Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – September 3, 2017

This Friday we celebrate the fore-feast of the Nativity of the Most-Holy Theotokos and call to mind her miraculous conception by barren parents past child-bearing age. The Church acclaims the birth of the Theotokos in beautiful ‘poetry’ so that we may more fully and reverently delve into the Great Mystery of God’s dispensation, preparing the way for the Word of Life to come forth from the blessed Virgin. For this reason, in the hymnody of the Feast (itself part of Holy Tradition), we refer to the Blessed Mother as “the book” of the Word of Life, the “Life-bearing branch” of the Rod of Jesse, “the handmaid of God, who was chosen from all generations.” Mary was no ‘accidental’ or random choice by God, but rather, as the prophets foretell and as we see them fulfilled in her virginal birth, she is truly, in the words of the Prophet Ezekiel read at Vespers of the Feast, “the only gateway of the only-begotten Son of God, Who passed through this gate yet kept it closed.” She is the ever-virgin Mother of God Incarnate. We celebrate the birth of a baby girl, ordinary like us—she shares our human nature—and yet, so extraordinary, not only in the miracle of her own birth, but also in her yes to God, in her courageous example of humility, her modeling of true woman-hood but also of true humanity, and in the absolute purity of her virginal birth of her Savior and ours, the God-man, Jesus Christ. May she intercede for us as we celebrate her nativity, knowing that as she always points us to her Son, so she’ll also present our prayers to Him who is the Life of all.                            In Christ’s love,   Fr. Robert+

 

THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services are at 47 Spa Rd)

  • TODAY, 9:30, Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza followed by Sunday School
  • Wed, Sept.6, 6:45-8 p.m., Bible Study, “The Holy Trinity and Same-Sex Marriage,” an article by Dr. Bradley Nassif.
  • Fri, Sept. 8, 9:15 a.m., Hours, 9:45 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, quick trapeza—coffee, bagels and cream cheese.
  • Sat, Sept. 9, 11-4, Holy Archangels Books & Icons GRAND OPENING and Outreach! Please volunteer to help with our outreach as we open the doors to our neighbors. Please see the sign-up sheet to find out what you can do to help and plan to attend! Great Vespers will be served at 5 p.m. to accommodate our guests and tired workers.
  • Sat, Sept. 9, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after the service)
  • Sun, Sept. 10, 9:30 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza

Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars

  • Fri, Sept. 15, 9:30-3:30 p.m., Archdiocesan Retreat: “Mission & Small Parish Growth,” St. Matthew Orthodox Church, 7271 Eden Brooke Dr., Columbia.

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 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: Charlie
  • Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Marlena and her baby, Beatrice, George, Linda, 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, esp. Egypt and Syria, a peaceful resolution in Syria.

 

From the Fathers…

“From the beginning God in His providence has planned this union of man and woman and has spoken of the two as one: ‘male and female He created them’ and ‘there is neither male nor female for all are one in Christ Jesus.’ There is no relationship between human beings so close as that between husband and wife, if they are as united as they ought to be.”—St. John Chrysostom (4th century) On Marriage and Family Life (Homily 20 on Ephesians 5:22-33)

 

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          (Hieromartyr Anthimus)         Tone 4

By sharing in the ways of the Apostles, // thou didst become a successor to their throne.

Through the practice of virtue, thou didst find the way to divine

contemplation, O inspired one of God;

by teaching the word of truth without error, thou didst defend the Faith, even

to the shedding of thy blood. //

Hieromartyr Ánthimus, entreat Christ God to save our souls.

 

Troparion          (Venerable Theoctistus)         Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile,

and thy longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance.

By the radiance of miracles thou didst illumine the whole universe!

Our Father Theoctístus, pray to Christ God to save our souls!

 

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 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         (Hieromartyr Anthimus)                  Tone 4

Living hon’rably as a priest, // thou didst complete the course of martyrdom;

thou didst extinguish the worship of idols

and didst become a champion of thy flock, O divinely wise one.

Therefore, we honor thee, // mystically crying out:

“Through thy prayers deliver us from calamity, ever-memorable Anthimus.”

 

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.