THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
December 11, 2016

Barekendan of the Fast of St. James 

Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

Friday, December 9 was the Feast of the Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary: one of a cluster of holy days on which the Armenian Church expresses its tender devotion to the mother of Jesus Christ.

Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, was the youngest daughter of the priest Nathan from Bethlehem, descended from the tribe of Levi. She married Saint Joachim, who was a native of Galilee.

For a long time Saint Anna was childless, but after twenty years, through the fervent prayer of both spouses, an angel of the Lord announced to them that they would be the parents of a daughter, Who would bring blessings to the whole human race.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• 2Thessalonians 1: 1-12 (page 187) New Testament
• Luke 14: 12-24 (pages 70-71) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

• SERAK & GLADYS ASLANIAN and CHARLES & ALICE BASMAJIAN requested by their loving children and Grand children Steve, Dorie, Megan and Danny Aslanian.

PRAYERS: “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” (2 Chronicles 6:40) Praying is as vital to a faith community as breathing. It is one of the ways in which we communicate with God. We ask you to pray for those among who are facing medical difficulties: Ed Zarzatian, Jr., Albert Santerian, Virginia Shakarjian, and Anita Mirijanian. Please also pray for the unrest that is not only in faraway places but in our own country as well.

ALTAR CANDLES: are donated today by Mr. and Mrs. Vartan Mazmanian in loving memory of Khatoun and Khachadour Mazmanian.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: NO coffee hour today due to Breakfast with Santa.

TODAY: Breakfast and a visit by Santa in the hall. Adults are $10.00 and church school students are free. Reservations are a MUST. Questions call Merle Santerian at 215-947-3777. Everyone is welcome!

Vanadzor is the old age home in Armenia and it can use financial help from us. The Ladies of Holy Trinity have again placed a container in the Nartex for your loose change. We will accept your loose change every Sunday until Armenian Christmas. Your donations will be sent to Armenia soon thereafter. We appreciate your support & generosity.

ACYOA, Jr. Poinsettia Plant Sale: The ACYOA, Jrs. will be selling poinsettia plants TODAY. Proceeds will go towards their sponsorship of a child through CASP.

ACYOA, Jr. Non-perishable Food Drive: The ACYOA Jrs. are collecting non-perishable foods for a local food pantry now through the month of December. At the end of the food drive they will personally deliver the collection to the food pantry.

Schedule on (Traditional ) Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

• On Sunday, December 25th, Badarak will begin promptly at 10 am and end by 11:30 am; there will be no Fellowship Hour that day. This will enable everyone to get home in time to begin their Christmas celebration with their families.
• On Sunday, January 1, 2017, Badarak will begin at the usual time – 10:30 am – followed by a brief Pomegranate Blessing Service. In the Armenian tradition, the pomegranate as a national symbol reflects the meaning of life, prosperity and abundance. In the Christian symbolism the pomegranate represents the blood shed by Jesus Christ, symbolizing also the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and the diversity of God’s grace. In the interpretations of our church fathers, the pomegranate is presented that the church members are as diverse as the granules of the pomegranate but the pomegranate is covered by a solid peel, all being united in one Church. This blessing should be conducted within thirty minutes of the new year. However, for the sake of convenience, we will be conducting this thanksgiving service following Badarak on this day. Join us as we begin the New Year in the best place to be!

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.

200 CLUB News from the Men’s Club – Latest 200 CLUB News from the Men’s Club – There are just two (2) tickets remaining for the “200 CLUB” raffle. Contact Larry DerHagopian or Mick Paretchan after church if you haven’t already purchased a ticket or would like an additional ticket! ***We would like to have our first drawing on Dec 18th.*** A one-time donation of $100 will entitle you to eight months of drawings, with five tickets drawn each month. Keep in mind that there will be $10,000 in prize money distributed between this November and next June, so don’t miss the opportunity!

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.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
December
– Sunday December 11th: Breakfast with Santa& ACYOA Poinsettia Sale & pick up and food drive

The Bookstore: The Bookstore is open every Sunday after Liturgy. Please stop in and browse.

COUNTRY STORE: The Country Store is open every Sunday after church services in the kitchen. All are welcome.

If you know of anyone who is a shut-in, or ill and would like a visit from Der Hayr, please call the office and give their name to Maggie our church secretary.

CHURCH ETIQUETTE: We wish to remind you, our faithful, to please maintain a quiet and contemplative manner as you approach the chancel for communion. We especially ask that you refrain from conversation while waiting your turn for communion as well as afterwards as you return to your pew. Thank you.

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.

Anyone who wishes to request any Requiem Services MUST inform the office by 1:30pm Wednesday the week before. If you also want to sponsor the Fellowship Hour you MUST call Merle Santerian at 215-947-3777.

Would you like to:

• receive this Bulletin on Friday via email?
• request a Hokehankist, house blessing or hall rental information?
• find in-depth information on our faith, our parish and our activities?
• sign up for an event online?
• If the answer to any of these questions is YES, please visit our parish website at www.holytrinity-pa.org

WE ASK THAT EVERYONE KINDLY TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES and all other such electronic devices prior to entering the sanctuary out of respect for the sanctity of our services.