On Today’s Gospel: Matt. 9:1-8
Upon first encounter with the paralytic in today’s Gospel, Christ first heals the man of the ‘paralysis’of his soul by forgiving his sins. Nothing is too great for God, but we also remember that His grace is sufficient for you and me. Not everyone receives miraculous healing of body, but all of usnot only canbut are calledto receive miraculous healing for our souls from the deadly passions and sinful habits that would otherwise paralyze us spiritually and keep us from growth in Christ and entrance into His eternal Kingdom. Our faithful participation and cooperation with the Holy Spirit is to present ourselves through repentance to Christ in the Sacrament of Confession, in the divine worship of the Church, in our daily prayers, and in the Eucharist, in witnessing the truth of Christ in the world around us, prioritizing His Kingdom above all else. When we do so, Christ heals us and grows us further in the victorious life He became incarnate to give us. Every time we pray, repent, confess, worship, and witness, God works in us and through us to free our souls from spiritual ‘paralysis’. This is our cooperation with the Holy Spirit God so freely and lovingly gives to all who avail themselves of the tools of His Church, who entrust themselves to Jesus Christ, the Healer of our souls and bodies, the One who forgives our sins, calling us to eternallife with Him! In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
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 grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. (II Cor. 9:7).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY 9:30Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
- Wed., July 31, 6:45,Patristics Study:The First Apology, St. Justin the Philosopher and Martyr continued
- Thurs., Aug. 1, Begin Dormition Fast(no meat or dairy)
- Sat., Aug. 3,6pm, Great Vespers, Confession following
- Sun., Aug.4,9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., DivineLiturgy, Trapeza
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Tues., Aug. 6,9:45 a.m., Great Feast of the Holy Transfiguration,trapeza: fish, wine, oil
- Wed., Aug. 7, 6 p.m., Paraclis(paraklesis) to the Most-Holy Theotokos before our continuing Patristics study at 6:45 p.m.
- Wed., Aug. 14, 630 p.m., Vesperal Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of the Holy Dormition(with the Lamentations)
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 of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren around the world, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection)Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word,
co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
bornfor our salvation from the Virgin;
for He willedto be lifted up on the Crossin the flesh,
to enduredeath, // and to raisethe dead//
by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (Holy Apostles of the Seventy and Deacons)Tone 3
Holy Apostles Próchorus, Nícanor, Tímon, and Parménas,
entreat the merciful God,//
to grant our soulsforgiveness of transgressions!
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 (Resurrection) Tone 5
Thoudidst descend into hell, O my Savior, //shattering its gates as Almighty, //resurrecting the dead as Creator,//and destroying the stingof death. //Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of man,//and we cry to Thee: O Lord,saveus!
Kontakion (Holy Apostles of the Seventy and Deacons)Tone 1
The glorious Nícanor, Próchorus, Parménas, and Tímon,
the honored deacons ↓and ↑eyewitnesses of the Word,
have been revealed as chosen vessels of the Faith.
Therefore, we celebrate your holy memory today,//
blessing you with gladness of heart.
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.
~Glory to God for All Things!~
