Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – February 16, 2020

The Sunday of the Prodigal Son affords us the opportunity to consider how much we value our ‘inheritance,’ our identity, in Christ.  The prodigal demands his inheritance from his father (even before his father dies) and squanders it on riotous living.  Having become a slave to his passions, there’s no sating them.  Having starved his soul to give the passions their want, the prodigal is left starving, longing to eat the pig’s slop.  He’s lost everything: his very identity has been squandered.  When he “returns to himself,” that is, he repents, he recovers the truth of who he is—his father’s unworthy son—and he returns from the far country.  This is the very ‘icon’ of repentance (Gk. metanoia), that is, of a “change of heart and mind.” The son, in his returning, sees himself worthy only of being one of his father’s hired servants.  His prideful arrogance is gone; only the humility of one who has seen the emptiness of losing one’s true self, one’s true identity, remains.  But, in this humility and repentance, he is restored.  Likewise, our true identity is who we are in Christ, who we are as God’s adopted sons, called to glory and participation in the life of God the Holy Trinity. Fittingly, in many Orthodox icons of this Parable, the father is portrayed as Christ Himself, before whom we repent, to whom we return when we “come to ourselves,” through Holy Confession—recovering our true identity and being made fit and worthy for life with God in His eternal and heavenly Kingdom            In Christ, Fr. Robert+

House Blessings—Last Call: House blessings are a testimony to what we believe as Orthodox Christians.  They are an invitation to bring Christ God into our homes to bless them with His blessing through His priest.  Please contact Fr. Robert this week to schedule a house blessing if you would still like to have this blessings for your home as Great Lent is fast approaching.  

TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2020.  

Throughout time, God’s people have given back to God a tenth, i.e., a Tithe, of all they had.  In the early Church, some gave away all to build up the Church and glorify God.  While as Christians we recognize that everything belongs to God, the tithe is an important way to open our hearts to God, to learn to love God more, to 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 am, Hours, 10 am, Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee,Trapeza
  • Wed., Feb. 19,6 p.m., Daily Vespers
  • Wed., Feb. 19, 7 p.m.,New 4-week Bible Study: The Psalms of the Hours.  This week: 9thHour—Final Study!
  • Sat., Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, (Confession offered)
  • Sun., Feb. 23, 9:30 am, Hours, 10, Divine LiturgySunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare),Trapeza

Looking Ahead: Important/Mark your Calendars!

  • Sun., 1 March,Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheesefare),Vespers and Rite of Forgiveness
  • Mon., 2 March,Clean Monday, 1stDay of Great Lent!
  • Mon., 2 March, 6 p.m., First part, Canon of St. Andrew
  • Tues., 3 March, 6 p.m., 2nd part, Canon of St. Andrew
  • Wed., 4 March, 6:30 pm, 1st Presanctified Liturgy, trapeza
  • Fri., 6 March – 14 March,Fr. Robert leading OCF Realbreak to Romania with 8 students.  Fr. Michael Shepherd serving Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy in Fr. Robert’s stead.

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, Handmaidens of God Estera (great Aunt of Fr. Robert) and Cristiana 
  • 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, Lia, Jordan, Cezar, Daria, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they battle relativism in 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(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            (from the Lenten Triodion)            Tone 3 

I have recklessly forgotten Thy glory, O Father; // and among sinners I have scattered the riches which Thou gavest me.

And now I cry to Thee as the Prodigal: // “I have sinned before Thee, O merciful Father; // receive me as a penitent, // and make me as oneof Thy hiredservants!”

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.

Glory to God for All Things!