TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Regular Spring General Assembly – TODAY
Please plan to attend the regular Spring General Assembly today following Divine Liturgy. An agenda was 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.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL STEWARDSHIP 2019 MOTIVATION: One of the historical practices of a Consecration is to place a list of the names of the community members in the Holy Altar table along with the relics. THIS LIST WILL BE COMPRISED OF ALL HOLY TRINITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR SIGNED 2019 STEWARDSHIP CARD. SO DON’T WAIT THIS YEAR!! PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR SIGNED 2019 STEWARDSHIP CARD NOW. THE DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, APRIL 30. No matter how long you have been at Holy Trinity Church, the only way to have your name placed in this sacred place is to be on the active, signed Stewardship Roster for 2019 by April 30. You don’t have to make all your contributions up front, but you need to have a signed card submitted. Please don’t miss out on this – why wait?
GOYA Meeting – Today
There will be a GOYA Meeting in the Conference Room today following Liturgy. All teens are invited to attend!
Palm Sunday Tickets – Last Day for Advance Purchase!
Today is the last day to purchase your advance tickets for next Sunday’s Palm Sunday GOYA Community Fish Luncheon. 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 next week – and PLEASE get your tickets today.
Visitation Ministry - Card Signing Today
Please be sure to stop by the Visitation Ministry’s table in the Gallery during Coffee Hour today for a card signing. Everyone is encouraged to offer their personal greetings to our fellow parishioners who are homebound, in the hospital or in personal care facilities. Please help us to reach out to all the members of our church family and share the light of Christ and the joy of the Resurrection with them during this Paschal season.
GOYA Lenten Soups: Only One More Week!
GOYA Homemade Lenten Soup Sales are here for only one more week! Need a quick homemade meal? Just add a salad and bread or crackers to these delicious Lenten soups. This week's soups are Minestrone, Seafood Medley and Lentil. Holy Trinity GOYA thanks you for your constant support and wishes everyone a Blessed Lenten Journey.
Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale – Deadline for Orders Today
Today is the last day to place your order for the Philoptochos Pascha Bread Sale. If you would like to order Pascha Bread, please turn in your order form and payment to Nicole Steiner today. Any orders received after today cannot be guaranteed to be filled in full. Thank you to all of those who have already place their order. Pickup your PREPAID order in the Holy Trinity Gallery FOLLOWING Divine Liturgy next week, Palm Sunday, April 21st. Please call Nicole Steiner (412-352-0289) with any questions regarding orders. Don't miss out on this delicious Pascha tradition!
IMPORTANT CHAPEL CONSECRATION NOTES
1. PLEASE RESERVE YOUR SPACE AT THE SERVICE TODAY!
2. PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR BANQUET TICKETS TODAY!
PLEASE SIGN YOUR 2019 STEWARDSHIP CARD TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NAMES LIST
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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.
Visitation Ministry PASCHA BASKETS VISIT/DELIVERY SIGN-UP TODAY!
Please visit the display table in the Gallery after liturgy today to 1) sign up to make a one-time visit to a home/facility-bound parishioner and deliver a Pascha Basket, and/or 2) make a donation to the ministry. Pascha Baskets will be ready for pick up on Palm Sunday, April 21st. We kindly request that all deliveries be made during Holy Week — Palm Sunday 4/21 through Bright Monday, 4/29.
Lenten Vespers – Last one today at 5:00pm
The Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood of Greater Pittsburgh invites you to attend Lenten Vespers at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church (3230 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017) this evening beginning at 5:00pm. Following the service there will be the Veneration of Relic of Saint John Maximovitch and a Lenten reception.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week
- TODAY, Sun. Apr. 14, 5:00pm: LAST Lenten Vespers at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bridgeville, PA
- Mon. Apr. 15, 6:30pm: LAST Great Compline (SG)
- Wed. Apr. 17, 6:30pm: LAST Pre-Sanctified Liturgy followed by Lenten Covered Dish Dinner and “Faith and Family Weekdays” Wednesday Lenten Series presentation – Alex Corkos (HT)
- Sat. Apr. 20, 8:30 am Orthros/9:30 am Liturgy: Saturday of Lazarus (HT) followed by Lenten breakfast and Holy Week preparations and confessions.
“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. 15: “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. If you are simply desiring to brush up on the Faith and missed a session or two? No worries! Each session stands on its own. Jump in any time!
- Wed. Apr. 17: 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. If you are able, please bring a Lenten dish to contribute to the meal (non-meat, non-fish, non-dairy). 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). This week Alex Corkos will speak about “Relationships”.
- Thu. Apr. 18: “Prayer and Panera” Men’s Ministry (7:00am Worship/Session): The Saint Nikodemos Men’s Fellowship hosts this morning session of prayers and Christian fellowship (with coffee and bagels, too!). The group meets at church promptly at 7:00am for a 15-20-minute morning prayer and scripture, then moves up the hill to Panera for 30-45 minutes of coffee, breakfast and Christian men’s conversation on living as a Christian man in today’s world. Change up your morning. Give it a try!
CALLING ALL HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOL STUDENTS & FAMILIES:
Please be sure to attend 9:30am Divine Liturgy on April 20, the Saturday of Lazarus. Receive Holy Communion. Help prepare Palm Crosses and cup candles for Holy Week. Confession will be available. Breakfast will be provided. A great way to prepare for Holy Week and serve your Church!
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[Apr. 20] Saturday of Lazarus Palm Crosses/Candles/Confessions
Calling all Holy Trinity Church School students and staff: Your help is needed to prepare some important items for our Holy Week services! Please be there for ready for Divine Liturgy on the Saturday of Lazarus, and plan to stay and help make of the many Palm Crosses needed for Palm Sunday. Younger students will also have the very important task of preparing the cupped candles for Holy Friday and Holy Saturday evenings. Divine Liturgy is at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Lenten breakfast and the project. GOYA teens will also be setting up for the Palm Sunday luncheon. Confession will also be available for all our youth first, then others as time permits. Parents, please be sure to attend with your children and family. NOTE: Help and food donations are being requested for the breakfast. Sign up in the Gallery today following Liturgy or contact Presvytera Becky by Tuesday at the latest. Thank you!
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.
[Apr. 26] Help Decorate the Epitaphion on Holy Friday
As we prepare to celebrate Pascha, please consider taking the day off from school or work on Holy Friday. School excuses from the Father John will be available for those who attend and help. All ages are invited to come to the church and help with decorating the Kouvouklion (which contains the Epitaphion - Tomb of Christ) with flowers immediately following the 9:30am Service of the Royal Hours (the service lasts approximately one hour). Please come to make this one of your offerings of dedicated love and service to the Lord as we honor His Holy Passion in His Holy Church. (NOTE: This is a FAMILY opportunity, not a “drop-off” event. Young children must be supervised by a responsible adult.)
[Apr. 27] Come to the Anastasi Services and Dinner! – Saturday Evening
Don’t forget to make plans to attend the Resurrection Orthros, Liturgy and Dinner at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday evening/early morning of Pascha. Following the liturgical celebration of the Resurrection, join your family, friends and other members of Holy Trinity to break the fast and celebrate the Feast of Feasts! Free-will offerings will be accepted for this community celebration.
[Apr. 28] Agape Vespers Candy Hunt
The Church School ministry is again sponsoring the annual Paschal Candy Hunt on the lawn of the church (weather permitting) on Pascha following the Agape Vespers Service at 12:00 p.m. All the children are invited to come for this beautiful and bright service. It is an especially good way for those with small children who are not able to attend the midnight service to share in a special celebration of Pascha. NOTE: Parent volunteers are needed to help coordinate this event. It’s not too much work, so two parents would do. Please step up and contact Presvytera Becky to volunteer. Thank you!
[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 by email at Visitation@holytrinitypgh.org
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. Please call/text Maria Georgiadis at 724-991-5129 with any questions. Easter Bread Baking will take place this Thursday, April 18th from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Easter Bread pick-up will take place on Palm Sunday, April 21st. Today is your last day place your Easter Bread orders! 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.
[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
[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.
[May 31] Deadline for “Second Chance” on Paver Project
We all deserve second chances! Between now and May 31st, we are offering a one-time-only second-chance for you to be a part of this beautiful project or to add that paver you were thinking about but didn’t do the first time around. Please email Kathy Balouris and Karen Georgiadis for more information or to secure your paver at pavers@HolyTrinityPgh.org
[Jun 2] Holy Trinity Dance Troupe – Spaghetti Dinner
On Sunday, June 2nd following Liturgy, our Holy Trinity Dance Troupe will host a Spaghetti Dinner in the Grand Room. All donations will go toward purchasing new dance costumes! Donations per ticket are $10 per Adult and $5 per Student.
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
Volunteer Needed - One Date - July 14 - Now Available for Pleasant Valley Shelter Dinner
This shelter, near our old neighborhood on the North Side, provides overnight accommodations to 30 homeless men, 365 nights each year and relies totally on volunteers to feed the men. We have one date that is now open for HT volunteers to provide this dinner: Sunday, July 14. Please contact Mike Kritiotis today at 412-518-0588, or at mkritiotis@gmail.com to sign your family/group/ministry up. Thank you, good and faithful stewards!
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!
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
[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.
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
[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.
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!