A Word from Fr. John:

I can’t resist a favorite Old Testament verse, from I Samuel 15: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

Also, from St. John Chrysostom: “What then do I ask of you? That each of you take in hand that part of the Gospel which is to be read in your presence on the first day of the week or even on the Sabbath; and before that day comes, sit down at home and read it through. Consider often and carefully its content, and examine all its parts well, noting what is clear, what is confusing, what seems to assist the position of the adversaries [i.e., heretics and non-Orthodox Christian teaching] but really does not. And, in a word, when you have sounded every point, then go to hear it read. From such zeal as this there will be no small benefit both to you and to me.” (And from Fr. John – “Ditto St. John Chrysostom’s words also for the Epistle reading!”)

New Church Hours for Fr. John:  Schedule for Fr. John’s Church/”In St. Augustine” hours for remainder of the summer:  

• Monday: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.…………….Pastoral office hours from 11:00 – 2:00 are available for drop-ins or appointments.
• Wednesday: 1 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ……......Pastoral office hours from 1:30 - 3:30, by appointment only.
• Friday: 9 a.m. – Noon .………………..........Approximately every other week, as needed.

Special Prayers:  With continued prayers for the newly reposed Elizabeth “Dolly” Welling (8/11) and for God's protection, strength, healing, and guidance, we continue hoping that He fulfil the ongoing and daily needs of Fred Allen, Jane Anderson, Betty Day, Chresanthe Lemieux, Nicola Lykam, Jim Manos, Steve Sarris, Despina Xynidis, Nicola & Michael Lykam’s friend’s young child, Kaden Hammellour, parish and missionary families, and catechumens preparing for Illumination

Holy Trinity Master Calendar:   A Master Calendar is maintained and, with submitted updates to the office, is kept up-to-date on the website. This calendar can be printed or downloaded. This will help coordinate all efforts and events. Dates will yet be included in the weekly bulletinand help involve others in the work of our Parish.  Actively and enthusiastically participating in a parish’s ministries and functions grow the possibility of a culture that is overflowing with joy, peace and love—a true reflection and presence of The Kingdom of Heaven.

Outreach: Help! Last year there were 895 homeless students recorded in St. Johns County, and the St. Johns County School’s ASSIST program needs all the help they can get! They have a critical need for the following:

• School Supplies (pens, #2 pencils, lined paper, folders, notebooks, backpacks, etc.)
• Gift Cards to Wal-Mart and Publix as well as gas cards
• Hygiene products
• Cleaning supplies

We are currently collecting items in the yellow bin located on the counter adjacent to where coffee is served. To leave larger items or for more information, please contact Dick Billeter or Susan Stone. 

Upcoming Services and Events:

• Bible Study every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

• August Coffee Hostess –

ü  August 20^th– Joan Manias, Angela Lekos –Philoptochos Name Day Luncheon

• Today, August 20^th Luncheon commemorating the Feast Day of the Dormition of the Theotokos (8/15)

• August 25^th – 27^th St. Demetrios Daytona Beach Reach – Fun at the beach with religious lessons. For info call 386 252-6012.

• Center for Family Care– Please visit www.family.goarch.org for information about activities and events.

ü  September 20^th – 23^rd  Family Ministry Conference in Pittsburgh, PA –“The Orthodox Family in a Changing World”

• Upcoming Events – Holy Trinity will welcome Metropolis events for which we need hosts/hostesses.  Please check your calendars and be in touch with Nelda in the Church office if you or your ministry group would like to coordinate our attentive hospitality to registrants for:

ü  September 16^th – 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Workshop for couples, “Preparing for the Journey of Marriage”

(Philoptochos hosting)

ü  November 18^th  –  Parish Council Training Seminar (Parish Council will host)

Greek Festival – Volunteers Needed:  

ü  Food Prep (Pasta Dish)                                    Sept 8^th – 2-10 p.m.             Sept 9^th–10 a.m. - ?    

ü  Food Prep (Rolling Grape Leaves)                Sept 22^nd – 2-10 p.m.          Sept 23^rd –10 a.m. - ?  

ü  Food Prep (Egg Plant Dish)                              Sept 29^th – 2-10 p.m.           Sept 30^th – 10 a.m. - ?     

ü  Food Prep (Pork & Chicken)                            Oct 6^th – 2-10 p.m.               Oct 7^th – 10 a.m. - ?  

Volunteers needed at festival, members and non-members welcome on October 13^th, 14^th, and 15th.  Contact Theo Bersu at 904 377-0638 or Chris Bersu at 904 377-2319 to help.

August 6, 2017 Offerings:    Candles $124.10 Tray $105; Stewardship $1731

August 13, 2017 Offerings:  Candles $121.37 Tray $172; Stewardship $1587

Visiting the Church Outside of Office Hours:  Though at this time we do not have volunteers coordinated to assist in receiving visitors to the Church outside of Office Hours, we hope to always welcome parishioners and the many visiting out-of-towners to the best of our ability. Please call the office to arrange a visit. If there is no answer, call the emergency number on the voicemail, (602) 617-2467, to discuss options that may exist.

Ministries & Committees:  All are welcome and encouraged to apply common interests, skill sets, and life experience to the many areas of service in the life of the Church. 

Sunday School News:We welcome all youth - preschool to high school - to join us as we continue to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." (2 Peter 3:18) beginning September 10^th. Classes begin immediately following Communion and are released soon after the parish is dismissed from Church.  This year we are kicking off the first day of Sunday School with a “Blessing of the Backpacks” on September 10. All students are encouraged to bring their backpacks (empty or filled) to church for this special event.

Contact  the Church office:   To add your e-mail address and phone number to the ministry/committee contact list(s), or even to seek Father John’s blessing to begin a new ministry beneficial to church members involved or in need, please contact Church office.

Saint Phanourios:  The holy, glorious and right-victorious Great-martyr Phanourios is commemorated on August 27.  He is honored by the faithful through a symbolic cake, called the "Phanouropita" which can be brought to the church, at any time, for a blessing.  All are invited to offer a Phanouropita on the feast of St. Phanourios, Sunday, August 27.

Asterakia Dance Practices:  Asterakia dance practices will resume on Sunday, August 27^th, and will continue until “show time” (Greek Festival). New dancers are welcome to join. For more information please contact the following teachers:..PreK - 3rd grade- Angela Lekos (angelmou1@att.net); 4th - 8th grades - Staci Lagoutaris (StaciLag@gmail.com)

Holy Trinity Stewardship:The Bible speaks of offering back to God the "first fruits" of our possessions, thus recognizing Him as the provider of all we are and all we have. Stewardship is making Christ the first priority in the use of the time, talents and treasures He has given to us. Thank you for Holy Trinity Church Stewardship commitment.

Weekly Offering:  You can decide how much you might contribute to support the church’s ministry. Your gift goes to ensuring that our church is open and accessible to all who seek her comfort. These donations are very important to the vitality of our parish. Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service.

Weekly Bulletin Submission:  Please submit announcements, with dates and times to the Church office via email holy3goc@gmail.com with “Bulletin Article” in the subject line, no later than Wednesday/Thursday weekly. Please grant patience, sometimes articles or parts of articles are edited or deleted during final process.