THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
October 15, 2023

Fifth Sunday After Exaltation

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 21)
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

Country Store – will be closed today.  We look forward to providing you with your needs at our Country Store booth at the Harvest Bazaar next Sunday.

October 21 and 22 – Harvest Bazaar – Please join us for our Harvest Bazaar and food festival. Saturday 3-8pm and Sunday after church from 12:30 to 4pm. Optional take-out is available.

The Fall Harvest Bazaar is coming soon and once again we are requesting donations for the Basket Auction. Donations of money gift cards (any amount is welcome!) and “high- end NEW” items are also desirable! Checks should be drawn to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Memo: Basket Auction, and mailed to church or left in the office. For any questions, call Cece Garibian (267-210-0670).  We sincerely and deeply appreciate your support.

Bake Shoppe at the Harvest Bazaar – we are reaching out to our talented bakers to provide the Booth with home-made products in any variety: cookies, scones, brownies, lemon bars, loaf cakes, Armenian pastries, etc.  Whatever your specialty is, we want it!!!  We hope to have our table filled to overflowing with all the delicious items you can provide. For any questions, contact Berjoohy Murray @ 856-912-2417 (please, no store-bought products).

Sunday Short Studies – Seeing God:  This Sunday, October 15, our faithful are invited to the first interactive discussion on the different ways we connect with God during Badarak. First up in the “Sensing God” 4-part series is SIGHT. There is so much to look at in church. What draws your eye? Why is there so much to look at? What can we learn about our invisible God through visible objects? Join us at 10AM in the Sanctuary before Badarak.

Artsakh Support Desperately Needed – Since early this year, we have closely followed the news from and about Artsakh. We prayed often, deeply and fervently. We didn’t know what else to do. Our hearts broke when the unimaginable happened and Artsakh was lost to us. Now is our time to help the thousands of refugees who had to flee to mainland Armenia to seek a safe haven. They left their homes and most of their belongings forever. We are appealing to our faithful to give generously from your heart to help our sisters and brothers who have given their all.

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.

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 @ 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.

Operation Christmas Child has begun. Please help us fill a record number of shoeboxes this year for underprivileged children all over the world, including Armenia.  Many of you have participated in the past and we hope you will again – and let your youngsters help you shop to fill a box. ABSOLUTE DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19. If you would like to bring them in sooner, we will store them for you. For this year, the shipping fees of $10 per box are being underwritten by the generosity of the Adult Christian Education (ACE) Ministry. For those who are unable to fill a shoebox, donations will be gratefully accepted.  Checks should be made payable to:  Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Memo: OCC.  Any questions can be referred to Jeanette or Berjoohy.

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 @ karinne.hov@gmail.com.

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 greeting 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.

Attic Treasures – Bazaar 2023: We are ready to accept your donations for Attic Treasures. Please bring your new or gently used items and place them in the bar area. Thank you.

Lost & Found: Please take a look at the coat racks in the hallway as we have begun to accumulate miscellaneous pieces of clothing.  We will be donating any remaining items to charity in November.

Oct 14 – Holy Translators
Oct 21 & 22 – Harvest Bazaar 2023
Oct 22 – ACYOA Car Wash Event after service today
Oct 21 – Feast of the Evangelists Sts. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
Oct 28 – Twelve Holy Doctors of the Church
Oct 29 – Discovery of the Holy Cross