Ενοχή-Χάρις,  Αποδοκιμασία-Εμπιστοσύνη

Κατά θεραπεία του Σεληνιαζομένου νέου στο πρόσωπο του συντετριμμένου πατέρα του, βλέπουμε ένα δίπολο. Από τη μια πλευρά έχει πλήρη συνείδηση ότι η πίστη του δεν είναι όση θα περίμενε ο Κύριος. Συνήθως ο άνθρωπος ταυτόχρονα με την έναρξη κάποιων προβλημάτων του λέει: “Εγώ πιστεύω στον Θεό, επομένως θα τακτοποιήσει το πρόβλημά μου.” Ποιος όμως τίμια και ειλικρινά μπορεί να ισχυριστεί ότι έχει ολοκληρωμένη πίστη, ή ακόμα και αυτόν τον κόκκο σινάπεως που όπως λέει ο Κύριος μετακινεί βουνά;

Ο πατέρας στο ευαγγελικό ανάγνωσμα, παίρνει την σωστή στάση: “Πιστεύω Κύριε, βοήθησέ στην απιστία που έχω.” Με άλλα λόγια αποδοκιμάζει και καταδικάζει την ελλιπή του πίστη αλλά ταυτόχρονα παραδίδεται με εμπιστοσύνη στον Θεό.

Το ίδιο βλέπουμε στον 50ο ψαλμό του Δαβίδ: “..ότι την ανομίαν μου εγὼ γινώσκω, και η αμαρτία μου ενώπιόν μου εστί διαπαντός….. ραντιείς με υσσώπῳ, καιὶ καθαρισθήσομαι, πλυνείς με, καιὶ υπὲρ χιόνα λευκανθήσομαι..” Τεράστιο αίσθημα ενοχής αλλά και απεριόριστη εμπιστοσύνη στην αγάπη του Θεού.

Μπορούμε να αναγνωρίσουμε τα λάθη μας, χωρίς δικαιολογίες να καταδικάσουμε τον εαυτό μας, και την ίδια στιγμή να καταφύγουμε στην αγάπη και το έλεος του Θεού; Αυτό είναι αρκετό για τον Θεό ώστε να ανοίξει και για εμάς τους κρουνούς του ελέους Του.

Guilt-Grace, Disapproval-Trust

During the healing of the Lunatic young man in the face of his devastated father, we see a dipole. On the one hand he is fully aware that his faith is not what the Lord would expect. Usually a person says at the beginning of some problems: "I believe in God, therefore he will settle my problem." But who can honestly and sincerely claim to have complete faith, or even this mustard grain that, as the Lord says, Moves Mountains?

The father in the gospel reading, takes the right attitude: "I believe Lord, help in my unbelief." In other words, he denounces and condemns his lack of complete faith but at the same time surrenders with trust in God.

We see the same in the 50th psalm of David: “I am conscious of my iniquity, and my sin is continuously before me. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: you shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ” Huge feeling of guilt but also unlimited trust in the love of God.

To all of our Visitors: 

“Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7   We pray that your worship experience with us today will be inspirational and uplifting. Please introduce yourself to a parish ambassador.  We are happy that you are with us today!

“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  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. 

Saturday, September 17^th we observe the Feast of the Martyrs Sophia and her three daughters: Pistis, Elpis & Agape (Faith, Hope and Love)

These Saints were from Italy and contested for the Faith about the year 126, during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian.  Faith was twelve years old, Hope, ten, and Love, nine; each was tormented and then beheaded, from the eldest to the youngest.  Their mother Sophia mourned at their grave for three days, where she also fell asleep in peace; because of her courageous endurance in the face of her daughters' sufferings, she is also counted a martyr. 

Apolytikion of Martyrs Sophia, Pistis, Elpis & Agape (Fourth Tone)

O Lord Jesus, unto Thee Thy lamb doth cry with a great voice: O my Bridegroom, Thee I love; and seeking Thee, I now contest, and with Thy baptism am crucified and buried.  I suffer for Thy sake, that I may reign with Thee; for Thy sake I die, that I may live in Thee: accept me offered out of longing to Thee as a spotless sacrifice.  Lord, save our souls through her intercessions since Thou art great in mercy.

"Our Church, Our Spiritual Home" – September:

Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God.  Stewardship promotes spiritual growth and strengthens faith.

Stewards believe in God by showing their love to Him; offering their loyalty to Him; trust in Him and affirm that every aspect of their lives comes as a gift from Him.  Stewards cheerfully give back that portion according to the Blessings He has bestowed on them. 

We have four months to reach our 2022 budget goals!  We all know our needs, however, in the words of Fr. William Chiganos of Holy Apostles Church in Westchester, Illinois, “…people don’t give to need; they give to vision….” Our collective vision is to engage with one another spiritually, and now, at the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year, to unleash our time, talent and treasures, which in turn enhances the spirituality and ministry of our home, Holy Trinity.

The Stewardship Update offers a comparison for us from the previous month’s end to today:

•  Number of Steward Families August 31:   91  To Date: 93
  
• Total Pledged to Date August 31:   $108,882.00   To Date: $111,142.00
• Total Contributed to Date August 31:   $  84,663.00   To Date: $  87,508.00

  Update St. Francis House:
 If are not able to help right now? 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

   Re-Opening Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Bookstore: 

We are blessed to announce the reopening of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church bookstore and gift shop on September 11, 2022. As we pray for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord during the tragedy of 9/11, we are reminded of the love of God for us through His Body, the Church.  Subdeacon Michael Fotianos and his lovely wife Ingrid, who are leaving our Parish after many years, have given their lives to the Church. We have all been deeply enriched as a result.  In their honor, the bookstore/gift shop will be aptly called the “Michael and Ingrid Fotianos Bookstore.” Axios! (See flyer in SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT section). In Christ! Paula Marchman Lekas and Melissa Kauttu Strange

AGORA at Holy Trinity: 

We are pleased to announce the opening of our very own Agora, featuring delicious imported Greek food items like cheeses, olives, olive oil, oregano, frozen tiropites and spanakopites, phyllo, chocolates, lentils, orzo and pastichio noodles, halvah, spoon sweet preserves, and household items like Greek coffee and soap. Gift baskets will soon be available.

All proceeds benefit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of St Augustine. Please contact holytrinityagora@gmail.com to place an order or see us after church at the Agora in the church hall. Online pre-ordering for pickup on Sundays at church will be available soon.   Stacy Symeonides, Stephanie Danikas & The Agora Team

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.

• 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. Please email me if you or your children would like to help with this need at lekasthomas@gmail.com.

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.  https://www.staugustinegreekfestival.com

Greek Cooking Schedule Our Greek Festival is just a few weeks away (October 7 - 9) We will be cooking pastitsio this Saturday (9/17) beginning at 9 a.m. in the church kitchen. In addition, we will continue cooking the following two weekends (on Friday & Saturday - 9/23 - 9/24 and 9/30 - 10/1), preparing moussaka and dolmathes. Please come and help as many hands will make this an easy task. No experience necessary - we will show you what to do. The more hands we have, the quicker we can get cleaned up and done. Everyone is welcome! Any questions, please call Carman 904-540-0367. Thank you.

Sunday School:

• 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.

• Celebrations:  Are you celebrating a special day? Birthday, Anniversary, Seasonal House Cleaning? Whatever the event, please consider celebrating it with others and making it a fundraiser for our church. People have raised $6 billion USD on Facebook and Instagram for causes they care about. Create a fundraiser and Facebook will take care of the donation processing with no fees.  You can also place the PayPal giving link for the church in your on-line message for donations to be made directly to our account. This can be a fun way to share your happy day with your friends and community and an effective fundraiser for our church. Please reach out to Fr. Maximos or Nick Lekas for details.

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.

• 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:  Welcome back Fr. Maximos from Greece.
  

Photo of the Week:   

https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityGOC/photos/a.214784738566511/5752138728164390

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