|
|
|
|
Worship With Us
We invite you and your family to join us for worship this Sunday, March 26.
Sunday of the Judge
Դատաւորի Կիրակի
8:30 am - Morning Service
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
Arevakal (Sunrise) Service immediately following
Weekly Scripture Readings (click to read)
Isaiah 65:8-25; Philippians 3:1-4:9; Luke 17:20-18:14
|
|
|
SAVE THE TOMB
A Privilege for Every Christian - Participate in This Historic Renovation
Diocesan Primate Abp. Khajag Barsamian has recently launched a Diocesan Fundraising Initiative for the Restoration of Christ’s Tomb at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. View a video introducing the Save the Tomb Campaign. The Armenian Church, through our great Patriarchate of Jerusalem, has been blessed and honored to share joint custodial oversight of the Holy Sepulchre from medieval times down to the present day, and is deeply involved in its restoration. View a video prepared by National Geographic about the unveiling of Christ's Tomb. As a major jurisdiction of the worldwide Armenian Church, the Eastern Diocese aims to raise $300,000 to contribute to this effort. A special website was launched for this campaign - please visit the website, www.SavetheTomb.org, for more information.
TUESDAY, APRIL 4
NEW ENGLAND FUNDRAISING RECEPTION
All are welcome to attend this special event at the Sheraton Commander Hotel in Cambridge. Abp. Khajag Barsamian, Primate, Presiding. Click for event information. Please RSVP by March 27th by contacting the church office.
|
|
|
This Sunday, March 26th, is Youth Sunday - designated on the last Sunday of each month. On these days, our Sunday School students serve as Junior Parish Trustees, taking on various duties in the church. Fr. Arakel also prepares a special interactive youth sermon on this day, giving our students the opportunity to see and learn about various items used in the church, and ask questions about current topics in their lives. We encourage all families and children to participate this Sunday.
|
|
|
Lent's fifth Sunday is known as The Sunday of the Judge. This Sunday's parable (Luke 18:1-8) involves an unjust judge who refuses to hear a widow's plea. But because of the widow's persistence to be vindicated against her adversary, even this hard, godless judge gives in and conducts a trial. This parable assures us that God, our just and loving judge, will not turn a deaf ear to the pleas of His children; but we learn, too, the need for perseverance in the Christian life.
For us, the Lenten period, including Holy Week, is intended to be a time for self-examination as we prepare for the events of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Through prayer, fasting, Bible-reading, and self-examination, we are given an opportunity to renew our commitment to God, and gain the strength to work at being more loving, humble, and gentle. Click here to read more about Great Lent from the Eastern Diocese.
WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN VIGIL SERVICES
Join us each Wednesday during Lent for our weekly Vigil Service at 7:00pm.
Click here for the full schedule.
|
|
THURSDAY, MARCH 30 - All families, and anyone interested in this topic, are welcome to attend a screening of "Screenagers," a new documentary which explores the impact of screen time on children and offers parents solutions that work. 7:00pm - Charles Mosesian Cultural & Youth Center - Keljik Hall. Click to view the trailer. Click for full details. Please RSVP here.
|
|
|
SUNDAY, APRIL 9 - Support our youth and join us for our annual Palm Sunday Youth Day Banquet, hosted by our ACYOA Juniors and Seniors. Enjoy a program prepared by our youth, including a performance by the Erebuni Dance Ensemble. View flyer.
A delicious chicken dinner will be served, along with wine, salad, and dessert. Advance reservations required - tickets will not be sold at the door. Tickets are $16 for Adults and $10 for Children/ACYOA Juniors. Tickets will be available until April 5th and can be purchased in the church office, at fellowship hour, or online. RESERVE ONLINE! Click here to make your Palm Sunday Banquet reservation online.
|
|
SATURDAY, APRIL 22 - We encourage all members of the community to attend the first-ever Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The service will take place at the Annunication Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England in Boston on Saturday, April 22nd at 2:00pm. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy will also participate in the service. Join us as we come together in prayer with our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters to remember the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. View the event flyer.
|
|
|
MONDAY, JUNE 26 - FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATIONS AND DEPOSITS IS APRIL 20TH!
Join us this summer for a journey to our homeland, as we tour Armenia's most important religious and historical sites, including Holy Etchmiadzin, Lake Sevan, Khor Virab, and more. Our pilgrimage will also include Service and Outreach projects, giving our group the opportunity to serve and give back to the communities in Armenia. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact the church office.
|
|
|
During this Lenten period as we prepare for the glory of Christ’s Resurrection, we ask our parishioners to remember St. James during this holiest of seasons. It is customary in the Armenian Church to provide Yughakin (meaning "price of oil") especially around the feasts of Christmas and Easter. In early times, each local church community would donate money towards the purchase of oil, which would keep the lanterns burning in the church.
As we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, let us remember and continue in the custom of Yughakin, so we can keep our "oil-burning lanterns" always burning and our doors always open at St. James.
Click here to make your Easter Yughakin Offering online.
|
|
Thursday, March 23 - Journey Through Lent: ACYOA Seniors Lenten Discussion Series. All ACYOA Seniors are invited to join us for interactive Lenten reflections in a casual group setting. Click for more info.
Monday, March 27 - NO Lenten Study Series this week
Wednesday, March 29 - Weekly Lenten Vigil Services. Join us Wednesdays during Lent at 7:00pm.
Thursday, March 30 - 'Screenagers' Film Screening - All are welcome to attend a screening of this new documentary, which explores the impact of screen time on children and offers parents proven solutions that work. Click for full details.
Monday, April 3 - Lenten Study Series. Join us at 7:00pm. Click for more information.
Monday, April 3 - Men's Club Monthly Dinner Meeting. Speaker: Joseph V. Ananian. Topic: Understanding Elder Law. View flyer for full details.
Tuesday, April 4 - 'Save the Tomb' Fundraising Reception - See above for full details.
Sunday, April 9 - Palm Sunday - ACYOA Day Banquet - See above for full details.
Friday, April 21 - Hye Cafe - with Live Musical Entertainment! Click for full details.
Thursday, April 27 - St. James Book Club Gathering - Our Book Club is back! Selection: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. To receive book club updates, please join our Facebook group.
Saturday, May 13 - St. James Hye Tea! Our popular event is back this spring - Limited space remains! View additional details.
Monday, May 15 - 18th Annual St. James Open Golf Tournament. Save the Date! Details to follow.
Click here to view our full Calendar of Events.
|
|
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE LOOYS! - The Spring 2017 issue of the Looys is now online. Read it here or find all our publications online at http://www.stjameswatertown.org/our-publications/.
FLOWERS FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER - During Holy Week and Easter, the altar is decorated with special flowers and Easter lilies. We invite parishioners to donate flowers in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion. Donations may be made directly to the church office. We thank you for your generosity during this Easter season.
SUMMER PROGRAM DATES ANNOUNCED - All youth are encouraged to participate in our Diocesan Summer Programs. Please contact Youth Minister Maria Derderian with any questions or for more information. St. Vartan Camp provides an environment for young Armenian-American Christians to grow and flourish as they learn about and develop a deeper understanding of their Armenian faith and culture, overlooking the scenic Catskill Mountains in Greenville, NY - View flyer here. Open to campers ages 8-15. CITs - ages 16 & 17. Staff, ages 18+. Click to register online. St. Nersess Summer Conferences - Held at the newly consecrated St. Nersess campus in Armonk, NY. Find out more and register online at www.stnersess.edu.
ADULT ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES - Are you an adult interested in learning Armenian? It's never too late! Sign up for the Mesrob Mashdotz Institute Western Armenian Language Classes, now in our 35th year. Classes held Monday OR Wednesday nights from 7-9pm - the new semester began on January 16th. Please e-mail Annie Chekijian for further details.
UPDATE YOUR E-MAIL PREFERENCES - Did you know? For your convenience, we offer the option to customize your preferences and select which type of e-mails you wish to receive from our parish. Simply click on 'update subscription preferences' at the bottom of this (or any) St. James e-mail you receive to opt-in or opt-out of certain lists.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
