THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
October 2, 2022

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EXALTATION

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.

 Today 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?”

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

• Doris Alahverde on the first anniversary of her eternal life, requested by her children, Faith Alahverdian, and Joseph and Maria Alahverde, and grandson Armen Jose Caravantes

Altar Flowers – are donated by Faith Alahverdian, Joseph and Maria Alahverde and Armen Jose Caravantes, in loving memory of their mother and grandmother

Coffee Hour – There will be no coffee hour today as the kitchen is being used for bazaar cooking.

Church School Communion Sunday and Children’s Sermon: Today we welcome our Church School students and staff who will be receiving communion with their Church family. A special “Order of Confession for Children” will be read by one of our students on behalf of the entire Church School community. The students will move forward and kneel in the chancel for the confession. We ask our faithful to kneel in their respective pews as has been our recent custom.

BIBLE BASICS – Wednesday evenings: October 5, 12, 18, 26 at 7:00 pm via ZOOM

If you feel your knowledge of Scripture is inadequate or if you have questions about the sacred writings of God’s people and its role in our lives, this 4-week program is perfect for you.  Join our Senior Deacon, Albert Keshgegian as he guides us through an interactive look at the basics of the Bible. To sign-up and get the Zoom link, go to nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

Beginning to Pray (A Zoom discussion on October 27 at 7:00 pm):
Our Adult Christian Education team is pleased to announce that Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan, the Interim Director of Ministries for the Diocese and a member of the Diocesan Council, will guide us through a spiritual classic entitled “Beginning to Pray.” The book, written by Archbishop Anthony Bloom of the Russian Orthodox Church, is a short exploration of prayer for those who have never prayed and for those who have been disappointed with prayer. Limited copies of the book are available at our bookstore for $12. To receive the Zoom link for the discussion, contact nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

OCTOBER 22 and 23 – HARVEST BAZAAR After a 3-year hiatus, please join us for our Harvest Bazaar and food festival. Saturday 1 -7 pm, and Sunday after church until 4pm. Take out is available.

ATTIC TREASURES – Will return to the Harvest Bazaar this Fall. With limited storage space available at church, we are more focused on items we can accept to be sold at the Attic Treasures table. Gently Used Items must be CLEAN & UNDAMAGED. Desired items are jewelry, women’s accessories, housewares, and small furnishings.   Clothing will not be accepted this year. The drop-off area will be in the first Sunday School room on the right. (The room will have a sign Attic Treasures). Unsold items will be donated to charity. For questions:  contact Sue DerHagopian (609-280-6047), Gay Hagopian (609-502-4995) or Grace Meranshian (856-217-9333).

Support Artists from Armenia – This year’s Harvest Bazaar will feature an Armenian Gift Market with a variety of merchandise from Armenia which will surely delight those who take the time to view the products. We are seeking donors who will underwrite the purchase of these items and by doing so will, in turn, help support the work of the artists. For more information, contact Cece Garibian (267-210-0670), Tanya Paretchan (215-530-7847) or Gena DerHagopian Willard (215-805-6559).

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – THE ARMENIAN INTER-COMMUNAL COMMTTEE OF PHILADELPHA invites you to join us on Sunday, October 9 @ 3 pm for a dynamic Classical Music Concert, organized by Seeds of Hope, featuring Armine Khachatryan (piano), Edita Dolunts-Kalayjian (soprano) and Samvel Arakelyan (violin).  All proceeds from this uplifting event will be directed to the rehabilitation and humanitarian support of wounded and disabled soldiers, caused by the 2020 Artsakh war.  This event will take place at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 101 Ashmead Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012. Tickets are not necessary, but a Free Will offering that day would be appreciated.

FAR UPDATE – DISPLACED PERSONS
When he fled the violence in Artsakh in 2020, Edik Mnatsakanyan naively believed that he would be back home again in a few days after the flare-up subsided.  Like the hundreds of families forced to flee the most recent Artsakh War, Edik, his wife, Anna, who was pregnant at the time, and their three children, sought refuge about 90 miles away from their home, across the border in Armenia. Edik’s family now lives in a two-story house in Armenia’s Sisian Region because of FAR’s Support for Artsakh’s Displaced Project, which has helped six families in total to find sustainable housing in addition to food, clothing, and employment—almost everything needed to find stability in a new home. Edik is also working full-time as a mechanic, also thanks to FAR’s help, which supported him to start his new business. As we continue to live under the threat of Azeri aggression, we must accelerate our efforts to support Armenia now more than ever. To read more, go to: https://www.farusa.org/post/far-gave-us-hope-to-build-our-future

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. 

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.

LOST AND FOUND – Please look at the coat racks in the hallway as we have begun to accumulate miscellaneous pieces of clothing.  We will be donating any remaining items to charity in December.