THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
October 10, 2021

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EXALTATION

COVID UPDATE:  August 23, 2021, The Montgomery County Office of Public Health advises that masks should be worn in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. Please exercise your best judgment and caring for everyone in our Church community. Thank you   

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Mark 12:35-44 To those gathered around him in the temple courts, Jesus boldly challenges the teachers of the law for dismissing Him as a mere son of David rather than David’s Lord and God’s Son. He contrasts their pompous self-importance and the wealthy with a poor widow who gives a much greater share of what she has to the temple offering. Discuss/reflect: A poor, nameless widow caught Jesus’ eye in her act of generosity. Would your spirit of giving to the poor, to all in need, do the same? Say a prayer of thanks to her for providing once upon a time in Jerusalem, in humble innocence, an example the Lord deemed worthy for all time.

Galatians 2:1-10 St. Paul is addressing the validity of his ministry to the Gentiles (non-Jews), confirming that even the church leaders knew it to be important and true. (Conservative traditionalists thought non-Jews needed to become Jews first before accepting Christ.) Poignantly, he is reminded by these leaders to always remember the poor. Discuss/reflect: Based on these verses, what do you think a person needs to do/to be in choosing to follow Christ? Pray for a humble heart, open to the suffering in the world.

Isaiah 19:1-11 Isaiah asserts that even Egypt, a great and fearful power upon which people depended, is subject to God‘s will; their idols would be crushed and their destiny cruelly altered. Discuss/reflect: “The Lord rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt…the idols of Egypt tremble before Him (19:1). What a beautiful image! Replace the word Egypt with your own home/town/country. What idols would tremble? In these troubling times, pray for God’s presence.

Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John   (Saturday, October 16)

The four Gospels are among the most beloved books of the Bible. As those who lived during Jesus’ time began to age and die, people felt it important to record the accounts of those who had known Him. There were many gospels circulating in the early centuries of the church. But the gospels that grew widely popular, were read most often, and sanctioned by the church elders entered the canon. These four Gospels are considered sacred biographies for although they are certainly biographical and historical, they are primarily a personal witness to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as understood by a particular writer, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

During Badarak, when the deacon elevates the Gospel book over his head or whenever we kiss the Gospel book, we are lovingly acknowledging its value and authority in our lives. As Christians, we are called to be the Gospel. God has chosen us to be His evangelists and inspire others to experience Jesus Christ.

    Department of Christian Education/ Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)/elisea@armeniandiocese.org

^“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Tim 2:8). Prayers are requested for the families of the soldiers killed in the 44-day Artsakh war, the soldiers who are struggling through catastrophic injuries suffered, and those who are still being held as prisoners of war all these months later; Ethel Terzian, Taron Poghosyan, Alice Charles, Larry Grocott, Doris Alahverde and Genevieve Miller.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

ARCHBISHOP TORKOM MANOOGIAN (9^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested by Bishop Daniel Findikyan, Primate and the Eastern Diocese.

Men’s Club News: The 200 Club tickets were mailed out in August! If you have not done so, we kindly ask that you send in your check now to be included in the first drawing this November.  Didn’t receive your ticket(s) or want get a ticket for this new season ? Please contact the church office with any questions. (We have only 6 tickets available!) Thank you.

COUNTRY STORE IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS:  We are well stocked in our store and invite you to come in after church most Sundays or place an order for pickup with Lorraine Damerjian @ 215-572-8465. 

PHILADELPHIA INTER-COMMUNAL​ PROGRAM IS TODAY!!!

Everyone is invited to the Philadelphia Inter-Communal event at Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church in Havertown, today at 3 pm.  This special program will feature Rev. Nishan & Maria Bakalian as they share their first-hand experiences about their missionary work in Beirut. This will be most enlightening​ for all of us.

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.

HOLY TRINITY ZOOM BOOK CLUB:  Join us on Thursday evening, October 21 at 7:00 for a lively discussion on one of William Saroyan’s most famous and richly autobiographical works, “The Human Comedy.” The conversation will be facilitated by Lucy Aghazarian.  All those interested should contact nancybasmajian@verizon.net to receive the Zoom link.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – We are up and running and hope you will be among our volunteers to fill shoeboxes after skipping last year.  A limited number of colorful shoeboxes are available for those who sign up quickly and pay the $9.00 shipping fee.  After that, it’s all fun when you start filling a shoebox for a boy or girl in the age category of your choice. Make the commitment and provide Christmas joy to an underprivileged child. It’s never too early to start shopping. Contact Jeanette Der Hagopian (choirboss@hotmail.com or 215-672-4188) to SIGN UP, for informational sheets or for any questions you may have. Filled shoeboxes will be due by Sunday, November 14.

FAR Soup Kitchens Provide Lifeline to the Most Vulnerable – Raya Hovhannisyan and her son Karapet live in small domik in Gyumri, which is plagued with problems like mold, dampness and poor heating. Raya is one of many who lost their homes in the 1988 earthquake and who now live in difficult conditions. The two rely heavily on FAR’s Gyumri Atinizian Soup Kitchen, which is one of 5 soup kitchens that FAR runs in different parts of Armenia. Today Raya survives on her meager pension. Karapet doesn’t work due to heart problems. There is very little food and she often has to purchase her groceries on store credit. Yet, one reason she is able to make ends meet is due to the help she receives from the soup kitchen. To read more, go to FAR’s blog: https://www.farusa.org/post/it-s-hard-to-survive-but-i-have-an-unbroken-soul

To donate to FAR’s Social Services Program, go to: https://www.farusa.org/donate

Message from Montgomery County: Our community is stronger when we’re all protected. The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available. The COVID-19 vaccine will protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and death; and protects vulnerable people in your community who can’t get the vaccine. A healthier community starts with you. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, call the Montgomery County Office of Public Health at 610-278-5117 or visit https://www.montcopa.org/3660/COVID-19-Vaccine.