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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
So often in our lives we look for miracles
without a faith response from us!
Find the Jesus within you!
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NAMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
According to Scripture: ” After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21) The Armenian Church thus, celebrates this event every year on Jan. 13th which is the eighth day of Armenian Christmas.
This is important to us because of the command given to Mary during the Annunciation by the Angel Gabriel. “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31-31)
This Jesus became the Savior of the World. “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 2:32–35)
Mary, quite troubled by this because she did not understand what was happening, said “How can this be…” (Luke 1:34) But trusting in the Lord she immediately stated, “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
(Luke 1:38)
The “let it be” is the amen that we say often, in our prayers and during the Divine Liturgy. We say amen almost automatically without much regard to its implications. For we are all called to proclaim the Amen (let it be). We are all called to obedience to the call of our Lord. To trust in Him and to live our lives in Him. Though we may not understand life at times and why things happen the way they do, we are called, just like Mary, who was not sure what was happening to her, to have trust in God and to proclaim, “Let it be according to your word.” AMEN!
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| Scripture Readings for Sunday, January 14th. |
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Gospel Reading
(John 2:1-11)
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
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Epistle Reading
(1Timothy 1:11)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my loyal child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions. Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
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Gospel Commentary
The miracles performed by Jesus were not some sort of magical illusions. In fact, they were predicated on the response of the object of the miracle. Frequently Jesus would confirm this with words such as, “your faith has healed you;” “do you believe that I can do this;” or “let it be done for you according to your faith;” So often in our lives we look for miracles without a faith response. Sometimes we would almost prefer a magical illusion that would remove any responsibility from us. This week try to increase your faith in Jesus’ ability to perform miracles in your life and see what happens. Look for the “little miracles” that occur everyday of your life.
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Parish Announcements!
Home Blessing and Visitations: According to the traditions of the Armenian Church, Home Blessings are performed each year after Theophany and the Resurrection of Christ, as well as on other joyous occasions, such as moving into a new home. If any wishes to have their home blessed, please contact Der Krikor at 774-292-9116 or by email at frkrikor@holytranslators.org.
Bible Study will meet next on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 from 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Readings for this Sunday’s Badarak: 1Timothy 1:1-11 and John 2:1-11.
Readings for next Sunday’s Badarak: 2Timothy 2:15-26 and John 6:15-21.
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).
2017 Annual Report: Copies of the Annual Report are available for all dues paid members. You can pick your copy up at Fellowship after Church.
Poon Paregentan/ Family Fun Day: Sun., Feb. 11th the ACYOA Jrs. will once again host our Poon Paregentan/ Family Fun Day in preparation of the start Great Lent. More details to follow.
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
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Sun. Jan. 14 Divine Liturgy – 9:30am
Tues. Jan. 16 Bible Study – 10:30-11:30am
Sun. Jan. 21 Divine Liturgy – 9:30am
Annual Parish Assembly
Mon. Jan. 22 Bible Study – 10:30-11:30am
Sun. Jan. 28 Divine Liturgy – 9:30am
Tues. Jan. 30 NO Bible Study
Sun. Feb. 4 Divine Liturgy – 9:30am
Tues. Feb. 6 NO Bible Study
Sun. Feb. 11 Poon Paregentan – Family Fun Day
Mon. Feb. 12 First Day of Great Lent
Tue. Feb. 13 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Sun. Feb. 18 Sunday of the Expulsion
Tue. Feb. 20 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Sun. Feb. 25 Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Tue. Feb. 27 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Sun. Mar. 4 Sunday of the Steward
Tue. Mar. 6 NO Weekly Bible Study
Sun. Mar 11 Sunday of the Judge
Tue. Mar. 13 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Sun. Mar. 18 Sunday of the Advent
Tue. Mar. 20 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Sun. Mar. 25 Palm Sunday
Sun. Apr. 1 Easter Sunday
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Far Scholarships
One Scholarship Recipient Learns the Art of Volunteering. |
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For the past five years, FAR’s Anush Mathevosian Scholarship Program has enabled Hovhannes Mkrtchyan to attend college. A student at the Armenian State University of Economics Gyumri branch, Hovhannes wants to become a loan officer.
His experience of being supported by FAR has also inspired in him a love of volunteering. In October, he was the only Armenian to participate in the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students, held in Sochi, Russia.
The festival brought together young people from 180 countries to participate in this great event, where they exchanged their knowledge and skills in the fields of politics, economy, and culture, etc.
Hovhannes, 21, is thrilled to have had the chance to create a huge network of peers and mentors who share their skills and expertise. “It was a great responsibility to work in line with the other volunteers coming from Serbia, Russia, and Germany. As an attaché, I accompanied a group of 20 artists,” he said.
For Hovhannes, volunteering is a means to help those in need while also enhancing his own capacity. He often volunteers for FAR, and recently joined a group of other FAR students who helped to clean the Gyumri Atinizyan Senior Center. “FAR has helped me, and I must help others,” he said, smiling.
Currently, 105 students are supported by FAR’s Anush Mathevosian Scholarship Program.
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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 Zaleski
Diocesan Delegates: Laurie Bejoian
Karnig Durgarian
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