Altar Team: Luke
Parish Council Members on Duty: Bill Phillips, Helen Bellos, Elena Rollins & Tim Weeks
Please note that Church School graduation will be held this year on Sunday, June 2nd.
Philoptochos is having their board elections next Sunday, May 19th. It is asked that all Philoptochos members in good standing please go to the hospitality room immediately after Liturgy to vote. Thank you!
The Book Group is now reading, The “Struggle for Virtue: Ascetism in a Modern Secular Society” by Archbishop Averky Taushev. It is available in the bookstore for $18. Stop by the bookstore and pick up your copy today. It is a beneficial read for all Orthodox Christians. We will be meeting June 2nd to discuss and all are welcome!
Message from Georgette Kennedy, Stewardship Chairman - I just wanted to give everyone a quick update on how we are looking on Stewardship for 2019. So far, we are at 110 pledges. Last year we had 120 at year end so we are not very far off and on track to surpass last year’s total number of pledges, but I would like to see all 300 families taking part in our Stewardship . We are also well ahead on total amount pledged thus far this year. We have received pledges totaling $312,170. In 2018, the total was $286,110 and in 2017 it was $254,709, so quite a jump over the past few years which is great! Just a reminder that our total Stewardship goal for this year is $464,100. As we move into the summer vacation period, please help our Holy Trinity family by continuing to make your donations to stewardship so that we can avoid any unexpected drop in giving that will have to be made up in the fall. We are tentatively planning a combined Stewardship Sunday and Church Ministry Fair to be held at the end of July. Thank you all for your continued support!
PARISH PRAYER LIST
Anatoliy (Tony); Dimitri; Judson Phillips; Joel Rivera; Malcolm; Evan Parhas; Alyssa; Keith Singley; Evie; Ann; David Ward; Fr. George Vaporis; Eleni Taylor; Isabella Marie Fuller; Bryan; Jeff; Gary; Dorothy Nicklas; Mary Beth; Karen Ingraham; Mick Elias Kuttab; Byron Dwight Wallace; Michael; Nicholas; Patrick; Elli; Eleni; Rhea & Juan Carlos; Lazarus; Subdeacon Victor & Robin Poletajev; Rod Caulkins; Christos Tsiodras; 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; Anastasia; Steve Turner; Lynn; Timothy; Mark Santana
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.