The Last of Lent:Lent is quickly drawing to a close. Next weekend we enter Holy Week. I encourage you now to make the most of the short time that remains for your healing and growth. While everyone who comes at the 11th Hour is welcomed and loved, we want to sow abundantlyso that we can reap abundantly. Come to Wednesday’s last Presanctified Liturgy, plan to attend next Saturday’s raising of Lazarus, make confession now, attend the festive Great Vespers (Vigil) and blessing of the Palms, Willows, and Flowers. Together, we “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,” knowing that “all these things will be added” to us (Matt. 6:33), as our Lord promises us when we prioritize our communion with Him. The spiritual ‘hospital’ of Lent and Holy Week come around once a year; don’t let this all-important next week pass you by. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and thru you.
Holy Week: Plan now to take time off work and school so that you can participate in all of Holy Week as Christ prescribes to us. You will not be disappointed if you do so! Christ lovingly leads us on a deifying journey through His Church and the divine services to His voluntary Passion, burial, harrowing of Hades, and victorious resurrection on the third day, so that you and I, dying with Christ, may likewise be raised with Christ. The journey begins this Saturday with the raising of Lazarus, continues with Palm Sunday Vigil and Christ’s triumphant but humble entry into Jerusalem, then propels us into the lessons that Christ would have us focus on in the Bridegroom services as His passion nears. Don’t miss this opportunity to be changed and renewed in Christ!
2019 Pledges/Commitments. We give back a “first fruits” pledge to Christ from what He’s so mercifully given and entrusted to us. Everything we have is a gracious gift from God. Let us be as those servants who used their talentswisely and to God’s glory (Matt. 25:23). If you have not done so yet, please offer your pledge of talents today. To grow in faith and grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY 9:30 Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Choir practice for Holy Week immediately following.
- Weds April 17, 6:30 pm, LAST Presanctified,Soup Supper
- Sat., Apr. 20, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Lazarus Saturday
- Sat., April 20,5:30 p.m.,Great Vespers of Palm Sunday with Litya (Vigil), blessing of palms, willows, flowers
- Sun., April 21,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy of Christ’s Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday),procession, Trapeza, Sunday School
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Holy Week 2019 begins Saturday, April 20 with Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday and continues until Pascha Night, April 27. Holy Week Schedule now available in print, online!
- Friday, May 3,3:30 pm,Bright Friday Paschal Tea Party for Ana’s 8thbirthday, Iacob’s Name Day: fellowship, egg hunt, pinata, crafts, games, at the Rectory. Please bring a dish, tell Mat./Psa. if your child(ren) will attend (krissymiclean@gmail.com)
Confession & Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthlyconfession. If a month has passed and you’ve not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert to ask a blessing to receive prior to the serviceand before approaching the Chalice.\
TRAPEZA:The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s family 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 important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit & in numbers”
- For God’s financial provisionfor our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Departed founders of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael,
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Jessica (sister of Kelly Vernet), Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Jocelyn, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren throughout the world, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word,
co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, // bornfor our salvation from the Virgin; // for He willedto be lifted up on the Crossin the flesh, // to enduredeath, //and to raisethe dead//by Hisglorious Resurrection.
Troparion (St Mary of Egypt) Tone 8
The image of Godwas truly preserved in thee, O Mother,
for thou didst take upthe Crossand followed Christ. // By so doing, thou taughtest us to disregardthe flesh for it passeth away; // but to care insteadfor the soul, for it is immortal.//Therefore thy spirit, Oholy Mother Mary, rejoiceth with the angels.
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseechyou: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cryto you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Thoudidst descend into hell, O my Savior,
shattering its gates as Almighty//resurrecting the dead as Creator,
and destroying the stingof death.//
Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of man,//
and we cry to Thee: O Lord, saveus!
Kontakion (St Mary of Egypt) Tone 3
Having beena sinful woman, // thou becamest through repentance a brideof Christ. //Having attained angelic life,
thou didst defeat demons with the weapon of the Cross.// Therefore, O most glorious Mary, thou art a brideof the Kingdom.
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory,//princes of the bodiless Angelsandguidesof mankind
//askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
~Glory to God for All Things!~
