THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 2, 2025

26^th Anniversary of the Enthronement of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians

Deacon Service Today

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Luke 8:17-21 Jesus asks His disciples to listen carefully, one of many references He makes to truly hearing the word of God, as this will lead to true comprehension. Since all that is hidden will be disclosed, it will be only “those who have ears to hear” (Luke 8:8) who will understand. The visit of His family gives Jesus an opportunity to remind the disciples that an authentic relationship with Him is not through blood ties (or belonging to the right church family), but rather through hearing and acting upon the word of God. Discuss/reflect: Before the Gospel is read, the deacon gives us an instruction: Broskhoomeh (“listen attentively”). Are you listening carefully? If not, what might you do to truly absorb the day’s lesson?

Ephesians 1:1-14 St. Paul emphatically declares that all spiritual blessings, including our heavenly inheritance, come to us in Christ. There is no power, no promise, no purpose, no hope in any other. It is not in ourselves to merit being children and heirs; rather, it is in Christ. And all of this is marked by a seal: “the promise of the Holy Spirit” Discuss/reflect: Itemize what God has done for you starting in verse 4. What does it mean to you to have been chosen 1) in Him, 2) before the creation of the world, 3) to be holy and blameless?” Amazing! How might knowing this change how you feel about yourself?

Isaiah 22:15-24 God sends Isaiah to warn Shebna, a court official in Jerusalem who is chiseling his own grand tombstone, that his self-importance and love of luxury will be humbled by God. Discuss/reflect: Surely it is a message to us all when the Lord tells Shebna that he will die while his “splendid chariots” remain behind. (22:18) What are your ‘splendid chariots,’ things which are important to you for the stature, comfort, or identity they confer but which have no meaning in heaven?

Saturday, November 9: Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael

Angels were created by God at the beginning of time. “…when I laid the foundations of the earth…the morning stars sang and my angels shouted for joy.” (Job 38:4,7) Angels sing and celebrate in perpetual glorification of God. “Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.” (Daniel 7:10) The word ‘angel,’ means ‘messenger.’ The Archangel Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah, and the birth of Christ to Mary, the Mother of God. The Archangel Michael, cited in the books of Daniel and Revelation, leads God’s armies against evil, guarding the Church. And then, there are our guardian angels: “See that you despise not one of these little ones,” Christ said, “for I say to you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) Prayerful activity: Angels are far from being cute Hallmark cherubs. Read descriptions in Daniel 10:5-6 and Isaiah 6:2-4 and as you read, draw what you see.

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

Karasoonk today will be for

Steve Hovananian on the 40^th day of his eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by his wife Nancy, his children and the entire Hovnanian family.

Agape Hour – Please join us for tasty treats and enlightening conversations after  Divine Liturgy.

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 10 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.

Caring for Friends Service Day:  Are you able to put aside a Saturday morning to feed isolated individuals, shut-ins who are hungry and lonely? Then join us on Saturday, November 1 to prepare meals for the “Caring for Friends” organization that distributes nutritious meals to those in need. We’ll begin our day at 10:00 a.m. in the church kitchen with a light breakfast, then we’ll work until 1:00. We’ll need to purchase food items in advance, so please contact us at nancybasmajian@verizon.net.(11/26)

Finding Meaning in Photography – Join us for an IN-PERSON visual presentation by photographer Gary Altoonian on his extraordinary ability to capture the ordinary and the sublime with his camera. The gathering will be held on Sunday, November 9 following Liturgy. Gary will share and talk about the technical and artistic elements of his photography in laymen language!  What inspires him? What moves us when we gaze upon his creations? He promises to answer questions on our own efforts as amateur photographers.(11/09)

Operation Christmas Child begins again, and we invite you to be a part of this amazing outreach by filling shoeboxes for underprivileged children all over the world including Armenia, through Samaritan’s Purse. This worthy organization provided thirty tons of humanitarian aid and set up triage centers staffed with medical professionals to help our Artsakh brothers and sisters when they were tragically forced to leave their homes. Shipping fees are once again being underwritten by the generosity of the Adult Christian Education (ACE) Ministry. We hope you will help us reciprocate in this small way by filling a box or two or more!

Additionally, we kindly request that you write the number corresponding to your name on the sign-up sheet on the bottom of your shoebox. This will allow us to discreetly identify returned shoeboxes.

For those unable to participate, donations will be gratefully accepted! Donation checks should be made payable to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, memo: OCC. Drop your boxes off early! Absolutely no boxes can be accepted after November 16. Any questions can be referred to 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 12. All are welcome. To receive the Zoom link, send an email request to nancybasmajian@verizon.net. PLEASE NOTE THIS WEEK’S BIBLE STUDY IS CANCELLED

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.

Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00am Sunday November 3, 2024

Enjoy an extra hour of sleep!

 26^TH Anniversary of The Enthronement of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians
 Nov 01          Caring for Friends Service Day
Nov 06         Book Club Meets – “Loving Father, Bitter Son” by Asbed Pogarian
Nov 05          Pastor’s Zoom Bible Study
Nov 09         Finding meaning in Photography – IN PERSON EVENT
Nov 12          Pastor’s Zoom Bible Study
Nov 16          Deadline for Operation Christmas Child
Nov 27          Thanksgiving