Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 29, 2019

Blessed Nativity in Continuation, Many Years!  “The angels offer Thee a hymn; the heavens, a star; the Magi, gifts; the shepherds, their wonder; the earth, its cave; the wilderness, a manger; and we offer Thee a Virgin Mother.” (Stichera, Vespers of Nativity).  The Lord grant all of you great joy as we continue to celebrate our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ’s holy Nativity and Incarnation.  Now, a new year brings with it new opportunities to say “Yes!” to God and “No!” to sin in our daily lives, moment by moment, as we live in and for Christ in a spirit of humility and repentance.  Today we are called to “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at   hand.”  Without repentance, a change of heart and turning continuously to Christ, there is no life in Him, there is no Christianity.  Let this year be the year that you decide to give yourself more fully to Christ by living out your faith and making use of the tools of salvation found only in His Holy Church.  Behold, Christ makes all things new! Christ is born! Glorify Him!                        Yours in the new-born Christ, Fr.Robert+

TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2020.  

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:

  • TODAY 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
  • Tues., Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.,Great Vespers, St. Basil the Great/Circumcision of the Lord (no Great Vespers Wed.)
  • Sat., Jan. 4, 6 pm Great VespersSunday beforeTheophany
  • Sun., Jan. 5, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine LiturgySunday after Nativity, Short Trapeza

Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!

  • 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.

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 2            

When Thoudidst descend to death, O Life immortal,

Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.

And whenfrom the depths Thou didst raisethe dead,

all the powers of heaven cried out://

“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!” 

Troparion            (Fathers)Tone 2            

Greatare the accomplishments of faith,

for the three Holy Youths rejoice in the fountain of flames as though in the waters of rest;

and the ProphetDaniel appeared

a shepherd to the lions as thoughthey were sheep.//

So by their prayers, O ChristGod, saveour souls!

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!

Troparion (Forefeast)Tone 4            

Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all!

Adorn thyself, O Ephratha, for the Tree of Life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave!

Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the DivineFruit;

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 thyself, 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(Angels) Tone 2            

Commanders of God’s armies and ministers of the divine glory//princes of the bodiless Angels and guidesof mankind// askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.

Kontakion            (Forefeast)Tone 3            

Today the Virgin comesto the cave //to give birth to the Eternal Word. // Hear the glad tidings and rejoice, O universe!

Glorify with the angels and the shepherds

the Eternal God, Who is willing to appearas a little child!

Glory to God for All Things!