"What is man that You are mindful of him, or the Son of Man that You take care of him? You have made him (for a little while) a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, (and set him over the works of Your hands). You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” Hebrews 2:6-8 

“No man ever steps in the same river twice.

For it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” - Heraclitus 500 BC

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

 It's been said that the only constant in life is "change".

 Centuries ago, the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus was intrigued by the realization that he could never put his toe into the same spot in a river twice, because of both the continually changing content of the river, and of his own body.

 The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Paul had a similar thought that was reflected in his second letter to the Corinthians with the added realization that change is an inevitable and integral aspect of our humanity, and essential to God's divine providence for purpose for our lives:

 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 

“Oh Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

1 Corinthians 15:50-54

 The very word "theosis" (deification) implies change, and it is God's divine calling and purpose for each of us as Orthodox Christians as we strive for sanctification and union with God, which is "salvation".

 Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey has asked Presvytera Maria and me to accept a new challenge serving the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond, Virginia.  Presvytera Maria and I are deeply humbled by His Eminence's trust in us, and we will not shy away from the directives of our Chief Hierarch and Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey.

 Please know that Presvytera Maria and I are so very grateful for our time together with you, and that we deeply and sincerely love our Holy Trinity parish family. May God's grace and mercy be with you all as our Holy Trinity parish charts a new course forward in loving harmony with one another serving Christ and His Church, in the bond of love, which is "Philotimo".

 Always agape,

Fr. Philemon

Presiding Priest

^*67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”   ⁶⁸ But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-69 (NKJV)

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November 19, 2023

9th Sunday of Luke

 Epistle: Ephesians 2:14-22 Page 104

Gospel: Luke 12:16-21 Page 108

Memorials:

NARTHEX DUTY TEAM:  Group 2

TODAY’S FELLOWSHIP IS OFFERED BY:  GOYA

THIS WEEK AT HOLY TRINITY:

Sunday, November 19

9th Sunday of Luke  /  IOCC Sunday

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy/10:45am Sunday School

40 Day Churching of Elena Economou & baby twins Rafaela & Gabriela

A Thanksgiving Tray will be passed by Philoptochos

Sunday School Food Drive Ends & Christmas Drive Begins

1pm Philoptochos Meeting

2pm DVYC Games @ Wilmington

5pm GOYAgiving

Tuesday, November 21

Entrance of Theotokos

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy

6pm Boys Basketball Practice

Wednesday, November 22

St Philemon

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy

NO Bible Study, Greek School, Dance or Basketball Practice

Thursday, November 23

Happy Thanksgiving

Church Office Closed

Friday, November 24

Church Office Closed

5:30pm Boys Basketball Practice

Sunday, November 26

13th Sunday of Luke

9:00am Orthros/10am Divine Liturgy/NO Sunday School-Family Worship

6 Month memorial for Efthimios Tsionas

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To follow the service via the GOA Digital Chant Stand

type in the link below and click the date of the service.

https://dcs.goarch.org/goa/dcs/dcs.html

Welcome   

The Holy Trinity Family welcomes all visitors. We hope that you enjoyed the Divine Service of the Church of the Book of Acts. You participated in the most ancient Christian Service written by Saint John Chrysostomos- the Golden Mouth. The Sacrament of Holy Communion is distributed ONLY to those Baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared according to our Sacred Tradition. We invite everyone to come forward at the end of the Divine Liturgy to receive the blessed bread. If you have any questions about the Orthodox Church or would like to discover how to join this Ancient Christian Faith please see the priest after the service or call the church office for an appointment 302-654-4446. We thank you and may the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and yours abundantly always.  

Hymns for Sunday 

Ἀπολυτίκιον Ἀναστάσιμον. Ἦχος βαρύς.

Κατέλυσας τῷ Σταυρῷ σου τὸν θάνατον· ἠνέῳξας τῷ λῃστῇ τὸν Παράδεισον· τῶν Μυροφόρων τὸν θρῆνον μετέβαλες, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις κηρύττειν ἐπέταξας, ὅτι ἀνέστης Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, παρέχων τῷ κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος.

Resurrectional Apolytikion. Grave Mode.

O Lord by your sacred Cross you abolished death and granted unto the thief blessed paradise. The Myrrh Bearers ceased lamenting and turned to joy. The Apostles did preach the good news at your command, that you had risen from the dead O Christ our God, bestowing your mercy upon the world evermore.

Ἦχος πλ. δʹ.

Εὐλογητὸς εἶ, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ὁ πανσόφους τοὺς ἁλιεῖς ἀναδείξας, καταπέμψας αὐτοῖς τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, καὶ δι' αὐτῶν τὴν οἰκουμένην σαγηνεύσας, φιλάνθρωπε, δόξα σοι.

Mode pl. 4.

O Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them, made the fishermen wise, and through them illumined the world and to you the universe was ever drawn – all Glory to you O Lord.

Κοντάκιον. Ἦχος δʹ. Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ.

Ὁ ὑψωθεὶς ἐν τῷ Σταυρῷ. Ὁ καθαρώτατος ναὸς τοῦ Σωτῆρος, ἡ πολυτίμητος παστὰς καὶ Παρθένος, τὸ ἱερὸν θησαύρισμα τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ, σήμερον εἰσάγεται, ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Κυρίου, τὴν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τὴν ἐν Πνεύματι Θείῳ· ἣν ἀνυμνοῦσιν Ἄγγελοι Θεοῦ· Αὕτη ὑπάρχει σκηνὴ ἐπουράνιος.

Kontakion. Mode 4. You who were lifted.

The Savior's most pure and immaculate temple, the very precious bridal chamber and Virgin, who is the sacred treasure of the glory of God, on this day is introduced into the House of the Lord, and with herself she brings the grace in the divine Spirit. She is extolled by the Angels of God. A heavenly tabernacle is she.

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Our Lord Jesus Christ came in to the world that He might restore our humanity by filling it with the Divine and life-giving Holy Spirit. When this happens, we become a new creation in Christ overflowing with abundant life. All of us are called to participate in this Divine way of being. 

Although Holy Trintiy has a vibrant history extending over 85 years, we are continually gaining new families and new parish members through marriages, childbirths, conversions from non-Christian religions and by people who are embracing the Orthodox Chrisitan way of life.

If you or someone you may know are desiring to join our Church, please know that Fr. Philemon has an on-going process for welcoming, educating and recieving such candidates into our Holy Trinity Parish Family.

We ask that all of our members prayerfully reflect on who we have the opportunity to be welcoming here at Holy Trinity, so that you might share that information with Fr. Philemon. He may be reached directly on his cell phone (239) 963-7558 or by email at [email protected].

May the Lord bless,

The Outreach & Evangleism Ministry

Matthew 28: 18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”