THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 25, 2018

First Sunday of Advent

Building Barns for Others

Was the man in the parable of the wealthy (greedy) fool looking out for others, or was he only concerned for his own stability? There is no mention of God in his thoughtful planning, nor does he seem to sympathize with the suffering or those in need, yet he has accumulated enough material possessions that he needs larger barns. And so he proceeds to build a barn for only himself. Note: In Genesis 41:48, Joseph accumulates an abundance of food for the benefit of the entire land. We often mistakenly overvalue things that benefit oneself, while God values love of neighbor, acts of service, and charity.

Jesus, knowing the heart of the person who asked about his inheritance, told the parable about the wealthy (greedy) fool who placed his priorities on self-interested pursuits and earthly pleasure. Instead of focusing solely on accumulating an inheritance, which won’t last or save us, perhaps the safer barns to build, the better investment, are the stomachs of the poor and the closets of those in need. As we give to others, over time, our heart will follow and it will become a priority.

Referring to the wealthy fool in Jesus’ parable, St. John Chrysostom, the 4th century Church Father, by whom Armenian Christians were deeply influenced, writes, “For when his harvest was abundant, he said to himself, “What shall I do? I will pull down my barns and build larger ones.” There is nothing more wretched than such an attitude. In truth, he took down his barns; for safe barns are not walls, but the stomachs of the poor.”

Answering the question of who is “rich toward God,” Church Father, Cyril of Alexandria, an extremely significant figure regarding Armenian teaching about Jesus Christ, writes, “One who does not love wealth but rather loves virtue, and to who few things are sufficient. It is one whose hand is open to the needs of the poor, comforting the sorrows of those in poverty according to his means and the utmost of his power. He gathers in the storehouses that are above and lays up treasures in heaven.”

By Dn. Eric Vozzy

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)
• Isaiah 36: 1-9 (pages 711-712) Old Testament

“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing” (1Tim 2:8). Please pray for Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin, Anto Vartanian, Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Armenoui Aznavuryan and Pearl Jamgochian for a return to better health and to feel the presence of God in their lives. Pray for our country and her leaders so that peace and kindness will prevail; for our children in their schools – that they may continue their education in a safe environment. Pray also especially for the families of the more than fifty people who have lost their lives, as well as their homes, in the deadliest of fires in California history. Include in your prayers those firefighters who have been risking their lives to help contain the fires. “Spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.” (Ps 5:11)

SPECIAL COLLECTION TODAY – As directed by our Primate, the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, today’s collection will be for the benefit of the victims of the devastating California wildfires which have claimed countless lives and immeasurable loss of homes, belongings and stability. Among the victims were an Armenian mother and son, originally from Jerusalem, who loss is being deeply felt by the Jerusalem community. The collections by our churches throughout our Diocese will be distributed to the grieving Armenian family and all the victims of the fire. Please be generous as we offer thanks to God for the safety and well-being so many of us enjoy. Checks can be made payable to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Memo: CA Fires.

Coffee Hour. This year we are looking for individuals or families, to run a Coffee Hour each Sunday. (Those who have been running it, are overloaded with doing more than one job on Sundays.) There are sign-up sheets for the next 4 month of Sundays. Anyone wishing to sponsor a special Coffee Hour (Birthday, Anniversary, 40 Days or more, etc.) other than the normal Coffee Hour must contact Merle Santerian 215-205-1507, to make arrangements 2 weeks ahead of time. Under the new scheduling, if a Sunday has no one signed up on the Board, to run the Coffee Hour, there will be no Coffee Hour that Sunday. So, please volunteer and let’s fill all the Sundays in on the Schedule. It is not that involved, and Merle will explain what you have to do to run one. Any questions just see her on any Sunday or call her at the above phone number. Thanks, for your cooperation! We know how much everyone enjoys the Fellowship Hour and we would like to keep it going.

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.

As of now, the bridge reconstruction project at Tookany Creek Parkway and Ashmead Road has been postponed.
When we get more details and a timeline, we will update everyone. For now, the roads to reach the church are NOT blocked.

2018 Attendance: Plate/Candle Collection:

October
7 – 76 people $384.00
14 – 92 people $446.00
21 – 96 people $642.00
28 – 95 people $510.00
November
4 – 123 people $660.00
11- 80 people $392.00
Weekly Expenses: $6,000.00

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

December
Sunday Dec 16 Lunch with Santa
Sunday Dec 30 Pomegranate Sunday

January
Saturday Jan 5 Theophany Eve and Fellowship
Sunday Jan 6 Feast of Theophany / Blessing of Water / Christmas Pageant
Sunday Jan 13 Simultaneous Translation of Selected Hymns Day of Remembrance
Sunday Jan 20 Tour of Sanctuary with Fr. Hakob
Sunday Jan 27 Instructed Liturgy

Using the Pew Book: In order to enrich understanding of the Divine Liturgy, we encourage our faithful to follow along in the large two-part Pew Book. Part One includes the classical Armenian used in the Liturgy; the facing page is the translation in modern Western Armenian. Part Two contains the transliteration of the classical Armenian; the right-hand page has the English translation. This Pew Book includes the prayers of the celebrant usually offered inaudibly. The prayers offered aloud are indicated in boldface type.

PARKING REMINDER –
> Non-Disabled Persons parking spaces are designated with white lines.
> Disabled Persons Parking spaces are designated with blue lines and are reserved for vehicles with a State-authorized disability placard or license plate.
> No parking is allowed in the driveway nearest to the kitchen door.
THANK YOU for your cooperation!

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.

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.