Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – February 19, 2017

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 and worship that is before us. We do so in order to heal, to grow in Christ, to take a few steps forward in faith and participation in the life of the Holy Trinity, so that, arriving at Pascha, we are changed and renewed, further formed into those beloved children of God that He has formed us and called us to be. In the same manner, Christ 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 through His holy Church knows that it is our Orthodox understanding of sin and judgment that can be not only the catalyst to change, to repentanct, to increased cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, 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 increased 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+

 

THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):           

  • Today: Meatfare, Sunday of the Last Judgment, Trapeza for Sunday of Meatfare follows together with the Annual Meeting. Pre-school children on up are invited to come to Sunday School during Trapeza
  • Wed, Feb. 22 (weekly), 6:45 p.m., Galatians Bible Study Continues:St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians as the Early Christians Saw it.” This Week: Chapters 5-6: War Against the Flesh, The Rule of Faith. Share the opportunity to learn & grow in faith with your friends!
  • Sat, Feb. 25, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, , Confession following
  • Sun, Feb. 26, 9:30a.m. Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy,
  • *Sun., Feb. 26, Sunday of Adam’s Expulsion from Paradise, Cheesefare Trapeza (please sign up), followed by Forgiveness Vespers, Rite of Forgiveness (liturgical start of Lent)!

 

Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!

  • *Mon., Feb. 27, Clean Monday, strict fast, beginning of fast for Great and Holy Lent.
  • *Wed., Feb. 29, 6:30 p.m., First Presanctified Liturgy, New Bible Study: “The Ten Commandments in the Life of the Faithful Christian” during our soup suppers.
  • Sun, March 5, Sunday of Orthodoxy followed by Annual Meeting ALL are welcome and encouraged to attend (Voting members are those who have confessed and received at Holy Archangels in 2016, contribute financially, and are 18 or older).
  • March 10-18, Robert leading ten OCF students for National OCF Realbreak Mission to Romania. Fr. Ignatius will serve in Father’s stead on Sunday, March 12.

 

Lenten Soup Sale: Our Sisterhood is doing a lenten soup sale. Please see the order form. All soups are lenten and can be ordered for wednesday or Sunday Pick up. View and Share the Order form

 

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 to ask for a blessing to receive.

 

Prayer Requests:

  • That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
  • For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
  • Forgiveness, memory eternal: Marie (Paul’s Aunt), victims of St. Mark Cathedral terrorist attack
  • Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Mat. Janet, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Svetlana, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Arthur, 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, a peaceful resolution in Syria.

 

Troparion             (Resurrection) Tone 2

When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal,

Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.

And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,

all the powers of heaven cried out:// “O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”

 

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.