THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
January 14, 2018

First Sunday after the Octave of Theophany

The Wedding in Cana

The wedding in Cana is the setting for the first of seven signs (miracles) performed by Jesus in the Gospel of John, which ultimately point to the truth that the Kingdom of God has dwelled among us in the person of Jesus Christ. After this one miracle, which inaugurates his visible ministry, Jesus’ life would never be the same. The needs of the people are so vast, numerous, unique unto each person, that His time would now be occupied with preaching, teaching, and healing. He would become loved, hated, tested, a controversial threat to the system. With that risk in mind, without His disciples yet chosen, He yields to His mother’s request to remedy the situation of running out of wine.

Consider our own failures and disappointments. Does our ministry as individuals, as a parish, reflect the kind of risk to cross a line from which we can never return? Are we known as and considered a source of healing for others? When people meet us or hear about our parish, do they associate us with the same person in Cana who had compassion and gave enough attention to the situation at hand to meet the need of the hour?

By: Dn. Eric Vozzy

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

1 Timothy 1: 1-11 (page 188) New Testament
John 2: 1-11 (page 85) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 54: 1-13 (pages 730-731) Old Testament

REQUIEM SERVICES: Karasoonk (40th Day memorial Service) today will be for:

– ARAM AVEDIS AGHAZARIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life requested by his wife, Lucy (nee Mardikian), his son, Aram Alan Aghazarian and his daughter, Lori Lucy Aghazarian.

– MAMAS ALEXANIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life requested by the Alexanian and Mardikian Families.

“Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” (1 Kings 8:28b). Let us be as servants before God today as we pray for our sisters and brothers, especially Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian, & Albert Santerian. Remember to pray for the many countries where unrest and inhumanity linger. Pray for those who are without homes especially as the weather temperatures turn frigid. And pray for our people to know God in a personal way.

ALTAR FLOWERS are donated today by Aram Alan and Lori Lucy Aghazarian in loving memory of their beloved father, ARAM AGHAZARIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life.

ALTAR CANDLES are donated today by Jeanette Der Hagopian and Family in loving remembrance of parents and grandparents, Ann (9years) and Deran (30 years) Chopoorian.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is sponsored today by ACE and the Aghazarian Family in loving memory of ARAM AGHAZARIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life. All are welcome.

A Day of Remembrance: At the conclusion of Badarak today, there will be a short candle-lighting service and hokehankisd to honor the memory of those in our community who passed away in 2017 and received the burial rites of our church. Through this ceremony, the entire Holy Trinity parish shares in each family’s loss and remembers all the departed with love, gratitude and consoling prayer.

ELEVATOR FUND UPDATE: The good news is that the installation of our elevator is complete; we are simply waiting for the inspection approval. However, we are $10,000 short of our goal and are still accepting donations. If you wish to contribute, see Merle Santerian.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: Scheduled for February 18, 2018 with alternate snow dates of March 4 or March 11, 2018.

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.

Our Friday Night Lenten Series Starts Soon! We have an exciting and enlightening educational series planned for the upcoming Lenten season. For details, see flyers available in the narthex or church lobby. Those interested in hosting one of our dinners are encouraged to call Berjoohy Murray at 856-912-2417. Be sure to sign up for the first program on February 16!!

Christmas Gift for Vanadzor: The Ladies of Holy Trinity sincerely thank our parishioners who generously donated to Vanadzor, the home for senior Armenians outside of Yerevan. We are able to send a generous gift.

FAR UPDATE: Fund for Armenian Relief’s Anush Mathevosian Scholarship Program has enabled Hovhannes Mkrtchyan to attend college. While Hovhannes wants to become a loan officer, his experience with FAR has also inspired in him a love of volunteering. In October, he was the only Armenian to participate in the World Festival of Youth and Students in Russia. For Hovhannes, volunteering helps those in need and also enhances his own capacity. “FAR has helped me, and I must help others,” he said. Currently, 105 students are supported by the Mathevosian program. To learn more about this program, go to http://farusa.org/2017/12/21/far-scholarships-one-scholarship-recipient-learns-the-art-of-volunteering/. To support students like Hovhannes, go to https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief/

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

January
Jan 14 Day of Remembrance
Jan 27-28 ACYOA Lock-In

February
Feb 8 Vartanantz Commemoration @ AMCC
Feb 11 Poon Paregentan
Feb 16 Lenten Program: Leslie Movsesian
Feb 18 Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 3/4 & 3/11)
Feb 23 Lenten Program: Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian/Seminarians
Feb 24 ACYOA Retreat
Feb 25 Guest Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian
Fellowship Program: St. Nersess Seminary

March
Mar 2 Lenten Program: V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
Mar 9 Lenten Program: V. Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan
Mar 16 Lenten Program: Ani Peckjian
Mar 23 Lenten Program: Holy Jeopardy
Mar 25 Palm Sunday: ACYOA Day

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.