“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 because He is Life. Not only is He the Creator of all life but it is 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 only focused 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 gives us an opportunity 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 have to offer ourselves to Him and His service and that of each other. In fasting, we learn to say “No!” to our cravings, we learn to pray and worship more, and we give increased alms and gifts to the Church that is Christ’s Body and those in need. May we be rich toward God this Nativity Fast (Advent), saying “Yes!” to life with Him and His Church, and in our generosity toward God, both material and spiritual, may we build up much treasure in heaven.
The Lord Jesus Christ bless you, Fr. Robert+
COMING UP AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Tues, Nov. 24, 12:50-1:20, Akathist of Thanksgiving at the St. Nicholas Chapel, USNA.
- Sat, Nov 28, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza following (fish, wine, oil allowed)
- Fri, Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m., Sisterhood Cozonac baking fundraiser and fellowship (rectory)
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s 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.
October Financial Report: We received $3,268 in offerings in October. YTD $29,151 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$3,678. Your faithful contributions provide for this church and her ministries. Thank God for His provision and your faithfulness, which means that our Mission can continue and grow! Holy Archangels Mission Council.
2016 Pledge Cards: We have received $1810 in pledges for 2016. Last year we received $2300. January 2016 we lose our $1333 monthly Mission Planting Grant from the OCA. Your step of faith and increased pledge over last year will help us sustain this Mission so we can continue her ministries and grow “in spirit and in numbers.”
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Servant of God, Ciprian, the victims of the terrorist attacks, and the Romanian club fire.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Eleni, Svetlana, Noah, Daphyne, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, the Syrian and Ukrainian refugees, a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
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 (Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple)Tone 4
Today is the prelude of the good will of God, of the preaching of the salvation of mankind.
The Virgin appears in the Temple of God, in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all.
Let us rejoice and sing to her: Rejoice, O Fulfillment //of the Creator’s dispensation!
Troparion (Apostles )Tone 3
Holy Apostles Philemon, Archipus, Apphia, and Onesimus,
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 of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (Resurrection)Tone 8
By rising from the tomb, Thou didst raise the dead and resurrected Adam.
Eve exults in Thy Resurrection,
and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
Kontakion (Apostles) Tone 2
Let us praise the Apostles of Christ, who illumine the ends of the earth like all-radiant stars:
glorious Philemon and dedicated Archippus, Onesimus, together with Mark and Apollos,
and the all-wise Apphia. Let us cry to them: unceasingly pray for us all!
Kontakion (Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple) Tone 4
The most pure Temple of the Savior; the precious Chamber and Virgin;
the sacred Treasure of the glory of God, is presented today to the house of the Lord.
She brings with her the grace of the Spirit, therefore, the angels of God praise her:
“Truly this woman is the abode of Heaven!”
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.
