St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Carmichaels - Bulletin 553

St. George
Serbian Orthodox Church
Carmichaels, PA

Bulletin 553 - August 10 / August 23, 2009

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 10 / August 23, 2009
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
No. 553

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

I Corinthians 13:13

So faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Recent Services

August 15: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read at St. George Church.; Divine Liturgy was held at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, Fairmont, W.Va.; One person came to St. George Church for Ninth Hour and Vespers.
August 16: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.; Third and Sixth Hour were read followed by Divine Liturgy.; Twenty people came for Divine Liturgy. One communicant. Parastos held.
August 17: Midnight Office, Matins, First Hour were read.; Ninth Hour and Vespers were read.
August 18: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.; One person came for Vespers.
August 19: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.; Nine people came for Divine Liturgy. Two communicants.; Vespers was read.
August 20: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read.
August 21: Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour were read. Five people came for Vespers.
August 22: Five people came for Matins. Five people came for Vespers.

Services This Coming Week - Always Call to Confirm Weekday Schedule

Today: Third and Sixth Hours followed by Divine Liturgy.
Mornings: 5:30 AM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
Afternoons: 4:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday.
Tuesday: 6:30 PM Akathists followed by Adult Class.
Friday: 8:00 AM Divine Liturgy.

Remember Monastery Marcha with Prayers and Contributions

Important Dates

August 26 - Leave-taking of the Feast of Holy Transfiguration
August 28 - Feast of Dormition of the Mother of God.
August 28/29 - Kolo Federation Slava celebrated at Shadeland.
August 30 - St. George Kolo Slava celebrated. Covered dish dinner.
September 4/5 - St. Nikodim Chapel Slava
September 11 - Beheading of St. John the Baptist
September 14 - Ecclesiastical New Year
September 19 - Miracle of Archangel Michael
September 21 - Feast of Nativity of the Mother of God.
September 27 - Feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross.

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

Remember the Serbian People Who Are Suffering and All Suffering People.

Parish Life

: · Plan to stay for the Kolo Slava covered dish dinner next week.
: · The Kolo works for the parish throughout the year. Celebrate the Slava next Sunday.
: · Honor the Dormition Fast in the entirety.
: · Support the KSS Federation also celebrating the Feast of the Dormition.
: · The KSS Federation works for the Diocese throughout the year particularly at Shadeland Camp.
: · Remember the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, those in rehab centers, the homebound, the mentally ill, their caretakers and the institution staffs.
: · Remember the men and women serving in the military and their families.
: · Remember the workers in mines, law-enforcement, corrections, probation and parole and firefighters, all working in dangerous occupations.
: · Prepare for Holy Confession and Holy Communion on a regular basis.
: · Invite a friend or relative to attend church with you.
: · If you have a question about the services or the Church, ask Father Rodney.
: · Have faith in God everyday of your life.
: · Pray to God everyday of your life with great seriousness.
: · One person came for Adult Class on Tuesday to see the video on St. Catherine's Monastery. Class again this Tuesday.

Troparion for the Feast of the Transfiguration

Thou was transfigured on the Mount, O Christ God, revealing Thy glory to Thy disciples as far as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light shine upon us sinners! Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Giver of Light, glory to Thee!

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

To Consider

· The continued celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration.
· The effects of the Transfiguration on believers.
· Believers taking the Feast of the Transfiguration seriously.

Recent Activities of Parish Priest
August 18 - Went to St. Elijah Church in Aliquippa.
August 19 - Went to Diocesan Center.
August 20 - Went to Fairmont, W.Va.

From Psalm 21:13

Be exalted, O Lord, in Thy strength! We will sing and praise Thy power.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Matthew 18:23-35

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denari; and he laid his hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on you fellow servant just as I had pity on you? And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."

The current Gospel is a lesson in patience and personal relations. The Gospel teaches believers to be patient and forgiving with others if they expect God to be patient and forgiving with them.

When crimes occur, when people feel personally wronged, at times a rush to judgment occurs. The master forgave his servant but the servant was not forgiving with the person indebted to him.

Believers go to Holy Confession and seek God's forgiveness and mercy. Believers seek God's forgiveness throughout the year. Wise believers give careful thought to the personal forgiveness sought from God.

Wise believers weigh the personal forgiveness they seek and the degree of forgiveness exercised in personal relations. The Lord's Prayer is a constant reminder to be forgiving as one would want forgiven by God.

Our relationship with God and our relationship with the people we live with and meet in life are totally interconnected. We cannot separate our relationship with God from our relationships with the individuals in our daily lives.

Business relationships, employer-employee relationships, family and friend relationships, all are strengthened and are at their best when founded on Christ's teachings.

Impatience can lead a person to act hastily. Stress can cause a person to act hastily. Personal ambition can erroneously cause a person to rush and compromise principles.