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Friday Evening, January 5, 2018
Immediately following Divine Liturgy
Reading of the Prophecies: 5:00PM
Divine Liturgy: 6:00PM Dinner: Approx. 7:30PMAdult Portion Roast Tenderloin of Beef Dinner $20.00
Children’s Portion Chicken Finger Dinner $5.00
Coffee and Dessert
Bring your own Beverage.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
O Come Let Us Adore Him
Christ, The Lord!
For if we take Christ out of Christmas we are left only with
_ _ _ _ _ _ mas. – Merely A Show.
Find the Jesus within you!
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CHRISTMAS ADVENT
Western Christmas
There was a man born of Jewish parents in an obscure village.
He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty.
And then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never owned a home.
He never had a family.
He never went to college.
He never put his foot inside a big city.
He never traveled 200 miles from the place where he was born.
He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness.
While still a young man the tide of popular opinion turned against him.
His friends ran away from him.
He was turned over to his enemies.
He went through the mockery of a trial.
His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had – his coat.
When he was dead he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave.
All the armies that have ever marched.
All the navies that were ever built.
All the parliaments that ever sat.
All the kings that ever reigned – all together
Have not affected the life of man upon the earth as this
ONE SOLITARY LIFE!!!
(by Jim Bishop)
Let us take the time during this Advent Season to truly prepare ourselves for Christ. For if we take Christ out of Christmas we are left only with
_ _ _ _ _ _ mas. – Merely A Show.
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| Advent Prayer
Lord, as I travel through the days that lead to the celebration of Your birth, help me keep an eye on the real Christmas. Behind the Christmas family photos, let me discover Your divine and holy image. In my Christmas card list, fill my heart with the entire human family so precious to You. Before I Christmas shop, let me give first to the poor and the needy, the lonely and the despairing. Among the carols, let my heart fill with sincere love and praise for You. Give me the gift, this year, dear Lord of the real Christmas.
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| Scripture Readings for Sunday, December 24th. |
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Gospel Reading
(Luke 19:12-28)
So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) ‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them–bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’ “
******************************************************************************Epistle Reading
(Hebrews 7:11-25)
Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical priesthood–for the people received the law under this priesthood–what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. Now the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of him, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual (for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God. This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’ “–accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
*********************************************************************Gospel Commentary
A noble ruler gives the same sum of money to ten servants; only three give an accounting to him. A pound is a measure of money equivalent to about three months salary. Rather than waiting for the Kingdom in lazy occupation, we are to anticipate and plan for the Kingdom to come, through wise use of the King’s resources.
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Parish Announcements!
Community Outreach: Thank you to everyone who contributed to the “Christmas Wishing Tree and the Salvation Army Miracle Kitchen Care Packages.
Yughakin Offering is a special offering made twice a year at Christmas & Easter to help defray the operational costs of our Parish. “Yughakin” was the price for the oil used to light the lamps of the Church. Though we no longer need oil we still have many operational costs and this offering made during these two feasts is another way for us to show our commitment to this most worthy cause. During this Season of giving, let us remember our Church with a special gift. We need your continued support
Bible Study will meet next on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Readings for this Sunday’s Badarak: Hebrews 7:11-25 and Luke 19:12-28.
Readings for next Sunday’s Badarak: Hebrews 13:18-25 and Luke 22:24-30.
Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy and Christmas Carol & Prayer Service (in English) This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, therefore on December 24th, we will have our Sunday Badarak starting at 2:30PM and the Christmas Carol and Prayer Service staring at 4:00PM. We will once again pray and sing with the accompaniment of a Stringed Trio.
Armenian Christmas Eve Community Dinner: Friday Evening, January 5, 2018, immediately following Divine Liturgy. (Reading of the Prophecies: 5:00PM – Divine Liturgy: 6:00PM – Dinner: Approx.7:30PM) Adult Portion Roast Tenderloin of Beef Dinner – $20.00 Children’s Portion Chicken Finger Dinner – $5.00 Coffee and Dessert – Bring your own Beverage. Please RSVP to Mark Kashgegian by January 3rd at: mkashgegian@gggcpas.com or call 617-256-5358.
The Annual Parish Assembly will take place on Sunday, January 21, 2018 after church service. The Nominating Committee has begun the search for candidates for the following positions: Parish Council (4 positions- 6 candidates required for ballot), Nominating Committee (3 positions – 5 candidates required for ballot), Auditing Committee (1 position – 2 candidates required for ballot), Secretary of the day (1 position – 2 candidates required for ballot), Chairman of the day (1 position – 2 candidates required). If you would like to run for a position on the ballot, please contact Susan Ciaffi (sciaffi@gmail.com), Janice Papazian (janicepapazian@gmail.com) or Andrea Durgarian (andrea.durgarian@gmail.com).
Parish Outreach: The Outreach program at our parish focuses on activities for our local communities as well as meeting parish-wide needs. Renee Ferraro is the Outreach Coordinator (508-541-6770 or reneegferraro@gmail.com.)
Fellowship Sign-up: Volunteers are needed to sponsor and work at our Coffee Fellowship Hours after Church as well as make donations toward the expense of the Altar Flowers and Candles.
Contact Jaymie Babaian to sign up. (jaymie1754@gmail.com)
Please inform Der Krikor at 774-292-9116 or frkrikor@holytranslators.org of those who may be sick at home, hospitalized or may simply want to talk, so that he can make arrangements to visit.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sunday Morning Prayer: 8:30AM
Sunday Divine Liturgy: 9:30AM
Sun. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Badarak & Prayer Service
Badarak: 2:30PM
Christmas Carol and Prayer Service: 4:00PM (English)
Mon. Dec. 25 Western Christmas
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SCHEDULE OF WORSHIP SERVICES – CHRISTMAS – 2018
Armenian Christmas Eve
Friday, January 5, 2018
Reading of the Prophesies: 5:00 P.M.
Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy: 6:00 P.M.
Parish Community Dinner: (Immediately after Badarak)
Armenian Christmas
(Theophany – The Birth & Baptism of our Lord)
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Morning Service: 8:30 A.M.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 A.M.
Blessing of the Water
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Sun. Jan 21 Annual Parish Assembly – 12:00PM
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News from FAR (Fund for Armenian Relief)
CASP Support Helps One Woman To Raise Her Grandchildren |
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Flora Yesayan is 68 years old. She is the sole caretaker of her three grandchildren, 11-year-old Narek, 17-year-old Nune, and 20-year-old Zina. Flora can’t tell the story of her family without tears that she tries to hide from young Narek. Her son died in a car crash five years ago. They then lost the children’s mother to cancer a year and a half ago. Now, the family tries to make the best of it where they live in the tiny village of Tavush, in the Berd Region.
Zina studies psychology at Yerevan State Pedagogical Institute. Nune is working on trying to finish high school with good grades and Narek is in the 6th grade. While he loves math, he hasn’t yet chosen his future specialization. This year, Narek was chosen to be a recipient of the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program‘s (CASP) stipend. The program provides annual financial assistance through stipends to orphans and children of single mothers in Armenia and Javakhk, Georgia, until they turn 18. FAR is responsible for the distribution of scholarships in Shirak, Tavush, and Syunik provinces. This fall, FAR has distributed funds to 428 children.
Narek, like every other child of his age, loves playing and spending time with his friends. “We play football, visit each other’s homes, and play computer games. My closest friend is Mkhitar. All my friends are boys because all my female classmates live far from us. There are nine girls and six boys in the class,” said Narek.
Narek’s life is busy. He helps his grandmother grow vegetables and fruits in their garden. They consume part of the harvest during summer and preserve the rest for winter. He is also fond of making model airplanes, which he learned how to do on the Internet at school. “I also love drawing; two times a week I go to the regional center in Berd to take drawing classes at the Fine Arts School. Another two days a week I attend drawing classes at my school,” Narek said. Such classes are offered for free to children without parents and his teachers think his art is beautiful and impressive. His works are often shown at different events and exhibitions in Berd.
Narek also loves bananas. He even tries to grow bananas in the garden, but his tree never yields fruit since the climate isn’t warm enough.
The family lives in their own house. While it is old and in need of repair it is still theirs and they does everything they can to keep it in order. They have water in the house, and natural gas that they use to cook. For heating, they use firewood.
The grandmother Flora mentioned that while it is difficult, they are able to make ends meet. The state pension that the children receive ($190 a month for all of them) is hardly enough to run the household and support Zina in Yerevan. And Flora’s pension is just $90.
“I am very thankful to CASP. I am saving the stipend to accumulate enough to renovate the roof. I hope to do that next year,” Flora said.
Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) is sponsored by the Women’s Guild Central Council of the Eastern Diocese.
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PARISH COUNCIL 2017-2018
Pastor and President: Rev. Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian
Chairman: Robin Palombo
Vice Chairman: Karnig Durgarian
Recording Secretary: Neil Ferraro
Corresponding Secretary: Karyn Bilezerian
Treasurer: Marco Ciaffi
Asst. Treasurer: Parkoohi Voskanian
Council Members: Elise Durgarian
Mark Jorjorian
Scott ZaleskiDiocesan Delegates: Laurie Bejoian
Karnig Durgarian
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