THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
Christmas Day December 25, 2016

Fifth Sunday of Advent

A Very Merry Christmas to One and All

Sts. David the Prophet & James the Apostle

Prophet St. David was the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth. The Holy Bible depicts him as a psalmist, gifted, wise, handsome man and orator. He was a shepherd. During the battle against Philistines he killed the giant Goliath. After the death of Saul he became the king of Israel and founded the city Jerusalem. He is the author of the book of Psalms and one of the greatest and influential figures of the Old Testament. Special importance is accorded to the fact that he is the offspring of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

St. James, brother of Jesus, is the combining link between the Evangelical saints and the saints mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He is one of the important figures of the Initial Church and the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Jewish historian Hovsepius characterizes him as “righteous”.

According to hagiographical sources some people forced him to get on the tower and slander against Jesus. However, getting on the tower, he started to speak about Jesus the Messiah who sat on the right side of God and would come to judge the world fairly. Many people were converted, but others threw the saint down from the tower. According to the tradition St. James is buried in the Cathedral of St. James of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. One letter from James has been preserved.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Hebrews 7: 11-25 (pages 199-200) New Testament
• Luke 19: 12-28 (pages 75-76) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

PRAYERS: In this season of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we give thanks for the many blessings that we enjoy. Nevertheless, there are many among us in ill health, grieving the loss of loved ones, and living in difficult circumstances. Beyond our community, the world has much unrest, and peace is not as we know it. As we enjoy the happiness and joys of this time, we ask that you please keep in your thoughts and prayers those who suffer in any of these circumstances. “Answer me when I call to you…..be merciful to me and hear my prayers” (Ps 4:1).

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: NO coffee hour today due to Christmas.

Vanadzor is the old age home in Armenia and it can use financial help from us. The Ladies of Holy Trinity have again placed a container in the Nartex for your loose change. We will accept your loose change every Sunday until Armenian Christmas. Your donations will be sent to Armenia soon thereafter. We appreciate your support & generosity.

Schedule on (Traditional ) Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: On Sunday, December 25th, Badarak will begin promptly at 10 am and end by 11:30 am; there will be no Fellowship Hour that day. This will enable everyone to get home in time to begin their Christmas celebration with their families.

On Sunday, January 1, 2017, Badarak will begin at the usual time – 10:30 am – followed by a brief Pomegranate Blessing Service. In the Armenian tradition, the pomegranate as a national symbol reflects the meaning of life, prosperity and abundance. In the Christian symbolism the pomegranate represents the blood shed by Jesus Christ, symbolizing also the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord and the diversity of God’s grace. In the interpretations of our church fathers, the pomegranate is presented that the church members are as diverse as the granules of the pomegranate but the pomegranate is covered by a solid peel, all being united in one Church. This blessing should be conducted within thirty minutes of the new year. However, for the sake of convenience, we will be conducting this thanksgiving service following Badarak on this day. Join us as we begin the New Year in the best place to be!

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.

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.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
January

• Thursday January 5th: Armenian Christmas Eve 7:00 pm followed by House Blessing: Please bring food to share during the fellowship hour
• Friday January 6th: Armenian Christmas Service 10:30 am
• Sunday January 8th: Service 10:30 am followed by Blessing of the Water

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.