Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – May 26, 2019

Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).  The woman at the well in today’s Gospel comes from a very dark place: She’s living in sin, in confusion, she’s a follower of a man-made religion that cannot fulfill, but she thirsts for more.  Christ shows her Himself—the Light of the world, the Living Water—so that coming to the knowledge and love of Him, she may be illuminated, transfigured.  When we speak of someone journeying to the Orthodox Faith, we speak of them “coming to holy illumination.”  Because of her encounter with Christ, the Living Water, she is changed; she is illumined; her adulterous love is transformed into pure agapelove for God and for others.  This love of God, love fromGod, motivates her in her love of others.  She cannot help but share her joy at finding Jesus Christ, the Living Water, with others.  The Apostles give her the name, Photini, “the enlightened one”.  She becomes one of the great evangelists of the early Church—the enlightener of the Samaritan people.  St. Photini did not let her past, her old ‘patterns’ of dysfunction, sin, confusion and darkness, get in the way of her new life—her illumined life—with God; she became who she trulyis, whom God created her to be.  Christ says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).  This is the supreme service for love of God and our fellow man.    Christ is risen!  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. May 29,6:30pm Daily Vespers
  • Sat. June 1, 6pm, Great VespersConfession following
  • Sun., June 2,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 Divine Liturgy, Trapeza,

Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!

  • Wed., June 5,6:15 p.m.,Great Vespers, Holy Ascension
  • Thurs., June 6, 9:45 a.m.,Holy AscensionDivine Liturgy
  • 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).  
    • Vigil of 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.

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 of our church: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, 
  • 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, 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 4            

When the women Disciples of the Lord

learned from the Angel the joyous message of the Resurrection,

they cast away the ancestral curse//and elatedly told the Apostles:

“Deathis overthrown! // Christ God is risen,//

granting the world great mercy!”

Troparion              (Midfeast)            Tone 8            

In the middle ofthe feast, O Savior, // fill my thirsting soulwith the waters of piety, // as Thou didst cryto all: “If anyonethirst, let him cometo Meand drink!”// 

O Christ God, Fountain of our life, 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  (Pentecostarion)            Tone 8            

The Samaritan Woman cameto the wellin faith;

she saw Thee, the Water of wisdom and drank abundantly.//

She inherited the Kingdom on high, and is ever glorified!

Kontakion     (Midfeast)            Tone 4            

Christ God, the Creator and Master of all,

cried to all in the midst of the feastof the Law:

“Come and draw the water of immortality!”

We fall before Thee and faithfully cry://

Grant us Thy mercies, for Thou art the Fountain of our life!

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.

~Glory to God for All Things!~