Holy Trinity Church
Publish Date: 2024-11-24
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Holy Trinity Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (724) 266-5336
  • Fax:
  • (724) 266-2220
  • 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


Worship

Services:

Sundays

8:30am Orthros, 9:30am Divine Liturgy

 

Upcoming Services:

  • Monday, November 25th - St. Catherine 9am Orthros & Liturgy
  • Monday, December 2nd - 6pm Pan-Orthodox Sacrament of Holy Unction at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church
  • Thursday, December 5th - 9am Metropolis Celebration of St. Savas the Sanctified - 9am Orthros & Divine Liturgy at the Metropolis of Pittsburgh followed by a reception to 2pm.  Refreshments served. RSVP by Decmeber 1st to [email protected] or 412-621-5529
  • Pilgrimage to celebrate St. Nicholas at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Oakland
    • Thursday, December 5th - 6:30pm: Great Vespers
    • Friday, Decmeber 6th - 9am Orthros, 10am Divine Liturgy

 

 

Upcoming Memorials:

  • December 1st
    • 1yr Memorial - Mary Menis
    • 6mo Trisagion - Theodore Skeriotis
    • 9yr Trisagion - Gus Skeriotis
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Church News

THANKSGIVING BASKETS FUNDRAISING & VOLUNTEERING

Join us as our Parish makes this annual offering of Thanksgiving meals for those in need in our area. Each and every financial offering, small or large, helps us accomplish this goal. Please bring your donation to the office marked for Thanksgiving Baskets. We will be packing and delivering baskets on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 23rd. If you would like to get involved, please speak to Sophia Chickos or Harriet Sickles.

$3,510 has been collected towards our $4,500 goal to complete the 50 Baskets.  Each basket, which feeds beyond just Thanksgiving Dinner, will cost roughly $90. Please join us in helping feed our neighbors.  We will be collecting donations for as long as anyone wants to help contribute.  

 

BACKPACK ASSISTANCE: Due to the safety change at the Ambridge Area School District, all students are now required to use a clear backpack, leaving many families now trying to acquire these backpacks and having an additional expense for their children's schooling that they were not intending. The elementary students have a delayed start to this change and our Philoptochos is taking a collection to help provide backpacks to help some of the student-families in need. If you would like to contribute to help our neighbors, please donate to Philoptochos notifying its purpose. Checks can be made out to "Ladies Philoptochos."


NUTROLL PICK-UP SUNDAY: Thank you to everyone that ordered nut roll from our Philoptochos. Your order is ready for pick-up today.

 

PARISH ASSEMBLY: Sunday - We are notifying all members in good standing of our parish to please stay and attend our Parish Assembly on Sunday which will focus on the 2023 Audit, 2025 Budget, and the 2025 Festival.  

 

PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS - If you know someone who would serve well as a Parish Council member for 2025-2026, please to our Board of Elections: Jackie Bennis, Joanne Cain, and Kathy Stern.  Nomination forms are available in this email and on the pangari, please have nominations into the office on Sunday by the end of Liturgy.  You must also have your background check through Sterling completed and cleared by the nomination deadline, for any questions, talk to Jackie Bennis.  The election will take place on December 8th.  

 

FOCUS MEAL AMBRIDGE TOWERS - December 1st:  This Pan-Orthodox effort serving the residents of Ambridge Towers on December 1st will need volunteers from our parish to help make it possible.  2pm preparation for a 5pm meal at St. John the Baptism Parish Center.  Email [email protected] for more info. 



VASILOPITA FROM HOLY PROTECTION MONASTERY: Philoptochos will once again be selling Vasilopita from Holy Protection Monastery in White Haven, PA. This will be a PRE-SALE only, with no extras available for sale. All orders are due on December 8th for pick-up on December 22. Forms can be found in the online bulletin and on the Pangari.

 

PARISH FAMILY NIGHT - December 11th, 6pm: We invite all LOVE+HOPE+JOY students, GOYAns, and their parents for Parish Family Night. Dinner will be provided.  This evening is designed to have family bonding time as well as age-based lessons on the same topic so that the whole family can be fed spiritually as one and as individuals.

 

2025 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN: Your Own from Your Own...See Our Church as it Could Be

We invite every parishioner to get involved in the 2025 campaign.  2025 Pledge Cards are available in your pew, on the pangari, by clicking this link, in the bulletin insert section, and online at htgoc.org/give.  Please pray about what stewardship gift you can make to the Church.  2025 Pledge cards were due by Stewardship Sunday on November 10th, but we will continue collecting.  Note: A 2025 pledge card does not make you a member for 2024 elections or parish assembly, the link for the 2024 pledge card is lower in this email.

2025: 68 Families Pledged so far! Thank You!

 

CHRISTMAS EVE LUMINARIES: Christmas Luminaries to honor or in memory of your loved ones are being sold to benefit the Georgia Antinopoulos Scholarship Fund. Please complete the form and give it to Jackie Bennis on or before Sunday, December 22, 2024.

 

NEW YEARS EVE DANCE - Make your reservation today by calling the office 724-266-5336! Dress to impress, Food included, Cash Bar, and music by Alpha Omega with Georgio from the Grecian Keys.

18 & Over—$50
10-17—$25
5-9—$15
Under 5—Free

Contact Jimmy Gregorakis to get involved.

 

PARISH PLEDGES $20,000 FOR THE NEW METROPOLIS CENTER at last week's Parish Assembly.  If you would like to add your own personal donation or pledge to the completion of the New Metropolis Center, please go to pittsburgh.goarch.org/pledge .

 

 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL: The spiritual and religious education for our children is not only the 20-minute class following holy communion, it is attending each and every Sunday, hearing the hymns of the day, the readings for the day, Fr. Anastasios' kids' sermon, and worshipping alongside their family and community.  Their formation also takes place in the home and in the example led by their parents, fortify yourself for the journey by coming to church too.

 

2024 STEWARDSHIP CARDS

Thank you to our 147 families that have turned in their pledge cards totaling $222,090 pledged! 

That puts us at 67.3% toward our pledge goal of $330,000 for 2024.

If you haven’t submitted your 2024 pledge card, grab one today at the pangari.  We need a current pledge card on file for eligibility to vote in upcoming assemblies and election. 

 

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.

 

ONLINE GIVING & STEWARDSHIPIs 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.

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Bulletin Inserts

    2025 Stewardship Pledge

    2025 Stewardship Pledge

    The 2025 Pledge drive is until Stewardship Sunday on November 10, 2024. Please get your pledge card in today!


    Parish Council Nomination Application

    Parish Council Nomination Application

    Please read the entire application and submit to the office on November 24th.


    FOCUS Meal at Ambridge Towers

    FOCUS Meal at Ambridge Towers

    This Pan-Orthodox effort serving the residents of Ambridge Towers on December 1st will need volunteers from our parish to help make it possible.


    Philoptochos Vasilopita Sale

    Philoptochos Vasilopita Sale

    Philoptochos is selling Vasilopita Breads from Holy Protection Monastery. Orders are due December 8th, pick up on December 22nd. Pre-Order Only - $17. Checks to be made out to "Ladies Philoptochos"


    2024 Christmas Luminaries

    2024 Christmas Luminaries

    Help us beautifully illuminate our church for Christmas Eve while honoring and remembering those who we love. All donations are to support the Georgia Antinopoulos Scholarship Fund.


    2024 Stewardship Pledge

    2024 Stewardship Pledge

    Please make sure your 2024 Stewardship Card is in for the Parish Assembly and Elections.


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Our Calendar

  • Holy Trinity Ambridge

    November 22 to December 8, 2024

    Friday, November 22

    GOMoP GOYA Fall Retreat

    Sunday, November 24

    Sunday School

    Coffee Hour: Hellenic Dancers

    Dancers Bake Sale

    Parish Assembly

    Philoptochos Nut Roll Sale

    Parish Council Nominations Due

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Liturgy

    Monday, November 25

    9:00AM Orthros & Liturgy - St. Catherine

    7:00PM Parish Council Nominee Seminar

    Thursday, November 28

    Thanksgiving Day - Office Closed

    Friday, November 29

    Office Closed

    Sunday, December 1

    Coffee Hour: Young Adults

    Sunday School

    Philoptochos Meeting

    9yr Trisagion - Gus Skeriotis

    1yr Memorial - Mary Menis

    Trisagion - Isabel Pappas (24yrs) & Adrianna Vagias (40yrs)

    6mo Trisagion - Theodore Skeriotis

    Parish Council Absentee Ballots Available

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Liturgy

    2:00PM FOCUS dinner prep

    5:00PM FOCUS Ambridge Dinner

    Monday, December 2

    6:00PM Pan-Orthodox Unction Service

    Sunday, December 8

    Sunday School

    Coffee Hour: Choir

    Parish Council Elections

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Liturgy

  • Regional Orthodox Events

    December 5 to December 5, 2024

    Thursday, December 5

    9:00AM GOMoP Celebration of St. Savas the Sanctified - Orthros & Liturgy

    11:30AM GOMoP Open House

    6:30PM Pilgrimage to St. Nicholas Cathedral, Oakland: Great Vespers of St Nicholas

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Plagal 1st Mode

Let us worship the Word who is unoriginate * with the Father and the Spirit, and from a Virgin was born * for our salvation, O believers, and let us sing His praise. * For in His goodness He was pleased * to ascend the Cross in the flesh, and to undergo death, * and to raise up those who had died, * by His glorious Resurrection.
Τὸν συνάναρχον Λόγον Πατρὶ καὶ Πνεύματι, τὸν ἐκ Παρθένου τεχθέντα εἰς σωτηρίαν ἡμῶν, ἀνυμνήσωμεν πιστοὶ καὶ προσκυνήσωμεν, ὅτι ηὐδόκησε σαρκί, ἀνελθεῖν ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ, καὶ θάνατον ὑπομεῖναι, καὶ ἐγεῖραι τοὺς τεθνεῶτας, ἐν τῇ ἐνδόξῳ Ἀναστάσει αὐτοῦ.

Apolytikion for Afterfeast of the Entry of the Theotokos in the 4th Mode

Today is the prelude of God’s good pleasure, and the proclamation of humanity’s salvation. In the temple of God, the Virgin is presented openly, and in herself she announces Christ to all. Let us, then, with a great voice cry aloud to her: “Rejoice, you are the fulfillment of the Creator’s dispensation.”
Σήμερον τής ευδοκίας Θεού τό προοίμιον, καί τής τών ανθρώπων σωτηρίας η προκήρυξις, Εν Ναώ τού Θεού τρανώς η Παρθένος δείκνυται, καί τόν Χριστόν τοίς πάσι προκαταγγέλλεται, Αυτή καί ημείς μεγαλοφώνως βοήσωμεν, Χαίρε τής οικονομίας τού Κτίστου η εκπλήρωσις.

Seasonal Kontakion in the 4th Mode

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.
Ο καθαρώτατος ναός τού Σωτήρος, η πολυτίμητος παστάς καί Παρθένος, τό Ιερόν θησαύρισμα τής δόξης τού Θεού, σήμερον εισάγεται, εν τώ οίκω Κυρίου, τήν χάριν συνεισάγουσα, τήν εν Πνευματι θείω, ήν ανυμνούσιν Άγγελοι Θεού, Αύτη υπάρχει σκηνή επουράνιος.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Plagal 1st Mode. Psalm 11.7,1.
You, O Lord, shall keep us and preserve us.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the godly man has failed.

The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.

Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Προκείμενον. Plagal 1st Mode. ΨΑΛΜΟΙ 11.7,1.
Σὺ Κύριε, φυλάξαις ἡμᾶς καὶ διατηρήσαις ἡμᾶς.
Στίχ. Σῶσον με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος.

τὸ Ἀνάγνωσμα Πρὸς Γαλάτας 6:11-18.

Ἀδελφοί, ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐμῇ χειρί. Ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, μόνον ἵνα μὴ τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ διώκωνται. Οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτετμημένοι αὐτοὶ νόμον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑμᾶς περιτέμνεσθαι, ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται. Ἐμοὶ δὲ μὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ μὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· διʼ οὗ ἐμοὶ κόσμος ἐσταύρωται, κἀγὼ τῷ κόσμῳ. Ἐν γὰρ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ οὔτε περιτομή τι ἰσχύει, οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις. Καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπʼ αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ. Τοῦ λοιποῦ, κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ μετὰ τοῦ πνεύματος ὑμῶν, ἀδελφοί. Ἀμήν.


Gospel Reading

13th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 18:18-27

At that time, a ruler came to Jesus and asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.' " And he said, "All these I have observed from my youth." And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard this he became sad, for he was very rich. Jesus looking at him said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

13th Sunday of Luke
Κατὰ Λουκᾶν 18:18-27

Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἄρχων λέγων· διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ποιήσας ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω; εἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς· τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας· μὴ μοιχεύσῃς, μὴ φονεύσῃς, μὴ κλέψῃς, μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς, τίμα τὸν πατέρα σου καὶ τὴν μητέρα σου. ὁ δὲ εἶπε· ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην ἐκ νεότητός μου. ἀκούσας δὲ ταῦτα ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἔτι ἕν σοι λείπει· πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον καὶ διάδος πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι. ὁ δὲ ἀκούσας ταῦτα περίλυπος ἐγένετο· ἦν γὰρ πλούσιος σφόδρα. ἰδὼν δὲ αὐτὸν ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς περίλυπον γενόμενον εἶπε· πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ! εὐκοπώτερον γάρ ἐστι κάμηλον διὰ τρυμαλιᾶς ῥαφίδος εἰσελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. εἶπον δὲ οἱ ἀκούσαντες· καὶ τίς δύναται σωθῆναι; ὁ δὲ εἶπε· τὰ ἀδύνατα παρὰ ἀνθρώποις δυνατὰ παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ ἐστιν.


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Saints and Feasts

November 24

13th Sunday of Luke


November 24

Our Holy Father Clement, Pope of Rome

Saint Clement was instructed in the Faith of Christ by the Apostle Peter. He became Bishop of Rome in the year 91, the third after the death of the Apostles. He died as a martyr about the year 100 during the reign of Trajan.


November 24

Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria

Saint Peter illustriously occupied the throne of Alexandria for twelve years, and, as Eusebius says, "was a divine example of a bishop on account of the excellence of his life and his study of the sacred Scriptures" (see Eusebius, Eccl. Hist., Book VII, 3 2; Book VIII 11, 13; and Book IX, 6). He excommunicated Arius for his sympathy with the Meletian schism. When Arius learned that Saint Peter had been imprisoned, he sent many priests and deacons to him, asking that he receive him back into the communion of the Church before his martyrdom. When the ambassadors of Arius, who had not, like Saint Peter, perceived the ruin he would engender, were astonished at the vehemence with which Saint Peter refused to receive Arius again, he revealed to them a dread vision he had seen, in which the Master Christ had appeared to him as a child wearing a garment torn from head to foot. When Saint Peter asked the Lord who rent His garment, the Lord answered that it was Arius, and that he must not be received back into communion. The holy hieromartyr Peter was beheaded during the reign of Maximinus in the year 312; he is called the "Seal of the Martyrs," because he was the last Bishop of Alexandria to suffer martyrdom under the pagan Emperors. His successors to the throne of Alexandria, Saints Alexander and Athanasius the Great, brought to final victory the battle against Arius' heresy which Saint Peter had begun.


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Wisdom of the Fathers

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

Love of money is the worship of idols, a daughter of unbelief, an excuse for infirmities, a foreboder of old age, a harbinger of drought, a herald of hunger.
St. John Climacus
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but he who is bound by it never attains to pure prayer.
St. John Climacus
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 16:2,7 and Step 17:1, 6th Century

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