A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR NERSES BALABANIAN

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1 Pilgrim s Progress February North First Street Fresno, California p f pilgrimchurch.com They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had or received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. (Rev. 20:4). The verse we just read is quoted from the Book of Revelation. Apostle John wrote down his vision of the Judgment Day. He described people who suffered and lost their lives for the witness of their Lord Jesus Christ, who refused to worship the beast or his image, and who did not compromise their faith. This cost them their lives and they were given the glorious crown. Today, 1567 years later, we celebrate the memory of Vartan and his friends. Even though thousands fell on that day in the Battle of Avarayr, yet this is a feast and not a mourning day. It is a feast because what happened in the Battle of Avarayr was not an end as the Persians thought it would be. It was a beginning, a continuation of what Thaddeus, Bartholomew, and St.Krikor Lousavorich sowed into the hearts of the Armenian people. There are 150 years between 301 and 451 AD, i.e. between the Armenians accepting Christianity and being ready to die for their faith. They were not willing to bow to the beast and accept his mark. Christianity had become real in their lives. Martyrdom is a life of testimony. Armenians had learned and were educated in their faith specially when, by the invention of the Armenian Alphabet in 405 AD, they were able to worship and read the Bible in their mother tongue. The Armenians had learned that Christ would set them free from sin and this new life had changed them. They wanted to live with the freedom to worship the God they loved. A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR NERSES BALABANIAN Whose Mark Do We Bear? Vartanantz Day Romans 8:31-39; Revelations 20:4 Pastor Nerses Balabanian What do we learn from these martyrs today? Vartan and his friends bore marks: In his speech, Vartan mentioned the marks they bore on their bodies: Each of us carries numerous injuries and scars on our bodies Whose mark do we bear today? Whose impact shows in our lives? We often meet people who have a tattoo on their body as a sign or a remembrance of something special for them. Some wear crosses as a symbol of their faith. However, Vartan says, those courageous acts I count useless because all of them will vanish. Vartan and his friends carried the scars of war. For Vartan, those were useless because they would fade away. The Christian mark that Vartan and his friends bore was their testimonial life. A life that was ready to say NO to the Persian gods and YES to Jesus Christ. Today we Armenians can continue worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ and praying to him because of people like Vartan and his friends who chose to not give up their faith, their Christian values and the freedom of worship. Our message after more than fifteen centuries is to continue in the same spirit. We need to bear the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ by living the faith with boldness and to serve and witness for our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 FEBRUARY 11 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SCHEDULE A special congregational meeting will be held February 11, 2018 following morning worship for the purpose of approving amendments to the bylaws and other items that may pertain to the well-being of Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church facilities and its ministry. COUNCIL ACTIVITIES By Moderator Cristel Tufenkjian The Council kicked off 2018 with an enjoyable, productive meeting. Badveli Nerses opened with a devotional challenging us to get out of the boat and be ready to serve when God says Go! Always on the front end of the agenda is the reading of correspondence. There were several letters this time from organizations thanking our church for various reasons, like for the use of our facilities by the Armenian Evangelical Youth Fellowship for their Fall Conference and for the donations given on behalf of the Vacation Bible School mission campaign. These correspondences are a wonderful reminder of the generosity of our church family. One of the business items for the Council was reviewing a calendar of events. All I can say is hold on to your hats because we have a lot planned for 2018! The Council also approved a mission statement. As a Christ-centered Armenian Evangelical Church, Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church exists to proclaim the Good News (gospel) of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through worship, evangelism, service, spiritual nourishment, and fellowship with a special focus on the spiritual and physical needs of our people. We also focus on the preservation of our Armenian heritage. All that we do as a church body will be guided by our mission statement. YOUTH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES HAPPY BIRTHDAY to these individuals who have a birthday in February: Abigail Aller 2/1 Cole Gulesserian 2/10 Jonah Aller 2/16 Lorelei Klomhaus 2/16 Jonathan Parvanian 2/17 Matthew Parvanian 2/17 Adam Garabedian 2/24 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 SUNDAY SCHOOL MORNING SCHEDULE 10:00-11:00: Middle school and High school; Middle School meet in Library; High school meet in Family Life Center 10:30-11:30: Toddlers through 5th graders; all students start in Room 6 for a Bible lesson before going to stations 11:00: Worship begins/nursery care available for toddlers and preschoolers 11:30-12:00: Enrichment Preschool through 6th Grade It s Mighty Memorizer Time again! Mighty Memorizer begins February 4 Make sure you have your FIRST verse memorized on February 4! It is not too late to sign up! Call Teacher Cathy at if you have questions AColyTe SChedule FeBRuARy-MARCh 2/4/2018 2/11/2018 2/18/2018 2/25/2018 Stolebearer Max G. Kayla S. Farrah V. Christian T. Crossbearer Remy Arman Armine Remy Candlelighter Emma Caleb Lexah Juliette Candlelighter Katelynn Alen Victoria Emma 3/4/2018 3/11/2018 3/18/2018 3/25/2018 stolebearer Michael M. Max G. Kayla S. Farrah V. crossbearer Arman Armine Remy Arman candlelighter Nadia Emma Caleb Lexah candlelighter Julia Katelynn Alen Victoria If you are unable to serve on your assigned Sunday, please find a replacement and contact Cristel Tufenkjian by Wednesday at noon prior to the Sunday you are scheduled. PRAYER CHAIN. For prayer, call Sheri Manoogian at or Helen Sadoian at If you would like to be added to our prayer list, please call the church office, PILGRIM CHURCH COUNSELORS. If you have any concerns and/or affirmations, please speak with or call any of our counselors, Carol Forrest , Alex or Sonia Jemanjian , and Joe and Johnanna Soghomonian 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. RECIPE BOOK REQUEST Pilgrim church office has been getting requests for, A Harvest of Recipes cookbook dated , burgundy in color. If you would like to donate your copy to the church office it would be appreciated.

3 Celebrating Founders Day The Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church celebrated 117 years of worshiping together and serving the Fresno community with a Founders Day Celebration on January 27 at Pardini s. It was a special event as guests enjoyed an evening of fellowship and remembrance. Long-time member and church Architect Richard Manoogian was honored for the design of the church campus including the beautiful sanctuary. Guest Speaker, Dr. Victor Davis Hanson provided his perspective on the Armenian immigrants who settled in the Fresno area. Badveli Nerses shared an inspirational message and led the guests in singing to finish off the program. The evening concluded with the singing of the Hyer Mer led by all of the clergy in attendance. Photography by Rodney Gavroian

4 THIRD ANNUAL SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, April 12, 2018 SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, MARCH 3, am WORLD DAY OF PRAYER WORSHIP SERVICE Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church

5 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 HOLY COMMUNION Pantry Sunday 1-3 pm Sunday Funday 3:30-5:30 pm Youth Group Dorcas Guild Sunday & Fellowship Congregational Meeting 3:30-5:30 pm Youth Group :00am- 5:00pm FUSD, Main Hall 10:00 am Dorcas Guild Executive Board Meeting, Overflow February :00 am Men s Forum Executive Board Meeting, Yosemite Falls 3:00-6:00 pm FPC, GFLC 6-8 pm CenCal, GFLC Ash Wednesday 3:00-6:00 pm FPC, GFLC 6-8 pm CenCal, GFLC 7 14 Dorcas Guild 10:00am Bible Study Fireside Room 11:00am General Meeting 11:30am Lunch Social H. 6:00 pm Vartanantz, St. Gregory Church (Fowler) 7:00 pm Monthly Bible Study, Saliba s House :00am TGIF Bible 7:00 am TGIF Bible 7:00 pm Young Couples Valentine s Date Night, Social Hall 7:00am TGIF Bible :00-2:00 pm (off Site) Youth Group Paint Ball English/Spanish-Sunday School Classes 1-3pm Mariam Stepanian Memorial Service, Social Hall 3 10 English/Spanish-Sunday School Classes 9:00 am Men s Forum Breakfast/ Dorcas Guild Guest, Social Hall 11: am Dorcas Guild Tabitha Circle, Overflow Bass Lake Family Retreat English/Spanish-Sunday School Classes 17 CE Committee Meeting 1-3 pm Sunday Funday Bass Lake Family Retreat 18 President s Day Office Closed Pilgrim Progress Article Due Bass Lake Family Retreat :30 pm Trustees, Library 7:00 pm Deacons, CE 21 1:00 pm Dorcas Guild Wed. Circle, Overflow 3:00-6:00 pm Fresno FPC, GFLC 6-8 pm CenCal, GFLC :00am TGIF Bible :30-5:30 pm Youth Group 6:00-7:30 pm Movie Night, Fire Side Room :15 pm Council Meeting English, 1-3 pm Parenting Spanish PACC-FAPC, Pastors Retreat 9:30am Dorcas Guild Luncheon Setup 3:00-6:00 pm Police, Chaplaincy, GFLC 28 PILGRIM S PROGRESS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

6 Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit No. 41 Fresno CA 3673 North First Street Fresno, California RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED BASS LAKE CHURCH RETREAT SATURDAYFEB MONDAY FEB Join us for this annual retreat enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, board games, sledding/snowball fights (if we can find snow), good food, good friends with small groups and speaking engagements. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Alexander Jaramishian, To reserve a room, contact The Pines Resort, For special room pricing, be sure to mention: Pilgrim Armenian Congregation Church Lodging cost: 2-queen bed chalet, $119/night; 1-king bed chalet, $109/night; Registration cost: $75/person (includes all meals) Speaker: Rev. Steve Muncherian Pilgrim Church has a website, It now is possible to download or read the Progress online. If you would like to receive the Progress via , please contact the office at , or office@pilgrimchurch.com.