THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
January 28, 2018

Third Sunday After the Octave of Theophany

St. Sarkis the Warrior (4th century)

Sarkis was a valiant and faithful soldier of Greek descent in Emperor Constantine’s army. When Emperor Julian took the throne in 361, he began to vigorously promote traditional Roman paganism instead of the Christian faith legitimized by Emperor Constantine in 313. This earned him the title “Apostate.” Under threat of persecution, Sarkis, with his son Mardiros (depicted seated behind his father) sought the protection of King Tiran of Armenia. From there, he went to serve in the Persian army, where he and his son won many converts to Christianity. When he refused to worship pagan idols, both he and his son were martyred. Sarkis believed that telling people about Jesus was more important than his life in this world. He died witnessing to Jesus. Fourteen Persian soldiers whom he had converted to Christianity risked their lives to bury the general’s body and they too were executed. In the fifth century, Mesrob Mashdotsmoved the saint’s remains to Armenia.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

2 Timothy 3: 1-12 (page 193) New Testament
John 6: 22-38 (pages 89-90) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 63: 7-18 (pages 738-739) Old Testament

REQUIEM SERVICES: : Karasoonk (40th Day memorial Service) today will be for:

– ALICE SARKISSIAN on the 40th Day of Her eternal life requested by John, Rosanne, Paul and Christine Sarkissian.

Hokehankist today will be for:

– JOHN W. MILLER (1ST Anniversary of his eternal sleep) requested by Maggie Miller and her sister, Theresa Nedbal.
– ARTHUR AZNAVURYAN (on his 86th Birthday) requested by his wife Armenoui, son Carlo and his family, daughter Lolita Babikian and her family.
– MARIA PANJARJIAN (52nd Anniversary of her eternal sleep) requested by her daughter, Armenoui Aznavuryan and Family.

“Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” (1 Kings 8:28b). Let us be as servants before God today as we pray for our sisters and brothers, especially Alyce Jilajian, Annabelle Alexanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian, & Albert Santerian. Remember to pray for the many countries where unrest and inhumanity linger. Pray for those who are without homes especially as the weather temperatures turn frigid. And pray for our people to know God in a personal way.

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.

The Parish Assembly Nominating Committee is seeking candidates to run for Parish Council, Auditing Committee, Nominating Committee and Diocesan Delegate. We hope you will consider giving of your time and talent to serve Holy Trinity. Please note that one must be a dues-paying member in good standing for two years in order to be a candidate. If you are interested in running for one of these positions, or would like to recommend someone, please contact Tanya Paretchan, Leslie Movsesian or Marta Brann. 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.

ELEVATOR FUND UPDATE: The good news is that the installation of our elevator is complete; we are simply waiting for the inspection approval. However, we are $10,000 short of our goal and are still accepting donations. If you wish to contribute, see Merle Santerian.

Our Friday Night Lenten Series Starts Soon! We have an exciting and enlightening educational series planned for the upcoming Lenten season. For details, see flyers available in the narthex or church lobby. Those interested in hosting one of our dinners are encouraged to call Berjoohy Murray at 856-912-2417. Be sure to sign up for the first program on February 16!!

Merle Santerian is seeking parishioners to help her by taking over, preparing and serving at the Sunday Fellowship Hour once a month. A husband and wife team would be nice, or any two parishioners who wish to do it together. Merle would prepare a schedule for those who are interested, where once a month they would run a regular Sunday Fellowship Coffee Hour. Please contact Merle at Coffee Hour, or by cell phone, 215-205-1507; home phone, 215-947-3777, to let her know you are interested and willing to take on this job. She will be happy to fill you in on what the job involves.

FAR UPDATE: Khoren Mkrtchyan is the sole cardiologist for Yeghegnadzor’s 50,000 residents. Often, he works overtime to help those in need in this small Armenian village. Dr. Mkrtchyan yearns to provide better service and more comprehensive medical care, which is why he applied to FAR’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) program. CME enabled him to practice at Yerevan’s Heratsi Hospital, where he studied new approaches within his specialization. “In the CME program, you communicate with doctors, you … examine new and different approaches to treatment. I normally feel stagnant on a daily basis … and this is a great opportunity to repeat lessons and acquire new experience,” said the doctor. To read more about programs like CME, go to http://farusa.org/2018/01/22/far-health-programs-cme-rural-cardiologist-strengthens-his-skills-through-cme/ To support programs like CME, go to https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

January

Jan 27-28 ACYOA Lock-In

February

Feb 3 Monte Carlo Night
Feb 8 Vartanantz Commemoration @ AMCC
Feb 11 Poon Paregentan
Feb 16 Lenten Program: Leslie Movsesian
Feb 18 Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 3/4 & 3/11)
Feb 23 Lenten Program: Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian/Seminarians
Feb 24 ACYOA Retreat
Feb 25 Guest Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian
Fellowship Program: St. Nersess Seminary

March

Mar 2 Lenten Program: V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan
Mar 9 Lenten Program: V. Rev. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan
Mar 16 Lenten Program: Ani Peckjian
Mar 23 Lenten Program: Holy Jeopardy
Mar 25 Palm Sunday: ACYOA Day

INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTICES – When bad weather occurs, we try to make the best decision for the safety of all: servers and parishioners alike. We also recognize that because our membership comes from many varied areas, bad weather conditions may not be the same in all places. However, we do our best to reach as many as possible – by sending an email as soon as a decision has been made, posting on Facebook and by calling several of our older population who do not use computers and asking them to spread the word. We ask YOU to check with a friend when you are unsure about whether church will be open in such conditions. And if all goes well, we’ll have an early Spring!

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.