TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
National Church Music Sunday
Today we will honor those women and men who have heard and responded to the Lord’s invitation to be church musicians: that is, Chanters and Choir members. As church musicians, these people represent the laity in the liturgical dialogue of our worship services. In glory to God, the Holy Trinity, they commit themselves to learning the hymns of our Orthodox faith, understanding the sequence of our liturgical worship, and actively offering their prayers in song to enhance the beauty of our worship. Memorial prayers will also be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy for all our departed Church Musicians and our Holy Trinity Choir members will host the Coffee Hour today.
Flu Shot Clinic Today
Holy Trinity Church will be hosting its 6th Annual Flu Shot Clinic in the Fireside Room following the Divine Liturgy TODAY. Certified immunizing pharmacists from Rite Aid will be here to offer Flu Shots from 11:15 am until 1:30 pm for adult parishioners and children ages 9 years and older. Please be sure to bring your insurance card listing your ID# as there is $0.00 Copay with most insurance plans and Rite Aid will handle the direct billing for the majority of insurances. The standard vaccine for those without insurance is $34.99.
Philoptochos Traditional Greek Dance – Tickets Available for Purchase Today – Deadline Next Sunday!
Please make plans to support our Ladies Philoptochos by attending a Traditional Greek Dance to be held here at Holy Trinity on Friday, October 25 from 7:30 pm until 11:30 pm featuring live music by Panigiri. Tickets are $15 per person and will include complimentary desserts and coffee. Casual Dress – All Ages – Open Seating – Cash Bar – Hot & Cold Appetizer Platters will be available for purchase. For tickets, please stop by the Philoptochos table in the Gallery following Liturgy today! Please note that the deadline to purchase tickets is next Sunday, October 20.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Services This Week:
Friday, October 18: 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – Saint Luke, the Evangelist (St. George Chapel)
[Oct 14-17] “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” This Week
Holy Trinity Church’s “Faith and Family WEEKDAYS” ministry has been updated once again to provide valuable faith growth and learning to the entire Holy Trinity family. Building on the fruits of our five six 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.
- Remember: pray for your Prayer Partner every day!
- Mon. Oct 14, 7:00pm “Discover Orthodoxy” – An all-new teaching series for anyone who wants to learn more about the “fullness of the faith” found in Orthodox Christianity, whether as inquirers, catechumens or life-long members. Interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian? This is for you. Just want to refresh your knowledge of the Faith? This is for you, too! Informative, interesting and interactive.
- Tues. Oct 15, 9:30am “Women’s Book Club” – New! Please see the description listed below.
- Wed. Oct 16, 6:30pm Worship/7:00pm Bible Study: “Explore the Word” - Bible Study Ministry - Prayerfully read the Bible! In Deut. 11, it says, “Lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul.” Each Wednesday come and till your heart in worship in the Church at 6:30pm and then meet at 7:00pm in the Conference Room for the study of the Gospel of St. Matthew led by Father Radu Bordeianu. Learn the Scriptures. Depend your faith. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3.18).
- Thu. Oct 17: “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!
- Thu. Oct 17, 6:30pm Worship: Paraclesis Service to the Theotokos at St. George Chapel. The Paraclesis, also known as the Service of Supplication, is offered monthly at our St. George Chapel. It contains hymns and prayers asking the Lord for guidance, personal strength and healing. We will alternate three different services throughout the remainder of the year: to the Theotokos (Oct 17); to St. Nektarios (Nov 21) and to St. Paisios (Dec 19).
[Oct 15] NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN: Women’s Book Club
The Faith and Family Weekdays ministry presents a new “Women’s Books Club”. This new opportunity takes a “for women, by women” approach to providing time for prayer, fellowship and discussion that is geared toward the lives and hearts of women. The group will be studying “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers, which has been described as an “icon book in Christian circles” and “definitely the best book I've read all year, and probably one of the best books I've ever read.” The group meets from 9:30-11:00am on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the Fireside Room. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15. If you plan on attending, please see Joyce Athanasiou or Presvytera Becky so your book can be ordered. All women are welcome.
[Oct 20] Philoptochos Meeting
The next Ladies Philoptochos meeting will take place following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 20. New members are always welcome!
[Oct 20] “Grounded in Faith” Coffee Shop
Support our HT Young Adults and enjoy some delicious freshly-ground espresso beverages during coffee hour next week!
[Oct 20] HOPE/JOY Event
Join HOPE/JOY (K – 6th grade) families at Shenot Farm for a hayride on Sunday October 20th at 2:00pm. We will meet near the ticket booth. Please buy your own tickets ($2 per person which includes an apple). Once the group has gathered, we will get in line to get on the hayride together. It will take us out to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. We hope you can join us. If you have any questions, please contact Renee Caromano (rcaromano@hotmail.com).
[Oct 27] Regular Fall General Assembly
Please plan to attend the regular Fall General Assembly on Sunday, October 27. An agenda was mailed in the October edition of the Herald. This Assembly is to review parish life, nominate candidates for the Parish Council and other important committees 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 that, to vote at an assembly or in elections, you must be a member in good standing as defined in the Uniform Parish Regulations. Also, the requirements to run for Parish Council according to the UPR and the Holy Trinity By-Laws are indicated in the nomination form mailed in the Herald. These include, but are not limited to, being an enrolled member in good standing for three years prior to the date of nomination, having a signed 2019 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge card submitted and attending the Parish Council Seminar on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 6:30pm. The Parish Council elections are scheduled for December 1, 2019. Whether it is attending assemblies, being voted on to Council, 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. God has already equipped you with it and is waiting for you to step up and use it. Consider it. Pray about it. What's yours?
[Oct 28] Visitation Ministry Leadership Group Meeting
A Visitation Ministry Leadership Group Meeting will be held on Monday, October 28th, 6:00-8:00pm in Conference Room A.
Church School Theme for 2019/2020: “Grounded in Truth”
Our theme for the 2019/2020 Church School year at Holy Trinity Church is “Grounded in Truth.” This theme is based on the words of Jesus in John 14.6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” In a world which offers many other “truths,” it is essential that we hold firmly to the foundational teaching of the Lord and His Holy Church that real “Truth” is found in Jesus Christ, Who is Himself Truth. And there is no better place for the seeds of Truth to be planted in a child’s heart and mind than in the Holy Church of Christ. Parents, please remember that you are an essential part of the teaching team, for what happens briefly in Church School classes each week must be affirmed and lived in the home, even when pressure to deny that truth comes from elsewhere. As Saint John the Evangelist says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1.4). Thank you for continuing to teach your children Truth, support them in walking in Truth and bringing them each Sunday to experience Him Who is Truth.
Church School Dismissal Times
A message from our Church School Staff to all parents: Please assist us in offering our children the time to fully participate in their lessons each Sunday by allowing them to remain in class until the end of the session. IMPORTANT: ALL CLASSES CONCLUDE AT 11:30am. Parents of Pre-School and Kindergarten students may pick up their children on the upper level Education Center by using the Education Center stairs in the Gallery near the Bookstore. Parents of all other students are asked to wait for their children downstairs in the Gallery or Grand Room during Coffee Hour. Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Attention Current and Prospective Members!
Are you an official member of Holy Trinity Church? Do you know how the church uses the contributions we pledge every year? Did you know that unless you have signed and submitted a “Pledge Card” you aren’t officially a member? As members, we all should know how the church uses the contributions we make and affords you the right to participate in the General Assemblies, where you can find out those answers, as well as understanding the current and future plans for the church. The next General Assembly is on October 27th, so we hope to see you there! For 2020, the Stewardship Committee will be sending out Pledge Cards again this year. They will be available for pick-up in the next couple of weeks. We ask that you to fill them out and bring them back to church on Stewardship Sunday, November 10th. If you haven’t fulfilled your pledge for 2019, please do so. We are in the last few months of the year and need everyone’s participation to fulfill our obligations. Lastly, thank you to all those who have fulfilled their 2019 pledge. We couldn’t do what we do without you and are grateful to God for your continued love and support.
[Nov 17] Military Appreciation Day – Save the Date!
In observance of Veteran’s Day, the Visitation Ministry Team needs your support once again to coordinate a Military Appreciation Day in honor of parishioners, family, and community members who have served and are still serving our country in the military. This tribute will include a memorial service for all veterans and fallen heroes, and special recognition of living veterans and active military service members. Please provide the full name, branch of service, and period of service (if known) for any active-duty, reserve, and military veterans (living or reposed) so that we may offer our prayers and gratitude on this memorable day. It will also be appreciated if you are able to provide a framed photo copy of each honoree (no original photos please) that we will proudly display during Coffee Hour. To submit your service member information and/or to offer your helping hands to the Visitation Ministry Team, please contact Sherry Clayton at 412-216-4793 or saclayton12@yahoo.com. We hope you will join us again this year on November 17th.
[Nov 24] Philoptochos Bake Sale
The Ladies Philoptochos will be offering frozen 9x13 pans of Spanakopita and Tiropita for $35/pan that are ready to bake for the holidays! We will also have ready to serve pans of Baklava for $40/pan (baklava is not individually cupped). Impress your friends and family this Thanksgiving with homemade baked goods and help the Ladies Philoptochos continue their philanthropic work at the same time! Visit our table in the Gallery after liturgy on Sunday, November 24th to get started on your holiday baking! Don’t forget to pick up an order form for your Christmas baked goods too!
Lost and Found Items
There are a number of items that have been left at the Church from the Festival and before! They will be in the Gallery for the next two Sundays. After that.... they will be donated. There are several coats, multiple pairs of shoes and athletic wear. Please stop to see if anything belongs to you or your family
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. Want to CONNECT with a person or ministry? We can help!
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!
Upcoming Memorial October 27: Stella Kalaris (3 years)