TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Memorial Today
Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Mary Alexiades (40 days). The coffee hour is being sponsored in her memory by her family. May her memory be eternal!
Ten Minutes of HOPE
Our children in HOPE (grades K-2) will meet today with Father Radu for ten minutes after their Sunday School lesson. This monthly encounter will be an opportunity for personal interaction and a meaningful dialogue on various aspects of our faith.
Annual Visitation Ministry Meeting and Luncheon Today
The Visitation Ministry Team is looking to expand their ministry outreach in the New Year 2017. We will have our annual meeting and luncheon today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms A and B. This ministry of compassion is an important part of our parish life. Some of our team activities include: prayer, baking cookies, creating and delivering small gifts to the homebound, mailing cards to those who need an encouraging word, home and hospital visitation, regular phone calls to those who live alone, offering support to those who are grieving loss, and much more. If you would like to know more about our Visitation Ministry, then please attend this annual meeting and luncheon. All are welcome! We love to see new faces become a part of this ministry. Feel free contact Amy Armanious 412.628.0973 or email visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org
GOYA Teams at Metropolis Tournament in Canton
Our GOYA teens and their coaches and families are attending the last Metropolis Basketball tournament of the season being held in Canton, Ohio, this weekend. We thank them all for representing our community with such honor and good sportsmanship, and we especially congratulate the seniors who are participating in their last tournament. Congratulations all!
Last Call to Register for the BeeTreat!
Please register for this Saturday’s “BeeTreat” Youth and parents event. See the announcement below.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
[Feb 20 and following] Festival Cooking Starts TOMORROW!
FESTIVAL COOKING? ALREADY? YEP, THAT’S RIGHT—IT’S HERE! We are kicking off cooking for the 2017 Festival beginning with TIROPITA on Monday, February 20th (4-9pm) and again on Tuesday, February 21st (9am-9pm). Please join us—the earlier we start, the less we have to do this summer! Switching to pastries, join us to a BAKLAVA marathon on Saturday, March 4, following the Saturday of Souls Liturgy (around 11am) through 9pm. Lots of help is needed to this festival favorite! Finally, mark your calendars now for SPANAKOPITA on Friday, March 17th (9am-4pm) AND Saturday, March 18th (9am-9pm). Yes, it’s St. Patrick’s Day, but, hey, HT is going green with spinach! We need to make 250 pans of Spanakopita this year – that’s over 1,000 lbs of spinach to squeeze—and it will require everyone’s help—male, female, young & old. Note that we’ve scheduled the two of the events on SATURDAYS, hoping that those of you who cannot make it during the week can join us then! Please mark the dates… come for a few hours or all day—there is certainly a job for everyone! Email paulavalliant@gmail.com or call 412-445-4119 with any questions. AND WATCH FOR THE REST OF THE 2017 FESTIVAL COOKING SCHEDULE NEXT MONTH!
[Feb. 22] “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week
Holy Trinity Church’s new, expanded “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry continues this week. Building on the fruits of our last three years of Wednesday evening, we are now including more days and more opportunities for everyone to participate in and grow from worship, spiritual life and educational ministries beyond Sunday morning and to make the church the "crossroad of daily life." To submit ideas or feedback, please see Spiritual Life Ministry Chairperson Joyce Athanasiou (412-292-4205).
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THIS WEEK AT “FAITH AND FAMILY WEEKDAYS”
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What and When
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Ministry and Session Details
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Daily: Prayer Partners
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Have you remembered your prayer partner every day?
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“Journey to Fullness”
Faith Growth Ministry
Wed. Feb. 22
6:30pm Worship
7:00pm Session
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Father Barnabas Powell has released an excellent new video series for everyone who wants to learn more about the “fullness of the faith” found in Orthodox Christianity. Fr Barnabas’ style is sincere, straight-forward and he is not afraid to raise and speak to the tough questions. At the end of each segment there is a brief question and answer review which delves deeper into issues raised in the talk. Miss a session? No worries. Just jump right back in. Each session stands on its own.
This Week: Session 16 - “The Journey Continues” (LAST session)
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[Feb 24] HOPE and JOY Skate Night
The HOPE and JOY youth ministries will be holding a Skate Night on Friday, February 24 from 6:00-9:00pm at ​Funslides Skate Park , 1130 Perry Hwy, Suite 300 (Pines Plaza directly behind Shop & Save) Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (www.funslidespark.com). IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 1. Please RSVP to Nicole Gross, 412-445-6606 or Tnpalmer113@gmail.com by Monday, February 20th. 2. Cost – to be paid to Nicole the night of the event – price subject to number of people attending. Prices: Skaters - $14-16.50 per person (it if more than 25 skate, it will be $14); Additional for food - $4.00 per person – (2 slices of pizza, drink, veggie tray, and cookies). Additional details will be provided when you RSVP. Looking forward to a fun evening!
[Feb 25] BeeTreat for Teens and Parents – PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE TODAY
Holy Trinity Church will be hosting a creative new youth ministry event, a “BeeTreat” on Saturday, February 25, from 9:30am-5:00pm. This free event is offered by a travelling Archdiocesan ministry team including Steve Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez. It is based on the popular “Be The Bee” video program produced by the Y²AM team (Youth and Young Adult Ministries).
- What is a “BeeTreat?”
BeeTreats are a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and they all about unifying our efforts in Youth and Young Adult Ministry and bringing together as many people as possible for an exciting and Christ-centered experience. Their aim is to reorient each heart, home, parish, and city towards Christ, to help people #BeTheBee and #LiveOrthodoxy every moment of every day.
- Who Can and Should Attend?
ALL TEENS, THEIR PARENTS AND YOUTH MINISTRY WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS! BeeTreats are free! The BeeTreat Team has specific programs and workshops for youth (6th-12th grade), young adults, youth workers, parents, and anybody else who might be interested in learning more about youth ministry and what it means to “Be the Bee”. There is a special track for adults, parents and youth ministry workers. Y²AM is a ministry of the whole Church and for the whole Church.
- Where Can I Find More Info on “Be The Bee?”
Check out the great series of videos at BeTheBee.goarch.org. There are over 100 great informative, entertaining and inspiring videos, plus other great info.
- How Can I Register?
Simply visit the online registration form and register for free at: bethebee.goarch.org/retreats.
[Feb 26] Community Pre-Lenten Brunch – Benefits FOCUS Pittsburgh
GOYA will be holding a Community Pre-Lenten Brunch next Sunday, February 26, following Divine Liturgy. In addition to a wonderful community fellowship event, this is an “Outreach of Love” project of Holy Trinity GOYA, and part of the proceeds will be donated to FOCUS Pittsburgh for its philanthropic mission in the Hill District and throughout Pittsburgh. Freewill offerings will be accepted, with a suggested minimum donation of $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 12 and under. Please plan on staying, enjoy a homemade brunch in a community fellowship setting and supporting the mission of FOCUS. Thank you!
[Mar 4] Saturday of Souls
Preceding the start of Lent and during the first week of Lent, the Church offers the “Saturdays of the Souls” to commemorate those who have fallen sleep in the Lord. Services are held at the Saint George Chapel located at Holy Trinity Cemetery. Orthros is at 8:30am followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30am and the Memorial Service. They will be offered on February 18 and March 4 this year. See the flyer in the February Holy Trinity Herald to submit names for commemoration and be sure to attend and commemorate your departed loved ones.
[Mar 10] Saint Photios Metropolis Awards Banquet Holy Trinity Nominations Forms Due
The Metropolis of Pittsburgh will honor devout stewards of faith, time and talents at the Third Annual Saint Photios Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 22. IMPORTANT: There will be two recipients from each community, and that means two from Holy Trinity Church. Want to recommend someone from our community to receive the award? See the nomination form in the current edition of the Herald or outside the Church Office. Deadline for submitting recommendations is March 10.
[Mar 12] Philoptochos Meeting
The Ladies Philoptochos philanthropic ministry will be holding their monthly meeting on Sunday, March 12 in the Fireside Room following Liturgy.
[Mar 12] HOPE and JOY Bowling Event
The children of the HOPE and JOY youth ministries will go bowling at Paradise Isle on Sunday, March 12, from 2-4pm. If you are interested in going, please contact Yvonne Balouris at ybalouris@zoominternet.net.
Upcoming Lenten and Paschal Dates
Wondering about Lenten and Paschal dates? Here’s a helpful guide to some of the important events coming up. Mark them on your calendar!
- Cheesefare Sunday (Last day of eating dairy): Feb. 26
- Pure Monday (Lent begins): Feb. 27
- Sunday of Orthodoxy: Mar. 5
- Godparent Sunday/Lenten Luncheon: Mar. 19
- Saturday of Lazarus/Palm Cross/Candle prep: Apr. 8
- Palm Sunday: Apr. 9
- Holy Week: Apr. 9-15
- Holy Friday (schedule off work & school): Apr. 14
- The Great and Holy Pascha: Apr. 16
Online Giving Reminder
Holy Trinity Church’s online giving program makes it possible to make contributions of various kinds to Holy Trinity Church online. Our secure system allows you to conveniently make donations online. You can choose to make a one-time contribution or establish a recurring weekly or monthly contribution. Best of all, you don’t need to remember to write a check or bring your offering to church - it’s already taken care of! Payments can be made via checking account, savings account, credit card or debit card. Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/give to get started!
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!
“ONE HOLY TRINITY” – Please Make Your Commitment and Submit Your Cards Today!
2017 is here and Holy Trinity Church needs your 2017 Pledge Commitment. As you’ve already noticed, this year’s pledge card system is a bit different from past years. The theme is that of “ONE HOLY TRINITY.” Just like God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, we, the members of Holy Trinity Church, need to join together in love as one to serve the Church and to provide for its critical missions in today’s society. The pledge card has been simplified with the left panel containing a clear picture of the Operating Budget of Holy Trinity Church, how it is funded, and what your Stewardship pledge will be for 2017. That budget covers the operating expenses of the Church like Ministries, Missions, salaries, utilities, maintenance, and the like. The center panel now comprises a separate section directed specifically to our mortgage obligation, which is currently $1.74 million, but with interest it will be $1.96 million. This is a separate account for the Church, and has been the subject of separate fund-raising activities. For those parishioners who have made new pledges or extended their prior pledges for years 2016-2020, your pledge amounts have been inserted on the card for you. For those who have not yet pledged through the mortgage pay off goal of December 31, 2020, please include your pledge amounts for all of the remaining years. Finally, the right panel contains spaces to indicate those Ministries of Holy Trinity Church with which you would like to participate or receive services. Please check all that apply to you and your family. If there are any questions, please see Mike Kritiotis or Ted Stewart for Stewardship, or Jim Balouris for Capital Campaign. With thanks in advance for your prayerful consideration of Holy Trinity Church and your participation in the life of the Church, we remain yours in Christ, Father John Touloumes and the Holy Trinity Stewardship and Capital Campaign Committees.
