THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
October 3, 2021

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EXALTATION

COVID UPDATE:  August 23, 2021, The Montgomery County Office of Public Health advises that masks should be worn in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. Please exercise your best judgment and caring for everyone in our Church community. Thank you   

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Mark 11:27-33 Having overturned the tables of the money changers a day before, Jesus is in the temple courts again and hostilely questioned by the chief priests, elders, and teachers of the law: by what authority does He do what He does? Jesus wisely deflects their question. Discuss/reflect: In what ways do you question and perhaps even undermine Jesus’ authority?

2 Corinthians 13:5-13 Paul asks the Corinthians to test their faith, knowing that if Christ is indeed in their hearts, they cannot fail. His humble prayer is “for their perfection.” (v.9) Memorable verse (12): “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (a foundational verse for our kiss of peace during Badarak). Discuss/reflect: In what area of your spiritual life will you aim “for perfection” this week?

Isaiah 17:7-14 Isaiah announces God’s judgment against Syria and Israel who were aligned against Judah. Having turned away from God, none of their endeavors can be fruitful: they might plant the finest imported vines, but there will be no harvest, only pain.  Enemies will rage like surging waters; it is God’s rebuke alone that sends them fleeing. Discuss/ reflect: How might the story of Jesus’ stilling the storm (Mark 4:35-41) together with the image of verse 13 affect you as you face today’s precarious world? Form a prayer out of your answer.

Saturday, October 9, is the Feast of the Holy Translators

Mesrob, Yeghishe, Moses, David the Philosopher, Gregory of Narek, Nersess the Grace-filled These well-known saints are remembered on other days of the church calendar year, but the Armenian Church remembers them here specifically as “translators,” those who enlighten others about our faith through prayers, hymns, poetry, philosophy and even history. Translation goes beyond rendering one language into another. It is the sharing of the experience of Christ with His people

St. Gregory of Narek (c 945-1003) was a beloved teacher, churchman and prolific writer. Born in Narek (near Lake Van) he entered the monastery there and wrote Bible commentaries, history and deeply affecting prayers. His renowned collection Speaking with God from the Depths of My Heart was so treasured that it was thought to have healing powers.  Reflection: Consider Gregory’s Prayer 24: “Dear Lord, I pray that I might be honored with clothing of light, from which I have been stripped/that I might touch the hand of Him, from whom I am separated/that I might receive my daily bread, for which I have not worked/that I might be showered with rewards, which I have not earned/that I might remember all my blessings, which I always forget. What are some of the blessings in your life you need to remember?”

    Department of Christian Education Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)/elisea@armeniandiocese.org

^“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Tim 2:8). Prayers are requested for the families of the soldiers killed in the 44-day Artsakh war, the soldiers who are struggling through catastrophic injuries suffered, and those who are still being held as prisoners of war all these months later; Ethel Terzian, Taron Poghosyan, Alice Charles, Larry Grocott, Doris Alahverde and Genevieve Miller.

COUNTRY STORE IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS:  We are well stocked in our store and invite you to come in after church most Sundays or place an order for pickup with Lorraine Damerjian @ 215-572-8465. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS to attend the Philadelphia Inter-Communal gathering on Sunday, October 10 at 3 pm, which will take place at Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church in Havertown.  This special program will feature Rev. Nishan & Maria Bakalian as they share their first-hand experiences about their missionary work in Beirut. This will be most enlightening​ for all of us. Everyone is Invited!

Classes in Session!  Today is the first day of school for students registered in our Christian education and Language education programs. Those who are not yet registered can do so by reporting to the Church School office which opens at 10:30. Our administrators and teachers are eager to greet students and provide a safe and exciting learning experience for our children and youth.

PLEASE NOTE: All staff and students will be required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Seeking Part-time Organists – the Choir of Holy Trinity is looking for multiple talented musicians who would be seriously interested in playing the organ for the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy (Badarak) on a rotating schedule. Organ lessons will be provided to the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person.  For further information, contact Karinne Andonian @ karinne.hov@gmail.com.

HOLY TRINITY ZOOM BOOK CLUB:  Join us on Thursday evening, October 21 at 7:00 for a lively discussion on one of William Saroyan’s most famous and richly autobiographical works, “The Human Comedy.” The conversation will be facilitated by Lucy Aghazarian.  All those interested should contact nancybasmajian@verizon.net to receive the Zoom link.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – After being forced to cancel this outreach last year  due to Covid, we are happy to inform our faithful supporters that we are doubling our efforts to fill as many shoeboxes as we can to make up for that. For over 15 years, you have been generous and caring, enabling us to collect more than 1000 filled shoeboxes for children the world over, including Armenia.  More information will be forthcoming, but you’ve done it before and you know how it works. Join us once again or become a new supporter – the satisfaction you will feel by filling one or more shoeboxes will be as great as the joy of the child recipient!  It’s never too early to start shopping. Contact Jeanette Der Hagopian (choirboss@hotmail.com or 215-672-4188) for any questions you may have.

Summer Camp Helps Artsakh Children to Cope – FAR keeps its commitment to focus on the lingering needs of those displaced from Artsakh’s war. This includes initiatives aimed to improve the ability of displaced children to better cope and adapt to their new environments. With so many having been uprooted from their homes due to war, the need for greater support for children resettled in Armenia remains a critical issue.

This past summer, 13 IDPs (ages 9-17) were given the opportunity to join 27 local children to take part in a summer camp in Armenia’s Sisian Region. For 20 days, the children camped out on the grounds of the local school and participated in interesting outdoor and indoor activities. To learn more, go to https://www.farusa.org/post/summer-camp-helps-artsakh-children-to-cope To support FAR’s Child Protection program, go to https://www.farusa.org/donate

Message from Montgomery County: Our community is stronger when we’re all protected. The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. The COVID-19 vaccine will protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and death; and protects vulnerable people in your community who can’t get the vaccine. A healthier community starts with you. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, call the Montgomery County Office of Public Health at 610-278-5117 or visit https://www.montcopa.org/3660/COVID-19-Vaccine.