Thoughts on Today’s Gospel
“…God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” How do we become ‘rich’ toward God? Christ God is meant to be everything to us: He alone is Life. He the Creator of all life and in Him “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). In Him is the future of us all, or, without Him, there is no future. The rich man in today’s parable is focused only on himself. He hordes up treasure for himself thinking that this buys him ‘security.’ How often do we see in our culture today those who put all their treasure into their material well-being, glorifying their temporal bodies, only to neglect their immortal souls? Christ God calls such people, “fools,” not because He does not love them, but because they are ignorant of their spiritual needs, the transitory nature of this temporal life; they put their trust in what will one day become nothing more than sand. The Nativity Fast we’ve now begun is an opportunity through increased prayer, fasting, and giving, to put Christ and His Church first in our priorities. In order to be generous toward God we have to love Him and His Church. We offer ourselves to Him and His service and that of each other. May we be rich toward God this Advent, that in our generosity toward God, material and spiritual, we may build up much treasure in heaven. The Lord bless you! Fr. Robert+
Important: Commitment Sunday was Sunday, November 4!
If you have not yet offered your commitment for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $1325 in pledge cards from last Sunday and $1900 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 our 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). 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
- Tues, Nov. 21, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast, Presentation of the Theotokos in the Temple, Trapeza (fish, wine, oil), Memorial service, Fr. George Calciu the Confessor (11th year)
- Wed, Nov. 22, NO Bible Study due to Thanksgiving
- Sat, Nov. 25, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Nov. 26, 9:30 Hours, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Wed, 6 Dec., 6:45 p.m., Akathist to St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas Day (volunteers needed to bring fast-friendly, festive refreshments)
- Thursday, 14 Dec., 6:30 p.m., Annual Colinde (Caroling) in historic Annapolis—join us in bringing joy and witnessing to Christ’s Incarnation as we sing traditional carols downtown
- Sunday, Dec. 24, 10 p.m., Great Feast of the Holy Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (‘the Winter Pascha’): Compline, Nocturns, Divine Liturgy. Please sign up to bring a quiche (only) for the festive meal after service. Georgian wine also served.
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.
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 (friend of Frank Greenwell), Linda (aunt of Fr. Robert), Victims of recent 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, Sydney, Young, 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…“For our speech and our preaching is not in persuasive words of man’s wisdom. We stir now no sophistical contrivances; for these become exposed; we do not conquer words with words, for these come to an end; but we preach Christ Crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23), who has already been preached aforetime by the Prophets”—St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone
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 (for Prophet Obadiah) Tone 2
We celebrate the memory // of Thy Prophet Obadiah, O Lord;
through him we beseech Thee: // “Save our souls!”
Troparion (for Martyr Barlaam) Tone 4
Armed with youthful fervor,
Thou didst endure martyrdom in old age and glorified Christ.
Thou didst offer Him thy right hand as a whole burnt offering
and thy holy soul as a blameless sacrifice.
Intercede that all that be granted forgiveness, Great-martyr Barlaam!
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 (Prophet Obadiah) Tone 1
The great Obadiah, acquiring a mind luminous with divine splendor,
speaks through the Holy Spirit, proclaiming things to come.
Today we honor him with faithful minds, //
celebrating his holy memory which enlightens the hearts of men.
Kontakion (Martyr Barlaam) Tone 3
Though weak with old age thou didst vanquish the Evil One
in thy mighty contest, O Barlaam.
Thou didst endure the rack like one without a body,
and steadfastly endured the burning of thy hand.
Therefore, God the Word has crowned thee with a crown of glory.
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!
