MLK – Power to Dream… The “Key” message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 15 January 2012
 It was only 50-60 years ago that segregation was well and alive in the United States of America. Yes, right here in America! It’s hard to believe. Although, we’re far from full equality for everyone, still we’re closer to the goal.
Reaching goals begins with a plan, a dream. One of the great dreamers of our time was the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He dreamed of a society where people would not be “judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
While Dr. King is remembered as a Civil Right’s leader, it is important to note that he considered himself first and foremost a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As such, he used the power of Christ’s message of peace, non-violence and love, to conqueror some of the most dirty and disgusting forms of hated and evil.
Dr. King challenged people – and continues to challenge us all through his legacy – to find the power of love in our own lives, to see that LOVE can overcome and overpower all of difficulties and hurdles that present problems to leading our lives in full and in unity with God.
This weekend, we honor the great Civil Rights leader by looking at his life and his goals. I’m honored to be leading the 9th Annual In His Shoes gathering, taking place tomorrow. We will be studying “The American Dream” as we hike up a local mountain and share in spiritual discussion. Join us on the trail or with your prayers. Set your minds on a goal of peace, for yourself, your family, your com-munity and your world. Dream it. Live it. Achieve it.
~ Fr. Vazken
This message is elaborated at 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…

New Year – “Key” Message 1/1/12

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 1 January 2012
 Happy New Year! As the first servant of the St. Peter Armenian Church, I come to you with a very special wish and prayer for health and happiness in the New Year.
I also take this opportunity to thank you, our faithful congregation, for making our church exemplary by way of its commitment to the poor, the hungry and those in need. Our year-round projects were accented by our Christmas Holiday outreach. I’m pleased to report that the toys have been delivered (600+) to the battered children’s shelter, the hand-made blankets (100+) are warming children at the City of Hope, and the number of families finding strength and hope through our Children’s Memorial and other outreaches are immeasurable.
Our Lord Jesus Christ promises to entrust more to those who have been faithful with a little. (Luke 16:10) I ask that you include your church in your prayers for the New Year. May God give us the strength and courage to take on the challenges of the New Day and the New Year, however great they may be.
Welcome to 2012
The New Year begins with several and severe challenges – primarily caused by the world economic situation, but also by the lack of love and under-standing among people. Keep focused throughout the New Year on the power of God in your life. Make Church and the Love of Christ found within the Holy Church a PRIORITY in your own life and in the life of your family. With the power of God you’ll be able to take on the GREATEST of challenges.
Happy New Year! ~Fr. Vazken
This message is elaborated at 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Discovery of the Cross – “Key” Message

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Parish Priest’s Message from the “Key” Newsletter – 23 October 2011
                                                                                         
When referring to our Parish, people invariably comment on our outreach programs. To us, that outreach is a definition of our Christian responsibility. It is accented further by our Armenian ethnic makeup. That is, we understand Christ’s challenge to reach out to the “least of His brothers” (Matthew 25) but the invitation is even more compelling because as Armenians we have stood “In the shoes” of these brothers and sisters. For we were once homeless, hungry, thirsty, naked, in prison and naked. We were, in fact, the survivors of terror, war and genocide. How can we ever forget our past? And so, that past defines our today.
Today’s feast, The “Discovery of the Holy Cross” points to an event in history when the actual Holy Cross of Christ was found. Our forefathers found strength and victory in that cross. The outreach that defines our ministry is the modern “crosses” that we continually discover around us. Whether on a global scale, like the work we do with refugees of the Darfuri genocide, or the atrocities in our back yard expressed in domestic violence, or just reaching out on the streets of LA through our monthly homeless feed, the cross of Christ is revisited by our parishioners.
Today is an opportunity to once again dedicate our lives to Christ’s Holy Cross—the One at Calvary and the One that we discover in our lives today. My prayer today is that God give each of us the strength and the courage to discover and carry our crosses – in our individual lives and the collective life of our community and world.
~ 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…