Der Hayr's Weekly Message

January 20, 2008

Scripture Readings - 2 Timothy 3:1-12-Gospel-John 6:22-38
First Sunday after the Nativity of Christ-Feast of St. Sarkis

Counsels of the Holy Fathers of the Church:
There are some people who love their neighbors, drawn by their blood relationship or by natural affection, and Scripture does not oppose this kind of love. But what we give freely and naturally is one thing and the obedience we owe to the Lord's Commandments out of love is another.  Those I mentioned indisputably love their neighbors, yet they don't attain love's sublime rewards since their loves comes not from spiritual from natural motives.

Therefore when the Lord said:  This is my commandment, that you love one another, He also added immediately:  Just as I have loved you, meaning, You must love for the same reason that I have loved you.
Note: This was written sometime around the late 6th century by one of the Holy Fathers of the Church St. Gregory the Great, yet it has not lost it's meaning even after some fourteen centuries. It is just another reminder of the indisputable reality that our ways and the ways of our God are not the same, real Christian love as Christ gave it to us cannot be defined in terms of what the world deems it to be.
Christianity is not a convenience it is a way of life and is lived in our actions and not mere words. As always the choice is yours to make!!!

Names commemorated today and this week:
Sarkis, Mardiros, Soukias, Voski, Bartev, Mardig, Serj, Seroj, Voskan, Voskehad, Sahag, Voskiter, Sahaganoush, Sergei

Please pray for the sick, confined and those who are recovering: Berj Karibian, Sarkis Minasian, Carolyn Dagley, John Barberian, Zabelle Varadian, Hagop Garavanian, Violet Garabedian, Haig Aghjayan, Satenig Sarkisian

May God grant them good health and a speedy recovery

Sunday February 3rd- Eve of Great Lent- ( Poon Paregentan)
Thursday February 7th- Avak Luncheon- 12:00 noon
Friday February 8th- Lenten Dinner-6:00 p.m.- Compline-7:00 p.m.
Friday February 15th- Lenten Dinner-6:00 p.m.-Compline- 7:00 p.m.
Friday February 22nd- Lenten Dinner-6:00 p.m.- Compline-7:00 p.m.

Anyone wishing to have their home blessed during the Feast of the Nativity should contact the Church Office or feel free to contact Fr. Vartan at home to arrange an appropriate time.

Requiems for Sunday January 20th, 2008:
~ In memory of Hrant Dink- 1st year of passing
Requested by- Pastor & Parish Board

~ In memory of the servant of God- Augustine Scannell- 40th day of passing
Requested by - Catherine Scannell, Gus Scannell, Patricia & Jack Toomey, Maureen & Steve Oulette & Ryan, John & Lois Scannell, Kassabian Family

~ In memory of the servants of God- Koorken George DerKoorkanian, Ghoughas & Hripsime DerKoorkanian
Requested by- Cora DerKoorkanian, Robert & Diana Koorkanian Sauders, Elizabeth DerKoorkanian, Katherine Mikaelian, Paul & Beverly Demoorjian, Demoorjian Family

~ In memory of the servants of God-Joseph & Betty Dagdigian
Requested by- John & Violet Dagdigian, Sean & Nonny Bowe & Family, Chris Dagdigian, Michael Dagdigian, Joe & Lisa Dagdigian, Ciaran & Shakeh Pendergast & Family