THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
April 9, 2023

EASTER SUNDAY
Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

As a reminder, Der Hakob has requested that all visitors find a place in the pews to worship and not to stand in the back. This will allow the deacons to perform their duties with ease.

 Scripture and Feast Day Notes

 Kreesdos haryav ee merelotz! Christ is risen from the dead!

Orhnyal eh harootyoonun Kreesdosee! Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ!

From Today’s Readings

Mark 16:2-8 Early on Sunday, Mary Magdalene, Mary (James’ mother), and Salome are on their way to Jesus’ tomb with spices to anoint his body. They debate whether they would be able to move the heavy stone that sealed the tomb. (What a tender, human moment!) To their surprise, the stone had been rolled away and an angelic figure sits inside the tomb, proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection. They were to tell the disciples and seek the Lord in Galilee. Discuss/reflect: These women had been with Jesus even at his crucifixion (when all but one of the disciples had abandoned him), among many other women who had “followed him and cared for his needs.” (Mark 15: 40-41) What does this tell you about the faith of these women? What does this, joined with all the other Gospel stories featuring women, tell us about their role then and now as Christian witnesses? How would you rate yourself as someone who “follows and cares”?

Acts 1:15-26 Having encountered Jesus after His crucifixion and witnessed His ascension, Peter is addressing the believers, sharing the grim details of Judas’ death. He then declares that a new apostle is needed to replace the betrayer and outlines his qualifications. Discuss/reflect: Read vv 21-22 closely. What should qualify this new apostle? (that he had been with the Lord the entire time, day in and out, and that he would be able to witness to His resurrection) How does this translate to our discipleship today?

 John 20:1-18 ( Matins/Vespers Gospel) The disciples had gone, but Mary Magdalene is still grieving over her beloved Lord’s tomb Two angels ask her why she is crying and when she responds that she does not know where her Lord’s body is, she is suddenly surprised by someone she mistakenly thinks is the gardner. It is Jesus, yet only when he calls her by name does she know him. ‘Teacher!’ she answers ecstatically. He asks her to tell the disciples about their meeting; she runs to them with the words “I have seen the Lord!”  Discuss/reflect: Mary meets the risen Lord and thinks he is the gardner. What famous garden is featured in Genesis 1,2, and 3? In what garden did Jesus sweat so profusely in prayer that they were described as drops of blood? How has Creation come full circle in the risen Lord? Had you been Mary, what would you have said, asked or done?

Fellowship on Easter Sunday – There will not be a Coffee Hour Fellowship following Badarak on Easter Sunday, thus allowing our faithful to be able to spend more time with family and friends as they celebrate the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

However, we will be having our Easter Eve Fellowship which will follow Badarak that begins @ 7 pm on the evening of April 8th. We will also conduct the traditional Home Blessing service in Santerian Hall. We hope you will join us and invite you to bring an offering of food that will be shared among everyone for our Easter Fellowship meal.

ALTAR FLOWERS (LILIES), HOLY SATURDAY and CHRIST TOMB FLOWERS are donated by:

• Albert Dandegian Jr. in memory of Albert & Florence Dandegian, Michael & Rose Karabian and Ruth DeStefano
• Alice and Denise Sisian in memory of Charles Sisian, Elmon Berberian & Regina and Martin DeMuro
• Alice & Karnig Torossian in memory of Diramayr Hripsime and Haroutiun Aivazian
• Angel Tookmanian in memory of my dear brother Garabed (Garo) Yeterian
• David and Marta Brann in memory of John & Mary Mirakian and Armen & Theodora Mirakian and A.D. & Lula Brann
• Denise & Fred Hess
• Ernie & Chris Sadjian-Peacock in memory of parents Elisabeth and Souren Sadjian
• Florence Boyajian in memory of Vahan Boyajian and Janice Pinkerton
• Gregory and Diane Yazujian in memory of Shahen, Hamest and Harry Yazujian and Mariam and Norair Hartunian and Helen Vishab
• Jeanette Der Hagopian in memory of Larry Der Hagopian
• Joyce Killian in memory of Patrick Killian and John & Dorothy Chalikian
• Dr. & Mrs. Garo Garibian in memory of Hyarpie and Karapet Garibian
• Kim and Gena Willard in memory of Larry Der Hagopian
• Matthew Sadjian & Serena Groff in memory of Hank Mardigian and Wardeh Kawar
• Merle Santerian in memory of John and Rose Serabian, Dr. Corinne Santerian, Ned Santerian, Edward & Rose Karnikian, Michael & Rose Santerian
• Nauver & Arpie Zerounian in memory of Haroutuin Sinanian and Albert Zerounian
• Richard S. Garabedian in memory of George & Mary Garabedian
• Talene, Ani and Alise Peckjian in memory of Bryan Peckjian
• Vlad & Kristina Bagdasarian in memory of Rimma Yegiazarova

EASTER YUGHAKIN by:

• Elaine, Eric, Laurie and Thom in memory of Ray & Helen Mirijanian
• Berjoohy Murray in memory of Haigazian & Murray Families
• Carlene & Lucille Thomassian in memory of Karnig, Rose & Armen Thomassian
• Carol Temoyan in memory of Robert Temoyan and Berjouhe Paroonagian Gallo
• Charlene & Jon Simonian in memory of Charles & Naomi Antaramian and Dn. Krikor & Margaret Ohanian
• David & Nadine Hoplamazian
• Greg and Maria Javardian
• Hagop Arzoumanian in memory of Diramayr Serbouhi Arzoumanian
• Hank & Brenda LeCompte in memory of Garabed & Elizabeth Tookmanian and Martin T. LeCompte
• Harry & Alice Yazujian in memory of Helen Vishab
• Harry & Val Santerian in memory of Santerian & Tajirian Families
• Janice & Robert King family in memory of Naomi & Albert Kapeghian
• Joe & Tina LaRose
• Kim Santerian and Dan Dunigan
• Lorraine Damerjian & Robert Damerjian Jr. in memory of Bob Damerjian Sr.
• Richard and Linda Vishab
• Richard Kocharian and Sabina Khachatrian
• Rosemarie Zarzatian in memory of Edward Zarzatian
• Tara Zane
• Tom & Barbara Harmon in memory of Naomi and Albert Kapeghian
• Tom & Karen Vartanian Swartz in memory of Mary and Katch Kapeghian
• Victoria O. Gureghian
• Victoria V. Shakarjian

Book News:  We are pleased to inform our faithful that we are offering Dn. Albert Keshgegian’s  “Communicate in Holiness: Reflections on the Divine Liturgy” free for those who attend church services.   The book consists of 32 easy-to read reflections (many with full color illustrations), each including the English text of the Soorp Badarak, its significance, and a personal life application message for our everyday lives. A great book for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of this familiar, yet mysterious, worship experience of Armenian Christians.  Copies are available at no cost in the Parish Council area where you enter the church. 

ZOOM BOOK CLUB:  Please join us on Thursday evening, April 20 at 7:00 to discuss “The Sandcastle Girls” by Chris Bohjalian. Every April, the Armenian community around the world pauses to remember and commemorate “the great catastrophe” in our history. In his novel, Bohjalian expertly weaves in the hard facts of the Armenian Genocide with a compelling and personal story of its impact on those who suffered, on those who survived and on the generations that followed. Our facilitator will be Suzanne Sherenian. To receive the Zoom link, go to nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

Seeking Part-time Organists – the Choir of Holy Trinity is looking for 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 @ karinne.hov@gmail.com.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

TODAY – Easter Sunday
ON HOLD UNTIL APRIL 19^{TH –} Every Wednesday, 7 pm, Zoom Bible Study with Fr. Hakob