V. REV. DANIEL D. RESSETAR, PASTOR EMERITUS V. REV. DR. MICHAEL G. KOVACH, ASSOCIATE GLORIFY HIM! SUNDAY JANUARY 1, 2012

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1 CHRIST THE SAVIOUR ORTHODOX CHURCH A PARISH OF THE OCA DIOCESE OF EASTERN PA HIS GRACE, BISHOP TIKHON OF PHILADELPHIA 5501 OLD LOCUST LANE, HARRISBURG, PA OFFICE: HALL: FAX: WEB: CTSOCAHBG@AOL.COM REV. STEPHEN VERNAK, PASTOR SVERNAK@HOTMAIL.COM CHRIST IS BORN! V. REV. DANIEL D. RESSETAR, PASTOR EMERITUS V. REV. DR. MICHAEL G. KOVACH, ASSOCIATE GLORIFY HIM! SUNDAY JANUARY 1, th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Tone 4. Forefeast of the Theophany. Sunday Before the Theophany. THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. St. Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea in Cappadocia. Martyr Basil of Ancyra. Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:5-8 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Colossians 2:8-12 Luke 2:20-21, UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS: Jan 1, Sun: New Years Day, St. Basil the Great. Divine Liturgy -9:30am; Blessing of the Vasilopita Bread Hour Readers: (3 rd ) Scott Staller (6 th ) Chris Dupkanick Altar Servers All welcome Jan 4, Wed: Bible Study (33 N 2 nd St) noon; Vespers -6:30pm; Bible Study -7pm Jan 5, Thu: Eve of Theophany (Strict Fast). Royal Hours -9am; Vesperal Divine Liturgy- 10:30am; Parish Holy Supper -5pm; Great Compline & Blessing of Waters 7pm Jan 6, Fri: Theophany. Divine Liturgy -9:30am; Vespers (St. John) 6:30pm Jan 7, Sat: Synaxis of St. John the Baptist. Divine Liturgy 9:30am; Vespers -6pm Jan 8, Sun: Adult Ed -8:30am; Divine Liturgy -9:30am; Church School -11am; Fellowship - 11:15am; Orthodoxy :15pm Hour Readers: (3 rd ) Bill Kuchta (6 th ) Chet Lubecki Altar Servers All welcome ANCIENTFAITHRADIO.COM - 24 hour Orthodox Internet Radio OrthodoxyinAmerica.org (Traveling or Going on Vacation?) check it out! WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS!!! Please join us for fellowship in the church hall and sign our guest book in the vestibule. If you are interested in becoming a part of our community please ask to speak to Fr. Stephen. Please note: Only those faithful who are Orthodox Christians and have properly prepared themselves by fasting (from all food and drink from midnight), prayer, and recent confession; and who were present for the reading of the Epistle and Gospel, should approach to receive the Eucharist.

2 PARISH PRAYER LIST: Please remember the following persons during your daily morning and evening prayers. Names will be listed for 2 weeks unless requested. Submit names to the office by Wednesday for inclusion. Ailing: Stephen Kudrikoff (M. Theodora s cousin s son); Linda Fatula (John Dotsey s co-worker); Barbara Lee Pickering (niece of Gloria Maliniak); Landon Payne (child of Jerry & Ann Cole s friends); Thalia Studulis (sister of Paul Pellegrini); Kimberly Rapso, Louis Zang, Dorothy Metelsky (cousins & friend of M. Theodora); Saba Ghebremichael; Joan Payne (Nadzia s friend); Billy Harter (Kathy Pankiw's cousin); William Shaeffer (John R. Barn s brother-in-law); Irene Priggin s (Christine s mother); Lou DiNafo (Moe's son-in-law); Joan Sysak; Francis Friel (infant son of Lorrie Pawlush's friend); Joseph Pilc (Kathryn s son); Theodore Demopolous (Samantha s father); Addison Holl & Van Milbrand (Larry Smith s friends); Diane Chambers (Anna Doray's daughter); Jamie Krempasky & Irene Pagel (George's daughter and friend); Keturah Faust (J. Barns and L. Shuga s friend); Naomi Hershey & Carrie Faust (friends of the Cole's); Matthew Kocsis; Marlene Kalenak (Anna Doray's niece); Pauline Lapinsky, Susan Strenski, & John Fatich (Janet Kuzupas siblings); Christine Demchak (Sue s sister) Health & well-being: Joseph Russian (John R. Barn s godfather); Becky Voras (friend of Lydia Mantle); Daniel Bretz; Robin Kuzupas; Salwa Shunnara; Addison, Judy & Greg (family of Christine Priggins); Dr. Joseph & Barbara Norato; Mattie Martin; Margaret & Cecilia Hunt, (Aunt & Cousin of Larry Smith); Myron Starinshak & Diane Broskey (Libby s brother & niece); Willard Brown; Thomas Ridenour & Christian Ridenour (son & grandson of Suzanne Mioff); Joe Demchak; Tom & Bernadine Antolick (Mary Ellen Osuch s sister & brother-in-law); Deb Reigle (friend of Ann Cole); Archpriest Alexander Atty; Home-bound & in Care Facilities: Betty Danko; Agnes Risser; Millicent Russell; Shirley Sass; Nicholas Essis; Military: Stephanie King; Jessica Shingara; Kevin Leonhard; Matthew Pylypciw; Steven Heberle; Thomas Shingara; Sponsored Seminarian: Dn. Ian & M. Priscilla Shipley and family; OCMC Missionary: Christina Semon; Catechumen(s): John & Sharon Shingara; Jonathan Dunnavent; Expectant Mother(s): Jennifer Firestine; Popaija Rebecca Lange; Luda Bryzzheva Sysak; Amanda Schilling and the children to be born of them; Newly Departed: Peter Filak (friend of the Sysak s) Dec 25; Leavitt Keener Sr. (Leavitt's father) Dec 14; Carl Polansky Dec 6; Brian Miller (friend of Bob Drozd & Beth Lenker) Dec 5; Anniversaries of Those Departed: Helen Evans, grandmother of Mat. Theodora, Jan 1-79 th ; Archpriest Nicholas Fedetz, brother of Andy, Jan 1 7 th ; Helen Bushko, sister of Dorothy Fedetz, Jan 2-14 th ; Loretta Lennon, niece of Katharine Newhouse, Jan 3-6 th ; Marlene Demchak, Suzanne s sister-in-law, Jan 4 4 th ; Eleanor Thomas, mother of Eleanor Herman, Jan 4 8 th ; Watson Edward Ealy, Jan 5-13 th ; Helen Zuzulock, mother of Kathleen Z. Pankiw, Jan 5-12 th ; Fr. Dn. Mark Colby, friend of the Newhouse s, Jan 5 4 th ; Samuel Evans, Jan 6-71 st ; Andrew Matyuf, brother of Dorothy Fedetz, Jan 6-9 th ; John Popp, father of Janice Zuro, Jan 7-7 th ; Tecla Tessie Kuchta, mother of Bill, Jan 7 6 th ; Candle Offerings: For information on how to purchase commemoration candles, please go to the candle desk or speak with one of the vestrymen. Seven Day Votive is offered in Health & Salvation of the Norato Family, by Barb Norato Seven beeswax candles (on Altar Table) are offered in Memory of Helen Bushko, V. Rev. Nicholas Fedetz and Andy Matyuf, sister, brother & brother in law of Dotty Fedetz Many Years: Names will be accepted for each week. Please submit to ctsocahbg@aol.com by the preceding Wednesday for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin. Birthdays: Matthew Sysak Jan 5; Basil Kuchta - Jan 7; Nicholas Hojnicki Jan 7

3 PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS: Parish Directory Questionnaire: Please remember to complete and turn-in to the parish office the questionnaire which was included in our most recent CTS Herald. If you did not receive a questionnaire, please find one above the guest registry in the vestibule. JOB WELL DONE! Congratulations to the church school students and their teachers for putting on another WONDERFUL PRODUCTION for the parish to enjoy. House Blessings 2012: Following the Great Feast of Theophany, Fr. Stephen will be blessing homes, which will be arranged with those who sign-up in the vestibule, call or svernak@hotmail.com. Please have a candle, bowl of water, and list of living & departed members of your family ready for this visit. If possible, all members of the family should be present, and the TV, radio & cell phones turned off. 4 th Annual Blessing of the Susquehanna: this Pan-Orthodox event will be held on Sunday, January 15 th at 2pm at City Island Park. Following the blessing all are invited to Agia Sophia Coffee House (225 Market Street, Harrisburg) for some fellowship. Dress warmly & bring a friend. Men s Club Breakfast: Sunday, January 15 th following Divine Liturgy (and 0prior to the Blessing of the Susquehanna on City Island), the Men s Club will host a breakfast of pancakes, sausage links, ham, eggs, orange juice & coffee - $6.00 for adults and children under 12 are free. Please sign up in vestibule to help us in our preparations. Greeters wanted: If you would like to serve your parish by being a greeter one Sunday morning a month, please contact Joanne Wevodau at jwevodau@verizon.net, in person or call No experience necessary just a friendly smile and a willingness to help St. Tikhon s Lectionary Wall Calendar: Your copy of the Lectionary Wall Calendar is located on the umbrella stand. Please take one per household. CTS Cook Book: The reprint of CTS Cook Book is available for $ Please see Evelyn Krempansky at the sales desk in the parish hall. Save the Date: Men s Club Annual Super Bowl Party, Sunday, February 5 th. More information will be available at a later date. Recycle your Christmas Cards: The sisters at Holy Transfiguration Monastery (Ellwood City) use recycled religious greeting cards to make laminated books for children. We will have a box on the umbrella stand for the next three weeks. Simply cut your cards in half and deposit the printed part in the box. Thank you. Fellowship Hour Schedule: Parishioners are asked to help by bringing at least 48 servings of baked goods and to serve them during their assigned fellowship hour. Please check the dates below and mark your calendar accordingly. The complete list through next May 2012 is available at the parish hall. If you are unable to be at church on your scheduled date contact Nadzia Schilling at Jan 1: New Year s Day Jan 8: Larissa Shuga Evelyn Krempasky Mary White Jan 15: Joe Russian Sue Demchak Joanne Wevodau LAST SUNDAY LITURGY ATTENDANCE: 151

4 EVENTS AROUND OUR ORTHODOX COMMUNITY 75 th Annual Novogodny (New Year s) Ball: is sponsored by St. Stephen s OCF St. Stephen s Cathedral, Philadelphia) will be held on Sunday January 15, For details call Paul Fedoronko at or novogodnyball@verizon.net. There is also a flyer posted in the church hall. Pan-Orthodox Christian Singles: Is hosting a Happy 2012 Welcome Party on Saturday, Jan 21 st from 7pm to midnight. It will be held at St. Luke Orthodox Church in McLean, VA. For more information please see the flyer in the candle stand area or contact V. Rev. Gregory Safchuk at or gsafchuk@hotmail.com. Winter Retreat 2012: The Diocese of Eastern PA Offices of Young Adult Activities is hosting a Winter Retreat for Students in grades 7 12 at the Fatima Renewal Center in Dalton, PA on Feb 3-5. The Theme is Thou Art the God Who Does Wonders: Miracles & Orthodoxy, presented by Fr. Timothy Hojnicki of Holy Apostles Mission. For more information please see the flyer in the candle stand or visit 19 th Midwinter Festival 2012: The Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Wilkes Barre, PA will be hosting a Midwinter Ethnic Food & Craft Festival on Sat. February 11 th from 11am to 6pm and A performance of the Tamburitzans of Duquesne University on Sun. February 12 th at the Hazleton High School at 3pm. For more information you may themidwinterfair@aol.com or see the flyer in the candle stand area.

5 SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR SUNDAY JANUARY 1, Timothy 4:5-8 (Epistle, Sunday Before) Brethren, be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Colossians 2:8-12 (Epistle, Circumcision) Brethren, beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Mark 1:1-8 (Gospel, Sunday Before) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets: Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight. 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. OVER

6 Luke 2:20-21, (Gospel, Circumcision) At that time, the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. 21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously. 49 And He said to them, Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father s business? 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. GLORY TO THEE O LORD, GLORY TO THEE! RELFECTION Why is it necessary to listen to the Church and not listen to one man who thinks against the Church, even though he might be called the greatest thinker? Because the Church was founded by the Lord Jesus Christ, and because the Church is guided under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Because the Church represents the realm of the Holy, a grove of cultivated fruit trees. If one rises up against the realm of the Holy, it means that he is unholy and why then listen to him? "The Church is an enclosure," says the all-wise John Chrysostom. "If you are within, the wolf does not enter; but if you leave, the beasts will seize you. Do not distance yourself from the Church; there is nothing mightier that the Church. The Church is your hope. The Church is your salvation. The Church is higher than the heavens. The Church is harder than stone. The Church is wider than the world. The Church never grows old but always renews itself."