THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
May 20, 2018

Pentecost

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

The story of Pentecost is familiar: Christ had instructed His disciples just before His Ascension to “not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised…John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5). On the Feast of Pentecost, as the disciples gathered in the Upper Room where they shared their Last Meal with Jesus, without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, a gale force. The same Spirit who moved over the waters at the beginning of creation now filled the whole room where they were sitting. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and the Disciples started speaking in a number of different languages!

People from all over the world in Jerusalem witnessed the event. Some mocked, accusing them of being drunk. Others were deeply moved by its profound and miraculous meaning. All of them mesmerized as they heard the wonderful works of God being spoken in their native tongue. The Disciples remembered the promise Jesus made to them, that the Father would send a “Comforter” to guide them into all truth (John 14:26). Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His Church, and the promise was fulfilled that day. This is why the Armenian Church refers to the Feast of Pentecost as Hokekaloosd meaning “Coming of the Spirit.”

The Apostles suddenly found themselves with the power and opportunity to communicate with people all around the world. And with that power, guided by the Holy Spirit, they would begin their separate missions throughout the world to heal, preach, and spread the news that Christ was raised from the dead, illuminating people with Baptism.

Fountain of life, distributor of grace, O Spirit who descended from above, You distributed your imperishable gifts to the apostles. Hovering over the waters, you made creation. Descending upon the waters of the Font, You gave birth to Sons of God.You always adorn and renew your church.

These are words from the hymn Աղբիւր Կենաց sung on the Feast of Pentecost, exquisite words which articulate the role of the Holy Spirit as the fire who illumines us at Baptism. Indeed, the mystery of Baptism centers on “turning to the Light of the knowledge of God” (դառնամք ի լոյս աստուածգիտութեան). This is why Sts. Thaddeus and Bartholomew are referred to as the “First Illuminators.”

In the Garden of Eden, the communion for which we were created to enjoy was ruptured. Pentecost is a restoration of that lost communion, the Church being the conduit for renewed communion with God. The gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church, bestowed at Baptism, raises us from the corruption of sin and unites us together into God’s family, the Church. Are we living as though we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit? Do we believe it? The divine, healing, life of God, His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) dwells within each of who have been baptized. As St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans (8:11), “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.” This is the good news of Pentecost!

By Dn. Eric Vozzy

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

Acts 2: 1-21 (pages 108 -109) New Testament
John 14: 25-31 (page 100) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

– HARRY and ANITA MIRIJANIAN requested by Craig and Gail Mirijanian and Family.
– ANTRANIK HACIKIAN and SAHAK MARKARIAN requested by Vartouhi Hacikian.

“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant…” (Daniel 9:17a). Please pray for Doris Alahverde, Butch Kumkumian, Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian, & Albert Santerian for a return to better health and to feel the presence of God in their lives. Pray also 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.

Today’s Confession/Communion Procedure: We ask our faithful to remain in their seats and kneeling at their pews for Confession if taking Communion, and then coming forward to receive Communion behind the Sunday school students.

Sunday School and Armenian School closings, and the graduation of one of our students, Shannon King will take place today in the Sanctuary following Badarak.

Today’s Coffee Hour: is sponsored today by Craig and Gail Mirijanian and Family in loving memory of HARRY and ANITA MIRIJANIAN. All are welcome.
The Armenian Language will have a short musical program during our Coffee Hour.

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.

FAR UPDATE: Astghik Ayvazyan, 83, is a FAR Soup Kitchen beneficiary. A mother of nine, Astghik worked two jobs after her husband died in 1982. After the fall of the Soviet Union, she found herself unemployed. She now lives with her daughter Rima and son Hamlet, also both unemployed. The three survive on $80 a month, and they all attend the soup kitchen. “This is a great support for us as it helps us to not spend much during the work week. We come here so we can actually have a proper meal. So, I want to say thank you to those who support this soup kitchen,” Astghik said. To read more, go to:http://farusa.org/2018/05/10/far-soup-kitchens-mother-of-nine-grandmother-of-23-finds-support-at-fars-soup-kitchen/ To support FAR’s programs like the soup kitchen, go to: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief/

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

MEMORIAL DAY GRAVE BLESSING – If anyone wishes to offer prayers and have a graveside blessing for their loved ones on Monday, May 29, 2017 (Memorial Day), Der Hayr will be available by appointment. Please contact him for additional details at 917-213-8658 (cell) or in person at church.

Scholarships Available: Any youth of Holy Trinity Armenian Church who wishes to apply for a scholarship to any of the youth programs of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) may contact the church office at 215-663-1600 to inquire and receive an Application and Criteria for Scholarship Award information. Among the programs available are St. Vartan Camp and the St. Nersess Summer Conference Programs. Applications and Criteria information are available from the church office and must be presented at least one month prior to the program.

St. Vartan Camp 2018
Staff Training: Wednesday, June 20 – Saturday, June 23
Session A: Sunday, June 24 – Saturday, July 7
Session B: Sunday, July 8 – Saturday, July 21
Session C: Sunday, July 22 – Saturday, August 4
http://diocesansummercamps.org/stvartancamp/

2018 ST. NERSESS SUMMER CONFERENCES
Deacons’ Training Program – Thursday, June 28 – Saturday, July 7
High School Summer Conference – Friday, July 20 – Sunday, July 29
Post High School Conference – Friday, August 3 – Sunday, August 12
For more information, contact: 914-273-0200 or info@stnersess.edu

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)

May
May 20 Pentecost/ Church School Closing Program

June
June 13 7:00 pm Home Bible Study in Bucks County
June 20 7:00 pm Home Bible Study in Newtown Square
June 27 7:00 pm Home Bible Study in South Jersey

July
July 10 10:00 am Summer Study: Scripture and Shnorhali
July 17 10:00 am Summer Study: Scripture and Shnorhali
July 24 10:00 am Summer Study: Scripture and Shnorhali
July 31 10:00 am Summer Study: Scripture and Shnorhali

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.