PARISH NEWS
Celebrating our 40th Anniversary
● Pangari Schedule: Rami Nassar, George Efstatos and Peter Liacopulos.
● Greeter Schedule: George Booskos
● No Coffee Hour today.
● Christmas Donation Envelopes are available in the narthex for our annual Christmas Offerings.
● Maria Fotiou is collecting money to send to Bishop Ambrosios for his ministries.
● The Gym is unavailable today due to a rental. Please make sure no one goes to the gym today.
● Coming Soon! Our parish directory is going digital and green! New features will be added to the directory as well. In order to protect access to the directory, please make sure we have your cell phone number on file. (each cell number should be linked to one person). A hard copy will also be available to those who wish to have one.
● Sunday School Christmas Presentation immediately following the Divine Liturgy in the church.
DECEMBER CHURCH SERVICES
† December 22, Thursday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., St. Anastasia
† December 23, Friday, Orthros & Great Hours 9:00 am.
† December 24, Saturday Morning, Orthros & Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom 9:00 am. (*Communion)
† December 24, Saturday Evening, Great Vespers 7:00 pm.
† December 25, Sunday, Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 8:15 / 9:45 am., Nativity of Our Lord (*Communion)
† December 26, Monday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., Synaxis of the Holy Theotokos (at neighboring parishes)
† December 27, Tuesday, Divine Liturgy 9:00 / 10:00 am., St. Stephen (at neighboring parishes)
CHURCH REMINDERS
Wearing masks is now optional in the church and throughout the community center.
Those who are feeling sick should stay at home.
We will continue to live-stream our church services.
UPCOMING EVENTS (see attached flyers)
December 18: Sunday School Christmas Presentation in Church
December 18: Metropolis Ambassador Awards Banquet
December 20: Metropolis Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Open House
January 5-6: Epiphany Services
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.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY CONFESSION
The Christmas Lenten period is an important time of spiritual preparation for all Orthodox Christians. For this reason, everyone is encouraged to contact Father George, or any other spiritual father, in order to partake of the Sacrament of Confession.
AMBASSADOR AWARDS BANQUET HONOREES
Congratulations to our honorees!
This year's GOYA honorees are:
Jerry Arsenis
Vayia Georges
Sandy Hanna
Chris Dallas Pappas
Our adult honorees are:
Nick Kafkalas Parish Honoree
Roula Michaelidis Philoptochos Honoree
Clete Tsahourides Parish Youth Worker
Demetra Zalman Essential Medical Worker
YOUTH SAFETY POLICY
After Sunday School all of the children are to stay in the Fellowship Hall with their parents. The gym, classrooms and church areas will be off limits to the children after Sunday School has been completed.
SPECIAL TLC ANNOUNCEMENT
In order to ensure the safety of all our TLC children, the following procedures are being implemented effective immediately. During TLC school hours (Monday-Friday, 6:45 a. to 5:30 pm) all parishioners must be either buzzed in through the front door of the community center or must be checked in through the TLC main entrance. Any parishioner who has a key or fob to our facility must follow the same procedures.
REBUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING
The Rebuilding committee meeting will be on Thursday, December 22nd at 7:30 pm., via Zoom.
PHILOPTOCOS
Philoptochos will continue to sell Shop Rite Gift Cards. Please see attached flyer with information on how to purchase.
On behalf of the Philoptochos St Elpida Chapter, we would like to thank our parishioners for their support. In the Spirit of Thanksgiving this year, we fought hunger in the area by raising funds to support our Community Food Bank (EHT). A final report will be given at the next Philoptochos Meeting but wish to share our gratitude with our Holy Trinity Family. This was our first "money donations" drive (with a chapter match) that allowed us to make a donation that will make a big difference to those in need. A special thanks to Athena Vasiliadis and Gena Mitoulis, committee chairs who volunteered and faithfully organized this initiative.
If you are planning a family memorial, please contact the church office far in advance of the date.
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!