THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 25, 2023

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

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?

Requiem for – Henry “Hank” Mardigian (1st year), requested in loving memory by his devoted wife Juanita.

Altar Flowers: Donated by Juanita Mardigian and family in loving memory of Henry “Hank” Mardigian.

Coffee Hour Fellowship: There will not be a coffee hour fellowship today.

Share Your Joy – Do you like to sing? Our badarak is made more beautiful by the voices who raise it up, be it from the pews or from the choir. To help us build our strength in sound, we would love to invite you to join us in the choir and share your voice! For any questions, please text Choir Director, Karinné Andonian @ 609-760-4993 or just come to the front pews and we will hand you a book!

Far Update:  The Fund for Armenian Relief’s Children’s Center desperately needs to renovate the bedrooms and replace decrepit windows to ensure vulnerable kids have decent living conditions. The Center safeguards children who are victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect. Since 2000, more than 11,000 children have been helped by them. If this touches your heart, please support their efforts by going to Ayo (weareayo.org)

Attic Treasures – Bazaar 2023: Please do not bring your Attic Treasures to the church until September 15th. While we appreciate the donations, we ask you to store them at your homes as we do not have a storage area.  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 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.

Church Calendar (please mark your calendars)

July 4 – Independence Day
July 16 – Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord
August 13 – Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-Of-God (Grapes Blessing)
September 17 – Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 21 – Armenian Independence Day
October 1 – Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak