Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – January 12, 2020

“Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord.  Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan…  Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God.  Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God.  Today the whole creation shines with light from on high.  Today error is laid love and the coming of the Master has made for us a way of salvation.  Today things above keep feast with things below, and things below commune with things above.”—From “the Great Blessing of the Waters”

House Blessings: Today begins the season of house blessings: The faithful invite Christ into their homes to have them blessed and to pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love, harbors in the midst of the storm of the world, places of refuge for our souls.  House blessings are a testimony to what we believe as Orthodox Christians.  Please contact Fr. Robert as soon as possible with two suggested days and times for a house blessing.  He will do his best to accommodate you.

TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2020.  

Throughout time, the people of God have given back to God a tenth, that is, a Tithe, of all that they had.  In the early Church, some even felt called to give away all that they had to build up the Church and glorify God.  While as Christians we recognize that everything belongs to God, the tithe (or some percentage) is an important way to open our hearts to God, to learn to love God more, to take a step forward in faith and trust in God.  Please offer your “Time, Talent, Treasure” pledge today, knowing that God will give you much more in return “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Cor. 9:6)

THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS:

  • TODAY 9:15 am, Hours, 9:45 am, Divine Liturgy, Memorial, Charlene Miclean, Fr. Robert’s Mother (6thyear), Trapeza, Great Blessing of the Waters, City Dock
  • Wed., Jan. 15, 6 p.m.,Daily Vespers
  • Sat., Jan. 18, 6 pm Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
  • Sun., Jan. 19, 9:30 am, Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza

Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!

  • Fri., Jan. 24, 10 a.m., Annual March for Life with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon(meet at St. John’s College Gym lot)
  • Wed., Jan. 29, 7 p.m., New 4-week Bible Study series begins: The Psalms of the Hours

Confession & Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthlyconfession.  If a month has passed and you’ve not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert to ask a blessing to receive 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: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, newly departed Archimandrite (Elder) Ephraim 
  • Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Sydney, Young, Valerie, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, Erin, Joseph, James, Julie, Elaine, Steven, Lia, Jordan, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they battle the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria. 

Troparion              (Resurrection)            Tone 3            

Let the heavens rejoice!//Let the earthbe glad!

For the Lord has shown strengthwith His arm.

He has trampled down deathby death.

He has become the firstborn of the dead.

He has delivered us from the depthsof hell,

and has granted to the world//greatmercy.

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, 

andto know Thee,the Orient from on high/OLord, glory toThee  

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 armies and ministers of the divine glory//princes of the bodiless Angels and guidesof mankind// askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.

Glory to God for All Things!