THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
April 23, 2023

 Sunday of the World Church (Green Sunday) 

Scripture and Feast Day Notes

John 2:23-3:12 Nicodemus, a Jewish leader and teacher, is impressed with the “signs and wonders” Jesus has performed and wants to know more. Jesus tells him of a second, even more life-changing birth when we are born again “of water and the Spirit.” Discuss/reflect: The Armenian Church baptizes infants while godparents, parents, and community stand witness and pledge to nurture the child’s faith. We are “born again” at baptism, but what are ways to continue this spiritual birthing throughout our lives?

Acts 9:23-31 The newly converted St. Paul is preaching in the synagogues of Damascus. When his life is threatened, followers lower him over a wall in a basket. Barnabus later introduces and defends him to the apostles in Jerusalem (who might have been wary since Paul was once a zealous persecutor of Christians). The church experiences peace and great growth. Discuss/reflect: The church is described as “living in the fear of God.” (v.31) The Greek word “phobos” denotes reverential awe so v 31 literally translates from the Greek as “[the churches] walked in awe of God, were comforted by the Holy Spirit and grew in numbers.” What might this be telling us about what is needed for the church, the Body of Christ, to grow? Do you feel this awe? See Galatians 5:22-26 for the fruit that walking with the Spirit bears in us individually.

1 Peter 2:1-10 The apostle Peter describes all believers as “living stones” who come to the Living Stone, Christ, to be built into the spiritual house that is the Church. He eloquently outlines the new status believers have with God. Discuss/reflect: These images of Peter’s (vv 9-10) are meant to describe each one of us. Rewrite them in your own words; elaborate as if you were explaining them to someone else. How might these qualities influence the way you live?

Today is Sunday of the World Church (Green Sunday) The second Sunday after Easter is dedicated to the very first church in the world – established in Jerusalem by Christ. It was there in the Upper Room (Verna-doon) that Jesus shared His Body and Blood in the bread and wine of the new Covenant with his disciples and where they in turn gathered with other followers before and after the Resurrection and at Pentecost. It was this nucleus of Christ’s church that would one day become a church of millions. Although the site remains a place of pilgrimage, the original building itself no longer exists. In its place, we have a world church—the entire earth which the Christian Church has taken under its roof. The name “green” conveys the idea of new life in Christ’s resurrection as well as its glorious evidence in nature at this time of year. Reflection: As in the budding greenery of spring, what outer evidence would others see in you of your new life in Christ?

NEXT SUNDAY – Our Coffee Hour Fellowship will also be a celebration to welcome the arrival of Baby Kapriel Raffi Terjimanian, first-born child of our Pastoral Intern, Dn. Armen and our beloved choir member, Emily.  All are welcome to join in the festivities. Any questions may be directed to Yn. Anna Gevorgyan, who is overseeing this event.

SEEKING PART-TIME ORGANISTS – the Choir of Holy Trinity is looking for 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 @ karinne.hov@gmail.com.

ATTIC TREASURES – BAZAAR 2023:  Please do not bring your Attic Treasures to the church until September 15th. While we appreciate the donations, we ask you to store them at your homes as we do not have a storage area.  Thank you.

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.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

TODAY – Genocide Walk at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Hopefully you reserved time to join us as we commemorate the 108^th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and to educate the general public on what is occurring today in our homeland. The program will begin at 3pm at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We will then walk from the museum to the Armenian flag on the Ben Franklin Parkway and return to the Mher statue for a prayer. Please make sure to bring your flags and posters.

Every Wednesday, 7 pm, Zoom Bible Study with Fr. Hakob