I pray for each of you a most blessed celebration in continuation of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ’s holy Nativity! Even as our preparation for the Feast has its own season (the Nativity Fast or Advent), as Orthodox, we remember that Christmas/Nativity is a season in-and-of itself, consisting of twelve days and not just one day. On these holy, joy-filled days of the Feast of our Savior’s Incarnation-in-the-flesh, we thank God for His greatest gift, that of Himself. Christ entered into our human nature to renew the human race and make possible our deification through new birth (John 3) into that renewed nature that Christ has vivified. He is the new Adam, inaugurating an eternal race of men and women who put Christ and the life in Him first in their lives. This renewal is made personal to us through baptism, which begins with Christ’s own baptism in the Jordan at Theophany. As we look forward to celebrating the Great Feast of the Theophany of our Lord not many days from now, we renew our own commitment to ‘live out our baptism’. I strongly encourage you to make time to bring Christ into the center of your Nativity and your daily lives, and to continue prioritizing your life in Him as your number one resolution for 2016. Prioritize these Great Feasts of the Church, beginning with Theophany, that Christ may continue to make you His own and that you may continue to make ‘room’ for Him in your soul. Do so for your own sake, your children’s sake, and to the glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that He may continue and complete the good work that He has started in each one of us.
In Christ God’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Sat, Jan. 2, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Jan 3, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza following
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Wednesday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m. GREAT FEAST of the HOLY THEOPHANY, Christ’s Baptism, followed by the Great Blessing of the Waters. Trapeza following
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. Thank God for His provision thru your faithfulness! The Mission Council.
AMAZON. We’re now able to give 6.5% of our regular purchases from Amazon.com to Holy Archangels. Visit our website and click the link before you shop at Amazon.
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);
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Stephanie, Noah, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, a peaceful resolution in Ukraine & Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, // co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
born for our salvation from the Virgin; // for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh,
to endure death, // and to raise the dead// by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion of the Feast Tone 4
Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, // has shown to the world the light of wisdom!
For by it, those who worshipped the stars // were taught by a star to adore Thee,
the Sun of righteousness, // and to know Thee, the Orient from on high.//
O Lord, glory to Thee!
Troparion (of the Righteous Ones) Tone 2
Proclaim the wonder, O Joseph, // to David, the ancestor of God;
thou hast seen a Virgin great with child; // and thou gavest glory with the shepherds;
thou didst worship with the magi, // and didst receive the news from the angel. //
Pray to Christ God to save 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 (of the Righteous Ones) Tone 3
Today godly David is filled with joy; // Joseph and James offer praise.
The glorious crown of their kinship with Christ fills them with great joy.
They sing praises to the One ineffably born on earth,
and they cry out: “O Compassionate One, save those who honor Thee!”
Kontakion of the Feast Tone 3
Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One,
and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One.
Angels with shepherds glorify Him; // the Wise Men journey with the star,//
since for our sake the eternal God was born as a little Child!
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armies // and ministers of the divine glory,
princes of the bodiless Angels // and guides of mankind;
ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy,// O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
