THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 14, 2021

Tenth Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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

Luke 9:44-50 The disciples argue about who among them would be the greatest (even though they have just heard their beloved Lord predict His betrayal!). Jesus derails their debate by bringing a child to His side, challenging them to welcome such little ones and others who are “least” in the world’s eyes. The theme of welcoming extends to the man driving out demons (9: 49-50) for whom he also asks a generosity of heart. Discuss/reflect: In verse 46, how do you think the disciples are gauging greatness? How do you? How does Jesus? (9:48)

Philippians 1:1-11 All the more poignant as he is writing from prison in Rome, St. Paul joyfully remembers the Philippians and thinks of them as his fellow travelers (“your partnership in the gospel from the first”), sharing in God’s grace. Their faith is so admirable that Paul foresees God continuing to work in their lives, bringing it to “completion” at the end of time. He prays that their love lead them to ever greater knowledge and insight.  Discuss/reflect: How is God at work in a believer’s life (1:6, 9-11)? How might knowing this make you feel about uncertainties in your life?

Isaiah 25: 9-26:7 These verses begin with an oracle against Moab, a neighbor of Judea, and end, in Chapter 26, with a beautiful psalm-like prayer of trust in God. Discuss/reflect: “The path of the righteous is level…You make the way of the righteous smooth.” (26:7) Hmmm…We know that God never promises an easy, untroubled life. So what do you think is meant here? How indeed can your life, in Christ, be smooth and level?

November 20 is Feast of All Saints
Despite the many feast days on the Church calendar that honor specific saints, there are many who remain unknown and nameless and yet lived a holy life just as devoted to Jesus Christ as the saints whom we know and remember. While the Church has recognized some saints by name, she also proclaims that others may be resting in Christ and praying for us; these are remembered on the Feast of All Saints. We are indeed surrounded by a great ‘cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12:1) who cheer us on to live a holy and saintly life. All of these, the known and the unknown, have shaped the Church – the Body of Christ – and modeled what it looks like to be Christian. As Christians, we are called to be more than just inspired by them, but to emulate their very lives and actions. Reflection/activity: Find a saint from the Diocesan calendar whom you know nothing about. Look them up online and reflect prayerfully on how they exemplify a life centered in Christ.

                              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 and Larry Grocott.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

Harry Mirijanian, Dick Weinsheimer, John Terzian, Larry DerHagopian, and Butch Kumkumian requested by the Men’s Club of Holy Trinity

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – Shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse are DUE TODAY.  Thank you to all of you who decided to say YES to bring Christmas joy to an underprivileged child in a faraway country. May your blessings be multiplied!

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. 

HOLY TRINITY ZOOM BOOK CLUB:  Join us on Thursday evening, December 2 at 7:00 for a lively discussion on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, an enchanting children’s story written by C.S. Lewis.  Discover why an adult book club is reading this classic written especially for young people. What is the message? Emily Terjimanian will facilitate our conversation.  All those interested should contact nancybasmajian@verizon.net to receive the Zoom link. Invite a friend!

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.

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON is almost upon us and we offer this suggestion.  Perhaps you could purchase one less gift than usual and instead provide a life-affirming gift to help the special-needs children.  Located in Martuni, the Voskeporik Development Center serves roughly 450 socially vulnerable children from 17 surrounding villages. Without reliable transportation, many of them are not able to access therapy as much as they should. Ayo! is raising funds to help Voskeporik suprise the children with an all-terrain vehicle by Christmastime! Donate and follow the progress of Ayo!’s #SafeRide campaign on its website (https://www.weareayo.org/home) and Facebook page.

Help wanted: The Armenian Sisters Academy, Radnor PA. Has an immediate opening for a full-time toddler care teacher. If interested, please contact Doreen Yeremian. 6106134733

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.