A Word from Fr. John: As we ponder the coming Nativity of Our Lord in the flesh...

“Up to this point, all were types and shadows, riddles of this. But this, this is the truth.

This is both the renovation and the renewal of the whole world.... the very God Himself assumed a portion of his seed—the side of Adam of which I have spoken so often—and built a habitation for himself. He built it of flesh, and without change He became man—but not merely a man! For He did not become the first-fruits of fleshly children, of a corruptible people such as Noah had become before.... No, He became, rather, the immortal and ever-living first-fruits of spiritual children, children who are ever being formed anew according to his imprint.

“While all those who are our ancestors were mortal, He who took up the portion from the seed of Abraham, He who is the Son of God, is incorrupt and immortal, and He does not beget children in a fleshly way, but He refashions us instead spiritually.

“He entered into the world. For what cause, and why? In order to seek out Adam, who had been exiled in this world, and finding him, to create him anew.” – St. Symeon the New Theologian, The Ethical Discourses, Second Discourse, Part VII

Special Prayer Requests: We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing for Jim Manos (please visit at Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab Center), Chresanthe Lemieux, Jane Anderson, Betty & Fred Day, Despina Xynidis, George P. Nichols, our parish, those we serve, and our two missionary families: Dn. Stephanos, Dka. Alexandria & Moses Ritsi serving Albania; and Michael Lisa & Liam Colburn serving translators worldwide.

Memorial Service: Today, November 18^th, 15-Year Memorial Service for Katherine Gaetanos, mother of Mikae Gaetanos.  Koliva provided by the Gaetanos Family.

Hostess Schedule:Carman Gaetanos (904) 540-0367 or carmgaet@gmail.com

• Today, November 18^th                Carman Gaetanos, Penny Angelus
• November 25^th                          Monthly Potluck (Thanksgiving Leftovers)

Parish Council Announcements:

• Sunday, November 11^th:
• Weekly Offering - Candles $131; Tray $77; Stewardship $6520Offer as generously as you are able in support of Church ministries. Your gift ensures that our church is open and accessible to all who seek her comfort. These donations are very important to the vitality of our parish. Your weekly offerings can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.

• Thursday, November Nov 15^th:
• Nativity Fast began until the Nativity on December 25^th,
• Wednesday November 21^st:
• Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos - Liturgy at 9 a.m. (no Orthros)
• Sunday, December 2^nd:
• Fall General Assembly after Divine Services

• Our current Mortgage Balance is UNDER a Million! Specifically it's $988,892.28. This really is a moment to celebrate, cherish, & reflect on in the history of this beautiful Parish.   God Bless Our Hands!  Nicola Lykam, Parish Treasurer

64^th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade – December 1^st:  Is your family planning to assist in preparing the float and being a beautiful witness in the Annual Christmas Parade this year?  The float typically carries adults and children seated & staged as Joseph, Mary, angels, 3 wise men, shepherds, sheep & animals of all kinds, a star, and carolers of ALL AGES!  Banner-bearing, Greek-dancing, culturally costumed, hearkening carolers on foot & float have been refreshingly welcomed throughout the downtown parade route.  

All participant families are invited to plan and decorate the float in advance and meet the on the day of the parade by 8:30 AM on San Marco Ave between Ballard & Ocean (near/across from the Ace Hardware), for the 9:00 AM parade start.   Costumes for the Nativity are available but we gladly welcome families to create their own.  Donations of Christmas decorations and candy canes are requested from the entire parish.  Float construction/work days will take be announced to the community via e-mail.  Call or e-mail the Church office to be on this year’s committee!

Stewardship:

• "As Orthodox Christians, we see the world as God's gift, as a sacrament of God's presence and a means of communion with Him. Thus we are able to offer the world back to God in thanksgiving, as we say in every Divine Liturgy "Thine own of Thine own we offer to thee. . ."
• Please review your stewardship contributions to date and contact the church office if you need a current statement.  If you have not already done so, consider automatic payments to be sent from your bank.
• The 2019 Stewardship drive begins soon, with a theme that reflects our belief that being "a responsible and concerned caretaker of Christ's Church is learning how to enjoy church life and be happy in church work, for in Her dwells the fullness of the Spirit of God."

2019 Stewardship theme:  "Stewards of the Faith"

"All things are possible to the one who believes in Christ"

• Help Wanted
  • Each year, the stewardship commitment card lists possible areas of interest in which members might engage:  youth, building and grounds, liturgical, ministries, fellowship, and more.  Each person’s gift is unique and important, and the combination of everyone’s talents helps us reach our full potential.
  • As we focus on our future goals, ensuring that communities in our area know about our welcoming parish requires publicity.  The first step was creating brochures for festival attendees and parish guests.  We are now focusing on both print ads and expanded social media.
  • We are currently looking for someone to manually enhance a black and white vector image of our church for publicity use.  If you are able to assist, or know someone who can, please contact Toula Zotos at zotost@gmail.com.
  • We do have a Facebook and Google presence, but no one assigned to enhance its impact and provide data on its effectiveness.  If you are talented in the area of social media management or know of someone who is, please contact Toula.
  • You will soon be receiving a 2019 Stewardship brochure and a Holy Trinity 2019 commitment card in the mail.  If you have moved and not yet notified the church office, please do so as soon as possible (holy3goc@gmail.com)
  • Holy Trinity Orthodox Church is grateful to all who contribute -- in any way!

Christmas Card:

Until December 9^th, the Philoptochos is taking orders for the 2018 parish Christmas card.  The cost is still $15.  A sample of the card is available at the order table. Please print your name and address on the order form, and make out checks to Holy Trinity (memo Christmas card).  You may also pick up an order form and return it by mail, but your order must be received by December 6^th.

Sunday, December 16^th Philoptochos Christmas Brunch:

Following the Nativity Pageant, the Philoptochos will host a special Christmas brunch (Lenten) and present gifts to the children. New this year will be a Christmas cookie table (recipes are promised), and a silent auction of Christmas gift baskets. A donation of $5 is suggested, free for children under 5 years of age.  Proceeds will go to Outreach for support of its Christmas ministry.

Sunday School News:

• Mrs Kristina Wilkes and Presvytera Renee Ritsi teach our third to fifth grade class. The class uses the fourth grade material produced by the Greek archdiocese, Growing With God. The material introduces the child to the different saints in each unit as well as a number of important concepts such as the role of the priest and bishop in the parish.  The unit we are presently studying is entitled ‘We Grow as Orthodox Christians’ and it reminds us that we each have talents that we can use to build up our church family. 

• The Sunday School’s Christmas pageant will be Sunday Dec. 16th. We ask that all Sunday School students please plan on attending Sunday School from Nov. 11th until the pageant so we can practice for a few (10 -15 minutes) minutes at the end of our abbreviated lessons. The teachers are graciously giving up a little class time so that the families will have minimal inconvenience. No classes or rehearsal Thanksgiving weekend. This pageant uses narration with the children acting out the parts. We will need some volunteers to read for the various sections of the story (Innkeeper, shepherd, etc.). Teens and adults of any age are welcome to participate.

Outreach Update: Visit us anytime at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/holytrinityoutreach.

Bulletin Submission:Please submit your articles weekly by Wednesday, or at the latest, Thursday. Please note that all submissions will be reviewed and edited by Father John.