The idea of denying oneself anything in today’s “me first” culture is considered ‘abnormal.’ The message of the cross of Christ, on the other hand, stands in such stark contrast: Christ says to us today, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mk. 8:34). The Lord knows that if we put self, that is, ego, first, we become what we ‘eat,” we are swallowed up by our passions and by the world around us in our desires to please ourselves. By contrast, the Christian is he or she who comes outside himself to love and to serve God and in learning to live for Him and in the light of His truth, witnesses to the world around him—even at personal cost to himself. For this reason, Christ also says to us today, “whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mk. 8:35). This is the paradox presented to us today: in dying to the worst of fallen human nature, we learn to live to Christ and acquire a deified human nature, capable of life with God. Such is God’s loving desire for us so that with God ALL things are possible, all healing from sin-sickness, redemption and new life, are the daily business of heaven. With the cross before us, we learn to deny ourselves, and look to and follow Christ, so that we may become fellow victors with Him over sin and death through His invincible trophy and weapon of peace, the cross! In Christ’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our new church home—47 Spa Rd):
- Today: Pre-school aged children on up are invited to come to Sunday School during Trapeza
- Wed, Sept. 21 (weekly), 6:30 p.m., “The Book of ACTS through the Eyes of the Early Christians.” This week:, Chapters14-15: The first presbyters, the Council of Jerusalem. Join us and invite your friends!
- Sat, Sept 24, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Confession following
- Sun, Sept 25, 9:30 a.m. Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza following
Holy Archangels Rent: KEEP OUR MISSION GOING! We need to raise an additional $300 per month to be able to continue to afford this new church home. We have taken a unanimous step of faith together. Please open up your hearts to help us meet this challenge with your faithful monthly support so we can grow our church. May God reward you for your faithfulness in providing for this Mission!
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 to ask for a blessing to receive.
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);
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Bede, Mat. Janet, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Noah, Norm, Svetlana, Alex, Gabriela and the child she bears, Cecilia and the child she bears, 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, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 4
When the women disciples of the Lord
learned from the angel the joyous message of thy 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 Tone 1
O Lord, save Thy people // and bless Thine inheritance!
Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians // over their adversaries;
and by virtue of Thy Cross,// preserve Thy habitation!
Troparion (Holy Archangels) Tone 4
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 4
My Savior and Redeemer
as God rose from the tomb and delivered the earth-born from their chains.
He has shattered the gates of hell, // and as Master,// He has risen on the third day!
Kontakion (St Eumenes) Tone 2
Radiant with divine light, O blessed one,
illumine us who lovingly praise thy precious and glorious passing;
Hierarch Father Eumenes, // unceasingly intercede for us all.
Kontakion Tone 4
As Thou wast voluntarily raised upon the Cross for our sake,
grant mercy to those who are called by Thy Name, O Christ God;
make all Orthodox Christians glad by thy pow’r,
granting them victories over their adversaries//
by bestowing on them the invincible trophy, Thy weapon of peace!
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.
