Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – March 15, 2020

In light of the Corona Virus, the following new measures will be taken to protect our community and all those who come to the divine services at our Mission.  Please take a moment to carefully read the following:

  1. If you are are feeling at all unwell, are sick, or recovering from sickness, please stay home.  Do not come to church during this time of heightened concern.  Please contact Fr. Robert to let him know you are sick;  
  2. Any elderly will be invited to receive Holy Communion first, ahead of altar servers, children or other adults; 
  3. Trapeza after Sunday Divine Liturgy and following the Presanctified Liturgy will be canceled indefinitely;
  4. Vespers will no longer be served until the virus has passed.  Confession will be offered Sunday morning before Liturgy;
  5. Disinfectant wipes will be placed next to the analogian for those venerating the icon and antibacterial hand-sanitizer will be placed in the church for use coming and going.  All who venerate an icon are asked to please clean the icon where you will venerate and after you venerate with a disinfectant wipe.  You are under no obligation to actually kiss the icons and can instead make an obeisance; 
  6. Please only pretend to kiss the priest’s hand. Please do not shake hands with others at church at this time;  
  7. Special prayers have been issued by the Holy Synod for those suffering from the virus and for their healing, for protection for all, and for a speedy end to the Coronavirus.  These will be added to all the divine services going forward.  

Our hope and trust is in God who alone is worthy of our   trust.  May He keep us all and our loved ones well, heal the sick, reassure and comfort the fearful, and by His mercy put a speedy end to this disease and its spread.  Yours 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 Orthodoxy
  • Wed, 18 March, 6:30 pm, Presanctified Liturgy (no trapeza)
  • Sat., 21 March, NO Great Vespers per guidance of Met. Tikhon
  • Sun., 22 March, 9:30 am., Hours, 10 am., Sunday of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross (no trapeza due to virus)

Looking Ahead: Important/Mark your Calendars!

  • Tue., 24 March, 6:30 pm, Great Feast of Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos

Confession & Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession.  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 service and 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 provision for 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, a swift end to Corona Virus (Covid-19), healing for the sick.

Troparion  (Resurrection) Tone 4

When the women disciples of the Lord

learned from the angel the joyous message of thy Resurrection,

they cast away the ancestral curse

and elatedly told the apostles:

“Death is overthrown!

Christ God is risen,//

granting the world great mercy!”

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 (from the Lenten Triodion) Tone 6 

O Master, Teacher of wisdom,//Bestower of virtue,

Who teachest the thoughtless and protectest the poor,

strengthen and enlighten my heart!//O Word of the Father, 

let me not restrain my mouth from crying to Thee:

Have mercy on me, a transgressor,//

O merciful Lord!

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.

Glory to God for All Things!