Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 16, 2018

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 wholehuman race. Through the Incarnation-in-the-flesh of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, all nations are blessed: salvation is open to all.  Christ God enters into our fallen human nature as man and restores 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 Great Feast of Christ’s Nativity, may we use these last days of preparation 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’s love, Fr. Robert+

 

2019 Pledges/CommitmentsWe give back a “first fruits” pledge to Christ from what He’s so mercifully given and entrusted to us.  Everything we have is a gracious gift from God.  Let us be as those servants who used their talentswisely and to God’s glory (Matt. 25:23).  If you have not done so yet, please offer your pledge of talents today.  To grow in faith and sustain and grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver”(II Cor. 9:7).

 

THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS

  • TODAY, 9:30Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza,Sunday School..
  • Wed, Dec. 19,6:15 p.m., Daily Vespers,
  • Sat, Dec. 22,6:00 p.m., Great VespersConfession following
  • Sun, Dec. 23,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy,trapeza, Sunday School.

Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!

  • Mon, Dec. 24,10 p.m., Great Feast of the Holy Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ(‘Winter Pascha’):Compline, Nocturns, Divine Liturgy. Please bring a Quiche.
  • Mon, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.,Great Vespers for the Feast of St. Basil/Circumcision of Christ (3pm Family Friendly Fun Day at Maryland Hall with Fireworks beginning at 5:30pm)
  • Wed, Jan. 2,6:15 p.m., Vespers(no patristic study)
  • Fri, Jan. 4,4:30 pm., Annual Colindeat the Micleans (1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis. FAST FREE: Bring a side dish, dessert)
  • Sat, Jan. 5,5:30 p.m., Vigil, Great Feast of Theophany (first day of fasting: strict fast wine/oil)
  • Sun, Jan. 6, 9:30 Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Theophany, trapeza (no fast), Great Blessing of the Waters, City Dock

 

Confession and Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthlyconfession.  If a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert 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 of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, Marcia, Mother of Fr. David Subu, Richard (relative Marian)
  • Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Archpriest George, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Jessica (sister of Kelly Vernet), Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren throughout the world, peace in Syria.

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: // “Deathis overthrown!

Christ God is risen,//granting the world great mercy!”

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 Angelsandguidesof 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.