St. Vartan
Armenian Church of
Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, Pastor
Telephone (905) 549-2711 stvartan@cogeco.ca
(905) 617-7888
Sunday of the Judge
Last Sunday we passed the half-way point of our spiritual journey through Lent (Meecheenk Medz Bahkee). Today, we remember Jesus’ parable of the Unrighteous Judge (Tadavoree Geeragee), found in Luke 18.
The judge was a godless man with great contempt for everyone. A widow, the most vulnerable in society, came to him every day and beseeched him for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her, but finally, fed up of her constant requests, he took on her case in hopes of getting rid of her. Jesus told this story to show his disciples they must never give up and must persist in prayer.
Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this evil judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end, so don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who plead with him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when I, the Son of Man, return, how many will I find who have faith?” Luke 18:6-8
If a godless judge responds to constant pressure, how much more will a great and loving God respond to us. If we know He loves us, we can believe He will hear our cries for help. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith and hope. Do not forget God is always listening to us, is always with us, wanting the best for us. Prayer is our tie with God. It is our time to approach Him with a clean heart and without fear, for a deep talk.
Our Creator knows our needs, and we must have faith that He will answer them at the proper time. This is the question for us: do we trust God, even in our suffering, and believe His promise of justice for the oppressed? Do we pray and continue to pray, even when His answer does not come at the moment we would like?
Prayer gives us the power to touch other lives so they feel God’s love and the power to perform God’s will on earth. For God to do his work in this world, he needs us to be his mouth, his arms and his legs. Christ’s body is the church, and we are the church. Together, we can accomplish all kinds of good works. Remember that love must be at the centre of your Lenten journey. Work to achieve love and harmony with your friends and family.
March 26, 2006
Today’s service features Divine Liturgy @ 1 p.m. with Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan. Sunday School @ 1:30 p.m. with teacher Taline Paroyan. The children will be learning about the Sunday of the Judge.
One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God isn’t ushered in with visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ for the Kingdom of God is among you.” Luke 17:20-21.
Welcome to St. Vartan Armenian Church.
If you are a newcomer to St. Vartan, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our Badarak this afternoon. Thank you for making time in your busy schedule to be with us. We believe that you will sense God’s Spirit among us as we worship today.
Requiem services can be requested for the next church service by calling Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan.
You’re Invited to an Armenian Café And Camp Slide Shows on Palm Sunday, April 9
Come out to the first Armenian Café, hosted by St. Vartan’s Sunday School children and their friends. Enjoy Armenian treats like beoreg, paklava, cheoreg, tan and Armenian coffee served in the church hall, immediately following Palm Sunday’s Soorp Badarak. No tickets required. Instead, menus will be available at each table and the children will be your hosts and hostesses. The proceeds will fund our children and youth activities at the church, including Sunday School.
The afternoon will also feature two slide shows for parents. Stay and watch presentations on St. Vartan Armenian Summer Day Camp (July 10-14) for children 4-10 years old and the Diocesan Ararat Summer Camp (Aug. 21-26) for children 8-14. Registration information will be available, as well as counselors to answer your questions.
Bring your family and friends and support our church’s youngsters and our Sunday School.
We Welcome Newcomers and Visitors
Immediately following the service today we have a coffee
hour and we invite you to join us in the parish hall. We’re glad you’re
here and we hope to see you again. Our next service is on Sunday, April 9
at
Are You On Our Mailing List?
Please fill out the forms you can find on clipboards at the doors of the church today. The Parish Council needs your help to keep its mailing list up-to-date. Sign up to receive church news by email.
Donations Made for Mrs. Rofik Tchaderjian’s Requiem March 5
Hamboyan & Adjemian Families $1000
Mr. & Mrs. Souren Ajemian 200
Mr. & Mrs. Boghos Andonian 100
Dr. & Mrs. Hrag Hamboyan 100
Mrs. Silvia Alexanian 100
Mr. & Mrs. V. Imasdounian 100
Mrs. Asdgig Demirdjian 75
Mrs. Varthouhi Zaroukian 50
Dr. & Mrs. Harry Sakarya 50
Mr. Vahan Mouradian 50
Mr. & Mrs. G. Dorna 50
Mr. Kyork Andonian 50
Mr. & Mrs. Setrag Madjarian 50
Mr. & Mrs. G. Thomasian 50
Mrs. Jeanette Oannesian 30
Mr. Kalust Imasdounian 25
Mr. & Mrs. Haig Thomasian 25
In Lieu of Flowers for Mr. Mardiros Tossounian
Mrs. Arshalous Ayanian $200
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Doyle 150
Mr. & Mrs. Haig Tossounian 100
Mr. & Mrs. Mathew Shahmelikian 100
Mr. & Mrs. Kegham Janoyan 100
Mrs. Alice Tossounian 100
Mr. Semian Tamuri 100
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Jenkins 100
Mrs. Lily Tossounian & Mr. V. Totoian 80
Hampo Shalvardjian 40
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Stewart 20
In His Footsteps: Tour of Holy Land Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to visit the land Jesus and his
disciples walked? On Friday, March 31, you’re invited to join us for a
special tour with David Terzibashian of
DIVINE LITURGY
Evening Service & Bible Study*
Schedule for April 2006
1 p.m. Sunday, April 9
6:30 p.m. Friday, April 14*
6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15*
1 p.m. Sunday, April 16
7 p.m. Friday, April 21*
7 p.m. Monday, April 24*
1 p.m. Sunday, April 30
Did you know? News
Stories and Photos Now Available on St. Vartan’s
Website: www.stvartan.ca
Three New Parish Council Members Acclaimed to St Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga
Three new parish council members were acclaimed to St. Vartan Armenian Church of
Acclaimed were Heranush Hamblin, Julia Dumanian and Melkon Melkon. Seeking appointment are Vahram Vahramian, Hrach Grigoryan, Kevork Guerguerian and Katie Shahinian-Hanna.
The four seeking appointment could not be elected as they did not meet the Diocesan bylaw requirement of having been members for more than one year. All terms are for two years, except for Julia Dumanian, whose term is for one year.
Remaining on the parish council to serve the second year of their term are Vahe Davidkhanian and Ani Shalvardjian. Retiring are Les Hamblin, Ani Kerametlian, Ian MacLennan, Lily Sevadjian and Vartegez Simonian.
Elected were Les Hamblin as diocesan delegate and Ian MacLennan as alternate; Yeto Balian, Berge Shalvardjian and Loris Dumanian were acclaimed as auditing committee members. It was decided the new parish council will select nominating committee members for appointment.
St. Vartan’s annual general meeting took place after Soorp Badarak March 5, under the leadership of Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Ararat Kaltakjian. The current parish council continues until the new members have been approved by the Canadian Primate.
When you have a mission and the parties involved are cooperative, God blesses it with success. Our Lord Jesus teaches us, “He who has been faithful with a little, even more will be entrusted.” Luke 19:26
Our next Badarak will celebrate Palm Sunday on