THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
September 3, 2017

Fourth Sunday After the Assumption

Simon the Zealot

Simon, the Zealot, one of the little-known followers called the Canaanite or Zelotes, lived in Galilee. Tradition says he was crucified.

In two places in the King James Version he is called a Canaanite (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18). However in the other two places he is called Simon Zelotes (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13).

The New Testament gives us practically nothing on him personally except that it says he was a Zealot. The Zealots were fanatical Jewish Nationalists who had heroic disregard for the suffering involved and the struggle for what they regarded as the purity of their faith.

From this background, we see that Simon was a man devoted to the Law. Yet, Simon clearly emerged as a man of faith.

He abandoned all his hatred for the faith that he showed toward his Master and the love that he was willing to share with the rest of the disciples and especially Matthew, the Roman tax collector.

Simon, the Zealot, the man who once would have killed in loyalty to Israel, became the man who saw that God will have no forced service. Tradition says he died as a martyr. His apostolic symbol is a fish lying on a Bible, which indicates he was a former fisherman who became a fisher of men through preaching.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

2Corinthians 2: 12:3:3 (pages 163-164) New Testament
Mark 6: 30-44 (pages 37-38) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 10: 12-19 (pages 690-691) Old Testament

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

-YESTER ERGENIAN (16TH Anniversary of her eternal life) requested by Arousiag Keshishian and Family for their mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother.

Our Prayers Are Powerful. Let us emulate St. Paul, who said, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Eph 1:16). Pray especially for Annabelle (Lee) Alexanian Albert Santerian, Hagop Arzoumanian, Richard Kazigian and Alice Sisian. For those who are struggling with illness, hardship and grief, let us remember them in prayer. Continue to pray for the injustice and inhumanity that continues in the world. Indeed, our prayers are powerful.

A SPECIAL DIRECTIVE FROM OUR PRIMATE is calling on all our Diocesan parishes to hold special collections during Badarak for each of the Sundays of September—starting September 3, and continuing on September 10, 17, and 24—to help provide relief to the affected people of the St. Kevork Church as a result of Hurricane Harvey As explained in the Primate’s notice (attached), money will be sent to St. Kevork within the week that it is received, so we ask for your consideration in being compassionate and prompt in supporting this great need. Of equal importance is that we offer our prayers for the families whose loved ones have perished and for ALL PEOPLE suffering devastation because of the storm. Checks should be made out to: Holy Trinity Armenian Church – Memo: St. Kevork Flood Relief.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Our “Pot Luck Coffee Hour” has been a success thanks to the many people who have brought in refreshments for the buffet table to share with our church family and it will continue through Labor Day. The church will continue to provide the coffee but we are going to rely on those who wish to enjoy refreshments with their coffee and chat with friends to please bring something for the buffet table (enough to serve 8 people), either homemade or store bought. A donation basket will be put out for those who are unable to bring refreshments. This “Pot-Luck” idea was conceived in order to relieve the burden of the same few people making sure that we have refreshments every Sunday. We hope you will take this opportunity to share your bounty with our church family on these Sundays.

FAR Spotlight: A clinical investigation into the poor health among Tavush Province’s children ages six months to six years revealed malnutrition as the main cause. The Breaking the cycle of Poverty Program (BCPP) worked to develop a balanced nutrition program to combat malnutrition. Currently 557 children, ages two to six, in 15 kindergartens in Tavush Province receive nutritious meals throughout the year. Follow up evaluations show improved health conditions among the program’s children. To learn more about FAR, its mission and programs, please visit http://farusa.org.

A GENTLE REMINDER – We wish to remind our parishioners that, by order of the Fire Department, no parking is allowed in the Fire Lane, which is the area next to the lawn and the building in the parking lot. In addition, we have noticed cars who have no handicapped placard or identifying license plate parked in the handicapped spaces, especially behind the building, We ask for your courtesy in respecting the rules and leaving the handicapped spaces for those who truly need them.

ATTIC TREASURES: If you’re cleaning out your closets, we would greatly appreciate donations of your CLEAN & UNDAMAGED gently used items to be sold at the Attic Treasures table during the Harvest Bazaar. No toys, clothing or books (except cookbooks). Desired items are jewelry, women’s accessories, housewares, small furnishings, and more, more, more. Attic treasures can be left in the 1st room on the right down the Sunday School hall. Call Ayshe Chakmaklian for more info. at 610-828-2411. If you need a New Jersey pick up call Grace Meranshian at 856-217-9333.

MEN’S CLUB NEWS “200 CLUB” – THERE ARE ONLY 7 RAFFLE TICKETS REMAINING FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON. A one-time donation of $100 will entitle you to eight (8) monthly drawings, with five winners drawn each month. Your ticket number could be a winner more than once this coming season! The first drawing will take place in November 2017 and the last in June 2018. Prizes range from $100 to $1,000 and your chance of winning is much better than the Lottery! See Larry DerHagopian or Mick Paretchan after church service today.

THE NICENE CREED/ HAVADAMK – This is the Profession of our Faith which is recited every Sunday moments after the Gospel is read from the altar. Sometimes it is sung, but more often it is recited by the Deacons and/or the Choir. We invite you to affirm your own “Profession of Faith” by reciting along with us. God longs for all of us to express our faith and devotion to Him.

THE KISS OF PEACE: After the gifts of the Eucharist are brought to the Altar Table, the deacon proclaims, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” The person giving the greetings says, Kristos ee mech mer Haydnetsav – Christ is revealed amongst us. The recipient would respond, Orhnial eh Haydnootiunun Kristosee – Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
September

Sept 10 Church School Registration
Sept 17 Jerusalem: Restoring the Tomb
Sept 19 The Art of Interfaith Understanding (Art Museum tour)
Sept 24 A Journey to Historic Armenia (Rev. Flora Keshgegian)
Oct 1 Instructed Liturgy & Dn. Albert Book Reception
Oct 15 Inter-communal Program
Oct 20 Growing Up Armenian in the Diaspora
Oct 27-29 Harvest Bazaar
Nov 5 The Divine Liturgy: A Simultaneous Translation
Nov 12 Godparents Sunday
Dec 10 Honoring Our Pastor
Dec 17 Breakfast with Santa
Dec 31 Pomegranate Sunday

If you know of anyone who is a shut-in, or ill and would like a visit from Der Hayr, please call the office and give their name to Maggie our church secretary.

Anyone who wishes to request any Requiem Services MUST inform the office by 1:30pm Wednesday the week before. If you also want to sponsor the Fellowship Hour you MUST call Merle Santerian at 215-947-3777.

Would you like to:

– receive this Bulletin on Friday via email?
– request a Hokehankist, house blessing or hall rental information?
– find in-depth information on our faith, our parish and our activities?
– sign up for an event online?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, please visit our parish website at www.holytrinity-pa.org

WE ASK THAT EVERYONE KINDLY TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES and all other such electronic devices prior to entering the sanctuary out of respect for the sanctity of our services.