Weekly Oshagan

June 2nd, 2024, Newsletter of

St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles

Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Parish Priest

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A Heartfelt Thanks to Gail Chelebian

and a Warm Welcome to the New Sunday School Year.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

As we look forward to the start of another blessed Sunday school year at St. James, it is with immense gratitude and joy that I extend my heartfelt thanks to our exceptional superintendent, Gail Chelebian. Gail's dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to our Sunday school program have made it one of the most organized and dynamic within the Western Diocese.

Under Gail's leadership, our Sunday school has thrived, becoming a beacon of learning and faith for our young parishioners. Her innovative teaching methods, which include storytelling, coloring, crafts, the joyous incorporation of Armenian dances and songs, and engaging Armenian language and cultural art projects, have enriched our children's understanding of the Bible and their Armenian heritage.The recent Hantes program, “If These Walls Could Talk,” is a testament to Gail's ability to breathe life into our church and inspire our youth. The students' presentations, linking biblical teachings to beautiful paintings, were truly a sight to behold and a reminder of the living faith within our community.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Our Sunday school embodies this spirit, nurturing young believers to grow in faith and become shining examples to others.

I also extend my deepest gratitude to our supportive Parents' Board members. Their selfless devotion and hard work alongside Gail have been instrumental in the success of our Sunday school. Their constant support, whether through organizing events, assisting with activities, or simply being present, has created a nurturing and loving environment for our children.

As we prepare for the first day of Sunday school on September 15, 2024, we eagerly anticipate welcoming more children into our fold. Our goal is to continue building a strong foundation of faith, knowledge, and community for our youth. Gail’s efforts, supported by our dedicated teachers and the entire parish family, ensure that St. James remains a place where our children can flourish spiritually and culturally.

Let us look forward to another year of growth, learning, and joy, and may we always strive to impart the timeless truths of our faith to the next generation.

With profound gratitude and anticipation.

Prayerfully,

Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian

Title: "Emulating Elijah: Faithfulness in Times of Adversity".

English Summary of Father Haroutioun Tachejian's sermon delivered on Sunday, May 26, 2024 at St. James.

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, we reflect on the life of Prophet Elijah, a towering figure in the history of our faith. Elijah’s journey with God offers profound lessons for our own spiritual walk, especially in times of isolation and adversity. He was a man set apart, a beacon of faithfulness in an era when the people of Israel had largely abandoned their covenant with God. As we delve into his story, let us draw inspiration to live faithfully and worship God with unwavering devotion.

Elijah stood as a lone figure of righteousness amidst a nation worshiping idolatry and living immoral life. His life was marked by profound spiritual zeal and an unwavering commitment to the worship of the one true God. Elijah's very name means "My God is Yahweh," signifying his life's mission to turn the hearts of the Israelites back to their God. His bold confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-40) serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of undivided allegiance to God. Here, Elijah's faith was manifested in a spectacular display of God's power, as fire from heaven consumed the sacrifice, proving the supremacy of Yahweh over the false gods.

Elijah’s life was not only about grand miracles but also about deep, personal struggles and an intimate relationship with God. After his triumph on Mount Carmel, Elijah faced severe persecution from Queen Jezebel, leading him to flee into the wilderness. This period of despair brought Elijah to Mount Horeb, where he encountered God not in the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-13). This encounter teaches us that God’s presence is often found in the quiet and gentle whispers, amidst the noise and chaos of life.

In times of personal crisis and spiritual exhaustion, Elijah’s experience reminds us to seek God's presence in silence and solitude. St. Augustine writes about this, saying, "Elijah found God not in the commotion but in the tranquility of a gentle whisper. In our own lives, we must quiet our hearts to hear God’s voice, guiding and comforting us."

As we reflect on Elijah’s life, we are called to embody his fervent faith and unwavering devotion to God. In an age where distractions and secular influences abound, we must strive to remain steadfast in our worship and commitment to God, just as Elijah did. Let us also remember the importance of listening for God’s voice in the quiet moments and seeking the support of our Christian community to sustain us in our journey.

May the example of Prophet Elijah inspire us to live lives of deep faith, fervent prayer, and unwavering devotion to God. Let us, like Elijah, stand firm in our faith, even when it feels like we are standing alone. For in our faithfulness, we are never truly alone—God is always with us, guiding, sustaining, and whispering to our hearts. Amen.

PASTORAL/RITUAL SERVICES

Ձեր Խորհրդակատարութիւններուն, Տնօրհնէքի, հիւանդի այցելութեան եւ այլ խնդրանքներուն համար

դիմեցէք Եկեղեցի (323) 295 4588

կամ հեռացայնեցէք Տէր Յարութիւննին (818) 649-4796

For the arrangement of sacramental services, home visitation, home blessing or healing prayers, and Holy Communion, 

please call the church office at (323) 295-4588 

or Fr. Haroutioun directly at (818) 649-4796

Կիրակի, Յունիս 2, 2024

Ս. Պատարագ  - Ժամը  10:30ին

Ս. Հաղորդութիւն - Ժամը  11:45ին

Քարոզ - Ժամը  12:00ին

Հոգեհանգստեան Պաշտօն - Ժամը  12:15ին

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Divine Liturgy - 10:30 am

Holy Communion - 11:45am

Sermon - 12:00 pm

Requiem Service   - 12:15 pm

ՍՈՒՐԲ ԳՐԱՅԻՆ ԸՆԹԵՐՑՈՒՄՆԵՐ

ԿԻՐԱԿԻ , Յունիս 2, 2024

Բ. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ ՀՈԳԵԳԱԼՈՒՍՏԷՆ ԵՏՔ 

Ս. ԷՋՄԻԱԾՆԻ ՏՕՆ 

ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆ ԸՍՏ ՅՈՎՀԱՆՆՈՒ 10:22-30

Ձմեռ էր. Երուսաղէմի մէջ տաճարին նաւակատիքի տօնակատարութիւնը տեղի կ’ունենար: Յիսուստաճարին Սողոմոնի սիւնագաւիթին մէջ կ’երթեւեկէր, երբ իր շուրջ հաւաքուեցան Հրեաները եւհարցուցին.

– Մինչեւ ե՞րբ մեր հոգին պիտի հանես. եթէ դուն ես Քրիստոսը՝ յստակ ըսէ մեզի:

Յիսուս պատասխանեց.

– Արդէն իսկ ձեզի ըսած եմ, սակայն չէք հաւատար: Այն գործերը որ Հօրս անունով կը կատարեմ,անոնք իսկ կը վկայեն՝ թէ ով եմ ես: Բայց դուք չէք հաւատար, որովհետեւ իմ ոչխարներէս չէք: Եսոչխարներս կը ճանչնամ. անոնք ձայնս կը լսեն եւ կը հետեւին ինծի, եւ ես անոնց յաւիտենականկեանք կու տամ. անոնք բնաւ պիտի չկորսուին: Ոչ ոք պիտի կարենայ զա­նոնք յափշտակել իմձեռքէս: Հայրս այդ ոչխարները ինծի տուաւ, եւ ոչ ոք կրնայ յափշտակել զանոնք իմ Հօրս ձեռքէն,որովհետեւ Հայրս բոլորէն աւելի մեծ է: Ես եւ Հայրս մէկ ենք:

ՆԱՄԱԿ ԵԲՐԱՅԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ 9:1-10

Հետեւաբար ձեր մեղքերը իրարու խոստովանեցէք եւ իրարու համար աղօթեցէք, որպէսզի բժշկուիք.որովհետեւ արդարի մը աղօթքը ազդեցիկ է եւ մեծապէս կ’օգնէ: Եղիա մեզի նման կիրքերուենթակայ մարդ էր. բայց երբ աղօթեց որ անձրեւ չգայ, երեքուկէս տարի չանձրեւեց երկրի վրայ:Ապա դարձեալ աղօթեց, եւ երկինքը անձրեւ տեղաց ու երկիրը իր բերքը տուաւ:

Եղբայրնե՛րս, երբ ձեզմէ ոեւէ մէկը ճշմարտութեան ուղիէն մոլորի, եւ ուրիշ մը յաջողի զայնվերադարձնել, գիտցէք՝ թէ մեղաւորը իր մոլար ճամբէն դարձնողը թէ՛ անոր հոգին մահուընէ կը փրկէեւ թէ՛ իր բազմաթիւ մեղքերուն թողութիւն կը գտնէ:

BIBLICAL READINGS

SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2024

John 10:22-30 

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” 

Hebrews 9:1-10 

Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was constructed, the first one, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the Presence; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot speak now in detail.   

Such preparations having been made, the priests go continually into the first tent to carry out their ritual duties; but only the high priest goes into the second, and he but once a year, and not without taking the blood that he offers for himself and for the sins committed unintentionally by the people. By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the sanctuary has not yet been disclosed as long as the first tent is still standing. This is a symbol of the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various baptisms, regulations for the body imposed until the time comes to set things right.  

HOKEHANKIST REQUESTS:

Last Sunday, MAY 26th we prayed for

Hokehankist Requests that were not listed in the Sunday Weekly Oshagan for:

HRANT AJAMIAN

BEDROS TERZIAN - 5th Year - Father

To Request a Hokehankist:

For any Requiem (Hokehankist) service requests,

please contact the church secretary

by Noon time on WEDNESDAY

to be included in Sunday’s bulletin.

The secretary may be reached at

secretary@stjamesla.net or by calling +1(323) 295-4588.

Walk-in requests are welcomed on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. The information will be listed in the following Sunday’s bulletin.

THANK YOUS AND DONATIONS

Sunday, May 26, 2024, to Friday May 31, 2024

We thank our faithful parishioners

for the generous donations and support of our church.

GENERAL DONATIONS

Week of May 26th to May 31st, 2024

Gustavo Rendon and Anita Agzarian, Ohannes Beudjekian,

Marilynn Bradbury, Gary and Nina Turpanjian

ALTAR FLOWERS

We would like to thank and express our appreciation to

Deacon Gregory Akarakian who lovingly provides the Altar flowers

of red roses making sure there are fresh flowers

on the altar when needed.

**********************

HOKERHANKIST DONATIONS:

For:

Sunday May 26, 2024

For:

HRANT AJAMIAN

By:

Marie Ajamian

For:

BEDROS TERZIAN

By:

Garabet Terzian - Son

Hrayr Terzian - Son

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ST. JAMES OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday

9 AM to 1 PM

2 PM to 5 PM

The office is closed for lunch between 1-2 PM

Monday through Friday