Having just celebrated Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the importance of giving thanks to God for His work in our lives: healing us, growing us, saving us. Giving thanks is not something we can afford to do just once a year, of course: thanking God, remembering God as the Giver of all that is good, is an important sign of how strong our relationship and communion with God is. We can take God’s work in our lives for granted. We’ve all received and ARE receiving blessings from God. Giving thanks is key to our spiritual health. It’s another indication of our coming outside ourselves to love, to serve, and to grow. As Orthodox, we believe that we’re saved not just individually, but also, corporately. We are our brother’s keeper. Your salvation is also connected to the salvation of your brother and sister next to you. Do we give thanks to God for His work in us? Do we give thanks to God for His work amongst us? Do we give thanks to God for this Mission? Do we dare even thank God for the trials and challenges He allows in our lives that force us to depend more, trust more, in Him? Let us give thanks with a grateful heart and consider what we can render to the Lord for all His bounty to us!
The Lord Jesus Christ bless you, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Tuesday, Dec. 1, 12:50-1:20. 6th Hour Prayers at the St. Nicholas Chapel, USNA. All welcome!
- Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m., Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion, St. John’s Boathouse. This week’s topic: Orthodox Christianity Verses Sola Scriptura. All are welcome!
- Sat, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, ST. NICHOLAS DAY SURPRISE! Trapeza following (fish, wine, oil allowed)
- Tues, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., Akathist of St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas Orthodox Chapel, USNA. All are welcome and encouraged to come! Park and walk in via Gate 3 (bring i.d.).
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Thursday, Dec. 24, 10 p.m. LUMINOUS FEAST of the NATIVITY. Bring a feasting dish and a desert to share!
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 confession for good reason, or are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the 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 thru your faithfulness! The Mission Council.
2016 Pledge Cards: We have received $1440 in pledges for 2016. This is far below the $2300 we received last year. If you haven’t already, please take a Time, Talent, and Treasure Pledge Card (on Back Table) and prayerfully consider what step of faith God would have you make. 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 so that we can continue her ministries and grow “in spirit and in numbers.”
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);
- The victims of the French terrorist attacks, the Romanian club fire, and 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 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews, while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,
Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! Glory to Thy Kingdom!//
Glory to Thy dispensation, O thou who lovest of mankind!”
Troparion (for the Martyrs) Tone 4
Thy holy martyrs Paramon and Philumenus and those with them, O Lord,
through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God.
For having Thy strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.//Through their intercession, save our souls!
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 (Resurrection) Tone 1
As God, Thou didst rise from the tomb in glory, raising the world with Thyself.
Human nature praises Thee as God, for death has vanished.//Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to Thee://
“Thou art the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
Kontakion (for the Martyrs) Tone 4
Urged on by the commandments of God,//with patience, ye cleansed thy souls from all defilement.
Ye reached perfection as spiritual athletes; //and renounced sacrifice to idols.
Imitating Christ, ye were slain with a spear, O most blessed Paramon and Philumenus.
Always fervently intercede with Christ on behalf of the world!
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.
