THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
February 4, 2018

Fourth Sunday After the Octave of Theophany

St. Ghevont the Priest and his companions

Fr. Ghevont was General Vartan’s advisor, serving as what might be called today the army chaplain. Before the battle, he inspired the army with a deeply moving speech and went among the soldiers and encouraged them, holding the cross of Christ in his hand and distributing Holy Communion. St. Ghevont was later taken to Persia with other clergymen and in response to his fervent evangelizing, martyred along with the other priests. His memory is celebrated two days before Vartanantz, on the feast day known as Ghevontyantz.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

Titus 1: 1-11 (page 194) New Testament
John 7: 37-52 (page 92) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 63: 18-64 (page 739) Old Testament

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

– LARRY DER HAGOPIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life requested by his wife, children and grandchildren.

Hokehankist today will be for:

– SOOREN & MARY PARETCHAN requested by Robert and Diane Paretchan, Donald and Judy Paretchan, Michael and Tanya Paretchan and Families.
– ARCHBISHOP PAPKEN VARJABEDIAN, HAYARPIE & CHARLIE GARIBIAN and NIAZ KARABIAN requested by the Paretchan, Garibian and Javardian Families.
– ANDRE and VIRGINIA JAVARDIAN & ANDRE JAVARDIAN requested by Greg and Maria Javardian & Children.
– KEGHAM VARJABEDIAN & SONIG VARJABEDIAN, SHAHE VARJABEDIAN and HAGOP & MIRIAM VARJABEDIAN requested by the Paretchan, Garibian and Javardian Families.

“Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” (1 Kings 8:28b). Let us be as servants before God today as we pray for our sisters and brothers, especially Alyce Jilajian, Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian, & Albert Santerian. Remember to pray for the many countries where unrest and inhumanity linger. Pray for those who are without homes especially as the weather temperatures turn frigid. And pray for our people to know God in a personal way.

Today’s Confession/Communion Procedure: We ask our faithful to remain in their seats and kneeling at their pews for Confession if taking Communion, and then coming forward to receive Communion behind the Sunday school students.

ALTAR & FLOWERS CANDLES are donated today by Paretchan, Garibian and Javardian Families in loving memory of ALL THEIR LOVED ONES MENTIONED FOR HOKEHANKIST TODAY.

Coffee Hour today is hosted by the family and friends of Larry Der Hagopian on the 40th day of his eternal rest. All are welcome.
Blessing of Marriages: Married couples of all ages are invited to participate in a brief blessing service in church next Sunday, February 11. The ceremony is intended to honor the relationship of husband and wife and to rededicate that relationship to God and his sacred purposes. We look forward to seeing our entire church family next week to witness the ceremony.

The Parish Assembly Nominating Committee is seeking candidates to run for Parish Council, Auditing Committee, Nominating Committee and Diocesan Delegate. We hope you will consider giving of your time and talent to serve Holy Trinity. Please note that one must be a dues-paying member in good standing for two years in order to be a candidate. If you are interested in running for one of these positions, or would like to recommend someone, please contact Tanya Paretchan, Leslie Movsesian or Marta Brann. Thank you.

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.

ELEVATOR FUND UPDATE: The good news is that the installation of our elevator is complete; we are simply waiting for the inspection approval. However, we are $10,000 short of our goal and are still accepting donations. If you wish to contribute, see Merle Santerian.

Our Friday Night Lenten Series Starts Soon! We have an exciting and enlightening educational series planned for the upcoming Lenten season. For details, see flyers available in the narthex or church lobby. Those interested in hosting one of our dinners are encouraged to call Berjoohy Murray at 856-912-2417. Be sure to sign up for the first program on February 16!!

Merle Santerian is seeking parishioners to help her by taking over, preparing and serving at the Sunday Fellowship Hour once a month. A husband and wife team would be nice, or any two parishioners who wish to do it together. Merle would prepare a schedule for those who are interested, where once a month they would run a regular Sunday Fellowship Coffee Hour. Please contact Merle at Coffee Hour, or by cell phone, 215-205-1507; home phone, 215-947-3777, to let her know you are interested and willing to take on this job. She will be happy to fill you in on what the job involves.

FAR UPDATE: Fund for Armenian Relief’s Ayo! has launched another ambitious project that will aim to raise the crowdfunding platform to a higher level of engagement in Armenia’s social issues. GameChanger will help the Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) initiative to build a girls soccer league in Kotayk Province. The program will also include trainings and a summer camp for 60 young women. ”Through this program, we will be able to empower more young women to become future leaders through the power of sport!” said Laura Gevorgyan, Ayo! Program Director. To read more, go to FAR’s blog: http://farusa.org/2018/01/24/ayo-ayo-launches-gamechanger-join-the-effort-and-help-us-to-build-a-female-soccer-league-in-kotayk-province/ To support GameChanger, go to http://weareayo.org

Anniversary Celebration – This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the consecration of our beloved St. Vartan Cathedral in New York. Plans are underway to charter a bus for those interested in attending Badarak on Sunday, May 6, at the Cathedral. Departure would be from our church parking by 7:30 am on that day and returning about 7 pm. Cost per person, round trip will be approximately $35.00. Complimentary refreshments will be served after Badarak. If you are interested in being a part of this celebration, please contact Jeanette Der Hagopian at 215-672-4188 or choirboss@hotmail.com. Seats are limited. In order to reserve the size bus that we need, we ask for your response no later than March 4, 2018. UNLESS WE HEAR FROM YOU, NO BUS WILL BE RESERVED.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

February
Feb 3 Monte Carlo Night
Feb 8 Vartanantz Commemoration @ AMCC
Feb 11 Poon Paregentan & Marriage Renewal Sunday
Feb 16 Lenten Program: Leslie Movsesian
Feb 18 Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 3/4 & 3/11)
Feb 23 Lenten Program: Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian/Seminarians
Feb 24 ACYOA Retreat
Feb 25 Guest Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian
Fellowship Program: St. Nersess Seminary

March
Mar 2 Lenten Program: V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
Mar 9 Lenten Program: V. Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan
Mar 16 Lenten Program: Ani Peckjian
Mar 23 Lenten Program: Holy Jeopardy
Mar 25 Palm Sunday: ACYOA Day/ Palm Sunday Banquet

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICES – When bad weather occurs, we try to make the best decision for the safety of all: servers and parishioners alike. We also recognize that because our membership comes from many varied areas, bad weather conditions may not be the same in all places. However, we do our best to reach as many as possible – by sending an email as soon as a decision has been made, posting on Facebook and by calling several of our older population who do not use computers and asking them to spread the word. We ask YOU to check with a friend when you are unsure about whether church will be open in such conditions. And if all goes well, we’ll have an early Spring!

Armenian Sisters Academy Open House: March 15, 2018 9:00 -11:30 a.m. Join us for a look into the lives of ASA students. The open house will include a tour with our student ambassadors, followed by open discussion with faculty, staff, and parents. RSVP to lsanterian@asaphila.org or 610-687-4100

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.