TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Palm Sunday Tickets – Last Day for Advance Purchase!
Today is the last day to purchase your advance tickets for next Sunday’s Palm Sunday GOYA Community Fish Luncheon. Our teens are putting together a delicious meal as always, and they would really appreciate everyone not only attending, but purchasing tickets this week so they can get a good idea of how much food to prepare. Our teens work very hard throughout the year to serve the community and they truly appreciate your support. All proceeds raised go to fund the activities and philanthropic activities of our youth. Please plan on staying next week – and please get your tickets today. Thank you!
GOYA Lenten Soups: Only One More Week!
The GOYA is once again offering their popular, delicious and affordable selection of Lenten Soups! These freezer-to-microwave/pot-to-table offerings are still only $7 each. They are all cooked in accordance with Orthodox strict-fasting tradition, so in addition to helping support our youth ministries, they give you a helping hand in planning your Lenten menu! Thanks for supporting our teens!
Visitation Ministry Needs Your Help!
Today during coffee hour, please visit our Visitation Ministry table display. We are asking for volunteers to deliver Pascha gifts to our homebound parishioners beginning Palm Sunday and throughout Holy Week. If you have time to deliver even one gift it is very much appreciated. We are also asking for donations towards purchasing the items for our Pascha gifts. If you have a homebound loved one who would enjoy a Pascha card and/or gift then please visit our table display today and we will add their name to our list. Or if you are interested in learning more about offering your talent and time with our Visitation Ministry, then contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org
Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale
Today is the last day to place your order for the Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale. Breads are $10 each and can be made with or without sesame. Order forms can be found at coffee hour or see Kay Balouris in the Grand Hall (or call her at 724-759-7915). All orders must be prepaid. Orders will be ready for pick up on Palm Sunday, April 9. Don't miss out on this delicious Pascha tradition!
HOPE and JOY Pilgrimage to the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration Today
Today, the HOPE and JOY youth ministry will visit the Orthodox Monastery of the Transfiguration in Ellwood City (321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, Pa 16117). The children and their parents should plan to arrive at 1:00 pm for a tour and talk about monastic life. As a service project, the children have been invited to read and sing the vespers, which should commence around 2:00 pm. The nuns will assist them during the service. The group should plan to depart after Vespers. Please plan to visit from 1:00-3:00 pm this afternoon. If you have any questions, please see Maria Bounos or contact her by phone or text at 412-600-7096.
IOCC Syria Relief Dinner
The IOCC Syrian Relief Dinner & Prayer Service will be held today at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The Prayer Service will begin at 4:00 pm followed by a Lenten Dinner/Reception beginning at 5:00 pm. The event will be hosted and led by several Orthodox Hierarchs including His Eminence Metropolitan Savas.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week (Schedule available online at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/calendar)
- Mon., April 3, 6:30pm: LAST Great Compline (SG).
- Wed., April 5, 6:30pm: LAST Pre-Sanctified Liturgy (HT) followed by Lenten Dinner and special “Faith and Family Weekday” Lenten Presentation (see announcement below)
- Sat., April 8, 8:30 am Orthros/9:30 am Liturgy: Saturday of Lazarus (HT) followed by Lenten breakfast and Holy Week preparations and confessions.
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!
- 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
CALLING ALL HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOL STUDENTS & FAMILIES:
Please be sure to attend 9:30am Divine Liturgy on April 8, the Saturday of Lazarus. Receive Holy Communion. Help prepare Palm Crosses and cup candles for Holy Week. Confession will be available. Breakfast will be provided. A great way to prepare for Holy Week and serve your Church!
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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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Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and Lenten Speakers Series
Faith Growth Ministry
Wed. April 5
6:30pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
7:45pm Lenten Dinner and Presentation
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- Worship: Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (6:30-7:45pm). The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is an evening service which comprises the solemn Lenten Vespers with the distribution of Holy Communion at the end. There is no consecration of the Holy Gifts during the service. Holy Communion is offered from the reserve gifts consecrated on the previous Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Those Orthodox Christians wishing to receive Holy Communion should prepare as usual, but should also refrain from eating or drinking after their midday meal. Readings will be done by our older Church School students.
- Lenten Dinner (7:45pm): We will continue the tradition of Lenten dinners following Pre-Sanctified Liturgies by asking for volunteers to bring food. Everyone is invited to stay for this light meal. After the meal is served, everyone will remain in the Grand Room for the Lenten Speakers Series presentation.
- Special Lenten Presentations (8:00pm). Each week a special presentation will be offered by one of our clergy or guest presenters. This week (April 5): Bob Stearns will speak about “Connecting with Our God-Given Potential”.
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[Apr. 8] Saturday of Lazarus Palm Crosses/Candles/Confessions
Calling all Holy Trinity Church School students and staff: Your help is needed to prepare some important items for our Holy Week services! Please be there for ready for Divine Liturgy on the Saturday of Lazarus, and plan to stay and help make of the many Palm Crosses needed for Palm Sunday. Younger students will also have the very important task of preparing the cupped candles for Holy Friday and Holy Saturday evenings. Divine Liturgy is at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Lenten breakfast and the project. GOYA teens will also be setting up for the Palm Sunday luncheon. Confession will also be available for all our youth first, then others as time permits. Parents, please be sure to attend with your children and family. NOTE: Help and food donations are being requested for the breakfast. Contact Presvytera Becky today or by Tuesday at the latest. Thank you!
[Apr. 14] Help Decorate the Epitaphion on Holy Friday
As we prepare to celebrate Pascha, please consider taking the day off from school or work on Holy Friday. School excuses from the Father John will be available for those who attend and help. All ages are invited to come to the church and help with decorating the Kouvouklion (which contains the Epitaphion - Tomb of Christ) with flowers immediately following the 9:30am Service of the Royal Hours (the service lasts approximately one hour). Please come to make this one of your offerings of dedicated love and service to the Lord as we honor His Holy Passion in His Holy Church. (NOTE: This is a FAMILY opportunity, not a “drop-off” event. Young children must be supervised by a responsible adult.)
[Apr. 15] Come to the Anastasi Services and Dinner! – Saturday Evening
Don’t forget to make plans to attend the Resurrection Orthros, Liturgy and Dinner at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday evening/early morning of Pascha. Following the liturgical celebration of the Resurrection, join your family, friends and other members of Holy Trinity to break the fast and celebrate the Feast of Feasts! Free-will offerings will be accepted for this community celebration.
[Apr. 16] Agape Vespers Candy Hunt
The Church School ministry is again sponsoring the annual Paschal Candy Hunt on the lawn of the church (weather permitting) on Pascha following the Agape Vespers Service at 12:00 p.m. All the children are invited to come for this beautiful and bright service. It is an especially good way for those with small children who are not able to attend the midnight service to share in a special celebration of Pascha. NOTE: Parent volunteers are needed to help coordinate this event. Please contact Presvytera Becky to volunteer.
Lenten Fasting: A Tool for Spiritual Growth
During Lent and Holy Week, the "Season of Repentance" and a time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving, please take note that according to the holy canons of the Church, we enter into the strict fast (no meat, dairy, fish, etc.). It is important to remember that fasting is a tool and a discipline for spiritual growth provided by the Church, not the goal of the Lenten season and that those under special dietary or health conditions must take care to observe those special needs. It is also important to remember, however, that fasting is not the ends, but a means, given to us all as part of our spiritual toolkit in preparation for the celebration of the Resurrection here and for eternal life in the Resurrected Christ! (A special note to our seniors: any kind of fasting must take into consideration medications and doctor’s instructions so your fasting does not create medical issues – it is intended to bless, not make us weak or sick. Please see our priests with any questions.)
Festival Cooking Schedule: April/May
It’s time! Festival cooking is here. Please mark these dates on your calendar, put them in your phone, hand them on your refrigerator, or do whatever you need to be sure to be there…and remember to invite some friends! Watch for more dates all the way through July in the April edition of the Holy Trinity Herald!
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Date
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Day
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Times
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Food Item Being Prepared
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April 25
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Tuesday
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9am-9pm
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Apricot Rolls
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May 2
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Tuesday
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9am-9pm
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Finkia, Koulourakia
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May 5
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Friday
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9am-9pm
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Souvlakia
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May 6
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Saturday
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9am-5pm
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Souvlakia
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May 9
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Tuesday
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9am-9pm
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Kourambiethes
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May 16
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Tuesday
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9am-9pm
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Galaktoboureko
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May 23
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Tuesday
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9am-9pm
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Souzoukakia
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Festival Ad Book Volunteers Needed
The Festival season is quickly coming upon us. Last year's Festival was a banner event for our Holy Trinity community. With your help, we made tremendous strides last year. We are seeking volunteers to join the 2017 Festival Ad Book committee. Please contact Al Backeris or Connee Bistolas to join the Ad Book campaign or email inquiries and interest to festivalads@HolyTrinityPgh.org.
Donation Needed
Do you have a Keurig® Single Cup Coffee Maker that you no longer use? Holy Trinity would greatly appreciate the donation of a gently used Keurig® that would be useful for small group meetings or to offer hospitality to weekday visitors to the church office. To offer your donation, please contact the church office at 412-366-8700. Thank you!
Need Physical Assistance to Receive Holy Communion?
Do you require physical assistance to receive Holy Communion? The Holy Trinity Parish Council and Hospitality Ministry team would be glad to help. Please indicate you require help when your row is dismissed and they will provide someone to accompany you and provide assistance and safety.
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 our new and wonderful Visitation Ministry. Also, interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org.
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!
