THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
April 1, 2018

EASTER SUNDAY
Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Easter Homily – St. John Chrysostom

Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the intention He commends.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!

You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.

He destroyed Hades when He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaias foretold this when he said, “You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below.”

Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

Acts 1: 15-26 (pages 108-109) New Testament
Mark 16: 2-8 (page 50) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

Procedure for Confession and Communion – Today please remain in your seats for confession and participate by praying the general form of confession which can be found on pages 48-49 in the Pew Book. (Pages 48-49 in the front of the book will be in Armenian; and Pages 48-49 in the back of the book will have the English and transliteration.) In an effort to maintain the solemnity of the sacrament, we ask you to not enter the center aisle until your row is called by a member of the Parish Council. We believe this will enable all who are partaking of Communion quiet time for continued reflection.

“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant…” (Daniel 9:17a). We ask that you continue praying for Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian, & Albert Santerian. Please also pray for the safety and well-being of Der Hakob and the pilgrims who will be travelling with him to the Holy Land – that they will be enriched walking in the steps of our Lord. Remember to pray for our country and her leaders during these trying times; and let us ask the Lord to keep our children in their schools free from further violence and hatred.

ALTAR FLOWERS (LILIES), HOLY SATURDAY and CHRIST TOMB FLOWERS are donated by:

• Doris Alahverde in memory of Armen J. Alahverde Sr.
• Ralph and Nane Arpajian
• David and Marta Brann in memory of John & Mary Mirakian and A.D. & Lula Brann
• Robert and Lorraine Damerjian
• Larry and Kim Der Hagopian in honor of Jeanette Der Hagopian
• Ani Gooshian in memory of Ronald N. Gooshian
• Gay Hagopian & Family in memory of Haig Hagopian and James & Susan Vosbikian
• Stephen and Nancy Hovnanian in memory of Jirair & Elizabeth Hovnanian and Diran Shakarjian
• Mary and Pearl Jamgochian in memory of the Jamgochian Family
• Alice Karabian in memory of Michael & Rose Karabian, Ruth DeStefano & Helen Vishab
• Ronald A. Kashkashian in memory of Arsen, Katherine, John & Nicholas Kashkashian
• Virginia Knott in memory of Charles Sisian
• Terri and Dave Mears in memory of Souren & Elizabeth Sadjian
• Vaughn Melikyan
• Jan Mirijanian in memory of John D. Mirijanian
• Margo Silk
• Alice and Denise Sisian in memory of Ohannes & Haiganoush Keshishian, Elmon Berberian & Silva Yacoobian
• Carol Temoyan in memory of Robert Temoyan
• John Terzian in memory of Yolanda Terzian
• Angel Tookmanian in memory of my parents, Arshavir & Eugenie Yeterian
• Kim and Gena Willard in memory of Larry Der Hagopian

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: You are invited, long time parishioners, new members, and first time visitors, please join us after Badarak in our lovely hall for Christian fellowship, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and greet fellow parishioners and Der Hayr. The coffee hour begins when Der Hayr blesses the table. There are containers available to deposit your trash before leaving the hall. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and support. Thank you.

SAVE THE DATE: The Ladies of St. Sahag & St. Mesrob are sponsoring the Saintly Women’s Day program on Saturday April 7, 2018. The cost is $15.00 Reservations are required. For reservations please call the Church office at 620-642-4212 by April 5, 2018.

YOUGHAKIN DONATION Traditionally during Easter, gifts of oil, Youghakin donations are made to the Church. The notion is that by offering oil you keep the lamps of the church burning, these would always be resources in order to keep the doors of the church open. Your gift is gratefully appreciated.

EASTER SERVICES 2018

March 31 – Holy Saturday/Easter Eve
– Divine Liturgy 7:00 PM
– Home Blessing/Fellowship 8:00 PM
April 1 – Easter Sunday
– Morning Services 10:00 AM
– Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM

Please support the Annual Church School Lenten Drive that benefits the needy in both America and Armenia. The students are raising funds two ways. One; by asking for sponsorships for the angels they are decorating. These angels are being hung in the Church School classroom hallway. It would be lovely if the hallway was filled with angels. Second; by putting their weekly collection into a jar marked for this fundraiser. We have placed a tub in the church foyer for you to help. Please be generous. If you would like to sponsor an angel, stop by the Church School office with your donation. Thank you for your support of this worthy cause.

Merle Santerian is seeking parishioners to help her by taking over, preparing and serving at the Sunday Fellowship Hour once a month. A husband and wife team would be nice, or any two parishioners who wish to do it together. Merle would prepare a schedule for those who are interested, where once a month they would run a regular Sunday Fellowship Coffee Hour. Please contact Merle at Coffee Hour, or by cell phone, 215-205-1507; home phone, 215-947-3777, to let her know you are interested and willing to take on this job. She will be happy to fill you in on what the job involves.

Support Me in the Walk to Stop Suicide : Please support me as I walk from dusk till dawn in the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk on June 16, 2018. Help end the silence surrounding suicide and depression.ToDonateVisit:TheOvernight.org/participant/Maggie Miller or I have donation forms in my office that can be mailed in or you can send me a check or cash and I will make the donation for you in your name. Please consider helping me reach my donation goal for this very important event. Thank you! Maggie

Using the Pew Book: In order to enrich understanding of the Divine Liturgy, we encourage our faithful to follow along in the large two-part Pew Book. Part One includes the classical Armenian used in the Liturgy; the facing page is the translation in modern Western Armenian. Part Two contains the transliteration of the classical Armenian; the right-hand page has the English translation. This Pew Book includes the prayers of the celebrant usually offered inaudibly. The prayers offered aloud are indicated in boldface type.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

March
Mar 30 Holy Friday Burial Service
Mar 31 Easter Eve Liturgy / Community Fellowship Meal
April
April 1 Easter Sunday
April 2-10 Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
April 8 Guest Celebrant: V. Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian (Diocesan Vicar)
April 15 10:00-10:30 “All Good and Perfect Gifts” (Emily Movsesian0
April 22 10:00-10:30 “Get Me to the Church on Time” (Brian Hoyle)
April 29 10:00-10:30 “My Faith Pilgrimage to Jerusalem” (Yn. Anna
Gevorgyan) & Film “Women of 1915” (following Liturgy)

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.