Sunday Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Fr. John Hays, Interim Priest
He that was greater than all who are born of women, the Prophet who received God's testimony that he surpassed all the Prophets, was born of the aged and barren Elizabeth (Luke 1: 7) and filled all his kinsmen, and those that lived round about, with gladness and wonder. But even more wondrous was that which followed on the eighth day when he was circumcised, that is, the day on which a male child receives his name. Those present called him Zacharias, the name of his father. But the mother said, "Not so, but he shall be called John." Since the child's father was unable to speak, he was asked, by means of a sign, to indicate the child's name. He then asked for a tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And immediately Zacharias' mouth was opened, his tongue was loosed from its silence of nine months, and filled with the Holy Spirit, he blessed the God of Israel, Who had fulfilled the promises made to their fathers, and had visited them that were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, and had sent to them the light of salvation. Zacharias prophesied concerning the child also, saying that he would be a Prophet of the Most High and Forerunner of Jesus Christ. And the child John, who was filled with grace, grew and waxed strong in the Spirit; and he was in the wilderness until the day of his showing to Israel (Luke 1:57-80). His name is a variation of the Hebrew "Johanan," which means "Yah is gracious."
Prokeimenon. Grave Tone. Psalm 63.11,1.
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.
Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4.
Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.
Nativity of the Forerunner John the Baptist
The Reading is from Luke 1:1-25, 57-68, 76-80
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilos, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed. In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." And Zacharias said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, "Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men." Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. And her neighbors and kinsfolk heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they would have named him Zacharias after his father, but his mother said, "Not so; he shall be called John." And they said to her, "None of your kindred is called by this name." And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all marveled. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea; and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways." And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness till the day of his manifestation to Israel.
Special Prayer Requests: Please pray for mercy, life, peace, and health of His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos who is yet homebound while suffering a type of sciatica, for Presbytera Mary Theodosian and Jim Manos who can be visited in Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab Center, and for Chresanthe Lemieux, Jane Anderson, Betty & Fred Day, Steve Sarris, Despina Xynidis, George P. Nichols, our parish and missionary families, and catechumens preparing for Illumination
June 17th Offerings: Candles $176; Tray $89; Stewardship $1797
Services and Events:
Sunday School: We are especially grateful for the children who have participated in our 2017/18 Sunday School program. We rejoice in the foundation that is being laid in their lives by their regular attendance in Sunday School, in their participation in the liturgical life of our parish and the learning that they experience at home. We thank God for the families who bring their children and grandchildren to Church and whose example of making Christ first is life-changing for future generations of Orthodox. Holy Trinity is abundantly blessed to have six committed teachers whose love and commitment has been exemplary. If you are interested in getting involved with Sunday School in the coming 2018/19 school year, please contact either Carman Gaetanos or Presbytera Renee.
Greek Archdiocese Clergy-Laity Congress in Boston July 1-5, 2018: With the theme, All Things Are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ (Mark 9:23), the 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will take place July 1 to 5, 2018, in Boston, Massachusetts, hosted by the Holy Metropolis of Boston and His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston. Pray for Parish Council President, Margo Kelley, who will serve as Parish Delegate on your behalf. Margo remains open to receiving and carrying forth to The Congress your questions to be answered, concerns to be addressed, or ideas to be shared. Please submit them to directly to her at htgocpresident@gmail.com or request through the Church Office
Hostess Schedule: Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com
2018-2019 Ministries & Committees:Pleasecontact the Ministry Leaders of the Church Office to help grow, plan, and strengthen the following ministries/activities in the New Ecclesiastical Year (September through August) for any of the following:
Baking Prosphoron
Sunday School
Youth
St. Photios National Shrine
Stewardship
Bookstore
OCF/College Ministry
OCMC/Missions/Evangelism
Greeters/Newcomers
Library
Greek Fest
Ecological/Recycling
Facilities & Maintenance
Outreach
Iconography/Beautification/Consecration
Religious Education
Greek Dance
And More…
Visiting the Church Outside of Office Hours: We strive to always welcome parishioners and the many visiting out-of-towners to the best of our ability. Please call the office to arrange a visit. If there is no answer, call the emergency number on the voicemail, (602) 617-2467, to discuss options that may exist.
Bulletin Submission: Please submit your articles weekly by Wednesday, or at the latest, Thursday, Please be aware that Fr. John and Margo Kelley will edit bulletin prior to publication.