THE SUNDAY MESSENGER

Matthew 6:1-21 In His ‘sermon on the mount,’ Jesus teaches the virtue of humble, private acts of righteousness: giving without fanfare; praying privately, using humble words Jesus provides (the Lord’s prayer); being generous in forgiveness; fasting without anyone knowing; and treasuring what is eternal in value, not what will rot and rust. Discuss/reflect: Jesus calls us to a higher morality, one that asks us to do the right thing not for public approbation, not to please people, but to please God.  In what specific ways can doing this make for a better, happier life?

Romans 13:11-14:25 St. Paul urges his listeners to clothe themselves in Christ, living in ways that honor Him. And whatever holy disciplines they choose, whether it is setting aside a day as holy, fasting, or even not fasting, they should do so respecting others’ feelings and needs. “Let’s stop passing judgment on one another or putting obstacles in another’s way…” (14:13) Discuss/reflect: Instead of judging, what should occupy our energy? Review 14:13, 17-18 and look ahead to 15:2 for answers.

Is 58:1-14 With a typical prophet’s passion, Isaiah shares God’s ire with a people who approach Him “as if they were a nation that does what is right…” (v.2) God demands an answer: Is fasting just a matter of sackcloth and ashes? Or is true piety about lifting up the oppressed, feeding the hungry and clothing the poor? This piety will touch God’s heart and then you will find “joy in the Lord…and He will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land.” (58:14) Discuss/reflect: What a ride that will be! Are you engaged in the God-pleasing acts of verses 6-7? If not, what can you begin to do so that your faith is more than ‘empty pious gestures?

Poon Paregentan  does not actually fall in Great Lent. However, it is traditionally counted as the first step on the Lenten journey. Poon means ‘real’ or ‘true.’ Since every fasting period begins with a festival day or paregentan, this one is marked as the ‘true’ one, the most important, since it precedes the greatest feast of the church, Easter. This ‘day of good living’ is often observed with festivities, dancing, and a carnival atmosphere to remind us all of the joy and vitality of Paradise and life itself. It also was the day to feast on and finish up all non-Lenten foods such as meat, dairy products, and fish. The sharagan (hymn) of the day sings of our earthly nature made glorious in the ‘garden of delight’ but also reminds us that even Adam and Eve had to exercise control and, sadly, failed to do so. Great Lent begins in the Armenian Church on Monday, the day after Poon Paregentan.

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.

Julieta Arakelova requested in loving memory by the Melikyan Family.

Bryan Peckjian on the 3^rd Anniversary of his eternal rest. He passed away on Poon Paregentan, his family remembers that each year in sadness but also in the joy the day and the time of year  we begin to enter, will bring! Requested in loving memory by his wife Talene and his daughters Ani, and Alise.

Agape Hour Today – In light of the Poon Paregentan event, there will not be an Agape Hour today.

Lent 2026 – Our Adult Christian Education (ACE) team has planned an impressive and diverse program this Lenten season. It includes five Zooms and one special presentation following Sunday Badarak. We will begin with a Rest Service on February 20 followed by two sessions on February 27 and March 6 featuring Rev. Fr. Arshen and Yn. Sirarpi Aivazian speaking on the spiritual poetry of Bishop Yeghishe Tourian. On March 13, Dn. Armen Terjimanian will moderate “Frequently Asked Questions on the Badarak” and on March 27 our senior deacon Albert Keshgegian will discuss his latest publication, “Take the Light: Reflections of God’s Love in our Lives.” All these Zooms will be held on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00.  The single in-person program will be offered on March 22 by Shoghik Mikayelyan, the CEO of Nor Luyce Mentoring Center for Youth in Yerevan.   For more information on all these opportunities, take a flyer that will be available in the narthex.03/22

200 Club News – The February 2026 drawing (the 4th for 2025-26 season) of the “200 Club Raffle” was completed on 2/8/26.

$500            Jeff & Lisa (Der Pilbosian) Brennan      #121

$200            David & Marta Brann                             #171

$100            Cece Garibian                                       #012

$100            Mark Bartow                                          #063

$100            Seta & Todd Pica                                   #148

Congratulations and thank you for your support!

All 200 Club Winners can be viewed on the HTAC Website by clicking on “Men’s Club” for details.

Annual Parish Assembly – Scheduled for next Sunday February 22, 2026 with alternate snow dates of March 1 or March 8.

Nominees For Parish Council – Any dues paid member may submit their name to anyone on the Nominating Committee if you wish to run for office. Don’t wait to be asked – offer your services to your church.

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. You know you’ve been pondering volunteering for this rewarding role. Make this the week that you reach out for further information (I double dare you), by contacting Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

Married couples of all ages are invited to participate in a brief blessing service after Badarak today. The ceremony, which has become an annual tradition at Holy Trinity, is intended to honor the relationship of husband and wife and is an opportunity for couples to rededicate that relationship to God and his sacred purposes. We look forward to seeing our entire church family present to witness the ceremony.

Join us for a joyful Day of Good Living after Divine Liturgy! Let us gather to share good food, games, uplifting music and a wonderful time together before entering the season of Lent. Festivities start at 12:30pm in Santerian Fellowship Hall.

Feb 16       President’s Day – Church Office Closed

Feb 16       Lent Begins

Feb 20       Zoom Rest Service

Feb 22       Annual Parish Assembly

Feb 27       Zoom Fr. Arshen Aivazian presents

Mar 29       Palm Sunday

Apr 05       Easter