A picture of humble courage…
In their outward and inward appearance, the myrrh-bearing women were soft-spoken, humble, modest in demeanor, loving. They were able to ‘risk’ everything, even death, to anoint Jesus, to take Jesus down from the cross, to bury Him, and to go to Him after His life-giving death, to proclaim the Good News of Christ’s resurrection even while all the others fled or hid from fear. Why? Because they loved with the love of God, the love He Himself had shown them. “Perfect love casts out fear,” the Holy Scriptures affirm (I Jn. 4:18). No surprise then, that, motivated by such love, they would ‘risk’ everything to go to Him and in Joseph’s case, to bury Christ. Such was their faith and love, exercised in humility–nothing would stop them from caring for Jesus. In our secular culture today, we need such courage to faithfully witness to the timeless truth of Christ. But, how easy it is to fear. Ultimately, such witness to have a fruitful effect must emanate from a love for God and for those around us. Otherwise, St. Paul assures us, we are as a “sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” (I Cor. 13). We are inheritors of a precious treasure that is not just for ourselves but for the whole world. May we come to exemplify the courage, humility and love for Christ and His truth of the Holy Myrrh-bearers and the pious Joseph, so that we can help bring others to the healing and love of Christ with us. In the love of the risen Christ, Fr. Robert+
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, Trapeza, Sunday School, (Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, Pious Joseph)
- Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m., Daily Paschal Vespers
- Friday, April 27, 5:30-7 p.m., April Catechumen Class
- Sat, April 28, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following.
- Sun, April 29, 9:40 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Paralytic, Trapeza and Sunday School
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Tuesday, May 15-Friday, May 31, Robert is leading the Romania Pilgrimage, “Spiritual Treasures of Romania.” Fr. Ignatius will be serving in Father’s stead.
- Thurs, May 17, 10 a.m., Great Feast of the Ascension
- Sat, May 26, 6 p.m., Festal Great Vespers with Litya, Great Feast of Pentecost
- Sun, May 27, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of Pentecost/Descent of the Holy Spirit
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. Glory to God!
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);
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, 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 (Resurrection) Tone 2
When Thou didst descend to death, O Life Immortal,
Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
Troparion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2
The noble Joseph, // when he had taken down Thy most pure Body from the Tree, // wrapped it in fine linen and anointed it with spices, // and placed it in a new tomb. // But Thou didst arise on the third day, O Lord,// granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2
The Angel came to the myrrhbearing women at the tomb and said: // “Myrrh is fitting for the dead; // but Christ has shown Himself a stranger to corruption! // So proclaim: ‘The Lord is risen,//granting the world great mercy.’”
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 (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 2
Thou didst command the Myrrhbearers to rejoice, O Christ God.
By Thy Resurrection, Thou didst stop the lamentation of Eve, the first mother. // Thou didst command them to preach to Thine Apostles:// “The Savior is risen from the tomb!”
Kontakion (Pascha) Tone 8
Thou didst descend into the tomb, O Immortal,
Thou didst destroy the power of death.
In victory Thou didst arise, O Christ God,
proclaiming, “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearing Women,//
granting peace to Thine Apostles, and bestowing
Resurrection on the fallen.
Glory to God for All Things!
