THE ORTHODOX WAY
July/August 2016
 Dear St. Nicholas Family,

Kalo mina! The summer months are here and while things tend to slow down a little here at St. Nicholas, the festival committee is in full planning mode. Please see below how you can also be involved.
Archdiocese and Metropolis News
In This Issue
Quick Links
Parish Council
Contact Info
Sunday Worship
Orthros 8:15am
Divine Liturgy 9:30am
Did you know EFT and credit card payments can be made online to 
St. Nicholas
 
Lives of the Saints


Andrew of Crete
   July 4
  
Holy Martyrs Cyricus and  His Mother Julitta
   July 15
  
Mary Magdalene
Equal to the Apostles
    July 22

Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ


Dormition of Holy Theotokos
August 15
 
Moses the Black Scete
Father Demetri's Message
Fr. Demetri is on Sabbatical leave for the month of July
If there is an emergency, please contact Maria Decoulos, PC president  (617-645-1684)
Orthodoxy in the News
The Iconography of the Deaths of the Apostles
Children's Word
Written by Presbytera Alexandra Houck
Picking Teams
Ministry News
STEWARDSHIP
"The Biblical position is that life should be lived to glorify God - that our time, talents, and resources...should be used for the purposes of God...this involves a commitment to 'love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength...to love your neighbor as yourself.
       - The Most Reverend Edward W. Scott in The Passionate Steward
 
"Christian stewardship embraces every aspect of our lives and our giftedness.  It cannot be reduced to money and the management of our financial resources alone, but is rather triune in nature - time, talent, and treasure.  If we are going to renew our understanding of stewardship as a matter of Christian vocation, individually, at the parish level... we shall have to begin by restoring time and talent to their proper place...time and talent properly precede treasure in the exercise of stewardship."
     - Michael O'Hurley-Pitts in
The Passionate Steward
 
Dear St. Nicholas family,
 
What is stewardship to you?
What church/parish family/community events have you taken part in and enjoyed?
If you were to give the church one hour of your time each month (in addition to worship), what event would you like to participate in?
 
All of us have talents - things we're good at and love to do!
What shall we give in return to the Lord for His gifts?
Have a blessed summer, and think about how your talent can be used to glorify God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.
 
With love in Christ,
Tony Gray
 
Stewardship Report as of June 21, 2016:
2016 Stewardship goal, approved at the Fall General Assembly: $175,000

Pledges                                   $139,060
Stewardship received              $101,625
Total Pledged Stewards          143
HEALTH & WELLNESS 
We hope everyone enjoys the summer!!  We will try to rejuvenate our Health and Wellness events in the fall starting with our Health Walks!! As the hot days of summer approach, it is very important to stay  hydrated, wear sunscreen and bug repellent when you are outside.
 
God bless and have a happy and healthy summer!!
Messages
PROJECT MEXICO SUPPORT
Two of our parish family members, Maria and Katerina Barbas have asked us to support them spiritually and financially as they plan to participate in a home building work trip with Project Mexico and St. innocent Orphanage. Please take the time to read their letter, and if you are able to by showing your support in any way, shape or form.

ST. NICHOLAS JOY BASKETBALL
Are you between the ages of 8 and 13?  Are you interested in playing on a St. Nicholas JOY basketball team that will play against JOY teams from other area churches?  Games will be
played on Saturday afternoons (2pm, 3pm or 4pm) at Hellenic College in Brookline or St. Demetrios church in Weston.  The season will run from mid November to early March.  If you are interested please contact  Nicholas Zervoglos.  Please include your name and age as of September 1, 2016.  Girls and boys are welcome to play on the team.

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.

Lost and Found
There are forgotten coats, jackets, etc.from the winter months in the church hall.   If you recall that one of these may belong to you,  please stop by the church and pick up.  Otherwise, all items will be donated to Morgan Memorial.  Thank you.

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.
2016 A Taste of Greece Festival
Please Sponsor a Head of Lettuce!!!!
Or whatever else you can, to help defray the costs of our A Taste of Greece Festival 2016, Sept. 16-18.  During coffee hour, review the Festival Donation Board in St. Irene's Hall (also ONLINE) and make a commitment, if you can, to make a monetary donation toward our festival expenses. Or you can do it online (We will purchase the items for you.) Logistical and other expenses this year will be approximately $30,000, therefore, everyone's donation and participation is needed. See information on the Donation Board on how to remit your contribution. Thank You! 

St. Irene's Philoptochos Festival Pastry Booth
Once again, the St. Irene's Philoptochos will be hosting the Pastry Booth at the Taste of Greece.  And, once again, we are requesting pastry donations.  A sign up sheet can be found on the church bulletin board for your pastry donations.  We cannot sell from an "empty basket" so everyone's help and commitment is needed.  Please respond with your generosity as you have in the past.  If you have any questions, please contact Mary Correia at 781-862-6453.  Thank you.

Spanakopita Workshop
We will be preparing 30 trays of spanakopita (we will have another workshop to make another 30) chaired by Monica Vafiades. The first workshop will be over three days:  
13-15 July  Monica will need:
6 people on Wednesday July 13, 5:00 pm - ? for washing/ cleaning spices
6 people on Thursday July 14, 5:00 pm - ? for squeezing out spinach
Lots of people on Friday July 15 9:00 am - ? for chopping, measuring, mixing, cooking, and assembling the spanakopita.  Come when you can, stay as long as you'd like. She would like an idea of who can come, for how long, etc.. E-mail Monica - your name with dates and times.  Thank you for your help!

Sponsors for the Festival
At this stage of preparing to host (over 3,000 local residents with home-cooked food!), we focus on reaching out to our community - fellow Hellenes, neighbors, and local businesses regarding promotional opportunities.  There are a few options to get very good exposure to a qualified local audience.  If you know someone who you think might be interested, please write them a personal note and attach   this document.  It offers all the options available.  Any support you could provide in this endeavor, and also your friends, family and colleagues, would be much appreciated by the festival committee. Thank you.
Announcements
Baptism
On June 18, 2016, the daughter of Leto (Papadopoulos) and Peter Lloyd was baptized and given the name, Phoebe Lilian.  The Godparents are Judy and Tony Gray and grandparents are Costas and Efimia Papadopoulos.
 
Chrismation
On June 26, 2016, Matthew Rousseau was welcomed into the Orthodox Faith through the sacrament of Chrismation.  His sponsor was Michael Tanionos. Matthew is the husband of Alyssa Rousseau and son-in-law of Stephanie and Robert DeVasto

July Celebrations: Name Days, Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries
August Celebrations: Name Days, Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church | (781) 862-6453 | st.nicholas.lex@verizon.net | http://stnicholaslex.org/
17 Meriam Street
Lexington, MA 02420