Νους Χριστού

Πολλές φορές ακούμε ένα παιδάκι να λέει για τις αποφάσεις του πατέρα του: «Εγώ, μπαμπά, δεν τα καταλαβαίνω αυτά. » Το παιδάκι, με τις κουβέντες αυτές, φανερώνει ότι πραγματικά δεν τα καταλαβαίνει και ούτε έχει διάθεση να τα καταλάβει. Απλώς τα απορρίπτει. Ο πατέρας όσο βλέπει ότι το παιδάκι είναι μικρό, αντιμετωπίζει αυτή τη συμπεριφορά με ένα συγκαταβατικό χαμόγελο. Προϊούσης της ηλικίας το παιδάκι οφείλει είτε να τα καταλάβει είτε να τα δεχθεί χωρίς να τα καταλάβει.

Κάπως έτσι συμβαίνει με τον Χριστιανό. Πραγματικά, όσο αυτός είναι νήπιο εν Χριστώ, όσο ακόμα δεν έχει αποκτήσει νουν Χριστού, συμβαίνει κάποιες φορές να μη καταλαβαίνει και να μη δέχεται όσα ο Θεός επιτρέπει για τη σωτηρία του. Και τότε ο άνθρωπος υποφέρει. Μοιάζει με τον Απόστολο Παύλο, πριν την μετάνοια και μεταστροφή στον Χριστό. «Σαούλ Σαούλ, γιατί με διώκεις; Είναι πολύ σκληρό και οδυνηρό να κλωτσάς την πέτρα, του λέει ο Κύριος.» Ο Χριστιανός, όταν μπει στον ζυγό του Κυρίου πρόθυμα, με υπακοή, μοιάζει να μη τεντώνει το σχοινί με το οποίο ο Χριστός τον οδηγεί. Σε αντίθετη περίπτωση θα ματώσει και θα πονέσει. Η υπακοή στον Χριστό κάνει τον άνθρωπο να καταλάβει όσα μας διδάσκει στο κατά Ματθαίο ευαγγέλιο: Παρέτε επάνω σας τον ζυγὸν της υπακοής, και μάθετε από εμένα, ότι είμαι πράος και ταπεινός και θα βρείτε ανάπαυση στην ψυχή σας Αυτός ο ζυγός είναι εύκολος να τον σηκώσουμε, και το φορτίο είναι ελαφρύ.

Mind of Christ

Many times, we hear a child say about his father's decisions: "I, Dad, do not understand these. The child, with these conversations, shows that he really does not understand them and is not in the mood to understand them. He just rejects them. Τhe father, as long as he sees that the child is small, he treats this behavior with a condescending smile. As the child gets older, he must either understand them or accept them without understanding them.

This is somewhat the case with the Christian. Indeed, as long as he is an infant in Christ, as long as he has not yet acquired the mind of Christ, it sometimes happens that he does not understand and accept what God allows for his salvation. And then man suffers. It is like the Apostle Paul, before repentance and conversion to Christ. "Saul Saul, why are you persecuting me? "It's very hard and painful to kick the stone," the Lord tells him. The Christian, when he willingly and obediently, enters the yoke of the Lord, does not seem to stretch the rope with which Christ leads him. Otherwise, it will bleed and hurt. Obedience to Christ makes man understand what he teaches us in the Gospel of Matthew: Take upon you the yoke of obedience and learn from me that I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest in your souls. This yoke is easy to lift, and the load is light. 

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!   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"

Summer plans may take us away from our day-to-day activities - especially if we plan to travel. 

Remember, you don't have to be in church to be "in" church!  Holy Trinity offers online services, continues with worship and hospitality, and welcomes summer guests. 

Please remember how important your financial support is to the care of our parish and make arrangements to continue monthly stewardship donations during the summer months. 

Thank you. Toula

OUTREACH UPDATE:  ST. FRANCIS HOUSE 
1. JULY 11 DINNER 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.Please prepare for about 40 servings. 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. 
2. Toiletry Items, Towels and Rags Needed:
St. Francis residents need the following, toiletry items, towels and rags. You can drop them off at 70 Washington Street, or bring and drop off at the church marked for St. Francis House.
3. May and June Dinners: Thank You!  Thank you Michael Lekos for leading your “Feed the Homeless” project in May, which was part of his community outreach for his school! You are truly serving the work of the Lord!
From Michael:
"On Monday May 9, my family and I prepared, packaged, and distributed 48 meals to St. Francis House.  The meals included spaghetti, meatballs, bread, and a fruit cup. I appreciate the support to help make this possible and I am looking forward to continuing serving “my neighbor” as Jesus instructed us to do."

- For June, pulled pork with buns was the dinner of the day at St Francis, many thanks to my mom, Paulexania Billeter for making this happen!
4.  Future Meals: Not able to help in July? 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.com/holytrinityoutreach   Blessings in Christ, Richard

Philoptochos - ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY AND BACKPACK DRIVE:

 It is that time of year again!

School in John's County starts August 10th.  Our Philoptochos chapter is having our annual school supply and backpack drive.  These donated items are given to title one schools in St. John's County.  Last year, our donations went to Webster and St. John's Technical schools.  Our goal is to distribute our donations to the designated schools the first week of August.  Please bring your donations to the church hall.  We will have bins available in which to put your items.  As always, we cannot do this without you so we thank you in advance.

Calling All Men and Boys (6 years and Older):

Have you noticed your head chanter, Nick Lekas, hustling between the chanters stand and the altar to help Father Maximos during a service? On occasion, it has been others in the congregation who saw the need and were moved to help. This happens because we lack altar help on a consistent basis.

• Large parishes and cathedrals have paid sextant positions or deacons to manage the help needed for the altar and a larger youth population to draw from, but that is not our situation.
• It is time we fixed this problem with our parish stewardship – that is to apply our individual time and talents to consistently being altar help during services. It is a blessing and an honor to actually be part of the liturgy in an intimate way by helping Father Maximos with the tasks necessary to prepare himself and the gifts for our collective communion – receiving the body and blood of Christ.
• The tasks themselves, cutting the “ANDITHERON” (bread), pouring wine and warm water into the flasks for the altar in preparation, censing, leading processions (one in Orthros and two in the liturgy) carrying the light and/or a censor are simple but vital to supporting our priest.
• I’m calling for volunteers to commit to being at church in time for Orthros on a set schedule. With enough volunteers, we can create a schedule that will not be a burden to anyone and will instead be a blessing to all of us. Once we have a list of volunteers (hopefully 8-10 at least), we will work with Father Maximos to schedule training day(s) as needed for the group, so that we can all learn how to do these tasks comfortably, consistently, and enthusiastically. To put this in perspective, with 10 volunteers, each volunteer will be committed to being trained and then “on-duty” about eight times during a normal year.

Greek Festival:

The annual Holy Trinity Greek Festival is October 7-9, 2022.  Our popular festival will begin with "Friday to go" with pre-orders only.  Saturday and Sunday will include music, dance and on-site dining. 

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]

July

3-7      GOA Clergy-Laity Congress

18       Parish Council - 6:30pm

19       Festival meeting - 7:00pm

August

1-14   Dormition Fast

3         Paraklesis - 6pm

5         Paraklesis - 6pm

6         Transfiguration of Our Lord

10       Paraklesis - 6pm

12       Paraklesis - 6pm

14       Philoptochos Dormition Luncheon (after liturgy)

15       Dormition of the Theotokos

           Parish Council - 6:30pm

29       Beheading of St. John the Baptist (strict fast)

• 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.

• NOTE:  Due to family matters, the Church Admin. will be out of the office on June 13,14,15 and the following week (days will be announced once the dates are firm).  If anyone would like to volunteer to answer phones and greet visitors for a couple of hours and assist Fr. Maximos as needed, please contact the office.  Thank you.

Weekly Photo:   https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5587715614606703