Holy Week is here! We’ve traveled the road with Jesus from the raising of Lazarus in Bethany to Jerusalem! He’s entering the city now, having been revealed to be the Giver of Life who has the power over death and in confirmation of the universal resurrection. He’s vanquishing the false ideas and expectations of the Jewish leaders, who in their pride and fear thought that He’d overthrow the Romans. Instead, Jesus, the Messiah, the Word of God through Whom all things were made, comes riding humbly on the foal of an ass, just as the Prophet Zechariah foretold: “Do not fear, O daughter of Zion, behold thy King cometh unto thee: He is just and having salvation… lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foul of an ass.” (Zech 9:9) Those with child-like faith lay a carpet of clothes before Him, waving their palms in a sign of victory. They receive Him and unto them, salvation comes: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12) as He ushers them into His eternal Kingdom.
Now, it’s our turn: Will we receive Him as He has revealed Himself to us? Will we journey with Him to the cross, the grave, and the three-day resurrection? Christ God gives us in this one week the opportunity to prioritize our life in Him, our healing, our salvation above all else. What is your joy? May it be Christ! Receive Him, Experience to a greater extent than ever what He has endured for our sake, for our salvation, so that, experiencing His triumph over sin and death, brought spiritually into the present, we too may become fellow victors, uniting ourselves with Him in His passion and death, burial, and glorious resurrection on the third day. Let us be attentive! Our salvation is at hand!
Important: 2018 Pledges/Commitments: If you have not yet offered your pledge for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $2900 total in monthly commitments. We need $3,500. To all for whom this Mission is dear, please give generously so we can continue to pay rent and other necessary expenses to provide for our church and her growth. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:15 Hours,10 a.m., Divine Liturgy with Procession Trapeza, Sunday School, (Holy Week)
- Holy Mon-Holy Wed., 6:30 p.m., Bridegroom Matins
- Holy Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy of the Mystical Supper with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Trapeza (we need everyone to bring something for this Trapeza)
- Holy Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Passion Gospels with Cross Procession
- Holy Friday, 3 p.m., Vespers, Taking Christ down from the Cross
- Holy Friday, 6:30 p.m., Lamentations at the tomb, Procession with the bier (tomb) of Christ.
- Holy Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Holy Saturday Divine Liturgy with Chrismation (first announcement of the empty tomb)
- Holy Saturday, 10 p.m., Nocturns, Procession, Paschal Matins, Divine Liturgy (the room opposite the altar will be available for young children who fall asleep). Feasting Agape meal after Liturgy!
- Pascha Day, 3 p.m., Agape Vespers (Gospel read in many languages, second agape feast with leftovers, ice cream, egg hunt).
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the Chalice.
Monthly Giving—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has taken a big step of faith to move into our new church home, to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts, and make more room for new families and individuals. We need your help to afford our new space. Monthly pledges and giving are key to our sustainability and our growth.
TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we’re not also drawing closer to each other. To grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship is so important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
Pascha lily and Pascha Meal sign-up
Two very important opportunities for Pascha can be found on the entrance table: purchase a Pascha Lily to commemorate the living or departed, who will then be remembered in the Proskomedia at Pascha (baptized Trinitarian believers only); Also, please sign up for what you will bring for your shared Pascha meal.
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit and in umbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Newly-reposed servants of God Billy, Anthony, Mary, Annette
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Marlena and baby, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Cynthia, Valerie, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
Troparion Tone 1
By raising Lazarus from the dead before Thy passion,
Thou didst confirm the universal resurrection, O Christ God.
Like the children with the palms of victory,
we cry out to Thee, O Vanquisher of Death:
“Hosanna in the highest!//
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord.”
Troparion Tone 4
When we were buried with Thee in baptism, O Christ God,
we were made worthy of eternal life by Thy Resurrection.
Now we praise Thee and sing:
“Hosanna in the highest!//
Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!”
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseech you: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!
Kontakion Tone 6
Sitting on Thy throne in Heaven,
carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God,
accept the praise of angels and the songs of children, who sing://
“Blessed is He Who comes to recall Adam!”
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armies and ministers of the divine glory,//
princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of mankind;
ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy,//
O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Glory to God for All Things!
