ΗΥπακοήστουςΠατέρες

Ο Χριστός, όπως ο ίδιος τονίζει στην Αρχιερατική προσευχή, πριν την Σύλληψή Του, ήλθε στον κόσμο για να υπακούσει στον Θεό Πατέρα.  Ήρθε για να παραιτηθεί από το Άγιο, αλάνθαστο θέλημά Του και να το υποτάξει σε Αυτόν που Τον απέστειλε. Η σημερινή εποχή ενθαρρύνει τον άνθρωπο να κάνει το δικό του θέλημα. Θεωρείται πολύ άσχημο να ζητήσει από τον άλλο να κάνει υπακοή σε κάτι που δεν το καταλαβαίνει ή δεν το θέλει. Έτσι άνθρωπος, ακόμα και ο Χριστιανός που αγωνίζεται, δεν μπορεί να δεχθεί κάτι που τον δυσκολεύει ακόμα και αν διαισθάνεται ότι το επέτρεψε ο Θεός.

Η σχέση του Κυρίου με τον Θεό Πατέρα εικονίζεται με την υπακοή του Πιστού μέσα στην Εκκλησία. Η σημερινή Κυριακή είναι αφιερωμένη στους Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας. Οι Πατέρες είναι οι Διδάσκαλοι της Εκκλησίας. Το ερώτημα είναι κατά πόσο ο κάθε Πιστός βιώνει αυτή τη σχέση, ότι είναι δηλαδή πνευματικό παιδί των Πατέρων κσι ότι υπακούει στη διδασκαλία τους. Η σωτηρία της ψυχής σύμφωνα με την Εκκλησία, περνάει μέσα από την υπακοή των Πιστών στους Πατέρες. Γιαυτό και κάθε ιερή Ακολουθία τελειώνει με το: «Δι΄ ευχών των Αγίων Πατέρων ημών Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ ο Θεός ελέησον και σώσον ημάς.»

Obedience to the Fathers

Christ, as He emphasizes in the Hierarchical Prayer, before His arrest, came into the world to obey God the Father. He came to renounce His holy, infallible will and submit it to the One who sent Him. The present age encourages man to do his own will. It is considered very ugly to ask the other to obey something he does not understand or does not want. Thus man, even the struggling Christian, cannot accept something that makes it difficult for him even if he feels that God has allowed it.

The Lord's relationship with God the Father is portrayed by the obedience of the Faithful in the Church. This Sunday is dedicated to the Church Fathers. The Fathers are the Masters of the Church. The question is whether every Faithful experiences this relationship, that is, that he is a spiritual child of the Fathers and that he obeys their teaching. The salvation of the soul, according to the Church, passes through the obedience of the Believers to the Fathers. That is why every Holy Service ends with: "Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy and save us."

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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!

Thank you for your prayers….

We would like to thank you for your prayers, love, and support during Gary’s recent health issues.  We can’t put into words how much we appreciate all of you!  The flowers you sent are beautiful and brightened up our day. Our family and we have been given a tremendous blessing with Gods help, and the love and support of our family, friends, and all of our church community. God bless you all and thank you so much for everything!  Your brother and sister in Christ, Gary and Fotini Peterson

 "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. 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. Dick 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

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.

Greek Summer Night update:

Greek Summer Night is sold out!  We look forward to hosting a night of fun, family, and fellowship.  Thank you to all who donated and supported this event that offers a ‘taste’ of Greek food, dance, and music, and benefits our beloved Holy Trinity Church.

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]

(Sundays Orthros 9am, Divine Liturgy 10am)

June

2            Ascension -  Forty days after the Resurrection, always on a Thursday, we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus. According to the New Testament, Christ departed from Earth by rising into Heaven, in the presence of eleven of his apostles.

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)

13       Greek Festival meeting 6:30 (via Zoom)

19       All Saints

          Father’s Day

25      Detsis/Debra Wedding

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) the parish office 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.214784738566511/5495665300478402