Sunday Bulletin January 28, 2018 Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 13555 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas 75240 Office 972-991-1166 Fax 972-661-1717 www.holytrinitydallas.org Reverend Father Peter Kostakis Reverend Father John Essa Reverend Deacon Mark Pakes Reverend Deacon Athanasios Clint Sharpley Reverend Deacon Christopher Stern
Sunday, January 8,, 818, Hymns at the Small Entrance RESURRECTIONAL HYMN AT THE ENTRANCE FIRST TONE GREEN BOOK PAGE 80 THE STONE THAT HAD BEEN SEALED PRIEST ENTRANCE HYMN Come let us bow down to Christ and worship Him the Son of God. Save us O Son of God, who did arise from the dead. We sing to You, alleluia! RESURRECTIONAL HYMN FIRST TONE GREEN BOOK PAGE 80 THE STONE THAT HAD BEEN SEALED HYMN FOR THE CHURCH, PLAGAL FOURTH TONE GREEN BOOK - PAGE 115 KONTAKION IN THE FIRST TONE Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One. 2
Epistle Reading St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15. TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Greek Reader: Anna Papantonopoulos English Reader: Lewie Dolmas Gospel Reading Luke 18:10-14 The Lord said this parable, "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." 3
Daily Commemoration of Saints Jan. 28 Jan. 29 Jan. 30 Jan. 31 Feb. 1 Feb. 2 Feb. 3 Theodosius of Totma; Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today; Ephraim the Syrian; Isaac the Syrian, Bishop of Ninevah; James the Righteous; Palladios the Hermit of Antioch; Grace the Martyr Laurence the Recluse of the Kiev Caves; Ignatius and Nicandrus of Sinai; Removal of the Relics of Ignatius the God-bearer; Gildas the Wise Synaxis of The Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, & John Chrysostom; Hippolytos, Pope of Rome; Athanasia the Martyr & her 3 daughters Cyrus & John the Unmercenaries; Holy Women Martyrs Theodote, Theoktiste and Eudoxia; Our Righteous Father Arsenius of Parus; Elias Ardounis the New Righteous- Martyr of Mount Athos; Aed from Ferns Forefeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple; Trypho the Martyr; Perpetua & her Companions; Timothy the Confessor; Bridget of Ireland; Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop of Thessolonica; Anastasios the New Martyr of Navplion; The Four Martyrs Andrianus, Polyeuktos, Plato and George who contested in Megara The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple; Gabriel the New Martyr of Constantinople; Jordan the New Martyr; Agathadoros the Martyr of Cappadocia The Synaxis of the Holy and Righteous Symeon the God- Receiver and the Holy Prophetess Anna; Stamatios, John, & Nicholas, New Martyrs of Spetses; Nicholas, Archbishop & Enlightener of Japan; Afterfeast of the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple; Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos; Werburga 4
Holy Trinity Calendar of Events Sunday, Jan. 28 Triodion Begins 8:15 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (S) Catechetical School (Community Center) and Adult Catechetical School (C) following Holy Communion. Three Hierarchs Greek School Celebration/Coffee/Bake Sale following Divine Liturgy (Community Center). Monday, Jan. 29 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Yarn Guild (BR) Tuesday, Jan. 30 Three Hierarchs 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (C) 1:30-3:30 p.m. Pickleball (Gym) 5-6:30 p.m. HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 7-8:30 p.m. Adult HT Greek School (GS Room) Wed., Jan. 31 2-5 p.m. Holy Trinity Bookstore OPEN 5-6:30 p.m. HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 6 p.m. Paraklesis (C) 7 p.m. Faith Enrichment (BR) Thursday, Feb. 1 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adult Bible Study (BR) 5-6:30 p.m. HT Greek School (GS Rooms) 7-9 p.m. Men s Basketball (Gym) 7 p.m. Philoptochos Board Mtg. (BR) Friday, Feb. 2 Presentation of the Lord 8:30 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (C) 5
Holy Trinity Calendar of Events (Cont.) Saturday, Feb. 3 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. DOP Prosforo Baking (K) 5 p.m. Great Vespers (C) Sunday, Feb. 4 8:15 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (S) Catechetical School (Community Center) and Adult Catechetical School (C) following Holy Communion. Coffee hosted by S.A.L.T. following Divine Liturgy (Community Center). 4:45-9 p.m. Souper Bowl of Caring Party/Potluck (Gym) Parish Council Schedule January 28 Matt Fossey, Charles Pappas, Nick Cimino, Jimmy Horiates, Gus Kostas, Ellena Fox February 4 Amelia Fritz, Wade Stephens, John Nicholas, Bill Zaemes, Peter Hronas SCHOOL KITS FOR THE CHILDREN OF GREECE Many school children in Greece are unable to fully participate in their studies in school due to the need for basic school supplies. To fill this need, IOCC has asked our youth to provide the necessary supplies for the children. The Youth of the Catechetical School, Greek School and Holy Trinity Academy have set a goal to prepare 250 school kits. The project begins Sunday, January 28th. The youth will receive Ziploc bags in their classrooms with an insert describing the project as well as the list of supplies. 6
Holy Trinity Greek School invites you all to The Annual Three Hierarchs Celebration TODAY, Sunday, January 28, students will celebrate the annual Three Hierarchs Day. Immediately following Divine Liturgy (in Church), students will give short presentations in Greek and English honoring the Three Hierarchs. The Greek School PTA will host the coffee hour. Tiropitas will be on sale. The wisdom of the St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom transcend the ages and are of great value today. They dealt with many issues and had much to say about parents, children and education. Please plan to stay a short time after Divine Liturgy next week to learn about these Great Saints and the message they have for us all today. Three Hierarchs Day was first celebrated in the year 1100 A.D. when the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Comninos proclaimed that January 30 be set aside to honor these men whose writings contributed to the formulation of Greek Orthodoxy, Greek culture and education. 7
Stewardship 2017 Giving Range Number of Families in This Range $.01-99 22 $ 100-199 49 $ 200-499 157 $ 500-999 148 $ 1000-2499 187 $ 2500-9999 72 $ 10000 + 12 Median Average $ 675 Half of donors gave more, half gave less Average Per Family $ 1,397 Total given divided by number of donors 2017 Total Contributions 2017 Budget Variance 2017 Donors $ 904,013 $1,074,860 $ (170,847) 647 2018 Pledged as of 1/18/18 2018 Budget Variance % of Budget $ 396,136 $1,149,339 $ (753,203) 34.4664% 2017 Stewardship - Unfortunately we did not meet our 2017 Budget for stewardship and ended the year with a deficit of approximately $170,000. Please consider giving to "Project 2017" by completing/ fulfilling your pledge for 2017 or giving an additional gift/ contribution towards the 2017 deficit. Please reference "Project 2017" when giving. 2018 Stewardship - Our 2018 Budget is currently approximately $1,150,000. Please remember to complete your 2018 pledge card and prayerfully consider increasing your pledge to help us reach our goal. 8
10 Reasons By Harry Yianitsas, Stewardship Chairman I ve spent the last many months coaxing, cajoling and hopefully entertaining us with random stories that somehow get bent and twisted into a stewardship lesson. But when it comes down to it, we must all ask ourselves how, and how much to give of our time, talent and treasure. On the other hand, some do not respond to the call to give. Some want or need more reasons to give. Instead of answering why we should give of our time, talent, and treasure, let s ask the opposite uncomfortable question. At great personal risk and perhaps risking what great things we have achieved together these last few years, here they are. The top 10 reasons NOT to give to your church: 10. You are depending on your own ability - We can achieve salvation on our own, right? 9. You think you are being coerced to give We don t want our arm to be twisted, do we? 8. You don t belong to God yet - How do you give up yourself to Him then? He s been there since your baptism. 7. You don t understand what Christ did for you - Weak faith and 9 weak convictions make a weak steward. 6. You have to give grudgingly - Nobody wants to hold a grudge against His Church, hmmm? 5. You don t believe we give most what we love most - Ask a parent how much of their life they give to their children. 4. You don t believe in the principle of sowing and reaping - Basic farming and investment sense just works here. 3. You don t know why God blesses you financially. What good is the tool of treasure, when it sits around un-utilized? Doesn t it rust and crumble away? 2. You don t understand what generosity does - How good does it really feel to give? 1. You don t understand that the why is greater than the what - Do you understand why we need to give, or are you still stuck with what the giving is for? As we continue to submit our 2018 pledge cards, please prayerfully consider that the why is truly greater than the what. Consider your blessings of time, talent and treasure and how you can give them back to His church.
Philoptochos Membership Luncheon Join us for lunch and celebrate the new year and a new you with a resolution you can keep! Become a Friend of the Poor Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 11 a.m. Greek Isles at Royal & Preston Lunch is complimentary but your desire to serve others is priceless 10
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Trip to: Thackerville, OK Date: Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 Depart at: 9:30 a.m. Leave OK at: 3:00 p.m. Cost: Transportation ONLY: $15.00 per person We will need at least 35 people to sign up before February 5 th Please call to reserve your seat: Annette Dempsey 214-366-4226 Note: There is no lunch scheduled at the Community Center in February. PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN Brandon Bell, USAF Michael Bocan-Collins, PO1, US Navy Thomas C. Bouras, 1st Lt., US Army Jorge Brignoni, Lt., US Navy Nicholas Patitsas, 1st Lt., US Marine Corps Haylie Marie Pike, US Navy Stephen Serniak, Major, USAF Space Command Karl Schlotthauer, US Army 13
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2018 MISSION BLANKETS Happy New Year to everyone!!! We want to thank all of you who helped make Mission Blankets so productive last year, including the Church Office. With your donations of money, blankets, overseas contact info and time, we were able to reach a record amount of children living in group homes. And we are off to a great start for this current year, with plenty of blankets already on hand!! One man alone from our church generously donated 36 blankets. We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to every one of you who made contributions over the holidays that catapulted us into the New Year. The Hamogelo Charity which oversees 5 Children s Homes in Greece will be our main focus. A member of our church recommended this group to us and we are in touch with them. They are eager to receive these gifts for all their children. We are busy sewing the personalized trims onto each blanket. By March we will start a staggered series of shipments to Greece. What we can use the most right now is funds for shipping. Any amount, great or small is appreciated. It all adds up!! Make checks out to Holy Trinity Church and mark Mission Blankets in the memo line. An average box containing 8 blankets costs $90 to send overseas. It s not the cheapest way, but we are assured that the items get delivered to the orphanage door. You are a wonderful group of people. It is most rewarding to work with all of you. With love and appreciation, Karen Antos and Nancy Hebert 16