THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 9, 2019

Pentecost

The Peace of Christ

Greetings come in various forms, but across cultures, historically until today, it is customary to greet one another in peace. In first-century Palestine, the word peace was used for both a greeting and farewell accompanied by a kiss. A greeting of peace accompanied with a kiss has since become part of the traditional greeting of Christians to each other as a sign of their unity and love in Christ. In the New Testament, St. Paul opens his letters to various churches with a greeting of peace in Christ and sometimes closes them with an instruction to greet each other with a holy kiss. During our liturgical services, the greeting “Peace be to all” is offered many times by the celebrant.

Peace is clearly important in Christian life, even obligatory. One of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:9) makes it clear that to be called sons of God, we are to be peacemakers. What does peace do? It unites. It brings together that which was divided, heals that which has been broken. Peace is often desired, but not often acquired. In this Gospel narrative, Jesus describes a world his disciples will inhabit after he has gone to be with the Father, a world similar to ours in which sin has infected and distorted the entire created order. There is sorrow, suffering, violence, division, and evil deeds. Out of love, Jesus has come to be the Light of the world, but “men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19). But listen to what Jesus promises: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” What does He mean by a peace that the world cannot offer?

During Badarak, it is the people who bring the gifts of the bread and wine to the holy altar, symbolically offering ourselves to God who offers himself back to us in the form of his Body and Blood, to unite himself with his Body, the Church. But before we share Holy Communion, something very important must take place: the Kiss of Peace. With one voice the congregation sings:

Christ in our midst has been revealed; He Who Is, God, is here seated. The voice of peace has resounded; Holy greeting is commanded. The Church has now become one soul, The kiss is given for a full bond. The enmity has been removed; And love is spread over us all.

Are we, as a parish community, as individual disciples of Christ, agents of the peace of Christ, or agents of division? Do we allow our anxieties, insecurities, and egos to separate us from each other, or do we seek unity in prayer as one family? Do we gather around the holy altar as a family – with the same sins, the same needs, on the same journey toward salvation – sharing a meal as one Body: forgiven, loved, and healed by Jesus Christ?

As St. Paul writes to the Church of Ephesus, he writes to us today:

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 4:6-7)

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

Acts 2: 1-21 (pages 108 -109) New Testament
John 14: 25-31 (page 100) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

“Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place” (2 Chron 6:40). Please pray for Merle Santerian, Steve Hovnanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian and Ani Navasartian for a return to improved health and to feel the presence of God in their lives. Remember to pray for His Grace, Bishop Daniel Findikyan, as he continues his ministry as Primate of the Eastern Diocese. Pray for peace and harmony among all peoples.

NO COFFEE HOUR TODAY
BECAUSE NO ONE SIGNED UP

COFFEE HOUR: On JUNE 9, we will start our POT LUCK Coffee Hour where everyone brings something to the table as mentioned in last Sunday’s Messenger. We still need people to signup on the board in the Lobby to host each Sunday which will run until the date to be announced, when regular Coffee Hour begins in September. Remember, if no one signs up for a Sunday, there will be no Coffee Hour.

NEW COMMUNION PROCEDURE – Before gathering for confession, please allow time for the Choir Members to come down and join us before we begin.

Direct Outreach To Armenia: Der Hakob will be leaving soon as he leads another pilgrimage to Armenia. When he travels there, he tries to visit families who have suffered hardship and/or are living in difficult circumstances. He spends time with them in prayer and provides them with monetary assistance. If you would like to contribute to this worthy outreach for our brethren in Armenia, please mail or bring a check to church made out to Holy Trinity Armenian Church; Memo: Armenia. You will be blessed many times over for “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” (Matt 25:40). Deadline is June 16

FAR UPDATE: Ayo!’s Latest Project Aims to Support One of Yerevan’s Oldest Neighborhoods – Ayo!’s latest initiative aims to breathe some life back into Kond, one of Yerevan’s most historic neighborhood. “Kond that was, Kond to be” will support one local artist’s plan for revitalization. Once slated for total demolition, Kond receives little investment. Its buildings are crumbling, and most of the locals live without basic amenities, like indoor plumbing. Yet, it is still filled with historic charm. Sergey Navasardyan’s #YerevanTropics initiative aims to repaint some of Kond’s most desolate walls with unique street art. With help from five local painters and two international street artists, he will help draw greater positive attention to this neighborhood, spotlighting its need for revitalization and investment. Donating to Ayo!’s project will help support Sergey’s efforts to secure participation of the other artists for this project. Read more here: https://farusa.org/2019/05/03/ayo-ayos-latest-project-supports-revitalization-of-one-of-the-oldest-neighborhoods-in-yerevan/To support Ayo!’s project, go
to: https://weareayo.org/donate

Did you know that when we participate in Soorp Badarak (Divine Liturgy), we are also being invited to a meal (communion) offered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As such, we should dress in a manner worthy of that invitation. We ask our faithful to dress appropriately for worship. Please, no very short dresses, shorts or bare shoulders. Thank you.

2019 Attendance: Plate/Candle Collection:

April
7 – 108 people $583.00
14 – 180 people $858.00
21 – 236 people $1,968.00
28 – 75 people $460.00
May
5 – 80 people $380.00
12 – 66 people $260.00
Weekly Expenses: $6,000.00

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

June
June 24th – Pilgrimage to Armenia begins
July
Sunday July 28th – Feast of Transfiguration
August
Sunday August 18th – Feast of the Assumption
September
Saturday September 28th – Dance the Night Away

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.

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.

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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.