THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 30, 2024

Barekendan of the Fast of the Transfiguration

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Matthew 14:13-21 Hearing of his cousin John’s execution, Jesus withdraws in solitude but becomes immediately compassionate towards the crowds that follow him. He heals the sick and when the disciples tell him it is late and the people must be sent away to find food, he asks them to feed the crowd themselves. With just two fish and five loaves of bread, Jesus feeds more than 5,000, giving thanks and breaking the bread in a moment that foreshadows the Last Supper. The twelve baskets of leftovers point to the Messianic banquet in the final coming of the Kingdom. Discuss/reflect: Prayerfully read and then retell in your own words the miracle recounted in today’s Gospel reading. What does this story tell you about Jesus’ power in our lives?

Romans 11:13-24 St. Paul addresses the Gentiles whom he has helped bring to Christ, admitting that he had hoped to prompt envy in the Jews that they might also follow Jesus. Gentiles who count themselves among the faithful must remember that they have been grafted on to an ancient tree (Judaic roots) from which unbelievers have been trimmed. Rather than be arrogant, these new believers should realize that they can just as easily be cut from the tree because of unbelief. Discuss/reflect: Paul warns believers against thinking they have a better, stronger faith than others. Do churches and individuals exhibit this judgmental behavior today?

Isaiah 3:1-11 Isaiah continues to convey God’s displeasure with the prideful people of Judah and Jerusalem; He warns of disorder and even chaos because “their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying His glorious presence…” (v 8) Discuss/reflect: What things make up Judah’s “supply and support” that the Lord is taking away? (3:1) What people, what things bolster your life? Do any of them keep you from God?

Today is the Paregentan of the Fast of Transfiguration
The church prepares to celebrate one of the five major feasts next Sunday, July 7, with a week of fasting preceded by a “paregentan” or day of celebration (lit: ‘good-living’). Fasting before a major feast is a lost practice for most Christians. How unfortunate since this signifies that the feast itself has lost both its historic and timeless impact on our lives. With prayer and other spiritual disciplines, fasting is a way of getting the entire body and soul ready for an important church event. Paregentan days precede fasts throughout the church year; the greatest season of fasting – Great Lent – is launched by the greatest Paregentan: “Poon Paregentan.” Reflection: In preparation for the Feast of the Transfiguration prayerfully read about it as recounted in Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36. What unique detail appears in Luke 9:28-29 (compare with opening verses in the other Gospels)? What might this tell us about prayer?

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.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

Lori Aghazarian on the 2^nd anniversary of her eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by her mother, family and friends.

Altar flowers and candles are offered in loving memory of Lori Aghazarian.

Coffee Hour – as we approach the summer months, coffee hour will be abbreviated. Coffee and tea only will be provided. Please feel free to bring other treats to share during coffee hour.

Men’s Club News – The June drawing for the 200 Club was completed 6/9/2024. This was the final drawing for the 2023-24 season so please take a moment to visit the HTAC Web site and click on Men’s Club for details on the winners.  NOTE: The Tickets for next season, 2024-25, will be mailed on/near August 1st. If you do not have a ticket and would like to participate which helps our wonderful church, please contact the Office for details. Thank you! 6/30

Reminder – 2024 is half over…..have you paid your 2024 dues yet? 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.

Attention Graduates! – Looking for graduates to be included in an upcoming issue of the LOOYS (all levels). We invite you to submit your own details for inclusion. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement (church or school), and future plans (further education/work/other). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if possible. Everything should be sent to choirboss@hotmail.com by July 30, 2024.

AYO – Spring is here and Ayo! has just launched its new project “Put Down Roots.” In partnership with the Yerevan Botanical Gardens, the project aims to create an educational-therapeutic horticulture space to provide opportunities for forcibly displaced children (and others) to get their hands dirty, de-stress and learn about the environment! Once built, this special section of the botanical gardens will be available for children and youth for years to come. You can directly support the initiative here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/.

Armenian Sisters Academy – The best way to learn about ASA is to experience it for yourself! Visit our campus to see how our deep appreciation for the Armenian language and culture empowers our students, promotes self-respect, and prepares future role models. All visitors must have a scheduled appointment and may not freely enter the building without prior notice. To schedule your private tour contact Legna Santerian at Lsanterian@asaphila.org or (610) 687-4100.

Stay Connected with our New Church Portal – Over the past several months Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church has changed to a new Church Management System called One Church.  The new software puts you in control of your information (email, phone number, giving information, etc.), allows us to communicate with you more effectively, facilitates online, text, and app donations, and provides greater connectivity throughout our community.  You should have received an email.  If you have not gotten one (please make sure to check your spam folder), then reach out to the church office.

Humanitarian Support for Artsakh Ongoing From The Knights And Daughters Of Vartan – As the Azeri government still cracks down on the Armenian people in the nation of Artsakh, the people are not giving up! Please consider making a donation to the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Call to Action Committee! Donations will go towards humanitarian aid. For further information please visit the Knights and Daughters of Vartan website at https://kofv.org/a-call-to-action-from-kdv-for-artsakh/

Mail your donations to Knights of Vartan, Mr. Ronald Nazeley, Treasurer, 558 Kentwood Bluffs Drive, Los Angeles 90045.

Checks should be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Memo: Artsakh, and brought or mailed to church. Online donations can be made by going to www.holytrinity-pa.org, go to donations, scroll down to Open Donation and enter Artsakh.

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 to the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person.  For further information, contact Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Jul 04         Independence Day
Jul 07         Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord
Aug 18        Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-Of-God (Grapes Blessing)
Sep 02         Labor Day – Church Office Closed
Sep 15         Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Sep 21         Armenian Independence Day
Sep 29         Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak