Sunday of Thomas

Μακάριοι οι μη ιδόντες και πιστεύσαντες, ακούμε τον Χριστό να λέει στον Θωμά. Ο Κύριος ακριβώς το ίδιο λέει σήμερα και σε εμάς. Στην εποχή μας ο άνθρωπος θέλει όλα να τα καταλάβει. Θέλει όλα να τα χωρέσει στο μυαλό του. Τι λέει όμως η κοινή λογική; Αν δεν μπορούμε να καταλάβουμε όλα εκείνα που πέφτουν στην αντίληψή μας πώς μπορούμε να καταλάβουμε εκείνα που την ξεπερνούν; Ο συνετός άνθρωπος γνωρίζει ότι δεν μπορεί να κατανοήσει όλα όσα οι ειδικοί επιστήμονες γνωρίζουν ή και ανακαλύπτουν. Ακόμα περισσότερο δεν μπορεί να κατανοήσει θέματα που ξεφεύγουν από τα ανθρώπινα μέτρα.

Ο Θωμάς ήθελε να δει τον Κύριο και να τον ψηλαφήσει, γι αυτό καθυστέρησε να δεχθεί την Ανάσταση.
Ο Απόστολος Παύλος προσδιορίζει την πίστη ως εξής: Η πίστη δίνει ύπαρξη σε πράγματα στα οποία ελπίζουμε αν και δεν τα βλέπουμε. Πιστεύουμε τους επιστήμονες ότι υπάρχουν αυτά που μας λένε. Πιστεύουμε ότι υπάρχουν όλα τα αστέρια ή ακόμα και τα μικροσκοπικά σωματίδια. Και αφού πιστεύουμε είναι σα να τα βλέπουμε. Πόσο χρόνο θα χάναμε και θα μέναμε πίσω αν θέλαμε να φέρουμε τα κατάλληλα όργανα ή και να καταλάβουμε όλες αυτές τις θεωρίες; 

Η εν Χριστώ ζωή και πρόοδος είναι αποτέλεσμα πίστης. Ο άνθρωπος που αγωνίζεται για τη σωτηρία του μοιάζει με τον οδηγό του αυτοκινήτου που κατευθύνεται σε κάποιον προορισμό. Ίσως στον δρόμο συναντήσει κάποια ενδιαφέροντα, ευχάριστα, δυσάρεστα, ή και άγνωστα πράγματα. Τίποτα όμως δεν πρέπει να τον καθυστερήσει ή να τον κάνει να ξεχάσει τον στόχο του. Στο πνευματικό ταξίδι, όλα αυτά ξεπερνιούνται με την πίστη και ο άνθρωπος που λειτουργεί έτσι, βρίσκει έναν σύντομο δρόμο για τη σωτηρία του και συγκαταλέγεται ανάμεσα σε εκείνους για τους οποίους ο Κύριος είπε: Μακάριοι οι μη ιδόντες και πιστεύσαντες.

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"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed", we hear Christ say to Thomas. The Lord says exactly the same thing to us today. In our time man wants to understand everything. He wants to fit everything into his mind. But what does common sense say? If we cannot understand all that falls into our perception how can we understand those that go beyond it? The wise man knows that he cannot understand all what scientists know or even discover. Even more, he cannot understand issues that go beyond human measures.

Thomas wanted to see the Lord and feel him, so he was late in accepting the Resurrection.

The Apostle Paul defines faith as follows: Faith gives existence to things in which we hope even though we do not see them. We believe in scientists that what they tell us is true. We believe that it is true that there are all the stars or even the tiny particles. And since we believe it is like seeing them. How much time would we waste and be left behind if we wanted to bring the appropriate instruments or even understand all these theories?

Life and progress in Christ are the result of faith. The man who fights for his salvation is like the driver of a car heading to a destination. Maybe on the way you meet some interesting, pleasant, unpleasant, or even unknown things. But nothing should delay him or make him forget his goal. In the spiritual journey, all this is overcome by faith so the man who works in this way, finds a short way to his salvation and is among those about whom the Lord said: “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

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Parish Council News:

The HTGOC parish council will be undertaking some capital improvement projects in the coming months that include replacing two (2) A/C units in the church, clearing the retention pond, and office computer software/hardware updates.  Any financial support toward these projects is welcomed.  The parish council members 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 council meets on the 3^rd Monday of each month.

Special Prayer Requests:

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people….  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners -prayers for the family and friends of Mikae Gaetanos.  Prayers for Gary Peterson; 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.

St. Francis House:
1. Bulk Lunch Meat and Cheese Needed:
A kitchen manager said they are in desperate need of lunch meat and cheeses,  please help deliver to their location, especially with the critical lunches.
2. May 9th Dinner Volunteers Needed: Due to covid, St. Francis House is still doing drop-off meals, which we drop off, always at 70 Washington Street front door at 5 p.m. If you would like to help prepare a meal, they accept anything and are very grateful for all donations.
If you're able to help, please let Richard know at church, 904-347-9189 or dickbilleter@gmail.com. I can let the kitchen manager know thanks.
3. April Meals: Thank You!:
Thank you Jim Humphries for helping deliver ham and Noah and his dad, Richard, topped it off with mac-and-cheese.
4.  Future Meals: Not able to help in May? Please look to help us another day -- we help deliver dinners the 2nd Monday of every month. Online: Please visit us online at http://www.facebook/holytrinityoutreach.com

Philoptochos - Supporting Mothers In Need:

To support mothers at Alpha Omega Miracle Home and St Gerard House, Philoptochos will be collecting diapers (4,5,6), pull-ups and wipes through May 22nd.  Thank you for your support!

Greek Summer Night:

SAVE THE DATE!  This year's Greek Summer Night will be Saturday, June 4, 2022. 

Join us for a night filled with Greek food, music and dance.  This annual event benefits our Holy Trinity Church.  Come for the fun, fellowship and family.  Tickets on sale now. For reservations, contact Andy 904-823-8882, ajlekos@att.net; or order tickets online at www.holytrinitygoc.com.  Opa!

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.

We need volunteers to host coffee hour.  You can do it solo or share the responsibility with someone else.  Please sign up at:  www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA5AB2AA0FFC34-sunday, email Stefanie Burke at holy3goc.hostess@gmail.com; call 904/671-4566; or speak to Stefanie after church and she can sign you up.  Thank you in advance for considering offering this hospitality to our parish family and guests.

[Using the SignUpGenius link:  click the blue box that says SIGN UP; then the brown box at the bottom of the page that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP - this will take you to the next screen; and click on SIGN UP NOW]

Service/Event Schedule:

(Sundays Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)

May

8        Mother’s Day

         25-30   Bright Week

29     Mikae's 6-month memorial service offered by his family

June

2         Ascension

4         Greek Summer Night

11       Saturday of Souls

12       Pentecost

13       Day of the Holy Spirit (Nameday)

19       All Saints

           Father’s Day

20       Parish Council

20-30 Apostles Fast

26       St. Photios Shrine Greek Landing Day

29       Apostles Peter & Paul

30       Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

• Our “Light a Candle & Say a Prayer” ministry lets you to light a candle during divine services.  Your request will be forwarded to a Council member in the Narthex to light your candle.  If  you wish to provide names of loved ones to be prayed for, those will be provided to Fr. Maximos.

Giving by Check:  Please be sure to include a notation on the memo line to allowsus to identify your intentions (i.e. stewardship, candles, trays, memorials, etc.).

Weekly Offering:  The Lord's day is to be the time for a weekly offering for the support of His cause.  Make your offering today and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care.  Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.

Parish Office:

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.

• 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 May 5, 6, 9.

• Please turn in your May/June Newsletter articles NLT May 16th.  Thank you
  

Weekly Photo:
Το καράβι, που συμβολίζει την Εκκλησία, φωτίζεται από τον Ήλιο της Δικαιοσύνης, τον Κύριο, και ακολουθεί την Σταυροαναστάσιμη πορεία που οδηγεί στην Σωτηρία.

The ship, which symbolizes the Church, is illuminated by the Sun of Justice, the Lord, and follows the Crucifixion to Resurrection procession that leads to Salvation.
Images from St. Augustine.

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5392831610761772