Today Christ calls His foremost disciples, Peter, James, and John, from the simple life of fishermen to being “fishers of men,” in which they will give up all for the sake of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit transforms these ‘simple’ fishermen into the great disciples and then Apostles of the Church. But their calling to be “fishers of men” is not unique: it’s the calling given to each of us by virtue of our baptism into Christ. We too are called, as Christ says, to be “the salt of the earth,” “the light of the world.” St. Paul likens us to “ambassadors for Christ.” Our struggling and striving to live out our faith, not in accordance to our or society’s standards, but in accordance to the “faith once delivered by the Saints” (Jude 1:3), is a testimony to the truth of Christ which is the same hope of healing and salvation for every age. Our repentance, worship, daily prayers, how we act and speak, are all engaging aspects of our witness, of us becoming “fishers of men” like them. Our living out of our faith often gives us the opportunity to speak about our faith and testify to the truth that is Christ and the life in Him. What we strive against is our tendency to fear being seen as a Christian, to be seen crossing ourselves or standing apart from the crowd, much of which is running after the vain things of this world. Christ God, as He calls His disciples and all of us to be “fishers of men,” evangelists, also teaches us how to witness, saying, “Do not be afraid!” May we attain to the courage of the Apostles to follow Christ’s call, live out our baptism, and continue to make our Mission a place of refuge, healing, and salvation for all those seeking the fullness of life in Christ.
In Christ’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- TODAY, Sisterhood Meeting to plan for Patronal Feast Retreat and Fundraising
- Wed, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m., Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion, St. John’s Boathouse (park on King George St., first building on left after crossing College Creek if coming from outside historic downtown) This Week: The Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus. ALL are welcome!
- Saturday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (Confession following)
- Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30am Hours; 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, followed by Trapeza
Looking Ahead:
- Fruday, Oct. 9, 12 Noon -Sunday, Oct. 11, Divine Liturgy: A Retreat for all College-Aged people entitled: What is Salvation? Understanding Deification and Hesychasm in the Orthodox Faith. Cost is $25. Bring sleeping bag, toiletries, Bible, notebook, clothes for hikes in the woods and on the beach.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, All-day Retreat for our Patronal Feast, the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels: “Raising Children in Christ in an Age of Disbelief.” More details TBA.
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 it to confession for good reason, or are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the holy Chalice.
August Financial Report: We received $3,467 in offerings in August. YTD $22,518 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$3,231. Your faithful contributions provide for this church and ministries. Thank God for His provision and your faithfulness, which means that our Mission can continue and grow! Holy Archangels Mission Council.
Mid-Year Special Commitment Opportunity: To sustain our Mission, we need to raise an additional $500 per month in offerings, which we aim to have matched by the greater Church. We ask all faithful to take a Special Offering Card (on Back Table) and place it in the offering box. $100 has been matched so far.
Please Note: At Holy Archangels we do not pass an offering plate. Instead, we encourage the faithful to place an offering in the offering box on the Entrance (back) Table in support of this Mission and its Ministries. Thank you and may Christ God repay you with His spiritual blessings… “for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7).
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Newly-departed handmaidens of God, Alice and Margaret Ann
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Eleni, Svetlana, Noah, 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 refugees, a peaceful resolution to the conflict 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 (Martyr Callistratus) Tone 3
In contest thou wast strengthened by the Holy Spirit, O Martyr Callistratus,
and wast glorious in casting down the Enemy. // Thou didst offer a noble army of athletes
as sweet-smelling incense to Christ.// With them pray for us who praise thee with hymns!
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 (Martyr Callistratus)Tone 4
Like stars ye hast shone upon the world,
shedding the light of your contests and miracles upon all who cry to you:
Rejoice, Martyr Callistratus and fellow company of martyrs!
