The disciples faced many fears—fear of rejection by their own for following the Messiah, fear of arrest, persecution, of losing all their temporal attachments, forsaking their families, suffering prison, torture, martyrdom, and even wondering where their next meal would come from. To all of these fears, Jesus reminds them that He and HE ALONE is “the one thing needful.” He is life itself, and as such, as the Creator of the wind and the tempest, the waters, and all that teems therein (Ps. 103), He commands them to cease, to be calmed… and they obey, as we see in today’s Gospel. Peter tries to come to the Lord on the water, just as Christ God is walking on the water He created. At first he actually succeeds, but then, he is unsettled, his focus is taken off Christ and directed to the fearsome winds and waves, the temporal and material things he fears… and he sinks. He spiritually and physically sinks. Jesus, Christ God, saves him, and He can save us when we lose faith and begin to sink as well. We too have fears: the Lord teaches us today to entrust them to Him, the God who has power over that which we fear, over all that is temporal. “Put not you trust in princes and sons of men in whom there is no salvation,” (Ps. 145) as we sing in the Liturgy, but in Christ God, to whom even the fearsome winds and the waves we encounter on the sea of life are obedient. Yours in Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
Important: 2018 Pledges/Commitments: We have reached our minimum need of $3,500 per month. Glory to God for His provision! To grow the Mission further, we need everyone to honor their monthly pledges and to give generously and faithfully so we can continue to provide for our church and ready ourselves for the next step. “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, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy Trapeza following, Sunday School. If you have not made Confession in the past month, you are invited to receive the blessed antidoron and wine.
- Wed, Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m., Daily Vespers, confession offered
- Sat, Aug. 4, 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers confession following
- Sun, Aug. 5, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, trapeza following with Sunday School
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Mon, Aug. 6, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of the Transfiguration, Trapeza (fish, wine, oil).
- Wed, Aug. 8, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers, Feast of St. Herman of Alaska.
- Tues, Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers, Lamentations, Holy Dormition of our Most-Blessed Lady Theotokos
- Wed, Aug. 15, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Dormition, Trapeza served (fish, wine, oil)
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthly confession. 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 service and 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 so important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit and in umbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Archpriest George, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Cynthia Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, newly illumined Barbara, Isaiah, Samson, Matthew Constantine and godparents, 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.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 8
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One!
Thou didst accept the three day burial
to free us from our sufferings!//
O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to Thee!
Troparion (Martyr Callinicus) Tone 4
Thy holy martyr Callinicus, O Lord, // through his suffering has received an incorruptible crown from Thee our God.
For having Thy strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.//
Through his intercessions, save our souls!
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 (Resurrection) Tone 8
By rising from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrected Adam. // Eve exults in Thy Resurrection,
and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O
greatly Merciful One!
Kontakion (Martyr Callinicus) Tone 2
Thou didst worthily inherit joy on high, O Callinicus,
for aflame with love for Christ thou didst bravely endure the fire.
As thou standest before Him,//
never cease to intercede for us all!
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.
Glory to God for All Things!
