Der Hayr's Weekly Message

July 13 , 2008

Readings- Isaiah 5:1-10, 1 Corinthians 6:18-7:11, Matthew 19:3-12

2nd Sunday after Transfiguration

How many times do we all hear those words, this is a free country and I can do just about anything I want as long as I do not infringe on the rights of others and yes the statement rings true for all of us who know all too well the blessing of living in a free society where we can speak, and believe without being persecuted for freedom of expression and individual thought and creativity, but do we really comprehend the reality that we have completely lost our sensibilities as a society when that freedom is taken so for granted? Yes God gave us what is known as free will but in doing so we should understand that along with that greatest of all God's blessings came a concept known as a personal sense of responsibility, which today unfortunately has all but virtually disappeared from the mainstream of our society's value system.
We do indeed have a free will given to us by none other than God Himself and by no human virtue of our own, but we also have to be ready to accept the fact that when we abuse that free will and forget the sense of right and wrong it is then we should understand that whatever decisions we make will bring with them the good or negative results of our actions as individuals or even as a society. Individual freedom is something that God gave to us so that it would benefit the society in which we live and not become a detriment to us as individuals nor as a society in its entirety. The Choice to follow Christ is as always your choice to make. Freedom is both a Blessing and privilege from God!

Names commemorated this week:
Yeghiazar, Eliezer, Ovsia, Amos, Micah, Joel, Nahum, Ampagoum, Hovnan, Sophonios, Zachariah, Malachi, Sophia, Akabi, Elbis, Bisdis, Apisoghom, Valius

Please remember the ill and confined in your prayers:
Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian, Yeretzgeen Patricia Dagley, SenatorEdward Kennedy, Berj Karibian, Jennie Vartabedian, Virginia Ohanesian, Satenig Sarkisian, Margaret Bedrosian, Alfred Collins, Francesca Budakian, Peter Mooradian, Rose Ritchey, Sarkis Minasian, Verjin Chilingirian, Eva Loosigian, Joyce Quinlan, Hagop Garavanian, Paul Kazarosian, Alice Ghourgoian

Requiems for Sunday July 13th, 2008:
In memory of the servants of God- Yetvart & Veronica Minassian
~  Requested by- Sarkis & Rita Sarkisian, Jeffrey Sarkisian, Armen & Christine Kourkounian, Olga Sarkisian, Satenig Sarkisian, Karen Minassian, John Minassian

In memory of the servants of God- Hovagim Sarkisian, Garabed & Yeghsa Avakian
~  Requested by- Satenig Sarkisian, Olga Sarkisian, Sarkis & Rita Sarkisian, Jeffrey Sarkisian, Armen & Christine Kourkounian, Elizabeth & Jack McKay

Sunday August 17th- Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God ( Verapokhman Soorp Asdvadzadzin) Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. followed by Blessing of the Grapes. Anyone wishing to donate Grapes for this Feast may contact the Church Office.

Church Calendar:

Sunday September 7th- Annual Church Picnic/ Festival at the American Legion Grounds in Haverhill form 12:00- 6:00 p.m.
October 17th & 18th- Annual Fall Fair at Jaffarian Hall
Sunday November 9th- 38th Anniversary of St. Gregory Church and 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Eastern Prelacy presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy.

Regular Schedule for Divine Services will resume on Sunday Sept. 14th, 2008- Matins- 9:15 a.m.- Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.