It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to our 11^th Annual Assyrian Food Festival and Carnival. I want to start this message by expressing my gratitude to all that have made these two days possible. Often those who have been working days and nights before an event go unnoticed. That is why I choose to welcome everyone but most importantly to say “Thank You”. I extend a heartfelt thanks to our honorable guests, Congressman Brad Sherman and Councilman Dennis Zine, for honoring us every year with their presence, and their dedicated office staff who are always ready to offer their services in all of our community endeavors. May our community continue to be blessed with leaders such as you.

Most people do not know the hours of organization, sweat and manpower that goes into making this Festival a success every year. Our Food Festivals and Carnivals would not exist without the effort, energy, and sacrifice of so many volunteers. You are our heroes today. You are the ones that are the foundation of this festival. Your tireless commitment, time, labor and ideas that you have freely given to make these two days possible are highly appreciated and greatly honored. My prayer for you is that our Almighty Father will bless and keep you, give you health, joy, and prosperity all the days of your life.

I also want to give a special thanks and gratitude from the bottom of my heart to the members of our community at large. I thank you, our wonderful neighbors, the residence of Lindley Street, who have sacrificed every year and allowed us to close the street for two days in spite of the inconvenience that this brings to your everyday activities. I thank you, members of the Police and Fire Departments, you are always ready to support and protect us. I thank you, our sponsors and vendors, throughout the years you have continued to be ready and willing to contribute to the festival. Your partnership adds to the excitement and experience of the festival. I wish nothing but the best for each and every one of you.

We have all bore witness of the steady rebuilding of our new sanctuary, and we as the parish of St. Mary’s church are blessed and happy to be able to offer increased services to the members of the community. Please continue to join us in prayer that God’s purpose shall continue to be fulfilled in our ministry to each other as believers, as well as to those in our community.

My hope is that our mission to share our Assyrian culture is being accomplished every year that people visit the festival. We have had thousands of people visiting the Assyrian festival, experiencing our faith, culture; enjoying food and music. In this immersion, my prayer is that a little of Assyrian is curved into your hearts and memories. Above all I pray that Christ will be represented in the interactions that will be experienced. We as a church hope to be, “…the light of the world. A town built on a hill (that) cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14.

I urge us all to remember to pray for this wonderful country of ours. Let us pray for peace, prosperity, and blessing over The United States of America. This country has been a kind refuge to many. We celebrate this country as our mother, she has adopted us and we are grateful for all that God continues to do for the United States and her citizens.

Let us uphold our leaders in prayer, that God will give them wisdom to govern this great country. Remember those who are in the military, that they will be safe in their missions and that they will have a safe return home to their families. We should also pray for those who are in service to the community, our Police persons and our Fire Fighters who constantly put their lives in harms way to serve and protect us.

In His Service,

11^th Annual Assyrian Food Festival

June 2^nd and 3^rd 2012