Commitment Sunday is November 8, our Patronal Feast of the Holy Archangels!
Next Sunday is our Patronal Feast and also the Sunday we offer our commitments for 2016 to the Lord. We do so, knowing that “he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” God always gives us more in return than what we manage to offer of ourselves: our gifts and talents, our time, our treasure. Ultimately, our offerings and commitments are used to grow each one of us in faith. We consider how ‘rich’ we are toward God in returning a portion (a ‘first fruits’) to Him from that which He’s so graciously entrusted to us. While the standard of financial giving in the Church is often thought of as the tithe (10 percent of our ‘treasures’ or income), the New Testament model is really more demanding: to give all our gifts and possessions to God as they really belong to Him. We’re not meant to give under compulsion, however, but, through prayer with thanksgiving. We do so, to build up the church and her ministries as a spiritual investment in our own future, individually and corporately, giving thanks to God for all His bounty to us: His grace, forgiveness, love, healing, and salvation. We give not only for ourselves, but with the aim of enabling others to come to healing and salvation in Christ through this ‘spiritual hospital’ and her ministries. As we grow our church “in spirit and in numbers,” we make that evangelistic desire a reality by the work of the Holy Spirit in us and through us. But here’s the key: we’re called to not only focus on our gifts of financial support, but also the gift of our time and talents. These along with our ‘treasure’ are all things you and I have been blessed and entrusted with—they’re ultimately gifts from God, which belong to God who desires to use them for His glory. We offer a portion back to Him in the knowledge and faith that He’ll receive these offerings of commitment, bless them, and return them to us with even greater growth in faith and spiritual blessing. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). The Lord Jesus Christ bless you, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 12:00 p.m. Retreat & Patronal Feast of the Holy Archangels,“Raising our Children in Christ in an Age of Disbelief,” Robert, Fr. Justin Patterson, Fr. Gregory Matthewes-Green, testimony by Mrs. Teresa Duro. Please REGISTER, take a flyer and Post it.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 6 p.m., Festal Great Vespers with Litya (confession offered following the service)
- Sunday, Nov. 8, 9:30am Hours and Divine Liturgy of the Feast, followed by Trapeza. Please remember to submit your 2016 Pledge and Commitment Card between now and next Sunday, November 8, when we will offer them up to the Lord at the Divine Liturgy.
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and a month has passed and you have not made it to confession for good reason, or are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the holy Chalice.
October Financial Report: We received $3,268 in offerings in October. YTD $29,151 has been received. We are running a deficit of -$3,678. Your faithful contributions provide for this church and her ministries. Thank God for His provision and your faithfulness, which means that our Mission can continue and grow! Holy Archangels Mission Council.
2016 Pledge Cards: We ask all the faithful to take a Time, Talent, and Treasure Pledge Card (on Back Table) and prayerfully consider what step of faith God would have you make for 2016. January 2016 we lose our $1333 monthly Mission Planting Grant from the OCA. Your step of faith and increased pledge over last year will help us sustain this Mission as we pray to grow “in spirit and in numbers.” Please place your Time, Talent, and Treasure Pledge Card in the Offering Box by Sunday Nov. 8, our Patronal Feast.
Please Note: At Holy Archangels we do not pass an offering plate. Instead, we encourage the faithful to place an offering in the offering box on the Entrance (back) Table in support of this Mission and its Ministries. Thank you!
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Newly-departed Margaret Ann, victims of the Romanian club fire, Russian airline disaster.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Eleni, Svetlana, Noah, Daphyne, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in Iraq & Syria, the Syrian and Ukrainian refugees, a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, //co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
born for our salvation from the Virgin; // for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh,
to endure death, // and to raise the dead// by His glorious Resurrection.
Troparion (Saints Cosmas and Damian) Tone 8
O holy Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers,
O Cosmas and Damian, heal our infirmities.// Freely ye have received; freely ye give unto us.
Troparion (Holy Archangels) Tone 4
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 (Resurrection) Tone 5
Thou didst descend into hell, O my Savior, //shattering its gates as Almighty,
resurrecting the dead as Creator, // and destroying the sting of death.
Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of man,//and we cry to Thee: O Lord, save us!
Kontakion (Saints Cosmas and Damian) Tone 2
Having received the grace of healing, // ye grant healing to those in need.
Glorious wonder-workers and healers, Cosmas and Damian,
visit us and put down the insolence of our enemies,//
and bring healing to the world through your miracles!
