The Sunday that falls between December 11-17 is known as the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers. These are the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, who lived before the Law and under the Law, especially the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said, “In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3, 22:18) (oca.org). In remembering these faithful men and women, Jews and Gentiles, we’re reminded that Christ God became incarnate to save the whole human race. Through the Incarnation-in-the-flesh of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ all nations are blessed because now salvation is open to all. Christ God enters into our fallen human nature as man and restores and renews it as God, making a way for us as we put Him on in baptism and are “born anew by water and the spirit” to have new life in Him (John 3). As we prepare for the Great Feast of Christ’s Nativity, may we use these last days of preparation to ready ourselves to receive Him and not be found without our “wedding garment” when we go to meet Him in the clouds at His glorious but dread Second Coming.
Yours in Christ’s love, Fr.Robert+
Important: 2018 Pledges and Commitments: If you have not yet offered your commitment for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $2000 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). Thank you & thanks be to God! The Mission Council
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30 Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
- Wed, Dec. 13, 6:45 p.m., Daniel Bible Study: chapter 12, The prophesy of the Antichrist and the Second Coming of Messiah
- Sat, Dec. 23, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Dec. 24, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School, choir practice for Nativity service.
- Sunday, Dec. 24, 10 p.m., Great Feast of the Holy Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (‘the Winter Pascha’): Compline, Nocturns, Divine Liturgy. Please sign up to bring a quiche (only) for the festive meal after service. Georgian wine also served.
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Friday, Dec. 29, Annual Colinde sing-along and fellowship at the Rectory. 5 p.m., 1353 Tydings Rd. Ask what you can bring.
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.
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 are not also drawing closer to each other. If we wish to grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship needs to be part of our life together in Christ. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
Prayer Requests: That our Mission grows “in spirit and in numbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: His Majesty Regele (king) Mihai of Romania (last Orthodox king who reigned), Linda (aunt of Fr. Robert), Phillis (friend of the Miclean family)
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. 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, Jason, Cynthia, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West and speak the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
From the Fathers…
For that all things, whether Angels, or Archangels, or Thrones, or Dominions, were both established and created by Him who is God over all, through His Word, John has thus pointed out. For when he had spoken of the Word of God as having been in the Father, he added, “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made.” David also, when he had enumerated [His] praises, subjoins by name all things whatsoever I have mentioned, both the heavens and all the powers therein: “For He commanded, and they were created; He spake, and they were made.” Whom, therefore, did He command? The Word, no doubt, “by whom,” he says, “the heavens were established, and all their power by the breath of His mouth.”
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice! // Let the earth be glad!
For the Lord has shown strength with His arm.
He has trampled down death by death.
He has become the first born of the dead.
He has delivered us from the depths of hell,
and has granted to the world// great mercy.
Troparion (Forefathers) Tone 2
Through faith Thou didst justify the Forefathers,
betrothing through them the Church of the gentiles.
These saints exult in glory,
for from their seed came forth a glorious fruit:
she who bore Thee without seed.//
So by their prayers, O Christ God, have mercy on us!
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 (Forefathers) Tone 6*
Ye did not worship the graven image, / O thrice-blessed ones,
but armed with the immaterial Essence of God,
ye were glorified in a trial by fire.
From the midst of unbearable flames ye called on God, crying:
“Hasten, O compassionate One! // Speedily come to our aid,//
for Thou art merciful and able to do as Thou dost will!”
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.
Kontakion (Prefeast of the Nativity of Christ) ~Byzantine Chant, Tone 3
The Virgin cometh today// to the cave to give birth,// ineffably to bring forth//the Word eternal. Therefore, rejoice, O earth, //at the message; //with the angels and shepherds give glory to Him Who shall appear by His own will// as a young child, //
He who is from eternity God.
Glory to God for All Things!
