Θέλουμε να δούμε;

Κατά τη διάρκεια της συνομιλίας του Ιησού με την Σαμαρείτιδα, βλέπουμε τον Κύριο να της δίνει κάποιες αφορμές να σκεφτεί. Να σκεφτεί τι; Η γυναίκα πρέπει να σκεφτεί ότι ο Διδάσκαλος που έχει μπροστά της δεν είναι ένας συνηθισμένος άνθρωπος. Όμως στην αρχή δεν μπορεί ή δεν θέλει να το καταλάβει στην πληρότητά του. Ο Χριστός δεν παραιτείται. Της αποκαλύπτει κρυφές, όπως αυτή νόμιζε, λεπτομέρειεςτης ζωής της. Της δίνει αφορμή να προβληματιστεί για την άλλη ζωή και προοδευτικά της αποκαλύπτει τη Θεϊκή του ιδιότητα. Η πρώην αμαρτωλή γυναίκα, γίνεται ο πρώτος άνθρωπος που ο Χριστός αποκαλύπτει έτσι με σαφήνεια ότι είναι ο αναμενόμενος Μεσσίας. Και από αμαρτωλή μεταβάλλεται σε ισαπόστολο και Μεγαλομάρτυρα. Είναι η Αγία Φωτεινή.

Αυτό συμβαίνει συχνά και στον άνθρωπο. Ο Θεός πολλές φορές δείχνει κάποια σημάδια, στέλνει μηνύματα, μας καλεί σε αλλαγή και μετάνοια. Ο άνθρωπος όμως κάνει και αυτός ότι δεν καταλαβαίνει. Ο Θεός δεν παραιτείται αρκεί να δει ότι μέσα μας υπάρχει η διάθεση να Τον γνωρίσουμε. Υπάρχει η διάθεση όχι μόνο να Τον γνωρίσουμε αλλά και να αλλάξουμε. Ακόμη, ο Κύριος στο πηγάδι του Ιακώβ δείχνει την ανθρώπινη αδυναμία Του, διψάει και ζητάει από την Σαμαρείτιδα το γήινο νερό. Μέσα στην Εκκλησία ο Χριστός ζητάει τη βοήθειά μας. Ο Χριστός είναι Θεός και δεν έχει ανάγκη να τον στηρίξουμε. Δείχνει όμως την ανθρώπινη διάστασή Του και κτίζει γέφυρα επικοινωνίας με τον άνθρωπο. Ζητάει να προσφέρουμε ένα ποτήρι ψυχρού ύδατος στους ελαχίστους αδελφούς και όπου χρειάζεται. Έτοιμος είναι να μας δώσει αυτό που έδωσε στην Σαμαρείτιδα το ζωντανό νερό, τη Χάρη Του και τη σωτηρία.

Do we want to see?

During Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman, we see the Lord giving her some reason to think. To think what? The woman must think that the Master in front of her is not an ordinary man. But in the beginning, she cannot or does not want to understand it in its fullness. Christ does not give up. He reveals to her some hidden, as she thought, details of her life. He gives her reason to think about the other life and gradually reveals to her his Divine quality. The former sinful woman becomes the first person that Christ thus clearly reveals that He is the expected Messiah. And from a sinner she is transformed into an equal to the apostles and a Great Martyr. It is St. Fotini.

This often happens to all humans as well. God often shows some signs, sends messages, and calls us to change and repentance. But man, also pretends that he does not understand. God does not give up as long as He sees that within us there is the desire to meet Him. The desire should not only be to meet Him but also to change. Furthermore, the Lord in Jacob's well shows His human weakness, thirsts and asks the Samaritan woman for earthly water. In the Church Christ asks for our help. Christ is God and does not need to be supported. But He shows His human dimension and builds a bridge of communication with man. He asks us to offer a glass of cold water to the least of our brothers and where needed. He is ready to give us what He gave to the Samaritan woman, the living water, His Grace and salvation.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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"

Your offerings help make Holy Trinity a place of welcome for all people who are seeking to reconnect with Christ.  Most importantly, they are your expression of gratitude and thanksgiving to God, who provides for your every need even before you ask.

Regular stewardship offerings are the foundation of our spiritual home.  If you have not already done so, please fill out a 2022 Stewardship Pledge form, and then set up a plan for regular contributions.  You may also make a stewardship pledge or payment electronically at www.holytrinitygoc.com.  Thank you.

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.
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:  DIAPER COLLECTION DRIVE

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 last call:

Last call to reserve your tickets for Greek Summer Night.  Space is limited!  Join us Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Parish Hall.  Come enjoy Greek food, dance and music by Dj Taki.  Tickets $35; $15 for children (12 & under); reserved seating available.  Please call Andy at 904-823-8882 or email ajlekos@att.net for tickets.  Proceeds benefit our Holy Trinity Church.

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

         25-30   Bright Week

29       Six-month memorial service for Mikae Gaetanos offered by his family.  May his memory be eternal.

June

2         Ascension

4         Greek Summer Night

11       Saturday of Souls - May the Lord grant eternal rest to their souls.  We are called to pray for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord on the Saturdays of Souls.  Please take time to prepare a list of deceased loved ones for whom you wish the priest to pray.

12       Pentecost

13       Day of the Holy Spirit (Nameday)

19       All Saints

          Father’s Day

25      Detsis/Debra Weddind

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 allows us 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.

Weekly Photo:

Πάντα εν σοφία εποίησας. In wisdom you have made them all. Pictures from St. Augustine.

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5452533781458221