THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
December 10, 2017

Barekendan of the Fast of St. James

Our Parish Family congratulates Der Hakob on the Tenth Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination.

Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary

Saturday, 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)
Isaiah 37: 14-38 (pages 713-714) Old Testament

“Pray constantly” wrote St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians. Among us, pray for Pearl Jamgochian, Annabelle Alexanian & Albert Santerian. Pray for the families of the more than two dozen who were killed and many others who were injured during the horrific attack in the holiest of places – a house of worship in a small Texas town. May they feel the strong presence of God at their sides. Please continue your prayers for those affected by nature’s great storms as many remain without homes, comfort or well-being. Pray for leaders all over so that peace in our countries will prevail.

Altar Flowers and Candles: are donated today by the Parish Council in honor of the Tenth Anniversary of Der Hakob’s Ordination.

Save the Date: Sunday December 17th for lunch and a visit by Santa in the hall. Adults are $10.00 and church school students are free. Reservations are a MUST by 12/10/17. Questions call Nancy Hovnanian at 609-922-1101. Everyone is welcome!

Christmas Gift for Vanadzor: The Ladies of Holy Trinity are collecting money every Sunday until Armenian Christmas to send a financial gift to Vanadzor, the home for senior Armenians outside of Yerevan. The collection container sits on a table in the Narthex. During this holiday season, please remember these elderly Armenians. Thank you.

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.

FAR UPDATE: The 42 disabled students of Gavar Special School now have a recently renovated second floor, the most recent change made possible by the Friends of Gavar Special School of New York, which has helped with improvements since 2008. Member Krikor Krikorian was shocked during his first visit. “No roof, no chairs, and no elevator, meaning the children could not move freely … so the teachers had to carry them,” he described. While there is still more work to be done, as FAR’s partner, the Friends group has made great impact over the past decade. To read more, go to FAR’s blog: http://farusa.org/2017/11/30/far-schools-far-partnerships-new-renovations-benefit-children-from-the-gavar-special-school/ To support places like the Gavar School, go to: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief/

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

December
Dec 10 Honoring Our Pastor
Dec 17 Lunch with Santa
Dec 31 Pomegranate Sunday
January
Jan 5 Theophany Eve: Divine Liturgy
Jan 6 Feast of Theophany: Divine Liturgy
Jan 7 Blessing of Water Service
Jan 14 Day of Remembrance
Jan 27-28 ACYOA Lock-In

A GENTLE REMINDER – We wish to remind our parishioners that, by order of the Fire Department, no parking is allowed in the Fire Lane, which is the area next to the lawn and the building in the parking lot. In addition, we have noticed cars who have no handicapped placard or identifying license plate parked in the handicapped spaces, especially behind the building, We ask for your courtesy in respecting the rules and leaving the handicapped spaces for those who truly need them.

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.

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.