Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - St. Augustine, FL : 2024-02-11 Bulletin

A WORD FROM:

V. Rev. Fr. Maximos Politis, HTGOC Parish Priest

Feb 11 Bulletin

Το αληθινό Φως.

Σήμερα, ο άνθρωπος βρίσκεται σε μια διαρκή αναζήτηση της χαράς, της ευτυχίας, της πληρότητας. Και ψάχνει να βρει όλα αυτά μέσα από διαφόρους δρόμους. Ταξίδια, αγορά, διασκέδαση νόμιμη ή και παράνομη, είναι μερικοί μόνο από αυτούς. Γιατί όλα αυτά; Γιατί κατά βάθος αναζητά τον Θεό.

Στις προσευχές μετά την Θεία Κοινωνία ομολογούμε στον Θεό: “είναι απέραντος η ηδονή των καθορώντων του Σου προσώπου το κάλλος το άρρητον.” Η επικοινωνία με τον Θεό χαρίζει την πληρότητα της ευχαρίστησης και ευτυχίας. Ο άνθρωπος χωρίς τον Θεό, ό,τι και αν κάνει, στο τέλος μένει άδειος. Αυτός που θα βρει τον Θεό, ακόμα και αν είναι άρρωστος ή φτωχός, αισθάνεται γεμάτος, και αναπαυμένος. Όπως ο παγιδευμένος σε μια υγρή σκοτεινή σπηλιά. Μόλις βγει έξω στον ήλιο, δεν θα ψάξει να βρει άλλα φώτα. Γιατί βρήκε το αληθινό, αυτό που τον φωτίζει αλλά επίσης, του δίνει ζωή. Καταλαβαίνει ότι όλα τα άλλα είναι ψεύτικα και εφήμερα. Ο Θεός είναι το Αληθινό Φως, ο Ήλιος της ψυχής μας.

cave

The True Light

Today, man is in a constant search for joy, happiness, fulfillment. And he seeks to find all this through various paths. Travel, shopping, legal or illegal entertainment are just some of them. Why all this; Because deep down he seeks God.

In the prayers after Holy Communion we confess to God: "unending is the delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of your Countenance." Communing with God gives the fullness of pleasure and happiness. Man without God, no matter what he does, in the end he remains empty. He who finds God, even if he is sick or poor, feels full and rested. Like trapped in a damp dark cave. Once he's out in the sun, he won't look for other lights. Because he found the real one, the one that lights him up but also gives him life. He understands that everything else is false and ephemeral. God is the True Light, the Sun of our soul.

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WELCOME TO OUR CHURCH!

We are happy that you are with us today!

“Welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. ”Romans 15:7

We pray that your worship experience with

us today will be inspirational and uplifting.

Please introduce yourself to a

parish ambassador.

OUR MISSION: Our parish is a living witness of Jesus Christ, serving the spiritual and physical needs of all people, through worship, outreach, and education.

OUR VISION: Fostering an Orthodox Christian environment that encourages parishioner engagement, increasing public awareness of our faith and of our parish as a spiritual home, and nurturing and growing our stewardship commitments.

Holy Communion is offered only to Orthodox Christians who are in good canonical standing with the church and who have prepared through prayer and fasting. Everyone is invited to receive the Antidoron (Blessed Bread) at the end of the Divine Liturgy. Order for Holy Communion—With Sunday School back in session the order for Holy Communion will be as follows:

Newly illumined – recently baptized and babies.
Sunday school teachers and students (who will line up in the middle aisle before Communion) – all visiting children are invited to join us!
The remaining congregation as directed by the usher.

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

"I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

We pray for mercy, life, peace, and healing of all parishioners.

Prayers for the family and friends of: Mikae Gaetanos, Kostas Lantzounis, Chresanthe Lemieux, Nicolaos Pramagioulis, Susana G. Kugeares, Leonardos Daniels, and Maryann Bolt. May their memory be eternal!

Prayers for Taki Andriotis, Angelique Dalarides Kelley, Michael Colburn, Chris Bersu, Michael and Ingrid Fotianos, Ruza Basimamovic, Zoe Kauttu (daughter of Melissa Sarris Kauttu), James Day, Margaret, James, Kyriake, Joseph, Alex Aclim, Jane Anderson, Gwen H., Thanos Nikolopoulos, and Sophia Poland's brother-in-law, Tommy Steward who is battling cancer.

Remember also our missionary families: Fr. Stephanos, Pr. Alexandria, Moses & Athan Ritsi

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*NEW* HolyTrinityStAugustine.org WEBSITE ADDRESS

Check out our new website! It's easy to navigate and we'll keep adding more ways to make it your "go-to" destination for all things Holy Trinity of St Augustine!

Looking for the weekly bulletin? It's on the main page. Looking for the Parish calendar? Or the Sunday Coffee Hour signup? They're both under "Events". We look forward to keeping you well informed!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL: To our middle and high school students and their parents:

On January 14th, the Sunday School class for our teens and tweens resumed meeting (after a break for the holidays), after Communion in the large classroom, left side. We began our studies in the Old Testament and will gradually be moving into the New Testament so that you/your student not only has a general understanding of the Bible as a whole, but can use it, as Bishop Kallistos Ware said in his book on how to read the Bible, “as a means for personal spiritual edification (benefit), as a companion to achieve holistic personal growth, and to reach deification (theosis).” I look forward to seeing you/your student in class, as well as older acolytes who have concluded their duties in the altar. Respectfully, Melissa Kauttu Strange, Sunday School Teacher

Sunday School is looking for leaders and teachers!

Our Sunday School is looking for leaders and teachers to enhance our Sunday School offerings and grow this important ministry. If you're interested, please speak with Toula or any Parish Council member.

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STEWARDSHIP:

2024 Stewardship - Together, we are the Caretakers of our Church.

"Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant"

Our Stewardship theme for 2024 is “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant,” from the Parable of the Talents. We are all blessed with certain gifts. This parable stresses the importance of developing our gifts, multiplying them, and offering them back in service to God.

Effective Stewardship Begins with a plan. Each year, we have an opportunity to consciously plan our contributions and our involvement in the life of our parish. Please consider God’s blessings in your life and make a conscious decision to actively and generously support the operating needs of our parish by planning your 2024 stewardship contributions.

You can submit your pledge by printing the attached form, or online at www.holytrinitygoc.com. You can also set up regular monthly payments through the church website or your bank. Thank you!

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CHURCH FINANCIALS


	Dec-23	Year End
Income	$127,735	320,305
Stewardship	$22,790	140,799
Expense	$96,506	361,040
Bank Balance	$128,211	128,211
Reserves	$92,636	92,636
*Note: Bank Balance includes Stewardship and Reserves*

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SAVE THE DATES!!

SOUPER BOWL - Sunday, February 11th

Bring your favorite soups to share! All good will donations will support International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

APOKRIATIKO GLENDI! A PRE-LENT DINNER PARTY! Saturday, March 2nd

BALLOON

** Tickets now available online at holytrinitystaugustine.org or at church (deadline, February 25) **

** Special Offer: Table for 8, $200 - Saves $40! **

In Greece, Apokries is one of the most beloved traditions in the country, celebrated before the period of Great Lent. It allows revelers to partake in all the food, dance, and celebration they can before the 40-day period of spiritual reflection begins.

Holy Trinity of St Augustine is offering a Greek Carnival dinner March 2, with music and dancing. Plan to gather with friends, neighbors and family to enjoy appetizers, dinner and dessert (BYOB). It will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy music and dancing! $30 per adult, $20 for children under twelve. Order your tickets online at holytrinitystaugustine.org, or at church, by February 25th.

We'd love to have some volunteers to help plan, set up and serve for this event. The outline and basic menu are already complete, but a party needs so much more! Please see Stephanie Danikas-Losey or any parish council member.

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YOUTH MINISTRY: The Holy Trinity Church GOYA is for youth in sixth through twelfth grades. Upcoming events:

Sunday, February 18, following Divine Liturgy – Oratorical festival workshop. Informational meeting about the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival that provides teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith. On Mar 30, Holy Trinity will host the Northeastern Florida Conference Oratorical Festival.
Saturday, March 2 – Apokriatiko Glendi. GOYA has been invited to volunteer, serve and dance.
TBD – St. Francis House outreach. Help prepare a meal at HTGOC to be delivered to St. Francis House in downtown St. Augustine.

The Holy Trinity Church GOYA ministry integrates worship (liturgia), fellowship (koinonia), service (diakonia), and witness (martyria). Contact Connie or Andy for additional information.

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PHILOPTOCHOS EVENTS:

Please be on the lookout for our NEW monthly newsletter, "Fruits of The Spirit". Please feel free to email Gigi Ray at [email protected] with any information you want included. In addition, a Calendar was recently emailed to our membership. We have a number of events coming up, and, look forward to working together on these events and our projects! We are proceeding with our plans for Kitchen Clean-up. We need volunteers to sort kitchen items. Please watch this space for dates and times. They are coming-up soon!

Special thanks to Gus and Joan Manias, Gary and Faye Peterson, and, Paul Ray for being on clean-up duty while the Parish Council met w/His Grace, Bishop Sevastianos. We appreciate all you do, and, we appreciate the Philoptochos Husbands, who often put on an apron, and, help in the kitchen, often with KP duty!

Upcoming Events:

2/11 Souper Bowl of Caring
2/18 February Meeting

3/24 Annunciation of the Theotokos and Greek Independence Day Luncheon
3/31 St. Francis Homeless Shelter Fundraiser

4/21 Easter Bake Sale and Tsoureki Sale
4/21 Easter Card sign-up deadline

Philoptochos Board: President - Paula Marchman-Lekas; Vice President - Martha Tzemopoulos; Immediate Past President - Irene Pergeorellis; Treasurer - Toula Zotos; Recording Secretary - Connie Espinosa; Corresponding Secretary - Gigi Ray; Social Services - Faye Peterson, Joan Manias, Stacy Symeonides

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AGORA: Featuring delicious imported Greek food items like cheeses, olives, olive oil, oregano, frozen tiropites and spanakopites, phyllo, chocolates, lentils, orzo and pastichio noodles, halvah, spoon sweet preserves, and household items like Greek coffee and soap. Gift baskets are available. All proceeds benefit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of St Augustine. Please contact [email protected] to place an order or see us after church at the Agora in the church hall. Online pre-ordering for pickup on Sundays at church will be available soon. Stacy Symeonides, Stephanie Danikas & The Agora Team

ST. THEODORA BOOK STORE AND GIFT SHOP: Give that special someone a gift or even give your home a lift with beautiful items from Greece. For info, contact Paula Marchman - [email protected]. St Theodora bookstore is ready with prayer ropes, orthodox bibles, and inspirational books for your family. Do your shopping now and support our church. We are open on Sundays and by appointments during the week, E-mail [email protected]

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HOLY TRINITY FENCE PROJECT:

Michael Lekos has committed to help our Holy Trinity Church raise funds for a new replacement fence. He organized over 20 volunteers to remove the old fence and prepare the area for a new fence. If you choose to help, you can make your donation on his GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/holy-trinity-fence-project), OR send a check [checks can be made payable to “Holy Trinity Church”; please write ‘Fence Project’ on the memo line; and send to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - 2940 County Road 214 - Saint Augustine, FL 32084-9307]. Thank you for supporting this effort.

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COFFEE HOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! .... PLEASE!

We have openings for volunteers on to the following dates: 3/3, 3/17 and 3/31.

You can do it solo or share the responsibility with someone else.

NEW link for Coffee Hour Sign-up”. Please sign up at:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4BA9AB29ABF58-47162771-holy

Email Gigi Ray at <[email protected]> or call her at 404-375-5859; or email Toula Zotos at [email protected]. You can speak to them after church, and they can sign you up also. Thank you in advance for considering offering this hospitality to our parish family and guests. [Using the SignUpGenius link: click the blue box that says SIGN UP; then the brown box at the bottom of the page that says SUBMIT AND SIGN UP - this will take you to the next screen; and click on SIGN UP NOW.

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HOLY SERVICES AND EVENTS SCHEDULE: Please see the Special Announcements section of the bulletin and the new website for the official calendar. If you have any special dates to include on the calendar, please contact Kaliroi Parris.

Sunday: Matins 9 am- Divine Liturgy 10 am. Lent: Wed presanctified 6pm…Fri Salutation 6pm…Wed/Fri Paraklesis 6pm....Parish Council 3^rd Monday 6:30 pm

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WAYS OF GIVING:

On-Line: Click “Donate Now” on our Church’s webpage: www.HolyTrinityGOC.com to make a gift. Give via credit card, PayPal, or set up recurrent giving through your bank. Please be sure a specific notation (ex: stewardship) is included for each transaction.

Our “Light a Candle & Say a Prayer” ministry lets you light a candle during divine services. Your request will be forwarded to a Council member in the Narthex to light your candle. If you wish to provide names of loved ones to be prayed for, those will be provided to Fr. Maximos.

Giving by Check or Cash: Please be sure to include a notation on the memo line on checks to allow us to identify your intentions (i.e., stewardship, candles, trays, memorials, etc.). Please use a donation envelope available at the welcome desk and the Narthex and fill out the information requested.

Weekly Offering: The Lord's day is to be the time for a weekly offering for the support of His cause. Make your offering today...check or cash and enable our Church to continue to enhance the spiritual growth of the Orthodox Christians entrusted to our care. Your offering can be made at the collection basket as you exit the service or mailed to HTGOC using the donation envelopes are available at the welcome desk and in the Narthex.

Celebrations: Are you celebrating a special day? Birthday, Anniversary, Seasonal House Cleaning? Whatever the event, please consider celebrating it with others and making it a fundraiser for our church. People have raised $6 billion USD on Facebook and Instagram for causes they care about. Create a fundraiser and Facebook will take care of the donation processing with no fees. You can also place the PayPal giving link for the church in your on-line message for donations to be made directly to our account. This can be a fun way to share your happy day with your friends and community and an effective fundraiser for our church. Please reach out to Fr. Maximos or Nick Lekas for details.'

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THE BRICK CAMPAIGN:

The Brick Campaign began as a parish fundraising program for Holy Trinity at the time of the Opening of the Doors in 2008. It has become a vehicle to honor individuals who have impacted our parish, while it continues to provide a wonderful opportunity for people to create a lasting memory for a myriad of reasons. Show your support to Holy Trinity by purchasing a 4" x 8" paver with 3 lines for $100, or an 8" x 8" paver with 6 lines for $250.00. The net profit supports the parish operations.

Brochures are available on the card rack in the Church Hall or alternately, please contact Connie Espinosa [email protected] to either contribute to the 2023 campaign or to assist in this parish ministry. Your support is a lasting tribute that will honor a veteran, a family member, loved one, business or organization. Thank you, Connie Espinosa,

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KOLIVA FOR MEMORIAL SERVICES: is used for commemorations of the departed (40^th day after death; 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th month, annually) and Saturdays of the Souls. Contact Faye Peterson, [email protected] or Angela Lekos, [email protected] if you need Koliva prepared. There is a fee of $100 for materials, supplies and labor.

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ARTOKLASIA: Blessing of the Five Loaves is a service of thanksgiving through which we express our gratitude for all the blessings of life. The Blessing is offered on a feast day or special occasion. If you need Artoklasia prepared, contact Angela Lekos, [email protected].

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CHURCH OFFICE:

Please remember to dress appropriately for church when attending Holy Services -no flip-flops or shorts. Thank you - Fr. Maximos Please call (904 829-0504) or email ([email protected]) the parish office if your contact information needs to be updated. Also, if you know of anyone who doesn’t receive parish emails but would like to, please encourage them to contact the parish office with their contact information.

If you have a request for a special service (traditionally, a volunteered donation is given to the priest) such as a memorial, please email the church office at [email protected] or call 904 829-0504 (if you do not have access to email) in advance of requested date with details.

If requesting a graveside memorial, please contact the priest.

If you would like any of the following, please contact the priest:

To arrange an appointment for a House Blessing.
To offer Holy Communion to someone in need at a hospital, nursing home, in hospice care, or at home.

The normal deadline for the Church bulletin e-mail articles is before 12pm on Wednesday weekly. Thank you.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Ms. Nelda Hann will be retiring as Church Administrative Assistant at the end of Feb. 2024 after 7 years with HTGOC. If you know of anyone who might be interested in applying for the position of Office Admin Assist, please contact PC President Nick Lekas [email protected] or any PC member.
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