Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – June 3, 2018

All Saints: Today we remember all those faithful Saints who have come before us: “forefathers, fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, preachers, evangelists, martyrs, confessors, ascetics and every righteous spirit made perfect in faith” (Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom). They come from every race, class, region, and time. What they share in common is that through their repentance and cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit, they’ve been deified and come to participate in the life of the Holy Trinity. Christ is their all and He has made them holy, humble, courageous in living out and witnessing to His truth in this world. It’s tempting to think of the Saints as some relic of the past; they’re not: there are modern Saints in our own generation—St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, Priest Gheorghe Calciu, the Confessor, St. Tikhon, St. Raphael of Brooklyn, St. Elizabeth the New—just to name a few. We also realize that God doesn’t just call a few to be Saints, but all of us. That realization humbles us, reminds us of God’s great and unsurpassed love and mercy for us, which helps us persevere in our struggles for healing from our passions and worldly attitudes that would otherwise stand in our way of deeper and continued growth in communion with God, of salvation itself. The Lord honors our struggles; through them, we learn to entrust ourselves more to Him, to repent and pray more fervently, to participate more in the sacramental life in Christ. The “great cloud of witnesses” spurs us on to likewise live to the fullest for the glory of God. Holy Saints of God, pray for us sinners!                                                                                                                       

Important: 2018 Pledges/Commitments: If you have not yet offered your pledge for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $2900 total in monthly commitments. We need $3,500. To all for whom this Mission is dear, please give generously so we can continue to pay rent and other necessary expenses to provide for our church and her growth. “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, 9:15 Hours,10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School,
  • Sat, June 9, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following
  • Sun, June 10, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy,

Looking Ahead…

  • Mon, June 4, Saints Peter and Paul Fast begins
  • Sat, June 16, 3:30 p.m., Annual Picnic at the Rectory (1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis). BYOFish to grill, a side and/or drink to share. Great Vespers at 6 p.m. on the deck, fire in the fire pit, edifying fellowship.
  • , June 29, 9:45 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Trapeza (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.

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.

 

AMAZON. We’re now able to give 6.5% of our regular purchases from Amazon.com to Holy Archangels. Purchases are anonymous and will be automatically credited to Holy Archangels. Please Visit our website and click the link before you shop at Amazon and it will be credited to us. Please note: This is not the same promotion as “Amazon Smile.”

 

TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s 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, which is everyone’s responsibility!

 

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, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Cynthia, Valerie, Charlotte, Zachary and Angela, 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             (from the Pentecostarion)            Tone 4

As with fine porphyry and royal purple,

Thy Church has been adorned with Thy martyrs’ blood shed through-out all the world.

She cries to Thee, O Christ God:

“Send down Thy bounties on Thy people,//

grant peace to Thy habitation and great mercy to 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            (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 8

The universe offers Thee the God-bearing Martyrs

as the first fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator.

By their prayers keep Thy Church, Thy habitation, in abiding peace//

through the Theotokos, O most Merciful One!

 

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.