Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – February 23, 2020

One week and counting: that’s how long we have until Holy Lent begins—the Great Fast!  We begin now preparing ourselves, body and soul, as well as our households, to make the most of this holy season of fasting and increased prayer and worship that is before us.  We do so in order to heal, to grow in Christ, to take a few steps forward in faith and participation in the life of the Holy Trinity, so that, arriving at Pascha, we are changed and renewed, further formed into those beloved children of God that He has formed us and called us to be. In the same manner, Christ places before us today the remembrance of the fearful Last Judgment, when Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.  The timing is not accidental: Christ through His holy Church knows that it is our Orthodox understanding of sin and judgment that can be not only the catalyst to change, to repentance, to increased cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but also the vehicle through which that repentanceand change comes.  We keep in remembrance the Last Judgment, so that daily, judging ourselves in light of the Gospel and the revealed life of Christ through His holy Church, we may address the sin-sickness in our lives, find healing for our souls and increased participation in the life of the Holy Trinity, and in this way, hear the words of Christ on the Last Day, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.”   In Christ’s Love, Fr. Robert+

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, Sunday of the Last Judgment (Meatfare),Trapeza
  • Wed., 26 Feb.,6 p.m., Daily Vespers of Cheesefare Week
  • Sat., 29 Feb., 6 p.m.,Great Vespers, (Confession offered)
  • Sun., 1 March,Sunday of Forgiveness (Cheesefare),Trapeza, Vespers and Rite of Forgiveness (liturgical entry into Lent!!)

Looking Ahead: Important/Mark your Calendars!

  • Mon., 2 March,Clean Monday, 1stDay of the Great Fast!
  • 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 Thougavest 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!