Services This Week
- Thu. Dec. 4, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: St. Barbara the Great Martyr (at Holy Trinity Church) followed by Senior Christmas Luncheon
- Fri. Dec. 5, 9:00 Orthros/10:00am Liturgy (at Metropolis): St. Savas the Sanctified. Services followed by Open House at the Metropolis (5201 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside) for the feast of St. Savas and the Nameday of His Eminence Metropolitan Savas.
- Fri. Dec. 5, 7:00pm Great Vespers (at St. Nicholas Cathedral): St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Sat. Dec. 6, 9:00 Orthros/10:00am Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral): St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
Church Music Sunday Today – Honoring our Choir and Chanters
Today, our parish community observes National Church Music Ministry Sunday (rescheduled from the first Sunday in October). It is held each year on a Sunday close to the feast day of Saint Romanos, the Melodist (October 1st), one of the greatest Byzantine music composers. On this day, we recognize those women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians: that is, parish chanters and choir singers. As church musicians, these people represent the laity in the liturgical dialogue of our worship services. In glory to God, the Holy Trinity, they commit themselves to learning the hymns of our Orthodox faith, understanding the sequence of our liturgical worship, and actively offering their prayers in song to enhance the beauty of our worship. We ask each of them, and our congregation as well, to be mindful of the special ministry they fulfill in singing the hymns of our faith and leading us to worship. Thank you, good stewards, for this indispensable and essential ministry in our church and for elevating your offerings to match the beauty and majesty of our new home! Memorial prayers will be offered for our departed Church Musicians today.
Memorial Today
In addition to prayers for our departed Church Musicians, memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, John and Marouso Pantelakis and John and Sarah Scopelitis May their memory be eternal!
GOYA Turkey Bowl/Cards for the Troops Today
The GOYA will hold its annual Turkey Bowl Thanksgiving Weekend Football Game today following Divine Liturgy. This is a fun and friendly GOYA tradition, and everyone is invited: players, non-players, cheerleaders, parents and fans! The game will be played on the main lawn. Players should bring a change of clothes and shoes for play. A light lunch will be provided. The teens will also be preparing Christmas cards for the troops who will not be home for the holidays.
St. Lydia Women’s Study Ministry – December 2
The St. Lydia Women’s Study Ministry continues its series on “Women of Faith” led by Father John this Tuesday. Each session group learns about a different woman from the history of the Church and her life in Christ. In our “troubled times,” we need the encouragement of those who have gone before us, whether they are faithful women of the Old Testament, New Testament or recent saints. We also need the encouragement, love and prayers of one another. This is not just about learning, it is also about sharing, in our uniqueness as women, the journey we are on toward our own salvation and sainthood. The group meets approximately every other Tuesday in the Fireside Room. The church is open for personal prayer and coffee will be served in the Fireside Room at 9:30 am. The study is begins at 10 and ends at 11:15. The following is the list of remaining dates for the year: Dec 2, 16; Jan 20; Feb 3, 17; Mar 3, 17; April 14, 28; May 12. Please come and invite others! A complete schedule and list of topics can be found at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/saintlydia.
Faith and Family Wednesdays This Week
This week, being Thanksgiving Eve, provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone to take a break from studies and simply gather as a family in Christ to lift up our hands and hearts to proclaim, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.” As such, we will be offering a 6:30pm Vesperal Liturgy with no other sessions that evening. Regular sessions will return next Wednesday, December 3.
- Worship: Services of the Small Blessing of the Waters and the Blessing of the Five Loaves (“Artoclasia”) starts the evening at 6:30pm.
- Studies: Father Radu will continue the “Orthodox Book Club” study of “The Illustrated Jesus Through the Centuries” by Jaroslav Pelikan, which looks at many paintings of Jesus Christ from both Eastern and Western Christianity and examines the historical interpretation of the question, “Who is Jesus?”
- Growth: “Understanding Orthodoxy.” Ted Cherpas will continue the exploration of the Orthodox Christian Faith using the book, “The Orthodox Church: Its Faith, Life and Worship.” It is open to all who are seeking to learn more about Orthodoxy either as a preparation for entering the Faith or for a greater understanding of the Faith we live each day.
- Orthodox Family Life: Father John will offer another “Making Marriage Better” session for married couples seeking to grow and enrich their marriage. These sessions are for couples of all ages and are fun and interactive and use marriage resource materials from a variety of sources.
Seniors Christmas Luncheon – December 4
The Ladies Philoptochos Society is once again hosting a Seniors Christmas Luncheon this Thursday, December 4. The morning will start with 8:30am Orthros and 9:30am Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Great Martyr, Saint Barbara. The event will then continue with the Christmas Luncheon in our beautiful Grand Room at noon. The deadline for reservations was last week.
Philoptochos Holiday Bake Sale Volunteers Needed – Each Tuesday
The Ladies Philoptochos Society will be working each Tuesday beginning at 9:00 am to prepare the orders for their Holiday Bake Sale. Much help is needed and all are welcome! No experience is necessary. Please contact Kay Balouris at 724-813-5730 for more information.
Holy Trinity Christmas Card and Poinsettias Forms Due Friday, December 6
Please remember that the forms and donations for the Holy Trinity Community Christmas Card and Poinsettias are due this Saturday, December 6.
North Hills Chorale Christmas Concert – December 6
The North Hills Chorale will present a Christmas concert entitled “American Composers, International Carols” on Saturday, December 6th at 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 7th at 3 p.m., in the Visitation Chapel at Kearns Spirituality Center, a ministry of Sisters of Divine Providence, located across the street at 9000 Babcock Boulevard. Free-will offerings accepted. Please bring non-perishable food donations for North Hills Community Outreach Food Pantry. More information is available at www.nhchorale.com.
Angel Tree Christmas Gift Tree – Thank You and Please Bring Gifts Back by December 14
As always, Holy Trinity Church has extended its arms of love and compassion to the needy at Christmas again this year through our Angel Tree Christmas Gift outreach. Most if not all of the gift tages have been already claimed, but there may still be a few available in the Gallery today. The beneficiaries this year are the needy souls served by the FOCUS Pittsburgh ministry and the local North Hills Community Outreach. All gifts are due back here at Holy Trinity by Sunday, December 14. Be sure to include a card with a message of Christian love. Thank you, generous stewards!
New Year’s Eve Gala – Save the Date!
Plan on spending New Year’s Eve with your Holy Trinity family and friends! Tickets will go on sale on November 9 following Liturgy for the Holy Trinity New Year’s Eve Gala. Contact Harry Athanasiou at 412-292-4205 with any questions.
Time to Submit 2015 Stewardship Pledge and Wrap Up 2014 Stewardship Contributions
As we approach the end of the year, our 2015 Stewardship campaign is already underway, informing our Holy Trinity members how to fully participate in and support the life and ministries of Holy Trinity Church in the coming year. With the blessing of our new home come a lot more opportunities to do so, and your involvement is both important and needed. Submitting your 2015 pledge and fully completing your 2014 pledge in the next few weeks will be of great help to the life of your Church. Thank you, good stewards!
Have a School or Sports Banquet to Plan? Host it at Holy Trinity Center!
Many school and sports banquets are held each year, and in response our caterer, Arista Catering and Event Planning, has created a special School and Sports Banquet Menu. If you have one of those types of events coming up this year, please consider suggesting to your committee that they look at holding it at Holy Trinity Center. Contact Helena at 412-716-2835 or 412-477-7416 for information.
Holy Trinity Cemetery Grave Price Increase Notice
Please note that grave prices at Holy Trinity Cemetery will be increasing to $750 effective January 1, 2015. Those wishing to purchase at the 2014 price of $500 may do so until December 31, 2014. Contact the Church Office at 512-366-8700.
In the Hospital? Home-Bound? Please let the Church Office know!
In today’s age of information privacy, churches are not notified when parishioners are admitted to hospitals, nursing homes or other care facilities. Both those facilities and your church depend on having the church notified by a friends or family member so pastoral care and outreach can be offered. The same goes for those homebound. If you or any of your loved ones are in any of these situations, please contact the Church Office at 412-366-8700 to request a visit from our priests or visitation ministry. Interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact the Church Office and offer your time as a visitation volunteer.
Want the Weekly Bulletin sent to your email box? Sign Up Today!
Want to receive the Sunday Bulletin directly via email? Want announcements on Holy Trinity events? Go to www.HolyTrinityPgh.org and sign up today using the sign-up box on the left side of any page!
All Sunday Services Live on Internet
Please be aware that all Sunday services at Holy Trinity Church are now live on the Internet. Unable to attend Sunday services because of travels, illness or otherwise home-bound? You can still participate via Internet via live streaming video. To follow the services online go to: http://www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/live. PLEASE NOTE: "Holy Trinity Church now broadcasts its Sunday services live on the Internet. Your presence in the Church is subject to audio and video recording."
Welcome, Holy Trinity Guests!
We welcome all our guests to Holy Trinity Church today, whether as visitors from out of town, family members joining others here for worship today or even soon-to-be members here for the first time. No matter what the reason the Holy Spirit brought you here today, we welcome you with open arms and hearts filled with the love of Christ. Please help us welcome you by signing in at the hospitality table in the Narthex, where you will be presented with a yellow lapel Cross to help our Holy Trinity family know you're here. Please fill out an information card so we can contact you with any information you may need concerning life here at Holy Trinity Church.
About Receiving Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church
As an extension of our hospitality and outreach ministries, we welcome all who have come to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, an inquirer to the faith or a first-time guest in an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us and thankful for the opportunity to share and bear witness to this ancient and timeless Faith. In accordance with the holy canons and traditions of the Church, please note that Holy Communion and the other Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) are received only by those who are baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared through prayer, fasting and confession. All others are invited receive the antidoron (blessed bread) and a blessing from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not a sacramental offering, but is blessing and a reflection of the agape (love) feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. Please join our parish family for hospitality after the holy services and allow us to meet and welcome you. Interested in joining or learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith? Please see one of our priests or complete a visitor’s card today!
