Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church A Parish of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese Ecumenical Patriarchate

10201 Democracy Blvd Potomac, Maryland 20854

301-299-5120 (Office) 301-367-9051 (cell) 301-983-0874 (Parish Hall/Fax) www.holyresurrection.com

Father Peter Zarynow, Pastor Subdeacon Anastasios Davis

Sunday 27 December 2015 Thirtieth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday of the Forefathers Martyr Thyrsus Epistle: Colossians 3:12-16

Gospel: Luke 17:20-19 The Schedule of Divine Services for the week is as Follows:

27 Dec (SUN) 30th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday of the Forefathers No Sunday School Classes today Confessions 9:15am Chanting of the Third Hour 9:40am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10am Panachida: +Debora Lindsay, by daughter Kate Coffee Social to follow

03 Jan (SUN) Sunday Before Nativity Sunday School 9:00am Confessions 9:15am Chanting of the Third Hour 9:40am Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 10am Coffee Social to follow

Announcements: Confessions will be heard on Sunday mornings from 9:15-9:45am and by appointment. All faithful are encouraged to come to the Sacrament every 8-10 weeks, on average, to help maintain spiritual health. Prepare the Manger of your soul to receive the new-born Saviour! We are now in the season of The Pre-Nativity (Advent Fast). The fast runs until Nativity Eve, 6 January. All Fasting guidelines apply during this Holy Season! Keep in mind Bishop Gregory’s Advent Prayer challenge. Copies of the evening prayer are available as you exit the church following Divine Liturgy. Deepest sympathies are expressed to Kevin and Kate Lindsay on the falling asleep in the Lord of Kate's mother, Debora Jean Lindsay on 24 December. Funeral Services will be held at the Stauffer Funeral Home in Mt. Airy, Maryland on Tuesday morning. Visitation at 10am with Service at 11. Burial will follow at the Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery about 10 minutes away in Monrovia. Please keep the family in your prayers. May her memory be Eternal! Ecclesiastical Wall Calendars for 2016 are now available on the back hall table. Please take only as many as you need, but not more than you need. Please pray for the following: Bishop Gregory, Bishop Matthias, Fr. Frank Miloro; Fr. Ronald Hazuda, Fr. John & Paňi BettyJean Baranik, Fr. Lev Holovaty, Fr. George Rados, Fr. Paul Herbert, Fr. George Hutnyan, Fr. Paul Stoll, Fr. Gregory Allard, Fr. Lawrence & Paňi Linda Barriger, Fr. James Gleason, Fr. Luke Mihaly, Fr. Robert Teklinski, Fr. Ted Mozes, Fr. Thomas Blaschak, Monk Nicholas, Dn. Peter Skoog, Paňi Donna Smoley, Paňi Yvonne Lysack, Paňi Kathy Dutko, Paňi Karen Miklos, Paňi AnnaMarie Slovesko, Paňi Mary Kundla, Paňi Katherine Jula, Fr. John & Paňi Patricia Duranko, Dn. Michael Kozar, Elisa Castilla, Ann Thear, Owen Moriak, Chris Hallberg; Beth & Ed ‘Skeets’ Williams, Les & Carol Miller, Steve & Grace Sheftic, MaryAnn Muchesko, Ivan Pop, Cindy Russell, Michael & Elaine Buchko, Ann Dahulich, Dorothy Mastronicola, Nicholas Yacko, Mildred Bartko, Savannah and Caroline Boyd, Taina Ferguson, Angie Wali, Megan Antonishek, Nancy Lynn Arthur, Mary Urbas, Irma Opacic, Robert Polomchak, Yoel Ramos, Tony Zankey, Sally Hubiak, Justin Popek, Nadia Sumner, Karen Ogden, Julie Miner, Chris Murdock, Cherie Bare, Joshua, Faye & Tess, Emilie Dixon, Paul Tobias, Shirley Miree, Michael Rake, Barbara Arney, Brian Petyo, Mary Ferrante, Olga Vasconez, Mary O’Rourke, Diane Dupere-Lindell, Gerry Sadler, Ann Eckert, Anna & Len Bocinski, Stan Damren, Marie Shostko, Lois Hall, Marshal Smith, Dave Stanton, Andrew Sussman, Florence Gregoric, Marian Fallon, Dennis Davis, James & Melody Peyton, Louann Giger, Daniel Ward, Jennifer Brady, Allen Rushnok, Carol Blum, Katie Bleeker, Alexi Williams, Missy Johns, Andrew Hutnyan, Nina Hutnyan, Nancy Delasko, Autumn Elizabeth Chapman, Liliana Shirvanian, Harry & Barbara Coe, Daria Virvan, Anastasios Labi, Susan Buckley, Constance Amey, Daniel Pfaff, Robin Nebenhaus; James Lazor, Thomas Koval III, Debbie Dell, Rose & Douglas Eade, Robert Horsch, Heather Conlin, Edward & Grace Yoon, Julia Rapach, Michael Dinneen, Reader James Dunham, Michael Tabacco, Kellie Barett, Zaun Kligge, Andrea Katz, Elizabeth Fabian & daughter

May Our Lord Jesus Christ Touch Them With His Healing Hand! For those who will be singing with the Cantor Group on Nativity: there will be a rehearsal to go over the music for the Nativity Services on Sunday 27 December and 3 January. Please make plans to stay. If you have any questions, please see Mike Fallon. Please have candle offerings for Christmas in by Sunday 3 January. After that, any lists handed in may not make the Christmas edition of the bulletin. When purchasing gifts, or a little something for you, remember the Diocese through “Amazon Smiles!” There is a button at the Diocesan Website (acrod.org) Sponsors Needed: We are looking for monthly sponsors for the bulletin and for the website. Each sponsorship is $25.00 a month. Bulletin sponsors will be listed on the monthly calendar (as usual). Website sponsors will be listed on the website. If we could have both sponsorships filled by 27 December, that would be great. Thank you!

Candle Offerings: Eternal Light: Peace on Earth-Lois (Many Years!)

Vigil Candle Offerings For the Living (Many Years! Mnohaja L’ita!) 1-health of Les-love Carol 1-special intention Steve Sheftic-love wife Grace 1-health of Mom-your loving family- Chrysa, Taina & Craig 2-health of Marion Fallon-Diane 2-for health-love Alex, Melanie, Jonathan & Stephanie Parents/Grandparents Michael & Elaine; Father/Grandfather John 2-for health-love Mom & Dad Jonathan & Lara; Stephanie 10-for health-John & Sheila

Marie Skasko; Les & Carol Miller; Steve & Grace Sheftic; Ann Thear; Mike & Elaine Buchko; John & Chris Hudack; Aunt Anne; Barbara Parimucha; Heather Conlin; Nancy Delasko

8-special intention-John & Sheila Fr. Peter & Family; Fr. Nectarios & Paňi Diane; Fr. Edgington & family; Fr. Acsente & Family; Verbrugge Family; Irene Dzubak; Elizabeth Michel; OCMC Missionaries

1-specail intention Ann Dahulich-love son George 2-special intention-brother George Archbishop Michael; Barbara Knighton 2-special intention-George Dahulich Bishop Gregory; Bishop Matthias 2-happy birthday-George Dahulich John Hrapchak; Zachery Peart 1-health of Savannah, Chloe, Caroline, Christopher, Natalie, Cole-love Grandparents 2-for health-Ray & Georgene Mom; Marge Tomasevich 7-special intentions-the Breno Family Breno Families; Fedornock Families; Peart Family; Nakonecznyj Family; Zankey Family; Fabian Family; Carter Family 2-for health-the Breno Family Scott Neal; Maureen O’Malley

1-Peace in the world-The Breno Family 1-happy birthday Michele Fedornock-the Breno Family 4-for health-Marge Tomasevich Mary Elko; Les Miller; John & Chris Hudack: Elaine Buchko 1-birthday blessing John Hrapchak-Marge Tomasevich 10-health & healing-Lois Hayley; Savannah; Bob; Daria; Nancy Delasko; Jim David; Zaun Kligge; Elaine Buchko; John Hudack; Pam 4-for health-Lois Caroline & Natalie; Mary Elko; Karen K.;Uncle Ralph 1-happy birthday Sally-Lois 4-special intention-Lois Annette; Ray & Georgene; Paňi Bernadette; Elizabeth Michel 1-safe travel for family-Charlie, Debi, Jacob & Joey 2-specail intention-Charlie, Debi, Jacob & Joey Stevens Family; Williams Family 1-safe travel for families-Mark, Marie, Angela & Stephen 6-for health-Mark, Marie, Angela & Stephen Baba; Nana; Chris Allen; Nancy Shields; Verna Czap; Helen Beverage 1-specail intention Mark-love Marie 2-specail intentions Angela & Stephen-love Mom & Dad 2-for health-Paňi Jean Hutnyan Muhlenberg & Hutnyan Families 1-happy birthday Stephen-Paňi Jean Hutnyan 2-birthday blessings-Rose Plowchin Elaine Dutko; George Plowchin 2-specail intentions-Chris Hudack 1-health of John Hudack-love Chris 1-health of Stephanie Kovacs-love Baba & Grandpa 1-health of Mike & Mary Strongosky-Chris Hudack 4-for health-Chris & John Hudack Karen Kormanik; Ann Thear; Elaine & Michael Buchko; Len & Ann Bocinski 1-birthday blessings Colleen Mahaffie-love Baba & Grandpa

Vigil Candles In Loving Memory: (Memory Eternal! Vicnaja Pamjat!)1+loving memory of my husband Tom-your loving wife Ann 1+in loving memory of our father-Chrysa, Taina and Craig 1+Mother & Father–Les & Carol Miller 2+loving memory-the Fallons Paňi Jeannette; Anna & John Luchok 1+in loving memory of Helen Rowland-Diane 1+in loving memory Parents & Grandparents-Diane & Brian 1+Memory Eternal Parents/Grandparents-Koval Family 1+Memory Eternal-Koval Family Uncle George & Uncle Tony 1+Memory Eternal Mother/Grandmother Katherine-love Alex, Melanie, Jonathan & Stephanie

5+in memory-John & Sheila Dad Kraynok; Mom Kraynok; Charles Hrapchak; Anna Hrapchak; Evelyn Hrapchak 1+in loving memory of Gene Eaton-love Starlene 1+in memory of Aunt Julia-Lois 2+in memory-Paňi Jean Hutnyan Fr. Andrew; Mom & Dad 1+in memory of Parents-Chris Hudack

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Faith needs obedience, not a variety of skills. When God commands, you have to obey, not investigate out of curiosity. +Saint John Chrysostom

From ACRY President Dan Timko:

• Next monthly Sr. ACRY meeting is 3 January.

• Sr. ACRY “TRUTH” t-shirts are now available. Order forms are available on the table by the silver freezer. Shirts are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Proceeds go to help with the Convention next Labor Day weekend. Please hand forms and payment to Joann Medvigy.

• Our Senior ACRY is looking for interested individuals to help on the various committees for the National ACRY

Convention on Labor Day weekend 2016. The list is on the bulletin board. Some can be a committee of one, others need two-three people. One does not need to be an ACRY member to help out. If you have any questions about any of the committees, please see our ACRY Chapter President, Dan Timko.

• The Sr. ACRY will be once again hosting their popular Soup Sales this winter. Sales are scheduled for 17

January & 14 February. Each member of the ACRY (and anyone who would like to help out) is asked to prepare, at minimum 5 quarts of soup. Containers are available in the ACRY closet for packing the soup.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kate Lindsay will be participating in the OCF Real Break trip to Romania from March 4-12, 2016! If you would like to help sponsor Kate for this trip, you may make a tax-deductible donation in one of two ways: 1) Online, go to http://www.ocf.net/real-break/sponsor/ and click on the "DONATE NOW" button. Under "Program" select "Sponsor a Real Break Student (add honoree's name below)". Enter "Katherine Lindsay" in the "Honoree's name" box under "Dedicate my donation in the name of:". 2) Write a check to "Orthodox Christian Fellowship" with "Katherine Lindsay, Real Break Romania" written on the memo line. Checks should be mailed to "Orthodox Christian Fellowship, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445". The cost of the trip is $2,200 and includes the international flight, transportation during the trip, any necessary airport or entry/exit fees, travel insurance, lodging, meals, and materials. Half of the cost of the trip ($1,100) must be raised by January 1, 2016 with the final half ($1,100) due on February 1, 2016.

To date Kate has raised just about half of the $2200 needed. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS December 13, 2015 ATTENDING: Carol Miller, Dan Breno, Rose Plowchin and Fr. Peter Zarynow. Not attending: Mark Sudik and Joann Medvigy. Also attending was Lois Erhard.

• A new Church website has been set up by Orthodox Web Solutions. The cost for the setup and the first twelve months is $575.00. A panoramic view of the inside and outside of the church is also being included at a cost of $250.00. Parishioners may become a monthly sponsor of the website with a $25 donation. A sign-up sheet is located on the Bulletin Board.

• The profit from the Candy Sale will go into the Altar Boys fund so that sufficient money is available to pay for expenses to the Altar Boy Retreat next summer.

• The Agenda for the Parish Annual Meeting on February 21, 2016 is being finalized. Delegates for the Diocesan Sobor in October 2016 will be chosen at the meeting. Watch the Bulletin for more information.

• Presidents of church organizations and chairs of committees are requested to submit their written Annual reports by January 31 to Fr. Peter. The written reports will be distributed via email prior to the Annual Meeting.

• The next Council meeting is on January 24 from 12:00 to 2:00. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WEEK OF HOLY FOREFATHERS

Commemorated on the Sunday that falls between the 11th and 17th (24th-30th) of December

On this Sunday, in preparation of the Nativity of our Lord, we remember the Patriarch Abraham and his lineage, ancestors of Christ. The story of Abraham and his faithfulness should be read in the Book of Genesis. "Through the connection of the holy Ancestors and Patriarchs, Our Saviour Jesus Christ is Himself also, in a way, the fruit of the faith of Abraham. So, when God makes his voice known to each of us while we are still in the strange land of the passions and worldly vanities, we must like Abraham unhesitatingly leave all that is ours, and follow the divine calling with faith until we reach the Promised Land where, in our turn, we shall be able to give birth spiritually to Christ For, planted in us by faith and Baptism, He has to grow in us through the virtues so as to shine in the light of contemplation. We descendants of Abraham, 'children of the promise' as Isaac was, having become 'sons of God' through the gift of the Holy Spirit, out therefore to see Christ form in us... Let us then for our part become forebears of Christ and continue steadfast in the faith, so that we may keep the feast of his Nativity, saying: It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (from the Synaxarion)

The Great Supper of the Heavenly Kingdom: On the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

ST. JOHN OF KRONSTADT

None of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper; for many are called, but few are chosen (Luke 14:24). In the Gospel according to Luke that was read today the Lord pronounced a fearsome, righteous sentence on those who were called, but did not come for reasons of negligence and laziness, to the great supper prepared by the Creator and Righteous Judge of the entire world that will have its beginning following the end of the current age. None of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper; for many are called, but few are chosen. Hearken, dear brothers and sisters: we, too, are understood to be among those called to the supper, for we, too, are called to it by the Lord from the time that we were baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, having previously renounced the devil and his angels, and all his works, and all his pride. This great meal or supper is the Heavenly Kingdom, prepared for all those who are faithful, love God, and keep His commandments. Let us turn our attention to the reasons for which the invited did not come. One said to the messenger: I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. Another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. The third said: I have married a wife: and therefore I cannot come (Luke 14:16-24). From the words cited it is clear as day that those called to the supper by the Master of the house – that is, the Lord – renounced it due to an inexcusable, irrational passion for the earthly, for temporal goods, and for their passionate and corrupt nature; and for their neglect of the immortal soul, created in the image of God, so loved by the Creator and Lord that He Himself came to earth to rescue it, which had been deceived, redeeming it Himself by His suffering and death, taking it upon His shoulders to deliver it to the Heavenly Father. Why did none of those called taste of the Lord’s supper and enter into the eternal Kingdom? Because none of those called was ready to forsake himself, to educate himself for it, to nurture himself for it, neither to develop a spiritual taste, nor to acquire a spiritual robe; they were alien to all virtue, ragged, and ugly due to the multitude of their sins. And what fellowship has light with darkness and righteousness with unrighteousness (cf., 2 Corinthians 6:14). None. Those called to the supper – for reasons of unforgiveable faithlessness, neglect, and ingratitude to the One calling them – spent their whole lives laboring only for their mortal bodies, for the sinful flesh and its passions, for its pleasures, and did nothing for our immortal soul: they did not cleanse it with repentance, were not concerned with cutting off their passions and vices and curbing their sinful inclinations; thus they died in their impurities, in their alienation from God. How could they have tasted of the spiritual supper? They could not; they were unable. If they had been taken up into Paradise for even a moment, they would have found it extremely difficult there, unbearable, and blinding because of their sinfulness, earthliness, coarseness, and uncleanness. They would have condemned themselves to Hades, to those like themselves, in the stinking prison and fire prepared for sinners. Such is the share of unrepentant sinners; such is the end of human passions. How did the saints value the Lord’s call to the great supper? With what zeal did they follow the voice of the One Inviting them? How did they prepare themselves? What example did they leave us? How do they pray for us to the Lord, that He would find us worthy as well to be with them and would save us from the deception of the present world and its vain pleasures – so that we, too, would be aroused to repentance, correction, and would give us the zeal for all ascetic labors of virtues? Let us all prepare ourselves for the great supper of the Heavenly Kingdom; let us cast aside idleness and negligence; let us mortify our carnal passions that prevent us from living for the Lord and for the immortal soul, loving God and neighbor. And in this love is the entire Law. Amen.

On Stewardship and the Orthodox Life Part 24: Proportional Giving

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How are we robbing thee?’ In your tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8 RSV)

God’s plan for how we are to care for what He has entrusted to us is beautiful in its simplicity and equality. Every person may take hold of it in faith. It does not require a great depth of learning to understand and carry it out. When carried out in its simplicity, everyone may feel that each has a part in making possible the salvation of the world – and is that not the goal and object of every member of God’s Holy Orthodox Church? Every man, woman and child can, through God’s simple plan, become a treasurer, a steward of that which is God’s in the first place. Each may become an agent to meet the demands of the work of the Church. There would be, through a faithful and thorough practice of proportional giving, no want of resources for the work of the Church both in the local parish, the Diocese and throughout the world. The treasury would be full, and the givers would not be left in poverty. Proportional giving is the amount of time and money that each will offer to God through His Church. The exact amount of that giving will, of course, vary with each individual steward. With those whose means are limited or on fixed income, the portion of that income which is returned to the work of God will be a comparatively small amount. In proportional giving, each gives according to his or her means. The Old Testament tithe began that practice. 10% of income was to be given back to God. Ten percent of a small amount among the poorer would, of course, be a smaller amount when compared to that which was expected from those with greater resources. But it is not the size of the amount given that makes the offering acceptable to God. It is, rather, the purpose of the heart, the spirit of gratitude and love that it expresses. Those whose means are small should not think that their small gifts are unworthy of notice. All give according to their means, giving thanks to God for all of the gifts that He has abundantly showered on us. God will accept the gifts of all, rich or poor. Those to whom God has entrusted a large portion of income will not, if they love and fear God, find it a burden to return a larger portion to Him. Everyone is tempted to indulge in selfishness and greediness – that is, to withhold from God what is His own. Will a man rob God? Not if that man, in proportion to His means, in faith and love returns to God that which belongs to God. Part 25: Robbery and Blessings

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How are we robbing thee?’ In your tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me; the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithes

into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing”

(Malachi 3:8-9 RSV) The Holy Prophet Malachi whose name means "My Messenger," lived some 450 years before the birth of Christ. He was the last of the Old Testament inspired prophets. At Malachi’s time, God’s people had been brought back from Exile to Jerusalem. There they had the temple and walls rebuilt. Their personal behavior, however, had become selfish. They had grown careless and neglectful of their duty to God. Much like today, a spirit of worldliness had crept into their lives. They were guilty of many vices such as we see today even in Christian communities. Malachi was sent to the people of God with a message. He was sent to speak clearly to the people about their departing from their faithfulness to God. Malachi was to call the people back to a true worship and life in their God. Part of their neglect of God came in the form of failure to give back to God a portion of their blessings to keep God’s “storehouses” full. Malachi said that failure to provide offerings for the support of the priests of God and their work amounted to robbery. “You are robbing me; the whole nation of you!” Then comes the challenge. If you continue to rob God, Malachi says, there will be no blessing from God in return. If, however, you fill God’s storehouses and keep food in His house, what will happen? Try it, God says. Just try filling up what is needed to make full the house of God. Then see “if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” It seems perfectly clear. God will bless those who give back to Him what is rightfully His. And He will not bless those who withhold from Him what is rightfully His. God invites His people through the prophet to test God in this regard. See if God will keep His promise. Will he bless those who bless Him with their gifts? Stewardship is a matter of trust. Can we trust God to keep His promises? If we don’t trust God in our stewardship of what is already His, how do we trust God to keep all of the other promises He has made to us?