THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
February 4, 2024

Fourth Sunday after the Octave of Theophany

Scripture Notes for Today’s Readings

John 7: 37-52 During the important Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles, Jesus has been teaching the crowds and the Temple authorities. He speaks of the “living water” that will flow from those who believe in him (meaning that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit). People ask one another if he is indeed the Christ.  The Temple guards, transfixed by his words, feel powerless to intervene. Discuss/reflect: Why were the guards unable to stop Jesus from speaking (vv 45-46)? In what ways would the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life be like “flowing water?”

Titus 1:1-11 St. Paul advises his protégé Titus to discourage wrong teachings and to carefully consider the qualities of those appointed elders of the community.  Discuss/reflect: What are the qualities St. Paul considered important to those who lead a Christian community? (vv 6-9) Why do you think these are mostly about ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’? What would you add to the list?

Is 63:18-64:12 Israel continues its frank admission of sinfulness and pleads for God’s merciful intervention. Discuss/reflect: Meditate on 64:8; pray the verse several times slowly. Imagine yourself as soft clay on a potter’s wheel with God’s hands poised to shape you. What do you feel?  Do you trust him to shape you?

Church School Communion Sunday:  Fr. Hakob in today’s sermon will be addressing our Church School students, who will also be receiving communion. As has been our custom, a special “Children’s Confession” will be read by one of our students. We are always enriched by the presence of our children in the sanctuary. Parishioners are encouraged to simply listen attentively or follow the Confession in the Pew Book found on page 48.

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.

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

• Helen Vishab requested in loving memory by the Vishab and Yazujian families as Helen remains in the thoughts, prayers and memories wherever we are.

Fellowship Today: As we approach the beginning of Lent, we look to simplify our Coffee Hour.  Currently, we will only provide coffee and tea.  We invite our parishioners to bring anything they would like to share on the Coffee Hour table.

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 2024.  For any questions regarding your status, please call the church office.

Annual Parish Assembly – Scheduled for February 25, 2024. If an alternative date is needed, it will be scheduled for March 2024.

Poon Paregentan Carnival: February 11, 2024 following services in the church hall. Please plan to join us for food, music, crafts and games. Adults are $15.00 per person, children (ages 5-17) are free. RSVP by February 4, 2024 to ChurchSchool@holytrinity-pa.org. Everyone is welcome.

Men’s Club News – The January drawing for the 200 Club was completed earlier this month. Please visit the HTAC Web site for details on the winners. Thank you.

Saintly Women’s Day – The Women’s Guild of St. Sahag & St Mesrob have invited us to participate in celebrating Saintly Women’s Day. This is the first time since COVID for this program. The details are in the flyer available in the Narthex & the hall. All Armenian women in the area are invited. Please join us.(02/18)

Blessing of Marriages:  Sunday February 11, married couples of all ages are invited to participate in a brief blessing service after Badarak. The ceremony, which has become an annual tradition at Holy Trinity, is intended to honor the relationship of husband and wife and is an opportunity for couples to rededicate that relationship to God and his sacred purposes. We look forward to seeing our entire church family present to witness the ceremony.

Stay Connected with our New Church Portal: Over the past several months Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church has changed to a new Church Management System called One Church.  The new software puts you in control of your information (email, phone number, giving information, etc.), allows us to communicate with you more effectively, facilitates online, text, and app donations, and provides greater connectivity throughout our community.  You should have received an email.  If you have not gotten one (please make sure to check your spam folder), then reach out to the church office.

Zoom Book Club – The Holy Trinity Book Club continues to attract readers since its debut in January of 2021, a creation of our Adult Christian Education ministry. The next selection is an American classic: MY ANTONIA by Willa Cather. The discussion will be facilitated by Suzanne Sherenian on Thursday, February 22. Grab a flyer from the narthex for more information about the novel and how to receive the Zoom link (02/04)

Humanitarian Support for Artsakh Ongoing From The Knights And Daughters Of Vartan – As the Azeri government still cracks down on the Armenian people in the nation of Artsakh, the people are not giving up! Please consider making a donation to the Knights and Daughters of Vartan Call to Action Committee! Donations will go towards humanitarian aid. For further information please visit the Knights and Daughters of Vartan website @ https://kofv.org/a-call-to-action-from-kdv-for-artsakh/

Mail your donations to Knights of Vartan, Mr. Ronald Nazeley, Treasurer, 558 Kentwood Bluffs Drive, Los Angeles 90045.

Checks should be made to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Memo: Artsakh, and brought or mailed to church. Online donations can be made by going to www.holytrinity-pa.org, go to donations, scroll down to Open Donation and enter Artsakh.

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

~~~~~~~~~~TODAY’S EVENTS~~~~~~~~~~

Church School Communion Sunday and Commitment service

Feb 11 – Church School Open House and Poon Paregentan Carnival Party
Feb 11 – Poon Paregentan
Feb 11 – Blessing of Married Couples
Feb 12 – Lent begins
Feb 18 – Vartanantz Program
Feb 24 – Saintly Women’s Day @ St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church (see flyer in our Narthex) Cost $25 must RSVP by Feb 10th
Feb 25 – Annual Parish Assembly
Mar 10 – Mitchink Luncheon