Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare)… One week and counting: that’s how long we have until Holy Lent begins—the Great Fast! We begin now preparing ourselves, body and soul, as well as our households, to make the most of this holy season of fasting and increased prayer, worship, and alms giving before us. We do so in order to heal, to grow in Christ, to take steps forward in faith and participation in the life of the Holy Trinity, so that, arriving at Holy Pascha, we are changed, renewed, and further formed into those beloved children of God that He has formed us and called us to be. That we may take this opportunity in all seriousness and vigilance of effort, the Church places before us today the remembrance of the fearful Last Judgment, when Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. The timing is not accidental: Christ reminds us that it is our Orthodox understanding of sin and judgment that can be not only the catalyst to change, to repent, but also the vehicle through which that repentance and change comes. We keep in remembrance the Last Judgment, so that daily, judging ourselves in light of the Gospel and the revealed life of Christ through His holy Church, we may address the sin-sickness in our lives, find healing for our souls and increase our participation in the life of the Holy Trinity, and in this way, hear the words of Christ on the Last Day, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.” 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 $2500 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, Feb. 7, 6:45 p.m., FINAL STUDY: On the Incarnation, St. Athanasius (4th century). This Week: “The Death of Christ and the Resurrection of the Body,” through the “Conclusion.”
- Sat, Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Feb. 1, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School: Last Judgment (Annual Meeting moved to 1 March).
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Sunday, Feb. 18, Cheesefare, Expulsion from Paradise, Vespers of Forgiveness with Rite of Forgiveness following Trapeza—Liturgical Entrance into Great and Holy Lent.
- CLEAN Monday, Feb. 19—Beginning of the Great FAST, 6:30 p.m. Canon of St. Andrew (M, T, Th,)
- Wed, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., 1st Presanctified Liturgy, Soup Supper
- Sun, Feb. 25, Baptismal Divine Liturgy (Jonathon Ayala, son of James and Olga)
- Sunday, March 1, Annual Meeting following Trapeza
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: Newly-reposed servants of God Lois (Cynthia’s newly-reposed aunt), Joseph, Anthony, Mary.
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. 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, Liam, Cynthia, Valerie, Annette, 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.
From the Fathers… Come, brethren, before the end, and let us all look upon our clay, upon the infirmity and meanness of our nature. Let us behold our end, and the organs of the vessel of our flesh. Let us see that man is dust, food for worms, and corruption; that our bones grow dry, and have no breath of life within them. Let us gaze on the tombs. Where is man’s glory? Where his outward beauty? Where is the eloquent tongue? Where the noble brow, and where the eye? All is dust and shadow. Therefore, Saviour, spare us all. (Stichera at the Praises, Matins, Saturday before Meatfare)
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 (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 Lenten Triodion)Tone 1
When Thou, O God, shalt come to earth with glory,
all things shall tremble,
and the river of fire shall flow before Thy judgment seat;
the books shall be opened, and the hidden things disclosed;
then deliver me from the unquenchable fire,//
and make me worthy to stand at Thy right hand, O Righteous Judge!
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.
