O Ephratha,, for the tree of life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!/ Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit./ If we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam./ Christ is coming/being born to restore the image/icon which He made in the beginning. (Troparion, Forefeast of Nativity.) Christ comes into our world to turn things around, to transfigure the previously death-bringing into the life-bringing. He comes and creates in us a new spiritual paradise, gifting us a new kind of productivity, by His grace, in which His word blossoms forth from us in ever-new ways. As He promises anyone who believes in Him, the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (Jn 4:14) In the above-quoted hymn, the Church calls each of us to identify with Beth-lehem, meaning House of Bread in Hebrew (and interestingly, House of Meat in Arabic), preparing our own house, as unseemly as it may be, to receive the Bread of Life, now opened to all. This doesn t mean mustering up the Christmas spirit by my own, Christmas-related efforts, but rather opening my heart to Christ, in a bit more stillness, gratitude and humility before the mystery of the upcoming feast. Christ is coming to restore the image which He made in the beginning. 4

5 THE THEOTOKIAN A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT To the Faithful of St. Mary s, The 2018 Annual Meeting will be held on January 27, If anyone has an item they would like considered being placed on the agenda, please contact either me or Father Dan. One agenda item that will be discussed is changing from the old calendar to the new calendar. This issue is resurfacing because there was talk years ago about possibly changing to the new calendar when we occupied the new church. There will be ample time to discuss the option at the Annual Meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may submit a written statement that will be read aloud in the meeting.. In March ballots will be given to each member in good standing. If the vote is to proceed with the calendar change,, then it will be presented to the Metropolitan s office for his blessing, and the change will be effective with the Liturgical calendar starting on September 1, The By-laws of the church state that to be a voting member you must be a member in good standing. A member in good standing is one that has paid their dues and is in good sacramental standing. If you are unsure of the status of your dues, please see Rodney. If you are unsure of your sacramental standing, please see Father Dan dues will be collected until the start of the Annual Meeting on January 27th. Dues paid after that date will be credited to the 2019 dues. As a note, $71 of the dues goes towards the annual Diocesan assessment. Please make an effort to be at the Annual Meeting on January 27, This is your church, and it is an opportunity to hear from others and offer you input in the workings of our beloved St. Mary s. In Christ, Chuck Coons Parish President 5

6 29 Myra Svyrydenko God grant your servants good health, peace, and salvation for many blessed years! 2018 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING! SUNDAY JANUARY 27, 2019 Mark your calendar today and plan to participate and contribute to the operation of YOUR church! His Eminence, Metropolitan GREGORY; Protopresbyter Frank Miloro; Protopresbyter John Duranko; Protopresbyter Jim Dutko; Protopresbyter Luke Mihaly; Protopresbyter Lawrence Barriger; Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky; Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka; V. Rev. Thomas Kadlek; Very Rev. John Baranik; V. Rev. Michael Psenechnuk; Rev. James Gleason; V. Rev. Robert Lucas; V. Rev. Jason Kappanadze; Deacon Charles Ellis; Deacon Donald Koch; Mother Ralphaela; Pani Joan; Pani Kathleen Dutko; Pani Patricia Duranko; Pani-Matka Julia Romanchak; Sally Ellis; Judy Koch; Michael Banik; Helen Verno; Eleanor Adzima; Michael & Delores Kundrat; Vasyl & Lyudmyla Hayova; Helen Coons; Mary Benyo; Anna Chudanic; Michael Matzkevich; Marlene Wheet; Helen Molson; Donna Blazosky; Art Gallant; Nancy Murphy-Teed; Joyce Nissen; Chelsea Roman; Gloria Ewsuk; Andrew Chudanic; Tammy Pierson; Jeanne Zimmer; Denise Topichak; John Cowherd; Sylvia Serdula; Stephen Brancho; Carole Herrlich; Gary Herrlich; Daniel Donnelly; Jean Cox; Mae Antos; Dimitri Wallick; Roberta Glosser; John Chach To Jonathan Share who is serving in the United States Navy; Douglas Linsey serving in the United States Army, Jordan Worobey serving in the United States Navy and to all of our men and women who are serving and protecting our country both at home and abroad. Through faith, O Christ, You justified the Patriarchs, for through them You made a commitment to a church with Gentiles. These Saints are glorified because from them descends the Virgin who gave You birth. Through their prayers, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen. You did not worship a man-made image, O Thrice-Blessed Youths, but were glorified in the test of fire, protected by a power beyond description. From the searing flames you cried out to God, saying: Hasten to help us, O Merciful Lord for in Your greatness You can do whatever You will. Tropar and Kondak Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, the Patriarch 6

7 CONTACT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Church Website: Saintmarysorthodoxchurchcorning.org Follow our Diocese On-Line Diocesan Website acrod.org Camp Nazareth campnazareth.org Facebook: facebook.comacroddiocese Twitter: twitter.com/acrodnews YouTube youtube.com/archdiocese This weeks Eternal Light and Bulletin are sponsored by SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 Sunday before the Nativity; of the Genealogy 9:30am Divine Liturgy of St. John STRICT FAST 7:00pm NATIVITY EVE VIGIL MONDAY, JANUARY 7 10:00am Divine Liturgy of St. Basil Christmas Social CAROLE HERRLICH In honor of MILDRED SOSONKA HELEN COONS MAYA & CAROLINE QUAYENORTEY HELEN MOLSON CAROL TELEHANY May God grant them many blessed years! Mnohaja I Blahaja L ita! 7

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9 Archpastoral Letter for the Nativity 2018/2019 Protocol. No. 21/2018 December 25, 2018 / January 7, 2019 CHRIST IS BORN! GLORIFY HIM! Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you with joy and love in the Name of our Incarnate Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to Almighty God, by whose grace we have been given the opportunity to celebrate the Birth of His Son. If we look around, we find hatred, mistrust, suffering, and the absence of peace and love in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, country, and in fact the whole world. This reality in life makes us cry out for God s help, assistance, and intervention. My beloved ones, despite all the suffering, sorrow and injustice in our world, today joy and hope comes to us once more. That s why at this blessed time of the year we look forward to the arrival of the new born King. Therefore let us celebrate the miracle of His Birth. Let kindness come with every gift. Let compassion, forgiveness and love come with every greeting. Let our hearts be filled with prayer, charity, and reconciliation for one another. May all of us, Priests, Panis, Deacons, Sub-Deacons, Readers, Archons, Parish Officers, Parishioners (young and old), Friends and Supporters of the God-protected American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese experience the joy and wonders of the Shepherds and the awe and respect of the Three Wise Men at the arrival of the Messiah, our new born King. Christ is Born! Greetings from Johnstown with much love, +Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa 9

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