THE ORTHODOX WAY
March 2017
 Dear St. Nicholas Family,

We hope you've had a good start to Lent. Join us this Sunday, March 5th for the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
Archdiocese and Metropolis News


Prepping for Our Journey to Pascha

Encyclical Of Archbishop Demetrios For Holy And Great Lent

The Archdiocese has a new website! See it here.
LENTEN RESOURCES:
Learn more about this beautiful time of self-redirection and reconnection with our Lord and His Church by visiting these websites:

See dates for Pre-Sanctified Liturgies we'll be with other parishes  

 

Lenten Women's Retreat - info here 

See topics for
the St. John Chrysostom
Oratorical Festival
Be the Bee
Why Christians Care for the Environment

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?
Support Lou's PMC Ride

Lives of the Saints


Sunday of Orthodoxy

Sunday of St. Gregory of Palamas
  
Alexis the Man of God

Annunciation of the Theotokos

Sunday of St. John Climacus
March 26
5th Thursday of Lent: The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete
Father Demetri's Message
Without a doubt, our lives are filled with both great times of rejoicing, and times of tremendous trial and difficult circumstances. Psalm 23:4 says "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

During this beautiful period of Great Lent, which allows us to have deep inner focus and redirection, the Church prepares us for Great and Holy Week which then leads us to the Glory of the Resurrection. Yet in order to get to the Resurrection, our Lord willingly went through the darkest period: betrayal, scourging, beatings, the Cross and death for the salvation of the world. Yet Holy Week does not end on Great and Holy Friday; it is completed with the Glorious Day of Resurrection.

For us, no matter what we go through as Christians, God has a way of taking our sorrows and turning them into joys, and giving us experiences that will help us the next time we face difficulty, and will also serve as a way to minister to others around us who also may be facing similar trials.

I encourage you to do the following as you, your family and loved ones continue to grow in the image and strive for the likeness of Almighty God:

1. Read Holy Scripture and books/writings about the Church and her Saints - As you ask God to open your understanding, He will help you to understand the important truths that will assist your growth.

2. Pray - From the very beginning of creation, God has desired to have a relationship with mankind. Your prayer time is your communication with Him. Begin your prayer with Thanksgiving and Praise for what He has done for you, then pray for others, and make your own requests known to God, even though he knows what you need. We all live in a glass house, God sees EVERYTHING, especially the sins and faults that are done in secret, yet prayer is the opening of the front door that invites Him in! One of the most beautiful prayers in the Greek Orthodox Tradition is called the Jesus prayer which is done in two parts: While inhaling a breathe the person says "Lord Jesus Christ Son of God" and then exhales and says the final section of the prayer "have mercy upon me the sinner."

3. Church - You need to spend time with others of like faith, and enjoy the fellowship and strength that comes with being part of the family of God. No, this is not a perfect family, however, you will find great inspiration as you learn together and participate in the Sacraments and services of the Church. Even monks who choose to live a life of celibacy and complete devotion to God live in a Community!

4. Witness - I believe it is also important that share with others your journey "on the way". You never know who you may inspire. I recall what was said to me on the day of my Ordination by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios "preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

May you have a Blessed Lenten Season,
Fr. Demetri
Orthodoxy in the News
Life of St. Nicholas Planas
Children's Word
Written by Presbytera Alexandra Houck
Greater things than these!
PC President's Letter
Dear Saint Nicholas Parish Family:
 
Blessed Lent to all!

Last month we received a generous donation from the Mary Mooney Estate in the amount of $10,000. Mary Mooney, a dedicated and loving member of our parish, was the sister of Dr. Charles T. Mooney who was the leader among of the founders of our St. Nicholas parish. The Parish Council is in the process of deciding how to allocate the funds and perhaps dedicate an item or structure in recognition and gratitude to the Mooneys.

On March 12, the Parish Council and members of the Long Term Planning Committee will be meeting to discuss 2017 goals.

Moving along with our security improvements, all doors have been rekeyed and keypads have been placed on the kitchen door and Oakland Street door. A new alarm system is also active so please check with the office if you need to enter the church after regular office hours.

Sincerely,
Maria Decoulos
madecoulos@gmail.com
617-645-1684
Ministry News
CHURCH SCHOOL 
Be a part of St Nicholas' Holy Friday Retreat!

We need parents to assist in organizing and running our Church School Retreat. The more help we have, the better the experience is for our children. Please be a part of this beautiful day -  contact Lariza or Amantha.  

Lariza Panagiotou: larizap@earthlink.net
Amantha Tsaros: amanthatsaros@gmail.com 
GREEK SCHOOL 
Καλό Μήνα! Καλή Σαρακοστή! As days get longer and warmer one is reminded that Spring is in the air. The students are back from winter break and are continuing with their lessons.

 On Sunday March 26, we will celebrate Greek Independence Day and the Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. The students will recite poems and sing Patriotic songs. The dancers will perform for you, of course.

The Apokriatiko Glendi was a lot of fun this year. Despite the cold weather and the snow, it was a good turnout. The children entertained the audience as they danced to the music. Haralampos, their instructor, is doing a wonderful job teaching them the various dances. Special thanks to the parents for donating the food and drinks and for helping with the preparations and clean up. We also thank all of you who came and supported the Greek School.  
PHILOPTOCHOS  
Our March commitments to National are: OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) $150; SAMP (Support a Mission Priest) $200. We will also take a collection on the Feast Day of the Holy Cross to support Hellenic College/Holy Cross (Lenten Event).

We will be participating in the "Operation Housewarming" for our veterans. We will be collecting household items and delivering them to the VA hospital in Bedford.

We are now in the lenten season and we should not forget the People of Greece and Cyprus as they are going through very difficult times. Thousands depend on various parishes for their meals every day.

The letter for the flowers to decorate the Epitaphio have been sent and our organization will be collecting as we do every year.

Thank you so much for your generous support of our stewardship; it is still going on and is never too late to join. Our Philoptochos needs you. Our next meeting will be on March 7, at 6:30pm.

I wish all of you Kali Saracosti.  Have a nice month and God Bless.

Lela Digenis, President 
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
On the Sunday of Forgiveness, preceding Great Lent, we heard from the Gospel According to Matthew:  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Such a powerful passage, and one that allows us, as Father notes, to refocus "our attention to ... our faith, daily living, spirituality, life and death" as we embark on our Lenten Journey.

A summary of treasure:
2017 Stewardship goal is $177,625
Through 2/21/17, total pledged amount: $120,080
Number of families pledging: 105

Through the end of January, 79 families returned Stewardship commitment forms. February brought an additional 36 families.

If you are able, please thoughtfully and prayerfully, download and complete a 2017 Stewardship form, which can be found on our parish's website or directly here.

And if you have already returned your Stewardship commitment form, thank you! A Blessed Lent to all!

With love in Christ, 
Tony Gray 
HEALTH & WELLNESS
We have been meeting for Thursday afternoon exercise class and it has been fun!

During Great Lent, however, we will not be meeting for the Thursday group. Instead, we will be having exercise class after services on Monday and Wednesday and possibly Friday evenings.

We can tailor the exercise to ANY fitness level.  Please join us! Wishing everyone a Blessed Great Lent.
Judy Gray 
2017 ST. NICHOLAS MINISTRY AWARDS RECIPIENTS
We are pleased to announce that this year's St. Nicholas recipients are Lariza and Leo Panagiotou. Congratulations to them both for their many years of service to our church.  

The awards banquet will be on Sunday, June 11 at Lombardo's, in Randolph, MA. Reception is at 5:30pm and dinner at 6:30pm. Tickets: $75. If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact the church office at 781-862-6453. 
AGAPE GROUP
"Wonders of the National Parks" presented by the Agape Group

Do you know how many national parks exist in the United States? How many have you visited? Most people have only been to one or two. To visit them all would take a lot of time and money since they are found all over the country. However, now there is an opportunity to visit them all, at least visually, in the new series of "Lectures by DVD" to be presented by the Agape Group at St. Irene's Hall starting on Thursday, January 12.

The lecturer is Ford Cochran, the Program Director for National Geographic Expeditions and an accomplished geologist. The lectures will include a discussion of the geological history of each park and will be accompanied by beautiful pictures by the National Geographic photographers. Each lecture will be one-hour long from 11:00am to 12:00pm. There will be eighteen weekly lectures.

By the way, there are fifty-nine National Parks in the United States.
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).
Messages 
 
Sunday Fellowship Hour
A gentle reminder to all Fellowship hosts: Please keep in mind that families hosting coffee hour (children's table and main table) are responsible for clean up after completion. We appreciate your help with keeping our parish clean and treating it as your own home...because it is! 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 ad,  please contact the church office at 781-862-6453 or email st.nicholaslex@verizon.net
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church | (781) 862-6453 | st.nicholas.lex@verizon.net | http://stnicholaslex.org/
17 Meriam Street, Lexington, MA 02420