Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – June 9, 2019

Today,we commemorate the holy Fathers of the First Council of Nicaea, who in 325 A.D. won the first battle against Arius and those who followed him into heresy, putting the salvation of many in peril by keeping them from knowing the true Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, and the fulness of life in Him.  Doctrine matters because without it we cannot keep the salvific Apostolic Faith that’s been carefully preserved for us that we too may come to know the one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The Church Fathers have been careful to distinguish doctrine, as reaffirmed at the Ecumenical Councils from theologoumena(theological opinion).  Living in America today, we’ve grown accustomed to self-assured people asserting their opinions as if they were doctrine, but this is not the Orthodox way; this is not the way of a Christian.  As Orthodox, we’re grafted into the Body of the Church, that “great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1) through the ages, who have faithfully upheld, proclaimed, and lived the fullness of life in Christ through communion and relationship with Him.  We don’t take Christ on our terms; we are inheritors with all the Saints of the Truth that Christ is, that He has revealed Himself to be.  The troparion of Ascension assures us that by Christ’s ascension, we see and know that Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world even as we await the promise of the descent of the Holy Spirit who will lead us into that Truth that is Christ.    Jesus Christ bless you! 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 grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. (II Cor. 9:7). 

THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS 

  • TODAY 9:30Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
  • Wed., June 12, 6:45,Bible/Patristics Study Resumes
  • Sat., June 15, 3 p.m.,Annual Pentecost Picnic at the Rectory(1353 Tydings Rd., BYOM anda side to share).  
    • Vigilof the Feast, 6 p.m. (at the Rectory). Bonfire and dessert following.  
  • Sun., June 16,9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., DivineLiturgy, Great Feast of PentecostKneeling Prayers,Trapeza to follow.

Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!

  • Sat., June 29,10 a.m., Divine LiturgyFeast of Ss. Peter and Paulfollowed by Bookstore Coffee House Fellowship:
    • 1-6?, Bookstore Coffee House Fellowship:spend some quality time in fellowship and outreach together over St. Tikhon’s Burning Bush iced coffee.  
    • Please note:Great Vespers will not be served this Saturday.

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.A

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, and the newly-departed servant of God, Lily.  
  • Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, 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, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Johann, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren around the world, peace in Syria. 

Troparion              (Resurrection)            Tone 6            

The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb; // the guards became as deadmen. // Mary stoodby Thy grave, // seeking Thy most pure body. // Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it.

Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.//

O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.  

Troparion  (Ascension)            Tone 4    

Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christour God,

granting joy to Thy Disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.

Through the blessing theywere assured,

that Thou art the Sonof God,//the Redeemer of the world!

Troparion              (Fathers)            Tone 8            

Thou art most glorious, O Christour God,

Who hast established the Holy Fathers as lightson the earth.

Through them Thou hast guided us to the true Faith.//

O greatly compassionate One,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            (Fathers)            Tone 8             

The Apostles’ preaching and the Fathers’ doctrines have established one Faithfor the Church.

Adorned with the robeof truth, woven from heavenly theology,// It defines and glorifies the great mystery of piety.

Kontakion                        (Ascension)            Tone 6            

When Thou hadst fulfilled the dispensation for our sake
and united earth to heaven,

Thou didst ascend in glory, O Christour God, 
not being parted from those who loveThee,
but remaining with them and crying://
“I am withyou, and there is no one againstyou!”

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.