Services This Week:

 - Tue. Nov. 29, 6:30pm: Great Vespers for the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostles hosted by the Metropolis of Pittsburgh  Order Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (followed by the Regional Parish Council Seminar hosted by Holy Trinity Church)

- Wed. Nov. 30, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Divine Liturgy: St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle (St. George Chapel)

- Thur. Dec. 1, 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Divine Liturgy – The Holy Prophet Nahum and St Ananian the Persian (HT)

            Note: The Dec. 1 service is at Holy Trinity Church followed by the Philoptochos Seniors Christmas Luncheon

Faith & Family Weekdays – Fall 2022

Faith and Family Weekdays is back, and there is something for everyone! Ready to learn more about the Bible, about your Faith, about navigating life’s challenges as a Christian, a woman, or a man? It’s all there. There is something for everyone! Watch the bulletin and check the online calendar at HolyTrinityPgh.org/calendar for details and locations.

 THIS WEEK:

• Mon. Nov. 28, 7:00pm: “Journey to Fullness” – An overview of the Orthodox Christian Faith for newcomers interested in joining or life-long members yearning to deepen their understanding. Videos and Q&A discussion.
• Wed. Nov. 30: No Bible Study. No Bible Study this week.
• Thur. Dec. 1, 7:00am: “Prayer & Panera” – Prayer and Christian fellowship for men. Meet at church promptly at 7:00am for a 15–20-minute morning prayer and scripture, then move up the hill to Panera for 45 minutes of coffee & conversation.

“Journey to Fullness” Fall Introduction to Orthodoxy Series

Interested in learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith? Maybe you are thinking about joining, or maybe you are a life-long member and wish you knew more about this critical and central foundation of your life? Could you explain the Nicene Creed of our Faith to someone who doesn’t understand it? Well, this series is for you. It is an overview of the Orthodox Christian Faith for newcomers or life-long members yearning to deepen their understanding. The six-week series meets on Mondays at 7:00pm. The format is a combination of videos from Father Barnabas Powell and Q&A/discussion. Remaining Fall dates are Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, 19. The series repeats in the Spring. All are welcome!

Fast in preparation for the Nativity of Christ - Through December 24

Please remember that the Fast of the Nativity is underway, lasting until Christmas morning following Liturgy. Though the first part of the fast (through December 12) is lighter, the Fast rises to the level of strict fast for the last two weeks (starting on December 13). Fasting, attendance at services, increased attention to our prayer life and participation in Holy Confession are all important parts of our preparing a place in our heart to receive the Lord at Christmas. Please see Father John with any questions you might have about this important tradition or to schedule a time for Confession.

Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery – Online Auction Concludes Tomorrow

Gerontissa Theophano and the Sisters of the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery invite everyone to participate in an Online Auction. All proceeds support the building of their new Monastery, Chapel, and Byzantine Iconography Studio. You can browse their handiwork, register, and bid online at: www.biddingowl.com/nativitytheotokos until the auction closes at 12:00 noon tomorrow, Monday November 28. You can also make an online donation to their Capital Campaign by visiting www.NativityoftheTheotokosMonastery.org.  Thank you!

Philoptochos Turkey Fundraiser - Thank You!

The Ladies Philoptochos would like to thank everyone who has donated to their Annual Turkey Fundraiser so far, this year.  Your donations will be used to assist local needy families and food banks during the holiday season.  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!

[Nov 28] Work to begin on interior dome repair tomorrow

Starting tomorrow, Monday, November 28, we will be seeing scaffolding erected and repairs started on the interior of the dome in preparation for the arrival of the iconographers in January. Please be prepared to be flexible over the next few weeks and months as sections of seating in the church may be blocked off for work and safety reasons. It’s a great opportunity to change up your regular seat and experience worship from another spot in this beautiful church. The good news: there are no bad seats! Thank you for your patience and understanding. And as announced at the recent Parish Assembly, please stay current with your Consecration and Completion Pledge donations (or make one if you haven’t) so we will have the needed funds to pay for the repairs and completion.

[Dec 1] Annual Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon

The Holy Trinity Philoptochos will host its annual Senior Citizens Christmas Luncheon this Thursday, December 1. The day will begin with church services at 8:30am Orthros/9:30am Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of the Holy Prophet Nahum and St Ananian the Persian, followed by the Luncheon at 11:00am in the Grand Room. Registration for the Luncheon has closed.

[Dec 4] 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 next Sunday, December 4. Please be sure to stop by and visit their Christmas Boutique in the Gallery following Liturgy. You can help to support the Monastery while taking care of your Christmas gift shopping this year!

[Dec 4] Christmas Gift Collection for the Residents of Kane Community Living Center in Ross Township

Spread the joy of the Nativity by offering gifts of love to the residents of Kane Community Living Center! Requested new personal items include: Fleece Blankets, Easy Adult Coloring Books, Large Print Word Search Books, Colored Pencils, Hand Lotion, Lip Balm, Brushes/Combs, Hair Ties, Headbands, Bite Size Candy, Snack Size bags of Chips, Pretzels, Cookies, etc. (Hint; many of these items can be purchased in bulk at the Dollar Tree Store, Costco, or Sam’s Club). Please deliver items to Holy Trinity no later than next Sunday, December 4. No need to wrap! Deposit gifts in the Gallery bin.

[Dec 4] GOYA Fireside Chat

The GOYA teen ministry will hold its annual Christmas Fireside Chat on Sunday, December 4 from 3:00-6:00pm. Information and location is being sent directly to GOYA families on the GOYA email and Remind systems.

[Dec 5] Bereavement Ministry Meeting

Please make plans to join us for our next Bereavement Support Ministry gathering on Monday, December 5. The Holy Trinity Bereavement Support Ministry Team provides spiritual care to our parishioners and their extended family & friends in times of grief and loss of a loved one. Fellowship & Light Refreshments begin at 6:30pm followed by Group Support, Learning and Conversation from 7:00-8:00pm. All are welcome to participate in group sharing or observe through quiet time with others who care. To learn more about our Bereavement Support Ministry and/or our private support sessions, please contact Amy Armanious at visitation@HolyTrinityPgh.org.

[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 Tuesday, December 6. Forms can be found in the November edition of the Herald and at the church office window.

[Dec 18] Holy Trinity 2023 Stewardship/Consecration & Completion Pledges Due – By Card OR Online!

Please complete and return your Holy Trinity 2023 Stewardship Pledge and your Consecration & Completion Pledge by December 18. You may use the printed card or – new this year! – submit yours online at HolyTrinityPgh.org/stewardship.

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 us know that 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 join us for our Hospitality 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. Please join our parish family for Hospitality Hour 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! How to receive: Please remember the following helpful hints aimed at helping to preserve the solemnity and safety of the Holy Mystery. Anyone wearing lipstick should remove it before receiving. Be sure to offer your baptismal name to priest before receiving. Please take great care that the red cloth held by the acolytes (you should not hold it) is fully under your chin and please fully open your mouth so that none of the precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled. Thank you!

Holy Trinity Church Launches “Realm” Parish Management and Giving System

Over the next few weeks, you will be introduced to an exciting new feature at Holy Trinity Church that will help grow our ministry effectiveness, our stewardship growth and our parish administration. Here are some fast facts about it.

• What is Realm? Realm is an online ministry tool designed for real time connection. It helps the church connect with you and helps you connect with your church. Realm allows you to manage your personal information and who is allowed to see it, control your giving, and keep in touch with the groups that matter to you.
• How will Realm help with pledges and offerings? Pledging and giving should be easy.Realm places giving right in the palm of your hands. You may set up recurring gifts, view your giving history, and make changes at any time. Realm automatically records all electronic gifts and adds them to your giving record making it easy for you to give, and easy for our office to manage.
• Is Realm secure? Your privacy is one of our greatest concerns. Our Holy Trinity Realm account is only made up of the people in our church. It’s not like a social network that’s open to everyone. Realm keeps your data safe and gives you control over what information you share and who can see it.
• How do I activate my Holy Trinty Realm account? All current Holy Trinity Stewardship members have received or will receive an activation invitation. If not, please email realm@HolyTrinityPgh.org to get one.

Upcoming Memorials: Dec 4: Harry Paras (1 year), Dec 11: Agapios Kritiotis (1 year), Rhea Pantelakis (1 year)