THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 28, 2021

First Sunday of Advent

 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 12:13-31 Jesus tells the parable of a rich fool who plans to build a bigger place to store his surplus grain so he might “eat, drink, and be merry” (v.19) only to die that very night; how much wiser to be “rich toward God” rather than for ourselves! Jesus continues to reorder our priorities: do not be anxious, He advises, about anything (12:22-31) – better to seek God’s Kingdom from which all things will flow in abundance as it does for the birds and the flowers of the field. Discuss/reflect: Jesus could not be clearer: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (12:16) What do you need or like to have around you in great number? How can you come out from under this burden to live the trusting, care-free life to which our Lord invites you?

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 In this first chapter of his letter, St. Paul overflows with praise and thanksgiving for a beloved community. Their exemplary faith, even in suffering, had inspired countless others across the region. Discuss/reflect: Read verse 3 aloud. Prayerfully turn the questions around: “Does my faith produce work, does love prompt labor, does hope inspire better endurance?”

Isaiah 36:1-9 The king of Assyria has invaded Judah and from captured Lachish sends a commander to demand Jerusalem’s surrender (an Assyrian wall relief depicting this capture has been excavated at the site). He questions King Hezekiah’s reliance on God. Discuss/reflect:  In v.4, the Assyrian enemy mocks King Hezekiah’s faith: in the face of enemy assault, on what could he possibly base his confidence? What forces assail your faith today? How do you respond?

Today is the First Sunday of Advent

Unlike the four-week Advent of the Western Church, the season preceding Christmas in the Armenian Church is fifty days, called Heesnag (from the word for fifty, heesoon). As a period of spiritual preparation, Heesnag contains a total of three designated weeks of fasting (aside from the usual Wednesday and Friday fasts). So, unlike Great Lent, it is not a continuous period of this discipline. Bottom line: Our Advent or Heesnag is a beautiful time to prepare, body and soul, for the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Prayerful activity: Every day, spend five minutes reading some part of the Christmas story: Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2. Read only a few verses at a time and savor them. Keep reading and repeating in preparation for Christmas.

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

NOTICE: The elevator is not working and scheduled for repair next week. Families with elderly members should consider dropping them off at the front entrance of the church.  We apologize for any inconvenience.  Thank you. 

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. 

MEN’S CLUB NEWS – The November 200 CLUB drawing, the first for 2021-22, was completed on 11/14/21. You can see the results on our HTAC Website. Click on: Organizations, Men’s Club. –Congratulations to the Winners!

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.

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.

Lunch with Santa: December 5^th following church services.  All are welcome.  Please complete the online form for registration so we know how many to expect: https://tinyurl.com/HolyTrinitySanta Deadline for Reservations is 12/4/21.

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!

CHRISTMAS COOKIE SALE – The Daughters of Vartan, Philadelphia Chapter, are taking pre-orders for home-made Christmas cookies for $15/box. Proceeds will go towards helping families in need in Armenia. Pickup will be at Holy Trinity Armenian church ONLY on Sunday, December 5 between 1-2pm.  Go to tinyurl.com/xmascookiesale to order.   For any questions, contact: gabriellemeranshian@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.

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.