Christ God shatters the myth that being ‘good’ is ‘good enough’. Inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven is not just about following God’s commandments, as important as they are, but doing so because of love for God, a desire to be made compatible to be in His near presence, which is what it means to have eternal life. The Pharisee (Luke 18) was condemned for his self-righteousness while King David, an adulterer and a murderer, was said to be “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). The rich ruler in today’s Gospel causes us to reflect on ourselves: what may I have put before God, what idols grip me? Do I rest on my ‘laurels,’ thinking that my outward ‘doing of the faith,’ doing my ‘duty’ before God, will save me, or, that I’m ‘good’ enough as is, that I can, in effect, save myself? Many things can take hold of us; it doesn’t have to be money—anything can take the place of God, even one’s one self-righteousness. While the rich ruler’s wealth is an impediment, it is but a sad reflection of a heart that’s reliant on self and not on the Savior of the world. “Who then can be saved?” ask the Disciples. We take strong comfort from Christ’s reassuring words, “The things which are impossible for men are possible with God.” Yours in Christ, Fr.Robert+
Important: Commitment Sunday was Sunday, November 4!
If you have not yet offered your commitment for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $1425 in pledge cards from last Sunday and $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 our 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 and thanks be to God! The Mission Council
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30 Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
- Wed, Dec. 6, 6:45 p.m., Akathist to St. Nicholas and Colinde practice, St. Nicholas Day (volunteers needed to bring fast-friendly, festive refreshments): learn to sing Old World and English Carols.
- Wed, Dec, 6, No Bible Study (St. Nicholas Day)
- Sat, Dec. 9, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Dec. 10, 9:30 Hours, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School, choir practice for Nativity service.
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Wed, Dec, 13, 6:45 p.m., Daniel Bible Study—Chapters 10-11: Vision of the Messiah
- Thursday, 14 Dec., 6:30 p.m., Annual Colinde (Caroling) in historic Annapolis—join us in bringing joy and witnessing to Christ’s Incarnation as we sing traditional carols downtown (meet at St. John’s College gym lot (park on King George St.).
- 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.
- Friday, Dec. 29, Annual Colinde sing-along and fellowship at the Rectory. Save the date. Details TBA.
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: Chung (friend of Frank Greenwell), 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… “We preach not one coming of Christ, but a second as well, far more glorious than the first. The first gave us a spectacle of His patience; the second will bring with it the crown of the Kingdom of God. In general all things are twofold in our Lord Jesus Christ. His birth is twofold, one of God before the ages, and one of a virgin in the consummation of the ages. His descent is twofold, one lowly, ‘like the rain upon the fleece,’ and a second, His manifest coming, which is yet to be…” St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,
Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, // granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! // Glory to Thy ^Kingdom!//
Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou who lovest of mankind!”
Troparion (Prophet Zephaniah) Tone 2
We celebrate the memory // of Thy prophet Zephaniah, O Lord;
through him we beseech Thee: // “Save our souls!”
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 (Resurrection) Tone 1
As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory,
raising the world with Thyself.
Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished.
Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to Thee://
“Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
Kontakion (Prophet Zephaniah) Tone 4
Thou hast been revealed by the Spirit of God to be brilliant, O Prophet
Zephaniah,
for thou didst proclaim the coming of God:
“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! //Proclaim Him, O Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to save mankind!”
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.
Glory to God for All Things!
