Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – July 30, 2017

We’re admonished in today’s Epistle against the sin of division (schism), which manifests itself not only in false doctrine and false morality but also in our idle talk, our gossip, our disobedience to Christ and the Church, or our slavish devotion to ethnic identities over and above our Orthodox life in Christ. Likewise, in today’s culture, there are many things that compete for our time, energy, and identity. Wherever we listen to those voices that would have us take on another identity above that which Christ God gives us as His adopted sons and daughters, we will be divided. Likewise, there are many ‘forces’ at work today that try to shame us from putting Christ (and our identity in Him) first. Humanism, like Communism or any other “ism” before it cannot take the place of that for which we are created—communion with God.   And these ‘religions’ of man cannot unite the human race together because they are full of man’s own vain materialist efforts and pride. Christ gives us a new and eternal identity—one that transcends all the other competing, prideful identities that separate us and lead otherwise to schism. In Him and in Him alone, we’re given a new name and become “a new creation,” (II Cor. 5:17).

We witness to the truth of this new, unifying life, by living it out in our own lives, individually and corporately, submitting ourselves to Christ and the Church—even when the culture tries to ‘shame’ us into thinking differently. If we want to see our culture change to embrace Christ and the Church, we “take up our cross” and follow Christ too, that our culture, like those before it, may be baptized by Christ and His holy Orthodox Church. But, as St. Paul says today: “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”                   The Lord Jesus Christ bless you! Fr. Robert+

THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services are at 47 Spa Rd)

  • TODAY, 9:30, Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza followed by Sunday School
  • Tuesday, Aug. 1, BEGIN DORMITION FAST!
  • Wed, Aug. 2 and Fri., Aug. 4, 5:30 p.m., Paraklesis to the Holy Theotokos in preparation for the Great Feast of the Dormition (Byzantine chant)
  • Wed, Aug. 2, 6:45-8:15, Bible Study Series & Outreach Opportunity: The Epistle of St. James, Chapter 4… Invite your friends for this journey of faith & discovery!
  • Fri, Aug. 4, 7-8:30 p.m., Plebe Summer ministry at the USNA
  • Sat, Aug. 5, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after the service)
  • Sun, Aug. 6, 9:30 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy for the Great Feast of the Transfiguration, Trapeza, Sunday School (bring fruit to be blessed and shared)

Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars

  • Tues, Aug. 15, 9:30 a.m., Great Feast of the Dormition of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos (bring flowers to be blessed; festal Trapeza, end of Dormition Fast)

 

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.

 

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. Please place your pledge (or increased pledge) in the offering box today!

 

TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve after Divine Liturgy is a very 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 God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”

  • For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
  • Forgiveness, memory eternal: William, James, Harry, Charlie
  • Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Marlena and her baby, Beatrice, Charlie, Jonah, Ellie, 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, esp. Egypt and Syria, a peaceful resolution in Syria.

 

From the Fathers…

“It was to be believed of Him, both that He is of the Father, and that He is equal to Him. But the proofs of these things seemed to oppose one another… Why does He not make it of things that are not?… He makes it out of the materials which they had specifically, so He might lead them to faith… And another thing, too, we learn the self-restraint of the disciples which they practiced in necessary things, and how little they accounted of food. For being twelve, they had only five loaves and two fishes…. And not even so little did they hold fast, but gave up even that when asked.” (St. John Chrysostom, Homily XLIX on Matthew XIV, 1,2. B#54, pp. 304, 305 in Manley, The Bible and the Holy Fathers for Orthodox, p. 260).

 

Troparion             (Resurrection)            Tone 7

By Thy Cross Thou didst destroy death//To the thief Thou didst open Paradise.

For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change weeping into joy,

and Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God,

to proclaim that Thou art risen,//granting the world great mercy.

Troparion             (from the Menaion)                        Tone 3

Holy Apostles Silas and Silvanus,

entreat the merciful God//to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

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 on high

Kontakion            (Resurrection)         Tone 7                       

The dominion of death can no longer hold men captive,

for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers.

Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry:

“The Savior has come to those in faith;//enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”

Kontakion            (from the Menaion)                        Tone 4            

Ye were revealed to be branches of the vine of Christ, O wise ones,

bearing clusters of virtues that pour out on us the wine of salvation.

Receiving it, we are filled with gladness,

and we celebrate your most honored memory, apostles of the Lord, Silas and Silvanus.//

Therefore, intercede that great mercy and remission of sins may be granted to us.

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.