Volume 38 / Number 1 The Newsletter of the 2009 Calvary Armenian Congregational Church of San Francisco 725 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA 94132-2902 Office (415) 586-2000 / Fax (415) 333-1076 Website: http://www.cacc-sf.org / Office Email: [email protected] / Rev. Nerses Balabanian: [email protected]

Sunday, April 5, 2009 Palm Sunday Trusting God in Tough Times Thursday, April 9, 2009 Maundy Thursday Sunday, April 12, 2009 The New Year 2009 started with a tough economic crisis. Easter Sunday Everyone is distressed by this tsunami. Every institution, Saturday, April 25, 2009 whether private or public, big or small has been affected. Annual Banquet What will be the consequences of this turmoil on our Sunday, June 7, 2009 churches? Crisis often make us self-centered, over involved Graduation Sunday in our own problems, forgetting the larger picture. Can we Monday-Friday, July 20-24, 2009 still think about the needy, the less fortunate? There will be Vacation Bible School budget cuts all over. The question should be how to do that Sunday, August 23, 2009 without compromising the teachings of Jesus about the Annual Picnic OTHER. Sunday, September 13, 2009

Renewal Sunday Crisis should help us come closer to God. Many are trying to Saturday, November 14, 2009 find meaning in all this. Some are asking for prayer. Others Food Festival are attending church services more frequently. We even Saturday, December 19, 2009 heard on the news that a desperate person who lost his job went home and killed his children and wife. Christmas Banquet We need to trust God in all circumstances. As the crisis deepens, the future remains cloudy. We just need to learn to trust God. Trusting God does not mean being passive. God is sovereign and is in control. But God also wants us to be active in doing our part. David faced a “giant”. He challenged that man with the HELP of God. But he also used whatever he had to fight the giant. Let us not forget our responsibilities. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10) This is a promise from God. Let us face the uncertain future walking with God at all times. He is the One who is reliable. It is your choice to trust or not. May God help us.

Rev. Nerses Balabanian, Pastor

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 1

What a blessed day November 8th turned out to be as the 27th Annual Food Festival and Boutique Noel took place at CACC.

Our visitors this year encountered not only authentic Armenian foods, but also Christian hospitality as they were warmly greeted by the welcoming committee, had the chance to visit the Christian book corner, receive their free personal Bibles and walk toward the elegantly decorated Halajian hall.

The Food Festival and Boutique Noel offered scrumptious Armenian food with luscious deserts and pastries at the Buffet and Country Cupboard. An enthusiastic youth was busy running the Hye Bucks Cafe. Children were entertained at the Kids' Corner. The Boutique Noel was vibrant and precious raffle items were on display. There was an endless live musical entertainment featuring the Calvary jazz quartet and two local Armenian groups, Areni and Arax. A warm fellowship atmosphere permeated the Halajian Hall.

Our Annual Food Festival has once again stood the test of time, because its purpose was greater than having delicious food, entertainment and prizes. The Food Festival is the major fund raising event on which Calvary relies to continue its mission and share God's grace with others. Despite the downward economy, the Food Festival this year was truly a spiritual experience. It was a blessing indeed to see so many dedicated church members and friends spend long hours, for several months, at church or at their homes, preparing the "best Armenian food west of the Ararat" and delicious pastries as well as knitted items for the Christmas boutique and organizing the musical entertainment. With the prayers and the hard work of the volunteers, an unprecedented number of visitors attended the Festival and were nourished both physically and spiritually. A big thank you to the 2008 Food Festival committee and to all the men, women and youth who served the Lord in this effort and helped make our Food Festival a great success. Nora Balabanian

Thank you to the members and friends of CACC who pledged $102,000 (80%) of our 2009 goal for pledges. If you have not yet turned in your pledge card, please do so this week. This year, more than ever, your timely and regular donations to the church will be critical for meeting our operating expenses despite all of the planned expenditure reductions. CACC is counting on you!

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 2

Dear Pastor Balabanian and Congregation,

We just want you to know how much we enjoyed the beautiful music (great jazz & lovely contemporary Christian music, so Jackie Sadakian, daughter of the late elegantly mixing Armenian w/English lyrics) along with the Reverend Assadour and Angele luscious food and the warm and loving fellowship!!! The afternoon was a complete delight!!! Thank you all for the Sadakian, was born in Beirut on February 26, 1954. She wonderful time, the welcoming Christian atmosphere and for all attended Bethel Elementary School in Aleppo and then the dedicated folks who worked so hard to make the event such a Aleppo College. Jackie utilized her thirst for knowledge joy!!! at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, where she received a double major in Chemistry and Biology. Sincerely, with praises to the Lord for a lovely day made possible After graduating in 1975, Jackie moved to America with by His wonderful people. her family. After coming to America, Jackie first worked as a Jack and Lucille Dolab biologist and immunologist at the Veteran’s Hospital in Dear Badveli Nerses Balabanian and CACC Parish, San Francisco. As a scientist, she was always front and center, involved in groundbreaking research in her field. I am writing to thank you, in behalf of the CRD Support After conducting research in Long Beach for a year, Committee. We appreciate your cooperation in allowing us to Jackie returned to the Bay Area to work in immunology have a boots at the Festival and to use the conference room for in the diagnostic division of a research company called our meetings and to use the hall for the Chilingarian Reception. Syntex. During her time there, she wrote and published her scientific discoveries in Syntex’s research Thank you to all parishioner who have supported our concerts. publications. Jackie later transferred to Seeva, a company focusing on her field of diagnostic research. Sincerely, Throughout her career, Jackie was a very hard worker John Poochigian with much to offer not only in the scientific arena, but also with her positive, kind demeanor and never ending Dear Reverend Balabanian, smile. Coworkers claim she was a joy to work with, so sincere and humble amidst all her accomplishments and The Five Keys Charter School and San Francisco Sheriff’s very optimistic in every situation. Department would like to express our immense thanks for your In 1985 Jackie married Alen Ishkanian and in 1986 God contribution to the community. Your contribution enhanced our gave Jackie the most precious gift, a beautiful daughter client’s holiday season in immeasurable ways. Lori Houri. Jackie and Lori were to become an The Holiday celebration brought cheer to the participants, their inseparable duo. As an incredibly devoted mother, she children and their families. Those attending our event are at a loved Lori and took care of her every need. crossroads in their lives from a life of crime and incarceration to During her work at Seeva, Jackie met Marcel Pirio, the restoration of their life, their family and being positive whom she would later call her “hero.” The two met productive participants in our communities. The Holiday while working on a project in which they shared a Celebration provided support to these individuals and their patent, and got married 1999. families. Calvary Armenian Congregational Church was Jackie’s home. Having served as church clerk, council member, Sincerely, treasurer of Calvary Circle, member of choir, Jackie was San Francisco Sheriff’s Department Staff also a leader in organizing the Church Food Festival for many years where she was in charge of the Boutique. Dear Calvary Church Family, She was always devoted to and passionate about church activities, getting excited about Women’s Bible study We are so touched by all that our church family has done for us. and church events. It is so thoughtful of you to deliver such delicious meals to us. Church community members, coworkers, neighbors, We really appreciate it and feel very fortunate to be in a church and family all report the same things: her beautiful heart community with such kind people. We are grateful that our with so much kindness to give to others. Her incredible children can grow up in this church. intelligence and witty remarks, giving people a chance to laugh no matter what the situation. Her outer and Thank you so much! Hartunians (continued on page five)

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 3

This year I was so blessed to have the position of organizing During the season of Advent God provided Calvary Church CACC’s partnership in Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation members with a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our local Christmas Child, founded by community. Franklin Graham. Our church has been a participant of this program for At the end of November, Badveli received a letter from the San several years, but this year we also Francisco Sheriff’s Department asking us to donate 10 Christmas supported AMAA’s gifts for 7 year old boys and girls whose parents are participating in Christmas Joy Package drive. When the Alternative to Jail Community Corrections Program. This I was asked to organize this year’s Christmas shoebox program provides ex-offenders with substance abuse treatment, program, I immediately remembered the excitement of education and family-based activities to support them in positively making shoeboxes I had as a child. This year I was thrilled re-entering the community following periods of incarceration. to see people of all ages, starting with young toddlers all the Over the next two weeks, church members generously supported way to their grandparents, being filled with the same this program by purchasing toys for the children and also making excitement as they helped prepare a total of 56 shoeboxes for monetary donations which were used to purchase more gifts. Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child Thanks to the caring spirit of many, the collection of 10 gifts soon made a significant impact on these young children, as they grew to over 45 presents which included dolls, T-ball mitts, Lego kept informing me how these sets, puzzles, art supplies, stuffed animals, model airplane kits, and presents that they had made a Pokemon board game among others. were “for children who love Jesus but don’t get Christmas Subsequently, we found that gifts for 15-16 year old girls and boys presents,” or “for children that were also needed. Fortunately, we had collected sufficient funds to Santa Claus doesn’t visit.” purchase “teen” jewelry and colorful purses and t-shirts for this age Hearing this was a great group as well. inspiration for me and helped Special thanks is due to all those who made this outreach such a me realize how truly blessed we really are, even during these positive activity on behalf of our church family. Especially, thanks tough times. Overall, the generous members of CACC came are due to Hartley and Susan Appleton who helped with the together and raised over $1000, which went towards purchase and delivery of the gifts to the Sheriff’s Department. Operation Christmas Child supplies & transportation funds as well as for Armenia Christmas Joy Package financial All the presents were distributed to the children at the San support. I would like to share my deep thanks and Francisco Sheriff’s Department 3rd Annual Holiday Celebration on appreciation for all those who helped share the incredible December 13, 2008. This community event is a blessing to 200 Christmas message and joy around the world. families that are enrolled in this program. Jenny Balabanian Margaret Shamlian

One Sunday of September 30th, 2008 the CACC youth group went downtown to the Homeless Church in San Francisco. It was really good experience to see how others live and how they worship God. Even though these people have nothing, they have no homes, no money, but they still come to this public park and worship God. There were a lot of people there because it was the end of the month. By the end of the month most of the people have no more money left from their daily allowance of $2. And the church serves them breakfast and lunch so at the end of the month they have over 200 people coming not just to worship but to eat something.

As a youth group we represented our church by serving food to the homeless and talking to them because sometimes everyone could use someone to talk to. After talking to those people we realized that they were smart and because of some choices or certain events they became homeless. And the most heart-touching part of the day was when it was time to collect the offering. Everyone gave something. You would think that they would not give anything because they didn’t have anything but everyone put something in that hat. There were all kinds of ethnicities, Asian, Black and White people from 18 years old to 70. But everyone was standing in that park as one body of BELIEVERS. Narek Ghazaryan

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 4

A Visit to the City where Armenian Evangelical Church was Born

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Istanbul, Turkey, the city which was the intellectual center of , before the . Turkey, the country which once had almost two million , now has according to the “Daily News” the Turkish newspaper, around 60,000 Armenians, the largest minority population of Turkey, who mostly live in Istanbul.

In addition to the official census there are thousands of Armenians from Armenia, who have taken informal residence in search of work.

Many observe that there are many more Turkish citizens of Armenian descent that are not counted. These include “” like Fethiye Cetin, who wrote “My Grandmother; A Memoir”, who as an adult heard that her grandmother was Armenian. The Hamshen Armenians living in northeastern Turkey, who have accepted Islam as religion, but have kept their Armenian traditions & dialect. In addition, some argue that there are tens of thousands of Turkish citizens who are descendents of Armenians and do not know about it.

Istanbul has most probably the largest numbers of active Armenian churches in any Armenian center. There are over 30 Armenian Apostolic churches, around 10 Armenian Catholic churches and two Armenian Evangelical churches, which are part of “Armenian Evangelical World Council”. Istanbul Armenians have also 17 primary schools, 5 high schools and even two hospitals.

The Armenian Evangelical churches are the two of the longest running Armenian Evangelical churches around the world.

The Armenian Evangelical Church of Pera/Beyoglu (picture) is “the church”, the Mother Church of All Armenian Evangelical churches, founded on July 1, 1846 by the first 40 Armenian Evangelicals. The second church founded in Istanbul, is the Armenian Evangelical Church of Gedik Pasha (picture), founded November 1, 1850. This is the church pastored by Rev. Krikor Agabaloglu, who was the keynote speaker of our Calvary church’s banquet, couple of years ago.

During my visit on October 26, 2008 I attended the Gedik Pasha church. Not The Sanctuary of Armenian having been able to contact Rev. Agabaloglu, who was out of town, I arrived Evangelical Church of Pera/Peyoglu at the church when they were having church for Russian language speaking community. Even though I could not understand the Russian message, but I was able to sing the songs with them and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

I left the church blessed and praised God that His word is being preached in various corners of the World in multiple languages (yes, I have heard in my lifetime sermons in Armenian, Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish & Turkish. All in Armenian Evangelical churches worldwide). The Sanctuary of Armenian Evangelical As we concentrate on the work of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA), let us Church of Gedik Pasha remember and pray for our sister Armenian Evangelical Churches both in Armenia and in the Diaspora.

In Him, John Haleblian

(continued from page three)

Saturday, April 25, 2009 inner beauty, always smiling and optimistic. She was not just a phenomenal mother and wife, but also a 83rd Annual Banquet wonderful sister and aunt to her nieces and nephews. Guest Speaker In 1989, Jackie had her first battle with cancer, which Honorable Peter M. Kougasian, Esq. recurred again this past year. Even while receiving Me. Peter Kougasian is an Assistant District Attorney in radiation treatments during her last few weeks, Jackie the office of Hon. Robert M. Morgenthau, District sent her pastor emails about including items in the Attorney for the county of New York. District Attorney church minutes. This was her devotion to God and her Mr. Morgenthau is the grandson of Ambassador Henry church community. Jackie went to be with her Lord at Morgenthau. Mr. Kougasian is a talented public speaker 7:50am on December 21, 2008 in Santa Teresa Hospital and a prominent lawyer. He is also the vice chairman of in San Jose, with her entire family by her bedside. AMAA. He has worked in many Armenian organizations.

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 5

On behalf of the Youth Ministries of CACC, we want to thank all of you who braved the rain to attend our th For information please call the Christmas Banquet on December 20 . church office: (415) 586-2000 The evening began with a capacity crowd enjoying the appetizers, beverages and festive decorations Children’s Sunday School, Junior High and that adorned the High School Youth Groups: San Francisco, hallway. The youth every Sunday. serenaded us with our favorite Christmas Women’s Coffee Time with God: San Jose, carols. every Thursday. Together we enjoyed a Coffee Time with God: San Francisco, first wonderful meal served Thursday every month. by the youth, while being entertained by Marty deArchangeles, the Men’s Bagel Time with God: Los Altos, fourth Master of Ceremonies for the night and Ara Kullukian, Saturday every month. Brian Agbabian and HomeBuilders for Young Couples & Families: Badvelli Nerses playing South Bay & Peninsula, third Saturday every the piano during month. dinner. FaithBuilders Couples Ministry: South Bay & The evening’s message Peninsula, first Saturday every month. was brought to us by College & Career: South Bay and Peninsula, the Covenant Quartet every Wednesday. of San Francisco. Their inspirational message was presented through song which was a wonderful, new Weekly Dinner Bible Study: San Francisco, experience for us. every Monday. Each song represented one of God’s gifts to us, taking Foster City, Peninsula Bible Study: Last us on Christ’s journey from birth to death to Tuesday every month. resurrection. The evening ended with everyone singing Christmas carols. Church-wide Prayer Meeting: Los Altos 1st Thursday every month. Suzan Kazarain

Among other celebrations at the Calvary Church, we love to celebrate the birth of babies in the church family and the share the joy of the parents. On that occasion, the HomeBuilders Family Ministries held a luncheon on Sunday, January 11, 2009. The delicious meal was prepared by a group of women with Sarah Nazarethian as the chef. After enjoying the meal, a PowerPoint presentation of the newborns and their families was projected. Then the couples were invited to come forward and receive their gifts- a Children’s Bible. The pastor prayed and dedicated the following newborns and their parents to the Lord. Reese Holland Schuman Adrouny, Sophie Lina Barsoian, Nicholas Armen Boldi, London Anais Dunlap, Dikran Marco Ekmekji, Leia Sevana Guekguezian, David Peter Baruir Gulesserian, Brooke Alexis and Benjamin Douglas Hartunian, Ella Khan and Theordore Jacob Long. It is our sincere wish to see every child growing in the church and becoming a member of the CACC family. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 6

The Bible is the Word of God

On Monday, January 26, Badveli Aren Balabanian Jr. was the guest speaker at a special Dinner and Bible Study seminar entitled “Canonization of the Bible”. The evening began with a tasty dinner provided by Nora and Rafi Balabanian. After dinner and fellowship around the dinner table in Halajian Hall, we moved to the informally arranged chairs by the stage for the seminar. Approximately 50 people, most from CACC but several visitors from the community as well, listened carefully as Badveli Aren explained the process by which we discovered that a collection of manuscripts are the living and breathing Word of God we call the Bible. The evening generated many questions from the audience during and after his presentation, which Badveli Aren answered in a scholarly and Godly manner.

Here is a short summary of what I learned. There are three categories of Biblical writings: How did we get the Bible? Certain people were inspired directly by God to write it, then these writings were canonized (or collected according to their compliance to a specific rule/standard) into a whole and transmitted from generation to generation as well as translated to other languages. The rules of the Cannon were established by God and discovered by man. An illustrative example which we may easily relate to is: Man did not create gravity; however man discovered gravity and its effects.

Here are some of the important and basic rules of Canonization of the bible: 1) is the book written by a prophet or a person with apostolic authority? 2) Does it tell the truth about God as expressed in the other books already determined to be the Word of God? 3) Does it have the ability to transform lives? 4) Is it accepted by the people of God to whom God spoke directly such as Moses, Abraham, Jesus, etc or is it consistent with the revelations made through them? Also was it written during the active writing periods of when God breathed his infallible word for recording: 1500 to 400 BC the books of the Old Testament and 50 to 95 AD the books of the New Testament.

The manuscripts being examined whether they are God breathed fell into 4 different categories: Homologoumena meaning accepted by all, Antilegomena meaning they were accepted after some deliberation about their compliance with the basic criteria listed above, Pseudepigripha meaning rejected by all, and Appocrypha meaning accepted by some of the Christian Scholars who were studying the case. The books in the first two categories include all the books of the Old and New Testament in the current protestant Bible.

Many books of the Old Testament were accepted as God breathed immediately or within the lifetime of the writer (Deut. 31:24-26). The first 5 books of the Bible, known as Pentateuch, are direct words from God to Moses. This of course is the strongest reason why we believe that those books are God Breathed. As other books of the Old Testament were written, their integrity had to be measured whether they were consistent with the teachings of the Pentateuch and other books which might have already been accepted as the Word of God and written in the same book of the law (Josh. 24:26). Much of what God revealed in the Pentateuch and the other books of the Old Testament came true right during the life of the writer and include many direct commands from God to accept them as the Word of God. They are historically valid, and have life transforming authority. 24 books were recognized as Canonical in the Old Testament which correspond to the 39 books we have in our current day Bibles because some of the books are split into 2 sections such as I and II Kings and others for ease of reference. These books represent three sections: The Law, Prophesies and Writings or Psalms. Some of the prophesies include predictions that came true within the life of the prophet or his contemporaries, some came true with the birth of Jesus, and some are to come true with the second coming of Jesus. All the books meet the primary criteria listed above.

In the New Testament, the books written by people closest to Jesus, his disciples, and apostle Paul who had a direct encounter with God were immediately accepted as God Breathed. These books were also written during the period of the New Testament writing (50-95 AD) All new testament books had to satisfy the criteria of being consistent with the accepted books of the Old Testament and each other.

The books in the Pseudepigrapha include manuscripts such as the Book of Adam am Eve, the Books of Enoch in the Old Testament because of inconsistencies in them as well as they were written during the closed period of the Old Testament writings. The Gospel of Mary, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Juda, and others in the New Testament were rejected for similar reasons. These books were not authored by the people appearing in the titles, but rather they are about the people appearing in the titles written mostly by Gnostics, who did not accept the humanity of Jesus. Many of them were written in 150 AD or later, after the close of the New Testament active writing period, and have many clear and blatant inconsistencies with history and with the scriptures.

The Apocrypha are a collection of books which are accepted by the protestant church as good historic books, references and commentaries but not as the Breathed Word of God because of a variety of reasons including being written after the Old Testament Cannon was closed, and having inconsistencies with the rest of the biblical message, such as for example the concept of purgatory where souls of dead people go in waiting for their eternal destiny, while their relatives can pray for them to be accepted to heaven.

All in all, we had a very informative and scholarly presentation by Badveli Aren and were very happy to welcome our visitors into our fellowship on January 26.

We invite anyone who is interested in a lively, dynamic Biblical study and more importantly, the application of God’s precepts into our own lives and relationships, to join us every Monday night at 7:00 pm for dinner and at 8:00 pm for Bible study at CACC, 725 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco. Anahid Yeremian

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 7 Nonprofit Organization Calvary Armenian Congregational Church U.S. POSTAGE 725 Brotherhood Way PAID San Francisco, California 94132-2902 Daly City, CA 94015 Permit No. 256

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL

BIRTH ORDINATION

We congratulate Rodney and Aileen Hartunian The Armenian Evangelical Union for their newborn twins, son and daughter, of North America Benjamin Douglas and Brooke Alexis, born on Cordially invites you to the Tuesday, November 25, 2008. Congratulations also to the Ordination and Installation Service grandparents. of

Mr. Razmig Minassian CONDOLENCES to Christian Ministry at Mrs. Jacqueline Sadakian Pirio who passed away on United Armenian Congregational Church Sunday, December 21, 2008. Our condolences and prayers on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. to Sadakian, Pirio, Ishkanian, Kalebjian and Palanjian in the Church Sanctuary families. 3480 Cahuenga Boulevard West COMMUNION SERVICES FOR 2009 Los Angeles, CA

Sunday, March 8, 2009 Sunday at 11:00 a.m. The Calvary Messenger is produced as a ministry update for Thursday, April 9, 2009 our congregation and friends. Donations to offset printing Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and mailing costs are appreciated. Any comments, errors, Sunday, May 10, 2009 omissions and/or newsworthy items may be addressed to the Sunday at 11:00 a.m. editors, care of the church office or sent via email to our box Sunday, July 5, 2009 at [email protected]. Please check our website for current Sunday at 11:00 a.m. ministry information: http://www.cacc-sf.org

Calvary Messenger - Volume 38 / Number 1 Page 8