November 2017 Pastor Nerses Balabanian

• • • • • •Pilgrim Church has a website, www.pilgrimchurch.com. It now is possible to download or read the “Progress” online. If you would like to receive the “Progress” via email, please contact the office at office@pilgrimchurch.com or call, 229-2915.

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This is my first official message to my new family at PACC. I am grateful to God for leading me to come and serve you. Sevan and I thank you for trusting us. With the help of our Lord, we will do our best to serve you, while pleasing God and being faithful to Him.

We all are called by God to serve Him. You are called…

I would like to take one character who heard the call: PETER.

Jesus invited Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water towards him. How logical was this request? How dangerous was this invitation?

“Lord, if it is you, command me to come…” Peter asked Jesus 1) To confirm his identity and 2) Command him to walk…

1. Make sure the call is from God.“If it is you…” How do you discern that you are

hearing the right call? What is actually God’s will for your life? There are many calls around us but we know the voice of the Good Shepherd because we are in a daily relationship with Him.

2. When you hear the call, Get Out.When God tells you to get out, step out. Some of us

say, “I need more faith to obey God.” Let me ask you not to pray to God to give you more faith; pray that you will know God better. The more you know God, the more your faith will grow and you will learn to hear the right voice and obey it.

3. Find out your gifts.I will help you find your gift if you have not already

found it. Be careful not to make too many commitments. We are the body of Christ and we have to learn to serve together with our unique gifts.

4. Know your limits.Know yourself. Know whom you represent. John the

Baptist knew his role. He said he was the “best man”, the bridegroom’s friend. He had a limited role.

“I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.” The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:28-30 ESV)

5. Do I have a passion towards this call?Frederick Buechner said, “Your calling is where your

deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Each of us has a passion towards a mission, an area of service.

6. Pray about it.Do you pray about it? Do you pray and ask where He

wants to use you?You prayed to God to send you a new pastor. God

answered your prayers. It does not stop here; it just begins. I will rock the boat. I will not let you sit relaxed on the church pews. I will help you think out of the boat. How can we become a more mission-oriented church? How do we reach out to the Fresno community and beyond?

I look back at the story of Peter and I think. Who failed in that story?

The eleven who did not do anything. They just watched. Perhaps they even criticized Peter or even criticized Jesus.

Listen to Jesus’ call and get out of the boat today!

Lord, if it is You… CommandMatthew 4:22-30

A Message from Pastor Nerses Balabanian

CounCiL ACTiviTiesBy Moderator Cristel Tufenkjian

The Council’s October meeting began with a devotional by Badveli Nerses who asked us to take a moment to offer this meeting to the Lord and ask Him for the grace to grow in our knowledge and love for Him. Highlights of the meeting included a discussion lead by Bylaws Committee Members Allison Karahadian and Robyn Esraelian on proposed amendments to the bylaws. The Council thanked Allison, Robyn, Joy Torigian and immediate-past bylaw committee members for their concerted effort in crafting the much-needed updates to the bylaws. The Council will consider approving the amendments at the November meeting. If approved, the proposed amendments will be presented to the congregation at a future meeting for consideration and adoption. The newly redesigned letterhead for Pilgrim Church was also presented to the Council. Besides a new look, the verse, “All things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 was added. The new look was well received. Thank you to Annette Paxton for sharing her artistic talents and creating a beautifully designed letterhead.

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news brieFssAve THe DATe:

FounDers’ DAY 2018 will be a special banquet at Pardini’s – We have reserved space for 200 peo-ple – Come and join the memories January 27, 2018.

visA AnD/or MAsTerCArD – giving is avail-able 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 1901-2001, burgundy in color. If you would like to donate your copy to the church office it would be appreciated.

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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, Carol Forrest 431-2530, Alex or sonia Jemanjian 579-8389, and Joe and Johnanna Soghomonian 834-3150.

MISSIONSoperATion CHrisTMAs CHiLD

sunDAY sCHooL Missions proJeCTshoeboxes need to be returned to church by sunday

November 12.Please REMEMBER that CANDY, GUM and TOOTHPASTE CAN-

NOT BE INCLUDED in your box THIS YEAR because of customs is-sues. ALSO the desired donation for postage and handling is now $9. Please see Cathy Cholakian if you have any questions.

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Dear Pilgrim Church,Thank you Lou and

Christi for passing on the personal cash gifts from Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, Fresno. This will be a huge benefit/blessing to Christian families in need through Rio al Mar Missions, International.

Rio al Mar Missions International is a small squatter’s village in the eastern area of Tijuana, Mexico that is so named by the inhabitants because it is located on the banks of the Tijuana River. Rio al Mar Village is an area where if work is found, they make Mexican minimum, barely enough for food.

Rio al Mar Missions is a 3-part ministry and designed for busy families wanting to serve those in need, yet also have a full schedule of commitments and activities at home. We are “hands on” and 100% volunteer. Rio al Mar Missions is a Christian organization focused on serving others with humanitarian aid, short-term mission trips and assisting pastors with church planting. We do projects and deliveries of donations for direct support of pastors and families in the greatest need.

A few of our completed 2017 projects: Iglesia de Cristo: VBS Mexico. This past summer we hosted

almost 70 local children at Iglesia de Cristo. VBS Mexico provides crafts, games, songs, Gospel message, lunch, drinks and gift bag. It is great for the locals to have a community event and it also supports the local church Iglesia de Cristo with an open door event.

Iglesia Nuevo Nacimiento: We spent one Saturday to rebuild a rotted floor in the children’s room and repainted both the interior and exterior of the church. Side-by-side we worked with adults and children (almost 30) within the local church families.

Women’s Baja Bible: Iglesia Vision de Dios. This is a monthly women’s Bible study held on the last Thursday of the month.Women gather to chat and study. We provide breakfast, coffee and study materials.

So…. thank you, Lou and Christi Paradise for the kind and generous donation and to Pilgrim Church for making this gift possible. Our Lord works in many ways using the generosity of some to be blessings for others. Pilgrim Church is always welcome to participate in one of our short term mission trips.

Thank you, His will be done.Daniel Williams, Rio al Mar

Clergy laid hands on Badveli Balabanian as Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Minister to the AEUNA, offered the Prayer of Installation at PACC, October 1, 2017.

By Rosanne Saliba

Following an eighteen-month search and overwhelming approval by the members of the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church (PACC) in July, Reverend Nerses Balabanian was installed as Senior Pastor on Sunday, October 1, 2017, with over 200 guests in attendance.

The installation service coordinated by Edward Saliba, Pastoral Search Committee Chair, was sanctioned by the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.

The evening service began with a Call to Worship and Invocation offered by PACC’s Associate Pastor Rev. Kevin Kasper. Mrs. Zepure Geuvjehizian read the Armenian Scripture and the Armenian message was delivered by AEUNA Moderator, Rev. Dr. Ara Chakerian. The English Scripture was read by Miss Claire Jaramishian, and the English message was offered by Rev. Gregory Haroutunian, Senior Pastor of First Armenian Presbyterian Church.

The Exhortation to the Candidate was given by former PACC Interim Pastor, Rev. Louis Paradise; and the Minister to the Union, Rev. Berdj Djambazian, presented the Exhortation to the Congregation. The Church Moderator, Mrs. Cristel Tufenkjian, presented the pastor and the Covenant of the Pastor was given by Rev. Djambazian.

The Installation of the Pastor, Prayer of Installation and Declaration were offered by the Minister to the Union and The Right Hand of Fellowship was given by the Minister to the Union and the evangelical and apostolic clergy in attendance. The service concluded with the hymn “Here I Am Lord” led by Reverend Balabanian, accompanied by Mrs. Sevan Balabanian on the piano. The voices of those in attendance filled the sanctuary in worship.

AeunA installs rev. nerses balabanian as senior pastor

Celebrate the Festival of Harvest

Harvest Banquet…with the first fruitsof the cropsyou sow in your field. – Exodus 23:16

Harvest BanquetA celebration meal – prepared by the trustees – enjoyed by many.

Katah Preparation and Baking for Thanksgiving Fundraiser

The Dorcas Guild is again baking for Thanksgiving sales of chorag and katah. Orders may be placed by calling the church office or signing up after Sunday worship. The baked goods will be ready for pick-up Sunday, November 19.

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, so the Sunday bulletin can be updated with the correct names. Cell: 559.960.7037, email: jcct97@comcast.net.

sunDAY sCHooL MorninG sCHeDuLe

10:00-11:00: Middle school and High school; Middle School meet in Library; High school meet in Family Life Center10:30-11:30: Toddlers through 5th graders; all students start in Room 6 for

a Bible lesson before going to stations11:00: Worship begins/nursery care available for toddlers and preschoolers11:30-12:00: Enrichment Preschool through 6th Grade

sunDAY sCHooL Missions - noveMber Operation Christmas Child – We will be filling our shoe box-es for Operation Christmas Child on Sunday November 19 and NEED all our Sunday School friends to be present to help with this special missions project.Canned Food Drive – Please bring canned vegetables and instant mashed potatoes to Sunday School ANY Sunday in November for us to donate to the Fresno Rescue Mission and Evangel Home.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

– Psalm 136:1

HAppY birTHDAY… to these individuals who have a birthday in November:

YouTH AnD sunDAY sCHooL ACTiviTies

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wAnTeD!Do you enjoy working with children,

sharing God’s word and having fun at the same time? THEN we need you to join our team as a Sunday School Teacher! Please see Cathy Cholakian or call her at 285-5780 if interested.

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

ACoLYTe sCHeDuLe noveMber-DeCeMber Thanksgiving 11/5 11/12 11/19 11/26Stolebearer Farrah V. Christian T. Michael M. Max G.Crossbearer Armine Remy Arman ArmineCandlelighter Lexah Juliette Nadia EmmaCandlelighter Victoria Emma Julia Katelynn

Christmas 12/3 12/10 12/17 12/24 12/31Stolebearer Kayla S. Farrah V. Christian T. Michael M. Max G.Crossbearer Remy Arman Armine Remy ArmanCandlelighter Caleb Lexah Juliette Nadia EmmaCandlelighter Alen Victoria Emma Julia Katelynn

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katelynn overbay 11/6eric petrosyan 11/14ruzanna petrosyan 11/18

Georgia bright 11/28shania Guiba 11/30

CHrisTiAn eDuCATion: THAnk You

Christian Education would like to thank all parishioners who donated candy and helped at the Harvest Festival.

Everyone who attended had a great time.

Pilgrim women who participated in the Armenian Evangelical Women’s Fellowship “Rejoicing in the Lord” Retreat, October 6-8, 2017, Visalia.

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2017

MinisTersTHE CONGREGATION

MinisTrY sTAFFSenior Pastor, Rev Nerses BalabanianAssociate Pastor of Youth, Rev Kevin Kasper

YouTH MinisTrY voLunTeersAlexander Jaramishian Jason DavisClaire Jaramishian

MusiC sTAFFDirector of Music, Oscar LunaOrganist, Faye DeLong

supporT sTAFFChurch Secretary, Houry Sabiljian Part-Time Custodian, Joe Fischer Wedding Coordinator, Sandy Avakian

CHurCH CounCiLModerator, Cristel TufenkjianVice Moderator, Ed SalibaScribe, Sue MoosoolianTreasurer, Patrice Ruble

CounseLors-AT-LArGeCarol ForrestAlex Jemanjian/Sonia JemanjianJoe Soghomonian/ Johnanna Soghomonian

boArD oF DeAConsChair, Pete Moosoolian

boArD oF TrusTeesChair, Alex Jaramishian

bY-LAws CoMMiTTeeChair, Joy Torigian

CHrisTiAn eDuCATionChair, Dale Overbay, Sr.Sunday School Superintendent, Cathy Cholakian

DorCAs GuiLDPresident, Dianne Kassabian

FLC CoMMiTTeeChair, John Tufenkjian

Men’s ForuMPresident, Jerry Janigian

Missions CoMMiTTeeChair, Doreen Fischer

MusiC CoMMiTTeeChair, Vacant

noMinATinG CoMMiTTeeChair, John Eleazarian

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