1st Sunday after Epiphany January 12

1. Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29

2. January 5, Sunday Collection- $1,235. Our hall is available! If you or anyone you know is interested in using the church hall or church basement for a party or event please call 937-428-0372.In the story of Noah's Ark (Genesis 5-10), Noah is told to build a large boat or ark and to put two of his animals and together with his wife, three sons, and their wives to enter the ark to survive a world wide flood. The flood kills all other people, land animals, and birds and Noah and company lived on the ark for one year while it rained for 40 days and while they waited for the rain to subside.  While waiting for the water to subside, Noah released a Dove three times, and on one occassion. When Noah gets off the ark God makes a covenant with all mankind with the sign of a rainbow. God allows Noah and mankind to eat animals as long as the blood is drained. Noah invents wine, gets drunk on accident, and two of his three sons clothe his nakedness. This story is an allegory of the baptism and the crucifixion of Jesus.  At the baptism there is water, which represents drowning and life giving/ birth giving. At the baptism there are people and references to land animals (lamb of God) and birds (form of a dove) At the baptism the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove. The Son is not chrismated with the oil of the olive branch, but Eternally with the Holy Spirit.  At the baptism, God reveals in part his new covenant with a the opening up of the heavens rather than with a rainbow.  At the last supper, Jesus gives us His blood to drink which surpasses the covenant between God and Noah concerning animal blood. At the last supper, Jesus turns wine into His blood fulfilling Noah's invention of wine. At the Epiphany and at the Crucifixion Jesus is naked, and he clothes our shame and Noah's shame. Through Noah's covenant sinful man is destroyed and the righteous man is saved. Through Jesus' covenant the righteous man is killed and sinful man is saved. Noah is saved from the water and lives in the Ark. Christians go into the water and are saved in the Ark of the Church.  The story of Noah's Ark testifies to the truth of Jesus Christ. -Fr. Alex Parish family photos please submit photos of your family if you would like to be in the directory. Please find printable photos at the link below. https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1b3sWYlv9zAjjqzX_6-JAoAEoPC-F6UPFJanuary 12 we will prepare food for the homeless after both liturgies.  We hope to prepare at least 1000 meals. We picked up enough cooked turkey breasts, vegetables, pasta, alfredo sauce, and aluminum pans to make 100 casseroles. Please feel free to bring a favorite chef knife, peeler, or can opener.It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Nouha Moaikel in Lebanon this past week. Nouha is the cousin of Christine Daoud.  May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. A memorial liturgy will be offered on her behalf on Sunday, January 12 at 11 am.Please pray for the priests of our Eparchy who will be on spiritual retreat in Phoenix from Monday, January 13 - Friday, January 17. Friday, January 17 cleaning of kitchen at old property 5915 N Springboro Pike 10am-2pm. Please call Trish Zenni at 937-901-6643 to get into the building.Preparing dinner at House of Bread Potential Date Tuesday, January 21 9am - 2 pm at 9 Orth Ave.   Pastoral Council Meeting January 21 at 7pm.Serving dinner at St. Vincent de Paul Men's Shelter  - every first Saturday of the month at 6:30 pm. Saturday, February 1 at 6:30 pm at 1921 S. Gettysburg.The Ephrem family would like to invite you to the baptism of Laurette, Alessandra, and George children of George and Kendra Ephrem after the 11 am liturgy on February 9th.The Hartshorn family would like to invite you to the baptism of Peter Hartshorn, son of Nathan and Mariana Hartshorn (nee AbouJaoude) after the 11 am liturgy on February 23We have to pay back $200,000 zero-interest loan. We have applied for a loan from the Knights of Columbus. We will most likely be taking out a $200,000 (rather than $150,000) loan within the next weeks. The loan has 4% interest and a 5 year term. However, we would prefer $200,000 in new donations to retire the loan.