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 Prodigal Son)
(Jashou Sharagan (Midday Hymn)
We bless You, eternal Father of Your Only Begotten Son, Whom You sent for the return of the lost sheep; turn us also from sin through the passion of Your Son.
We exalt You, O Word and Light, Who found Your Lordly image by the light of the candle and restored the same; restore us, who are fallen in sin, through Your Holy passion.
We praise You, O Spirit of Truth, in glory co-equal with the Father. You renewed us who are waxed old by the sins of the old Adam; renew us also from our sin with the renewing of Your grace.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages , Amen.
Rejoice, O You, who are overshadowed by the power of the Most High and are the dwelling of the Holy Spirit by Whom you bore God the Word; intercede for us, O Mary, Mother of God.
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(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, February 25th. |
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Gospel Reading
(Luke 15:1-32)
“Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ‘ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe–the best one–and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ “
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Gospel Commentary
Joy in Heaven for the repentance of each sinner and the illustration of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness of the repentant sinner is the main theme of this Gospel reading. However, many of us don’t have unconditional love and forgiveness for those who wrong us and we act like the elder son of the Prodigal Son Parable. During this week contemplate the words we pray: “…forgive us our trespasses , as (in the same way that ) we forgive those who trespass against us,” and make the necessary adjustments
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Parish Announcements!
Bible Study will this meet on Tuesday, February 27th from 10:30-11:30am.
Readings for this Sunday’s Badarak: 2Corinthians 6:1-7:1 and Luke 15:1-32.
Readings for next Sunday’s Badarak: Ephesians 4:17– 5:14 and Luke 16:1-31.
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.
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. Feb. 25 Sunday of the Prodigal Son
Tue. Feb. 27 Weekly Bible Study – Fellowship Hall – 10:30AM
Wed. Feb. 28 Lenten Prayer Service (In English) – 6:30PM
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
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
A Talented Young Lady Receives CASP Support!. |
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Fifteen-year-old Anna Gabrielyan dreams of becoming a pianist. She has been taking piano lessons for the last three years in order to be able to play as well as her mother, Geghecik and her brother Rafik. Anna also sings beautifully. She has participated in numerous song festivals, most recently in November. She is able to perform songs of different genres but Armenian folk is her favorite. She also loves to dance and paint.
Anna lives with her mother and her brother in the town of Meghri in Syunik Province. Geghecik, 39, has been out of work for a long time, and with few options for employment in Megrhi she struggles to make ends meet. Rafik recently returned from the army and resumed his studies at the Automobile Engineering Department of the Agricultural Academy of Armenia.
Anna’s father Ashot died in a car crash on the road from Agarak to Meghri in 2015 on his way back from work at the Agarak Copper-Molybdenum Factory. Since his death, it has been extraordinarily hard for this family. Their total income is just $95 a month, which includes the family allowance and Anna’s benefit as the child of a single mother. Geghecik also cultivates a small plot of land behind their house where they have a few persimmon trees whose fruit they sometimes exchange for other vegetables.
This year, Anna was included in the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP), through which she will receive annual financial support from a U.S. family until she turns 18. CASP stipends allow families to afford the additional things they are often unable to, like firewood, gas, or school supplies. Despite the family’s hardship, Anna used her last stipend to buy Raffik new clothes upon his return from the army.
The Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) is a FAR project sponsored by the Women’s Guild Central Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
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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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