Solstice Bells Ring For the Light

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Next Step #237 – Decemeber 30, 2012

“The Christmas/Solstice Special” Finding the courage to celebrate Christmas after the Sandy Hook (Newtown) Shooting. Ringing the Bells of Etchmiadzin – the new Bethlehem: Fr. Vazken celebrates the Solstice and life after the end of the Mayan Calendar. Obama’s mention of Jesus comes after the silence of the clergy. A Christian response to evil and the challenge to walk In His Shoes as Christ did. The date of Christmas that is beyond the Jan 6/Dec 25 debate – in an answer given by St. Gregory the Illuminator.
Links to topics in today’s show:
In His Shoes.org
Karekin I on Etchmiadzin & Bethlehem
Fr. Vazken’s Sermon on Shooting
10 Girls Killed in Afghanistan
President Obama at Sandy Hook Interfaith Service
Today is the Solstice
Jethro Tull Christmas Album
SunSash.blogspot.com
Song: The Light by Gor Mkhitarian
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The Dreaming Church

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Next Step #236 – December 13, 2012

When the Church refuses to let you dream, it’s missing the Call of Christ – the ultimate dreamer. Reject the stifling Church: A series of events in Fr. Vazken’s life push him to this interesting development of ideas about dreams and reality.  A shake up to realize the Mission of the Church, the Function of the Priest and the Purpose in life is in dreaming and allowing God’s blessings. In this episode – Blood pressure goes DOWN in church and UP in church meetings. The gift of the Drummer Boy, Epostle.net is backed up.  Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band +45, Ravi Shankar’s passing. OK, we got it: The third king is Melcon!
Links:
Always With Me Newsletter subscribe: feedback@epostle.net
Sunsash #74 – Accomplishments
Church Attendance & Blood Pressure
“Little Drummer Boy” by Joan Baez
Jethro Tull Christmas Album
12/12/12 to 7/7/7 – Forgiveness: http://7×77.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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From Kings to Humanity

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Next Step #235 – December 6, 2012

The story of King Apkar in the context of Christ and life today. The WRITINGS of Jesus – to Apkar and the “wish list.” Tradition, Scripture and Church. The escalation of violence in Syria and who will mourn the children of war? The Children’s Memorial Service. A rock is thrown from Armenia to Turkey and a message comes back. The Annual Christmas Wish List: unlike any other! Ken is back and Suzie’s not on strike!
Anush’s Pomegranate “Glad Tidings”
Song: Gharabekian & Mondelci – Armenian Chant
Children’s Memorial Service
Sun Sash on Humanity
King Apkar Story
On Sts. Thaddeus & Bartholomew
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Strip Away to Faith

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Next Step #234 – November 29, 2012

Did you survive Black Friday & Cyber Monday? Now engage in the art of belly-dancing – it’s a strip -tease to uncover faith. The New Israel is not a place, so seek your mind on God’s Kingdom first. Issues of identity and belonging in a pluralistic society are discussed. How to read the Bible: avoid the literal and find God. MLK Retreat and a vending machine that dispenses caviar and snails – all in the mix in this Next Step.
Pomegranate Seeds by Anush: The Nest: Half Empty or Half Full?
Song: Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia – “The sea of life always tosses me about”
Harry Hagopian blogs:
GAZA: http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire
MENA: http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/mena28
Compass #33 – Belonging Dilemma and the Kingdom
Caviar vending machines in Burbank
Jethro Tull 40th Anniversary TAAB
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Thanksgiving Thoughts from Bob to Bob

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Next Step #233 – November 22, 2012

On a day remembered for the Kennedy Assassination, JFK sets the tone with thoughts on Thanksgiving. But there are more thoughts – from Bob, a homeless man on the streets of LA. Fr. Vazken explores beyond the traditions and connects with the models of thanksgiving old and new. Pilgrims to Black Friday ego-feasts, laced with Saturation Point Theology – as expressed by Christ in the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12). A plea from John Lennon to look for peace instead of the extra TV, coupled with a plea to make God real everyday – not in a Telethon Way. This is the Thanksgiving edition of the Next Step!
“Lessons from Bob” by Anush Avejic
Song: Flora Martirosian – “Dzovastghik”
President Kennedy’s 1961 Thanksgiving Proclamation
Sun Sash: http://sunsash.blogspot.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Reconciling with the senseless and the unnatural

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Next Step #232 – November 15, 2012

An emotional unwinding of ideas at the death of a little girl. Fr. Vazken explores this tragedy from a pastoral standpoint, bringing together Armenian Orthodox themes – Discovery of the Cross and the raising of the sleeping child (Luke 8).  The vastness of the universe and a solar eclipse point to a unique ministry to the childless – a calling NOBODY wants. Wars, genocide, health, this time the page won’t turn. Other topics: The success of the Jehovah’s Witness. Participating vs. observing – and selling the product. The Supermarket model of Orthodoxy and the need to specialize to survive in the global marketplace of religion. And the child who selected a (Coptic) Pope.
Song: Paul McCartney’s “Calico Skies” 
Selecting the Coptic Pope
Dr. Harry Hagopian on the new Pope
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Barking at Caravans

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Next Step #231 – November 8, 2012

Extending the concept of “undanik” to “under heaven” in understanding the family of God (Storm Sandy and walking In His Shoes). Fr. Vazken explains that Matthew 12:46-50 is not a lesson in biology as rude as it may seem. Extending Christian values and Church to Genocides and wars in Darfur and Syria as well as the death in our own backyards via In His Shoes. The Obama Victory: The silly-willy Armenian politics that bark at the caravan. “As for me,” says Fr. Vazken, “I was there with Obama – no brag, just fact.” Youth and the Church – the problem beyond Armenian Church. More on the crimes of the priest who was defrocked. Grandpa & FDR Democrats/Grandma’ baklava for James Roosevelt – it was her thanks for the last station of the caravan.
Sermon: “Politics, God & the Kingdom”
Song: “Caravan” by Armen Chamakian
Obama’s Acceptance Speech
Sun Sash: http://sunsash.blogspot.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Obnoxious Voices from the Ridge

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Next Step #230 – November 1, 2012

Nietzche’s formula for cheer applied to the Armenian Church via Armodoxy. Fr. Vazken’s “Protest Manual” is revealed talking about effective protest and ill-fated varieties against the establishment. Bringing about change from within and not without. The imperfect-perfect Body of Christ. Challenges to the disenfranchised members of the Armenian Church community. Unveiling of the Datev Outreach program. Celebrating Halloween the Armodoxy way.
Get Sun Sash FREE – www.SunSash.blogspot.com
Unveiling: http://DatevOutreach.org
Window article: http://acrag.wordpress.com/1991/06/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Abstract to the Tangible

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Next Step #229 – October 25, 2012

En route to the Domestic Violence Walk and the unveiling of Datev Outreach, Fr. Vazken reflects on the intertwining of the abstract and tangible. Abstract ideas matterialize via tangible vehicles. Case in point, Christ and the Christian message, come to us via the Church. Discussed: The Patriarch’s passing, the defrocking of a charismatic priest and the need for change. The Jethro Tull concert and Ian Anderson on world population and educating women. Rwanda 10 years after genocide and the necessity to populate.
Song: Anush Opera at St. Andrew, Cupertino
Datev Outreach: http://datevoutreach.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Endings: Death and Defrockery

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Next Step #228 – October 18, 2012

Patriarch Torkom Manoogian passes; Guest Commentary by Dr. Harry Hagopian. Politics in the Church? Never more pronounced – While a priest who brings people to the Armenian Church is defrocked, another clergyman who preaches non-Orthodox theology is granted a churchman’s award. Make sense? The balance has tipped, more people checking off “None.” Can Love be Irrelevant? Or are we not presenting it properly? Follow up to Ani Bubles’ wedding.
Song: “Armenian Medley” by Hosharian Bros. Band; “Electric Kef”
Reflections on Patriarch Abp. Torkom Manoogian “Brandy & Honey with Our Tea” by Dr. Harry Hagopian
Domestic Violence Walk: http://DatevOutreach.org
Pew findings regarding “None” Religion
Sun Sash
Fr. Vazken’s Blog
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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