Publish-header
Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2018-12-23
Bulletin Contents
Hymns of the Day
Saints and Feasts
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
PARISH NEWS
Tencrete
Organization Icon
Holy Trinity Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (609) 653-8092
  • Fax:
  • (609) 653-0375
  • Street Address:

  • 7004 Ridge Ave

  • Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
  • Mailing Address:

  • 7004 Ridge Ave

  • Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Contact Information

Parish Administrator Lisa Mitoulis

lisa@cmmcw.com | 609-653-8092

Services Schedule

Sunday Services: Orthros 8:15 am.

                         Divine Liturgy 9:30 am.

Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal First Mode

Let us worship the Word, O ye faithful, praising Him that with the Father and the Spirit is co-beginningless God, Who was born of a pure Virgin that we all be saved; for He was pleased to mount the Cross in the flesh that He assumed, accepting thus to endure death. And by His glorious rising, He also willed to resurrect the dead.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA


Apolytikion for Forefeast of the Nativity in the Fourth Mode

Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA


Apolytikion for Sun. before Nativity in the Second Mode

Great are the achievements of faith! In the fountain of flame, as by the water of rest, the Three Holy Children rejoiced. And the Prophet Daniel proved a shepherd of lions as of sheep. By their prayers, O Christ our God, save our souls.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA


Seasonal Kontakion in the Third Mode

On this day the Virgin cometh to the cave to give birth to * God the Word ineffably, * Who was before all the ages. * Dance for joy, O earth, on hearing * the gladsome tidings; * with the Angels and the shepherds now glorify Him * Who is willing to be gazed on * as a young Child Who * before the ages is God.

Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA


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Saints and Feasts

Tencrete
December 23

Ten Martyrs of Crete

These Saints, who were all from Crete, contested for piety's sake during the reign of Decius, in the year 250. Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, and Eunician were from Gortynia, the capital; Zoticus was from Knossos; Agathopus, from the port city of Panormus; Basilides, from Cydonia; Evarestus and Pompey, from Heraklion. Haled before the Governor as Christians, they were subjected to torments for thirty days, being scourged, racked, dragged upon the ground through dung heaps, stoned, spit upon. They were questioned again, but their costancy roused the Governor to greater fury. After subjecting them to torments more bitter still, he had them beheaded.

Allsaint
December 23

Forefeast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Allsaint
December 23

Paul, Archbishop of Neo-Caesarea

Treejesse
December 23

Sunday before Nativity

On the Sunday that occurs on or immediately after the eighteenth of this month, we celebrate all those who from ages past have been well-pleasing to God, beginning from Adam even unto Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke hath recorded historically (Luke 3:23-38); we also commemorate the Prophets and Prophetesses, and especially the Prophet Daniel and the Holy Three Children.

Allsaint
December 23

Rememberance of the Founding of the Holy and Great Church of Christ, Hagia Sophia in Constantinople

Nahumochrid
December 23

Naoum the Illuminator of The Bulgarians

Allsaint
December 23

Nicholas & John the New Martyrs

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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Daniel 3.26,27.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers.
Verse: For you are just in all you have done.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Hebrews 11:9-10; 32-40.

BRETHREN, by faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city which has foundation, whose builder and maker is God.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets - who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated - of whom the world was not worthy - wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Gospel Reading

Sunday before Nativity
The Reading is from Matthew 1:1-25

The book of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, and Aram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa, and Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amon, and Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

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Wisdom of the Fathers

The tribes of Judah and Levi were united by a fusion of their lines of descent, and that is why Matthew assigns Christ's family to the tribe of Judah. And the Apostle says, 'for our Lord has sprung out of Judah' (Heb. 7:14).
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

Thus, from the tribe of Levi may be counted a heritage that is priestly and filled with holiness, while from the tribe of Judah - to which David and Solomon and the rest of the kings belonged - there shines forth the splendor of a royal descent. And so, by the testimony of the Scriptures, Christ is shown to be at once both king and priest.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Seven Exegetical Works, 4th Century

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PARISH NEWS

Pangari Schedule: Anthony Panetta, Haitham Dib, George Efstatos.

Greeter Schedule: Donna Efstatos.

Today's Coffee Hour will be in the Fellowship Hall. If you are hosting the coffee hour please make sure that all products are nut free. We have children with severe nut allergies. Thank you! 

If anyone is interested in donating $50 a week or $200 a month so that the Come Receive the Light program can stay on the air, please contact the church office or Demi Zalman.  The program airs on Sundays at 9:00 am on station 1020AM and 101.3 FM.

UPCOMING EVENTS

See attached flyers for more information on these upcoming events. 

December 30: Vasilopita

January 6: Epiphany

January 25-27: Winterfeast

February 4: Godparents Sunday

February 19: Lent Begins

April 8: Resurrection

RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION

Holy Communion is offered to those baptized Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves for the reception of the Sacrament by prayer and fasting. Blessed Bread is available for all our visitors at the very end of the Divine Liturgy. Our Sunday School students receive Holy Communion first and then we will approach from the center aisles, starting with the front pews, one pew at a time.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

December 24, Monday morning, 9:00 am., Orthros, Great Hours, Great Vespers and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil.

December 24, Monday evening, 9:00 pm., Orthros and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

CHURCH SERVICES

December 26, Wednesday, Divine Liturgy, 9:00/10:00 am., Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos (at neighboring parishes).

December 27, Thursday, Divine Liturgy, 9:00/10:00 am., St. Stephen (at neighboring parishes).

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY - STOLEN MANUSCRIPTS

Please see attached letter and petition from Metropolitan Evangelos. Please sign the petition and leave at the pangari.

HOLY TRINITY COFFEE HOURS

Please call or email Faten Dib 609-226-2691 or fattouneh@hotmail.com today and offer to sign up for a Sunday to host the coffee hour! There are many Sunday’s available and it is a great way for your family, or a few families together, to offer fellowship and refreshments to our community. We will post any available Sundays in the weekly newsletter and the monthly Herald. In the event that no one signs up for a Sunday to host a coffee hour, only coffee will be available at the Fellowship Hall. So come one, come all and sign up today to host “Holy Trinity Coffee Hour”. Available Sundays for January & February:  January 13th & 20th, February 10th & 24th.

SCHEDULING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

In order to avoid scheduling conflicts all parish ministries and organizations must call the church office to schedule all meetings, practices and events (even if they are not scheduled at the church).

COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES - GOALS

--Promote communication and coordination between Ministries

--Highlight each ministry’s role in promoting our Mission and Vision

--Encourage ministry leaders to prioritize growing the inner circle of active members

REQUEST FOR GREETERS

Dear Parishioners,

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7

Please join us as we continue this meaningful ministry, creating more wonderful, first, and continuing impressions.  The Great Commission of our Lord begins with us, as greeters, as we welcome everyone, sharing the love of Christ.  

If anyone would like to join our wonderful Greeter Ministry, please speak to Ginny Kramvis or email ekramvis@comcast.net

CHRISTMAS EVE YOUNG ADULT AND GOYA CHOIR

On Christmas Eve night this year, the Young Adults and GOYAns of our parish will join our chanters in singing the Christmas Eve Liturgy.

Please RSVP to Tom Papademetriou ( apapadem@comcast.net) to let him know that you will be participating.
Our regular choir will be prayerfully  participating from the pews and admiring our young people this year.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Please note Sunday School is scheduled for this Sunday December 23, 2018.  Classes will be held this Sunday. 

There will be no Sunday School on December 30, 2018 for winter break.  
Sunday School will begin again on Sunday January 6, 2019.
 
HOUSE BLESSINGS

Those who would like to have their homes blessed should call Lisa Mitoulis (609-653-8092 x5) to set up a convenient time. Father George will start blessing homes on January 7th.

SUMMER MISSION TRIP

Please deliver application for and deposit check of $150 payable to OYMT to Father George by December 31st.

YOUNG ADULT REUNION EVENT - SAVE THE DATE

Join us on Friday, January 4th, at 7:00 pm., in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a Potluck event. More information to follow.

BIBLE STUDY

Our Bible Study group will continue our meetings on Tuesday, January 22nd at 7:00 pm.  All parishioners are strongly encouraged to share in this wonderful experience.

PARKING

Due to safety regulations, please do not park cars along the curb in front of the church and the community center during church services and other events. Thank you!

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES 

We are excited to announce a new way to give your Business or Service a face in our church community. We are opening up the opportunity to advertise your place of business in our church bulletins. The most important aspect of this opportunity is that not only will it enhance and promote your business but ALL of the money collected for advertising will go to the church. We are confident that this advertising opportunity will improve the exposure and revenues of your business. If you have an interest in obtaining more details we encourage you to speak to Athena Sacco (athenasacco@gmail.com or 609-653-6775) or any other parish council member. We thank you in advance for your participation and support.

COOKBOOK FOR SALE

Our Community Cookbook is now available to purchase for $10. All proceeds will be used for our Church. Please see Athena Sacco to purchase or for additional information.

SHOPRITE GIFT CARDS 

The Philoptochos is selling Shoprite Gift Cards and would appreciate your support. For every $100.00 dollars we sell, we get $5.00. Cards are available in $50 increments. Demi Zalman is our chairperson and she will be at church on Sundays after the service with the cards for anyone to buy. Write your check to "Holy Trinity Philoptochos" or use cash. If you do not see Demi in church any Philoptochos sister will be able to help you find out who has the cards that day. 
As the needs of our community are rising, the Philoptochos is hoping that this initiative will provide added funds to help meet our ever-growing charitable requests. Please consider buying these cards and help us raise money to help others.

NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP MEETING 
The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by friend or family member’s drug addiction. As a Twelve-Step Program, they offer help by sharing experience, strength, and hope in a safe and anonymous forum. If you are or know someone who is impacted by someone else’s drug addition, please let them know about this meeting. Meetings are held every Thursday at 6:30pm.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS 
Gamblers Anonymous will be meeting on Tuesdays, from 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm at the church.

PARISH WEB SITE 
Please visit our parish web site often for updated information. Group leaders should submit their groups' information to the church office ASAP so that all the tabs can be updated.       www.holytrinityeggharbor.com 

ANCIENT FAITH RADIO 

Ancient Faith Radio can now be found at www.ancientfaith.com   Bringing the Ancient Christian Faith to the modern world.   By going on this site you can access some uplifting music, informative & educational Podcasts, and you can even get the App for your phone.

OCMC MISSION TEAMS

THANK YOU to Sunday School Department, Minos Bakery, Mill Street Pub, Spiros Doulis Jewelers and Joe's Pizza for being a partner with us in the Agape Canister Program. 

TRINITY LEARNING CENTER 

Our TLC is now enrolling children from 3 months! Please continue to publicize and promote our child care facility. Let your family, friends, and neighbors know to call Trinity Learning Center at 653-9001 to register their children. TLC is collecting General Mills Box Tops for Education and Campbell's Soup UPC codes off the labels and boxes. Drop off your books, box tops and labels in the narthex.

 

 

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