A Word from Fr. John:

From St. Theophan the Recluse, in The Art of Prayer: An Orthodox Anthology

"Why we fail to burn in spirit"

"We all received grace in baptism and chrismation. Therefore, we should burn in our spirit, which is animated by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Why is it, then, that we do not burn in the spirit? Because we are occupied largely or even exclusively with our own personal affairs, with worldly business and public life, so that the spirit, although it still makes itself felt, is choked. In order to kindle the spirit... we must enter deeply into the contemplation of what is divine, holy, heavenly, and eternal. The most important thing is to begin to act in a manner that is truly spiritual....

"This is the teaching of the Holy Fathers and our spiritual guides. St. John Chrysostom, after describing the different ways of acting with firmness and decision, then continues: 'If you fulfil all this, you will attract the Spirit. And if the Spirit dwells in you, then He will make you fervent in all that I have spoken of. And when you become enflamed by the Spirit and by love, then everything will become easy for you. Have you ever seen how terrible the bull is when fire is alight on his back? In the same way, you will become unbearable to the devil if you take hold of these two flaming torches' -- by which he means the grace of the Spirit and love.”

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 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.

Fasting and Celebrating:

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!

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      

• November 24^th          
• LAST SUNDAY POTLUCK
• December 1^st         
• Faye Peterson and Constandina/Marissa
• December 8^th         
• Toula Zotos and Kristina Wilkes
• December 15^th        
• Sunday School Pageant/Christmas covered dish Luncheon
• December 22^nd       
• Coffee Only – Potluck
• December 29^th        
• Coffee Only - Potluck   

Memorials:

• November 24^th        
• Memorials are offered today for the parents of A. Victor Sarris and Melissa Kauttu Strange - 2 yr. memorial for Ivel Sarris and 6 yr. for Minas Sarris.  May their memories be eternal. (Koliva prepared by Faye Peterson.)

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 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”.

Office Closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday November  29^th

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:

Everything good in our life comes from God (James 1:17). As we approach the season of thanksgiving, when our nation’s founders saw it fit to set aside time to thank God, we work to develop habits that help us become more thankful by regularly practice giving thanks and expressing gratitude. The Sunday School teachers and students are thankful for each and every one of our Church family. Thank you for your prayers throughout the year.  

Youth Safety Compliance: 

There are 9 parishioners now registered and following the steps of the new Archdiocesan Youth Safety Policies. Any other parishioners seeking blessing to participate in, lead, or be present at ANY youth activity/event and/or volunteer in a Sunday School classroom –including parents-- are required to complete the registration and background check.  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. 17^th - Candles $109; Tray $233; Stewardship $1937

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