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

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
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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
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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