Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). The woman at the well in today’s Gospel comes from a very dark place: She’s living in sin, in confusion, she’s a follower of a man-made religion that cannot fulfill, but she thirsts for more. Christ shows her Himself—the Light of the world, the Living Water—so that coming to the knowledge and love of Him, she may be illuminated, transfigured. When we speak of someone journeying to the Orthodox Faith, we speak of them “coming to holy illumination.” Because of her encounter with Christ, the Living Water, she is changed; she is illumined; her adulterous love is transformed into pure agape love for God and for others. This love of God, love from God, motivates her in her love of others. She cannot help but share her joy at finding Jesus Christ, the Living Water, with others. The Apostles give her the name, Photini, “the enlightened one”. She becomes one of the great evangelists of the early Church—the enlightener of the Samaritan people. St. Photini did not let her past, her old ‘patterns’ of dysfunction, sin, confusion and darkness, get in the way of her new life—her illumined life—with God; she became who she truly is, whom God created her to be. Christ says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). This is the supreme service for love of God and our fellow man. Christ is risen! Fr. Robert+
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, (Sunday of the Samaritan Woman)
- 3-5 p.m., Sisterhood Tea, 1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis. Tea & fellowship provided; please bring a finger food to share.
- Wednesday, April May 9, 6:30 p.m., Daily Paschal Vespers
- Sat, May 12, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following.
- Sun, May 13, 9:40 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, Trapeza and Sunday School
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Tuesday, May 15-Friday, May 31, Robert is leading the Romania Pilgrimage, “Spiritual Treasures of Romania.” Fr. Ignatius Green will be serving in Father’s stead.
- Wed, May 16, 6:30 p.m., Festal Great Vespers with Litya, Great Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
- Thurs, May 17, 10 a.m., Great Feast of the Ascension
- Sat, May 26, 6 p.m., Festal Great Vespers with Litya, Great Feast of Pentecost
- Sun, May 27, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of Pentecost/Descent of the Holy Spirit
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least 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.
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.
TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve 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.
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 4
When the women Disciples of the Lord
learned from the Angel the joyous message of the Resurrection,
they cast away the ancestral curse
and elatedly told the Apostles: // “Death is overthrown!
Christ God is risen,// granting the world great mercy!”
Troparion (Midfeast) Tone 8
In the middle of the feast, O Savior, // fill my thirsting soul with the waters of piety, // as Thou didst cry to all: “If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink!”//
O Christ God, Fountain of our life, glory to Thee!
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 (Pentecostarion Tone 8
The Samaritan Woman came to the well in faith;
she saw Thee, the Water of wisdom and drank abundantly.//
She inherited the Kingdom on high, and is ever glorified!
Kontakion (Midfeast) Tone 4
Christ God, the Creator and Master of all,
cried to all in the midst of the feast of the Law:
“Come and draw the water of immortality!”
We fall before Thee and faithfully cry://
Grant us Thy mercies, for Thou art the Fountain of our life!
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.
