Pilgrim’s
Progress
3673 North First Street . Fresno, California 93726-6870 . (559) 229-2915 . Fax (559) 229-6431 . www.pilgrimchurch.com
December 2016
Interim Pastor: Reverend Louis R. Paradise
There is nothing else like it in all the
world! The birth narrative of Jesus Christ
stands alone in its uniqueness and impact
upon planet earth. Yes, there are other
stories of religious leaders with exceptional
birth and childhood narratives, but none
compare to Jesus Christ and the celebration
our world puts on to honor his birth and
glory.
I often share how depressed I can
get during the holiday season. So often
the secular nature of the “holy-days”
overshadows the power and magnificence
that is God born unto mankind. It depresses
me to see people wander through the
holidays and miss the gift of Jesus Christ
under the evergreen, ever life-giving, tree.
My heart aches to see the lost in the midst
of what is to be a truly blessed celebration.
Can the children be saved in such a society?
Are the adults safe during the journey?
Protection, of course, is only a prayer
away. I find prayer my solace during the
holidays more than at any other time of
year.
The prayer of Adoration; when I turn
and recognize just how great and glorious
God really is. All the lights, the festive
decorations, each one can be a reminder
that God is amazingly glorious, amazingly
bright and brilliant, a wonderful celebration
of joy and happiness.
The prayer of Confession; when I realize
that I do not get to control or manage the
“holy-days.” I recognize that God needs to
be God and I must be a blessed and forgiven
servant, a friend of Christ my Lord. My soul
is made clean again, my depressed mood
leaves and I am restored to do what I am
called to do, encourage others in the faith,
give my witness to the Good News in my life
and let God be God.
My prayers of Thanksgiving are always full
in the Christmas season. Seeing old friends
and family. Worshipping with believers who
proclaim the holy birth. Recognizing the
abundance of resources under my direction
and the way I may bless others as God has
blessed me. Thanksgiving for the birth of
Christ who loves me, redeemed me, and set
me free to serve.
Then there are all those others to pray
for. Supplication for some I know, others I
just see in the mall, or in church because
it’s Christmas. I am kept busy praying for all
the others, hoping God will touch their lives
in the chaos and business of the, “season.”
During the holidays it is good for me
to keep the book of ACTS close at hand.
Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and
Supplication keep me in balance. How
about you? This December I’ll be praying
for you and your journey with Christ, the
King. Have a joyous and blessed Christmas
season.
In Christ,
Rev. Louis R. Paradise
Interim Pastor
••••••
Pilgrim Church has set up our website, www.pilgrimchurch.com. It is now possible to
download or read the Progress on line. If you would like to receive the Progress via email,
please contact the office at [email protected] or by telephone, 229-2915.
NEWS BRIEFS
FUNERAL
Our condolences to the families of Bob Gipson, Wayne
Thompson, Margaret Giragosian.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL
BUDGET MEETING
This is the official Progress notification that
the Budget meeting for this year will be held
Sunday, December 11, 2016 enclosed at the end
of morning worship – approximately 12 Noon
Visa and/or MasterCard giving is available in the church
office. We also have a Square Card Reader, which gives us
the capability of charging to the church using a smart phone.
MISSIONS
REQUEST FROM DEACONS to all PARISHIONERS. If you
or your family would like to host a Sunday to honor a family
member, celebrate a birthday or a special occasion, please
contact Marlene by calling the Church Office at 229-2915.
Our Parishioners truly enjoy fellowship together every
Sunday. This is a wonderful way to contribute to the life
of our church. Thank you for your consideration, Board of
Deacons.
DEACONS’ FUND. Contributions are always welcome!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHIlD – UPDATE
Thank you to all who participated in Operation Christmas Child this year. Pilgrim
Church donated 68 shoeboxes to this wonderful ministry. Lives have been changed
by the gift of an Operation Christmas Child
shoebox. Because of your generosity and compassion,
68 more children will go through this life changing experience and for many, this will be the first time that
they will be exposed to God and His love for them.
WORSHIP
For Prayer and Praise
PRAyER CHAIN. For prayer, call Sheri Manoogian at
412-4241 or Helen Sadoian at 439-3443. If you would like
to be added to our prayer list, please call the church office,
229-2915.
•••••
PIlgRIM CHURCH COUNSElORS. If you have any concerns and/or affirmations, please speak with or call any
of our counselors, Diana Mazman 222-9177, Hal Avakian
431-1033, Alex or Sonia Jemanjian 579-8389, and Joe and
Johnanna Soghomonian 834-3150.
•••••
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Warm greetings in Jesus Christ.
We praise our Lord Jesus Christ and thank you
for your service in God, today Evangelical Church
of Armenia in Gyumri has Holy Communion new
Supplies.
Please accept our thanks and gratitude from church
pastor, church board members, and church members.
We thank God as our prayers have been answered,
and Lord shared your love and attention to us.
Our church board always prays for ECA World
Council, Armenian Missionary Association of America
and for all brothers and sisters of diaspora, that have
opened their helping arms in Christ to bless us and to
be blessed glorifying our Lord.
We are deeply touched by the attention we have
received from our sister church.
God bless you.
Board Members of ECA Gyumri
Pastor Rev. Hamlet Kyureghyan
Brother Karen Manukyan
Brother Gregor Vardanyan
Sister Anahit Sasunyan
Sister Flora Srapyan
[P.S.] In our thank you letter for Communion Set
we have forgotten to mention that the customs in
Armenia took time to release the boxes and that was
the major reason we have responded late. Thank you
again and have a good day.
look At All Those Trees!
As you can see our church trees have been carefully
trimmed, two trees removed and the grounds cleaned up
carefully. Your trustees have taken care of this project that
was greatly needed and has been needed for more than five
years. While it will take two seasons for us to see the full
results, this next spring should show us beautiful and safe
new growth on the grounds.
•••••
The TUESDAy MORNINg BIBlE STUDy is beginning a new
study called, “ONE in a million,” by Priscilla Shirer. All ladies
are welcome to join in at 10 a.m. in Room 6 of the Christian
Education wing.
SECOND
ANNUAL
Save
the
Date:
April 6,
2017
yOUTH AND SUNDAy SCHOOl
ACTIVITIES
HAPPy BIRTHDAy… to the following individuals who have a birthday in December.
“May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of Heaven and earth.”
– Psalm 115:15
Milana Petrosyan 12/1
Caleb Kasper 12/7
Bass lake Family Retreat 2017
Save the date! Next year’s Bass Lake Family Retreat is
scheduled for February 17th-20th. Come enjoy an extended weekend at the lake with your church family and our
speaker, Chris Tozlian. There will be more information and
a formal agenda to follow. Please contact Alexander Jaramishian if you have any questions.
Eternity Jones 12/29
Armine Israyelyan 12/30
•••••
CHIlDREN’S CHOIR
DECEMBER PRACTICES
Choir Practices are during church
• Sunday, December 11
• Sunday, December 18
Children’s Choir will be performing during
the church service on Christmas Sunday, December 25.
•••••
•••••
MEN’S FORUM 2016/2017
President ........................................................Jerry Janigian
Vice President........................................... Pete Moosoolian
Secretary .......................................................Edward Saliba
Treasurer .......................................................Harry Sadoian
$30 /year to join – do not have to be a PACC member.
•••••
DORCAS GUILD
DORCAS GUILD PRESIDENT: Dianne Kassabian
December Chair: Doreen Goshgarian
DECEMBER 1 – Bible Study and luncheon
You are invited to a Happy Birthday Jesus Party
Sunday, December 18 • 9:45 • Room 6
Come and help us celebrate Jesus’s Birthday
•••••
THERE WIll BE NO SUNDAy SCHOOl on
SUNDAy, DECEMBER 25 or SUNDAy JANUARy 1, 2017
Sunday School will resume on Sunday, January 8
•••••
SUNDAy SCHOOl
Sunday School is back in session for
all children Preschool through 12th
Grade. We invite you to join us each
Sunday to grow in your knowledge of
God’s word.
Sunday School Teachers for
2016/2017
Nursery & Toddlers ........ Room 1 ........ Carol Jones
Preschool/Kindergarten Room 2......... Jill Blanks
First/Fourth ................... Room 6 ........ Robyn Jinkerson
Mardeen Jones
Connie Vazquez
Fifth/Sixth ...................... Room 5......... Dale Overbay Sr.
Junior High..................... Room 7......... Karen Jaramishian
Barbara Mazman
High School .................... FLC ............... Rev. Kevin Kasper
DON’T FORGET the Sunday School Hour starts at 9:45 with
Praise Time in the Social Hall
Non-Profit Org.
Non-Profit Org
US Postage
PAID US Postage
Permit No.PAID
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FresnoPermit
CA No. 41
Fresno, CA
3673 North First Street
Fresno, California 93726-6870
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
MINISTERS
THE CONGREGATION
MINISTRy STAFF
Interim Senior Pastor, Rev Louis Paradise
Associate Pastor of Youth, Rev Kevin Kasper
yOUTH MINISTRy VOlUNTEERS
Molly Corcoran
Alexander Jaramishian
Jason Davis
Claire Jaramishian
MUSIC STAFF
Director of Music, Oscar Luna
Organist, Faye DeLong
SUPPORT STAFF
Administrative Assistant, Marlene Wood
Part-Time Custodian, Joe Fischer
Wedding Planner, Sandy Avakian
Memorial Secretary, Kathleen Melikian
CHURCH COUNCIl
Moderator, Gene Kezirian
Vice Moderator, Cristel Tufenkjian
Scribe, to be determined
Treasurer, Patrice Ruble
COUNSElORS-AT-lARgE
Diana Mazman/Hal Avakian
Joe Soghomonian/
Johnanna Soghomonian
Alex Jemanjian/Sonia Jemanjian
BOARD OF DEACONS
Chair, Karen Jaramishian
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chair, Alex Jaramishian
By-lAWS COMMITTEE
Chair, Joy Torigian
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Chair, Gail Vartanian
Sunday School Superintendent,
Cathy Cholakian
DORCAS GUILD
President, Dianne Kassabian
FLC COMMITTEE
Co-Chair, Bobby Tutunjian
Co-Chair, John Tufenkjian
MEN’S FORUM
President, Jerry Janigian
MISSIONS COMMITTEE
Chair, Doreen Fischer
MUSIC COMMITTEE
Chair, Cristel Tufenkjian
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Chair, John Eleazarian
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SUNDAY
Every Sunday
9:30am Sunday School
Teachers Prayer
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am WORSHIP
3:30pm Junior High Youth
4:30pm Senior High Youth
NOVEMBER 27
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Every Monday
WEDNESDAY
Every Tuesday
THURSDAY
Every Wednesday
Every Thursday
NOVEMBER 29
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Every Friday
10:00am Women’s Bible
Study, Room 6
7:00pm Young Adults,
Kuppajoe
NOVEMBER 28
December 2016
Every Saturday
7:00am TGIF Bible
Study, Fireside Room
NOVEMBER 30
st
DECEMBER 1
DECEMBER 2
DORCAS GUILD
ADVENT 1 SUNDAY
10:00am Bible Study
11:00am Christmas
Luncheon
DECEMBER 4
5
6
nd
ADVENT-2 SUNDAY
7:00am Men’s
Forum Breakfast
7
5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Young Families
Night Out
8
9
HOLY COMMUNION
PANTRY SUNDAY
Children’s Choir Practice
11
ADVENT – 3rd SUNDAY
Annual Budget Meeting
After Worship, Sanctuary
2:00 P.M. GO-CARTS AT
THE OVERBAY’S
18
ADVENT – 4th SUNDAY
12
25
SERVICE OF CHRISTMAS
MUSIC – Children & Adults
NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
OR YOUTH GROUPS
13
10:00am Dorcas
Guild Executive
Board Christmas
Meeting, Overflow
Room
19
Happy Birthday Jesus
Party in Sunday School
CHRISTMAS DAY
DECEMBER 3
15
Pilgrim’s Progress
Articles Due
16
6:00pm Men’s
Forum Christmas
Dinner, Alla’s
Armenian Deli
17
No Monthly Bible Study
at the Saliba’s
No Women’s Bible
Study
20
No Young Adults
Group Study
26
14
10
10:30am Tabitha
Circle Bible Study
27
No Women’s Bible Study
21
11:30am Dorcas Guild
Wednesday Circle Bible
Study
Men’s Forum, Evangel
Home
3:00pm Prepare food
5:00pm Dinner at
Evangel Home
DECEMBER 28
22
23
No TGIF Bible Study
DECEMBER 29
DECEMBER 30
No TGIF Bible Study
24
CHRISTMAS EVE
7:00pm Candlelight
Service, Sanctuary
DECEMBER 31
NEW YEAR’S
EVE - 2017