TODAY’S EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 

Memorials Today

Memorial prayers will be offered at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy today for the repose of the souls of the servants of God, Betty Beckas (15 years) and the departed members of our Ladies Philoptochos. May their memory be eternal!

Philoptochos Sunday

Today, our Holy Trinity Philoptochos will host “Philoptochos Sunday”, a day on which we and parishes around the Archdiocese celebrate many years of Philoptochos service to our church, our community, our friends and our families. In honor of that event, the Philoptochos will host a memorial for departed members, coffee hour, and a special collection for the benefit of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Thank you for supporting them! Also, a special thank you to Kay Balouris for preparing the Artoclasia and Koliva and to all the Philoptochos members who contributed food items for coffee hour!

Stewardship Sunday Today

Today marks the launch of the 2020 Holy Trinity Stewardship drive. At the conclusion of Liturgy, we will collect the 2020 pledge cards that you brought in. Under the banner, “ONE HOLY TRINITY,” the focus once again this year will be for the entire community to support all the needs of the Church as one. It also means that each ONE of us can make a difference for the betterment and future growth of our Church.  For those who received the cards late or have not had a chance to complete them, please take the time to carefully review it and consider increasing your prior year commitment, just as we continue to grow as a community.  Also, if you haven’t yet participated in the mortgage payoff drive, you still have the opportunity to do so.  This is an exciting year, as we’re hoping, with your help, to completely pay off the mortgage debt!  We’d appreciate it if you mail your pledge cards as soon as possible, so that we can begin our financial plan for 2020.  Thank you to all who are generously giving of their three Ts - We couldn’t do what we do without you and are grateful to God for your continued love and support.

Services This Week: (“SG” = St. George Chapel)

Wednesday, November 13: 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – St. John Chrysostom (SG)

Saturday, November 16: 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy – St. Matthew the Evangelist (SG)

[Nov 12-13] “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.
• Tues. Nov 12, 7:00pm “Journey of Marriage” Marriage Prep Ministry
• Marriage preparation for couples using the excellent and interactive “Journey of Marriage” materials developed by Dr. Philip Mamalakis. From “Hello!” to honeymoon, this series educates and equips couples for fruitful Orthodox Christian married life. It’s fun, interactive and a great way to prepare.
• Wed. Nov 13, 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).

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.

[Nov 15] “Drop and Shop” Evening for Parents

Attention ALL Holy Trinity parents: As an offering of “Thanks for all you do for us,” the teens of Holy Trinity GOYA are watching the kids for the night for free! "Drop and Shop" gives parents a free night to get Christmas shopping done while the kids have fun with their Holy Trinity friends. Drop them off at the church this Friday, November 15 at 6:00pm and be back by 9:00pm to pick them up. This opportunity is open to ALL Holy Trinity parents of children from toddler through sixth grade. The is no charge for this event, but advance reservation is required. Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events or sign up after Liturgy in the Gallery.

[Nov 17] Military Appreciation Day – Next Sunday!

 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. Also, our gratitude will be further demonstrated by a Card Signing event by all parishioners during Coffee Hour. The cards will be distributed in care packages to Deployed Troops, Veterans, First Responders, and Wounded Warriors by Operation Gratitude. May God bless all those who have served and/or continue to serve with honor and courage! Finally, Clipping coupons for a cause…Coups for Troops is another way we support overseas military families.  Please collect manufacturer’s coupons (internet printed included) in categories of Food, Non-food, Baby, and Pets to be donated by our HT family for overseas distribution.  We were blessed and excited with participation in last year’s beautiful celebration, and we hope you will join us again this year on Sunday, November 17^th. 

[Nov 22] HOPE and JOY Thanksgiving Celebration

Good grief it’s Thanksgiving already! Please plan to join HOPE (grades K-2) and JOY (grades 3-6) on Friday, November 22 at 6:00pm for a pasta dinner and bring a Lenten side or dessert to share. We will eat a meal together and watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” on the big screen in the Grand Room (bring a pillow or blanket if you like!). Pasta, popcorn, and some movie snacks provided. Please RSVP to Irini Zeliznik at ihazatones@yahoo.com or Nicole Steiner at littlefieds@yahoo.com to let us know what you are bringing to share and how many are attending.

[Nov 22-24] Metropolis GOYA Fall Retreat 

The 2019 Metropolis GOYA Fall Retreat will be held at Camp Nazareth from Friday, Nov 22 through Sunday Nov 24. GOYAns will receive information on the Holy Trinity reduced fee code through the GOYA email system.

[Nov 24] Sisters of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery – Christmas Boutique

The Sisters of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery in Saxonburg, PA will be visiting Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, November 24. Please be sure to stop by and visit their Christmas Boutique in the Gallery following Liturgy. You can help to support the Monastery while getting an early start on your Christmas gift shopping this year!

[Nov 24] Ladies Philoptochos Meeting

The Philoptochos will hold a meeting on Sunday, November 24 in the Fireside Room following Divine Liturgy. Please note that this is a rescheduled date. All members and all who would like to become involved in this philanthropic ministry are invited to attend.

[Nov 24] Ladies 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 24^th to get started on your holiday baking!  Don’t forget to pick up an order form for your Christmas baked goods too!

[Dec 1] Church School Reminder: Thanksgiving Outreach - Bring Your Bags of Food for FOCUS

Attention Church School Students: Last week you received brown grocery bags and an instruction sheet for the annual FOCUS Food Drive for the needy. Please remember to collect your items and return them to your classroom next Sunday or by Sunday, December 1, at the latest. Thank you for your generosity!

[Dec 2] Bereavement Support Ministry: Monthly Group Sessions - Come & Join Us

Our Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in time of grief and loss. If you have questions about grief, want to learn more, and share conversation, then please attend our next Bereavement Support Group session on Monday, December 2^nd in the Fireside Room. Please feel free to bring a photo of your loved one too.  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. Doesn’t matter if your loss has been recent or many years ago… just come. 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

[Jan 26] Looking for Holy Trinity’s Top Male Chefs – Rescheduled - SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendars for a fun evening feasting on edible creations from our top Holy Trinity Male Chefs! “Men Who Cook” will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 in the Grand Room. Join us as Holy Trinity’s most notable men compete for the coveted title of HT’s Top Chef! Guests will visit food stations and be served samples of appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts. Vote for all your favorite chefs via tip jars in this friendly fundraising competition! Reservations are $30.00 per person. Proceeds to benefit the HT Capital Campaign, kitchen needs and FOCUS Pittsburgh. If you are interested in competing for the title, please see Kathy Balouris or Karen Georgiadis or email them at social@HolyTrinityPgh.org.  More details to follow!

In the Hospital? Home-Bound? Please let the Church Office know! 
In today’s age of information privacy, churches are not notified when parishioners are admitted to hospitals, nursing homes or other care facilities. Both those facilities and your church depend on having the church notified by a friend or family member so that pastoral care and outreach can be offered. The same goes for those homebound. If you or any of your loved ones are in any of these situations, please contact the Church Office at 412-366-8700 to request a visit from our priests or our new and wonderful Visitation Ministry. Also, interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

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.

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!

Online Giving Reminder

Holy Trinity Church’s online giving program makes it possible to make contributions of various kinds to Holy Trinity Church online. Our secure system allows you to conveniently make donations online. You can choose to make a one-time contribution or establish a recurring weekly or monthly contribution. Best of all, you don’t need to remember to write a check or bring your offering to church - it’s already taken care of! Payments can be made via checking account, savings account, credit card or debit card. Visit www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/give to get started!

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 Memorials Dec 1: Diana Andromalos-Dale (1 year)