THE SUNDAY MESSENGER

December 7, 2025

Luke 14:12-24 While dining one Sabbath at the home of a prominent Pharisee, Jesus relates the parable of the “Great Banquet:” guests decline an invitation to a grand banquet – citing conventional life events as reasons (I just got married; I have important business to attend to). Hearing this, the host angrily sends his servant to invite the poor and the crippled and others marginalized by society. Those originally invited have forever lost their place at his table. Discuss/reflect: The excuses given (14:18-20) by those who declined the invitation are eerily familiar: the busy stuff of life. What are the reasons you don’t make time for God? At what peril?

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Paul lovingly declares his gratitude for a community that is exemplary in its faith and expansive love for one another. He prayerfully acknowledges their suffering – God shares in their pain and will lift them up for their worthiness at the end of time. As for those who shun the gospel of Jesus, including their persecutors, they will spend eternity away from Him.  Discuss/reflect: What is hell if not an eternity away from God’s presence and glory? (v.9) Its opposite is to be in His presence day in day out (think of the older brother in the Prodigal Son). Does that describe your life?

Isaiah 37:14-38 After Hezekiah’s prayer for deliverance from the Assyrians, Isaiah conveys God’s comforting response: that the planned attack on Jerusalem will fail. Discuss/reflect: Hezekiah’s prayer is essentially this: you alone are God of all, you made heaven and earth; hear my plight and deliver me. How telling that he begins by affirming who God is. Can you confidently declare the same? Begin your next prayer by telling the Lord what He means to you.

St. James, a cousin of St. Gregory, was appointed bishop of Nisibis, Mesopotamia, in 308 A.D. Nisibis is the modern city of Nusaybin (in southwest Turkey on the border with Syria). He founded a theological school there, attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., and was renowned for his pious and virtuous life. His protégé was the beloved theologian and writer, St. Ephraim.

James is perhaps best known, however, for his divine vision on Mount Ararat, where he found the sacred relic of Noah’s Ark.  According to tradition, while St. James preached in and around Nisibis, he heard that people doubted the story of Noah’s Ark. He was determined to provide his flock with evidence, so he set out for the peak of Mount Ararat to find the remains of the ark. During his arduous journey, an angel appeared to him in a vision and brought him a piece of the wood from Noah’s Ark. St. James prayed to God to produce a miracle at the place where he had the vision and immediately afterward a spring gushed forth, which exists to this day. The relic of Noah’s Ark received by St. James is currently in Holy Etchmiadzin. Reflection: Think of St. James’ life of godly accomplishment. Could this perhaps have opened his heart to that divinely inspired insight on Mt. Ararat? Pray about this. What answers are you seeking?

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.

Regina & Martin De Muro on the 20th anniversary of their eternal rest and Charles and Alice Sisian on 13th and 2nd anniversaries, respectively by their daughter Denise Sisian.

Veronica Torcomian on the 2^nd anniversary of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The Men’s Club Committee requests Hokehankist for the following past members

Harry Mirijanian

Sooren Paretchan

Martin Parnagian

Roman Radynsky

Bob Sarkisian

Harry Sarkisian

Robert Temoyan

John Terzian

Andy Vartanian

Haig “Babe” Vartanian

Berj Yeretzian

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Agape Hour Fellowship Today – There will be no Agape Hour Fellowship this week to accommodate the Lunch with Santa Event.

CHANGE OF DATE Ladies of HTAC (WG) Advent Appreciation Lunch Dec 27th Please join us for an appreciation lunch and an on-the-spot Secret Santa Gift Swap at Alyssa Santerian’s home in Maple Glen, Pa. Let’s come together to celebrate the Coming of Christ and the joy you bring to our church community! Lunch will be provided by the WG, and the fun and laughter will be provided by you! Please bring a wrapped present of no more than a $10 value to participate in our on-the-spot Secret Santa Swap. Let us know if you’d like to bring a holiday dessert or side dish to enhance the menu! NEW RSVP DATE by 12.19.2025 to WG@holytrinity-pa.org

NEW Ladies of Holy Trinity December Event – Thursday Dec 18th from 5-7:30pm – Join Tanya Paretchan for a Christmas Cookie Stroll at the Cairnwood estate in Bryn Athyn PA. Collect a personal selection of traditional cookies by the candlelight glow of thousands of Christmas lights inside and out! A self-guided tour opportunity to see Cairnwood’s halls decked with 8 sparkling Christmas trees and fantasy fireplace mantels throughout the Estate. Step back in time with the special exhibition of vintage textiles, Made to Order: 3 Generations of Custom Sewn Fashions. Admission includes 4 holiday cookies and a cup of hot chocolate per person—$15/pp https://www.bahistoricdistrict.org/christmas-in-the-district. RSVP to Tanya by 12/12/2025 via email to TParetchan@hotmail.com

Two Baptisms Centuries Apart: Join us today after Badarak as our older Church School students make a presentation on our sanctuary art. The works they will describe tell the story of the baptism of Christ and the baptism of King Drtad — both events impact the faith and foundation of the Armenian Church. The seven participating students will describe the art and share the meaning and symbolism in the creation. Thanks to photographer Gary Altoonian, parishioners will receive copies of the two works of art in order to follow the narrative.(12/07)

Reminder: According to the Diocesan Bylaws, membership dues are to be paid no later than December 31st each year, in order to be a member in “good standing” and to be eligible to vote at the annual assembly. Any monies received after that date will be applied to the new year.  For any questions regarding your status, please call the church office.

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)

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.

Help the Church School with three Community Service Projects this Season

1.       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

2.      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!

 Lunch with Santa

Dec 09        Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

Dec 25        Christmas

Dec 31        2025 Member Dues Deadline

Jan 01        New Years Day

Jan 05        Armenian Christmas Eve

Jan 06        Armenian Christmas

Jan 19        MLK Day – Church Office Closed