St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Carmichaels - Bulletin 500

St. George
Serbian Orthodox Church
Carmichaels, PA

Bulletin 500 - August 4 / August 17, 2008

Chronicle of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church
Diocesan Bishop - His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN
Parish Priest - Fr. Rodney Torbic
296 Old Route 21
Carmichaels, Pennsylvania 15320
August 4 / August 17, 2008
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
No. 500

Remember to listen to the parish radio broadcast each Sunday afternoon at 12:15 on WMBS, 590 AM, Uniontown.

Galatians 3:9

So then, those who are men of faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.

Recent Services

August 9: Two people came for Ninth Hour and Vespers
August 10: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.; Twenty-four people came for Divine Liturgy, Blessing of Kolach and Koljivo. Two communicants.
August 11: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.; Five people came for Vespers. Father Vladimir Demshuck and Father Dimitre Dimitrov sang responses.
August 12: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.; Funeral held in Uniontown at funeral home for Suzanna Belch. Burial in St. George Cemetery.
August 13: Two people were present for Ninth Hour and Vespers.
August 14: Two people were present for Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour.; Two people were present for Ninth Hour and Vespers.
August 15: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.

Services This Coming Week - Always Call to Confirm Weekday Schedule

Today: Midnight Office, Matins, First, Third, Sixth Hours, Divine Liturgy.
Mornings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 5:30 AM; Midnight Office, Matins at 6:30 Am.
Afternoons: Ninth Hour and Vespers at 4:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Tuesday: Divine Liturgy at 8:00 AM.
Saturday: Divine Liturgy, Holy Trinity Mission, Fairmont, W.Va. at 10:00 AM.

Remember Monastery Marcha with Prayers and Contributions

Important Dates

August 17 - Parish Executive Board Meeting following Divine Liturgy.
August 19 - Feast of Transfiguration
August 28 - Feast of Dormition, Kolo Slava
September 5/6 - Diocesan Chapel Slava celebration
September 11 - Beheading of St. John the Baptist
September 14 - Church will begin at 8:50 AM, Father Dimitrov will serve Matins. No Divine Liturgy. Church New Year.
September 19 - Miracle of Archangel Michael.
September 21 - Nativity of Theotokos
September 27 - Elevation of Precious and Life-giving Cross.

If you are too busy to pray...you are too busy!

Pray for the Suffering Serbian People in Kosovo and Metohija

Parish Life

: · Thank you to all helping with and participating the Healthcare Day and Seminar.
: · No Adult Class this week due to Feast of Transfiguration.
: · It is important for parishioners to come to church as often as possible on Sundays and whenever possible on weekdays.
: · If you have not been to Holy Confession or Communion recently, it is time to prepare.
: · If you do not celebrate your Slava, please begin this year..
: · Monetary donations are being accepted immediately and will continue to be accepted to help the needy in Kosovo. When donating, please designate the contribution for Diocesan Relief Fund. The situation is urgent and of great importance.
: · Remember the men and women working in dangerous occupations including those in the mines and criminal justice agencies, the police, correctional officers and parole agents.
: · Remember the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, those in rehab centers, nursing homes, jails and prisons. Remember the staff members and caretakers.
: · Remember the men and women serving in the military and their families.
: · Remind your friends and neighbors to listen to the parish radio program.
: · Take a bulletin to give to someone that might be interested in the St. George Church.
: · Each parishioner is a missionary for the St. George Church.
: · Honor the Dormition Fast until the Divine Liturgy on August 28.
: · Sympathy extended to the families of newly departed this life +Suzanna Belch and +Katherine Evosevich Grooms.

A Thought from His Holiness Patriarch PAVLE

At that time the early Christians kept all the tradition of the fast, understanding that fasting is a holy institution from the Old Testament. God ordered the fasting periods as an everlasting plan. In the New Testament Jesus Christ Himself fasted and taught His Disciples to fast. The Apostles and Saints also kept this.

(1997 Serbian Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood Calendar, p. 101. )

Remember the Students at St. Sava School of Theology, Libertyville, Illinois

To Consider

· Benefits to the soul of fasting.
· Spiritual and physical fasting.
· Discipline and cleansing of the mind, heart and soul.

Recent Activities of Parish Priest
August 9-Went to Morgantown for printing purposes.
August 10-11-Healthcare Day and Healthcare Seminar
August 12-Funeral service for +Suzanna Belch-Uniontown, Pa.

From the Wisdom of Sirach
18:1

He who lives forever created the whole universe; the Lord alone will be declared righteous.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost 2008
Matthew 14:22-34

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the middle of the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. Abut immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: "Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid." And Peter answer Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So, He said, "Come," and when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

During the storms of life, it is best to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for protection and stability. The Lord Jesus Christ provides a calm harbor when the seas of life are stormy. The Lord Jesus Christ is the anchor of safety.

The Lord Jesus Christ said: "On this rock I will build My Church and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18) Jesus provides certainty in times of uncertainty.

The Psalmist said: "When I thought, 'My foot slips,' Thy steadfast love, O Lord, held me up." (Ps. 93/94:18) The Lord Jesus Christ helps when we do not expect it. The Lord Jesus Christ helps in ways we do not expect.