UPCOMING EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Faith & Family Weekdays
Faith and Family Weekdays is back, and there are many ways for each of to grow in the knowledge and practice of our faith. Ready to learn more about the Bible, about the Orthodox Church, about navigating life’s challenges as a Christian, a woman, or a man? It’s all there. There’s a lot more to church than Sundays, and here is where to find it.
THIS WEEK:
- Tuesday, February 4, 7:00pm: “Journey of Marriage” – Marriage seminar aimed at preparing couples for their wedding. Based on the “Journey of Marriage” course by Dr. Philip Mamalakis. Conducted as group sessions with other couples to share and grow together.
- Wednesday, February 5, 6:30pm Vespers/7:00pm: “Explore the Word” - Father Radu leads us through a 4-week “Mini-Series” of Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. Deepen your knowledge of Holy Scripture as this Epistle expounds on the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Cross of Christ and living a life of faith. Feb. 5, 12, 19 & 26.
[Feb 6] New Ministry! “Playtime & Parea”
Holy Trinity Church is pleased to announce the addition of its newest ministry: “Playtime & Parea”! It is a fun, faith-based playgroup for little ones (ages 0 to 4) and parents (or caregivers) to connect, make new friends, and grow together in the love of Christ. Meets twice a month on Thursdays from 10:00am until 11:30am in the Fireside Room. The next gathering is scheduled for this Thursday, February 6. For information, contact [email protected].
[Feb 9] Project Sweet Peas
Next Sunday, February 9, Holy Trinity’s HOPE and JOY children will help to assemble care packages for Project Sweet Peas, which supports families of premature or sick infants and those who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss. All HOPE (5 years old through 2nd grade) and JOY (3rd through 6th grade) children are asked to proceed to the Fireside and Conference Rooms following Church School next Sunday. All items will be provided.
[Feb 21] Gal-entine Flower Event
Join other HT women for a Gal-entine event of fellowship, food and flower-arranging on Friday, Feb. 21 from 6:30-9:00pm at BW Wholesale Florist (2647 Smallman Street). Led by a professional florist, learn tips to create your own arrangement, and leave the class with a centerpiece that you can take home. Most importantly, grow new friendships! Please note: this event is geared toward those in their late 20s to mid-40s. To reserve visit HolyTrinityPgh.org/events by Feb. 16. Questions? Contact Eleni Valliant ([email protected]) or Helena Kraniou ([email protected]).
[Mar 1] Second Annual McCandless Crossing Chocolate Walk Benefiting NHCO
On Saturday March 1, from 12:00pm until 6:00pm, participating McCandless Crossing businesses will offer specialty chocolates to ticketed guests for a relaxing day full of shopping and treats. The delicious fun starts at Fairfield Inn & Suites, where participants will get a tote bag for their goodies before starting their sweet stroll. All proceeds benefit North Hills Community Outreach. Purchase your tickets today at https://www.nhco.org/chocolate/p/ticket
[Mar 29] "Care for the Caregiver" – Save the Date
Caring for or assisting a parent, child, other family member or loved one? As we give of ourselves so generously, we must be mindful that we, too, have to pay attention to our own well-being. And we need to know we are not alone in the challenges caregiving can bring. The Visitation Ministry is hosting a seminar titled "Care for the Caregiver" on Saturday, March 29. Our time together will include a guest speaker, lunch and fellowship. Save the date. More details to follow. If you have any questions or need a caregiver to stay with your loved one while you attend, see Amy Armanious, Visitation Ministry Coordinator or email [email protected].
[Apr 4-6] GOYA Spring Retreat
The Metropolis of Pittsburgh will offer a GOYA Spring Retreat on April 4th through 6th at Camp Nazareth (339 Pew Road, Mercer, PA 16137). Camper Registration & Staff Applications will open on Monday, February 17th at 7:00pm. Questions? Please contact Camping Ministries Coordinator, Maria Phyrillas at [email protected]. For additional information or to register, visit: y2am.pittsburgh.goarch.org/retreats
2025 Stewardship Cards
Holy Trinity Church and all its ministries are made possible through the generous donations and support of our stewards, who offer their time, talents, and treasures throughout the year. The 2025 Stewardship Pledge Cards have been mailed out. If you have not yet received a printed pledge card, you may pick one up in the Narthex or call the office at (412-366-8700) to request one to be sent by mail. You also have the option of making your 2025 Stewardship Pledge ONLINE through our new Realm system. It’s so easy! Just visit our website at HolyTrinityPgh.org/pledge or click the “Stewardship Pledge Online” QR code icon on the front page. Remember, every Holy Trinity member who pledges or donates already has a Realm account, and that makes pledging, giving, and reporting so much easier! You can even access your giving statement any time from your account without waiting for it to be mailed or emailed. Not sure how to access your account? Just visit HolyTrinityPgh.org/give and click “Sign In.” Use your email address and password to login. Don’t know your password? Simply click “Forgot password” and a link will be emailed to you to create or re-create one.
Pleasant Valley Homeless Shelter Dinners - New Procedure
Over the years, our church has been a generous partner to the Pleasant Valley shelter, by taking part in their large program to feed their homeless residents on a daily basis! This year, the shelter has automated their scheduling of volunteers for this. They no longer provide us with dates for which we are responsible, but rather they have an online signup tool for individual volunteers to pick a date and register themselves. The schedule is open to June at this point and can be found on their website: https://ncm.corsizio.com/portal/ncm
Please consider signing up as soon as you are able; there are even available remaining dates in this month! As before, here is the expectation when you sign up:
- Prepare and deliver a meal that can feed at least 30 men.
- Arrive between 7:00pm- 7:30pm.
- You are always welcome to stay and serve or to drop off the food if serving is not an option. You can also bring family, friends, colleagues, etc.
- Be aware of nut allergies. Also try to stay away from pork.
- You can warm up and prepare food in the kitchen on site.
- If you have additional questions, please call 412-323-1163.
If you are interested, but need help with signing up, please see Mike Kritiotis after Divine Liturgy today. Thank you!
Snow Cancellations – Where to Check for Rare Cancellations
Though cancellations are rare, please keep in mind over the winter months that there are a number of options to hear or read about event or service cancellations in the case of snow or inclement weather. First stop: Check our website at www.HolyTrinityPgh.org. To hear by phone, call the church office (412-366-8700) then press option #7 and listen for a recorded weather cancellation announcement. Alternatively, to get information by radio or television, watch the KDKA Storm Center, as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is registered there.
Welcome, Holy Trinity Guests!
We welcome all our guests to Holy Trinity Church today, whether as visitors from out of town, family members joining others here for worship today or even soon-to-be members here for the first time. No matter what the reason the Holy Spirit brought you here today, we welcome you with open arms and hearts filled with the love of Christ. Please help us welcome you by signing in at the hospitality table in the Narthex, where you will be presented with a yellow lapel Cross to help us know that you're here. And please be sure to stay and enjoy our after-Liturgy Hospitality Hour!
About Receiving Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church
We welcome all who have come to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian, an inquirer to the faith or a first-time guest in an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us and thankful for the opportunity to share and bear witness to this ancient and timeless Faith. In accordance with the holy canons and traditions of the Church, please note that Holy Communion and the other Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) are received only by those who are baptized and chrismated (confirmed) Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared through prayer, fasting and confession. All others are invited receive the antidoron (blessed bread) and a blessing from the priest at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Please also join our parish family for Hospitality Hour and allow us to meet and welcome you. Interested in joining or learning more about the Orthodox Christian Faith? Please see one of our priests or complete a visitor’s card today! How to receive: Please remember the following helpful hints aimed at helping to preserve the solemnity and safety of the Holy Mystery. Anyone wearing lipstick should remove it before receiving. Be sure to offer your baptismal name to priest before receiving. Please take great care that the red cloth held by the acolytes (you should not hold it) is fully under your chin, then use the centuries-old practice of receiving: please fully open your mouth, then gently close your lips to make sure the Holy Gifts are securely in your mouth and so that none of the holy and precious Body and Blood of Christ is accidentally spilled. Thank you for your cooperation, and may God have mercy on us all!