Διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις

Είπαμε σε προηγούμενο σημείωμα για την εν Χριστώ ένωση των ανθρώπων. Εδώ τίθεται ένα ερώτημα: Χάνεται η αυτοτέλεια και η προσωπικότητα του ανθρώπου; Ο άνθρωπος είναι πλασμένος “κατ’ εικόνα Θεού”. Ο σκοπός του είναι η ένωση με τον Θεό και με τους συνανθρώπους του. Η σχέση των προσώπων της Αγίας Τριάδας δίνει μια εικόνα της σχέσης που οι άνθρωποι καλούνται να αναπτύξουν. Ο Θεός Πατήρ υπάρχει μαζί με τον Υιό και το Άγιο Πνεύμα. Τα πρόσωπα δεν αφομοιώνονται το ένα από το άλλο. Ούτε επίσης υπάρχει σύγκρουση και ανταγωνισμός μεταξύ τους. Σε μια ομάδα ανθρώπων, σε μια κοινωνία, ακόμα και σε μια σχέση μεταξύ δύο ατόμων, είναι πολύ συνηθισμένο να παρατηρείται ανταγωνισμός. Υπάρχει μια τάση, ποιος θα εντυπωσιάσει περισσότερο, ποιος θα ελκύσει την προσοχή των άλλων, ακόμα και με αρνητική κριτική, και ποιος θα αναλάβει την αρχηγία στη σχέση. Από την άλλη πλευρά, στη σύγχρονη ζωή βλέπουμε ότι η κοινωνία γίνεται απρόσωπη. Όπως, σε ένα εργοστάσιο ή στον στρατό. Εκεί ο άνθρωπος δεν έχει όνομα, είναι ένας από όλους. Η εν Χριστώ σχέση τοποθετεί τα πράγματα σε μια κοινωνία προσώπων, κατ’ αναλογία της Αγίας Τριάδας. Ούτε ανταγωνισμοί, ούτε όμως και ισοπέδωση.

Ο άνθρωπος που έχει μπει στην Μαθητεία του Χριστού βλέπει τον πλησίον ως αδελφό. Ίσως έχει ελαττώματα, αδυναμίες, αγκάθια. Αλλά είναι ένα μοναδικό πρόσωπο για το οποίο ο Χριστός έγινε άνθρωπος, πέρασε από όλη την ανθρώπινη ζωή, για ένα και μόνο σκοπό. Να το αγιάσει και να ενωθεί μαζί του.

We said in a previous note about the union of people in Christ. Here a question arises: Is the independence and personality of man lost? Man is created "in the image of God." His life purpose is union with God and with fellow human beings. The relationship of the persons of the Holy Trinity gives a picture of the relationship that people are called to develop. God the Father exists with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Persons do not assimilate from each other. Nor is there conflict and competition between them. In a group of people, in a society, even in a relationship between two people, it is very common to see competition. There is a tendency, who will impress more, who will attract the attention of others, even with negative criticism, and who will take the lead in the relationship. On the other hand, in modern life we ​​see that society becomes impersonal. Like, in a factory or in the army. There, man has no name, he is one of all. The relationship in Christ places things in a society of persons, in proportion to the Holy Trinity. No competition, but no leveling.

The man who has entered the Discipleship of Christ sees his neighbor as a brother. Maybe he has flaws, weaknesses, thorns. But he is a unique person for whom Christ became man, went through all human life, for a single purpose. To sanctify it and unite with it.

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Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Liturgical Services: Welcome parishioners and visitors for on-site services.We continue Live Stream Services on Facebook, please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/)

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 mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners, Bill Duddy-ankle surgery, Susan Stone - surgery, Margo Kelley's mother, Maria - major surgery, Ruza Basimamovic, Mikae Gaetanos, Faye Peterson, Chresanthe Lemieux, Zoe Kauttu, Maryann Bolt, James Day, Kostas Lantzounis (is at Bayview Rehab Center and welcomes visitors); Fr. Nikitas and Pres. Mary Theodosion, His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Margaret, James, Kyriake, Joseph, Alex Aclim, Irene Hastalis, Jane Anderson, Gwen H., Thanos Nikolopoulos and prayers for George Ritsi who fell asleep in the Lord on June 24th,  Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi serving in Albania.

Philoptochos:  Kimisis tis Theotokou luncheon will be held Sunday, August 15th, 2021 after Liturgy. Cost is $12.00 and $5.00 for children under 12. Please help us celebrate the nameday of our chapter.

School starts August 16th in St. John's. County. The Philoptochos is conducting a drive to collect school supplies for area Title 1 schools. 

Items requested include folders with pockets, one subject notebooks both wide ruled and college ruled, headphones, #2 pencils, mechanical pencils, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, pencil cases and similar supplies.  If you are interested in buying bulk supplies, if you enter bulk school supplies in the search line you will get a list of companies including Amazon.

Please bring your donations to the church hall during office hours or on Sundays after liturgy. We will be collecting school supplies from now until August 9.

Stewardship: We invite you to join us in person for Sunday services!  Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of our faith -- incense, iconography, hymns, and prayers.  Stay after liturgy to meet new parishioners and to greet those you already know and have missed!  

Thank you to all who have continued to be active stewards in 2021.  For those that have not already done so, please go to our website (http://holytrinitygoc.com) and make a Stewardship contribution (under 'Make a Donation") to ensure that this place of faith, its priest and its ministries will be adequately supported.  Thank you!

Sunday School News:

Important dates:

Aug 15 – blessing of the backpack. 

Aug 22 – first day of Sunday School. 

Sunday School Registration begins August 1.  Please print and fill in the attached Registration Form and bring it to Church on Sunday.  All kids should be registered.

“God does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability, and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.” Neal Maxwell.  Are you available?  Holy Trinity Sunday School needs a few volunteers to assist with Sunday School this year.  We’re pretty sure if you are available, and prove our dependability, He will certainly help make you the best Sunday School Teacher imaginable.  Please contact Carman Gaetanos 904 540-0367 or Presbytera Renee Ritsi 904 377-2591. 

Adult Bible Study:  Bible study will resume in the fall.

Now that we are gathering after Liturgy, we invite everyone to offer snacks or refreshments after Liturgy.

What is needed?

• bring snacks or refreshments for 40-50 persons,  pre-wrapped or pre-plated is not essential, but makes distribution and clean up easier
• help will be available to wrap or set out what you offer
• paper goods, coffee, and sugar will be provided
• help will be available to make the coffee

How to sign up? it’s easy no need to enter any personal information

• go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44aeac2ba0fec25-coffee 
• click on the blue box that says SIGN UP, then on the brown box at the bottom of the screen that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP
• it will take you to the next screen, that says SIGN ME UP, and click on SIGN UP NOW
• any questions or need help, contact Carmela ctardo@gmail.com

Thank you from the Parish Council

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SERVICE/EVENT SCHEDULE (Sunday Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)

August

1-14      Dormition Fast

4          Small Paraklesis Wed. 6 p.m.

6          Transfiguration of Our Lord (Small Paraklesis) Fri. 6 p.m.

8          3 yr. Memorial for Steve Sarris (Efsthathios), husband of Gerry Sarris and father of Ellen Sarris Kelbert

11        Small Paraklesis Wed. 6 p.m.

13        Small Paraklesis Fri. 6 p.m.

15        Dormition of the Theotokos

15        Blessings of Backpacks

15        Philoptochos Nameday Luncheon (Kimisis tis Theotokou luncheon) following liturgy

Aug. 16 thru Sept. 13 - Fr. Maximos on vacation (Fr. Michael Byars will fill-in as parish priest)

16        Parish Council (3rd Monday monthly unless otherwise notified)

20th    DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR THE SEPT./OCT. NEWSLETTER TO CHURCH OFFICE

29        Beheading of St. John the Baptist (strict fast)

Sept:

3          Rehearsal for Eddings/Harwood Wedding 5:30 pm

4          Destination Wedding - Ariana Eddings & Katon Harwood 11 a.m. (Fr. Dimitrios Pappas officiating)

5         1 yr. Memorial for Mary Spanos, mother of Gail Jones (Fr. Michael Byars will conduct service)

On-Line Giving:  Click “Donate Now” on our Church’s web page www.HolyTrinityGOC.com to make a gift. Giving categories – stewardship, memorials, etc. – have been set up to allow giving to specific funds.

Our “Light a Candle & Say a Prayer” ministry lets you to light a candle during divine services on-line.  Your request will be forwarded to a Council member in the Narthex to light your candle.  Also, if you wish to provide names of loved ones to be prayed for, those will be provided to Fr. Maximos. Give via credit card, PayPal, or set up recurrent giving through your bank.  Please be sure a specific notation (ex: stewardship) is included for each transaction. 

Giving by Check:  When contributing by check, the notation on the memo line allows us to identify your intentions (i.e. stewardship, candles, trays, memorials, etc.).

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Ministry Needed - Parish Webmaster and FaceBook:  We are searching for someone who may have the talent and desire to post news onto the church website and Facebook pages.  This may be a once or twice a week activity.  If you have the talent and wish to give of your time in this way, please let the church office know. 

This is a very important and needful ministry for the life of our Parish.

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Contact Information:  Please call (904 829-0504) or email (holy3goc@gmail.com) Nelda to update your contact information.  Also, if you know of anyone who doesn’t receive parish emails but would like to, please encourage them to contact the parish office with their contact information.

Announcements:

• If you have a request for a special service such as a memorial, please email the church office at holy3goc@gmail.com or call 904 829-0504 (if you do not have access to email) in advance of requested date with details.

• If you would like any of the following, please contact Fr. Maximos via email at fathermaximusa7@gmail.com  or text him at 347 500-8176: 
• To receive a phone message from Father Maximos about services, special events or other subjects.
• To arrange an appointment for a House Blessing.
• To offer Holy Communion to someone in need at a hospital, nursing home, in hospice care, or at home.       

•  The normal deadline for the Church bulletin e-mail articles is before 12pm on Wednesday weekly.

If you want your announcements on the master calendar, please remember to e-mail them to the office at holy3goc@gmail.com (please note if the article/announcement is recurring or one time).