Thoughts on Today’s Gospel: Christ God shatters the myth that being ‘good’ is ‘good enough’. Inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven is not just about following God’s commandments, as important as they are, but doing so because of love for God, a desire to be made compatible to be in His near presence: what it means to have eternal life. The Pharisee (Lk 18) was condemned for his self-righteousness while King David, an adulterer and a murderer, was said to be “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). The rich ruler in today’s Gospel causes us to reflect: what may I have put before God, what idols grip me? Do I rest on my ‘laurels,’ thinking that my outward ‘doing of the faith,’ doing my ‘duty’ before God, will save me, or, that I’m ‘good’ enough as is, and can, in effect, save myself? Many things can take hold of us; it doesn’t have to be money—anything can take the place of God, even one’s one self-righteousness or self-satisfaction. The ruler’s wealth is an impediment, but it reflects a heart reliant on self and not on the Savior of the world. “Who then can be saved?” ask the Disciples. Christ reassures us, that “the things which are impossible for men are possible with God.” In Christ, Fr.Robert+
TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2020.
As Christians we know that everything is ultimately a gift from God. Throughout time, the people of God have given back to God a tenth, that is, a Tithe, of all that they had. In the early Church, some even felt called to give away all that they had to build up the Church and glorify God. While as Christians we recognize that everything belongs to God, the tithe (or some percentage) is an important way to open our hearts to God, to learn to love God more, to take a step forward in faith and trust in God. Please offer your “Time, Talent, Treasure” pledge today, knowing that God will give you much more in return. “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)
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS:All Services held at our new church home at 73 Franklin St. (CLT Building), historic Annapolis
- TODAY 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
- Tues., Dec. 3,4:30-5:30 p.m., St. John’s OCF Patristics Study will NOT meet this week due to Thanksgiving
- Wed., Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.,Daily Vespers (Confession offered)
- Thur., Dec. 5, 5:30 pm,St. Nicholas Eve-Akathist, 6-6:45,Open House, 6:45 -7:30 pm,colinde (caroling)
- Sat., Dec. 7, 6 pm Great Vespers (Confession offered)
- Sun., Dec. 8, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Tues., Dec. 24, 10 p.m., Vigil &Divine Liturgy, Nativity of our Lord, God, Savior Jesus Christ(“Winter Pascha”). Please bring a quiche to share!
Confession & Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthlyconfession. If a month has passed and you’ve not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert to ask a blessing to receive prior to the serviceand before approaching the Chalice.
TRAPEZA:The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s family life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we’re not also drawing closer to each other. To grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship is important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit & in numbers”
- For God’s financial provisionfor our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Departed founders: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, newly departed Kh. Anastasia, Richard (grandfather of Doug Burnett)
- Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Sydney, Young, Valerie, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, Erin, Joseph, James, Julie, Elaine, Steven, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they battle the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 7
By Thy CrossThou didst destroy death.
To the thief Thou didst open Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change weeping into joy,
and Thou didst command Thy disciples, O ChristGod,
to proclaimthat Thou art risen,//
granting the worldgreat mercy.
Troparion (Prophet Nahum) Tone 2
We celebrate the memory // of Thy Prophet Nahum, O Lord;
through himwe beseechThee: // “saveour souls!”
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseechyou: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cryto you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold men captive,
for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers.
Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoiceand cry:
“The Savior has come to thosein faith;//
enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
Kontakion (Prophet Nahum) Tone 4
Illumined by the Spirit, thy heart was a vessel of illustrious prophecy, // seeing far-off things as though they were present.
Therefore, we venerate thee, glorious prophet Nahum.
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory//princes of the bodiless Angelsand guidesof mankind// askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
Glory to God for All Things!
