THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 16, 2025

Tenth Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

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?

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 greeting 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 (Page 18 in New Divine Liturgy Book) – 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.

Requiem Services – We Honor And Pray For These Souls

Hokehankist Today Will Be For

Doretta Basmajian Aslanian – requested by her beloved husband, Steven, her loving children, Megan and Daniel, her brother Charlie, and her church family.

Marietta Sargsyan – Requested in loving memory by the Safarian family

Karasoonk today will be for Nina Okoorian on the 40^th day of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by her devoted husband Jacob Okoorian, Sr., her sons Jacob, George and Gary as well as the entire Okoorian family. Jacob Sr. would also like to acknowledge Nina’s birthday that occurred on November 14^th.

Fellowship Today – The Agape Hour is sponsored by Steven Aslanian in memory of his wife Doretta “Dorie” Basmajian Aslanian on this anniversary of her eternal rest. Additional sponsors include the Safarian Family in memory of Marietta Sargsyan.

Take The Light: Reflections On God’s Love In Our Lives – Senior Deacon Albert Keshgegian has produced a new book based on the reflections he has contributed to our church publication LOOYS over the years.  The book consists of an introduction and 50 reflections grouped into the topic areas of Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, Other Holy Days, Divine Liturgy, The Bible, The Arts, and Potpourri, which includes recent events in the world.  Dn. Albert has added color illustrations throughout.  The book will be available free of charge for all parishioners after Badarak today! One copy per family, please.

Seeking Christmas Decorations and Jewelry – We are currently planning for 2026 events and are in need of gently used Christmas decorations and jewelry.
As you sort through your items this holiday season – or when you pack them away in January of 2026 – please consider setting aside any decorations or jewelry with which you are willing to part.  We welcome all donations and greatly appreciate your support.  Please remember to bring your donated items to the church and leave them in the first Sunday School Room. Any questions, please contact Gena DerHagopian Willard or Alyssa Santerian.(01/11)

Church School Lunch with Santa – Join us on December 7^th after Badarak for a Lunch with Santa and Nutcracker Decorating Party! Add to the fun by dressing up as your favorite Nutcracker character. Tickets: Adults $25; non-church school students $10; Church School Students and kids under age 3 are Free. Ticket purchases by cash or check to “HTAC Church School” should be given directly to Yn Anna Gevorgyan or you may purchase tickets online at www.holytrinity-pa.org starting November 16^th. Tickets should be purchased no later than November 30^th to help us prepare accordingly.

200 Club News: The 1st drawing of the 2025-26 season of the “200 Club Raffle” will take place in a few weeks. There are 5 tickets available for purchase. We are hoping to sell these tickets so that we can make a full donation to the church. There are 40 opportunities to win during the season with one ticket. If you already have a ticket, please consider splitting one with another person at $50 each. If you need more information, please contact the church office. Thank you.

Operation Christmas Child We’re excited to announce that we’ve reached our goal of 100 shoebox commitments for Operation Christmas Child! Thank you for your incredible support and for being a part of this amazing project.  Approximately 60 shoeboxes have already been returned filled with gifts. If you have not yet returned your shoebox, please do so BY NOVEMBER 16^TH. We will be delivering all 100 filled shoeboxes to the OCC distribution center on Sunday, November 16th, immediately after Barardak.  As a reminder, you do not need to include shipping funds with your shoebox. All shipping fees are once again being generously underwritten by the Adult Christian Education (ACE) Ministry.  Thank you again to all our participants for making this project a huge success! If you have any questions, please contact Gena DerHagopian or Alyssa Santerian.

Pastor’s Bible Study:  Our Adult Christian Education (ACE) ministry team is pleased to announce a five-week Bible Study via Zoom on the Letter of St. James. Our guide will be Fr. Hakob, whose understanding of Scripture and our human frailties has inspired and comforted participants for several years. We will meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 from October 15 to November 19. All are welcome. To receive the Zoom link, send an email request to nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

Discover the Beauty of the Armenian Language! – Learn Eastern Armenian with Mariam, a native speaker, through engaging and personalized classes that focus on the alphabet, vocabulary, cultural insights, and practical communication. Sign up now and start your Armenian language journey with Mariam! For more information, please contact Mariam via Email at marpoghosyan17@gmail.com or call her at 445-256-3966.

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 for the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person.  For more information, please contact Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

Church School Holiday Season Community Service Projects
Help the Church School with three Community Service Projects this Season

1. Local Community: We are collecting cans of soup for our local Cheltenham Food Pantry. Please put your cans of soup in the Basket Outside the School office between Nov 9 – Nov 30.
2. Armenia Communities: Consider donating to We Are Ayo! Dishing Up Joy fundraiser. They are raising funds to provide brand-new set of dishwater and cookware for seven FAR centers across Armenia. Go to https://www.weareayo.org/ to find the project listed above and donate! ; and/or

3. Armenia Communities: Advent Season Diocese-wide FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE FOR Church Schools. Consider donating to We Are Ayo! Annual Christmas Wishlist project to bring warmth and cheer to 200 socially vulnerable families with 3 or more children in Armenia’s Syunik region. These include both local Syunetsis and families displaced from Artsakh who live in border regions. Deliver a Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and festive foods to help restore the magic of the season. Go to the Special  Fundraising Challenge Link and Sponsor a family here (and make sure to credit your parish team): https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/  *We Are Ayo! is the fundraising platform for Fund For Armenian Relief (FAR). You can do this throughout the Advent Season starting Nov 16th!

Tenth Sunday Of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Deadline for Operation Christmas Child

Nov 12          Pastor’s Zoom Bible Study
Nov 27          Thanksgiving – Church Office Closed
Dec 07          Lunch with Santa
Dec 25          Christmas
Jan 01         New Years Day
Jan 06         Armenian Christmas