Orthodox Church in America
Diocese of Washington
7124 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
Church Office: 301-229-6300
/ Rector
V. Rev. Gregory Safchuk
Office: 301-229-6300
Home: 301-320-0739
/ Parish Council President:
Michael Thompson
Home: 703-204-9092
11th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 4, 2016
EPISTLEI Cor. 9:2-12 /
GOSPEL
Matt. 18:23 – 35 / Tone 2DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
11thSunday after Pentecost.Hieromartyr Babylas (Vavila), Bishop of Antioch, and with him Martyrs Urban, Prilidian, and Epolonius; and their mother, Christodula (251). Holy Prophet and Godseer Moses (16th c. B.C.). Uncovering of the Relics of St. Joasáph, Bishop of Belgorod (1911). Martyr Hermione, daughter of St. Philip the Deacon (ca. 117). Martyr Babylas of Nicomedia, and with him 84 children (4th c.). Martyrs Theodore, Mianus (Ammianus), Julian, Kion (Oceanus), and Centurionus, of Nicomedia (305 -311). The Icon of the Most-holy Theotokos “THE UNBURNT BUSH” (1680).
Sunday / Sept / 4 / 9:15a / Reading of the Third Hour
9:30a / Divine Liturgy
11:30a / Coffee Hour Fellowship
12:00p / Stepping Stones Meal Delivery
Monday / Sept / 5 / Labor Day
Tuesday / Sept / 6 / 10:30a / Blessed Mka. Olga Prayer Group - Akathist
Thursday / Sept / 8 / 10:00a / Divine Liturgy – Nativity of the Theotokos
Saturday / Sept / 10 / 4:30p / Memorial Service for Cathryn Tatusko – 40th Day
5:00p / Private Confession
5:30p / Great Vespers
6:30p / Parish Council Meeting
Sunday / Sept / 11 / 9:15a / Reading of the Third Hour
9:30a / Divine Liturgy
11:30a / Coffee Hour Fellowship
Wednesday / Sept / 14 / 10:00a / Divine Liturgy – Elevation of the Cross
Saturday / Sept / 17 / 5:00p / Private Confession
5:30p / Great Vespers
6:30p / FOCA Chapter Meeting
The Altar Candles are donated by Don and Jan Truitt in memory of Jan’s Mother and Father,Lynne and James Halkett.May their Memory be Eternal!
The Sanctuary Candles are donated by The Bilyeu Familyin memory of Stephen and Theodosia Jubinski. May Their Memory Be Eternal!
Coffee Hour Fellowship
Date
/Hosts/Hostesses
/ Donuts/BagelsSept 4 / Labor Day / Weekend / Potluck / Thompson
Sept 11 / Mitchum / Gleason-Lacko / Brasovernu-Tarpy / Bilyeu
Choir Directors, Readers, Preparers, Greeters, & Altar Servers
Date / Director / Reader / Preparer / Greeter / AltarServers
Sept 4 / D. Pierce / S. Sielinski / V. Bumbak / M. Nimmer
R. Zabela / A. Ahmadi
A. Datch
C. Datch
F. LeFors
J. Sedor
M. Sedor
Sept 11 / W. Tatusko / M. Baxtresser / Dn. D. Phelps / M. Hydock
C. Williamson
Classes
Date
/Church School
/Adult Study
(in Fr. Gregory’s Office) /Basics of Orthodoxy
(in Church Library)Sept 4 /
SUMMER BREAK
/SUMMER BREAK
/SUMMER BREAK
Sept 11 /SUMMER BREAK
/SUMMER BREAK
BLESSED MKA. PRAYER GROUP: will meet on Tuesday, September 6th, at 10:30 am.NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS: We will celebrate Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of the Theotokos on Thursday, September 8th, at 10:00 am. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.
ELEVATION OF THE CROSS: We will celebrate Divine Liturgy for the Elevation of the Cross on Wednesday, September 14th, at 10:00 am. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.
PRAYER REQUEST– O Christ, You alone are our Defender: Visit and help Thy servants who are in need of your help, protection and healing. Among them: JohnMarti Badila; Kaitlinbaby Barber; Jenifer Calomiris; Paul Dean; MargaretBill Dove; Zachary Firestone & Bekka Bleinberger; Julie Flick;Claire Baby German; Marge German; Jurretta Heckscher; Evelyn Leleck; Larisa Looby; Marina McKee; Catherine Mikuluk; Karen Nichols; Timothy Parrish; Mark Phinney; Alexandra Sedor; KatieElowen Sheppard; Peter Sielinski;Andrea Ticich; and DonPeter Truitt.
Please pray for Margaret, Mary Carol Ashley’s mother; Tina Burpee’s mother Margaret, cousin Andrew and friend, Edward; Christine Cacic’s friend, Carmen; John & Suzette Eremin; Julie Flick’s son, James Shimer, and her stepdaughter, Jeanie Folton; MargeGerman’s brother, John, sister in-law, Cecilia, sister, Elaine, grandson, Joshua,and friend, Gisela, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer; Jeff Jordan, friend of the Hardy family; JurrettaHeckscher’s father, Stevens; WillJanie McNamara, friends of Christina Kalavritinos;Olga, friend of Helen Kerch; Mat. Jan and Fr. Mark Koczak’s friends, Metropolitan Isaiah (Georgian Patriarchate) and Archimandrite Athanasy; Mary Everhart, mother of Ted Koopersmith; Rachel LeFors’ friend,Ilene, who has been diagnosed with cancer; MichaelLungociu’s father, Nicholas,and friend’s mother, Gitta Finch; Marilyn Macht’s friend, Ghadha Saah; Judi, JoanMitchum’s sister; Katherine Sheppard’s mother, Judy, and friends Ellen Sherrie Garrett; JuliaShiller’s father, Vadim Pyatovolenko; friend of Debbie Sieff, Fr. Taras Chubenko, of St. Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Carteret, NJ, who is recovering from esophageal surgery; PeterSielinski’s friends Brenda Jim Hall, Kelly, Samuel, Ron, Pat, Bailey, Jenn and Matt; Sharon Sielinski’s friend, Nichole, who has been diagnosed with cancer; Olga & SlavinaSkenderska’s cousins, Desi Stanislav,and friends CatherineJustin; Ellen Thompson’s daughter, Sonya; Don Truitt’s parents; friends of St. Mark, Tanya & James Twyman; Linda Weir and her mother, Ruby; and Paula Zabela’s grandson Wyatt, cousin Kathleen who is afflicted with cancer, and her neighbor Harvey.
Deliver them from sickness and grievous pains. Raise them up that they may sing to Thee and praise Thee without ceasing, through the prayers of the Theotokos and all your Saints!
MEMORY ETERNAL: Jim Orban's mother-in-law Lydia Little passed away peacefully in her sleep the evening of August 24th. There will be a memorial service on Sunday, September 18th at 2:00 PM at Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene.
ICONOGRAPHY COMMITTEE: At the last parish meeting, the parish voted for the Iconography Committee to continue its plan of iconography for Phase III. Phase III includes the preparation of the cinder block walls on both sides of the church between the two columns and including those columns outside the iconostasis. The committee is continuing discussion with Dmitri Shkolnik regarding the design. Eventhough, there are some funds left over from Phase I and Phase II, additional funds are required to cover the cost of the Phase III expansion. Please contact George Freimann or Wayne Tatusko for more information and/or to make a prayerful donation.
CHURCH KITCHEN: The counters in the back of the kitchen are covered with stuff and we need your help! We need this area and surfaces cleared to work on as we begin bazaar baking and preparation. If you have something sitting on those back counters, please remove it by Labor Day. After that, all items remaining will be disposed of. Additionally, anything that you may have left in the two back kitchen freezers or any of the other freezers in the church hall needs to be removed as well. We will need this space for freezing bazaar food. Please do not put any leftover coffee hour food in the freezers between now and bazaar. Thank you!
REMINDER: This is to kindly bring to your attention the signs posted by the stairs in the vestibule. They serve as a friendly reminder that conversations and sounds carry quite loudly up to the choir loft. This extra ambient noise makes it very difficult for readers to hear while they read the Hours, for choir members to hear the sermon as well as the director during the service. Kindly keep conversations to a low voice or whisper and be courteous and quiet while getting your candles and bulletins. Thank you very much!
MEMORIAL SERVICE: There will be a 40th Day Memorial Service for Cathryn Tatusko on Saturday September 10th, at 4:30 pm. There will be a short reception following the service.
METROPOLITAN TIKHON TO VISIT: Mark your calendars. Plans at this time call for His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon to visit our parish on Sunday, September 18th. for hierarchal divine liturgy and the blessing of our iconography. We anticipate having an enhanced coffee hour following the service and spend some time together with our bishop in fellowship.
RUMMAGE SALE 2016: The totals are in! This year’s rummage sale earned$5,024.90!Thanks to all who helped out and made it a success!
EVANGELIZER: It’s that time again! Please begin writing your articles and collecting your interesting pieces for the October/November/December edition of the Evangelizer. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, September 18th. Please submit items to Sharon Sielinski or email to . Thank you!
ST. MARK WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB: If you enjoy a good read followed by a worthy discussion, please consider attending the St. Mark Woman's Book Club. We choose books well in advance and then meet on the last Sunday of every month to discuss the merits of our choices. Upcoming books are: September 25 - The Nightengale by Kristin Hannah. October 30 - The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. Book suggestions are always welcome. See Mat. Sasha for more details.
2016 BAZAAR LUCKY DRAW DONATIONS: It may seem early but it’s time to start thinking about the 2016 Bazaar. Please begin asking your favorite grocery stores, boutiques, theaters or restaurants for donations to our annual bazaar. Personal gifts or cash will also be accepted, which will be used to purchase gift cards. Also, if you have a talent like knitting, embroidering, crocheting, sewing, or painting, and would be willing to donate a handcrafted item, it would be appreciated immensely. Remember to note the donor’s name on the contribution so we may acknowledge and keep track of all donations. Feel free to contact Lucky Draw chairperson, Vicky Jacobsen, with questions or for suggestions at: . Donations can be given to any Jacobsen or Prose family member, just let them know it's for the LUCKY DRAW. Thank you all for all your help and support. -Vicky Jacobsen
BAZAAR CHRISTMAS/GIFT TABLE: We will be accepting high-quality homemade Christmas and gift items for this table. If you do woodworking, candle or soap making, embroidery, needlework, knitting, crocheting, pysanky eggs or any other similar crafts, please consider making something for this table.
SLAVIC AMERICAN FESTIVAL: Join the fun at the 43rd Annual Slavic American Festival, sponsored by Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church on Sunday, September 11, from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm! Festival includes traditional Slavic foods, including Kolachi, Holupki, Potato Pancakes, Kolbasi, Haluski, and Pirohi…as well as Children’s Events, a huge rummage sale, Silent Auction, Religious and Folk Art, Farm Market, Handmade Slavic Crafts, Polka Dance Lessons, Bake Sales, Football on our TV screens and lots more! Special performance by Seminarian Choir from Blessed Theodore Romzha Seminary in Uzhorod, Transcapathia, Ukraine at 1:30 pm. Church Tours at 12:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 pm. Free shuttles all day from the parking lot located at 3301 Woodburn Road. For more information:
SS. PETER & PAUL BAZAAR: Mark your calendars! Ss. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church of Potomac, MD, will hold their 33rd annual Middle Eastern Bazaar on September 23 – 26, 2016. Authentic Food, Music, Tours and Kids Activities! Bring the whole family! For more information and hours:
FALL PICNIC: Mark your calendars and save the date! St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in McLean, VA will be holding their fall picnic from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Saturday, September 24th. They will once again feature our spit-roasted lambs, other barbecued goodies and side dishes and fun activity for the children. Stay tuned for details and a flier!
SAVE THE DATE: St. Mary Orthodox Church is holding their annual Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction on Saturday, October 1st, 2016. This year’s event will be held at St. Luke Orthodox Church in McLean, VA. Tickets are $50 and proceeds will go to the church architecture fund. Semi-formal or thematic attire is requested. Invitations with additional information and RSVP cards are located in the parish hall on the bulletin board. RSVP deadline is September 19th. Sounds like fun!
OKTOBERFEST: Achtung! Coming soon! OKTOBERFEST! October 1, 2016 following Vespers. Great German food; lots of fun and prizes, and BINGO! Save the date. Tickets will go on sale soon. Adults $15, Church School Students $5, Toddlers and babies are Free. Sponsored by St. Mark FOCA. Prosit!
ST. MATTHEW’S MULTI - CULTURAL FESTIVAL: The Orthodox Church of St. Matthew is hosting their 9th Annual Multi-Cultural Festival on Saturday, October 1st from 11 am-8 pm and Sunday, October 2nd from 11:30 am - 6:30 pm. Featured at the festival will be delicious ethnic food from around the world, entertainment featuring the music and dancers of many countries, church tours, unique vendors, a children's area and festival market. Admission is free. Visit for more information!
SHADY GROVE PREGNANCY CENTER BANQUET FUNDRAISER: will be held Sunday, October 16th, at 12:00 pm at the Rockville Hilton Hotel. We would like to have a commitment of ten people for a table there. If you would like to attend, please let Father Gregory know.
SAVE THE DATE: St. James Orthodox Church in Westminster, Maryland, will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary on October 22nd, 2016. They will have Vespers at 5:00pm followed by a banquet from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Best Western Conference Center in Westminster, Maryland. They will be putting together a commemorative journal. If you would like more information on the journal or the event, please visit their website:
IOCC RACE TO RESPOND: Do you want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable families around the world? Join the IOCC team at the Baltimore Running Festival on October 15th, 2016 and help raise money for those in need in places like Syria, Greece, and Ethiopia! For the past four years at the Baltimore Running Festival, IOCC’s team has included a wide range of participants, from kindergarteners to an Orthodox priest and retired grandmothers! All abilities of walkers and runners are welcome, as there is a range of participation options: a Kids’ Fun Run, 5K, Team Relay, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon. Signing up is easy at: