Commitment Sunday is November 16!
Next Sunday we offer the Lord our commitments to Him for 2015. We do so, knowing that “he who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and 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 given and entrusted to us. While the standard of financial giving in the Church has always been the tithe (10 percent of our ‘treasures’ or income), we’re not meant to give under compulsion, but, through prayer, to give what God puts on our heart. We do so, to build up the church and its ministries as a spiritual investment in our own future, individually and corporately, and out of a spirit of thanksgiving for all God’s 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 its growing ministries. As we grow our church “in spirit and in numbers” (from the petitions of the Augmented Litany), 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 for the Church, 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 are ultimately gifts from God, which He desires to use for His glory. We offer a portion back to Him in the knowledge and faith that He will receive these offerings of commitment, bless them, and return them to us and His Church 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). In Christ’s blessing and love, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Wed, Nov 12, 7 p.m., St. John’s Boathouse (parking in Gym lot or on King George St.: Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion: This week: “The Intercession of the Saints”
- Sat, Nov 15, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy, Trapeza following (fish, wine, oil allowed)
October Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $2448 in offerings in October ($2018 in September). $2500 was pledged. $20,986 was received in offerings from January thru October 2014. The budgeted amount based on pledges is $25,000. This leaves us a gap of $4000 to make up between now and Dec. to meet our expenses! Please stay current with your pledges/offerings, and consider increasing your offering and/or making a special one-time gift to help meet this deficit. Thank God for His provision and thank you for your faithful support, which ensures that our Mission can continue and grow! The Holy Archangels Mission Council
2015 Commitment Cards at the Entrance Table. Please take one and prayerfully consider what commitments of “Time, Talent, and Treasure” Christ God is calling YOU to commit to in 2015. We will offer our commitments to Christ together on Sunday, November 16 as we begin the Nativity Fast.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Departed servant of God, Simeon (grandfather of Ho Simeon, handmaiden of God, Genica.
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, Peter, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering, persecuted Orthodox brethren in Iraq and Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., for all those suffering from the Ebola epidemic and for a speedy end to the disease.
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 (for the Martyrs) Tone 4
Thy holy martyrs Onesiphórus and Porphýrius, 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 intercessions, save our souls!
Troparion (for Venerable Matrona) Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in thee, O Mother, // for thou tookest up the cross and followed Christ. // By so doing thou hast taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes away,
but to care instead for the soul since it is immortal.//
Therefore thy spirit, O holy Mother Matróna, rejoices with the Angels.
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 (for the Martyrs) Tone 2
The pair of glorious martyrs, Onesiphórus and Porphýrius,
endured their suffering with strength, // dashing down to the earth the arrogance of the enemy,
and shining with the grace of the uncreated Trinity;
together with the Angels, // they unceasingly pray for us all.
Kontakion (for Venerable Matrona) Tone 8
Thou didst pass through the storm of life without faltering, O chosen and godly Mother Matróna,
guided to the harbor of life, where thou singest hymns to the Deliverer.
Thou ever prayest that Christ may grant us grace and mercy;//
thou preservest the flock which thou hast painstakingly gathered.
