Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 15, 2019

The Sunday that falls between December 11-17 is known as the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh who lived before the Law and under the Law, especially the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said, “In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:3, 22:18) (oca.org).  In remembering these faithful men and women, Jews and Gentiles, we’re reminded that Christ God became incarnate to save the whole human race.  Through His Incarnation-in-the-flesh all nations are blessed: salvation is open to all.  Christ God enters into our fallen human nature as man and renews it as God, making a way for us as we put Him on in baptism and are “born anew by water and the spirit” to have new life in Him (John 3).  As we prepare for the Feast of Christ’s Nativity, may we use these last days to ready ourselves to receive Him and not be found without our “wedding garment” when we go to meet Him in the clouds at His glorious but dread Second Coming.                                        Yours 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 “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
  • Thurs., Dec. 19, 6 p.m., Daily Vespers (Confession offered) Please note change of day this week!
  • Sat., Dec. 21, 6 pm Great Vespers (Confession offered)
  • Sun., Dec. 22, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10, Divine LiturgySunday Before NativityTrapeza

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!
  • Tues., Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.,Great Vespers, St. Basil the Great/Circumcision of the Lord (no Great Vespers Wed.)
  • Sunday, Jan. 5, 6:30 p.m., Vesperal Divine Liturgy, Great Blessing of the Waters,Great Feast of Holy Theophany

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.

AMAZON.  We’re now able to give 6.5%of our regular purchases from Amazon.comto Holy Archangels. Purchases are anonymous and will be automatically credited to Holy Archangels.  Please Visit our website and click the link beforeyou shop at Amazon and it will be credited to us.  Please note: This is not the same promotion as “Amazon Smile.”

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 Archimandrite (Elder) Ephraim 
  • 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 1            

When thestonehad been sealed by the Jews,

while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,

Thou didst riseon the third day, O Savior, 

grantinglifeto the world.

The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:

“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ!Glory to Thy Kingdom!//

Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou who lovest mankind!”

Troparion            (Forefathers)            Tone 2            

Through faithThou didst justify the Forefathers, 

betrothing through them the Church of the gentiles. 

These saintsexult in glory, 

for from their seed came forth a glorious fruit: 

shewho bore Thee withoutseed.// 

So by their prayers, O ChristGod, have mercy on us!

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            (Forefathers)            Tone 6            

Ye did not worship the graven image,

O thrice-blessed ones,

but armed with the immaterial Essence of God,

ye were glorified in a trialby fire.

From the midst of unbearable flames ye called on God, crying:

“Hasten, O compassionate One!//Speedily cometo our aid,//

for Thou art merciful and able to doas Thou dost will!”  

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.

Kontakion(Prefeast, Nativity of Christ)~Byzantine Chant, Tone 3

The 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.