Armenian Church of Our Saviour 87 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609 Reverend Father Aved Terzian, Pastor 1st Armenian Church in America Sunday Bulletin Morning Service 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy 9:30 AM Welcome to all who have come to worship with us on this day May the blessings of the Lord be upon you and may all your prayers be answered August 17, 2014 Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother Of God Blessing of the Grapes îûÝ ê. ²ëïáõ³Í³ÍÝÇ ì»ñ³÷áËáõÙÇÝ Ðá·ÇÝ êáõñµ »Ï»ëó¿ Ç ù»½, »õ ½ûñáõÃÇõÝ ´³ñÓñ»ÉáÛÝ Ñáí³ÝÇ ÉÇóÇ Ç í»ñ³Û ùá£ Hokeen Soorp yegestseh ee kez yev zorootiun Partsrelouyn hovanee leetsee ee vera ko. The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. Holy Scriptures Reading - Isaiah 7: 10-16 Epistle - Galatians 3:29-4:7 Gospel - Luke 2:1-7 Church Office: 508-756-2931 Church Hall: 508-438-1439 Church Website: www.acoos.org Church Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30A-4:30P E-mail: [email protected] LUKE 2: 1-7 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. The Divine Liturgy continues on page 18 with the singing of the Nicene Creed IN LIEU OF GRAPES We gratefully acknowledge donations to help defray the cost of grapes from the following parishioners made to the Church for this blessed Feast Day. In Memory of The Nordigian Family from Mary K. Connor Donations made by Vigeen & Vivian Dola Yetvart & Yercanik Penbeyan Alice Piligian The Sogigian Family Any additional donations will be acknowledged in next Sunday's bulletin FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD The Assumption of the Holy Mother of God is one of the five major (Daghavar) feasts of the Armenian Church and is celebrated on the Sunday closest to August 15th. The feast commemorates the end of St. Mary's earthly life and the beginning of her heavenly life as the queen of heaven. The death of the Virgin Mary took place in Jerusalem about fifteen years after the resurrection of Christ. According to tradition, the funeral took place with elaborate ceremonies and it is said that angels sang over her tomb for three days. In addition, St. Bartholomew who was not present for the funeral, was later taken to see St. Mary and to the amazement of all, the body of the Mother of God was no longer present. We believe that the Holy Mother of God was taken up into heaven, where she intercedes for us before her Son our God, Jesus Christ. On the joyous feast of the Assumption, clusters of grapes are blessed, symbolic of the first fruits of the fields as well as the necessary ingredient for the Eucharistic wine, the Blood of Christ shed for our salvation. The Holy Mother of God played a major role in our salvation, being the instrument by which Christ (the first fruit of those who rise from the dead) became man. College Students Blessing Der Aved will bless all college-bound students (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior) as they prepare for their school year. Special Fellowship Today There will be a Fellowship today hosted by the Scholarship Committee in honor of the college students. Please join us immediately after Church services in the Church Hall. All are Welcome. Welcome VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL STUDENTS who have gathered for worship today after a wonderful week at Vacation Bible School Our appreciation to Linda Bullock and all of the terrific volunteers who made this week possible. Sunday, September 14, 2014 Exaltation of the Holy Cross Divine Liturgy 9:30a.m. Armenian Church of Our Saviour 21st ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Sterling National Country Club Monday, September 22, 2014 For further information please contact: Jay Kapur, Chairman [email protected] Annual Fall Festival Friday, November 7 and Sunday, November 9 To volunteer, use the sign-up book which is available at all Church events or Ed Atamian [email protected]