“It was in the power of none other to turn the corruptible to incorruption, except the Savior Himself, that had at the beginning also made all things out of nought: and that none other could create anew the likeness of God’s image for men, save the Image of the Father…” (St. Athanasius, 4th century, On the Incarnation). The Word became fully human while remaining fully God. He assumed complete human nature: body, soul, will, and emotion, to enter into this human nature of ours and vivify it, make it alive again as only God could. He invites all humanity to be renewed in His likeness, to become part of the new deified race of Adam through new birth, of water and the spirit (John 3). We look to Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who is become incarnate for our sake, for our salvation, to make us into the adopted sons and daughters of His Father and our Father, co-heirs of His eternal Kingdom. This is the “good news” we celebrate this week, beginning today on this Sunday before Nativity, the Sunday of the Ancestors of Christ—righteous men and women who chose to follow the way of God’s revelation and become inheritors of eternal life in Him. May you and I choose the same path and thereby overcome the world and all that would otherwise separate us from Him who is Eternal Life! May you and I internalize this truth that we may arrive at and partake of the Feast of Christ’s holy Incarnation in faith and love.
With Christ God’s love and blessing, `Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Wed, Dec. 24, 10 p.m. LUMINOUS FEAST of the NATIVITY. Bring a quiche, drink, and a favorite desert to share
- Sat, Dec. 27, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Dec. 28, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza (fasting prohibited!)
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Fri, Jan. 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Potluck Dinner, Wassailing and Colinde at the Rectory. Bring your slippers to celebrate the Feast of Nativity and enjoy fellowship, carols together. Please RSVP to Psa. Krissy (krissymiclean@gmail.com) to indicate what you would like to bring.
- Mon, Jan. 5, 6 p.m., EVE of THEOPHANY. Festal Great Vespers with the GREAT BLESSING OF WATER (bring a jar to bring some holy water back home with you!)
- Tues, Jan. 6, 9:30am Divine Liturgy of THEOPHANY, followed by short feasting Trapeza and the BLESSING of the WATERS at CITY DOCK.
November Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $3,405 in offerings in November ($2448 in October). $2500 was pledged. Glory to God! $25,536 was received in offerings from January – October 2014. The budgeted amount based on pledges is $27,500. This leaves us a gap of $2,000 to make up between now and Dec. to meet our expenses! Please stay current with your pledges/offerings, and consider increasing your offering and/or making a special one-time gift to help meet this deficit. Thank God for His provision and thank you for your faithful support, which insures that our Mission can continue and grow! The Holy Archangels Mission Council
2015 Pledge Update: $2330 has been pledged monthly for 2015. The average pledge is $220 per family. To meet our financial needs, we need $2500 in monthly pledges. If you’re willing to increase your pledge (or make a pledge) to help meet this need and provide for our Mission’s needs and growth, please contact Fr. Robert right away. We ask everyone to be as generous as possible, giving thanks with a grateful heart for God’s work in our lives through this church.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Newly- -departed servant of God, John (grandfather of Sbdn. Michael Anthony).
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, Peter, Robert, Frank, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering, persecuted Orthodox brethren in Iraq and Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., for all those suffering from the Ebola epidemic and for a speedy end to the disease.
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 first born of the dead.
He has delivered us from the depths of hell, // and has granted to the world// great mercy.
Troparion (Fathers) Tone 2
Great are the accomplishments of faith,
for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest;
and the Prophet Daniel appeared // a shepherd to the lions as though they were sheep.//
So by their prayers, O Christ God, save our souls!
Troparion of the Forefeast Tone 4
Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!
Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!
Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit;
if we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam.//
Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning.
Kontakion (Fathers) Tone 1
Rejoice, O Bethlehem! Prepare yourself, O Ephratha!
The Lamb is on her way to give birth to the Chief Shepherd she carries in her womb.
The God-bearing Forefathers will rejoice, beholding Him,
and with the shepherds, they will glorify the Virgin nursing Him.
Kontakion (for the Pre-Feast on Dec 21) Tone 2
He Who holds the earth in the hollow of His hand
now is beheld in Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling bands.
We offer prefestal hymns to his Mother, who maternally rejoices//
having held to her bosom the Son of God.
