St. Vartan Armenian Church of Mississauga

P.O. Box 53010, 5100 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 5A7

Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan, Pastor

Telephone (905) 549-2711    stvartan@cogeco.ca

(905) 617-7888

           

The Promise of the Messiah*

 

Almost a millennium and a half prior to the birth of Jesus, God began to give His people an enormous amount of specific information about Jesus’ life and ministry.  There are more than 65 direct prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament, foretelling the coming of the Messiah (or anointed one).  The Old Testament prophets predicted “the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” (1 Peter 1:11) The Messiah’s coming was not a secret but the repeated revelation of God to his people.  Here are some of the predictions:

 

·         the Messiah would be the seed/offspring of a woman and would crush the head of Satan (Genesis 3:15).

·         He would come from the seed/offspring of Abraham and would bless all the nations on earth (Genesis 23:3).

·         He would be a “prophet like Moses” to whom God said we must listen (Deuteronomy 18:15).

·         He would be born in Bethlehem of Judah (Micah 5:2).

·         He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14).

·         He would have a throne, a kingdom and a dynasty, or house, starting with King David, that will last forever (2 Samuel 7:16).

·         He would be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and would possess an everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7)

·         He would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, righteous and having salvation, coming with gentleness (Zechariah 9:9-10).

·         He would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).

·         He would die among the wicked but be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9).

·         He would be resurrected from the grave, for God would not allow His Holy One to suffer decay (Psalm 16:10).

·         He would come again from the clouds of heaven as the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14).

·         He would be the “Sun of Righteousness” for all who revere Him and look for His coming again (Malachi 4:2).

·         He is the One whom Israel will one day recognize as the One they pierced, causing bitter grief (Zechariah 12:10).

 

The prophesies about the Messiah form a unified promise-plan of God, where each promise is interrelated and connected into a grand series comprising one continuous plan of God.

 

*Excerpted from an article in the decision magazine Dec 06 by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Colman M. Mockler Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Mass.

 

Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007

 

Divine Liturgy  @ 1 p.m. with Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan. Sunday School  @ 1:30 p.m. The children will be learning about the Second Sunday After Nativity with teacher Houri Simonian. 

Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on all the people of Jerusalem.  They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son.  They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died.  The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem on that day will be like the grievous mourning of Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo.         Zechariah 12:10-11

Welcome to St. Vartan Armenian Church

 

If you are a newcomer to St. Vartan, it is a pleasure to welcome you to our Soorp 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 together today.

 

Requiem services can be requested for the next church service by calling Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan.

 

Requiem services for Sunday, Jan 21, 2007 have been requested by:

 

          Mrs. Jeannette Koundakjian, Vasken and Ani Altounian and family, Stepan and Tina Pilibbossian and family for the loving memory of their husband, father and grandfather Mr. Jirayr Koundakjian (40 days).  May God bless his soul.

 

          Mr. Andranik Tchaderjian and family, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Shahan Madzounian and Astrid Madzounian, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan and Maral Madzounian, Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Lucie Hamboyan, Dr. and Mrs. Herag  and  Silva Hamboyan and family, Mr. and Mrs. Aram and Hoori Hamboyan-Adgemian for the loving memory of Mrs. Rofik Tchaderjian (1 year).  May God bless her soul.

 

Carassauga’s Armenia Pavilion  Needs You NOW!

 

Carassauga’s Armenia Pavilion needs volunteers NOW to help organize the various activities that attract thousands to learn about our Armenian faith and culture in May.  Volunteers are needed for the following committees: Food, Décor, Fundraising/Marketing, Entertainment, Volunteer Staffing, and Booklet.  Carassauga is Mississauga’s multicultural festival held on May 25, 26 and 27, 2007 this year. 

 

This will be St. Vartan’s fourth time participating in this annual event. The three-day festival is a major fundraiser for our church.  All monies raised go towards our building fund; our goal is to have a home for St. Vartan’s faithful.    Help us move closer to our goal by giving your time, energy, talents and sponsorship to this annual undertaking. 

 

To join these committees please contact: Noush Tahtadjian 905-812-4949, Katie Shahinian   905-785-7626 or email anijan2@gmail.com .  We thank you for your support in bringing our goal a little closer.

Are You New to St. Vartan Armenian Church?

 

At St. Vartan, we understand how being a newcomer can be a bit intimidating.  It is our goal to make your time with us comfortable and enjoyable.  Immediately following the service today please join us in the parish hall for a Potluck Luncheon. We’re glad you’re here and we hope to see you again!  Our next service is at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007 with Celebrant Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan.

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.

 

Bible Study 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, 2007

 

SESSION 2:  The Divine Liturgy Explained

 

1.      Why do we light candles at church? 

2.      What special vestments does the priest  wear for Soorp      Badarak? 

3.      What is the meaning of the kshots (those brass noise makers the altar boys and sargavaks rattle during the Soorp Badarak)? 

 

These are all good questions, and our Very Rev. Fr. Hayrik Hovhannisyan is prepared to answer them, and many more, Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, as he delivers his second lecture explaining the meaning and mystery of the Divine Liturgy, as celebrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church

 

We invite you to come to St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church Hall at 1541 Oakhill Drive, Oakville, with your family and friends to learn about the Soorp Badarak.  It doesn’t matter if you have missed the introductory first talk.  These insights will help you appreciate and enjoy the Soorp Badarak even more. 

 

The free 30-minute lecture begins at 8 p.m. and will be followed by a question and answer period and a coffee reception to which all are invited.  We welcome ACYOC members and adults for this talk. This four-part series  continues with Session 3 on Friday, Feb. 23, and Session 4 on Friday, March 23.   All lectures take place at 8 p.m. at St. Cuthbert's in English and Armenian.  Hope to see you there!

Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

 

Be There - 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2007

 

Everyone is welcome to attend St. Vartan’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday, March 4, 2007 immediately after Soorp Badarak.  It’s an opportunity for our faithful to voice their concern and pleasure with how the church is run.  Reports are provided by the church committees, our priest and parish council chair.  Come, listen and make a positive contribution to what we do and how we do it.  Your input helps make St. Vartan a better church.

 

Consider serving your church. There are seats to fill on the Parish Council and church committees.  However, you need to be a current member in order to have the privilege of voting for and running for office. By paying your 2007 church dues, you are able to participate in this process.  If you haven’t been a member before, please consider the many benefits of membership.

 

Did you know?  Our members receive discounts and other benefits (as determined by the parish council)?  Be a smart consumer.  Members’ discounts for baptisms, weddings and funerals and other benefits at church events add up—and could ultimately cover the cost of your membership!  SIGN UP NOW!

 

The annual general meeting begins at 3 p.m. at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church Hal1, 1541 Oakhill Drive, Oakville, Ont.  For more information and to sign up, please contact Membership Chair Katie Shahinian at 905-785-7626 or email anijan2@gmail.com.

Our Precious Volunteers

 

Special appreciation to all the many volunteers of the parish who do things great and small, specialized and general, difficult and easy, short or long term. They represent a blessing to the Church and are included in prayers to God of praise and thanksgiving.Those that give generously of their time and resources. Those that make phone calls, sew, cook, plan, pickup/deliver, hold office, sing, serve, clean, teach, setup, take-down, and care. May God Bless You All!

Space for Rent

 

If you would like to advertise in our Sunday service booklets, please call Ani Shalvardjian (905) 826-6319 or Heranush Hamblin (905) 820-1329 or email us at anijan2@gmail.com . Advertisers receive a church donation receipt.

Did you know?

 

News Stories and Photos Now Available on St. Vartan’s Website:  www.stvartan.ca. And Canadian Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church’s Website: www.armenianchurch.ca.

 

Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 - It’s Our Annual February Kef Night

 

When it’s the last weekend before Lent, what do Armenians do?  They celebrate and have a wonderful time of feasting and high-energy partying!   Traditionally, Poon Pareguentan is that last-chance opportunity to be wild and extravagant and live-it-up before the strict fasting and prayer schedule of Lent begins on Feb. 19, 2007.  And, of course, being good Armenians, we support our traditions—YES!

 

Come ready to party, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 at our annual February Kef Night.  This is your opportunity not only to celebrate Poon Pareguentan with us, but also our name (remember? St. VartanVartanantz is Feb. 15), and even St. Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14—why not?).   Three very good reasons to have a great time!

 

On that evening, we are going to enjoy a hot buffet dinner, and we are going to dance, dance, dance to the music of E & A Sound with the very popular DJ Edmond Ayvazyan of Toronto.  Cocktails begin at 7:30 p.m. and the dinner at 8:30 p.m. 

 

Please get your tickets early:  $30 adults and $20 for youth under 19.  You can get them from Heranush Hamblin at 905-820-1329, Katie Shahinian at 905-785-7626 or email anijan2@gmail.com .  All of this fun takes place at Le Dome Banquet Hall, 1173 North Service Road East, Oakville, Ont. 

 

Schedule for Jan-Feb 2007

DIVINE LITURGY & Evening Activities

           

            8 p.m.              Friday, Jan 26

                                    Session 2:  The Divine Liturgy Explained

            1 p.m.              Sunday, Feb. 4

            1 p.m.              Sunday, Feb. 18

            8 p.m.              Friday, Feb. 23

                                    Session 3:  The Divine Liturgy Explained

 

Our next Soorp Badarak, will be on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church.  We hope to see you then.