THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
October 20, 2024

Sixth Sunday After Exaltation

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

Luke 4:14-23 Jesus is teaching in Nazareth following His victory over the devil in the wilderness. In a way, this is the Jesus story in miniature: He is first met with praise and acclaim but this response sours through jealousy, suspicion, and ignorance. Discuss/reflect: When Jesus spoke to his “hometown crowd” in Nazareth, they first marveled at His “gracious words.” Later, what He told them made them so angry they wanted to drive Him over a cliff (vv 28-30). What teachings of Jesus are the hardest for you to hear? Love your enemy?  Give all you have to the poor? Do good works without seeking public credit? Or?

Galatians 4:3-18 St. Paul reminds the Galatians that Christ offers the possibility of being God’s sons and daughters and therefore not slaves to pagan philosophies. He calls on their friendship and open-hearted spirit to turn from wrong influences. Discuss/reflect:  To fully understand the intimate relationship we can now have with God, consider the difference between being a paid ‘servant’ (cook, housekeeper, driver) to a family and being one of the children in the family. Itemize qualities that distinguish each relationship.

Isaiah 20:2-21:6 The Judeans were looking to Egypt and Cush for protection, but these powers would be shamefully toppled. Discuss/reflect: Such a timely story, as true today as it was so many centuries ago! After the last year and a half of pandemic and seismic social and economic changes, what things (people, values, goals, material items, etc.) do you no longer think are important to your happiness and security? Identify what really matters. Do this all in the form of a conversation with the Person who matters most!

Saturday, October 26^th Commemorates Twelve Church Fathers: St. Athanasius
St. Athanasius (c.298-373 AD) was born in the cosmopolitan city of Alexandria where he spent most of his life. Present at the Council of Nicaea in 325 as the Bishop of Alexandria’s attendant, the young deacon spoke eloquently against the heretic Arius who denied Christ’s eternal divinity (suggesting there was a time when God the Son did not exist). He was later appointed as the Bishop’s successor and despite repeated exiles due to religious persecution and politics, he became a prolific apologist of the Christian faith and a revered church leader. He wrote the popular and influential Life of St. Antony. Of additional note, Bishop Athanasius’ Easter Letter of 367 is the earliest reference to the canon of New Testament books as we have them today. Athanasius’ masterpiece, On the Incarnation, is a celebrated defense of the full humanity and full divinity of Jesus. It likens fallen humanity to a painting that had been spoiled from its original splendor by “external stains” (sin), requiring a new person – Jesus Christ — to sit again for the master painter. (“In this way the Image of the Father might be restored.”) Reflection: Prayerfully think of your heart and soul as an Old Masters painting. Where do you think you need God’s loving restoration?

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.

Coffee Fellowship Hour – Please join us in the hall for good conversation and fellowship.

About Our Sanctuary – Our ACE ministry team has updated a brochure originally created by our late pastor, V. Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian. It describes the people, events and symbols of our faith as displayed in our sanctuary. It is ACE’s humble offering to us, the faithful of Holy Trinity, intended to educate and enlighten and draw us closer to our Lord and to our Church. The brochure includes a great deal of information, but it is presented in such a way that you can take a “tour” on your own (or with your children) while sitting in a pew or moving around the church before or after Badarak. Copies are available in the narthex. (10/27)

A Letter from Home: On Sunday, November 3, Dn. Albert Keshgegian will present a video concerning a letter from Catholicos Khrimian Hayrig to the new Diocese in America; written in 1898, his words of encouragement still have meaning for us today. Join us during Fellowship for an uplifting conversation. (11/03)

“Caring for Friends” Service Day: Saturday, November 9 – Spend a gratifying and surprisingly fun morning (10:00 to 1:00) preparing meals in our church kitchen for home-bound individuals in the Philly region. You’ll be glad you did! Registration is required – send an email to nancybasmajian@verizon.net. (11/03)

Boo-Wling for Armenia: We are only a few weeks away from our event! This event is open to the entire family, parents, kids and grandparents. Wear your favorite Halloween costume and join us! The proceeds are for a great cause!

The Knights of Vartan, Philadelphia Chapter are proudly hosting a Halloween-themed bowling event on November 2nd at 3pm
Location is: 2228 Haverford Rd, Ardmore, PA 19003.
Our ticket portal is now open, please visit the following links to secure your tickets for the event! website: https://phillykov.wordpress.com/event: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/cccd699f-80ce-4646-a4be-665725a02d56

Bake Shoppe – It’s that time of year again and the Bake Shoppe is looking for delicious homemade items for the bazaar. This year the ACYOA Jr’s are organizing the Bake Shoppe. Please contact Sabrina Garibian at 401-225-5924 if you have any questions.

Operation Christmas Child is well underway, and we’re excited to let you know we only need commitments for 28 more shoeboxes in order to reach our goal of 100 shoeboxes!  If you haven’t done so already, please consider being a part of this amazing project! These shoeboxes are given to underprivileged children all over the world including Armenia, through Samaritan’s Purse. This worthy organization provided 30 tons of humanitarian aid and set up triage centers staffed with medical professionals to help our Artsakh brothers and sisters when they were tragically forced to leave their homes. Shipping fees are once again being underwritten by the generosity of the Adult Christian Education (ACE) Ministry. We hope you will help us reciprocate in this small way by filling a box or two or more!

For those unable to participate, donations will be gratefully accepted! Donation checks should be made payable to Holy Trinity Armenian Church, memo: OCC. Drop your boxes off early! Absolutely no boxes can be accepted after November 17. Any questions can be referred to Gena DerHagopian or Alyssa Santerian.

Harvest Bazaar Donations Needed! – As we prepare for our upcoming Harvest Bazaar, we are reaching out to our community for donations. We welcome contributions in the form cash, gift cards, new gifts, tickets for sporting events, theater, movie or any other new items that can be included in our gift baskets. Ask your local merchants such as hair, nail salons, restaurants, etc. if they will give gifts certificates. Any amount is welcome!

Children’s toys or gifts are needed and welcome for the children’s auction. Donations are also welcome for the basket of cheer! Every donation, large or small, is appreciated and will help make this event a success!

If you would like to donate, please contact Cecelia Garibian at 267-210-0670, email cecelia714@gmail.com or drop off your donations at the church on Sundays or contact the office at 215-663-1600 to arrange drop-offs during the week. Thank you for your support and generosity!

AYO – “Put Down Roots.” In partnership with the Yerevan Botanical Gardens, the project aims to create an educational-therapeutic horticulture space to provide opportunities for forcibly displaced children (and others) to get their hands dirty, de-stress and learn about the environment! Once built, this special section of the botanical gardens will be available for children and youth for years to come. You can directly support the initiative here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/.

Armenian Sisters Academy – The best way to learn about ASA is to experience it for yourself! Visit our campus to see how our deep appreciation for the Armenian language and culture empowers our students, promotes self-respect, and prepares future role models. All visitors must have a scheduled appointment and may not freely enter the building without prior notice. To schedule your private tour contact Legna Santerian at Lsanterian@asaphila.org or (610) 687-4100.

Stay Connected with our 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.

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 at karinne.hov@gmail.com.

Until The Annual Harvest Bazaar!!

Oct 19         Feast of the Evangelists Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Oct 23         Zoom Bible Study with Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan

Oct 26         Twelve Holy Doctors of the Church

Oct 27         Discovery of the Holy Cross

Oct 26-27    Annual Harvest Bazaar

Nov 07         Zoom Book Club

Nov 28         Thanksgiving

Dec 15         Armenian School Performance