THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 23, 2025

Luke 12:13-31 Jesus tells the parable of a rich fool who plans to build a bigger place to store his surplus grain so he might “eat, drink, and be merry” (v.19) only to die that very night; how much wiser to be “rich toward God” rather than for ourselves! Jesus continues to reorder our priorities: do not be anxious, He advises, about anything (12:22-31) – better to seek God’s Kingdom from which all things will flow in abundance as it does for the birds and the flowers of the field. Discuss/reflect: Jesus could not be clearer: “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (12:16) What do you need or like to have around you in great number? How can you come out from under this burden to live the trusting, care-free life to which our Lord invites you?

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 In this first chapter of his letter, St. Paul overflows with praise and thanksgiving for a beloved community. Their exemplary faith, even in suffering, had inspired countless others across the region. Discuss/reflect: Read verse 3 aloud. Prayerfully turn the questions around: “Does my faith produce work, does love prompt labor, does hope inspire better endurance?” 

Isaiah 36:1-9 The king of Assyria has invaded Judah and from captured Lachish sends a commander to demand Jerusalem’s surrender (an Assyrian wall relief depicting this capture has been excavated at the site). He questions King Hezekiah’s reliance on God. Discuss/reflect:  In v.4, the Assyrian enemy mocks King Hezekiah’s faith: in the face of enemy assault, on what could he possibly base his confidence? What forces assail your faith today? How do you respond?

Unlike the four-week Advent of the Western Church, the season preceding Christmas in the Armenian Church is fifty days, called Heesnag (from the word for fifty, heesoon). As a period of spiritual preparation, Heesnag contains a total of three designated weeks of fasting (aside from the usual Wednesday and Friday fasts). So, unlike Great Lent, it is not a continuous period of this discipline. Bottom line: Our Advent or Heesnag is a beautiful time to prepare, body and soul, for the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Prayerful activity: Every day, spend five minutes reading some part of the Christmas story: Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-20; Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2. Read only a few verses at a time and savor them. Keep reading and repeating in preparation for Christmas.

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.

The Nicene Creed/ Havadamk (Page 18 in New Divine Liturgy Book) – 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.

Agape Hour Fellowship Today – Please join us for delicious snacks and good conversation.

Ladies of HTAC (WG) Advent Appreciation Lunch – Please join us for an appreciation lunch and an on-the-spot Secret Santa Gift Swap at Alyssa Santerian’s home in Maple Glen, Pa. Let’s come together to celebrate the Coming of Christ and the joy you bring to our church community! Lunch will be provided by WG and the fun and laughter will be provided by you! Please bring a wrapped present of no more than a $10 value to participate in our on-the-spot Secret Santa Swap. Let us know if you’d like to bring a holiday dessert or side dish to enhance the menu!  RSVP by 12.05.2025 to WG@holytrinity-pa.org

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.

Seeking Christmas Decorations and Jewelry – We are currently planning for 2026 events and are in need of gently used Christmas decorations and jewelry. As you sort through your items this holiday season – or when you pack them away in January of 2026 – please consider setting aside any decorations or jewelry with which you are willing to part. We welcome all donations and greatly appreciate your support.   Please remember to bring your donated items to the church and leave them in the first Sunday School Room. Any questions, please contact Gena DerHagopian Willard or Alyssa Santerian.(01/11)

Church School Lunch with Santa – Join us on December 7^th after Badarak for a Lunch with Santa and Nutcracker Decorating Party! Add to the fun by dressing up as your favorite Nutcracker character. Tickets: Adults $25; non-church school students $10; Church School Students and kids under age 3 are Free. Ticket purchases by cash or check to “HTAC Church School” should be given directly to Yn Anna Gevorgyan or you may purchase tickets online at www.holytrinity-pa.org starting November 16^th. Tickets should be purchased no later than November 30^th to help us prepare accordingly.

Discover the Beauty of the Armenian Language! – Learn Eastern Armenian with Mariam, a native speaker, through engaging and personalized classes that focus on the alphabet, vocabulary, cultural insights, and practical communication. Sign up now and start your Armenian language journey with Mariam! For more information, please contact Mariam via Email at marpoghosyan17@gmail.com or call her at 445-256-3966.

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 for the interested candidates, along with one-on-one direction from a senior choir person.  For more information, please contact Karinne Andonian at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

Help the Church School with three Community Service Projects this Season

1.       Local Community: We are collecting cans of soup for our local Cheltenham Food Pantry. Please put your cans of soup in the Basket Outside the School office between Nov 9 – Nov 30.
2.       Armenia Communities: Consider donating to We Are Ayo! Dishing Up Joy fundraiser. They are raising funds to provide brand-new set of dishwater and cookware for seven FAR centers across Armenia. Go to https://www.weareayo.org/ to find the project listed above and donate! ; and/or

3.       Armenia Communities: Advent Season Diocese-wide FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE FOR Church Schools. Consider donating to We Are Ayo! Annual Christmas Wishlist project to bring warmth and cheer to 200 socially vulnerable families with 3 or more children in  Armenia’s Syunik region. These include both local Syunetsis and families displaced from Artsakh who live in border regions. Deliver a Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and festive foods to help restore the magic of the season. Go to the Special  Fundraising Challenge Link and Sponsor a family here (and make sure to credit your parish team): https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/   *We Are Ayo! is the fundraising platform for Fund For Armenian Relief (FAR). You can do this throughout the Advent Season starting Nov 16th!