THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 9, 2025

Ninth Sunday after Exaltation

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

From Today’s Readings

Luke 8:49-56 Earlier in this chapter, the synagogue official Jairus has begged Jesus to heal his ailing daughter. Now Jesus hears the news that the official’s daughter has died. He tells Jairus not to be afraid, but only believe, and she would be made well. And indeed, Jesus brings her back to life. Discuss/reflect: While those around him laughed at the impossibility of such a thing, Jesus did proceed to reverse the seemingly irreversible. What have you long struggled with that you might offer up to Him for healing?

Ephesians 5:15-33 How appropriate are verses 15-21 to our times! “Fill yourselves with the Spirit,” Paul advises the community. “The days are evil” (5:16) so rather than wasting time in vain pursuits, simply live gratefully with God’s praises on your lips and (literally!) a song in your heart. Discuss/reflect: St. Paul advises that we give thanks to God “always and in everything” (verse 20). What are you grateful for? Pray about these people or things.

Isaiah 24:1-12 Isaiah describes God’s judgment upon Judah – the devastation of the earth as a result of sin and transgression. Discuss/reflect: God’s people have broken their covenant (24:5-6). How might we today be hurting ourselves or the earth by ignoring God’s laws and covenant?

Saturday, November 8: Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael
The word ‘angel’ means ‘messenger.’ And, indeed, the Archangel Gabriel announced the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah, and the birth of Christ to Mary, the Mother of God. The Archangel Michael, cited in the books of Daniel and Revelation, led God’s armies against evil, guarding the Church. Angels sing and celebrate in perpetual glorification of God, a privilege we share with them at Badarak.

Reflection: Angels are described in the Bible as both benign in form (Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10) as well as fearsome with multiple wings all covered with eyes (Revelation 4:8).

How are they pictured in popular culture? Look up references to angels in Scripture to add to your understanding.

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.

Requiem Services – We Honor And Pray For These Souls

Karasoonk today will be for

Martin Gutchigian on the 40^th day of his eternal rest. Requested in loving memory by his sons, Greg, Tommy and Mickie and his daughters Madeline and Katie.

Agape Hour – Sponsored by Martin Gutchigian’s Family – Please join us for tasty treats and enlightening conversations after  Divine Liturgy. Today’s Agape Hour is sponsored in honor of Martin Gutchigian by his loved ones.

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.

200 Club News: The 1st drawing of the 2025-26 season of the “200 Club Raffle” will take place in a few weeks. There are 5 tickets available for purchase. We are hoping to sell these tickets so that we can make a full donation to the church. There are 40 opportunities to win during the season with one ticket. If you already have a ticket, please consider splitting one with another person at $50 each. If you need more information, please contact the church office. Thank you.

Operation Christmas Child We’re excited to announce that we’ve reached our goal of 100 shoebox commitments for Operation Christmas Child! Thank you for your incredible support and for being a part of this amazing project.  Approximately 60 shoeboxes have already been returned filled with gifts. If you have not yet returned your shoebox, please do so as soon as possible. We will be delivering all 100 filled shoeboxes to the OCC distribution center on Sunday, November 16th, immediately after Barardak.  As a reminder, you do not need to include shipping funds with your shoebox. All shipping fees are once again being generously underwritten by the Adult Christian Education (ACE) Ministry.  Thank you again to all our participants for making this project a huge success! If you have any questions, please contact Gena DerHagopian or Alyssa Santerian.

Pastor’s Bible Study:  Our Adult Christian Education (ACE) ministry team is pleased to announce a five-week Bible Study via Zoom on the Letter of St. James. Our guide will be Fr. Hakob, whose understanding of Scripture and our human frailties has inspired and comforted participants for several years. We will meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 from October 15 to November 12. All are welcome. To receive the Zoom link, send an email request to nancybasmajian@verizon.net.

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.

9^TH Sunday After Exaltation

Finding Meaning In Photography

Join us today for an IN-PERSON visual presentation by photographer Gary Altoonian on his extraordinary ability to capture the ordinary and the sublime with his camera. Gary will share and talk about the technical and artistic elements of his photography in laymen language!  What inspires him? What moves us when we gaze upon his creations? He promises to answer questions on our own efforts as amateur photographers

Nov 06         Book Club Meets – “Loving Father, Bitter Son” by Asbed Pogarian
Nov 11         Veteran’s Day – Church Office Closed
Nov 12          Pastor’s Zoom Bible Study
Nov 16          Deadline for Operation Christmas Child
Nov 27          Thanksgiving
Dec 07          Lunch with Santa