THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 27, 2016

First Sunday of Advent

The Man Behind the Story of Father Christmas/Santa Claus

St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money. He was also a very kind man and had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. There are several legends about St. Nicholas.

The most famous story about St. Nicholas tells how the custom of hanging up stockings to get presents in first started! It goes like this:

There was a poor man who had three daughters. He was so poor, he did not have enough money for a dowry, so his daughters couldn’t get married. (A dowry is a sum of money paid to the bridegroom by the brides parents on the wedding day. This still happens in some countries, even today.) One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold down the chimney and into the house (This meant that the oldest daughter was then able to be married.). The bag fell into a stocking that had been hung by the fire to dry! This was repeated later with the second daughter. Finally, determined to discover the person who had given him the money, the father secretly hid by the fire every evening until he caught Nicholas dropping in a bag of gold. Nicholas begged the man to not tell anyone what he had done, because he did not want to bring attention to himself. But soon the news got out and when anyone received a secret gift, it was thought that maybe it was from Nicholas.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• 1Thessalonians 1: 1-10 (page 184) New Testament
• Luke 12: 13-31 (page 68) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Karasoonk (40th Day memorial Service) today will be for:

• Vasken Pascal Euksuzian requested by Mrs. Sophie Euksuzian and Family       on the 40th day of His eternal life.

Hokehankist today will be for: 

• Vartanouch & Antranik Kaysserian, Marcar Marcarian, Antranik & Simone Euksuzian, Hovaguin & Herpsimait & Bagie Euksuzian  requested by Sophie Euksuzian and Family

PRAYERS:   “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”  (2 Chronicles 6:40)   Praying is as vital to a faith community as breathing.  It is one of the ways in which we communicate with God.  We ask you to pray for those among who are facing medical difficulties: Ed Zarzatian, Jr., Albert Santerian,   Virginia Shakarjian, and Anita Mirijanian.  Please also pray for the unrest that is not only in faraway places but in our own country as well.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: is sponsored today by Mrs. Sophie Euksuzian and Family in loving memory of Vartanouch & Antranik Kaysserian, Marcar Marcarian, Antranik & Simone Euksuzian, Hovaguin & Herpsimait & Bagie Euksuzian and Vasken Pascal Euksuzian on the 40th day of His eternal life. All are welcome.

Save the Date: Sunday December 11th for breakfast and a visit by Santa in the hall. Adults are $10.00 and church school students are free. Reservations are a MUST by 12/4/16. Questions call Merle Santerian at 215-947-3777. Everyone is welcome!

The Ladies of Holy Trinity have reserved a limited block of tickets to visit Glencairn for the Christmas season. We will visit on Thursday, Dec. 15th at 11AM. The price is $15. We will go to a nearby restaurant for lunch. If you are interested, please see Tanya Paretchan or Liz Barone.

ACYOA, Jr. Poinsettia Plant Sale: The ACYOA, Jrs. will be selling poinsettia plants on Sunday, December 11th. Proceeds will go towards their sponsorship of a child through CASP.

ACYOA, Jr. Non-perishable Food Drive: The ACYOA Jrs. are collecting non-perishable foods for a local food pantry now through the month of December. At the end of the food drive they will personally deliver the collection to the food pantry.

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.

200 CLUB News from the Men’s Club – There are only eight (8) tickets remaining for the “200 CLUB” raffle. Contact Larry DerHagopian or Mick Paretchan after church if you haven’t already purchased a ticket or would like an additional ticket! A one-time donation of $100 will entitle you to eight months of drawings, with five tickets drawn each month.  Keep in mind that there will be $10,000 in prize money distributed between this November and next June, so don’t miss the opportunity!

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)
December

• Sunday December 4th: Stewardship Sunday
• Sunday December 11th: Breakfast with Santa

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.

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.

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.