THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
January 8, 2023

Third Day of Theophany

Scripture and Feast Day Notes
From Today’s Readings

Hebrews 1:1–12
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he created the worlds 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be his father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants’ flames of fire.” But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; And the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.”

Matthew 2:13–23
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled because they are no more.” When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”

Friday, January 13: Feast of the Naming of our Lord
In Luke 1:31, the angel Gabriel tells Mary that her child is to be called Jesus. The name Jesus is related to both the Hebrew and Aramaic, meaning “he will save” or “savior.” This was the name given to the Holy Child by the angel Gabriel (conveying God’s message) even before He was conceived. His official naming (Luke 2:21) took place on the eighth day on the occasion of His circumcision, in keeping with Hebraic law, and is commemorated by the Church on January 13. We celebrate the naming because it heralds Jesus’ very purpose and mission as Savior and Redeemer.

Blessing of the Waters: Sunday January 8, 2023, the Godfather of Water Blessing this year is going to be Levon Soghomonian

COFFEE HOUR TODAY is hosted by the Soghomonian Family in honor of Young Levon Soghomonian, Godfather of the Cross in the Water Blessing Service.

With Love, We Remember: Please join us next Sunday, January 15 for our annual Day of Remembrance in which we honor the memory of those in our community who passed away in 2022. Immediately following the Divine Liturgy, there will be a brief candle-lighting service and hokehankisd. Through this ceremony, now in its 9th year, the entire Holy Trinity parish shares in each family’s loss and remembers all the departed with love, gratitude, and consoling prayer

ZOOM Book Club: Holy Trinity’s Book Club is back for its third season of hosting virtual discussions on a wide and diverse reading list. Join us on Thursday evening, January 12 at 7:00 for our first selection of 2023— “The Engineer’s Wife” by Tracey Enerson Wood. Based on the true story of the Brooklyn Bridge, the book delivers an emotional portrait of a woman transformed by a project that takes her into the depths of the East River, suffragette riots, the halls of Manhattan’s elite and much more. It’s also the story of a couple determined to build something that lasts—even at the risk of losing each other. Our facilitator will be Nancy Hovnanian. To receive the Zoom link, go to nancybasmajian@verison.net.

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.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

Sunday January 8th: Badarak, Water Blessing Service & Christmas Pageant
Wednesday January 11th: Pastor’s Weekly Zoom Bible Study resumes every Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm
Sunday January 15th: Day of Remembrance
Saturday January 21st – Royal Tea Party
Sunday January 29 – Instructed Liturgy
Sunday February 5 – Church school resumes
Sunday February 12 – Blessing of Married Couples
Sunday February 19 – Poon Paregentan
Sunday March 5 – ACYOA Soup Sunday and Parish Annual Assembly
Sunday March 12 – snow date – Parish Assembly
Sunday March 19 – Mitchink luncheon

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.