A Word from Fr. John:

Bishop Kallistos Ware, discussing the feast of the Nativity (from The Festal Triodion):

“The familiar and homely elements of the Nativity story – the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes... the ox and the ass beside Him... are by no means forgotten in the Orthodox hymns for this day. But the main centre of interest lies elsewhere: not in these picturesque details, touching though they may be... but rather in the paradoxical union of the humanity with the divinity. ‘A young child, the pre-eternal God’: this is the supreme and crucial meaning of Christmas. Without ceasing to be what He is from all eternity – true God – One of the Trinity yet became truly and entirely man, born as a baby from a human mother.

It is to this theme, under ceaselessly varying forms, that the liturgical texts of the day continually revert.... the Creator makes Himself to be created... ‘older than ancient Adam,’ He lies in His mother’s arms... He who is the divine Reason (logos) rests in a manger of beasts without reason (aloga).... Passages such as these are more than a rhetorical tour de force: they are intended to make the members of the Church realize, in some small measure, how strange and amazing a thing it is that God should become very man.”

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 the good journeys of traveling faithful during the festal season and for the 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, and the people of Albania recovering from the recent earthquakes.

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!

Here is the service schedule for the Feast of the Nativity in the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (“Christmas”):

• Tuesday, Dec. 24^th: Royal Hours at 9 a.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 24^th: Vesperal Liturgy (Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great) at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 25^th: Orthros at 8:30 a.m., Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m.

Please remember that Dec. 24^th is a day of strict fasting. (In fact, any time you see that there is a Vespers with the Liturgy of St. Basil in the evening, you know it is a strict fasting day. The fasting is part of the pre-festal preparations and celebrations – and you’re preparing for Communion after Vespers, similar to how you prepare for the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy during Lent.)

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, 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: 

Forty-Day Memorials are offered on December 8^th for the sister (Patricia Leppard) and aunt (Evangelia Kokkinos-Gosse) of Georges Boyazis.  May their memories be eternal.

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:

• Somebody Cares St. Augustine and the St. Johns County School District Homeless Student Task Force is having a winter coat drove.  There are over 500 homeless students and unaccompanied youth who do not have winter clothing.  They need winter coats, sweat shirt jackets, lightweight jackets, new socks and new underwear.  Items should not have logos for alcohol or tobacco companies and may be new or used in good condition.  The Philoptochos will be collecting your donations this Sunday, December 1, 2019 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 is available for you to sign after Liturgy 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:

Calling all ages to take part in the 65th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, December 7^th at 9am 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!  A box in the hall is marked for donations of used/new Christmas tinsel/ green garlands and ornaments.  Even if you cannot take part in the Church’s witness through the parade, meet at the Church no later than 8:00 AM to take part in decorating and preparing the Nativity float. Our registration includes banner and flag bearers (need 2-4 teens/adults) as well as decorated convertible/classic cars.  Contact Margo at (602) 617-2467.

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.  If desiring to carpool, please call the Church Office.

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. 24^th - Candles $135; Tray $142; Stewardship $1145

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