THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 5, 2018

Paregentan of the Fast of the Assumption

How Does our Faith Look?

Why didn’t Jesus see the friends tearing up the roof as an interruption as He was speaking, or an inconvenience to the sold out crowd that was trying to listen? Jesus didn’t waste words, so we can be sure that He was in the middle of saying something profound, no? Perhaps what the four friends demonstrated was precisely the model of child-like faith to which Jesus often referred and desired to see.

The story of the paralytic being lowered through the roof is found in three of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and none of the accounts record any words from the four friends. Rather, the Gospel writers make it clear that Jesus saw their faith! In light of this, how then should we understand faith? Faith is visible, concrete, active, lived out. It’s not an abstract idea or mental assent. It’s not merely agreeing with the Creed. Faith expects. It tears through obstacles. It is confident that our effort is worthwhile and never goes unnoticed by God, even if He chooses to respond differently than we desire. We know that living by faith is the right way to live, the way we were created and born to live.

Does our faith demonstrate ingenuity? Boldness? Do we even come to close to a faith that expects anything from Jesus, a faith that digs and digs no matter what obstacle is in our way? Do we view obstacles as roadblocks or as opportunities to demonstrate and test the strength of our faith? Do we practice a faith that is visible to God, to others, one that invites others into living their true existence in communion with their Creator? One thing is for certain, faith is not a private or personal matter. It is meant to be seen, shared, talked about, demonstrated, worn on our sleeves, a shining light in the darkness, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

By Dn. Eric Vozzy

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

1 Corinthians 13: 11-14:5 (page 159) New Testament
Mark 2: 1-12 (pages 32-33) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 7:1-9 (pages 687) Old Testament

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

 VIKTORIA PETROSYAN on the 40th Day of Her eternal life requested by the Petrosyan Family.

Hokehankist today will be for:

ALYOSHA PETROSYAN requested by the Petrosyan Family.

“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant…” (Daniel 9:17a). Please pray for Doris Alahverde, Anto Vartanian, Butch Kumkumian, Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian, & Albert Santerian for a return to better health and to feel the presence of God in their lives. Pray also for our country and her leaders during these trying times; and let us ask the Lord to keep our children in their schools free from further violence and hatred.

Upcoming Sunday Services – While the dome in the Sanctuary is being repaired and restored, Badarak will take place in Santerian Hall until further notice, beginning this Sunday, July 22nd. Access to the church will ONLY be through the lobby doors. The front doors of the church will not be accessible for any purpose. We ask that you enter the lobby quietly so that the services taking place will not be disrupted. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and also request that you share this information with others as we try to spread the word to everyone. Further notice will be sent when the church is once again ready for use.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Starting June 17 through Labor Day, our Coffee Hour will change for the Summer. We are going to have a “POT LUCK” Coffee Hour. The church will provide the coffee but we are going to rely on those who wish to enjoy refreshments with their coffee and chat with friends to please bring something for the buffet table (enough to serve 8 people), either homemade or store bought. You will not be asked to make a donation if you are kind enough to bring refreshment on any given Sunday. This is being done in order to relieve the burden of the same few people making sure that we have refreshments every Sunday. We hope you will take this opportunity to share your bounty with our church family on these Sundays.

(REMINDER) – Anyone bringing something to the Pot-Luck Table starting this Sunday, must bring it plated or plate it at church. All that will be supplied is the Coffee, tea, milk, and paper goods. Everyone is to do their own cleanup. Those who donate something will not be asked to donate to the basket; but for those who don’t participate, there will be a charge; so please bring something for 6-8 people to enhance our table this Summer. Thank you!
Any questions please ask or call Merle Santerian at 215-947-3777.

Blessing of the Grapes: This year the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God will take place on Sunday, August 12. Anyone wishing to make a donation toward grapes should contact the church office no later than Tuesday, August 7.

SAVE THE DATE: A Banquet honoring The Deacons and Choir of Holy Trinity Armenian Church Sunday, November 18, 2018 immediately following Badarak Stay tuned for more information Contact Holy Trinity Office 215-663-1600or office@holytrinity-pa.org with questions.

“BE NOT AFRAID” – Make plans to join us next Sunday, August 12, as Emily Movsesian presents a Jerusalem travelogue after being part of the Young Adult Leadership Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Her talk will most certainly inspire some of us make the decision to travel to Jerusalem and see first-hand the places where Jesus walked.

HELP Coffee Hour: Parishioners help needed to run a Coffee Hour or we may not be having them in the future. Sign up sheets will be posted in the Lobby for the next 4 months from September thru December. For further information contact Merle, 215-205-1507 or speak to her at Coffee Hour this Sunday and she will be happy to tell you how it works. We would like to have different volunteers for each Sunday starting in September. Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR OWN ANDREW MOVSESIAN IS MENTIONED IN THIS WEEK’S FAR UPDATE
FAR UPDATE: the fourth year in a row, youth with the Armenian Service Program (ASP) spent a few days as volunteer counselors at FAR’s summer camp in Armenia’s Kotayk Region. For four days they organized different sports games, while trying to coach and teach by example the lessons of good sportsmanship and determination. They also helped camp staff to serve meals and spruce up the campus. Andrew Movsesian, 18, from Philadelphia, didn’t miss the chance of joining ASP in 2018 for his first visit to Armenia. “I love it—seeing the country and providing some service—everything seems amazing to me. The people are extremely welcoming and nice. They greet us with open arms,” he said. To read more, go to: http://farusa.org/2018/07/30/far-partnerships-armenian-service-program-participants-volunteer-at-far-summer-camp/ To support FAR’s projects, go to: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief/

ATTENTION GRADUATES: The September issue of the Looys will feature information about all graduates. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement, and future plans (further education/ work). If desired, please include a picture (in high resolution color). Everything should be sent to looys@holytrinity-pa.org no later than August 28th

2018 Attendance: Plate Collection:

June
3 – 83 people $357.00
10 – 90 people $442.00
17 – 73 people $278.00
24 – 83 people $451.00

July
22- 53 people $321.00
29 – 73 people $451.00

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

August
Sunday August 12th: Assumption (Blessing of Grapes)

September
Sunday September 16th: FEAST OF EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

October
26, 27 & 28: Harvest Bazaar

November
Sunday November 18: Banquet

ATTIC TREASURES will return again to the Harvest Bazaar this fall. With limited storage space available at church, we are more focused on items we can accept to be sold at the Attic Treasures table. Gently Used Items must be CLEAN & UNDAMAGED. Desired items are jewelry, women’s accessories, housewares, and small furnishings. Toys, clothing, books straw baskets & florist vases will not be accepted this year . Attic treasures can be left in the 1st room on the right down the Sunday School hall. Call Ayshe Chakmaklian for more info. at 610-828-2411. If you need a New Jersey pick up call Grace Meranshian at 856-217-9333.

Using the Pew Book: In order to enrich understanding of the Divine Liturgy, we encourage our faithful to follow along in the large two-part Pew Book. Part One includes the classical Armenian used in the Liturgy; the facing page is the translation in modern Western Armenian. Part Two contains the transliteration of the classical Armenian; the right-hand page has the English translation. This Pew Book includes the prayers of the celebrant usually offered inaudibly. The prayers offered aloud are indicated in boldface type.

PARKING REMINDER –

> Non-Disabled Persons parking spaces are designated with white lines.
> Disabled Persons Parking spaces are designated with blue lines and are reserved for vehicles with a State-authorized disability placard or license plate.
> No parking is allowed in the driveway nearest to the kitchen door.
> THANK YOU for your cooperation!

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.