THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
October 9, 2022

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EXALTATION 

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings
Mark 12:35-44 To those gathered around him in the temple courts, Jesus boldly challenges the teachers of the law for dismissing Him as a mere son of David rather than David’s Lord and God’s Son. He contrasts their pompous self-importance and the wealthy with a poor widow who gives a much greater share of what she has to the temple offering. Discuss/reflect: A poor, nameless widow caught Jesus’ eye in her act of generosity. Would your spirit of giving to the poor, to all in need, do the same? Say a prayer of thanks to her for providing once upon a time in Jerusalem, in humble innocence, an example the Lord deemed worthy for all time.

Galatians 2:1-10 St. Paul is addressing the validity of his ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jews), confirming that even the church leaders knew it to be important and true. (Conservative traditionalists thought non-Jews needed to become Jews first before accepting Christ.) Poignantly, he is reminded by these leaders to always remember the poor. Discuss/reflect: Based on these verses, what do you think a person needs to do/to be in choosing to follow Christ? Pray for a humble heart, open to the suffering in the world.

Isaiah 19:1-11 Isaiah asserts that even Egypt, a great and fearful power upon which people depended, is subject to God‘s will; their idols would be crushed and their destiny cruelly altered. Discuss/reflect: “The Lord rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt…the idols of Egypt tremble before Him (19:1). What a beautiful image! Replace the word Egypt with your own home/town/country. What idols would tremble? In these troubling times, pray for God’s presence.

Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Saturday, October 15)
The four Gospels are among the most beloved books of the Bible. As those who lived during Jesus’ time began to age and die, people felt it important to record the accounts of those who had known Him. There were many gospels circulating in the early centuries of the church. But the gospels that grew widely popular, were read most often, and sanctioned by the church elders entered the canon. These four Gospels are considered sacred biographies for although they are certainly biographical and historical, they are primarily a personal witness to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as understood by a particular writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

During Badarak, when the deacon elevates the Gospel book over his head or whenever we kiss the Gospel book, we are lovingly acknowledging its value and authority in our lives. As Christians, we are called to be the Gospel. God has chosen us to be His evangelists and inspire others to experience Jesus Christ.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Karasoonk today will be for:

• Gurgen Baghdasaryan on the 40th day of his eternal life, requested by his granddaughter, Anahit Hakobyan.

COFFEE HOUR -will be held in the lobby today as the hall is being set for the INTER-COMMUNAL concert.

TODAY AT HOLY TRINITY- THE ARMENIAN INTER-COMMUNAL COMMITTEE OF PHILADELPHA invites you to join us today @ 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.

BIBLE BASICS – Wednesday evenings: October 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).

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.