TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2018. Fall is the time of harvest when people traditionally received the fruit of their labors and offered those “first fruits” back to God in thanksgiving and recognition that He is the Source of all that provision and blessing. As Christians we know that everything is ultimately a gift from God. Throughout time, the people of God have been called on to give back to God at least a tenth, that is, a Tithe, of all that they had. In the New Covenant, we are not called upon to give a Tithe, but everything we have. The Tithe is a good place to start to open our hearts to God, to learn to love God more, and to build up His Church. God is always more faithful than we and gives to us sacramentally in return: He provides for us in every way. We offer a portion to Him in thanksgiving from that which He’s entrusted to us of our time, our talents, and our treasures, and then God, in His goodness, returns to us His eternal and spiritual good gifts and further prepares us for life with Him in His heavenly Kingdom. Please take a “Time, Talent, Treasure” pledge form today, pray about what God would have you give of yourself in 2018, take a step of faith, knowing that God will give you so much more in return. Please place your completed pledge form in the offering box no later than Sunday, Nov. 5 (Sunday before our patronal feast). He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (II Cor. 9:6)
Yours in Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30 Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
- Wed, Oct. 11, 6:45-8:15 p.m.; BIBLE STUDY: THE BOOK OF DANIEL, chapter 3: The Golden Image…
- Sat, Oct. 14, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Oct. 15, 9:30 Hours, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Sat, Oct. 21, 4:30 p.m., October Catechumen Class, Meeting
- Sat, Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m., All Saints Party for the Children—dress as your favorite Saint, bobbing for apples, games, etc. Volunteers needed to help make this a special day for the children.
- Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 4-5, Patronal Feast Retreat with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon. Fr. Chad Hatfield, President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, will speak on, “Three Ways to Know the Body of Christ: Incarnation, Mission, Sacrament.” Registration now open!!
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 to ask for a blessing to receive.
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 God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Fran (Aunt of Marian Soriano), Dante, Victims of the shooting in Las Vegas
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Marlena and her baby, Beatrice, George, Linda, those recovering from the shooting in Las Vegas, 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…
“Woe to him, it is said, who doeth not alms; and if this was the case under the Old Covenant, much more is it under the New. If, where the getting of wealth was allowed and the enjoyment of it, and the care of it, there was such provision made for the succoring of the poor, how much more in that Dispensation, where we are commanded to surrender all we have? For what did not they of old do? They gave tithes, and tithes again upon tithes for orphans, widows, and strangers, whereas some one was saying to me in astonishment at another, ‘such a one gives tithes.’ What a load of disgrace does this expression imply, since what was not a matter of wonder with the Jews has come to be so in the case of the Christians? If there was danger then in omitting tithes, think how great it must be now.” (St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians)
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,
Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior,
granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ!
Glory to Thy Kingdom!//
Glory to Thy dispensation, O thou who lovest of mankind!”
Troparion (Venerable Pelagia) Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in thee, O Mother,
for thou didst take up the Cross and follow Christ.
By so doing thou didst teach us to disregard the flesh for it passes away
but to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.//
Therefore thy spirit, venerable Pelagía, rejoices with the angels.
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 1
As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory,
raising the world with Thyself.
Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished.
Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to Thee://
“Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
Kontakion (Venerable Pelagia) Tone 2
Thou didst wear out thy body through fasting, vigils, and prayer,
beseeching the Creator to forgive thy deeds completely.
Thou didst achieve this, O holy Mother Pelagia,
thereby showing up the way to repentance.
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.
