Strong Links into the New Year

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Next Step #186 – December 29, 2011

The year comes to an end with reflections that point to new beginnings. Where are the strong and weak links in our life? Finding the missing portion of Nicene Creed – and “focusing on the vision” of the Message of Christ. Kurt Vonnegut’s “Bluebeard” – beating yourself-up as the Turk: Resolving for the New Year. BC/AD BCE/CE and calendar crossings. The Magic of Christmas Eve – Fr. Vazken and his physicians meet at the Nativity of Christ – a life with days and days filled with life.
Song: Gor Mkhitarian’s “The Day” – www.gormusic.com
Focused Vision – Excerpts from the Sermon on the Mount, www.inhisshoes.org
Ani’s New Year Bubble
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Christmas Morning – “Key” Message 2011

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 25 December 2011
                                                                                         
 Today – December 25th is celebrated as Christmas throughout the world. Our Armenian Church celebrates the “Theophany” (Աստուածայայտնութիւն ) on January 6. It includes the nativity and the celebration of Christ’s Baptism, when His Ministry took birth and form.
For an explanation of the reasons why we celebrate on a different date, check out this week’s “In Step With Christ” on our Youtube.com/Armodoxy channel. It is not the focus of this day. The date of Christmas, is a secondary issue next to the “message of Christmas.” It is that message that we Christians are called to celebrate, today and every day.
Too many people are consumed with the mundane and secondary issues of Christianity. Many time I hear people bickering over who correctly celebrates the Christmas feast. Is it the Armenians on January 6? Is it the Western world on December 25? Is it the Russians on January 7 or the Jerusalemites on January 19?
Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us the answer plain and simple. He says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13)
The message of Love is what it’s all about. To correctly celebrate Christmas, you don’t need to worry about the date, rather you need to focus on the message. God loved us first. He gave us the gift of Life through Christ. We have an obligation to Love others– on Dec 25, Jan 6, Jul 17, Sep 11 & everyday!
Whether you choose to celebrate Christmas today or on January 6, begin this day by loving. If there are disagreements and difficulties between you and others, resolve them. Celebrate Christmas today and every day by giving Love. ~Fr. Vazken
*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…

Solstice Bells to Christmas Cheers

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Next Step #185 – December 22, 2011

Kick off the Winter Solstice with some Christmas Cheer. Unafraid and unashamed to claim the Solstice, Fr. Vazken finds the Christ Child in the Manger radiating the Love and Light that overcomes darkness. This podcast is a celebration with music, love and a message unlike any other, as Armodoxy is revealed. A very Merry Christmas to all! A Christmas/Solstice Celebration! Secrets revealed: Bob Dylan’s reindeer and how Suzie got Ken to change his habits!
Ani’s Christmas Bubble
Musical Links:
Jethro Tull’s Christmas Album
Bob Dylan’s “Christmas In the Heart”
Melanie’s “Yes Santa, there is a Melanie”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Humility: Away in a Manger – “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 18 December 2011
                                                                                         
 Celebrating humility… Away in a Manger…
Last Friday evening, at our annual Christmas party, our church honored Mr. Amirkhan Amirkhanian, the caretaker and custodian of the church. As you walk into the church every Sunday morning, he is the one who first greets. He is the one who takes care of our church building during the week.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, our Diocesan Primate, was with us. He observed in his remarks that when we honor the se special servants of the church, we’re honoring the idea that all service, how-ever large or small, is blessed in God’s sight.
Mr. Amirkhan has been the humble servant of this parish. Always ready to work and help in a manner possible—from taking care of the grounds, to cleaning up, to preparing for the sacraments. He is the humble servant of the church. We approach him with much affection and honor, but more important, he serves as an example to us all.
Of course, the ultimate example of humility came to us on Christmas eve. As the old Christmas carol says, “Away in a Manger, no crib for his bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.”
During this Advent season, these example come to us as important reminders of our role and responsi-bility as Christians.
I with to personally invite you to the Christmas eve service this coming Saturday evening – December 24 – where we will have an opportunity to celebrate together the gift of God – away in a manger.
Please join us with your families – parts for the children, it will be celebration like no other.
~Fr. Vazken
Check out all the outreach activities on our website: www.InHisShoes.org
*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 War is Over – Merry Christmas!

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Next Step #184 – December 15, 2011

News that the last of the American troops are pulling out of Iraq sets the pace for this Next Step. In the aftermath of war – an opportunity to seek lasting peace by eschewing politics and opting for a true spiritual understanding of life, humanity and the offer to love. Opting out of violence. A Merry Christmas to all! The conversion of Saul and a conversion at the Children’s Memorial service. Advent “additions” in preparation for Theophany.
Poverty hits Americans 1 in 2
John Belizekjian “What Child is This?”
Ani’s Bubbles – “Are You Going to Help Me Now?” – An Armenian father & son during the earthquake.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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About Children’s Memorial – “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 11 December 2011
                                                                                         
 We’re in the middle of the Advent season and all around us are signs and signals that Christmas is fast approaching. At our church, we’ve been busy with our outreach programs and giving a signal to the world that Christ’s Birth is truly a celebration of love, charity, hope and happiness.
Unfortunately the Christmas season does have a down side to it. It is a very difficult and lonely time for those who have suffered the loss of children. It means going through the holidays incomplete and the hurt is even more accented.
This evening, at 7:00PM, we will be gathering for the Cathia Hamparian Children’s Memorial. It’s our annual event to offer solace to those faced with this horrendous tragedy. People throughout the world will be lighting candles in honor of children who have passed away. The idea is to create a wave of light that will circle the planet, so as candles in one time zone are extinguished, they are lit in the next zone.
We invite you to remember with us.
Today, during the Divine Liturgy we will offer a special prayer for the children – particularly the children who are so quickly forgotten – the faceless ones who we hear about only as statistics. Those children of war, famine and even genocide. Each child has a parent who grieves. May God grant strength to all those who remain. ~Fr. Vazken
Check out all the outreach activities on our website: www.InHisShoes.org
*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 Armodoxy Christmas Catalog

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Next Step #183 – December 8, 2011

The Armodoxy Christmas Catalog is the only guide you need for the holidays. Make sure your holiday giving is with the PERFECT gift for friends and loved ones. Don’t miss out on an offer guaranteed to last a lifetime! Deals galore! What do you need and what do you want? The Greatest Gifts of Christmas are packaged for the listener! Also – on the Cathia Hamparian Memorial. Season 8 begins.
Compassionate Friends: http://www.compassionatefriends.org/
Song: Joan Baez “Down in Yon Forest” from “Noel”
Follow In His Shoes on Twitter.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Thaddeus & Bartholomew – “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 4 December 2011
                                                                                         
Thaddeus and Bartholomew were two men that walked with our Lord Jesus Christ. They spent three years in the company of Jesus, experiencing His love and compassion; hearing his words and pondering the deeper meanings of life. These men, along with 9 others, were commissioned (see Matthew 28) to spread the Gospel Message throughout the world.
They were instructed to leave everything behind, to give their all for this ministry.
In was some 8 years after the Resurrection of Jesus, that Thaddeus arrived in Armenia. Bartholomew came about 4-5 years later. It was in Armenia where they preached the Gospel, converted lives to Christ, and actively engaged in Christian charity. In Armenia, they ordained the next generation of clergy – bishops, priests and deacons – to continue their work after their death. It is for this reason, that the Armenian Church is referred to as “Apostolic” – founded by Christ, structured by the Apostles and commissioned to do the Work of God.
This weekend, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. In this commemoration we recognize that we have been given a treasure in our Apostolic church. The work we do at our parish is in line with the social gospel of charity that the apostles taught and practiced. Each of us, therefore, receives a portion of the responsibility to continue and carry on the great com-mission of Christ. On this Sunday of Advent, let the memory of the Holy Apostles Thaddeus & Bartholomew stir the best in each of us, as we fulfill our Christian responsibilities.
~ Fr. Vazken 
This message is elaborated on the Armodoxy Channel: 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…

De Niro, the Radio and the Phoenix Highway

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Next Step #182 – December 1, 2011

En route from Phoenix to LA, Fr. Vazken stumbles on satellite programming – XM style. From the divine to the vulgar – here’s a call for common sense in life and Christianity without the shame. Words can’t express the disgust, but here’s a try… also in this episode – the enduring power of the stardust, the Muppets, quick answers for Heaven & Hell, the wind storm in Pasadena and more.
Song: “Light of the World” from Godspell
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com