THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
December 24, 2017

Fifth Sunday of Advent

A Very Merry Christmas to One and All

Sts. David the Prophet & James the Apostle

Prophet St. David was the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth. The Holy Bible depicts him as a psalmist, gifted, wise, handsome man and orator. He was a shepherd. During the battle against Philistines he killed the giant Goliath. After the death of Saul he became the king of Israel and founded the city Jerusalem. He is the author of the book of Psalms and one of the greatest and influential figures of the Old Testament. Special importance is accorded to the fact that he is the offspring of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. James, brother of Jesus, is the combining link between the Evangelical saints and the saints mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He is one of the important figures of the Initial Church and the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Jewish historian Hovsepius characterizes him as “righteous”.

According to hagiographical sources some people forced him to get on the tower and slander against Jesus. However, getting on the tower, he started to speak about Jesus the Messiah who sat on the right side of God and would come to judge the world fairly. Many people were converted, but others threw the saint down from the tower. According to the tradition St. James is buried in the Cathedral of St. James of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. One letter from James has been preserved.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

Hebrews 7: 11-25 (pages 199-200) New Testament
Luke 19: 12-28 (pages 75-76) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 41: 4-14 (pages 716-717) Old Testament

NO COFFEE HOUR TODAY…MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

ALTAR FLOWERS AND CANDLES: are donated today by Jack Baker in loving memory of Sara Baker and Rose Okurian.

“Pray constantly” wrote St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians. Among us, pray for Larry Der Hagopian, Pearl Jamgochian, Annabelle Alexanian & Albert Santerian. Pray for the families of the more than two dozen who were killed and many others who were injured during the horrific attack in the holiest of places – a house of worship in a small Texas town. May they feel the strong presence of God at their sides. Please continue your prayers for those affected by nature’s great storms as many remain without homes, comfort or well-being. Pray for leaders all over so that peace in our countries will prevail.

Christmas Gift for Vanadzor: The Ladies of Holy Trinity are collecting money every Sunday until Armenian Christmas to send a financial gift to Vanadzor, the home for senior Armenians outside of Yerevan. The collection container sits on a table in the Narthex. During this holiday season, please remember these elderly Armenians. Thank you.

REMINDER: According to the Diocesan Bylaws, membership dues are to be paid no later than December 31st each year in order to be a member in “good standing” and to be eligible to vote at the annual assembly. Any monies received after that date will be applied to the new year. For any questions regarding your status, please call the church office.

FAR UPDATE: Hovhannes Arestakesyan, 27, is one of the members of the five scientific groups who have received grants sponsored by Fund for Armenian Relief’s Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF) program this year. “I know that scientists have a hard time living and working in Armenia. The ANSEF grant is a step forward in my professional career, as I want to go deeper into the current research,” he said. Each ANSEF grant not only provides $5,000 to a group, but also greater means of contributing to social and economic growth in their home country. To read more, go to FAR’s blog: http://farusa.org/2017/12/07/ansef-ansef-enables-young-scientist-to-continue-his-research-in-armenia/ To support projects like ANSEF, go to: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief/

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

December
Dec 31 Pomegranate Sunday

January
Jan 5 Theophany Eve: Divine Liturgy
Jan 6 Feast of Theophany: Divine Liturgy
Jan 7 Blessing of Water Service
Jan 14 Day of Remembrance
Jan 27-28 ACYOA Lock-In

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.

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.

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.