Altar Team: Matthew
Parish Council Members on Duty: George Plaster, Bill Phillips & Helen Rogers
Best Wishes to Michael & Erin Kennedy on the recent baptism of their son, Theodore, and to Christian and Eleni Mougogiannis on the baptism of their son, Alexander. We wish both children many blessed years in the Faith!
The deadline to sign up for the "BeeTreat" has been extended to Monday, February 18th at 5:00 pm! The Bee Retreat will be held on Saturday, February 23rd and will have sessions for GOYAns and also adults with children (separately at the same time). If you are interested, please fill out the following registration form: https://goo.gl/forms/zsHeP8D7DzxvogPz2.
2019 Festival - The Festival Committee is looking for individuals interested in serving as Booth Captains for the Festival. If interested, please email Andrew Miller at andrewm594@gmail.com.
Message on Stewardship from Georgette Kennedy - Have you remembered to turn in your Stewardship pledge card? We have 357 families on the roll at Holy Trinity but have only received 95 Stewardship cards back to date. We have not even hit 50% yet. Please take the time to fill out your card and return to the Church, a parish council member or myself. We need every family to help us to get to 100% participation. I know that this family at Holy Trinity can set the bar for all Orthodox communities by hitting that mark! Take the time to make a pledge. Every little bit helps us to do great things here at Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity is truly a special family. Thank you for your support!
Philoptochos is collecting dues for membership in 2019. Philoptochos is open to all Orthodox ladies 18 years of age and older. Please print your name, address, phone number and email and attach to your payment ($30 and $25 for seniors). Dues can be given to any Philoptochos Board member.
The Book Group is now reading, “Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos – The Spiritual Elder of America.” It is available in the bookstore for $14. Please stop by the bookstore and pick up your copy today! We will be meeting sometime in the next few months to discuss – TBA.
PARISH PRAYER LIST
Anatoliy (Tony); Dimitri; Judson Phillips; Joel Rivera; Malcolm; Evan Parhas; Alyssa; Keith Singley; Evie; Ann; David Ward; Bill (Vasilios) Katsaitis; Fr. George Vaporis; Eleni Taylor; Isabella Marie Fuller; Bryan; Jeff; Gary; Dorothy Nicklas; Mary Beth; Karen Ingraham; Mick Elias Kuttab; Byron Dwight Wallace; Fred Preuss; Michael; Anna; Nicholas; Patrick; Elli; Eleni; Rhea & Juan Carlos; Lazarus; Subdeacon Victor & Robin Poletajev; Rod Caulkins; Christos Tsiodras; James Vaughn; Marie; George Pierides; Christina; George S.; Anastasia; Christoforos; Ekaterina; Emily; Jacob Sotiriadis; Twila; Teresa; George; Basil; Heather Ritscher; Matt, Ali, Lucas & Olivia Ritscher; James & Wesley Austin; Gary Andrew; Andreas; Klitos; Kleo; Erica; Susan; Antonia; Glenda; Maggi; Dorcas; John Timothy; Abigail; Lisa; John; Olivia; Jakob
CHURCH ETIQUETTE FAQs
Who may receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church?
Holy Communion is a Sacrament within the Orthodox Church and therefore is offered to Baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome to receive the Blessed Bread (Antidoron) at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
How should I dress in the Orthodox Church?
Wear modest and appropriate attire. Common sense and good judgment should prevail. Avoid wearing lipstick when venerating the icons and receiving Holy Communion. Also, please refrain from chewing gum.
Why do the Ushers/Parish Council ask us to wait before entering at certain times of the service?
There are several parts of the Liturgy where all movement within the Sanctuary should be restricted, including entering the Nave from the Narthex. These parts are:
1) Procession of the Priest and Acolytes with the Gospel
2) The reading of the Epistle and Gospel
3) The priest’s homily (sermon)
4) The Great Procession of the Priest and Altar Boys with the Holy Gifts
5) The recitation of the Nicene Creed
6) The prayers of offering and consecration (From “Thine own of thine own…” until “Especially for our most Holy Lady….”
7) The recitation of the Lord’s Prayer
8) Special services (40 day blessings, memorials, processions…)
My child is being noisy. What should I do?
Children are a great blessing in Church. It is very special to hear our young people begin to participate in the Liturgy, by reciting the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and singing along with our hymns. It is also important that children are present from a very young age to absorb the holy atmosphere of the Divine Liturgy. But sometimes, children have a hard time being quiet or sitting still. Little noises here and there are not worrisome, but in those times when the situation becomes very boisterous, there is a cry room located in the back of the Sanctuary in addition to a foyer with a monitor to watch the Liturgy while the child calms down.