Special Prayers: Please pray for the spiritual and physical health of the whole world, and especially Despina Xynidis, Betty Day, Jim Manos, Jane Anderson, Steve Sarris, Chresanthe Lemieux, Pamela “Stormy” Cobbs, Juliana “Cindy” Clardy and others in this community in need.
Upcoming Services and Events:
(PLEASE SEE HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE)
- Sunday, Apr 9 Palm Sunday Luncheon following Divine Liturgy, benefitting Asterakia Dance Group
- Sunday, Apr 16 Pascha Potluck Picnic following the Agape Service - Sign-up Today!
- Sunday, Apr 23 General Assembly following Divine Services (Lunch will be served with fellowship items)
Sunday School News: Please mark your calendars for our annual Holy Friday Youth Retreat on April 14th “Together in Christ.” Plan to have your children spend Great and Holy Friday in between the morning services.
Philoptochos Meeting: Sunday, April 30th.
Holy Trinity Stewardship: Stewardship is an opportunity to examine our priorities and values, to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It allows us to participate in the work of God. Bearing fruit in the world is the visible result of our abiding in Christ, the True Vine. Please take the time to make your 2017 Holy Trinity Church Stewardship commitment and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care.
Weekly Offering: We support this church by sharing of our time, talents, and treasures. If each of us gives in proportion to God’s blessings upon us, our church will continue to flourish. Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.
April 2, 2017 Offerings: Candles $143, Tray $75, Stewardship $5927.66
Do you have changes to your contact information? Please email any updates or changes to the church at holy3goc@gmail.com or leave a message at the church office, 904.829.0504.
Asterakia Dance Group: Practices are resuming for the Asterakia dancers. The children meet in the large Sunday school classroom during coffee hour. Lessons are 30 – 45 minutes long. New students are welcomed. For more information, please see Angela Lekos. The following are the upcoming dates for the practices:
Sunday, April 9th –NO practice (hosting Palm Sunday Luncheon)
Sunday, April 23rd
Sunday, April 30th
Sunday, May 7th
Do you need documentation of your 2016 contributions to Holy Trinity for tax purposes? Please contact HTGOC Treasurer Nicola Lykam at church office holy3goc@gmail.com or leave a message for her at the office (904) 829.0504.
Reminders about Approaching for Holy Communion: All Baptized/Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared to receive Holy Communion are asked to wait in their pews for the direction of the usher guiding Communicants row-by-row up the center aisle. Families with children are encouraged to Commune together. The usher will first guide from the back of the church those Newly Baptized/Illumined and Families with Infants, followed by the Sunday School Children processing with their teachers.
Pascha Traditions: How do you prepare for and celebrate Pascha? The Holy Trinity Church Family has some longstanding traditions to which you can add your own! All are encouraged to continue fasting, giving alms for the benefit of others, praying for one another, for the world, and especially for Father John and his family serving us in the interim. Also, plan and set aside time to attend the weekday services and Holy Week Services (see schedule). Beautify the Church with your presence, service, talent, and offerings:
v Donations for Flowers are being received to decorate at least 8 festal icons, the Kουβουκλιων/Kouvouklion (wooden tomb) and Επιτάφιος/Epitaphios (the embroidered icon of Christ crucified), rose petals, lilies & other flowering plants. Allocate donations as “Holy Week & Pascha Flowers”, noting as a gift of honor or memorial.
v Good Friday Retreat & Preparations Set aside the day as a church family to join in prayerful contemplation and preparation between the first two services with a Sunday School Retreat, small & large floral tasks, careful cleaning, and a strict fast potluck lunch for sustenance.
v “Kandilia” Luminaries Holy Trinity will continue our “KANDILIA” Luminaries Easter tradition by lighting the pathway for the Epitaphion, Holy and Great Friday Evening, and again Saturday night for the Pascha service. We will be offering lighted luminary bags for you to honor a loved one or the memory of a dearly departed. Bags may be purchased for $10 through the church office or by contacting Jessamy Gaetanos.
v Mαγειρίτσα/Magiritsa Fellowship Together we will break the fast after the midnight services of Pascha and the Blessing of the Meats, enjoying the traditional breaking of the eggs with the Greek lamb and chicken soups
v Agape Sunday Gospel Readers If you speak any other language than English, please read the Gospel so we may proclaim The Good News of Christ’s Resurrection to the entire world!
v Pascha Potluck Picnic & Easter Egg Hunt Gather your families, friends, neighbors & favorite foods and plan for fun activities for all!!The sign-up sheet listing categorical needed items(s) is in the hall, or you can call the office in reply.
Church Alarm Code & Password has been changed: Please ask an Executive Officer of the Parish Council or contact the office if you need access to the church outside of service and business hours.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Holy Week Schedule 2017
April 8/9 - 16
Lazarus Saturday: Orthros/Liturgy @ 9/10 a.m. (followed by making of palm crosses, church cleaning & decorating, etc.)
Palm Sunday: Orthros/Liturgy @ 9/10 a.m.
Holy Monday: Bridegroom Orthros (Nymphios) @ 6 p.m.
Holy Tuesday: Bridegroom Orthros (Nymphios) @ 6 p.m.
Holy Wednesday: Holy Unction Service @ 6 p.m.
Holy Thursday: Vesperal Liturgy (Mystical Supper) @ noon (Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great)
Holy Thursday: 12 Passion Gospels @ 6 p.m.
Great and Holy Friday: Royal Hours @ 9 a.m.
Great and Holy Friday: Vespers @ 3 p.m. (Removal of Christ’s Body from the Cross)
Great and Holy Friday: Orthros (Lamentations) @ 6 p.m. (Lamentations service, with procession with Epitaphios )
Great and Holy Saturday: Vesperal Liturgy (Descent into Hades) @ 10 a.m. (Vespers with Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great)
Great and Holy Saturday & Holy Pascha: Resurrection Service @ 11 p.m. (Midnight Office, Resurrectional Procession, Orthros, and Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom – followed by Paschal meal and fellowship with “Margiritsa”)
Great and Holy Pascha: Agape Vespers @ noon (Followed by potluck picnic, Easter egg hunt, etc.)