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Sunday of the Holy Cross
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Monk Martyrs Claudius and Companions
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The Akathist Hymn
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Lazarus Sunday
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 Holy Wednesday
April 27 |
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Dear Family and Friends,
I share with you my main Sermon from the 3rd Sunday of Lent,
the Veneration of the Holy Cross
***Use this link***
With love in the Lord,
Father Demetri Costarakis
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Children's Word
Written by Presbytera Alexandra Houck
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Dear fellow parishioners,
The Parish Council is examining our status quo...we are identifying the church's current direction and refining short-term and long-term goals. We also wish to maintain more regular and transparent communication with our parishioners so expect to see updates in our publications.
This is an open and participatory exercise. For the short-term, we're reviewing the outreach of our ministries and making sure we have contacted those who expressed interest in getting involved; looking at the role of our stewardship ministry, the heart of our existence, and improving its function; and evaluating the management of the rental property next door.
For the past year or so, we have entertained the idea of moving to a new site because we are out-growing our present location in Lexington. In outlining our long-term plans, we need to determine: how large a facility or property do we require and its ideal location; what additional ministries could we offer; and how much can we realistically handle from a financial perspective.
As we continue the process of gaining a clear direction for our future, we will tap on the talents of our parishioners as well as the Archdiocese Office of Parish Development.
Please let us know if you have any questions and we welcome your feedback!
Thank you,
Maria Decoulos
617-645-1684
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STEWARDSHIP
Imagine a small, loving, Greek Orthodox Church with a parish family so strong in stewardship that...
- Each Sunday, there was no need for a collection for candles in the Narthex, and no tray passed at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Families prayerfully attend church services and leave their wallets and purses behind.
- For Pascha, Christmas and other holidays, no special collection is needed to beautify the church.
- Altar Servers and members of the choir can be provided with adequate robes, music, sound systems, etc., without asking for special collections.
- Routine repairs to the kitchen, heating/cooling system, basement sumping system occur without emergency funds requested from the parish family.
- Emergency kits can be provided to the IOCC - no special donations requested
- More than $10,000 can be provided to the Philoptochos, and distributed to the poor, to the homeless, to orphans and to those in need. Every year.
This is not dream that is difficult to achieve.
Indeed, if each family (family - not each individual member) of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox parish were to give 20 dollars per week... less than $3.00 per day... the cost of a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts, then the 2016 budget of $175,000 approved at the fall 2015 General Assembly would be surpassed by almost $20,000.
Stewardship Report as of March 8, 2016:
Pledges $109,530
Stewardship received $64,139
Total Pledged Stewards 105
Stewardship Goal 2016 $175,000
A blessed Lenten journey to my St. Nicholas Parish family,
With love in Christ,
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GREEK SCHOOL
Καλό
Μήνα
! April is already here and we can see the signs of spring in the air. The students did a wonderful job presenting their poems and singing patriotic songs for the Feast of the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day. Once again, all were amazed at their dancing skills .Everyone enjoyed the cake at the end of the program. We thank all of you who stayed and watched the program. We are looking forward to marching in the Parade on April 3.
We will continue working with our class-work and projects. On April 23, the Saturday of Lazarus, we will not have class. Instead we would like all students to attend Church. Afterwards, we will make crosses. Also, the following week is Holy Saturday and there will be no class.
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ST. IRENE'S PHILOPTOCHOS
Thank you to all who have sent in their stewardship for 2016 We will be submitting names to National Philoptochos at the end of April. If you have not already submitted your stewardship, please do so soon.
Our flower collection for the Kouvouklion is going well and all the icon flowers are all set. Our sincere gratitude to all those who have donated.
Our March commitments to National were: OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) $150; SAMP (Support a Mission Priest) $200. On April 3rd, we will offer a tray for the Hellenic College Holy Cross Lenten Event. This was a March commitment.
Our April commitments will be to the Sisterhood of Saint Basil Academy, and to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities).
Please remember our Chapter Challenge Project of feeding the hungry. A large lined trash barrel is in the hall waiting for your donations! As we have been asked to check the dates on all items, please make sure your donations do not have expired dates. We had to discard several items.
Helen Theodosiou has found five more volunteers for the Interfaith Community Garden.
Upcoming events:
On April 3rd, our parish will participate in the March 25th Boston Greek Independence Day Parade. We have booked a bus to take us there after Divine Liturgy and bring us back. We are number 11 in line. Please call the office to reserve your place on the bus.
St. Irene's will be hosting the fellowship hour on Palm Sunday.
As we have done in the past, a sign up sheet is up on the bulletin board for those who would like to donate one or two dozen cooked and red dyed eggs. These eggs should be delivered to the church by Holy Thursday morning (or during that week) where they will be wrapped. Many hands make light work, so please join us!
Holy Friday we will be decorating the Kouvouklion. Again, many hands are needed to finish this task in time for the service in the afternoon.
Hope to see many of you during Holy Week, and then at our Next Meeting Tuesday,
April 12!
Thank you and God Bless,
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TEEN & ADULT CHOIR
Meets Thursday nights at 7:00pm. Join us!
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PRAYER LIST
Pondering on the words of St. Paul, "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's wellbeing. (I Cor. 10:24).
Give rest to the weary, visit the sick, support the poor, for this is also worship. Aphahat
For any prayer concern (salvation, health, employment, stress and anxieties, etc.) please send baptismal names only to:
st.nicholas.lex@verizon.net
We may not be able to help others materially or medically, but God does hear our prayers and always asks us to pray for each other and so build up the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16).
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Messages for Holy Week
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Saturday of Lazarus
Join us for Divine Liturgy followed by pancakes, palm cross making and preparing the church for Holy Week.
Pascha Eggs
St. Irene's Philoptochos is asking all who would like to donate one or two dozen cooked and dyed red eggs for the Resurrection and Agape Services to sign the roster on the bulletin board or to notify Mary Correia at 781-862-6453 (for tally purposes). All prepared eggs MUST
be delivered to the church by
Holy Thursday morning, April 28
, (no later) to be wrapped on that day. Thank you.
Holy Friday Retreat Registration
Please register your children and a letter for an excused absence is available for schools. Please see Fr. Demetri.
Holy Friday Morning - Decorating Kouvouklion - All Are Welcome!
Come and help beautify the tomb of our Lord with flowers. We welcome ALL AGES!!
Readers During Great and Holy Week
We welcome those who would like to assist and help with the readings. Please come to the chanter stand before the service and talk to our chanter.
Procession of Kouvouklion
If any strong men and women would like to assist in carrying the Kouvouklion containing the Epitaphios on Holy Friday evening, please speak with a member of the Parish Council.
Flower Girls for Great and Holy Friday
We are asking for girls in our community from 3rd to 6th grades to participate in this beautiful tradition. If you would like to have your daughter take part in the service on Great and Holy Friday evening, please e-mail the church.
Pascha Fellowship Hour
Following the Service of the Resurrection on Great and Holy Saturday night, our Parish Council invites everyone to stay for a Paschal Fellowship Meal.
Vespers of Love Service on Pascha
As we have in previous years, we are looking for those who can read foreign languages to proclaim the Gospel in as many languages as possible (which is the tradition of the Church at this service).
Pascha Egg Hunt
Following the Vespers of Love Service, a Pascha Egg Hunt will take place for all the children in attendance.
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Messages
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TRIVIA NIGHT
Save the Date, May 6
flyer
PAN MASS CHALLENGE
Family Appreciation Breakfast
Dear Parish Family,
You have supported my Pan Mass Challenge ride not only last year but, once again, in 2016. With your support in 2015, the PMC was able to raise $45 million that weekend, bringing the 30-year total to $500 million raised for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. My family and I would like to show our appreciation and invite you, our parish family, to a complimentary breakfast following church services on Sunday May 15th.
All are welcome.
For anyone still interested in making a donation to my ride in memory or in honor of a loved one affected by cancer, please see the information below.
Donate online using my last name Saledas or PMC ID: LS0274
Or if you prefer to write a check, please make it out to the "PMC", and mail it to me directly at:
Lou Saledas
5 Tinkham Ave
Burlington, MA 01803
Your donation is tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
If your employer has a matching gift program, ask your Human Resources department for a form, and follow the process for matches. Thank you.
RAISE VEGETABLES AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Join St. Nicholas' volunteers for the Lexington Interfaith Garden ministry. The organic garden is located just off the Battlegreen in Lexington Center, beside the Pilgrim Congregational Church, and the produce raised by volunteers from Lexington's faith communities working together benefits the clients of the Lexington Food Pantry. No experience is necessary; it's a great opportunity to learn organic vegetable gardening from experts. The commitment is minimum, two Tuesday afternoons per month, 4:30-6 p.m., from April to October. For details ask Helen Theodosiou, or Pam Giannatsis, 781.608.6906.
Sunday Fellowship Hour
During the year, many have come forward to host a Sunday Fellowship Hour and we thank them so much. It is part of our Sunday and we all look forward to it as an opportunity to meet and greet fellow parishioners and visitors. However, there are some Sundays that no one has signed up and the decision is made to serve only coffee. Should this occur, no one should feel the need to run out and purchase anything. Although this appreciated, it is not necessary. Thank you.
Not Receiving Church Material?
If you have not been receiving church material/mailing or emails, please contact the church office at
781-862-6453 or email st.nicholaslex@verizon.net Thank you.
Monthly Bulletin Personal or Business Ad
If you are interested in placing a personal or business,
please contact the church office at 781-862-6453 or email st.nicholaslex@verizon.net
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Events & Photos
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My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
Private Viewing for 75 members of St. Nicholas Parish Family, March 26
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Birth
On March 9, 2016, the birth of Phoebe Lilian Lloyd. She is the daughter of Leto Papadopoulos and Peter Lloyd; granddaughter of Efi and Costa Papadopoulos.
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Baptism
On March 6, 2016, the son of Peter and Lauren Tzannos was baptized and given the name Dean Paul. The Godfather was George Tzannos.
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Baptism
On March 27, 2016, Riley Catherine, the daughter of Timothy and Kristine Sheahan, was baptized. The Godfather was Andrew Graham.
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