The parable of the wise Virgins, whose lamps where lit and ready to meet the Lord echoes the theme of vigilance that is at the heart of the Gospel and life in Christ that we see in today’s Gospel as well, in which Christ God admonishes us to ready ourselves for participation in His Kingdom because the time of His “marriage feast” is near. Advent is mean to prepare us not only for the celebration of Christ’s first coming, but of His imminent Second Coming as well. The Parable of the Banquet is a cautionary reminder to us of what’s at stake in our response to God’s gracious invitation to “dine with Him,” to enjoy the blessings of communion and life with Him who is the Life of the world and our only hope for eternal life. All are called but not all choose by their will, by the way that they live their lives, to answer Christ’s call, to accept His gracious gift of relationship and communion with Him who is the Giver of Life. St. Paul, in response to this truth, admonishes us in today’s Epistle as those called into new life in Christ, to embrace our identity in Him above all else, putting away the works of iniquity, so that we, like those invited to the banquet in Christ’s Gospel, may not remove ourselves from life with Him, but may put on the new man, “renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him…”
The Lord Jesus Christ bless you, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Thur, Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m., Mission Council Meeting, Rectory.
- Sat, Dec. 19, 1:00-4:00, CAROLING at Homestead Gardens (743 West Central Ave., Davidsonville). Join us as we sing of the joy of Christ’s birth and do outreach for our Mission.
- Sat, Dec. 19, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza following (wine, oil allowed)
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Thursday, Dec. 24, 10 p.m. LUMINOUS FEAST of the NATIVITY. Bring a feasting dish and a desert to share! Sign-up sheet, flyers, and service outline on Entrance Table.
Poinsettia Sign –Up: To contribute poinsettias in commemoration of the living or departed, and to help beautify the church during the Nativity season, please sign-up at the Entrance Table.
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.
November Financial Report: We received $2,547 in offerings in November. YTD $31,698 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$2,627. This represents an almost 1,000 decrease in our deficit from last month due to fundraising efforts and your faithful giving, which provides for this church and her ministries. Thank God for His provision thru your faithfulness! The Mission Council.
2016 Pledge Cards: We have received $1440 in pledges for 2016. This is far below the $2300 we received last year. If you haven’t already, please take a Time, Talent, and Treasure Pledge Card (on Back Table) and prayerfully consider what step of faith God would have you make. January 2016 we lose our $1333 monthly Mission Planting Grant from the OCA. Your step of faith and increased pledge over last year will help us sustain this Mission so that we can continue her ministries and grow “in spirit and in numbers.”
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);
- The victims of the French terrorist attacks, the Romanian club fire, and Russian airline disaster.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Eleni, Stephanie, Svetlana, Noah, Daphyne, 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 refugees, a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice! // Let the earth be glad! For the Lord has shown strength with His arm. //
He has trampled down death by death//He has become the firstborn of the dead. //
He has delivered us from the depths of hell,//and has granted to the world// great mercy.
Troparion (Forefathers) Tone 2
Through faith Thou didst justify the Forefathers, //betrothing through them the Church of the gentiles.
These saints exult in glory, // for from their seed came forth a glorious fruit:
she who bore Thee without seed.// So by their prayers, O Christ God, have mercy on us!
Troparion (St Herman) Tone 7
O joyful North Star of the Church of Christ, // guiding all men to the heavenly Kingdom;
teacher and apostle of the True Faith; // intercessor and defender of the oppressed;
adornment of the Orthodox Church in America: // Blessed Father Herman of Alaska,
pray to our Lord Jesus Christ // for the salvation of 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 of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 3
On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One, //leading us from the gates of death.
On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; // with the Prophets and Patriarchs//
they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Thy power.
Kontakion (St Herman) Tone 3
The eternal light of Christ our Savior // guided thee, O blessed Father Herman,
on thine evangelical journey to America // to proclaim the Gospel of peace.
Now thou standest before the throne of glory; // intercede for thy land and its people: //
peace for the world and salvation for our souls!
Kontakion (Forefathers) Tone 6*
You did not worship the graven image, // O thrice-blessed ones,
but armed with the immaterial Essence of God, // you were glorified in a trial by fire.
From the midst of unbearable flames you called on God, crying: // “Hasten, O compassionate One!
Speedily come to our aid,// for Thou art merciful and able to do as Thou dost will!”
Kontakion (Prefeast of Nativity)
This Virgin cometh today to the cave to give birth // Ineffably to bring forth the Word eternal
Therefore, Rejoice, O Earth, at the message // With the angels and shepherds give glory to Him
Who shall appear by His own Will as a young Child // HE, who is from eternity God.
