For two days, from Firday, 24 July to Saturday, 25 July, in Ayn Kassis, in Dhour Shweir, and for the fist time in the life of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church, the body, the family came together and had a retreat to get closer to each other, to have deeper fellowship and relationship, to strengthen our faith and be rejuvenated.
The theme of the retreat was "He/she loves, I love, We love", and the speaker was Mrs. Maral Deyirmenjian.
There was excitement on the faces of the people, it was best shown on the faces of the youngsters. Ms. Armig Kazezian led the opening worship, after which, the pastor, Rev. Hovanness Svajian shared his message, about God being our source of motivation and reason. Then, it was time for activities and social time. Mr. Hagop Gojigian and Ms. Narine Kouzikian led the games. It was a nice time, specially the time when each group had to come up with an Armenian song that starts with a specific Armenian letter.
On Saturday, the church started its day with quiet time, and after breakfast, Ms. Rita Lao Manjelikian led worship time, after which, Mrs. Maral Deyirmenjian presented her subject about the self esteem of the person. She told us that the consequences of negative self esteem are: feeling alone, sad, anxious, failure in life and work, not being able to share thoughts, comparing with others, not accepting criticism. She also presented the reasons: lack of love from friends and family, always being criticized, emotional crisis. The solutions that she presented: admitting the problems, looking for help, deafening the internal negative voice, congratulating success, concentrating on the strong abilities, looking at God and allowing His positive feedback.
Afterward, the church divided into 4 groups and discussed the subject further. The leaders of the 4 groups were: Mrs. Araxi Mazmanian, Mrs. Vera Svajian, Mr. Manoug Ibitian, Mr. Zareh Manjelikian.
During the next session, and after lunch, Mrs. Maral raised a question, "So, is it difficult to love?" It becomes difficult to love beacause of: selfishness, pride, lack of humility, not allowing others to do wrong, not forgiving the sins, not having "chemistry" with others. She stressed on the importance of love, and how it has a healing abilities in relationships. Ms. Ani Baboghlanian led the closing worship and shared about love and how a church can be loving, following the Bible's guidelines.
The organizing committee were: Mrs. Ani Chalekian, Ms. Shaké Geocherian, Ms. Ani Baboghlanian, Mr. Manoug Ibitian, Mr. Samuel Svajian, and Rev. Hovanness Svajian.
41 members participated with 13 kids and children.
Right: Hopping into the bus and getting ready for fresh air, wonderful time together and fellowship
Left: already excitement is visible
Ms. Armig Kazezian, while leading the worship session
Right: Mrs. Rita Lao-Mangelikian leading the 2nd worship session.
Left: Ms. Ani Baboghlanian our strict and punctual and sweet-hearted leader
Left: Mrs. Vera Svajian, our acrobat yeretz gin
Right: During the game of passing the ball to your neightbor
Left: Rev. Hovanness Svajian
Right: Mrs. Maral Deyirmenjian
Left: Coffee break!
Right: the kids had their own fun time
Left: Mr. Garbis and Maral Deyirmenjian fellowshiping
Right: Rev. Hovanness Svajian thanking Mrs. Maral with a gift
Left: Mrs. Ani Chalekian
Right: Ms. Shake Geocherian
Left: Mr. Levon Bedigian
Right: Mr. Garo Avessian, with his son Vartan
Left: Mrs. Vera Svajian leading the 1st group
Right: Mr. Manoug Ibitian leading the 2nd group
Left: Mr. Zareh Manjelikian leading the 3rd group
Right: Mrs. Araxi Mazmanian leading the 4th group
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Family Retreat of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church
Khatcherians, Mouradian, Sulahians Visit Their Church, the Emmanuel Church
Mrs. Sona Khatcherian (wearing a red flower) from Canada gave her church a visit, after several years.
The Mouradians (in the middle), from California, USA, gave their church a visit for the first time after their immigration to the US.
The Sulahians (on the right), also gave their church a visit.
Lorry with her father Raffi Mouradian
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Pictures from the Mrouj Sunday Services
Mrouj pictures from August 3, Sunday service, when Mrs. Magie Arslanian gave the sermon and Mr. Samuel Svajian led the worship.
Friday, August 07, 2009
A New DVD, the initiation of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church (Syria)
«Մանուկներ, Լսենք Յիսուսի Մասին»՝ Աստոածաշունչի երաժշտական պատմութիւններու CD: Հատը՝ 2,500 Լ.Ո. (1.66$)
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Armenian Evangelical Worship Service back in the Mountainous El-Matn Region
The tiny chapel of the Arab Evangelical Church in El-Mrouj (the village that comes after Bois de Bologne) was full to capacity on Sunday, 19th of July 2009. People had come from El-Mrouj itself and the surrounding villages to re-start the worship services, which used to be held during the pre-civil disturbances of 1975. Some members of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora, Beirut, who live in El-Mrouj during summertime, saw the need of these worship services and a plan for the summer of 2009 was organized by their home church.
The worshippers, around 60 people, enjoyed the warm and joyful atmosphere, as old acquaintances were renewed and new ones made after the service, around a modest reception.
The preacher, Rev. Hovhannes Svajian, the pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora, had chosen an appropriate topic: the importance of worship. Hymns were accompanied on piano by Mrs. Houry Ghazarian (of Damascus, Syria), while the worship was led by Miss. Ani Baboghlanian of the Emmanuel Church.
So, the services are held on Sunday mornings, at 10:30a.m. and will continue till the end of September 2009, when those in the mountains for the summertime return to Beirut and their winter life.
A heartfelt word of thanks go to the Board of the Arab Evangelical Church in El-Mrouj, who were more than ready to share their chapel and facilities with the Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church of Dora.
V.
