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, Diana Andromalos-Dale (1 year). Her family will be sponsoring the Coffee Hour today. May her memory be eternal!

Welcome Father Peter and Presvytera Vangie!

Today we welcome Father Peter Orfanakos of the Saint Barbara Church in Orange, CT, along with his and Father John’s sister, Presvytera Vangie, who are in town for the Thanksgiving holiday. Thank you for joining us today!

OUTREACH NEWS: FOCUS Christmas Angel Tags – Limited Number Available Today

Thank you to all who participated in the Angel project again this year! Through this wonderful outreach, 95 children and 20 senior citizens will receive a gift from Santa, thanks to your generosity and outpouring of support. A very small number of tags are still available, so please pick up yours today after Liturgy.

Please remember that gifts are due back to the church no later than next Sunday, December 8^th.

Visitation Ministry Christmas Gift Delivery – Sign Up Today - We Need Your Help!

The Home Visitation Ministry has prepared Christmas gifts for parishioners who are homebound or in nursing facilities. We need visitors who are willing to deliver the gifts. Volunteers are asked to sign up TODAY at the VM table in the Gallery. Gifts will be ready for pickup next Sunday, Dec 8. Allow God to use your hands and time to bless those in need this Christmas season!  

“Feed the Homeless” 2020 Dates Available at Pleasant Valley Shelter – Sign Up Today!

Holy Trinity has a long-standing commitment to serve meals to the men at Pleasant Valley homeless shelter.  The organization has just made available our dinner dates for 2020.  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.  The following five dates are available, to prepare and serve these men dinner - they are all Sunday evenings. (They're served dinner at 8:00pm. Our volunteers bring the cooked food to the shelter and serve it): Jan 12; Mar 8; May 10; July 12; and Sept 13.  Please see Mike Kritiotis today, or contact him at 412-518-0588, or at mkritiotis@gmail.com to sign up your family/group/ministry.

GOYA Turkey Bowl Today

The GOYA will hold its annual Turkey Bowl Football Game today following Divine Liturgy. This is a fun and friendly GOYA tradition, and everyone is invited: players, non-players, cheerleaders, parents and fans! Players should bring a change of clothes and shoes for play. The flag football game will be followed by hot chocolate, meatless “walking tacos” and other goodies. Yum!

Services This Week

Wed. Dec 4, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: St. Barbara the Great Martyr & St. John of Damascus (St. George Chapel)

Thurs. Dec 5, 7:00pm: Great Vespers of St. Nicholas (St. Nicholas Cathedral, 419 S Dithridge St, Pgh, PA 15213)

Fri. Dec 6, 8:30am Orthros/10:00am Liturgy: St. Nicholas (St. Nicholas Cathedral, 419 S Dithridge St, Pgh, PA 15213)

[Dec 2-4] “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.
• Mon. Dec 2, 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. Dec 3, 9:30am “Women’s Book Club” – The new “Women’s Book Club” ministry 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 is studying “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers. All women are welcome.
• Wed. Dec 4, 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.

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

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 tomorrow, 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

Philoptochos Turkey Fundraiser - Thank You!

The Ladies Philoptochos would like to thank everyone who has donated to their Annual Turkey Fundraiser for their kindness and generosity. Because of you, 19 families will have a brighter Christmas and, because of you, 3 school backpack initiatives, 2 women’s shelters, and 3 food pantries will benefit.  If you have not yet sent in your donation, there is still time to support this worthy cause.  Checks can be made payable to "Holy Trinity Philoptochos" with “Turkey Fundraiser” written on the memo line and mailed to the church office. Thank you very much!

[Dec 1, 8, 13, 14] Christmas Pageant Rehearsals

This year’s Christmas pageant will once again be an “all new” Holy Trinity production, so everyone will need to be there for rehearsals. It’s going to be exciting, so please don’t miss out!

Sun. Dec. 1 & 8: Rehearsal will take place for grades 7-12 following Divine Liturgy and Church School. Please plan on staying until 12:30pm after Liturgy to make sure everything is completed. Teachers will have specific information for their classes.

Fri. Dec. 13: Rehearsal for grades 7-12 will take place during the GOYA Bread baking evening. All teens are asked to be there to help bake and rehearse.

Sat. Dec. 14: The complete cast rehearsal for the Holy Trinity Church School Christmas Pageant will be held on Saturday morning, December 14.

• From 9:00am to 10:00am, Pre-School through Sixth grades will rehearse their parts.
• From 9:00 am to 10:00am, the Junior Choir will rehearse their songs.
• From 9:00am to 10:00am, the instrumental musicians will rehearse their performance.
• From 9:30am to 11:00am, all 7^th – 12^th grades will rehearse the pageant.
• Also note: “Bonus” attendance credit will be given for all students who participate that day.

[Dec 6] Holy Trinity Christmas Card and Poinsettias Forms Due December 6
Please remember that the forms and donations for the Holy Trinity Community Christmas Card and Poinsettias are due by this Friday, December 6. Forms can be found in the November edition of the Herald and at the church office window.

[Dec 7] GOYA Fireside Chat

The GOYA teen ministry will hold its annual Christmas Fireside Chat on Sunday, December 8 from 3:00-6:00pm. Information and location is being sent directly to GOYA families on the GOYA email and Remind systems.

[Dec 8] Parish Council Elections

Elections for the 2020-2021 Parish Council term will be held on Sunday, December 8 immediately following Divine Liturgy. Voting requires membership in good standing including submitting a signed 2019 Holy Trinity Stewardship Pledge Card.

[Dec 8] Philoptochos Holiday Bake Sale – Deadline to Place Your Orders

As we approach the holiday season let the ladies of the Philoptochos help check something off your list!  It is time for our annual Holiday Bake Sale of Spanakopita, Tiropita, Baklava, Kourambiedes, Koulourakia, Finikia, Paximadia and Sweet Breads. Order forms are available at the church office window and were also included in the November edition of the Herald.  Order now as quantities are limited!  All orders must be received and PREPAID by Sunday, December 8. Orders will be ready for pick up following Liturgy on Sunday, December 22. Questions? Call Nicole Steiner at 412-781-6109.

[Dec 11, 20] Philoptochos Baking Dates

We will be preparing homemade pastries and breads for our Holiday Bake Sale.  If you are available to help with baking on any of the days, please join us for an hour or more! Don’t know how to make Greek pastries? We offer on the job training!  Any questions? Please call Nicole Steiner 412-781-6109.

• Wednesday, Dec 11: 9am-4pm Pastry Making             Friday, Dec 20: 9am-4pm Sweet Bread

[Dec 12] Philoptochos Senior Christmas Luncheon – Reservation Deadline TODAY!

Holy Trinity members age 60 and over are cordially invited to our annual Philoptochos Senior Christmas Luncheon on Thursday, December 12. The Luncheon will begin at 11:00am in our Grand Room following the 9:30am Feast Day Liturgy of St. Spyridon. TODAY is the final day to RSVP for your lunch selection (choice of Chicken, Fish, or Pasta) to Yvonne Balouris 724-934-4850 or ybalouris@zoominternet.net.

[Dec 13] GOYA Christmas Bread Baking

All GOYA teens and any available parents are asked to be on duty for GOYA Christmas Bread baking on Friday, December 13. Parents are asked to come during the daytime starting at 9:00am. Teens are asked to be there after school and through to the end of the job in the evening. There will also be Christmas Pageant rehearsal for grades 7-12 that evening.

[Dec 15] Church School Christmas Pageant           

The Holy Trinity Church School ministry will be offering its annual Christmas Pageant this year on Sunday, December 15. ALL the students of the Church School will be involved in this event. On that day, following Holy Communion, all Church School students and staff will depart for their classes and final preparations for the pageant. All our parishioners are asked to stay for the pageant and coffee hour in the social hall. Also, please note: Coffee Hour that day is sponsored by the Holy Trinity Church School Alumni. Any parents or graduates that would like to help, please contact Presvytera Becky.

[Dec 18] Community Christmas Caroling at Sisters of Divine Providence

Want to get into the Christmas spirit and do a good deed for our neighbors at the same time? How about joining in on a new annual tradition at Holy Trinity Church: Christmas caroling across the street at the Sisters of Divine Providence! These elderly nuns truly enjoy when we come with parishioners of all ages: adults, college students, GOYA, JOY, HOPE…everyone! Meet at 6:30pm on Wednesday, December 18 for a brief practice and then we will head across the way for this wonderful event. Everyone is invited to participate!

[Dec 22 & Dec 29] No Church School Class

Attention, parents: there will be no Church School class on Sunday, December 22 and Sunday, December 29 due to the holiday celebrations, so please join together and worship as a family on those days.

[Dec 24, 25] Services for the Nativity of Christ

Please remember these festal celebrations for the Nativity of Christ and participate in them with your family. Please note that all Christmas services will be held at Holy Trinity Church.

• Tues. Dec. 24, 9:30 am: Royal Hours of the Nativity
• This special service offers readings, prophecies and hymns which point to and interpret the Divine Incarnation.
• Tues. Dec. 24, 6:30pm: Vesperal Liturgy of the Nativity
• This service “opens the liturgical day” and begins the celebration of the Nativity.  Also, the Holy Trinity Choir will be offering a selection of beautiful Christmas carols following the service. (Note: This is not a Divine Liturgy. Those wishing to receive Holy Communion need to attend the Liturgy of the Forefeast of the Nativity on Sunday morning or Christmas morning on Tuesday.)
• Wed. Dec. 25. 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Liturgy: The Nativity
• This is the main service of the Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Open the best gift first by attending Liturgy with your family and receiving the Holy Mysteries together! Make it a family tradition to keep the most important thing about Christmas the most important thing in your home!

“ONE HOLY TRINITY” – Please Make Your Commitment and Submit Your 2020 Cards Today – AND, be Sure to Fulfil your 2019 Pledge!

Once again, this year’s 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. If you have not yet received a 2020 pledge card or are new to Holy Trinity, please note that additional pledge cards can be found at the Welcome Table located in the Narthex of the church.  Also, this is the time to catch up and fulfil/exceed your 2019 pledge.  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.

[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 and are available at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org/events. 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!

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!

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 wonderful Visitation Ministry. Also, interested in helping reach out to fellow parishioners in those situations? Please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

Snow Cancellations – Where to Check

Please keep in mind over the winter months that there are a number of options to hear or read about event or service cancellations in the case of snow or inclement weather on the Holy Trinity "Snow Line." First stop: Check our website at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org. To hear by phone, call the church office (412-366-8700) then press option #8 and listen for a recorded weather cancellation announcement. To get updates by computer or smartphone, there are three options: 1) watch the parish email list for email announcements; 2) check the front page of our website, www.HolyTrinityPgh.org; or 3) friend us on Facebook at Facebook.com/holytrinitypgh. Finally, to get information by radio or television, watch the KDKA Storm Center, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is registered there.

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 22: Freda Boyaci (40 days), Sandra Lolis (40 days) and Pitsa Yeatras (40 days)