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 abundantly so that we can reap abundantly. Come to Wednesday’s last Presanctified Liturgy, plan to attend next Saturday’s raising of Lazarus, attend the festive Great Vespers 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, when we prioritize our communion with God. The spiritual ‘hospital’ of Lent and Holy Week only come around once a year; don’t let this important next week pass you by without using it for spiritual gain and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you.
Holy Week: Please plan now to take time off work and school so that you can participate in all of Holy Week as Holy Church admonishes us to for our benefit and salvation (View the Schedule of Services). 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 third day resurrection. You and I, dying with Christ, are likewise raised with Christ. The journey begins Saturday with the raising of Lazarus, continues with Palm Sunday’s procession and Christ’s triumphant but humble entry into Jerusalem, then propels us to the lessons Christ would have us focus on in the Bridegroom services as His passion nears. Don’t miss this opportunity to change, grow, and be renewed in Christ!
With much love in Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):
- Today, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, and Sunday School
- Wed, April 5, 6:30 p.m., Last Presanctified Liturgy, followed by a Bible Study: “The Ten Commandments in the Life of the Faithful Christian” during our soup supper.
- Thursday, April 6, 6:30 p.m., Catechumen Class (focus on Holy Week and other)
- Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Lazarus Saturday, beginning of Holy Week!
- Sat, April 8, 6 p.m., Vigil for Palm Sunday Confession following.
- Sun, April 9, 9:40 Hours 10 Divine Liturgy, Palm Sunday
Looking Ahead: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
- See the Holy Week Schedule for the Rest of Holy Week and Pascha
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice 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 to ask for a blessing to receive.
YOUCARING—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has the opportunity to move into the much larger space with a large front window on West St. to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts and make more room for new families and individuals. We’ve been offered a $5,000 matching grant to be used for this purpose. Please share the YOUCARING opportunity with your family and friends on social media. Also, we need an additional $400 (at a minimum) in monthly pledges to be able to make the move. Please see Fr. Robert and/or Rdr. Zenon if you can help.
Prayer Requests: That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Marie (Paul’s Aunt), victims of St. Mark Cathedral terrorist attack
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Mat. Janet, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Svetlana, Alex, Gary, Timothy, 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, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 8
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One! // Thou didst accept the three day burial
to free us from our sufferings!// O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to Thee!
Troparion (St Mary of Egypt) Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in thee, O Mother,
for thou didst take up the Cross and followed Christ.
By so doing, thou taughtest us to disregard the flesh for it passeth away;
but to care instead for the soul, for it is immortal.//
Therefore thy spirit, O holy Mother Mary, rejoiceth with the angels
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 (St Mary of Egypt) Tone 3
Having been a sinful woman, // thou becamest through repentance a bride of Christ.
Having attained angelic life, // thou didst defeat demons with the weapon of the Cross.//
Therefore, O most glorious Mary, thou art a bride of the Kingdom.
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.
