August 25
Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2024-08-25
Bulletin Contents
Worship
Church News
Bulletin Inserts
Our Calendar
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Wisdom of the Fathers
Holy Trinity Church
General Information
- Phone:
- (724) 266-5336
- Fax:
- (724) 266-2220
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Web:
- http://www.htgoc.org
- Street Address:
- 2930 Beaver Road
- Ambridge, PA 15003
Contact Information
Services Schedule
Sundays: 8:30am Orthros, 9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Weekdays: 9am Orthros & Liturgy
Past Bulletins
- Publish Date:
- 2024-09-29
- Publish Date:
- 2024-09-22
- Publish Date:
- 2024-09-15
- Publish Date:
- 2024-09-08
- Publish Date:
- 2024-09-01
- Publish Date:
- 2024-08-18
Worship
Services:
Sundays
8:30am Orthros, 9:30am Divine Liturgy
Upcoming Services:
- Thursday, August 29th - Beheading of St. John the Baptist: 9am Orthros & Liturgy
- Sunday, September 8th - Nativity of the Theotokos: 8:30am Orthros, 9:30am Liturgy
Upcoming Memorials:
- August 25th:
- 40day Memorial - Helen Malnak
- September 1st:
- 3mo Trisagion - Theodore Skeriotis
- 9mo Memorial - Mary Menis
- 39yr Trisagion - Emmanuel Zervos
Church News
PHILOPTOCHOS MEETING SUNDAY in the hall during during coffee hour.
YIAYIA PAPPOU SUNDAY - Sept 8th: Calling all gradparents and grandchildren to come to Church on Sunday, September 8th on the feastday of the Nativity of the Theotokos in which we see the beautiful life ane example of Christ's grandparents.
FIRST DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL - Sept 8th: Welcome back students and teachers! We are very excited to have another beautiful year of learning about God in conjunction with our worship of Him. Learning starts with our early attendance of Liturgy, beginning at 9:30am, Fr. Anastasios's children sermon, and time spent in class following Holy Communion.
2024 MINISTRY FAIR COFFEE HOUR - Sept 8th: After Liturgy has completed our coffee hour is transformed into a ministry fair in which each member can see the ministry that is ongoing in our parish and maybe ministry efforts that would serve you best!
JOURNEY TO FULLNESS CLASSES: This year we will have our first experience of the "Journey to Fullness" series, put together by Fr. Barnabas Powell. The schedule of the classes are is being put together and will be shared soon. This series will be used to help us form our catechism of the Church for those inquiring and the inquiring hearts of our own parishioners. Please let Fr. Anastasios or the office know if you are interested in being a part of these classes. Here is a review from Ancient Faith Ministries' Kevin Allen:
It is an excellent and well produced series for inquirers interested in Orthodoxy, or family members who may want to learn more about the Orthodox faith and Church. Fr Barnabas' style is sincere, straight-forward and he is not afraid to raise and speak to the tough questions non-Orthodox inquirers would ask. At the end of each segment there is a brief question and answer review which delves deeper into issues raised in the talk. This series is highly recommended for individuals or parishes for inquirer's classes or outreach.
2024 STEWARDSHIP CARDS
Thank you to our 136 families that have turned in their pledge cards totaling $205,140 pledged!
That puts us at 62.16% toward our pledge goal of $330,000 for 2024.
If you haven’t submitted your pledge card, please feel free to fill the one out in the Bulletin Inserts section of this online bulletin (which you can print and bring in or email to the office or Fr. Anastasios).
BOILER & AIR-CONDITIONING PROJECT PROGRESS
Installed and operational: Boiler, two Nave air-conditioners, and the air conditioning in the choir loft. The final step of the project will be the Hall condenser and air-handler. If you would like to help offset the cost of the work completed or the upcoming work, please send checks to the office with "HVAC Project" in the memo line; stocks can be transferred to our community as donations; and Online Giving through the item titled "Building Fund: HVAC Project."
YOUTH SAFETY - Please register at https://ncsrisk.org/goarch/. This includes all Youth Safety Workers as well as Parish Council
PRAYER CHAIN - Members of Holy Trinity are being brought together in efforts to pray for those in need of prayers. Please contact Joanie Ondrako at 724-601-6298, Fr. Anastasios, or the Office to join the prayer team, a group of people who will pray for the names given each day.
Prayer requests can be submitted anonymously and will be on the prayer list as long as your request is wanted, even up to a year. To request a prayer, click here.
ONLINE GIVING & STEWARDSHIP: Is OPEN! Online giving can be found by clicking here! Please consider your continued support of our church through becoming one of our online giving families. You can make general contributions and stewardship contributions.
REGULAR GIVING: The church is still accepting donations in normal ways through the mail and drop-off. Thank you to all of those who have continued to contribute in these challenging times.
YOU CAN NOW DONATE SECURITIES TO THE CHURCH
In response to inquiries regarding the donation of securities to Holy Trinity, a new brokerage account has been established with PNC Investments to receive stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Donating appreciated securities is often preferable to donating cash as the donor may benefit from the current tax code, creating the opportunity for donors to consider even larger gifts. Currently, this account can receive securities in lieu of cash for the fulfillment of stewardship pledges as well as directed gifts for special projects. If after consulting with your financial advisor, you are interested in this form of giving, please contact any parish council member or the office for more information.
LIVE-STREAM: If you don't have a Facebook account, don't worry: it does not force you to log in.
Bulletin Inserts
2024 Stewardship Pledge
Becoming a steward today!
IOCC Open House - September 4th
IOCC Pittsburgh Committee is please to invite you to an open house to meet its members. You'll hear updates and learn how we support IOCC's work.
IOCC Oktoberfest Happy Hour
to benefit IOCC Thursday, October 10th - 6-9pm at Rusty Gold Brewing Company, Canonsburg
New York City Trip - St. Nicholas 60 Club
St. Nicholas Cathedral of Pittsburgh's 60 Club is heading to New York City October 15-17. 2 Nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, Tour of the St. Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero, visit the Archdiocese Headquarters, Ferry to Statue of Liberty, and more. $580 per person (double occupancy), $25 per person deposit due by 8/20, balance by 10/1. For information contact Alice Gary
IOCC Bourbon Tasting
to benefit IOCC on Thursday, November 7th at 7pm at Leaf & Bean in McMurray, PA. $60 tickets
Our Calendar
-
Holy Trinity Ambridge
August 25 to September 8, 2024
Sunday, August 25Coffee Hour Philoptochos
Philoptochos Meeting
40 day Memorial - Helen Malnak
Voice Deadline
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, August 275:00PM Philoptochos at Manna House
Wednesday, August 286:30PM Sunday School Teachers Meeting
Thursday, August 29Beheading of St. John the Baptist
9:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - Beaheading of St. John the Baptist
Saturday, August 315:00PM Wedding Rehearsal
Sunday, September 1Ecclesiastical New Year
39yr Trisagion - Emmanuel Zervos
Coffee Hour: Choir
9mo Memorial - Mary Menis
3mo Trisagion - Theodore Skeriotis
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Liturgy
1:30PM Wedding
3:30PM Baptism
Sunday, September 8Young Adult Collection for the Ladle
Ministry Fair Coffee Hour
Yiayia-Pappou Sunday
Nativity of the Theotokos
8:30AM Orthros
9:30AM Liturgy
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Regional Orthodox Events
September 6 to September 7, 2024
Friday, September 65:00PM Vespers & Orthrors @ Monastery Pilgrimage to Nativity of the Theotokos
Saturday, September 79:00AM Hours, Liturgy, & Lunch @ Monastery Pilgrimage to Nativity of the Theotokos
Hymns of the Day
Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 4th Mode
You descended from on high, O compassionate One, and condescended to be buried for three days, so that from the passions You might set us free. Our life and resurrection, O Lord, glory be to You.
Ἐξ ὕψους κατῆλθες ὁ εὔσπλαγχνος, ταφὴν καταδέξω τριήμερον, ἵνα ἡμᾶς ἐλευθερώσῃς τῶν παθῶν. Ἡ ζωὴ καὶ ἡ Ἀνάστασις ἡμῶν, Κύριε δόξα σοι.
Apolytikion for Apostle Bartholomew in the 3rd Mode
O holy Apostles, make intercession to our merciful God, that He grant our souls forgiveness of offenses.
Απόστολοι Άγιοι, πρεσβεύσατε τώ ελεήμονι Θεώ ίνα πταισμάτων άφεσιν, παράσχη ταίς ψυχάς ημών.
Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode
Both Joachim and Anna from their sterility’s stigma, and Adam and Eve from their mortality’s ruin have been set free, O immaculate Maid, by your holy nativity. For this do your people hold celebration, redeemed from the guilt of transgression as they cry to you, “The barren one bears the Theotokos, the nourisher of our Life.”
Ιωακείμ καί Άννα όνειδισμού ατεκνίας, καί Αδάμ καί Εύα, εκ τής φθοράς τού θανάτου, ηλευθερώθησαν, Άχραντε, εν τή αγία γεννήσει σου, αυτήν εορτάζει καί ο λαός σου, ενοχής τών πταισμάτων, λυτρωθείς εν τώ κράζειν σοι, Η στείρα τίκτει τήν Θεοτόκον, καί τροφόν τής ζωής ημών.
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Epistle Reading
Prokeimenon. Plagal 4th Mode. Psalm 75.11,1.
Make your vows to the Lord our God and perform them.
Verse: God is known in Judah; his name is great in Israel.
The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 3:9-17.
Brethren, we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are.
Προκείμενον. Plagal 4th Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 75.11,1.
Εὔξασθε καὶ ἀπόδοτε Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ ἡμῶν.
Στίχ. Γνωστὸς ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ ὁ Θεός, ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ μέγα τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.
τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Κορινθίους α' 3:9-17.
Ἀδελφοί, Θεοῦ γάρ ἐσμεν συνεργοί· θεοῦ γεώργιον, θεοῦ οἰκοδομή ἐστε. Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον τέθεικα, ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ. Ἕκαστος δὲ βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ. Θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός. Εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον τοῦτον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην, ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον φανερὸν γενήσεται· ἡ γὰρ ἡμέρα δηλώσει, ὅτι ἐν πυρὶ ἀποκαλύπτεται· καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ἔργον ὁποῖόν ἐστιν τὸ πῦρ δοκιμάσει. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μένει ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήψεται. Εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον κατακαήσεται, ζημιωθήσεται· αὐτὸς δὲ σωθήσεται, οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός. Οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ναὸς θεοῦ ἐστε, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν; Εἴ τις τὸν ναὸν τοῦ θεοῦ φθείρει, φθερεῖ τοῦτον ὁ θεός· ὁ γὰρ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ἅγιός ἐστιν, οἵτινές ἐστε ὑμεῖς.
Gospel Reading
9th Sunday of Matthew
The Reading is from Matthew 14:22-34
At that time, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately he spoke to them, saying "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they entered the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
9th Sunday of Matthew
Κατὰ Ματθαῖον 14:22-34
Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἠνάγκασεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τοὺς μαθητὰς ἐμβῆναι εἰς τὸ πλοῖον καὶ προάγειν αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ πέραν, ἕως οὗ ἀπολύσῃ τοὺς ὄχλους. Καὶ ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος κατ᾽ ἰδίαν προσεύξασθαι. ὀψίας δὲ γενομένης μόνος ἦν ἐκεῖ. Τὸ δὲ πλοῖον ἤδη σταδίους πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἀπεῖχεν, βασανιζόμενον ὑπὸ τῶν κυμάτων, ἦν γὰρ ἐναντίος ὁ ἄνεμος. Τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. Οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν λέγοντες ὅτι Φάντασμά ἐστιν, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ φόβου ἔκραξαν. Εὐθὺς δὲ ἐλάλησεν [ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς] αὐτοῖς λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε, ἐγώ εἰμι· μὴ φοβεῖσθε. Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν, Κύριε, εἰ σὺ εἶ, κέλευσόν με ἐλθεῖν πρὸς σὲ ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα· ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, ᾽Ελθέ. καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν ᾽Ιησοῦν. Βλέπων δὲ τὸν ἄνεμον ἐφοβήθη, καὶ ἀρξάμενος καταποντίζεσθαι ἔκραξεν λέγων, Κύριε, σῶσόν με. Εὐθέως δὲ ὁ ᾽Ιησοῦς ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ, ᾽Ολιγόπιστε, εἰς τί ἐδίστασας; καὶ ἀναβάντων αὐτῶν εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐκόπασεν ὁ ἄνεμος. Οἱ δὲ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες, ᾽Αληθῶς Θεοῦ υἱὸς εἶ. Καὶ διαπεράσαντες ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν εἰς Γεννησαρέτ.
Saints and Feasts
August 25
Return of the Body of Bartholomew the Glorious Apostle
Concerning the Apostle Bartholomew, see June 11
August 25
Titus the Apostle of the 70
Saint Titus was a Greek by race, and an idolater. But having believed in Christ through the Apostle Paul, he became Paul's disciple and follower and labored with him greatly in the preaching of the Gospel. When Paul ordained him Bishop of Crete, he later wrote to him the Epistle which bears his name. Having shepherded in an apostolic manner the flock that had been entrusted to him, and being full of days, he reposed in peace, some ninety-four years of age.
Wisdom of the Fathers
The principle and source of the virtues is a good disposition of the will, that is to say, an aspiration for goodness and beauty. God is the source and ground of all supernal goodness. Thus the principle of goodness and beauty is faith or, rather, it is Christ, the rock of faith, who is principle and foundation of all virtues. On this rock we stand and on this foundation we build every good thing (cf. I Cor. 3:11).
On Commandments and Doctrines no. 83, Philokalia Vol. 3 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pg. 228, 14th century
Christ did not command the winds to cease at that time, but Himself stretched forth His hand and took hold of Peter, because here faith was required of him. When we do not do our part, divine (grace) slows and stands still.. . . it was not the wind that did Peter harm; his lack of faith sank him. Where faith is fruitfu, firm and strong, none of the evils that may befall us can do us any harm.
The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century
And then we shall hear Him calling out and saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. This truth is supported by an understanding that the bad and terrible things of the present time are passing; they come and they go; therefore, fear not what is transient and evanescent. It is I, (He says,) meaning, I am ever-existent; as God I am He Who is. Do not betray your faith and your love for Me for the sake of the temporal things of the present.
The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century
If, even after we have heard such words from Him, trials and temptations arise, and the tempests of evil spirits blow mightily, raging against us and afflicting us, and we are a little upset by the waves and their fury, the Lord will reproach our faint-heartedness, but will also stretch out His hand to us and grant us complete calm. If we desire with our bodies and souls to receive this, and not to be disturbed at all times by every wind of adversity, nor upset by the billows stirred up by men who gloat over other's misfortunes, we (must) know how very stormy the sea of life is, and what malice is aroused and seethes therein, and never let faith and hope in God be far from our minds.
The Gospel Commentary edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century
Let us, then, cry out loudly with Peter's words, "Lord, save us." And if we are willing to receive Christ into our ship; that is, to have Him dwell in our hearts; we shall immediately find ourselves at the land to which we are hastening. What land is that? Clearly, it is the promised land, heaven, the land of the meek, of them that refrain from evil. With them, then, may we also be vouchsafed to enter that land and be heirs of its good things; in Christ Jesus our Lord, to Whom be glory and dominion, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Gospel Commentary, edited by Hieromonk German Ciuba, 2002, 4th Century
So absolutely nothing does it avail to be near Christ, if not being near Him by faith .... Signifying therefore that not the assault of the wind, but his want of faith had wrought his overthrow, He said, "Wherefore did you doubt, O you of little faith?"
Homily 50 on Matthew 14, 4th Century