The Parable of the Good Samaritan calls us to come outside ourselves and our own self-focus, to live as Christ in the midst of a world torn apart and ravaged by the ‘thieves’ of our souls that rob mankind of its greatest treasure: our life in and with God the Holy Trinity, our identity as a child of God called to glorify Him with our lives and recover our ‘first beauty.’ Godlessness pulls our neighbors away from our Life-source, from relationship and communion with God. You and I have the opportunity to be as the Samaritan, a foreigner in this world, yes, but one who ministers to those who fall among the ‘thieves’ of this generation, those robbed of their sacred vocation and in need of healing through repentance and the laver of regeneration, baptism and the sacramental life in Christ. As you and I strive to live out our faith with all sincerity, prioritizing our life in Christ in the Church above all else, we give others hope of the reality of this new life as well, we present an alternative to slavery to this world and its passions—all that is passing away. In this way, we mend the wounds of our neighbors’ eternal souls by loving them with the Gospel and the Orthodox Faith, by bringing them to Christ. May He give us the eyes to see those in need, who’ve fallen among ‘the thieves’ of our culture, and give us a heart to love and minister to them that they too find Christ and His Church.
The Lord bless you, Fr. Robert+
Important: Commitment Sunday was last Sunday, November 4!
If you have not yet offered your commitment for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today so that the Mission Council can begin to plan for a financially challenging 2018. As of now we have $1325 in pledge cards from last Sunday. We need $3,000. We need all to whom this Mission is dear to please give generously so we can continue to pay our rent and other necessary expenses to provide for our church and her growth for the future. “So 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). Thank you and thanks be to God! The Mission Council
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30 Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
- Wed, Nov. 15, Begin Nativity Fast
- Wed, Nov. 15, 6:45 p.m., Bible Study on the Book of Daniel. This week: Daniel 7—Daniel’s Apocalyptic Dream of the 4 Beasts
- Sat, Nov. 18, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Nov. 19, 9:30 Hours, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Tues, Nov. 21, 9:15 Hours, 9:45 Divine Liturgy, Great Feast, Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple, Trapeza (fish, wine, oil), Memorial service, Fr. George Calciu the Confessor (11th year)
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.
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 2018 pledge (or increased pledge) in the offering box today!
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 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 our Mission grows “in spirit and in numbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Chung, Dante, Victims of shootings
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Marlena and baby, Beatrice, George, Linda, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Kristina, victims of the recent shootings, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West and speak the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
From the Fathers…
“Do not be one who holds his hand out to take, but shuts it when it comes to giving. If your labor has brought you earnings, pay a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give and do not give with a bad grace, for you will discover who He is that pays you back a reward with a good grace. Do not turn your back on the needy, but share everything with your brother and call nothing your own. For if you have what is eternal in common, how much more should you have what is transient!…” (The Didache, ca. 90 A.D.)
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb;
the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Thy grave,
seeking Thy most pure body.
Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it.
Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Troparion (St John the Merciful) Tone 8
By endurance thou didst gain thy reward, venerable Father;
thou didst persevere in prayer unceasingly;
thou didst love the poor and provide for them in all things.
Blessed John the Merciful, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved!
Troparion (Venerable Nilus) Tone 8
By a flood of tears thou didst make the desert fertile,
and thy longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.
By the radiance of miracles thou didst illumine the whole universe.
Our Father Nilus, pray to Christ God to 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 on high
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life,
raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand,
He bestowed resurrection on the human race.//
He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Kontakion (St John the Merciful) Tone 2
Thou didst distribute thy wealth to the poor
and in return obtained wealth from heaven, John the Merciful.
Therefore, we honor thee and celebrate thy memory,
O namesake of mercy.
Kontakion (Venerable Nilus) Tone 8
By thy vigilant prayer thou didst cut away the undergrowth of the body’s
insurgent passions.
As thou hast boldness before the Lord, free me from every danger so that I may cry to thee: “Rejoice, universal father Nilus!”
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.
