Υπάρχουν στιγμές όπου η ψυχή του ανθρώπου αισθάνεται ότι έχει φθάσει στο απροχώρητο. Βρίσκεται σε αδιέξοδο. Περιμένει την βοήθεια του Θεού η οποία φτάνει όταν ο άνθρωπος νομίσει ότι είναι πλέον πολύ αργά. Αν ήσουν εδώ, λέει η Μάρθα, ο αδελφός μας ο Λάζαρος δεν θα είχε πεθάνει. Για την Μάρθα, ο Χριστός ήρθε πολύ αργά, όταν πλέον δεν υπήρχε ελπίδα. Για τον Χριστό όμως τα πράγματα δεν είναι έτσι. Ο Χριστός ως Θεός λέει ακριβώς το αντίθετο:

«Και χαίρω για σας, διότι αυτό το γεγονός θα σας κάνει να πιστεύσετε περισσότερο. Χαίρω γιατί δεν ήμουν εκεί κατά την διάρκεια της ασθενείας του, για να τον γιατρέψω, αλλά πηγαίνω τώρα που είναι νεκρός, για να τον αναστήσω και να δείτε έτσι και σεις ένα άλλο μεγάλο θαύμα. Αλλά ας πάμε προς αυτόν.»

Χαίρομαι με άλλα λόγια, για λογαριασμό σας, λέει στους Μαθητές, πριν να πάει στο σπίτι του φίλου του. Ο Χριστός χαίρεται όχι βέβαια γιατί πέθανε ο φίλος Του. Αργότερα Τον βλέπουμε να δακρύζει. Χαίρεται όμως γιατί τους αποδεικνύει ότι είναι Θεός Παντογνώστης, και γνωρίζει για πράγματα πριν τα δουν, επίσης τους βεβαιώνει ότι ως Θεός μπορεί να αναστήσει έναν νεκρό. Έτσι τους στερεώνει στην Πίστη.

Ο άνθρωπος είναι έτοιμος να υποδείξει και να συμβουλέψει τον Θεό αυτό που κατά τη γνώμη του πρέπει να κάνει. Θέλει να προβλέψει, να σιγουρευτεί για το επόμενο βήμα στη ζωή του, νομίζει ότι αδικείται από τη ζωή, ότι όλοι οι άλλοι περνούν καλύτερα από αυτόν και ότι ο Θεός τον απορρίπτει.

Ο Θεός όμως, πολλές φορές αντίθετα με την ανθρώπινη λογική, οικονομεί ό,τι μας χρειάζεται για πιστέψουμε και να σωθούμε. Και όταν ο άνθρωπος μυηθεί σε αυτή την Θεϊκή λογική τότε όχι μόνο δεν θα αισθάνεται αδικημένος ή παραπονεμένος ή ακόμα ότι ο Θεός τον απέρριψε, αλλά το αντίθετο. Ο Θεός είναι μαζί του, στοργικά τον φροντίζει και τον οδηγεί στον δρόμο Του, στην αγκαλιά Του.

Faith and Trust to God

There are times when the human soul feels that it has reached the point of no return. It is at a dead end. He waits for God's help which arrives when man thinks it is too late. "If you were here", says Martha, "our brother Lazarus would not have died." For Martha, Christ came too late, when there was no hope. But for Christ things are not so. Christ as God says just the opposite:

"And I'm glad for you, because that fact will make you believe more. I'm glad I was not there during his illness to cure him, but I'm going now that he is dead, to resurrect him and see another great miracle for you. But let's go to him."

I rejoice in other words, on your behalf, he tells the students, before going to his friend's house. Christ rejoices not of course because His friend died. Later we see Him weeping. But he rejoices because he proves to them that God is Omniscient, and knows about things before they see them, he also assures them that as God he can raise a dead person. Thus, he fastens them to the Faith.

Man is ready to point out and advise God what he thinks he should do. He wants to predict, to make sure of the next step in his life, he thinks that he is wronged by life, that everyone else is better than him and that God rejects him.

But God, many times contrary to human reason, makes provision of what we need to believe and be saved. And when man is initiated into this Divine logic then not only will he not feel wronged or complained or even that God rejected him, but the opposite. God is with him, lovingly cares for him and leads him on His way, in His arms.

______________________

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 - David Kingwell, son-in-law of Jim and Judie Pappas, who is receiving treatment for cancer; prayers for the family and friends of Mikae Gaetanos who fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 1st; Chris Bersu; Michael and Ingrid Fotianos; Ruza Basimamovic; Chresanthe Lemieux; Zoe Kauttu; Maryann Bolt; James Day; Fr. Nikitas and Pres. Mary Theodosion; His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos; Margaret, James, Kyriake; Joseph, Alex Aclim; Jane Anderson; Gwen H.; Thanos Nikolopoulos;  prayers for Irene Hastalis who fell asleep in the Lord.  Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi serving in Albania.

 "Our Church, Our Spiritual Home"

The perfect antidote to the chill outside -- engaging in prayer and warm fellowship in our church!

As Stewards of this parish we are connected to one another.  When you make your annual stewardship commitment, you join others in making us stronger and better able to meet the needs of our parish as partners in faith. 

We look forward to seeing you!

ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT HTGOC

Aristidis Kovaci, who painted our Pantocrator and Platytera, will offer a workshop at our church for persons interested in learning to paint an icon. Over the course of 5 days, participants will complete a full-sized icon on a wood panel, as they learn about the artistic aspects and visual language of iconography. For more about Aristidis, visit his website www.kovaciart.com, and “like” him on Facebook to see more of his work.  For more information about the workshop, please email Carmela at ctardo@gmail.com and leave your phone number and the best time to call you.

St. Paul writes: "Fathers [parents], bring them [your children] up with the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) Our goal is that Holy Trinity Sunday School be an encouragement to your child's spiritual life and growth and a supplement to what you as a parent are trying to accomplish at home as you educate your child in the Faith, "bringing them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.” For parents and students that may prefer a zoom alternative, please contact Presbytera Renee Ritsi at 904 377-2591.

On Sunday February 6, the Philoptochos  will pass a tray to benefit Saint Photios National Shrine.  All Philoptochos chapters pass this tray in the month of February.  Donations are pooled together by the National Philoptochos Organization for the Shrine.

On Sunday. February 13th after Liturgy, the Philoptochos and Outreach Committee will sponsor the Souper Bowl of Caring event.  Plan on sampling a variety of homemade soups.  Donations will be collected and will benefit the I.O.C.C.  if you would like to donate a pot of soup for the event, please contact Irene at iperge45@gmail.com or Toula at zotost@gmail.com.

The Book of Hebrews - Monday Night Bible Study:

The meeting can be accessed by going to https://classes.theColburns.us. Click on the menu item that says “Online”. You can also click on the name of the class to view videos of past sessions and bibliography information. The meeting passcode is 030927.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

ALL FEBRUARY AND MARCH DATES AVAILABLE.

What to bring?

• refreshments for 30-35 persons, pre-wrapped or pre-plated makes clean up easier
• paper goods, coffee, and condiments provided
• help available to make the coffee

How to sign up?

• go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44aeac2ba0fec25-coffee 
• click the blue box that says SIGN UP, then the brown box at the bottom of the page that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP
• it will take you to the next screen, click on SIGN UP NOW

Questions? Don’t want to sign up online? Contact Carmela ctardo@gmail.com or 904 687-5433.

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

February

13        1-year memorial offered by Paul & Gigi Ray for Maria Grammas Eugenis (mother of Gigi) and Constantine Fifles (uncle of Gigi).  May their memory be eternal.

13        Triodion begins

13        Souper Bowl of Caring

20        Memorial offered by  Dianna Christakos for her  family members - George Christakos, Mathew & Demetra Yalouris, James Yalouris and Anastasia Predaris.  May their memory be eternal.

21        Parish Council (3rd Monday) 6:30 p.m.

            St. Photios Shrine - Paraklesis - 12:30pm

26        1st Saturday of Souls - 9am Orthros/10am Liturgy

26        Herera/Varley Wedding Rehearsal 4pm

27        Meatfare Sunday

27        4 year memorial offered by Angeliki Lekos for her father, Anastasios Kladis.  May his memory be eternal.

27        Herera/Varley Wedding 3pm

• 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.).

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.

Parish Announcements:

• NOTE:  If you would like Faye Peterson or Angela Lekos to prepare the Koliva for a memorial, remember there is a fee, usually $100 for time, supplies, etc. for the preparation.

• 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.

• Office Admin will be out of the office on Friday, Feb 11th and Monday, Feb. 14th.

AGES Initiatives: is now a part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America!

The GOA Digital Chant Stand provides resources intended to enhance the worship experience of the Orthodox faithful with easily accessible service texts and musical scores. The web address has changed to https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html. Use this site to access texts and music for Orthros, Divine Liturgy, and other services on your electronic device.

Weekly Photo:
Πάντα εν σοφία εποίησας/In wisdom you have made them all. (Psalms 104:24)