Today’s Gospelis 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 healed, only ONE came back to prostrate himself before God and offer his humble thanks. We too can 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 thanksgiving, or, are we like the one who returned, prostrated himself, and gave thanks to God who made him whole? 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 His 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, prostrating before Him. May we go and do likewise! Yours in Christ’s love, Fr.Robert+
2019 Pledges/Commitments. We 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..
- Weds, Dec. 12,6:15 p.m., Great Vespers,
- Thurs, Dec. 13,5:30 p.m., Annual Colinde(Romanian Caroling, Orthodox and Western favorites). Meet at St. John’s College Campbell lot.
- Sat, Dec. 15,6:00 p.m., Great VespersConfession following
- Sun, Dec. 16,9:30 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(‘the Winter Pascha’):Compline, Nocturns, Divine Liturgy. Bring a Quiche.
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 everywhere, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice!//Let the earthbe glad!
For the Lord has shown strengthwith His arm.// He has trampled down deathby death.// He has become the firstborn of the dead.// He has delivered us from the depthsof hell,
and has granted to the world//greatmercy.
Troparion (Conception of the Theotokos) Tone 4
Today the bonds of barrenness are broken: // God has heard the prayers of Joachim and Anna. // He has promised them beyond all their hopes to bear the Maiden of God, // by whom the Uncircumscribed One was born as a mortal Man;
He commanded an angel to cryto her:
“Rejoice, thou who art fullof grace, // the Lordis with thee!”
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 (Resurrection) Tone 3
On this day Thou didst rise from the tomb, O Merciful One,
leading us from the gatesof death. // On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices; // with the Prophets and Patriarchs//
they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Thy power.
Kontakion (Conception of the Theotokos) Tone 4
Today the universe rejoices, // for Anna has conceived the Theotokos through God’s dispensation, // for she has brought forth the one who is to bear the ineffable Word.
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.
Glory to God for All Things!
