ΗχαράτηςΑναστάσεως

Στη Γέννηση του Κυρίου ακούμε τον Άγγελο να ευαγγελίζεται μεγάλη χαρά για όλο τον λαό. Η Ανάσταση του Κυρίου αναγγέλλεται με την ίδια προσφώνηση «Χαίρετε». Τι είναι αυτό που φέρνει τόση χαρά στον άνθρωπο;

Πόσο ευτυχισμένος μπορεί να είναι κάποιος που, αν και δεσμευμένος, αφήνεται ελεύθερος!

Πόση παρηγοριά έρχεται στην ψυχή κάποιου που πονάει ή είναι πληγωμένος και άρρωστος και, ξαφνικά, ο πόνος και η αρρώστια φεύγουν!

Τι ανακούφιση φέρνει στην ψυχή η διαγραφή ενός χρέους!

Πόσο χαρούμενοι είμαστε που βλέπουμε το φως μετά από μια σκοτεινή νύχτα!

Όσο περισσότερο νιώθει ο άνθρωπος αυτές τις καταστάσεις που δημιουργούν βάρος στην ψυχή, τόσο περισσότερο χαίρεται όταν τις ξεφορτωθεί. Υπάρχουν βέβαια και περιπτώσεις όπου το άτομο δεν αντιλαμβάνεται όλα αυτά τα προβλήματα, ή δίνει μεγαλύτερη σημασία σε άλλα.

Ας δούμε όλα αυτά πνευματικά. Η αμαρτία το κάνει αυτό. Δένει, πονάει, αρρωσταίνει και εξαθλιώνει πνευματικά την ψυχή. Η Ανάσταση του Κυρίου τη θεραπεύει και ο άνθρωπος χαίρεται. Επομένως, όσο περισσότερο πιστεύουμε και νιώθουμε την ανάγκη να συμμετάσχουμε σε αυτήν την αναστάσιμη φωτεινή ατμόσφαιρα, τόσο περισσότερο γινόμαστε κοινωνοί της χαράς που προσφέρει η Ανάσταση του Κυρίου μας. Αυτή τη χαρά, αυτό το φως μοιραζόμαστε με τους συνανθρώπους μας και τους προσφωνούμε με το «Χριστός Ανέστη».

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The joy of the Resurrection 

At the Nativity of the Lord, we hear the Angel bringing good tidings of great joy to all people. The Resurrection of the Lord is announced with the same address, "Rejoice." What is it that brings so much joy to man?

How happy can be someone who, although bound, is set free!

How much consolation comes to the soul of someone who is in pain or wounded and sick and, suddenly, the pain and the illness go away!

What relief the writing off a debt brings to the soul!

How glad we are to see the light after a dark night!

The more a person feels these situations that create a burden on the soul, the more he rejoices when he gets rid of them. There are of course cases where the person does not realize all these problems or gives more importance to others. Let's see all these spiritually. Sin does that. It binds, hurts, makes sick and spiritually impoverishes the soul. The Resurrection of the Lord heals it, and man rejoices. Therefore, the more we believe and feel the need to participate in this Resurrectional light pouring atmosphere, the more we become partakers of the joy offered by the Resurrection of our Lord. This joy, this light we share with our fellow human beings, and we address them with "Christ is Risen."

Parish Council News:

The Holy Trinity Church parish council and officers include Stephanie Danikas (secretary), Polly Hillier, Stephanos Kallas, Niko Kelley, Nick Lekas (president), Andrew Lekos (treasurer), Bill Lulias (vice-president), Kaliroi Parris and Toula Zotos.  The parish council is a ministry and all those who serve are called to represent Christ and the Orthodox Faith.  The council is responsible to the parish assembly for conducting all parish affairs in keeping with the mission, aims and purposes of the Church.

Please note, the next HTGOC PC meeting has been changed to Monday, April 25 (the week after Holy Week – Bright Monday).

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 fell asleep in the Lord, prayers for the family and friends of Mikae Gaetanos.  Prayers for Michael Colburn; Chris Bersu; Michael and Ingrid Fotianos; Ruza Basimamovic; Chresanthe Lemieux; Zoe Kauttu; Maryann Bolt; James Day; Margaret, James, Kyriake; Joseph, Alex Aclim; Jane Anderson; Gwen H.; and Thanos Nikolopoulos.  Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi serving in Albania.

Congrats to Nick & Toni Lekas on their new grandson, Nathaniel Andreas Lekas born to Andreas and Elizabeth Lekas on March 9. God grant him many years!

 "Our Church, Our Spiritual Home"

Stewardship is everywhere in this sacred season:  in our gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice, our awe at God’s incalculable blessings, and our commitment to a lifelong calling to service in the Spirit.

In the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent, and our material gifts as an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus.

Presanctified Liturgy & Potluck on Wednesdays during Lent:

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is a special liturgical service celebrated on Wednesdays during Lent.  The word Presanctified refers to the consecrated gifts distributed to the faithful during the service.  Join us Wednesdays at 6:00 PM, followed by potluck dinner.  Bring your family and a dish to share.

Greek Festival:

The annual Greek Festival is October 7-9, 2022.  Our popular festival will offer our delicious food, music, dance and on-site dining.  Oct 7 will be a "Friday to go", for pre-orders only; Sat Oct 8, 11am-8pm, and Sun Oct 9, 12-4 pm.

Sunday School - We are so thankful for the parents who have resumed bringing their children to Sunday School.  We invite all families to join us on Sunday at the Divine Liturgy and to send your kids to Sunday School right after Holy Communion. Sunday School is in session! Presbytera Renee Ritsi at 904 377-2591.

COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Check for Available Dates

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 new link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA5AB2AA0FFC34-sunday

  (Please note that whoever does coffee hour need to have someone take out the trash before they leave.)

• 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? If anyone has question, please reach out and email:  holy3goc.hostess@gmail.com 

If no access to email, contact Stefanie Burke at 904 671-4566.

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

April

Holy Week Services Schedule 2022

Holy Monday (April 18)

- Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm

- His Grace Bishop Sebastian of Zelon’s visit

Holy Tuesday (April 19)

- Nymphios (Bridegroom) Orthros, 6:00 pm

Holy Wednesday (April 20)

- Holy Unction Service, 6:00 pm

Holy Thursday (April 21)

- Liturgy for the Mystical Supper – Vesperal Liturgy, 9:00 am

- Orthros with Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels, 6:00 pm

Holy Friday (April 22)

- Royal Hours, 9:00 am

- Holy Friday Sunday School Retreat, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

- Removal of Christ’s Body from the Cross – Vespers, 2:00 pm

- Epitaphios Service (The Lamentations) – Orthros, 6:00 pm           

Holy Saturday (April 23)

- Vespers with Liturgy of St. Basil the Great, 9:00 am

- Midnight Office, 11:30 pm

Pascha Sunday (April 24)

- Paschal Candle and Holy Resurrection, 12:00 am

- Divine Liturgy at Midnight, ~12:20 am

- Magiritsa meal to follow

- Agape Vespers, 12:00 pm

- Pascha Picnic (potluck) to follow

25     Parish Council 6:30 pm

May

8       Mother’s Day

25-30   Bright Week

• 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. 

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.
• Note:  Church office administrator will be out of the office on Holy Friday, April 22nd.  Also on May 5, 6, 9.  Please turn in your May/June Newsletter articles by May 16th.  Thank you
  

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

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5373839229327677