A Word from Fr. John:

More words from St. Paisios of Mt. Athos:

"If we lived in the spirit of the Church Fathers, we would be full of spiritual health which would be the envy of the heterodox. Seeing our example, they would then abandon their ill-conceived beliefs and be saved without the need of preaching. [Think about that! - Fr. John] As things are now, they are not moved by our Patristic Tradition because they want to also see the continuation of that Patristic Tradition, the actual relations we have with our saints. Every Orthodox person is obliged to generate in the heterodox a good kind of concern, so that they will realise their errors and not rest in false beliefs, which would deprive them of the rich blessings of Orthodoxy in this life, and of the abundant and eternal blessings of God in the next."

-- From Saint Paisios of Mount Athos: Spiritual Counsels, Vol. I (Part 4, chapter 4)

Special Prayer Requests: 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Phil. 4:6-7)

We pray for His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the Presiding Hierarch of Divine Services today.  Bishop Demetrios is the newly appointed Hierarchal Proistamenos of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine and the Hierarchical Liaison of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the USA to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). In addition, His Grace has been assigned to preside over the Archdiocesan faithful whose primary language is Spanish. Many Years, Your Grace! Eἰς πολλὰ ἔτη, Δέσποτα!

We also pray for for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners, especially His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Augustina, Margaret, James, Kyriake, Mike and Ingrid (Evangelia) Fotianos, Irene Hastalis, Jim Manos, Chresanthe Lemieux, Jane Anderson, Despina Xynidis, and Nicola Lykam’s father-in-law and mother-in-law with health issues. Remember also our missionary families, Michael, Lisa & Liam Colburn; and Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi.

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy Today:

We welcome His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos as he celebrates the Divine Liturgy with us today. εἰς πολλὰ ἔτη, Δέσποτα / eis polla eti, Despota!

Fasting and Celebrating:

The Nativity Fast began on Friday. From our Archdiocesan website: “The Nativity Fast is one of four main fast periods throughout the ecclesiastical year. Beginning on November 15 and concluding on December 24, the Nativity Fast gives individuals the opportunity to prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior in the Flesh on December 25. By abstaining from certain food and drink, particularly from meat, fish, dairy products, olive oil, and wine, as well as focusing more deeply on prayer and almsgiving, we can find that the primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God.” Amen!

We will celebrate the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple on Thursday, November 21: Liturgy at 9 a.m. (No Orthros)

About the Feast: According to the tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days until she was fourteen or fifteen years old; and then, as a mature maiden, by the common counsel of the priests (since her parents had reposed some three years before), she was betrothed to Joseph.

Adult Bible Study: 

The adult Bible study on the Gospel of John meets every Sunday, unless otherwise announced, in the classroom opposite the men’s room. The class starts 15 minutes after the start of coffee hour, and is led by Michael Colburn. We are using the epic 2003 movie “The Gospel of John” directed by Philip Seville. This movie uses the text of the Gospel of John from the Good News Bible verbatim—no extra words added and none left out. The syllabus and study questions for each week are available at https://thecolburns.us/classes/john. Also check there for any last minute announcements about the class.

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

• Today, November 17^th             ELLEN KELBERT; LISA COLBURN
• November 24^th                     LAST SUNDAY POTLUCK      

Koliva for Memorials: 

Koliva is an offering of boiled wheat in commemoration of the departed. It symbolizes the resurrection of the dead on the day of the Second Coming of the Lord. As St. Paul said, "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies"(I Corinthians 15:36); and as St. John put it, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24). Koliva is made for Saturdays of the Souls and memorials (40^th day after death; 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th month; annually). Contact Faye Peterson, pete9839@comcast.net or Angela Lekos, angelmou1@att.net if you need Koliva prepared (there is a charge of $100).

Philoptochos News:

• Osceola Elementary School, our partner school, is seeking mentors for children who need extra help and support. Mentors need to contact the St. John County School Board and complete an application process. Once accepted as a mentor, there are ongoing training programs. Please contact Irene Pergeorelis or Susan Stone if you are interested.
• Philoptochos Thanksgiving Dinner Food Drive -As part of the Philoptochos commitment to our partner title 1 school, Osceola Elementary, we are asking your help with Thanksgiving meals for 15 needy families.  We need nonperishable food items appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner and gift cards of any amount for the families to buy perishable food items.  We have a challenge from the Interfaith Advisory Council for St. John County Schools to raise $100.00 in gift cards to Target or Walmart. These will be given to appropriately screened and approved families to use to buy perishable food for Thanksgiving dinner. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Please see Irene Pergeorelis or Susan Stone if you have a gift card you would like to donate. There will be tote bags or boxes in the church hall for the next several weeks.  As always, we could not do this without your help and generosity.  We sincerely thank you.
• Philoptochos membership meeting will be held on Sunday, November 17^th after Liturgy. 
• Philoptochos will host the coffee hour on December 15, 2019.  We will be providing a potluck and do a cookie swap like we did last year.  Drinks, coffee etc. will be provided by us.  This will be in conjunction with the kids Sunday School Christmas Pageant.

2019 Christmas Card:

• The 2019 Christmas card will be available for you to sign after Liturgy beginning today, Sunday November 17^th, and the following Sundays--November 24^th, December 1^st, and December 8th. The cost is $15, if paying by check, please make out to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and indicating in memo “Christmas Card”.

Christmas Parade Committee Meeting Next Week:

The 65th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 7^th in downtown St. Augustine. Florida's “Most Festive” Christmas Parade begins on San Marco Avenue at the Mission of Nombre de Dios and continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine along the Bayfront and ending behind the Visitors Center on Castillo Drive.  We invite all the Faithful to take part in planning, creating, building, and growing in greater Orthodox witness and celebration of The Nativity of Christ!  Coordinating details to come!

St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine Christmas Open House:

One and all are invited to a Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 8, from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the St. Photios Shrine. Guests will be able to tour the Shrine and its exhibits and the ornate chapel on the premises, as well as meet newly-assigned Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the official representative of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America under whose jurisdiction the Shrine falls.  Refreshments will be served.

St. Photios Greek Orthodox Shrine 2019 Annual Essay Contest:

The St. Photios Foundation. Inc. invites all teenagers, 13-19 years of age to submit a 1,000-word essay to the St. Photios Essay Committee to participate in the annual Essay Contest http://www.stphotios.org/assets/files/Essay%20Contest%20Web.pdf.  There are 21 of saints of the early Church enshrined in the St. Photios Chapel – www.stphotios.org.  How do we, as Orthodox Christians relate to these sacred and historically significant treasures? Essay writers should answer this question thoughtfully and thoroughly. The Committee accepts submissions through January 6, 2020.

Diakonia Retreat:

Join St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Daytona Beach at the Diakonia Retreat, February 14^th -17^th, 2020.  Space is very limited.  Registration and monies must be submitted timely.  For more information or to secure your spot, please contact Irene Katra at 386-290-3208 or email Santorini257@aol.com

Sunday School:

In our youngest class, in addition to introducing the children to the liturgical life of the Church, we are introducing and reinforcing some lessons about the Gospel reading we have just heard in church. We have some fun songs and crafts to reinforce the theme. Parents can make preparations to “get ready” for Sunday by reading the Gospel for that day, going to bed early, and making Saturday night a “quiet night."  

Youth Safety Compliance: 

All parishioners seeking blessing to participate in Sunday School and Youth events throughout this Ecclesiastical Year are required to complete the registration in order to have access to the needed background check which is facilitated through our Metropolis Youth Office.  Please see all details of the new compliance www.goarch.org/safety and www.goarch.org/youth-safety-compliance, and contact our Parish Youth Safety Compliance Officer, Margo Kelley (htgocpresident@gmail.com or (602) 617-2467) for further details.

Stewardship – A Pattern of Caring:

Giving is a habit that begins with a commitment. Becoming an active steward requires a conscious decision to actively support the needs of the Church. The commitment card we offer to Holy Trinity parish each year encourages us to give regularly. There are extra cards in church, or you can call the church office. 

Weekly Offering: 

Sacrificial Offerings - Weekly Offering: Nov. 10^th - Candles $169; Tray $1588; Stewardship $5155

Contributions - Tracking Your Giving:

• Each time you contribute funds to the parish, the notation on the memo line of your check allows us to identify your intentions:  Stewardship, Candles, Trays, Memorials, etc.  
• If you are setting up contributions through your bank, please be sure that a specific notation (ex: stewardship) is included for each transaction.
• For any cash contributions, please use one of the envelopes in the Narthex so that we can add that amount to your record of donations.

Is your email address or your US mail address changing?

Please, notify the church office!  holy3goc@gmail.com