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Wisdom

Feast of St. Andrew the First-Called

The Church singles out Andrew as the “First-called Apostle,” and he exhorts the Church to “come and see” the Messiah in Jesus Christ:

We have found Him whom the prophets proclaimed in the Spirit! Come to His beauty, that we may be rescued in soul and in thought, and that, led by the light of His radiance, we may drive away the night of deception and the darkness of unbelief, blessing Christ, who bestows upon the world great mercy. (Vespers of the Feast of St. Andrew, second hymn of the Aposticha)

The Church invites us during this season of Advent to identify ourselves with St. Andrew—since he was the first of the people of Israel to follow “Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote” (John 1:45)—and to share in the joy of his discovery… …LikeAndrew, we are called to rejoice in Jesus as the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament, and with him, we are invited to call others to “come and see” this great mystery of God on earth. Not only is “God with us” (see Is. 7:14; 8:10), He is one of us! He has become a man to deify humanity from within, to refashion us in His own image and likeness (Gen. 1:26).

Dance, Isaiah! Receive the word of God! Prophesy to the Maiden Mary that the bush shall burn with the light of the Godhead, yet shall not be consumed. Prepare, O Bethlehem! Open your gates, O Eden! Come, O Magi, make your journey to behold salvation wrapped and laid in a manger, whom the Star above the cave reveals as the Lord, the giver of life, who saves our race. (Vespers of the Feast of St. Andrew, Theotokion of the Stichera)

Vassilios Papavassiliou, Meditations for Advent: Preparing for Christ’s Birth. pp. 40–41.

Upcoming Events
Other Announcements
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Reminder: Veterans

Please consider a donation to our annual Veterans gift-card fundraiser. Gift cards to grocery stores can placed in the basket in the Narthex or a direct donation to the fund works as well (we’ll buy the gift cards with those funds.)


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Reminder: Volunteers

Please help and join one of our primary volunteer teams: Fellowship Hour, Cleaning, and Service Duty (Candle Room / Usher). Sign-up sheets are on the display case across from the restrooms, outside the fellowship hall. 

Note: It will be assumed everyone is staying on their current teams - new sign-ups will be added to the current teams or extra teams will be added if we have enough volunteers. See Juliana Peck or Madrecita Emilia if you desire to make changes.


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Council Openings

We have an opening for Treasurer and a general Council Member. Each position is for a 3-year term. Serving on the council requires one to be in good standing as defined by our by-laws as well as a blessing from Father. Please see Fr. Dn. James or Ruth Kendall to nominate yourself or another (best to ask Father before nominating another as well.)


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Giving Opportunity - Eastside HUB

Please help donate to Eastside HUB - toiletries, underthings, socks, hats, coast, sneakers, etc. See the list near the containers in the hallway to the Fellowship Hall.


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Reminder: Classes

We will have Church School and Foundations Class (Catechism) at 11:30 a.m.  Please allow teachers and children to go first in the fellowship meal line.

All are welcome to Foundations Class. Catechumens should be striving to attend every class. Our high-school aged students are strongly encouraged to attend as well.  Download The Orthodox Way of Life class text book if you have not already.


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Reminder: Communion

Those who partake in communion should line up on the sides, next to the windows. Those in line on the choir side will commune from either chalice (Dn. James or Fr. Silouan). Those on the confession side will go strictly to that side’s chalice (Dn. Nicholas). There are a few who will come up the middle aisle due to age or health related reasons. No one else should. We are aiming to keep the middle aisle free as the “exit.”


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Reminder: Opt-in Email

Father Silouan uses an opt-in email service to send out his communications (such as the Weekend Update) to the parish.  This is a different service than the parish Listserv.

To sign up, click on “The Latest” in the menu above.  Then click on "Email Signup" which is the first item in the drop-down menu.


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Reminder: Online Tithes & Offerings

Don’t forget you can give tithes and offerings online, including designated funds. There are two ways to do this.  First, you can use the green "Give" button on Father Silouan's "Weekend Update" emails.  Second, you can use the menu on this page.  Click on "The Latest," then click on "Church Connect."  Finally click on the blue "Give Online" button.


Reader Schedule

 

Date Matins Epistle
Dec 8 Bergwall Altschul
Dec 15 Skomorucha Bergwall
Dec 22 Plumley Wales

 

Service Schedule

 

Date Coffee Hour Service Duty Church Cleaners
Dec 1

Clause / Whalen / Beyene

Stultz / Najemy Bunitsky / Davis / Koehler
Dec 8

Em. Peck / Jac. Peck/ Tice / David P. / Jul. Peck / A. Herninko

Telep / Baldychev

D. Peck / Long Sisters / Crozier

Dec 15

Riley / Hojnicki / Neal / Roberts / Flynn / Reed

Bunitsky / Morjana Clause / Whalen
Dec 22

Long / Hill / Stoyanova / Kiflemariam

Riley / Riley Skomorucha / Plummer

 

Adult Altar Servers

 

Date Servers
Dec 8 Bergwall / Dorsey
Dec 15 Davis / Moses
Dec 22 Burns / Davis
Dec 29 Dorsey / Moses
Jan 5 Bergwall / Burns
Jan 12 Davis / Dorsey
Jan 19 Bergwall - Moses
Jan 26 Burns - Dorsey

 

News from the Orthodox Church in America

Saturday, 7 Dec 2024

Metropolitan Tikhon Announces Significant Leadership Appointments in the New ...
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Tuesday, 26 Nov 2024

Matushka Olga’s Relics Uncovered in Kwethluk, AK
26 Nov 2024 at 9:37am


Monday, 25 Nov 2024



Friday, 15 Nov 2024

Five Retreats for Widows of Clergy Available Online
15 Nov 2024 at 4:17pm


Thursday, 14 Nov 2024

Divine Hymnody: Theology Set to Music
14 Nov 2024 at 5:27am


Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024

Holy Synod Meets for its Regular Fall 2024 Session
13 Nov 2024 at 2:15pm


Tuesday, 12 Nov 2024

1917-18 Diaries of Metropolitan Leonty Published in Russia
12 Nov 2024 at 3:31am


Wednesday, 6 Nov 2024

Strengthening Clergy Brotherhood Through In-Person Retreats:  The Value ...
6 Nov 2024 at 5:57am


Monday, 4 Nov 2024

OCA Delegate at National Council of Churches Annual Christian Unity Gathering
4 Nov 2024 at 1:44pm


Friday, 1 Nov 2024

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon Attends Diocese of the South Assembly
1 Nov 2024 at 2:31pm


A Look Ahead
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This Week's Schedule

Tuesday, December 3rd

Weekday Vespers

at 6:00 p.m.

 

Thursday, December 5th

Great Vespers

at 6:00 p.m.

 

Friday, December 6th

Feast: St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Hours

at 8:40 a.m.

Divine Liturgy

at 9:00 a.m.

followed by 

Potluck

 

Saturday, December 7th

Monthly Panikhida

at 4:15 p.m.

Great Vespers

(livestreamed)

at 5:00 p.m.

followed by

Confessions

 

Sunday, December 8th

Matins

at 8:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy

at 9:00 a.m.

(livestreamed)

followed by

Fellowship

followed by

Church School

and

Foundations Class

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Important Dates

Wednesday, December 25th

Great Feast: Nativity of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

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The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

Learn More >

St. Michael's is part of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, which is presided over by The Most Reverend Mark (Maymon), Archbishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania. Our mission is bringing the joy of Christ's resurrection to those who have never heard the Good News, and to strengthen and encourage the faithful who reside within Wilmington and the local area. 

More Information >

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The Holy Scripture is a collection of books written over multiple centuries by those inspired by God to do so. It is the primary witness to the Orthodox Christian faith, within Holy Tradition and often described as its highest point. It was written by the prophets and apostles in human language, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and collected, edited, and canonized by the Church.

Daily Readings >

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Holiness or sainthood is a gift (charisma) given by God to man, through the Holy Spirit. Man's effort to become a participant in the life of divine holiness is indispensable, but sanctification itself is the work of the Holy Trinity, especially through the sanctifying power of Jesus Christ, who was incarnate, suffered crucifixion, and rose from the dead, in order to lead us to the life of holiness, through the communion with the Holy Spirit.

Today's Saints >

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St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church
Wilmington, Delaware
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