The Sunday Messenger
June 21, 2026

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

Isaiah 1: 21-31 The prophet continues God’s message to a once-faithful Jerusalem, now depicted as a tarnished prostitute. Justice is not served, rulers seek bribes, and widows are neglected. But God will purge away all these impurities and restore the city to righteousness.  Discuss/reflect: Does your parish spend time working on behalf of the oppressed and the poor in your community? What situations ought it to address?

Romans 7:25-8:11 These verses, in which the word “Spirit” appears so often, answer the question: what does it mean to belong to Christ and live in the Spirit and how does that change my life? Paul declares gratefully that because God offered up his own Son as a sin offering, we have been set free from sin and death, something the old Law could not have accomplished. Those not living according to the Spirit, controlled by a sinful nature, are strangers to God and would not even be able to understand his ways. Discuss/reflect: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (8:6) In these difficult times, what governs your mind: life and peace or anxiety and fear? If the latter, what might you do to draw closer to the One who can change this?

Matthew 12: 38-45 Despite all the miracles that Jesus has already worked, the scribes and Pharisees ask for more signs. The exasperated Jesus cites Jonah, first for how the prophet’s message of repentance was quickly heeded by the Ninevites (non-Jews) and also for Jonah’s ‘burial’ in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ burial and resurrection. Jesus laments how evil can easily find a home in the hearts of those who do not understand who He is. Discuss/reflect: Does God dwell in your heart? Do you feel his presence in all you do, think, say? Does that change what happens to you or does it change who you are?

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.

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.

Agape Hour — a beautiful expression of love, community, and togetherness is just not the same without YOU!! Please join us after Divine Liturgy for fellowship and good conversation. All are Welcome!

Holy Badarak – Over the summer is a wonderful time to learn and familiarize yourself with the Badarak. If your children sing in the school choir, please encourage them to come sing in our church choir to continue developing their voice on Sundays during the summer. It’s ok if they don’t know many of the sharagans, they will learn. And if they can read music, they will be fine. Our senior choir members are here to help. I look forward to seeing your children upstairs with us!

Merle’s 90th Birthday Celebration – Please join Merle Santerian and her family on Sunday, July 12th, to celebrate her 90th Birthday! Merle has been an active member of Holy Trinity Armenian Church for over sixty years. She has passionately served our community in Sunday School, Parish Council, and Women’s Guild. When asked who she would want to have at her 90th celebration, she practically names all our church members. Therefore, if you have served with Merle over the years or simply have enjoyed her fellowship, she would love to have you celebrate her 90th birthday with her, on Sunday, July 12th, in the Fellowship Hall, during Agape Hour, following Badarak. We hope you can attend!  We kindly request no gifts. If you wish to do something extra, a donation to the Holy Trinity Armenian Church Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, in honor of Merle’s Birthday, would be appreciated.

Calling all beach lovers! Join us this summer at the water’s edge for a great “beach read.” Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, NY will guide us on a three-session ZOOM based on an inspiring little book called Breakfast on the Beach: Finding God at the Water’s Edge.  Even though we won’t actually be having breakfast at the beach, we promise you a different kind of fulfilling experience at the water’s edge. We will explore a new way to reflect on the sea, the sand, the sky, the shells and more. It is there we hope to encounter Christ. Participants can purchase the book at our bookstore for a discounted price of $5. Please note that only those who register for the program qualify for the reduced price (copies are limited). Join us, via Zoom, on the following Wednesday evenings: July 22, 29 and August 12. You can register at the bookstore or send an email to nancybasmajian@verizon.net.(07/19)

Attention Graduates! Looking for graduates (of all levels) to be included in upcoming digital church bulletins. We invite you to submit your own details for inclusion. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement (church or school), and future plans (further education/work/other). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if possible. Everything should be sent to office@holytrinity-pa.org by July 3, 2026.

Book Club News – The Holy Trinity ZOOM Book Club will soon conclude another successful season with the Planning Team of Alyssa Santerian and Suzanne Sherenian. They have worked together for three years to create a comfortable environment for sharing and facilitated engaging book discussions. Both are avid readers, enthusiastic about books and articulate leaders. While Alyssa has decided to step down, she will remain an active member and occasional facilitator. Don Paretchan will join Suzanne in planning and implementing the 2026-27 season. There is one session remaining in this season; we hope you will join us on Thursday, June 25 as we discuss “90 Minutes in Heaven” by Don Piper.(06/21)

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

My Father
by Silva Kaputikyan
My father, a fortress of love untold,
With eyes of wisdom, so deep and bold.
In his gaze, the world’s wonders reside,
A beacon of strength, my eternal guide.
He stands tall, like a mighty oak,
His voice, a symphony whenever he spoke.
With patience and grace, he taught me to be,
A person of kindness, both humble and free.
Through life’s trials, he held my hand,
Lifting me high, helping me understand,
That a father’s love, an unbreakable bond,
Transcends time and space, forever beyond.

Jun 19         Juneteenth – Church Office Closed
Jun 21         Father’s Day
Jul 03          Independence Day Observed – Church Office Closed
Jul 12          Vartavar Celebration
Jul 12          90^th Birthday Celebration in Honor of Merle Santerian
Aug 16         Blessing of the Grapes
Oct 24-25     Annual Harvest Bazaar