19TH Sunday after Pentecost (Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council)
Welcome to Holy Archangels Orthodox Church (OCA)! We’re glad to have you worshipping the Holy Trinity with us! If you are new or are worshiping with us for the first time, please introduce yourself to our priest, Fr. Robert Miclean, after the service.
Christ likens us in today’s Gospel to seed cast on three types of ground: that which falls on rock, that which falls among thorns, and that which falls on good ground. The seed cast on the rocky soil represents a soul that is indifferent to growth in the things of God and so, the Word of God (Christ) cannot take root. Likewise, He explains that in the soil amidst the thorns, the good intentions of the hearers of God’s words are choked out by the cares of this world, riches, and the pleasures of life and prevented by their own distractions from the Kingdom of Heaven. The third soil is the good soil, which represents those who, having heard the word, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Good soil is receptive to the seed, provides a nourishing medium for growth, and yields fruit. So it is with us. If we want to be like the seed cast on the good soil, we must be obedient to the teachings of the Church and not presumptuous in thinking that our way, our own opinions will serve us “good enough.” Our growth depends on our receptivity to learning, to growing in Christ. As Patriarch Kiril of Moscow has said, “If we are not growing, we are ‘degrading’.” May we be as the seed sown on good soil, using our gifts and talents to God’s glory, returning to Him a portion of that which He has blessed us, growing in our knowledge and love of God, and yielding a crop a hundredfold.
In Christ’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- Oct. 17-20, Fr. Robert and family are moving to Annapolis. Help is needed! Please contact Fr. Robert by phone or email if you can volunteer. Sign up at side table by the tract stand.
- Because of the move and the Archdiocesan Council on Saturday, help with set-up is needed Saturday afternoon!
- Sunday, Oct. 21, 9:30 Hours and Divine Liturgy followed by Trapeza.
Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!
- Nov. 7-8, Holy Archangels Patronal Feast celebrations. Wed., Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers with Litya followed by dinner ($25 donation requested per person, children 10 and under free). Fr. John Parker speaks during dinner. Thurs., Nov. 8, Divine Liturgy of the Feast with baptism of James (Iacob) Robert Miclean; festive trapeza follows. RSVP for dinner to Noel Brockett at noel.brockett@gmail.com .
Prayer Requests:
- Please pray for Azariah (Brian) as he looks for a teaching position.
- Please pray for our Mission that we may find a full-time Choir Director.
- Please pray for healing for Fr. George Johnson
- Please pray for Fr. Robert and family as they move
- For healing for Leslie, Viorica
- For a good end for Rachel
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 2
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal,
You destroyed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead.
And when from the depths You raised the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!”
Troparion (Fathers) Tone 8
You are most glorious, O Christ our God!
You have established the Holy Fathers as lights on the earth.
Through them You have guided us to the true Faith.//
O greatly compassionate One, glory to You!
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 2
Hell became afraid, O almighty Savior,
seeing the miracle of Your Resurrection from the tomb!
The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with You,//
and the world, my Savior, praises You forever.
Kontakion (Fathers) Tone 6
The Son who shone forth from the Father
was ineffably born, two-fold in nature, of a woman.
Having beheld Him, we do not deny the image of His form,
but depict it piously and revere it faithfully.
Thus, keeping the True Faith,//
the Church venerates the icon of Christ Incarnate.
Kontakion (Holy Archangels) 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,
supreme commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
