TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Memorial Today
Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Georgia Levendos Blackwell (1 year). May her memory be eternal!
Prayer Partner Cards for Second Quarter 2019 Distributed Today. Here is a ministry EVERYONE can participate in this vital ministry EVERY DAY: “Prayer Partners!” Would you like to know that someone is praying for you every day “just because” you are a part of this parish family? As a core component of our “Faith and Family Weekdays” Ministry, that is what happens here at Holy Trinity Church. On the first Sunday of January, April, July and October, blank prayer cards are distributed. Those in attendance are asked to write their first name only (baptismal name preferred) on one card. They will then be collected and randomly distributed at the end of the service. Each person will commit to offer prayers daily for the person they receive daily during that quarter. What a beautiful gift to pray for someone and be prayed for yourself. This “anonymous” ministry of spiritual service is known only to our merciful Lord, Who directs us through his Holy Apostle James, "Pray for one another" (James 5.16). Thank you for adding to the spiritual life and dedication of our Holy Trinity parish family. Remember: pray for your Prayer Partner every day!
GOYA Lenten Soup Sales
GOYA Homemade Lenten Soup Sales have begun. Need a quick homemade meal? Just add a salad and bread or crackers to these delicious Lenten soups. This week's soups are Lemony Lentil, Tuscan Bean, Red Lentil & Root Vegetable and Orzo Vegetable. Holy Trinity GOYA thanks you for your constant support and wishes everyone a Blessed Lenten Journey.
Chapel Consecration Reservations and Banquet Tickets – Available Today
Reservations for the Saint George Chapel Consecration on May 4 and tickets for the Consecration Banquet on May 5 are now available online, but you can also find them at the Consecration table in the Gallery during Coffee Hour today. Please make your reservations and get your tickets today for this historic event in the life of our community.
IMPORTANT CHAPEL CONSECRATION NOTE
ANYONE PLANNING ON COMING TO THE SERVICE IS ASKED TO RESERVE A SPOT SO WE CAN PLAN SPACE.
ANYONE ATTENDING THE BANQUET IS REQUIRED TO PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE.
Palm Sunday Tickets Available Today – Advance Purchase Required!
Please visit the GOYA table in the Gallery purchase your advance tickets for the Palm Sunday GOYA Community Fish Luncheon on April 21 (only two weeks from today!). Our teens are putting together a delicious meal as always, and they would really appreciate everyone not only attending, but purchasing tickets this week so they can get a good idea of how much food to prepare. Our teens work very hard throughout the year to serve the community and they truly appreciate your support. All proceeds raised go to fund the activities and philanthropic activities of our youth. Please plan on staying for the lunch– and PLEASE get your tickets today so our teens know how much to prepare. Thank you!
Philoptochos Meeting Today
“Today we invite current members and new members to attend a Philoptochos Meeting directly following Divine Liturgy. Get a cup of coffee and a snack and meet in the Fireside Room. Please join us in fellowship and love!”
Dance Troupe Meeting Today
There will be a short dance troupe meeting today during coffee hour in Conference Room “B”. If your child is planning on dancing at the festival this year, please attend the meeting to learn some information about the troupe. We will be discussing dance practice dates and times, costumes, etc. Please reach out to Victoria or Eleni with any questions.
Lenten Vespers - Today at 5:00pm
The Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh invites you to attend Lenten Vespers at Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church (220 Mansfield Blvd Carnegie PA, 15106) this evening beginning at 5:00pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week
- TODAY, Sun. Apr. 7, 5:00pm: Lenten Vespers at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Carnegie, PA
- Mon. Apr. 8, 6:30pm: Great Compline (SG)
- Wed. Apr. 10, 6:30pm: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Covered Dish Dinner and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Wednesday Lenten Series presentation – Father John Chakos (HT)
- Fri. Apr. 12, 6:30pm: Service of the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos (SG)
“Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week
Holy Trinity Church’s new, expanded “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry continues this month. Building on the fruits of our last five years, we are now including more days and more opportunities for everyone to participate in and grow from worship, spiritual life and educational ministries beyond Sunday morning and to make the Church the "crossroad of daily life”.
THIS WEEK’S OFFERINGS:
- Daily: Prayer Partners. Have you remembered your prayer partner every day? Please keep the promise.
- Mon. Apr. 8: “Journey to Fullness” (8:00-9:00pm): This excellent video teaching series is for everyone who wants to learn more about the “fullness of the faith” found in Orthodox Christianity, whether as inquirers, catechumens or life-long members. This 7-week series (repeated in the fall and the spring) consists of two video teaching segments per session, along with an interactive question and answer period with Father John.
- Wed. Apr. 10: Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, Lenten Dinner and Lenten Speakers Series
- Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts (6:30-7:45pm): This is a mid-week Lenten blessing provides by the Church as a way of offering the Holy Gifts between Sundays during Lent. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is an evening service which comprises the solemn Lenten Vespers with the distribution of Holy Communion at the end. There is no consecration of the Holy Gifts during the service. Holy Communion is offered from the reserve gifts consecrated on the previous Sunday at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Those Orthodox Christians wishing to receive Holy Communion should prepare as usual but should also refrain from eating or drinking after their midday meal. Readings will be done by our older Church School students.
- Lenten Dinner (7:45pm): We will continue the tradition of Lenten dinners following Pre-Sanctified Liturgies by asking for volunteers to bring food. Everyone is invited to stay for this light meal. After the meal is served, everyone will remain in the Grand Room for the Lenten Speakers Series presentation.
- Lenten Speakers Series (8:00pm). Each week a special presentation will be offered by one of our clergy or guest presenters on a subject related to our 2019 Lenten theme: “A Better You. A Better World.” This week Father John Chakos will speak about “Mission to Guatemala”.
[Apr 7 & 14] Pittsburgh Area Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood Announces Sunday Lenten Vespers Series
The Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to offer for the first time in the Pittsburgh region a series of Sunday Lenten Vespers services to be held in Orthodox parishes of various jurisdictions around the Pittsburgh area. Each service will take place at 5:00pm and will be followed by Lenten refreshments. All Orthodox Christians in the area are invited to join the Orthodox clergy of the area in praying these beautiful Lenten services together.
- TODAY April 7: SAINTS PETER & PAUL UKRANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie, PA
- April 14: SAINT GEORGE ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, 3230 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA
Veneration of Relic of Saint John Maximovitch following Vespers
[Apr 10 & 17] Faith and Family Weekdays Lenten Speakers Series
This year, our Lenten lessons are focusing on the theme, “A Better You. A Better World.” Each week a special presentation is offered by one of our clergy or guest presenters. Plan on being there for Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at 6:30pm, followed by a Lenten dinner and presentation in the Grand Room. The remaining speakers this year are: this Wednesday, April 10 – Father John Chakos: “Mission to Guatemala” and Wednesday, April 17 – Alex Corkos: “Relationships”. Please be sure to attend the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and remain for the presentation. If you are able, please bring a Lenten dish to contribute to the meal (non-meat, non-fish, non-dairy). Thank you!
[Apr 14] Regular Spring General Assembly – NEXT SUNDAY
Please plan to attend the regular Spring General Assembly following Divine Liturgy next Sunday, April 14. An agenda has been included in the April edition of the Herald. This Assembly is to review parish life and hear reports on important parish matters. It is vital to the life of a healthy community that all members attend, as these meetings are quite important in the day-to-day life of the parish. Please remember, to vote at an assembly, you must be a member in good standing as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations, which includes but is not limited to having a signed 2019 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge card submitted. Whether it is attending assemblies, taking in a leadership role in a ministry or just getting involved more, the Lord has a calling and a role for every one of us at Holy Trinity Church because you are a part of the Body of Christ and have an important contribution to offer.
[Apr 14] Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale
The Ladies Philoptochos is again offering their delicious traditional Greek Pascha Bread for sale! All proceeds benefit the charitable endeavors of the Philoptochos. All orders must be prepaid and turned in to the office or mailed to the church by next Sunday, April 14th. Please make checks payable to “Holy Trinity Ladies Philoptochos” with “Pascha Bread” in the memo line. Order forms are available in the Herald or from the Church Office window. Pickup your PREPAID order in the Holy Trinity Gallery FOLLOWING Divine Liturgy on Palm Sunday, April 21st. Please call Nicole Steiner (412-352-0289) with any questions regarding orders.
[May 4 & 5] Saint George Chapel Consecration Weekend: Sat. May 4 - Service/Sun. May 5 - Banquet
Please mark your calendar for the historic event of the Consecration of our community’s Saint George Chapel on Saturday, May 4. Also, a Consecration Banquet will be held on Sunday, May 5 following the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church. Look for information in the Herald and on the website. For general info, visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/chapel/consecration.
- PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS TO ATTEND THE SERVICE:
- ADVANCE TICKETS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE BANQUET:s
- To pay by credit card: Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events
- – OR – To pay by cash or check, stop by the Chapel Consecration Table in the Gallery Sundays after Liturgy
[May 6] New Bereavement Support Ministry: Monthly Group Sessions - Come & Join Us
The mission of our Visitation Ministry is to reach out to the sick, homebound and bereaved parishioners of Holy Trinity. Our Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in time of grief and loss. What does normal grief look like? How does gratitude co-exist with the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one? In the grieving process, can we feel anxious, lonely, and angry all at the same time? Sometimes these uncomfortable feelings can be confusing as we remember our loved ones. But we can learn to understand and work with these feelings on a daily basis. It’s important to be gentle to ourselves while grieving loss. If you have questions about grief and want to learn and share conversation, then please attend our first Bereavement Support Group session on Monday, May 6th in Conference Room A. Light refreshments and relaxed fellowship begin at 6:30 pm for those who choose. Then 7:00-8:30 pm is group learning and sharing with our Bereavement facilitators. Feel free to bring a family member and/or friend. Contact Amy Armanious, Visitation Ministry Coordinator with any questions at email Visitation@holytrinitypgh.org
[May 7-Jun 26] Festival Cooking – IT’S BACK!
IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY to get started on our FESTIVAL COOKING 2019! Please mark your calendars and plan to come and help on the following days. Bring the kids, bring your husbands, bring your wives, bring your friends! All are welcome...no experience necessary. Tons of light and heavy tasks for all. THANK YOU!
- Tuesday, May 7, 9:00am-9:00pm – Apricot Rolls
- Tuesday, May 14, 9:00am-9:00pm – Apricot Rolls/Baklava
- Tuesday, May 21, 11:00am-9:00pm – Baklava/Chocolate Baklava (following Liturgy)
- Tuesday, May 28, 9:00am-9:00pm – Galaktoboureko
- Tuesday, June 4, 9:00am-9:00pm – Koulourakia/Finikia
- Tuesday, June 11, 9:00am-9:00pm – Kourambiethes
- Tuesday, June 18, 9:00am-9:00pm – Finikia Dipping and Souzoukakia
- Tuesday, June 25, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples
- Wednesday, June 26, 9:30am-8:30pm – Diples
Metropolis Summer Camp Registration is Open
Metropolis Summer Camp registration is now open at y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org for all JOY and GOYA campers (through June 3). Be sure to register early, as sessions sell out quickly. To receive the Holy Trinity parish discount, be sure to use the code “SC19HTP” at the time of registration. Dates below (grades indicate what level the student will be Fall of 2019):
- Week 1, Elementary: June 16-22 (grades 2-4)
- Week 2, Middle School: June 23-29 (grades 5-7)
- Week 3, Junior High Session: June 30-July 6 (grades 7-9)
- Week 4, High School Session: July 7-13 (grades 10-12)
*7th graders are able to attend either Week 2 or 3
Philoptochos News
There is still time to submit your favorite recipe to the Holy Trinity Philoptochos cookbook, which will be sold at the 2019 Taste of Greece Festival. The new deadline for submission of recipes has been extended to April 30th. Anyone in the Parish may submit a recipe, Greek or Non-Greek. Share a family recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation! Please call/text Maria Georgiadis at 724-991-5129 with any questions. Easter Bread Baking will take place on Thursday, April 18th from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Easter Bread pick-up will take place on Palm Sunday, April 21st (which is American Easter). Place your Easter Bread orders now! The next Philoptochos Meeting is scheduled for TODAY following Divine Liturgy. New members are always welcome! The Holy Cross Philoptochos (123 Gilkeson Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15241) has invited us to join them for a Fashion Show and Luncheon on Saturday, May 18, 11:00am Cocktails, 12:00 noon Luncheon and Fashion Show. Tickets are $40.00 per person. If you are interested in attending, please see Marianne Stearns.
Lenten and Holy Week Schedules of Services
The April edition of The Herald contains a complete schedule of services for Lent and Holy Week. Please post them in a conspicuous place in your home. Make a family plan and circle the services you are able to attend and place them on your schedule and on your phone’s calendar! As the hymn from the Book of Psalms tells us during the Great Compline service, “God is with us.” Lent provides us a special time to be with Him. See you there!
Lenten Resources Available on the Internet
Looking for educational or inspirational information and resources for Lent? Try one of the best religious sites on the Internet: the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. To visit the general site, go to www.goarch.org/lent. There you will find Lenten messages, scriptures, prayers, articles, hymns, videos and more.
Lenten Coffee Hour Reminder
Please keep in mind that throughout Lent our Coffee Hours following the Divine Liturgy observe the Orthodox Lenten fasting schedule. Anyone sponsoring a memorial coffee hour or providing Church School snacks is asked to take care that non-meat and non-dairy items are provided. The Philoptochos and the Church School can provide a list of suggestions for good alternatives. Thank you for helping our community grow in this proper and helpful Orthodox spiritual practice.
Holy Week Books Available at our Bookstore
If you do not already have one, please be sure to stop by our Three Hierarchs Orthodox Bookstore to pick up your copy of the Holy Week/Easter Service book from Patmos Press. This book contains all of the services for Holy Week and Easter in the original Greek text with the Modern English translation on opposing pages. All paragraphs are arranged to correspond to both languages, making it easy to follow the services in either language. This invaluable book is a great aid in participating fully in the services of Holy Week and are reasonably priced at only $25.00 each.
[May 11] Metropolis of Pittsburgh Saint Photios Awards Banquet – Come and Honor the Awardees
His Eminence Metropolitan Savas invites all the clergy and laypersons of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh to celebrate and give thanks for its honored devout stewards of faith, time and talents at the Sixth Annual Saint Photios Awards Banquet, Saturday, May 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh-Cranberry, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, PA 16046. 4:00 pm Hors d’oeuvres, 5:15 pm Dinner. Donations for tickets are $85 per person for adults, $25 for children (under 12), and net proceeds benefit the Metropolitan’s Benevolent Fund. Reservations can be made by using the reservations form available in the Herald or from the Church Office window. Questions? Please call Mary Doreza at 412-877-3415. Please be there to celebrate all the awardees, including our own Holy Trinity recipients, George Dickos and Presvytera Becky Touloumes. The deadline for reservations is April 19.
[Jun 17-22] Community Adult & Teen Mission Trip
The Holy Trinity Missions Ministry is coordinating a philanthropic mission trip to Houston, June 17-22. This trip is open to Holy Trinity adults and teens 14 and over. See the flyer in the March Herald or visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/missions.
Holy Trinity’s Connect Center
The “Connect Center” is a great resource and contact display prominently located in the Gallery every Sunday and it is for YOU! The purpose is to help EVERYONE in our Holy Trinity community become more informed about the many ministries and opportunities offered here and to make it easier to become involved in all areas of life at Holy Trinity Church. Stop by today and check it out!
Sign Up to Provide FOCUS Lunches for the Needy - More Dates are Available
If you’re looking for ways to get your family/friends/group/ministry together for a meaningful day of giving to the poor and hungry in our region, here’s your chance! Sponsored through FOCUS Pittsburgh, the 2019 weekly schedule of delivering 140 lunch bags to our less fortunate neighbors, every Saturday of the year, has many open dates still available. Please see Mike Kritiotis after Liturgy to sign up for a Saturday that fits your schedule or email outreach@holytrinitypgh.org for available dates. Thank you, good and faithful servants of Christ!
Welcome to the Sundays of Lent and the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil
During the Sundays of Lent, the Orthodox Church changes from using the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom to the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil. Why do we do that and what are the differences? To most outward appearances, the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil differs very little from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and those wishing to follow the service in the Divine Liturgy book may use the regular book to do so. The primary difference is in the prayers said by the priest in the later part of the service and the hymn “All of Creation” (“Epi Si Heri”) which replaces the usual “It Is Worthy” (“Axion Estin”) after the Consecration of the Holy Gifts. Why the change? In general, the prayers of St. Basil are more penitential, and therefore lend themselves to the Church's liturgical preparation for important holy days; hence, their use during Great Lent and on the eves of Nativity and Theophany. During this service, as the priest offers the prayers, there may be times when the choir completes its hymn and the priest is still offering the prayer. During this season of increased prayer and spiritual attention, please use those times to follow along with the prayers with your own heart and immerse yourself in this beautiful worship experience. Rather than “wait for” the priest to finish the prayers, join him in the prayer of your own heart! The large green Holy Trinity Divine Liturgy books indicate where the changes in those prayers are, and you may follow them to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of their beauty and meaning. A blessed Lent to all!
Upcoming Lenten and Paschal Dates
Wondering about Lenten and Paschal dates? Here’s a helpful guide to some of the important events coming up. Mark them on your calendar!
- Saturday of Lazarus/Palm Cross/Candle prep: Apr. 20
- Palm Sunday: Apr. 21
- Holy Week: Apr. 21-27
- Holy Friday (schedule off work & school): Apr. 26
- The Great and Holy Pascha: Apr. 28
“ONE HOLY TRINITY” – Please Make Your Commitment and Submit Your 2019 Stewardship Pledge Card
Once again, this year’s stewardship pledge card system carries the theme of ONE Holy Trinity. Just like God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one, we, the members of Holy Trinity Church, need to join together in love as one to serve the Church and to provide for its critical missions in today’s society. Our member-funded church needs each and every one of us, no matter the amount. And remember, a signed pledge card is required as part of maintaining your membership in good standing at Holy Trinity Church each year. We’re grateful to all of you for your commitment. If you have any questions, please see a member of the Stewardship Committee or visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/stewardship.
Visitation Ministry Team Volunteers
The Visitation Ministry is always in need of volunteers to share their talent and time. We need volunteers who may enjoy visiting our homebound family members, designing crafts, baking cookies, transporting individuals to doctor appointments, reading the Bible at the bedside of one who is sick or has poor vision, offering grocery shopping or medication pickup at the local pharmacy, praying for those who are in need, providing a listening ear to those grieving loss, mailing cards to those who need encouragement, and so much more. If you are interested and want to learn more about our Visitation Ministry, please contact Amy Armanious at 412-628-0973 or email visitation@holytrinitypgh.org.
Holding a Ministry Activity or Committee Meeting at Church? Reservations Required!
Our community and its ministries are growing! If your ministry or committee is planning a meeting or activity and you are planning to hold it at the church, please note that reservations for rooms and event spaces are required. Please call the Church Office at 412-366-8700 and speak to our Office Administrator, Mary Portellos. There have been times when all the spaces have been filled, so your cooperation helps ensure every group that needs a place has one and helps minimize space conflicts. We have a beautiful facility – let’s work together so everyone who needs it can use it. Thank you!
Welcome, Holy Trinity Guests!
We welcome all our guests to Holy Trinity Church today, whether as visitors from out of town, family members joining others here for worship today or even soon-to-be members here for the first time. No matter what the reason the Holy Spirit brought you here today, we welcome you with open arms and hearts filled with the love of Christ. Please help us welcome you by signing in at the hospitality table in the Narthex, where you will be presented with a yellow lapel Cross to help our Holy Trinity family know you're here. Please fill out an information card so we can contact you with any information you may need concerning life here at Holy Trinity Church. Following Liturgy, we invite you to stop by our Connect Center located in the Gallery and join us for our Fellowship Coffee hour.
About Receiving Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church
As an extension of our hospitality and outreach ministries, we welcome all who have come to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, an inquirer to the faith or a first-time guest in an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us and thankful for the opportunity to share and bear witness to this ancient and timeless Faith. In accordance with the holy canons and traditions of the Church, please note that Holy Communion and the other Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) are received only by those who are baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared through prayer, fasting and confession. All others are invited receive the antidoron (blessed bread) and a blessing from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. The antidoron is not a sacramental offering but is blessing and a reflection of the agape (love) feast that followed worship in the ancient Christian Church. Please join our parish family for hospitality after the holy services and allow us to meet and welcome you. Interested in joining or learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith? Please see one of our priests or complete a visitor’s card today!
For those who do receive, please remember the following helpful hints aimed at helping to preserve the solemnity and safety of the Holy Mystery: 1) The Church School Staff only is asked to please proceed first to receive from the left-most chalice so they may depart for their classrooms before their students arrive; 2) All other students, parishioners and Orthodox Christian guests, please remain at your place until you are dismissed by the Parish Council down the center aisle only; 3) We respectfully ask women to remove their lipstick before approaching the Holy Chalice; 4) Please wait in the Holy Communion line reverently, prayerfully and quietly without talking; 5) It is traditional as we approach with awe that we make the sign of the Cross or bow down with a “metanoia” as an act of humility before the Lord; 5) Be sure to offer your baptismal name to priest before receiving; 6) Please take great care to place the red cloth under your chin and to fully open your mouth so that none of the precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled, then to dab your lips on the cloth afterwards so none of the Holy Gifts are left on other objects. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God have mercy on us all!