QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“O Lord and King,
grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother.”
Find the Jesus within you!
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GREAT LENT (MEDZ BAHK)
(Sunday of the Steward)
(Jashou Sharagan (Midday Hymn)
O You, Who powerfully created the supernal world of intelligible beings and
established in it the princes of the fiery spirits as stewards;
we bless Your inscrutable power.
O You, Who are the rich One and have created in lordly manner the sensible
second world and placed the first man as a steward in the garden of Eden;
we bless Your inscrutable power
O You, Who mystically built Your Church most high and have ordained in it the preacher of the Word of truth as a steward; we bless Your inscrutable power
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages , Amen.
O Tabernacle of Him Who cannot be borne, you carried Him, Who carries us, the creatures and you begot God in the body – Him Who was begotten of the Father without body; intercede for us, Mary, Mother of God. ******************************************************************
(To be recited by all at the end of the Church Service)
O Lord and Master of my life
take from me the spirit of laziness, faint-heartedness,
misguided ambition, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience,
and love to your servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother;
For You are blessed unto the aged of ages, Amen.
(A prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, a church Father.
Many people use this prayer as a Lenten devotion,
to be said and meditated upon several times a day)
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| Scripture Readings for Sunday, March 4th. |
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Gospel Reading
(Luke 16:1-31)
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes. “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others; but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God. “The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped. “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery. “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house– for I have five brothers–that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
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Gospel Commentary
The Steward is unjust in his actions, which are not condoned, but his shrewdness is praised. This is meant as a lesson for the “sons of light” (Christians) who ought to be as shrewd about their pursuit of godliness as unbelievers are about their business. This week compare the amount of time and effort you give to your work to the time and effort you give to your Christian commitment.
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Parish Announcements!
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. Envelopes are available as you leave Church.
Bible Study will NOT meet for the next two weeks: March 6th and March 13th. We will resume on Tuesday, March 20th form 10:30-11:30AM.
Readings for this Sunday’s Badarak: Ephesians 4:17– 5:14 and Luke 16:1-31.
Readings for next Sunday’s Badarak: Philippians 3:1– 4:9 and Luke 17:20-18:14.
Lenten Interactive Prayer Services: Starting on Wed., Feb. 14th, we will have weekly interactive Lenten Prayer Services (in English) in the Sanctuary, starting at 6:30PM.
Mid-Lenten (Michink) Worship and Dinner: On Wednesday, March 7th, we will gather for a 1/2 hour interactive Lenten Worship Service in English (6:30PM) followed by a Vosbov Kheema Lenten Community Dinner (7:00PM) in order to offer support and encouragement as we continue our Lenten journey, by praying together and sharing a community meal. If you are attending. RSVP to: frkrkor@holytranslators.org.
Next Sunday, March 11th: Deacon Michael Sabounjian will conduct a Jashou
Service, deliver the homily, while Der Krikor is away celebrating Badarak in the Naples, Fla Mission Parish. We thank Deacon Michael for praying with us.
The 2018 Diocesan Lenten Drive: This year our Sunday School Lenten Drive will benefit: Feeding those at home and in Armenia with Special Needs.
Men’s Fellowship Night will take place Thursday Evening, May 31st, starting at 6:30PM. See Karnig Durgarian or Anthony Barsamian for more information.
Golf Tournament: This year’s tournament will take place on Monday, June 12th. At the Sandy Burr Golf Course, Wayland MA. The golf tournament is a major fund raiser for our Parish. The committee needs help; Raffle ticket sellers, sponsors, golfers and workers. Anyone interested in helping out please see Der Krikor or Karen Durgarian.
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. Mar. 4 Sunday of the Steward
Tue. Mar. 6 NO Weekly Bible Study
Wed. Mar. 7 Lenten Prayer Service (In English) – 6:30PM
Sun. Mar 11 Sunday of the Judge
Deacon Michael T. Sabounjian
Tue. Mar. 13 NO Weekly Bible Study
Wed. Mar. 14 Lenten Prayer Service (In English) – 6:30PM
Sun. Mar. 18 Sunday of the Advent
Tue. Mar. 20 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Wed. Mar. 21 Lenten Prayer Service (In English) – 6:30PM
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HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Sun. Mar. 25 Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy – 9:30AM
Opening of the Door Service (Trnpatzek)
Thu. Mar. 29 Holy Thursday
Washing of the Feet Service – 7:00PM
Betrayal and Passion of Christ Service – 8:00PM
Fri. Mar. 30 Good Friday
Crucifixion and Burial Service: – 12:00NOON.
Sat. Mar. 31 Holy Saturday
Reading of the Prophecies – 4:00PM
Easter Eve Divine Liturgy – 5:00PM
Sun. Apr. 1 Easter Sunday
Easter Divine Liturgy – 9:30AM
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Far Programs
Gyumri Woman Depends on Soup Kitchen for Her Daily Meal! |
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For seven years, Asya Galstyan has visited FAR’s Gyumri Atinizyan Senior Center every weekday morning to receive her main meal of the day. The 77-year-old has two daughters. She used to live with her youngest daughter a few years ago, before she moved to Yerevan to be near her four children who live and study in the capital.
“They rent a house in Yerevan. My grandchildren—a historian, a sociologist, a military intelligence officer, and an economist—study well. The other day, I was watching a TV program, when my grandchild, the sociologist, was on air. I was so proud!” Asya proudly exclaimed while eating her soup. “I eat my meal here at the soup kitchen. I don’t take it home; I don’t want to use extra resources to heat it up.”
Many who frequent the soup kitchen often try to bring a portion of it home for later, or take away additional portions to homebound loved ones. Asya explained that she tries to save on everything. Her sole income is now her monthly pension of about $79. Like many pensioners in Armenia, Asya lost her retirement in the Soviet collapse. “I even wash clothes by hand because I don’t have a washing machine. No new TV either. I live in a poor house, which is clean and tidy though.”
With love and devotion, Asya recollected the times with her Russian husband, who took great care of her and the family. He passed away in 1983, leaving Asya to raise their two children alone. For years, she had been working at the yarn factory in Gyumri, where she’d even received a Best Worker award at one point. “Upon graduating from the textile college, I started working on the factory floor, even though I had the skills to be a master assistant. During Soviet times the worker’s job was more profitable, and I could make enough money to support my kids,” she remarked.
Last year, Asya received a free eye examination thanks to a joint effort between Ayo! and the Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP). Then she had surgery for her glaucoma. She is hopeful that she will soon fully recover her vision and be able to read again.
She is grateful to FAR’s donors for extending her a helping hand. “Our cook is a master, and those who distribute the food are nice and kind, too. Thank you for everything,” she said.
FAR’s Gyumri Atinizyan Senior Center serves meals five days a week to 160 elderly.
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PARISH COUNCIL 2018-2019
Pastor and President: Rev. Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian
Chairman: Robin Palombo
Vice Chairman: Karnig Durgarian
Recording Secretary: Neil Ferraro
Corresponding Secretary: Karyn Bilezerian
Treasurer: Scott Zaleski
Asst. Treasurer: Parkoohi Voskanian
Council Members: Jeff Avedisian Elise Durgarian
Lucine Kapreilian
Diocesan Delegates: Laurie Bejoian
Karnig Durgarian
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