Start of Advent – “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 27 November 2011
                                                                                         
Today we kick off the Advent Season. This is a period of preparation for the Nativity and “Theophany” – The REVELATION of God.
Our parish has a wide variety of outreach programs that take place throughout the year. During the Christmas Holiday season, these programs get “recharged” as we all rededicate ourselves to the mission and focus of Christianity.
And now… here’s an ironclad guarantee that I issue every year – if you follow the scriptural passages of the Advent season and participate in the programs that those passages point to, on Christ-mas morning you will be in for the greatest gift ever: A real understanding of God’s LOVE as ex-pressed in Christmas & Theophany.
Today’s scriptural passage sets the tone for the rest of the season. I will be speaking about in my sermon today. Here is the parable, and a call to keep it in mind during the holiday season.
Jesus said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, „What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.‟ Then he said, “This is what I‟ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‟But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for them-selves but is not rich toward God. (Lk 12)
~ Fr. Vazken
This message is elaborated at www.youtube.com/armodoxy
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

The Secret of Armenian Orthodoxy

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Next Step #181 – November 24, 2011

A Thanksgiving episode that reveals the ‘secret’ of Armenian Orthodoxy. A parade opens this message of memories and leads to Thanksgiving “moments.” Turning from victim mentality to victor through thanksgiving. A means of survival and growth. A special edition podcast recorded before the dawn.
Thanksgiving with Gabriel in Darfur: Truth Be Damned
Greetings from One Genocide to Another: http://youtu.be/weuwKPjvhu0
Song: “Meeting My Past” by Ara Dinkjian (An Armenian in America)
Thank You Very Much by the Scaffolds
Ani’s Bubbles: Thanksgiving Message
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Defining a Blessing – “Key” Thanksgiving Message 2011

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 20 November 2011
                                                                                         
Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to stop from our busy schedule and thank God for the many blessings we have in life.
While everyday should be filled with thanksgiving, the once-a-year event this coming Thursday, is an opportunity for the Christian to bear witness to the power of God. That is, while the Christian prays and offers thanks every day, this Thursday we have a much bigger audience that is receptive to the idea.
And we need all the help we can get. Things are tough this year. The economic crisis has not eased up. Jobs are scarce. It’s very easy to be negative and miss the blessings that we do have.
Recently, while contemplating the word blessing I came up with this definition: A blessing is luck without the element of chance. Think about it for a moment…. and then count your blessings.
If you’re reading this on a computer or even from the copy you picked up at church, you’re better off than most people in the world. Start from there. Count your blessings. Loved ones? Friends? Are you able to love others? Perhaps a pet? Start from the basics and move up. Can you see the smile and warmth in the eyes of your children? Maybe life is not as rosy as you’d hope it to be, but the more goodness you find, the more optimistic your outlook becomes. The more optimistic, the more you have opportunities to build on and find the goodness God has in store for you. Remember “It is better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness.”
I invite you to join us this Wednesday for a very special Thanksgiving service as we count our bless-ings and help those in need.
~ Fr. Vazken
This message is elaborated at www.youtube.com/armodoxy
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

Justice with Just Us and A Prayer

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Next Step #180 – November 17, 2011

When a catholicos marginalizes prayer, its power stays unleashed and love is not explored. Another catholicos is ready to put it all in perspective – from his vantage point and with the maharajahs who missed the Armenians. After a brief visit to Armenian land, Fr. Vazken returns without jet lag but with some extra baggage. Continuing on Politics and Religion: finding mission in everything we do. Regis & Jerry: do we need to know everything? News from epostle.net too – Armodoxy has arrived.
Armenian Consulate’s page
Song: “Dream of Life” by Haig Yazjian
Ani’s Bubbles: “Lessons from the Porcupine”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Keystrokes for Peace and Avoiding the Politician

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Next Step #179 – November 10, 2011

Just back from Blogworld and New Media Expo, the Epostle.net team is renewed and exploring the dimensions of social media today. The pen, several years ago, was mightier than the sword. Today, emails seem passe. How social media and technology are being exploited by the Gospel. Andy Rooney’s passing. Still trust the politicians? A big shift since the 1970’s – how politics “validates” religious leaders; hypocrisy and the crimes we commit. The “boldness” of St. Peter and the Apostles are expressed in the post-resurrection experience, circa Pentecost 33.
Ani’s Bubbles: Lesson’s Through Life’s Stages
“Song of the Genius” by Gor Mkhitarian www.gormusic.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Angels of Glendale – “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 6 November 2011
                                                                                         
On this first weekend in November, the Armenian Church celebrated the feast of the Holy Arch-angels Michael and Gabriel. Angels are the messengers of God and they present us with the Good News.
It is most appropriate to begin this month with the celebration of the archangels. In a few weeks, we will be kicking off the season of Advent. In the tradition of our Glendale parish, this is the time that we reach out to different portions of the community with brotherly love and compassion. Our Toy Drive, Children’s Memorial, Food Drives all take place during the Advent season and are our personal and collective expression of God’s Good News. In a sense, we share in the call of the angels.
It has been said that “We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.” (Luciano de Crescenzo) During the Advent season, we have an opportunity to put the saying to the test. Reaching out, holding onto each other, is our way of rising and flying to new heights.
We are pleased to have Father Avedis Abovian at our parish today. Fr. Avedis is a dynamic clergyman with a special love for youth. He is inspiring with his words and even more with his actions. We welcome him to St. Peter and look forward to his words as he celebrates today’s Liturgy.
May the spirit of the angels live with and within us always.
~ Fr. Vazken
This message is elaborated at www.youtube.com/armodoxy
*The “Key” is the weekly newsletter of the St. Peter Armenian Church, Glendale, CA – Jesus asked the Disciples, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter responded “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus promised the Keys to the Kingdom for this profession of faith. (Mt 16)  At the St. Peter, Glendale Parish, our faith and actions are based on that same profession of faith. It is the Key that opens the doors to our journey as Christians…

Occupied with the Spare Pair

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Next Step #178 – November 3, 2011

The Occupy Movement – temporary problem on the street? Or the true product of injustice? Protesting big business and a tie to the protest led by Jesus.The Next Step is laced with protest – and it looks like we had the spare pair, all along. Thank God for Abp. Shnork and the unknown priest in the Eastern Diocese who wrote the manners and conduct manual in the 1950s. Thank God for the life of the “God generation” and their example of love and responsibility. Is Church a hobby?
Ani’s Bubbles: Grace Explained
Song: Øystein Sevåg’s “Crystal Palace”
Jethro Tull’s Hare Who Lost His Spectacles
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com