THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
January 10, 2016

Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Each year, on January 13, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of Naming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As Evangelist St. Luke writes in his Gospel, according to the Jewish tradition “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.” (Lk 2:21). “Jesus” is a Hebrew word which means “Savior”. According to the Gospel of Luke when the angel Gabriel came to Mary to give her the good news of the birth of the Son of the Most High, he said that Mary would name the baby “Jesus”. “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus.” (Lk 1:31). Parallel to the name “Jesus” the name “Christ” was given to the Savior, which is a Greek word and means “Consecrated”.
TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Hebrews 12: 18-27 (page 204) New Testament
• Luke 1: 39-56 (pages 51-52) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

PRAYERS REQUESTED: From the Book of James, we are taught that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Therefore, as you pray for your own family, we ask that you keep members of our Holy Trinity family in your prayers as well. Continue to pray specifically for those who are ill. Pray especially for the various ministries within our church and their leaders: our Church School, our faith-based programs, our youth. And mostly pray that Jesus Christ is a Living Presence in each and every person in our church community. You may also advise the church office if you would like to include anyone by name in this column so that we may, as a church family, pray for them.

CHOIR PLATE COLLECTION: On this day of Water Blessing, the Choir will have a plate collection.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Today’s fellowship hour is dedicated to honor the members of our Church Choir and Deacons. Sponsored by Ani Gooshian in loving memory of her husband Ronald N. Gooshian. All are welcome

Blessing of the Water: Sunday January 10, 2016, the Godfather of Water Blessing this year is going to be Harout Nalbandian.

With Love, We Remember: Please join us at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 17 for A Day of Remembrance. This involves a short candle-lighting service and hokehankisd to honor the memory of those in our community who passed away in 2015 and received the burial rites of our church. Through this ceremony, the entire Holy Trinity parish shares in each family’s loss and remembers all the departed with love, gratitude and consoling prayer.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: Scheduled for February 21, 2016 with alternate snow dates of February 28 or March 6, 2016.

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.

Parish Directory: The Parish Council will publish a new Parish Directory in February. We have completed a draft and would like you to review your information to ensure it is correct and up-to-date. Brian Hoyle will be in the hallway outside Santerian Hall on Sunday, January 10, 17, and 24 with copies of the draft. Please review your data in the draft and make any needed corrections.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
January

• Sunday January 10th: Service 10:30 am followed by Blessing of the Water
• Sunday January 17th: Day of Remembrance

February

• Sunday February 7th: Poon Paregentan
• Friday February 12th: Lenten Service
• Friday February 19th: Lenten Service
• Sunday February 21st: Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 2/28 & 3/6)
• Saturday February 27th: Leadership Workshop 9:30 am

SEEKING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: St. Nersess is seeking a part-time Development Officer to oversee the seminary’s fundraising and alumni/donor relations programs. Reporting to the dean of the seminary, the Development Officer will also work closely with an engaged, supportive Board of Directors and a dynamic school team. For more information contact the seminary at 914-273-0200.

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.