THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 9, 2024

Third Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Matthew 12:1-8 When the Pharisees chastise Jesus for allowing his disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath, he cites many instances from their own history (King David) and tradition (practices of priests at the Jerusalem temple) to counter their accusations. Alluding to the prophet Hosea’s words, he declares human need (hunger in this case) more important than rules. Discuss/reflect: Prayerfully contemplate this lovely NLT version of Hosea 6:6 (to which Jesus refers): “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.” What changes in your ‘habits of faith’ might these words prompt you to make?

Romans 6:12-23 St. Paul exhorts his listeners to reject sin as their master, since they now live under grace rather than the Law. God has freed us from enslavement to sin; obedience leads to righteousness. “The wages of sin are death;” but holiness leads to eternal life with Christ Jesus. Discuss/reflect: If St. Paul were here today, what sins would he say enslave our society?

Isaiah 1:1-15 God despairs of a rebellious people who continue to turn from his ways. Since their hearts are not open to God, their worship and prayers are meaningless. “Your incense is detestable to me…I cannot bear your assemblies!”(v.13) Discuss/reflect: Worship of God needs to spring from genuine faith and reverence to have meaning. How would you rate your worship?

Requiem Services: Hokehankist Today Will Be For: Evegenia Movsesian on the one-year anniversary of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by children Ka’ren & Nune Sarkissian and Gevork & Natalya Sarkisian.

Coffee Hour is sponsored today in loving memory of Evgenia Movsesian by Ka’ren & Nune Sarkissian and Gevork & Natalya Sarkisian.

Altar Flowers and Candles are offered today in loving memory of Aram Avedis Aghazarian in remembrance of his birthday by his wife Lucy and son Aram Alan Aghazarian.

Send Kids Of War Heroes To Summer Camp:  This summer, you can be a hero for children grieving displacement or the loss of a father in war. Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)’s Ayo! Program as committed to sending 60 kids in difficult circumstances to summer camp in beautiful, forested Hankavan. It costs only $250 to sponsor one child’s unforgettable two-week experience. (Any donation helps. Camp costs $16 per child per day). If we raise more money, we can send even more kids to camp! Donate here to support Ayo!’s #HappyCamper campaign: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/ 6/16

Attention Graduates! – Looking for graduates to be included in an upcoming issue of the LOOYS (all levels). We invite you to submit your own details for inclusion. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement (church or school), and future plans (further education/work/other). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if possible. Everything should be sent to choirboss@hotmail.com by July 30, 2024.

Fund for Armenian Relief – Bringing English to the Regions

Ինչքան լեզու գիտես, այդքան մարդ ես։ “You are as many people as the languages you know.” 26-year-old Lilit has always been passionate about English. When she graduated from Yerevan’s linguistic university during the pandemic, she moved back home to the region of Berd and reached out to our Diocesan organization Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) to make her dream of opening a language school come true. She was quickly and pleasantly overwhelmed with interest from 7-year-old to retirees. From lively discussions and interactive group activities to thought-provoking quizzes and immersive English movie screenings, Lilit ensures that her students remain engaged and make progress as they learn the language that will open doors for them. Since 2013, FAR has steadfastly supported communities in Armenia’s eastern Tavush region through the “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” program that is made possible by support from the Mardigian Family Foundation. To help drive change in border villages, please consider donating to FAR today: www.farusa.org

AYO – Spring is here and Ayo! has just launched its new project “Put Down Roots.” In partnership with the Yerevan Botanical Gardens, the project aims to create an educational-therapeutic horticulture space to provide opportunities for forcibly displaced children (and others) to get their hands dirty, de-stress and learn about the environment! Once built, this special section of the botanical gardens will be available for children and youth for years to come. You can directly support the initiative here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/.

Armenian Sisters Academy – The best way to learn about ASA is to experience it for yourself! Visit our campus to see how our deep appreciation for the Armenian language and culture empowers our students, promotes self-respect, and prepares future role models. All visitors must have a scheduled appointment and may not freely enter the building without prior notice. To schedule your private tour contact Legna Santerian at Lsanterian@asaphila.org or (610) 687-4100.

Stay Connected with our New Church Portal – Over the past several months Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church has changed to a new Church Management System called One Church.  The new software puts you in control of your information (email, phone number, giving information, etc.), allows us to communicate with you more effectively, facilitates online, text, and app donations, and provides greater connectivity throughout our community.  You should have received an email.  If you have not gotten one (please make sure to check your spam folder), then reach out to the church office. https://htac.onechurchsoftware.com

Humanitarian Support for Artsakh Ongoing From The Knights And Daughters Of Vartan – As the Azeri government still cracks down on the Armenian people in the nation of Artsakh, the people are not giving up! Please consider making a donation to the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Call to Action Committee! Donations will go towards humanitarian aid. For further information please visit the Knights and Daughters of Vartan website at https://kofv.org/a-call-to-action-from-kdv-for-artsakh/

Mail your donations to Knights of Vartan, Mr. Ronald Nazeley, Treasurer, 558 Kentwood Bluffs Drive, Los Angeles 90045.

Checks should be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Memo: Artsakh, and brought or mailed to church. Online donations can be made by going to www.holytrinity-pa.org, go to donations, scroll down to Open Donation and enter Artsakh.

Seeking Part-time Organists – the Choir of Holy Trinity continues to seek 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 at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

The Kiss of Peace – After the gifts of the Eucharist are brought to the Altar Table, the deacon proclaims, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”  The person giving the greetings says, Kristos ee mech mer Haydnetsav – Christ is revealed amongst us.  The recipient would respond, Orhnial eh Haydnootiunun Kristosee – Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

The Nicene Creed/ Havadamk – This is the Profession of our Faith which is recited every Sunday moments after the Gospel is read from the altar. Sometimes it is sung, but more often it is recited by the Deacons and/or the Choir.  We invite you to affirm your own “Profession of Faith” by reciting along with us.  God longs for all of us to express our faith and devotion to Him.

Jun 12        Bible Study with Rev. Fr. Hakob
Jun 16        Father’s Day
Jun 19        Juneteenth – Church Office Closed
Jul 04         Independence Day
Jul 07         Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord