The Church is in mourning

We are about to start Lent. Many of us do not want to see the black curtain hung, we no longer will see Der Hayr and the deacons and subdeacons who are serving on the Altar. They will be behind the curtain. We don’t take the Kiss of Peace, we don’t take Communion, unless privately requested. The Church, for 40 days, will not perform any Marriage ceremony...The list is long. In one word, the Church with her congregation will go through a mourning period. But why?

As you will notice, during the Lent, in my sermons I’ll be using the words, Sin, Repentance, confession, redemption, etc. etc.

PRIOR TO EASTER, THE CHURCH HAS DESIGNATED 40 DAYS, GIVING US TIME TO REFLECT ON OUR LIVES, TO TAKE A SPIRITUAL “INVENTORY,” TO CHECK OURSELVES, TO DRAW OURSELVES NEARER TO GOD TO KNOW HIM BETTER. AND THIS HAPPENS THROUGH REPENTANCE.

But what actually is Repentance?

Literally, Repentance means to admit the fact that we all are sinners, confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness. Change our mind to follow God and to do His will. Repentance also means turning from our way to God’s way, having the desire to follow God and do His will. Repentance will lead us into Regeneration, to a new life. When we truly repent, we will have more desire to come to Church, to hear the Message of the Gospel which will nurture our souls.

Charles Colson, an aide to President Nixon, puts it this way:

“My own conversion,” he says, “was rather dramatic…because, in a sense I have lived two lives. In a secular world, I felt what life is like without Christ. I saw the corruption of power and success. Today I can look at the secular world I was once part of and critique it from a Christian perspective...In my own life, REPENTANCE MEANT THAT I WANTED TO ADOPT NEW VALUES. I WANTED TO BE FORGIVEN OF WHAT I’D DONE IN THE PAST AND NOT CONTINUE THESE THINGS...” (ITALIC IS MINE)

During Lent, the Church with Gospel readings and messages will lead us to Calvary where Jesus paid the price on the cross for our sins. Let us then, take advantage of the 40 days, searching our hearts, confessing our sins, repent and turn to God.

REPENTANCE BEGINS IN THE HUMILIATION OF THE HEART, AND ENDS IN THE REFORMATION OF THE LIFE.” Jer. 10:23-24, 11:1-8

I remember, when I used to apply for a job, in those days we had to seat down and fill up an Application in front of the Personnel Manager. I remember, I used to be very nervous, make sure that all the questions were answered properly and correctly. After everything is done and said, when they were ready to hire me, the Personnel Manager would tell me the TERMS AND THE CONDITIONS. He would say my responsibilities, the hours expected to come to work, etc. etc. After I hear their TERMS AND CONDITIONS, I would give my TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Before they hire me, the one very important term that I put in front of them was,

“I AM AN ARCHDEACON OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH; I HAVE OBLIGATION TOWARD GOD AND MY CHURCH. WEEKDAYS I MAY HAVE TO TAKE OFF FOR FUNERALS, I DON’T WORK SUNDAYS. BUT IF I TAKE OFF FOR FUNERALS, I’LL PROMISE TO MAKE UP THE TIME.

IS THIS ACCEPTABLE WITH THE COMPANY?”

I have put this TERMS AND CONDITIONS to every company BEFORE THEY HIRED ME. And thank God, every company respected and eccepted my TERMS. I know as an employee what it means to work for companies

One way or another, we all have SOME TERMS AND CONDITIONS, between husbands and wives, parents and children. When they have to be home, what they can do or can’t do.

MY FATHER’S TERMS:

As soon as the streetlight came on, I had to be inside the house! NO QUESTIONS, NO EXCUSES. Otherwise, I would pay the consequences.

GOD IS NOT DIFFERENT:

Last Sunday we read on THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS God put in front of our ancestors, Adam and Eve.

“THE LORD TOOK THE MAN AND PUT HIM IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN... AND THE LORD COMMANDED THE MAN, ‘YOU ARE FREE TO EAT FROM ANY TREE OF THE GARDEN; BUT YOU MUST NOT EAT FROM THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, FOR WHEN YOU EAT OF IT YOU WILL SURLY DIE.” (Gen. 2:15-17). And when they did not keep the TERMS AND THE CONDITIONS of God, they, as well as we are paying the consequences.

THE PRODIGAL SON:

In today’s Passage, the church is teaching us THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS of being a child of God. If you meet the TERMS you will stay in the house and be the part of the family, if you don’t you will pay the price. In the Book of Jeremiah, we read that God was warning the Israelites. Because of their sins, God was going to destroy them. We see that God is so patients that He gives them warning. He does not surprise them.

God gives them time to think about it seriously and make their decision.

God doesn’t want to see any bode get hurt. He gives us time to seek His will and live safe.

After God gave warning to Jeremiah, Jeremiah prayed the following prayer.

“I KNOW LORD, THAT A MAN’S LIFE IS NOT HIS OWN; IT IS NOT FOR MAN TO DIRECT HIS STEPS. CORRECT ME, LORD, BUT ONLY WITH JUSTICE- NOT IN YOUR ANGER, LEST YOU REDUCE ME TO NOTHING.” (10:23-24)

After Jeremiah realizing that his life belongs to God, and that the human being is not capable of living with the guidance from God, he asks correction and guidance from God, then we read.

‘THIS IS THE WORD THAT CAME TO JEREMIAH FORM THE LORD.”

It was NOT Jeremiah’s word; it was THE WORD OF THE LORD.

A message God was asking to convey to his people, and today to us.

A.- THE TERMS OF THE LORD.

God says,

“LISTEN TO THE TERMS OF THE COVENANT AND TELL THEM TO THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH AND TO THOSE WHO LIE IN JERUSALEM.” (Jer.11:2)

As much as the “TERMS” addressed to the Israelites, they are also applicable to us today.

Today the Message is for all of us.

God told Ezekiel.

“SON OF MAN… GO NOW TO YOUR COUNTRYMEN … AND SPEACK AND SPEAK TO THEM…WHETHER THEY LISTEN OR FAIL TO LISTEN.” (Ez. 2:11)

That is what I am doing. PREACHING WHETHER YOU ARE LISTENING OR NOT LISTENING.

EG.

Years ago one my perishers said to me “THE BEST TIME I TAKE A KNAP IS, WHEN THE PASOR STARTS PREACHING.”

B.-WHAT ARE THE TERMS OF THE LORD?

a.- OBEY AND DO EVERYTHING YOU LISTEN.

“THE TERMS I COMMANDED YOUR FOREFATHERS WHEN I BROUGHT THEM OUT OF EGYPT...I SAID, OBEY ME AND DO EVERYTHING I COMMANDED YOU, AND YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE.”

You must have noticed by now that I have tried to make the Messages, the Services understandable with the language that you understand. Now what God is saying that HIS TERMS IS NOT ONLY TO LISTEN THE MESSAGE BUT TO OBEY AND DO IT.

EXAMPLE:

The four types of listener: Not deep, Rocky, Thorny and Good soil.

“BLESSED IS THE ONE WHO READS THE WORD OF THE PROPHECY AND BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR IT AND TAKE TO HEART.” (Rev. 1:3)

Unless we take the Message of God into our hearts and let it work to change our lives, it will stay in our minds with no results.

That is one of the ‘TERMS” of the Lord;

To listen the message and to obey.

b.- THE OTHER TERM THAT GOD PUTS IN FRONT OF US TODAY IS; TO FOLLOW HIM.

Following the Lord means, to give up your right and live for Him.

EXAMPLES:

When He called His disciples.

When people wanted to follow Him, they couldn’t because they wanted to follow according to their terms.

E.G. The Lawyer, the rich man, the man who wanted to bury his father first.

“THE LORD SAID...LISTEN TO THE COVENANTS AND FOLLOW THEM... I HAD COMMANDED THEM TO FOLLOW BUT THEY DID NOT KEEP.” (11:8)

See, God has given us free will to LISTEN, TO OBEY AND TO FOLLOW. The choice is ours.

JOSHUA: When God took Moses and replaced Joshua as his successor, the first thing Joshua did put condition, terms in front of Israel.

“DO NOT LET THIS BOOK OF THE LAW DEPART FROM YOUR MOUTH; MEDITATE ON IT DAY AND NIGHT, SO THAT YOU MAY BE CAREFUL TO DO EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT, THEN YOU WILL BE PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL.” (Josh. 1:8)

There are condition and terms God is putting in front of us all.

If we meet the conditions, God will fulfill His promise.

You can refuse, but don’t forget you will pay the consequences.

JESUS SAID:

“NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME, LORD, LORD, WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT ONLY HE/SHE WHO DOES THE WILL OF THE FATHER, WHO IS IN HEAVEN.” (Luke 8:21)

God does not surprise us, He tells it as it is. He puts the TERMS AND THE CONDITIONS It’s up to us how we take it.

When Solomon built the Temple, and he prayed to God, God answered to Solomon’s prayer by putting condition and terms.

The conditions God puts Infront of us.

“IF MY PEOPLE, WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.” (II Chr. 7:14)

EXAMPLE THE PRODIGAL SON:

God is the same God, and He is putting the same conditions and terms in front of us.

After Jeremiah heard the Message from the Lord, he said.

“AMEN, LORD!” That is I agree and I will obey to the terms.

I agree, let it be the way you want.

Can you and I say AMEN! to the TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE LORD?

Lent is the time to answer to these questions and answer to them with humble and broken heart, “yes, I will.”

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“HAVE MERCY UPON YOUR CREATURES, AND UPON ME, GREAT SINNER THAT I AM.”

Prayer of Saint Nerses the Gracious. (Soorp Nerses Shunorhali)

March 2022

Sometimes a question is asked. Why Lent? And what is the meaning of Lent?

During Lent, as you can see, the church is as if in mourning. The curtain is closed and is black. The hymns are sung softly, and some are read instead of sung. The entire church service seems not happy. The sermons are geared more to sin and repentance. We have the picture of Christ on the cross and can’t help to stare at it. It is not pleasant to see because it reminds us of suffering and the reason of that suffering: is our sins.

Lent is a time to set aside.

As Jesus withdrew Himself into the wilderness for forty days fasting and praying so we too must set aside time to think and reevaluate the purpose of His suffering.

We set aside time for our pleasure, and God forbid if that time is disturbed. We set a time to meet people and for a social hour, we give enormous time to be successful in our business, so it makes sense to set aside some time to think and ponder over on the condition of our souls, our inner being, and as David did, ask God by saying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps.139:23-24)

Lent is time to sincerely search and open the doors of our hearts a little wider in order to understand the Lord better through His suffering so that when Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday and Easter come they will not just be as other days but an opportunity to see and experience the overwhelming power and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our forefathers assigned Lent because it is good for our souls. it is a penitential time as we examine our sinful and rebellious nature and say, “Lord, have mercy upon your creatures, and upon me, great sinner that I am.” Lent is like a red light, a time to stop and turn to God, like the Prodigal son did, who made a U TURN toward his father, who was waiting for him.

 Thank you for your generous contribution to the “VOICE”, a God pleasing Ministry.    

Your contribution is Tax Deductible.

Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian

P.S. To reach us; P.O. Box 321, Sutton, MA, 01590: aramstep2@gmail.com 508-865-2454

The unmeasurable love of God

The unmeasurable love of God

John 3: 16 is called “The small Gospel” Because the Message of the entire Bible is contained in this one verse.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, [Jesus] that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

If you feel sometimes neglected and downcast, just remember the above verse.

Almost every child who has gone to Sunday School knows this verse by heart.

It tells us about the unconditional love of God toward us.

It tells us about universal love, that God loves everybody regardless of who the person is.

It tells us about sacrificial love, that is that God loved us and took action to show His love by sending His Son Jesus.

It tells us that the initiative in all salvation lies with God. Sometimes men speak as if they picture a stern, angry, unforgiving God. But in today’s passage we read that was God who sent His Son, and He sent Jesus in order to demonstrate His love toward us.

In this passage we see that God is acting not for His own sake, but for ours, not to satisfy His desire for power and prestige, but to draw us nearer to Him through Jesus Christ.

God is the Father who cannot be happy and satisfied until His wandering children have made room in their hearts for Him to dwell there.

Jesus said:

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)

Can you imagine, God the Creator is willing to come down and make His dwelling (home) in our hearts?

Conditions attached. To hear and obey His teachings.

God did not demonstrate His love only towards those who loved Him. His love was shed upon all mankind including the unlovable and the lonely who have no one else to love them. God not only loves the people who love Him but also those who never think about Him.

This is what Christmas is all about. The Gift of God, the Baby Jesus, and Jesus mean Savior. Our Passage states “That whoever believe in Him (in Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God did His part by giving the greatest Gift ever, Jesus Christ, and today He wants to “dwell in us,” do we have room for Him?

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

GOD LOVES EACH ONE OF US

IF THERE WAS ONLY ONE OF US TO LOVE

A short, sweet, and urgent call

Paul writing to young Timothy, says:

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  (II Tim. 2:22)

As some of you know, for almost three months now I have been confined home, not because of Covet 19, but gangrenous gall bladder disease. At this writing a drain is in place preparing my body for a surgery to follow.

Meanwhile I am not in bed nor seating down doing nothing and waiting for that call, but busy with my dedicated volunteers in Armenia, calling, writing and corresponding with them. Planning for the upcoming Summer camp, securing a new sight, getting in touch with the youth, selecting the neediest children to come to camp and the counselors are being picked up and trained. And the same time planning to purchase a youth center.

Apostle Paul’s prophecy is being fulfilled. He wrote, [Mark this,] “There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. (II Tim 3:1-5)

And the youth in Armenia are not exempts from the above temptations.

For years now we have been working with the children in Armenia, giving them Christian values, the teaching them the Bible, instilling in them the faith of our forefathers and the teaching of the Armenian Church. Also, God’s plan and the purpose for their lives. And now they are grown up. Graduated from the camp.

Last year I called the alumni to join us for a day, just to find out about their present spiritual and daily life.

What a thrill it was to see them grown up, some, of course, unrecognizable, others gotten married and had children. Since their graduation from the Camp we were somehow disconnected from some. It was sad.

In order to protect the youth from the temptations Paul is describing above, God gave me this vision to fulfill. That is, to purchase or build a Youth Center.

By trusting God and on His promise, who said, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. (Is. 54:2)

Few weeks ago, I asked my people in Armenia to go head and find a suitable property or land to fulfill this God pleasing dream. 

Yesterday I received a call from Artzakh, one of my own orphan, who is talented and gifted in construction, who also oversaw (managed) to renovate the school, called me with excitement, informing me that they found a building with 5000 Square feet land for $60,000.00 (Sixty Thousand dollars)

Now it is Wednesday, three o’clock in the morning, I woke up and could not go back to bead, came to my office to write this short, sweet, exciting and very URGABT call.

As I said, trusting in God and to His love and compassion for the orphans, by faith I asked my people to make a $1,000.00 (One thousand dollars) deposit to secure the property. AND THEY DID! In short, now we need $59,000.00 (Fifty-nine thousand dollars) As soon as we have the amount, we will purchase and register to the Hope and Light charitable organization, which is affiliated to the “VOICE” and sign the final doted lines. to make a reality this long dreamed project.

            Please, please to not delay making a check payable to: The Voice of the Armenian church, Inc. and mail it with the enclosed envelope. Your contribution is Tax deductible.  

I ask you to please, not to put this letter aside, first pray and then make a decision the way the Holy Spirit leads you.  

Prayerfully waiting for your response.

 Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian

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THESE PRECIOUS KIDS DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR

 OWN YOUTH CENTER TO CALL “HOME.”

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Christmas 2021

“Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me.” (Ps. 23:4)

My Dear friend,

I am sure the above verse is very familiar to so many of us. I am sure some of us know Psalm 23 by heart. I remember when I was five years old my mother taught me to recite this chapter.

But how often have we pondered and meditated on the verses in order to understand what David, the experienced shepherd, was talking about?

Recently, at night, I had a burning sensation and pain in my stomach. Needless to say, I could not sleep the whole night, praying for daylight to come. But at four in the morning not able to bear the pain any longer I woke up Margaret and told her about my situation. She took me to a local hospital. They gave me some medication, which temporarily calmed me down, but later the pain got worst and became unbearable. Margaret rushed me back to hospital. On Sunday November 21st repeated tests showed change from before and we were told I needed emergency gall bladder surgery. The next morning. Laparoscopic surgery done but the gall bladder couldn’t be removed. It Was gangrenous a drain was out in place and further surgery to follow.

All I remember, I opened my eyes and found myself in hospital room, nurses were constantly coming in and out, checking my temperature, blood pressure and asking me questions. I had no clue what was going on. I was numb.

Later I found out that every four hours nurses were coming and injecting pain killer into my body. Gradually I came back to my senses. They told my what had happened, that my gallbladder had almost burst. If it did it would have naturally poisoned my entire body and could have put an end to my life.

I was hospitalized for one week. I did not know how close I was to saying farewell to this life until one day, during daytime, (I know I was alert,) I closed my eyes to communicate with my Lord Jesus Christ and to thank Him for His presence and the badly needed strength. All of a sudden, I saw three young men, dressed in black suits, far from me, gesturing their hand and asking me to join them, I refused. I told them I would rather stay with Jesus. They left. I opened my eyes and noticed two clergy colleagues, Fr. Mikael and Fr. Torkom standing at the door.  Fr. Torkom had a pink prayer book in his hand. They asked me if it was ok to come in and say a word of prayer. I said, “sure.”

After they prayed and left I began pondering about the three young men and their invitation. I was not hallucinating, or dreaming, it was real! Then I remembered Psalm 23:4. “Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me.”  I realized that I was going “Through the valley of death.” Yet my heart, mind and my whole being was in peace.

I had seen and heard so many people who were near death, trembling, and full of fear. Yet miraculously I had supernatural peace and tranquility.  Another verse from the Bible popped up; Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

This I call GRACE from above, for which I am eternally grateful to my GOD!

Now that God extended my life like He did to king Hezekiah, (II King 20:6) I consider it a privilege. I have to make sure that I will live the rest of my life to please my Savior who was incarnated and took flesh just like me.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:8)

 Christmas is upon us, merchants are crying for business, abusing Christmas, calling “Special for Christmas” to promote their business. I see the meaning of Christmas lost in the business world. Buying and exchanging gifts, don’t misunderstand I am not against it, but when we focus our eyes only in material things, I am afraid we will lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas.

Every Sunday we confess the Creed saying. “He came down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered, died, and was buried.” I have always said, if you were the only person on this planet, Jesus would have come just for you. “For God so loved the world (you and me) that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

As you celebrate Christmas would you invite Jesus in your heart and personally accept this GIFT from God. When Mary and Joseph were looking a place for them to stay, the Scripture says, “There was no room” for them to stay. (Luke 2:7)) I hope you make a room in your heart and welcome the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

Wishing you and your loved ones

A very Happy, Healthy and a Blessed Christmas

  Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian

P.S. Your contribution is Tax deductible.

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Some of the students to whom we have committed to provide college scholarships

Part 2 of A Thanksgiving Message

Winter is upon them. School has started. The economy is very bad, and we have some sick to support in Armenia. Below are some pictures who desperately need our help. Scholarships to continue their education. Dikran, in the white shirt, needs more surgery, his stomach is full of sores. Their father left them for Russia. They moved in with their aunt, their mother can’t work and takes care of her children. At this writing, we have promised to help more than 20 families to meet their daily, medical, heating, electricity and school needs.

Please consider helping us with our mission by clicking here and donating.

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A Thanksgiving Message

          How can we be thankful when life is not fair?

 “Always give thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:20

 Back during the dark days of 1929, a group of ministers in the Northeast, all graduates of the Boston School of Theology, gathered to discuss how they should conduct their Thanksgiving Sunday services. Things were about as bad as they could get, with no sign of relief. The bread lines were depressingly long, the stock market had plummeted, and the term Great Depression seemed an apt description for the mood of the country. The ministers thought they should only lightly touch upon the subject of Thanksgiving in deference to the human misery all about them. After all, what was there to be thankful for? But it was Dr. William L. Stinger, pastor of a large congregation in the city that rallied the group. This was not the time, he suggested, to give mere passing mention to Thanksgiving, just the opposite. This was the time for the nation to get matters in perspective and thank God for blessings always present, but perhaps suppressed due to intense hardship.

I suggest to you the ministers struck upon something. The most intense moments of thankfulness are not found in times of plenty, but when difficulties abound. Think of the Pilgrims that first Thanksgiving. Half their number dead, men without a country, but still there was thanksgiving to God. Their gratitude was not for something but in something. It was that same sense of gratitude that led Abraham Lincoln to formally establish the first Thanksgiving Day in the midst of national civil war, when the butcher’s list of casualties seemed to have no end and the very nation struggled for survival.

Perhaps in your own life, right now, there is intense hardship. You are experiencing your own personal Great Depression. Why should you be thankful this day? May I suggest three things?

 Paul writes:   “Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. not only so, (there is more to it) but we also glory in our sufferings, (how can we, if we are in pain, if we have lost a loved one, if we see our dear one suffering?) because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.” (Romans 5:2-7)

A. -WE MUST LEARN TO BE THANKFUL OR WE WILL BECOME BITTER.

Even the mention of the word conjure up a particular look upon the face of a bitter person. This is a person who is constantly unsatisfied with his/her life. Nothing makes him/her happy and he/she  intentionally makes life miserable not only for themselves, but also for those who have the misfortune of being around them. The bitter person becomes absorbed with the question of “why me.” He/she feels that he/she has been short-changed.

Dr. Jim Moore is a Christian author and a pastor of the 12,000 member St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Several years ago, he wrote a little book that perhaps some of you have seen entitled “You Can Get Bitter or You Can Get Better.” He told the story of a twenty-six-year-old woman in his congregation, whose husband died in a bazaar. The man’s tractor brushed up against a hot electric wire and killed him instantly. Now here she was, with three children, insufficient money, and hopes dashed. “I don’t know what I am going to do without Him,” she sobbed. “But I do know what my choices are. I can get bitter or I can get better. I am turning to the church so that I can get better.” She underscored a universal truth. When trouble slams us, we do have choices.

Rabbi Kushner says: “The God who created life in all its fragile vulnerability, the way a mother creates life, a God why grieves for his children when they suffer, who suffers with them when they are cruel to one another, when they hurt and kill one another” As one of America’s most prominent clergyman, the reverend William Sloane Coffin, insisted, reaffirming his faith after the death of his son in an accident, “God was the heart to break.” (he said) “If the Lord is my Shephard, why do innocent people suffer and die?” God does not, God cannot promise us happy endings in a world where laws of nature and human cruelty take their daily toll. God’s promise is not that we will be safe, but that we will never be alone.”   (Psalm 23 page 26) 

Ralph stockman, a renowned [Methodists] minister of a generation ago used to express it this way. he said, “a grief is a sorrow we carry in our heart. a grievance is a chip we carry on our shoulder.” All of us must face trouble. none are immune or exempt. Indeed, I stand before you this morning as one whose clerical robe provides no shelter from misfortune. at one time or another trouble will come up to all of us and place its hand on our shoulder, speak our name, and say to us: “Come and walk with me a while.”

Why is it that nine of the ten lepers never returned to give thanks to Jesus? We are not told. I suspect that they had become so embittered that they had all of the thankfulness squeezed out of them. There is only one anecdote for the embittered mind. It is a thankful heart. When we do this, it becomes a witness to others that they also can take heart, rather than become dour disciples. Don’t become self-absorbed with the issue of “why me?” For a season it might offer some comfort, but it does no good in the end. Do we ever ask that question when some joy comes into our life? Not really. We must learn to become thankful or we shall surely become bitter.

 B. -SECOND, WE MUST LEARN TO BE THANKFUL OR WE WILL BECOME DISCOURAGED.

 It is an inescapable tenant of Christianity that hardship will come. No one is immune, from the greatest to the least of us. But there is another inescapable tenant of our faith; we are not to become discouraged. The Bible is an encouraging book. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled.” Another time He said, “Fear not, for lo, I am with you always.” Paul encouraged the Philippians from jail, saying: “Rejoice in the lord always.”

As you reflect upon some of the events of your life this Thanksgiving, I challenge you to ask yourself this question “if it had not been for God?” That’s the question I would like you to focus on for the next four days leading up to Thanksgiving. Where would you be right now, if it were not for God? Where would you be? Would you be: Isolated? Mentally broken? Financially ruined? Physically destroyed? God has not let you down. So, be of good cheer!

As you sit down with family look around at them and ask yourself, where would I be without her? Where would I be without him? And then consider where would I be if it were not for God?

The Apostle Paul wrote: “To be thankful in everything.” It is not the test of faith to give thanks when the sun is shining. It is not the test of character when everything you touch turns to gold. It is not the test of our metal when we have won the election. The test comes when we have been knocked down.

We must learn to give thanks to God with whom we plan to spend eternity. Over and over again scripture makes it clear that God delights in a grateful heart. Therefore, may our prayer in times of trial be “O God, who has given me so much, I pray that you grant me one thing more, a grateful heart.” We must learn to become thankful so that we do not become discouraged.

 C. -WE MUST LEARN TO BECOME THANKFUL OR WE SHALL SURLY GROW ARROGANT AND SELF-SATISFIED.

 Mankind is certain that whatever he has achieved is of his own doing. But the truth teaches us that none are independent. When we give thanks, we reach beyond ourselves. I was always taken with the scene in the Jimmy Stewart movie “Shenandoah.” The time frame is the Civil War and Stewart is the father of a very large family. Each mealtime they gather around the table and he gives the exact same blessing: “O Lord, we planted the seed, then harvested the crop. If we had not put the food on the table, it wouldn’t be sitting there. But Lord, we give you thanks anyway.” This is the problem with the thankless heart. We end up giving credit where credit is not due.

When we give ourselves to self-congratulation, then we inevitably set ourselves up for disaster, forgetting the law of nature that says what goes up can also go down. How quickly trouble can come. A telephone call and our life are turned upside down. A national crisis and the Dow take a dive, retirements are gone, and jobs are lost. How quickly our lives can change.

“There are many things that confound me in life, but the one anchor of my soul has always been that God is good.” Martin Rinker was a minister in the little town of Eilenberg in Germany some 350 years ago. He was the son of a poor coppersmith, but somehow, he managed to work his way through an education. Finally, in the year 1617, he was offered the post of Archdeacon in his hometown parish. A year later, what has come to be known as the Thirty-Years-War broke out. His town was caught right in the middle. In 1637, the massive plague that swept across the continent hit Eilenberg... people died at the rate of fifty a day and the man called upon to bury most of them was Martin Rinker. In all, over 8,000 people died, including Martin's own wife. His labors finally came to an end about 11 years later, just one year after the conclusion of the war. His ministry spanned 32 years, all but the first and the last overwhelmed by the great conflict that engulfed his town, tough circumstances in which to be thankful. But he managed. And he wrote these words:

 Now let us thank our God,

With heart and hands and voices.

Who wondrous things hath done,

In whom His world rejoices.

It takes a magnificent spirit to come through such hardship and express gratitude. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy, Healthy and a Blessed Thanksgiving.

 Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian

P.S. Your contribution is Tax deductible.

At this writing, we are working to start a youth ministry in Armenia, and to build a youth center. Please pray and, if you can, take a part. Thank you and God bless you and your loved ones. AMEN!

Summer Camp 2021

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

(Heb. 6:10)

 September 2021

 Dear co-laborer,

 I greet you in the name of our loving and compassionate Lord, Jesus Christ.

As you know I was in Armenia for almost a month. We had the 11th annual Summer camp for our orphans.

It was a very tiring trip but thank God it WAS fruitful and very edifying for all. We witnessed drastic changes in children’s lives. Praise be to the LORD!

I have always said, we should thank God when we feel tired and have pain.  We should worry when we don’t feel tired and sometimes don’t feel an ache and pain in our body. That means we are not alive or have lost our sensitivity.

I thank those of you who prayed and financially supported this God pleasing ministry. May God Himself, through Jesus Christ, supply ALL your physical, spiritual and daily needs.

As you know we do not have any big organizations to support our ministry. Our support comes from individuals like you. For 11 years God never abandoned us. He provided all of our financial and manpower needs. I had dedicated counselors and co-workers. Eleven years ago, some of them were students now they decided to become counselors. Each time when they passed by, I gave them a hug and whispered in their ears, “I love you and so does God.” I am going to let one of them express her feelings.

"It was in 2010 when I came to this camp and celebrated my 10th birthday. It was a miracle for me. One of the best moments of my childhood. In summer there are many camps where children go to play, sing, dance and do other activities. But during my first year of camping here, I realized that I was in somewhere, where people were talking about things, which I have never heard it before. The love, the care and the compassion of God through Jesus Christ. I was impatiently waiting for the next year.  In 2011 together with my brother we were baptized by Der Aram. I obtained values ​​in the camp, and I discovered the path to life in the right way. Now I am a team member and I really want to share my own experience with those who will come to the camp this year "

I don’t have the space and don’t want to take your time telling you more how God graciously blessed us by revolutionizing our lives during the 10 days. But I must tell you one more thing. Though the Summer camp is over, the discipling of our children is year-round. My staff will meet with the children regularly in our Yerevan office. They will have Bible study, English classes, fellowship and fun. Here is where the van will be in use and the expenses will continue. And now we are praying and thinking to start a youth program. Your prayers and financial support would be greatly appreciated.

Now I will let the pictures do the talking. May God richly bless you and your loved ones!

 Prayerfully,

Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian

P.S. Your contribution is Tax deductible.

DURING THE 10 DAYS

Children worshiped God, learned about the love of God, learn to pray, had time for arts and crafts and presented dramas

'Big Family' Summer Camp update

My dear co-laborer in Christ Jesus.

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I hope this Summer camp information will find you and your loved ones well and safe.

After a year’s recess because of the Coved19 pandemic, I am happy to inform you that, God willing, this year we have already started planning to have our 11th Summer Camp for our orphans.

 It was a very difficult 2020 year for our children. Not only were they deprived from going to their daily school and activities, but they also did not have the joy of attending our Summer camp. But thank God for my devoted volunteer staff. They did not leave the “orphans” but constantly were in touch with them through Zoom keeping them busy with games and some religious curriculum.

After much praying and discussions with my staff we decided to hold our much awaited and anticipated Summer camp on August 3rd.

My dear friend, knowing the present situation in our Mother Land, we have taken every possible precaution to create a very safe yet joyous atmosphere for our precious children. Therefore, we have made the following steps.

         First: Instead of having 100 children for ten days, we will have two sessions, 50 children at each five day session.

        Second: before we enroll the child, my staff will investigate, sending out questionaries to their loved ones, to make sure that they have had no incident of contact with people with the Virus. And BEFORE they board the bus, the staff will check the temperature of each child.

       Third: instead of putting three children in each room, we will put two and will make sure before retiring they will take shower.

       Fourth: We made an agreement with the management before we enter the facility the entire campsite would be sanitized and would be inspected by our staff members.

       Fifth: During the entire session, the campsite will have ample sanitizers to make sure each child will sanitize himself/herself before, during and after each activity.  

Sixth: Knowing the weather in August, (90 F. in the City, but 65F in Vanatzor) we will hold all the classes and activities outside, in open air.

       Seventh: During the entire session, no other campers, individuals, or families will be allowed on the campsite. (which is a Summer resort) Thus, we will be environmentally and completely secluded.

      Eighth: The games and the social activities will be arranged slightly different, without losing a fun- filled atmosphere.

      And finally, this year we intentionally we to hold the Camp in Vanatzor, where the weather is cooler, and the facility is very clean and recently renovated.

 My dear partner in this mission, I know the question would rightfully be asked: the cost for each child.

 With all the precautions, choosing the best place, having the best meals, (The menu has already been prepared for each day) transportation from the inner city to the facility, needed textbooks, games, awards, clothing for some kids etc. the cost will be $27.50 (Twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents) each day for each child.

      As always, I am taking this step by faith knowing that our heavenly Father will keep His promise, who said:

“Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive.
    Your widows too can depend on me.” (Jer. 49:11)

 As always, we need your prayers and financial support for this God pleasing Project, knowing that:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,” (James:17)

“It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.”  (Eph.20:10)

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

(James 1:27)

            With gratitude,

             Prayerfully,

Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian

Click Here: Your contribution is Tax deductible

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Messages

What is the cross to you?

May 2021

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Saint Paul. Gal. 6:14

 Josiah, not even three years old, (not the king in the Bible. II King 21:24) our great-grandson, with a loud voice calls, “Mommy, mommy come and look, there is a cross in the moon.” Michela was perplexed while approaching the window where Josiah was gazing at the sky, whispers to herself, “cross in the moon?” what did he see now. Well, that’s for sure, never seen it before, she looks up and to her surprise, she sees the cross in the moon. Michela instantly grabs her camera and takes the picture; Enclosed.

May 2nd the Armenian Apostolic church celebrated the feast of the of “Apparition of the Cross,” (Yerevman Khach) You may have heard the story but allow me to refresh your memory.

On May 7th in the year 351, those living in Jerusalem witnessed an intensely illumined cross appear in the sky extending from Golgotha to the Mount of Olives; a span of almost two miles. As it remained visible for several hours, the population of Jerusalem assembled in the church to praise Jesus Christ for the miraculous sign, but this apparition not only affected the locals. St. Cyril the Bishop of Jerusalem wrote about the miracle in a letter to the Emperor Constantius of Constantinople who at the time, believed in the Arian heresy which denies Jesus is God and claims He was a created being, subordinate to God the Father. Upon reading the letter, Emperor Constantius was deeply moved and returned to the orthodox teaching of the Church that Jesus is God, equal in nature to the Father.

 THE CROSS

 The Cross has been a very common artifact (Zartarank) to wear or to give it as a gift. We cross ourselves, we kiss the cross and we bow down in front of the cross. I have made a custom, when I visit the sick in the hospital or visit nursing homes, I leave a wooden hand carved cross made in Armenia, and tell the recipient, “Every time when you look at the cross remember, that God loves you.” (I would like each of you to have one FREE OF CHARGE. Please call or write to me to personally request one and I will gladly mail it to you).

The early Christians were persecuted for their faith when they met each other in the street, to witness their faith secretly, greeted each other by crossing themselves. Incidentally, during the Roman Empire, the cross was like an electric chair, the criminals were hung on the cross for their crimes committed. “For it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” (Gal. 3:13) If something that was used for criminals, how can then Paul write to the Galatian church saying, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” (Gal.6:14)

It is the human nature to boast and be proud for what we have, what we have achieved, possess, and for our status, but to boast “in the cross” in electric chair? What made the cursed tool to become a blessed icon, which made Paul to say, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That is to say, I do not value anything in my life to brag about except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. To one-point Paul says: “I consider them (whatever is voluble to me) garbage.” (Phil.3:8) 

 AT THE CROSS WE SEE THE LOVE OF GOD.

 Jesus was not hung on the cross for His crime or sin, which He did not commit, but as Isiah, some 700 years before the crucifixion, wrote: “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Is.53:5) and Paul affirmed by saying, “God demonstrated His own love for us in this. while we still sinners, Christ dies for us.” (Rom. 5:8) The Bible tells us that we ALL are sinners and have come short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23) You don’t have to kill or rob someone in order to be called “sinner.” We were born sinners. Even Paul for himself says, “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.” (I Tim. 1:15)

 THE LOVE OF GOD COMPELLED HIM TO SEND HIS SON JESUS, TO BE CRUCIFIED ON THE CROSS, IN ORDER TO SECURE OUR SALVATION TO AND RECONCILE US WITH THE FATHER.

 Because of our sinful nature, we are enemies with God.  Paul writes, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death [on the cross] to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (Col.  1:21-22) I can picture Jesus stretching His arms on the cross, one hand reaching to His Father’s hand and the other to the us as he begs us to confess our sins and be reconciled with the Father. Saint Paul describes it nicely, “And in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” (Eph. 2:16)

 THE LOVE OF GOD ALLOWED HIS SON TO BE NAILED ON THE CROSS INORDER FOR US TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE.

 None of us are worthy to inherit the eternal life. Paul says: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:” (I Cor. 6:9) John says, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:27)

During the Great Lent we sing, “We bow down before your cross, O Christ, and we magnify your holy betrayal, and we glorify your holy sufferings; come, O you faithful, let us bow down to Christ our God, for he came and through His cross He granted gifts to the world; Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, who was betrayed for us, have mercy upon us.”  

Isaac Watts writes: “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.

My friend, now that I briefly presented to you the reason Jesus had to be crucified on the cross, I hope and pray that from this point on when you look at the cross, or when you cross yourself, you remember how much God loved you and gave His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross, and how much Jesus loved you and willingly came down, incarnated and willingly submitted Himself to the cross in order for you and me to be with Him forever.

 Now you know why Paul said: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” (Gal.6:14)

 Rev. Fr. Archpriest Aram Stepanian

 P.S. Ask for your wooden carved cross. It is FREE. Click HERE.

P.P.S. 11th Summer Camp preparation is underway, details to follow. Please pray.

Donate Here

Josiah pointing out the cross in the moon