Commitment Sunday
“He who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”—so begins today’s Epistle, challenging us to consider how ‘rich’ we are toward God in returning a portion to Him from that which He has so graciously given and entrusted to us. While the standard of 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 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 from sin, the passions, and death. We give not only for ourselves, but with the aim of enabling others to come to healing and salvation in Christ through His Church and its growing ministries as well. As we grow our church “in spirit and in numbers” ( the Litany of Fervent Supplication), we make that evangelistic desire a reality by the work of the Holy Spirit in us and through us. Finally, we’re called to not only focus on our gifts of financial support for the Church, but also the gift of our time, our gifts 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 of them back to Him in the faith that He will take them and return them to us and His Church with blessings and growth. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
May Christ our true God bless you! Yours in His love, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Sunday, Oct. 27, Pledge and Commitment Sunday for 2014—offer your completed “time, talent, and treasure” pledge cards to offer them to God during the Divine Liturgy.
- v Tuesday, Oct 29, 12:50-13:20, Sixth Hour prayers, USNA
- v Wed., Oct. 30, 6:45 p.m., St. John Boathouse, Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion: This week: “Planning for the Future: A Responsible or Presumptuous Practice?”
- v Saturday, Nov. 2, 6 p.m. Great Vespers and First Saturday of the Month Potluck.
- v Sunday, Nov. 3, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Looking Ahead: Important Dates!
- Thursday, Nov. 7, 6:30 p.m., Great Vespers with Litya (ARTOS NEEDED) for our PATRONAL FEAST of the Holy Archangels. Dinner and special guest speaker, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki.
- Friday, Nov. 8, 9:00 a.m. Hours for the Feast, followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30. Please bring a fast-friendly contribution to our Lunch with Fr. Timothy Hojnicki. Wine and oil allowed.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of His love, healing, power, and glory;”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and our college ministry, ACM;
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. Michael, Rdr. John, Benedict, Lance, Nika, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Charlene, Daniel, Michael Anthony, Sarah, Seraphim, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, for our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria and Egypt.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Your most pure ^body,
You rose on the third day, O Savior, granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to You, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Your Resurrection, O Christ!
Glory to Your ^Kingdom!// Glory to Your dispensation, O Lover of mankind!”
Troparion (Martyr Nestor) Tone 4
Your holy martyr Nestor, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.// Through his intercessions, save our souls!
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 1
As God, You rose from the tomb in glory, // raising the world with Yourself.
Human nature praises You as God, for death has vanished. // Adam exults, O Master!
Eve rejoices, for she is freed from bondage and cries to You://
“You are the Giver of Resurrection to all, O Christ!”
Kontakion (Martyr Nestor) Tone 2
Having fought the good fight, // you won immortal glory, O Nestor.
You became a perfect soldier for the Master // through the prayers of the martyr Demetrius.//
Together with him you are praying unceasingly to Christ God for us all.
Kontakion (Holy Archangels) 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,// Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts
