Blessed Nativity in Continuation, Many Years! “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 continue to celebrate our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ’s holy Nativity and Incarnation. Now, a new year brings with it new opportunities to say “Yes!” to God and “No!” to sin in our daily lives, even moment by moment, as we live in and for Christ in a spirit of humility and repentance. Today we are called to “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Without repentance, a change of heart and turning continuously to Christ, there is no life in Him, there is no Christianity. Let this year be the year that you decide to give yourself more fully to Christ by living out your faith and making use of the tools of salvation found only in His Holy Church. Behold, Christ makes all things new! 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, Magi/flight into Egypt.
- Mon, 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., Daily Vespers(no Patristics 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) Confession following
- Sun, Jan. 6, 9:30 Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Theophany, trapeza (no fast), Great Blessing of the Waters, City Dock
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- 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 6
The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb; // the guards became as deadmen. // Mary stoodby Thy grave, // seeking Thy most pure body. // Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it.
Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Troparion (for the Feast) Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christour God,//has shone to the world the light of wisdom//For by it, those who worshipped the stars, were taught by a star to adoreThee, //the Sun of righteousness, and to know Thee, the Orient from on high.//O Lord, glory to Thee!
Troparion (of the Righteous Ones) Tone 2
Proclaimthe wonder, O Joseph, // to David, the ancestor of God; //thou hast seena Virgin greatwith child; //and thou didst give glory with the shepherds; //thou didst worship with the Magi, // and didst receive the news from the Angel. //
Pray to ChristGod to saveour souls!
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 (of the Righteous Ones) Tone 3
Today godly David is filledwith joy; // Joseph and James offer praise. // The glorious crownof their kinship with Christ fills them with greatjoy. // They sing praises to the One ineffably bornon earth, // and they cry out: “O Compassionate One, savethose who honor Thee!”
Kontakion of the Feast Tone 3
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,//and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One.//Angels with shepherds glorify Him;//the Wise Men journey with the star,//
since for our sake the eternal Godwas bornas 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.
