Today’s Gospel is another reminder of the importance of giving thanks to God for His work in our lives: healing us, growing us, saving us. Of the ten lepers that were healed, only ONE came back to prostrate himself before God and offer his humble thanksgiving to God. We can easily take God’s work in our lives for granted. All of us are, in a sense, like these ten lepers: we’ve all received and ARE receiving healing, grace, love, forgiveness from God. The question is, are we like the other nine who received healing but did not come back to God in obeisance, or, are we like the one who returned, prostrated himself, and gave thanks? Giving thanks is key to our spiritual health. Do we give thanks to God for His work in us? Do we give thanks to God for His work among us? Do we give thanks to God for this Mission and His work in our lives through this church? What, if anything, may you be taking for granted? As we work out our salvation and glorify God, we want to be like the one leper who returned, to give thanks, to humble himself and learn from God, prostrating himself before Him. May we go and do likewise!
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS: The Lord Jesus Christ bless you, Fr. Robert+
- TODAY, NICHOLAS DAY SURPRISE! During Trapeza
- Tues, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., Akathist of St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas Orthodox Chapel, USNA. All are welcome and encouraged to come! Park and walk in via Gate 3 (bring i.d.).
- Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m., Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion, St. John’s Boathouse. This week’s topic: St. Augustine and the Orthodox Church. All are welcome!
- Sat, Dec. 19, 2:00-4:00, CAROLING at Homestead Gardens (743 West Central Ave., Davidsonville). Join us as we sing of the joy of Christ’s birth and do outreach for our Mission.
- Sat, Dec. 19, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza following (fish, wine, oil allowed)
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Thursday, Dec. 24, 10 p.m. LUMINOUS FEAST of the NATIVITY. Bring a feasting dish and a desert to share!
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.
October Financial Report: We received $3,268 in offerings in October. YTD $29,151 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$3,678. Your faithful contributions provide for this church and her ministries. Thank God for His provision thru your faithfulness! The Mission Council.
2016 Pledge Cards: We have received $1440 in pledges for 2016. This is far below the $2300 we received last year. If you haven’t already, please take a Time, Talent, and Treasure Pledge Card (on Back Table) and prayerfully consider what step of faith God would have you make. January 2016 we lose our $1333 monthly Mission Planting Grant from the OCA. Your step of faith and increased pledge over last year will help us sustain this Mission so that we can continue her ministries and grow “in spirit and in numbers.”
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);
- The victims of the French terrorist attacks, the Romanian club fire, and Russian airline disaster.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Eleni, Stephanie, Svetlana, Noah, Daphyne, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, the Syrian and Ukrainian refugees, a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection)Tone 2
When Thou didst descend to death, O Life immortal,
Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And when from the depths Thou didst raise the dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out:// “O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
Troparion (St Nicholas)Tone 4
In truth thou wast revealed to thy flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; // thy humility exalted thee;
and thy poverty enriched thee. // O Hierarch Father Nicholas,
entreat Christ our God// that our souls may be saved!
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 (Resurrection) Tone 2
Hell became afraid, O almighty Savior, //seeing the miracle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb!
The dead arose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoiced with Thee,//
and the world, my Savior, praises Thee forever.
Kontakion (St Nicholas)Tone 3
Thou didst appear as a priest in Myra, O Saint Nicholas,
fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, O venerable one; // thou didst lay down thy life for thy people
and didst rescue the innocent from death.//
Therefore, thou hast been blest as a great initiate of the grace of God.
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.
Kontakion (Prefeast of Nativity)
This 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.
