“The angels offer Thee a hymn; the heavens, a star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, a manger; and we offer Thee a Virgin Mother.”(Stichera, Vespers of Nativity). The Lord grant all of you great joy as we celebrate our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ’s holy Nativity. Christ is born! Glorify Him!
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 sustain and grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. “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, 9:30Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza,Sunday School..
- Mon, Dec. 24,10 p.m., Great Feast of the Holy Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ(‘Winter Pascha’):Vigil (Compline, Nocturns), Divine Liturgy. Bring a Quiche-or– dessert and drink. Extra parking available in the parking lot
- Sat, Dec. 29,6:00 p.m., Great VespersConfession following
- Sun, Dec. 30,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy,trapeza, Sunday School.
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Tues, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers for the Feast of St. Basil/Circumcision of Christ (3pm Family Friendly Fun Day at Maryland Hall with Fireworks beginning at 5:30pm)
- Wed, Jan. 2,6:15 p.m., Vespers(no patristic study)
- Fri, Jan. 4,4:30 pm., Annual Colindeat the Micleans (1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis.Fast Free: Bring side dish-or-dessert with drink)
- Sat, Jan. 5,5:30 p.m., Vigil, Great Feast of Theophany (first day of fasting: strict fast wine/oil)
- Sun, Jan. 6, 9:30 Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Theophany, trapeza (no fast), Great Blessing of the Waters, City Dock
- Sun, Jan. 13, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy with Baptism (Daniela Serafima Miclean)
Confession and Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthlyconfession. If a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert 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, Marcia, Mother of Fr. David Subu, Richard, Cindy
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Archpriest George, 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, 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 His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (Fathers) Tone 2
Greatare the accomplishments of faith, // for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest; // and the Prophet Daniel appeared // a shepherd to the lions as thoughthey were sheep.//
So by their prayers, O ChristGod, saveour souls!
Troparion of the Forefeast Tone 4
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn thyself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!
Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the DivineFruit;
if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.//
Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning.
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 (Fathers) Tone 1
Rejoice, O Bethlehem! Prepare thyself, O Ephratha!
The Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in her womb.
The God-bearing Forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him,
and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin nursing Him.
Kontakion (Forefeast) Tone 3
Today the Virgin comesto the cave // to give birth to the Eternal Word. // Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe!
Glorify with the angels and the shepherds
the Eternal God, Who is willing to appearas a little child!
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.
Kontakion(Prefeast, 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.
