THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
December 3, 2017

Second Sunday of Advent 

SAINTS THADDEUS AND BARTHOLOMEW

Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew, two of the twelve apostles, were the first evangelizers of Armenia, and were martyred there, giving the Armenian Church its apostolic identity and earning them the title, “First Enlighteners of Armenia.”

Thaddeus came to Armenia about 43 AD to preach Christianity. He was martyred in southeastern Armenia. His tomb lies in the Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus (Iran) where a chapel was built in the third century.

Batholomew was martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

1Thessalonians 4: 1-11 (pages 185-186) New Testament
Luke 13: 1-9 (page 69) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 36: 22-37: 11 (pages 712-713) Old Testament

“Pray constantly” wrote St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians. Among us, pray for Pearl Jamgochian, Annabelle Alexanian & Albert Santerian. Pray for the families of the more than two dozen who were killed and many others who were injured during the horrific attack in the holiest of places – a house of worship in a small Texas town. May they feel the strong presence of God at their sides. Please continue your prayers for those affected by nature’s great storms as many remain without homes, comfort or well-being. Pray for leaders all over so that peace in our countries will prevail.

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.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: You are invited, long time parishioners, new members, and first time visitors, please join us after Badarak in our lovely hall for Christian fellowship, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and greet fellow parishioners and Der Hayr. The coffee hour begins when Der Hayr blesses the table. There are containers available to deposit your trash before leaving the hall. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and support. Thank you.

Save the Date: Sunday December 17th for lunch and a visit by Santa in the hall. Adults are $10.00 and church school students are free. Reservations are a MUST by 12/10/17. Questions call Nancy Hovnanian at 609-922-1101. Everyone is welcome!

Christmas Gift for Vanadzor: The Ladies of Holy Trinity are collecting money every Sunday until Armenian Christmas to send a financial gift to Vanadzor, the home for senior Armenians outside of Yerevan. The collection container sits on a table in the Narthex. During this holiday season, please remember these elderly Armenians. 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.

FAR UPDATE: Manvel Vardevanyan waited at Fund for Armenian Relief’s Gyumri Soup Kitchen to receive his new glasses. “I had a pair of glasses, but I still couldn’t see clearly. Today, they gave me two pairs. Now, I can see brilliantly,” he said. Early this year Manvel received a vision exam thanks to a joint effort between FAR’s crowdfunding platform Ayo!, and the Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP), which offered free exams to the 781 beneficiaries of FAR’s soup kitchens. More than 170 were found to need glasses, and Ayo! provided those in need with new pairs. To read more, go to FAR’s blog. [LINK: http://farusa.org/2017/11/21/ayo-soup-kitchens-ayo-gifts-glasses-to-soup-kitchen-beneficiaries/] To support projects like these, go to FAR’s website. [LINK: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief/]

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

December
Dec 10 Honoring Our Pastor
Dec 17 Lunch with Santa
Dec 31 Pomegranate Sunday
January
Jan 5 Theophany Eve: Divine Liturgy
Jan 6 Feast of Theophany: Divine Liturgy
Jan 7 Blessing of Water Service
Jan 14 Day of Remembrance
Jan 27-28 ACYOA Lock-In

A GENTLE REMINDER – We wish to remind our parishioners that, by order of the Fire Department, no parking is allowed in the Fire Lane, which is the area next to the lawn and the building in the parking lot. In addition, we have noticed cars who have no handicapped placard or identifying license plate parked in the handicapped spaces, especially behind the building, We ask for your courtesy in respecting the rules and leaving the handicapped spaces for those who truly need them.

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.