THE ORTHODOX WAY
May 2018

Dear St. Nicholas Family,

The Spring General Assembly is this Sunday, May 6th. Please join us! A light lunch will be served for those who are staying.
Quick Links:

Sunday Worship:
Orthros: 8:15am
Divine Liturgy: 9:30am

Archdiocese and Metropolis News

Keeping you informed on what is going on in our broader Greek Orthodox Community.

Metropolis of Boston Summer Camps:

"St Nicholas Week” will be the 1st session: July 9 - 15

MOTHER’S DAY!
Sunday, May 13, the second Sunday in May is designated as Mother’s Day. On this day we honor all mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, Godmothers and motherly figures by giving them a special gift as they enter the church from our GOYA. We will pray asking God to keep them in good health for many years! We will also remember fondly those of our mothers who have fallen asleep and ask God to give them eternal rest in His Heavenly Kingdom!
ST. IRENE’S PHILOPTOCHOS “WISH LIST” DRIVE FOR PHILOXENIA HOUSE -  Needed Items, must be new: pillows. mattress pad covers, comforters, duvet covers, sheet sets – all sizes – full, queen, king; towel sets (bath, hand, wash cloth). Donations may be placed on designated table in hall. Our Philoptochos ladies will be delivering these items to the Philoxenia House soon. If you would like to join this group, please contact the church office. Thank you.

2018 ST. NICHOLAS METROPOLIS AWARD RECIPIENT  – We are pleased to announce that this year’s St. Nicholas recipient is  Bill Nimee.  Congratulations to him for his many years of service to our church.  
The awards banquet will be on Sunday, June 10 at Lombardo’s in Randolph. 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.

GRADUATES: WE WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE!
This is a call to ALL who are High School and College Seniors! We need to have your names, a little write up about yourself (a recent picture, your plans for the future, going on for further education, and your involvement here at St. Nicholas) in order to have these names appear in the Weekly Bulletin on  Graduation Sunday, May 20.   If we do not have your name and this information, you will not be able to be acknowledged as a graduate. Please take the time and give our office a call or better yet, send an e-mail with all the information we are asking!
Lives of the Saints - click on icons for more info
Orthodoxy in the News
Children's Word - Written by Presbytera Alexandra Houck
Ministry News
Ministry News:

Fr. Demetri's Message

Philoptochos

Stewardship

GOYA
Fr. Demetri's Message

THANKS TO ALL
CHRIST IS RISEN!

Now that we are in the Pascha Season, I would like to thank all of the faithful who contributed to the Divine Services during Great Lent and Holy Week. Names will not be mentioned, lest we forget to mention someone and offend them! You know who you are, but most of all, GOD KNOWS:

  • The officers and members of the Parish Council for their dedication and love.
  • Those who donated, in order to decorate the Icons for the Friday night services.
  • Those who helped with the meals on the Saturday of Lazarus, Great and Holy 
  •  Friday, Pascha Reception and Godparent Sunday Brunch.
  • Those who helped make Palm Crosses and cleaned the church on Saturday of Lazarus.
  • Those who helped at the chanter stand with the hymns and readings during the Divine Services.
  • Those who donated towards the flowers of the Kouvouklion.
  •  The Philoptochos for collecting those funds and ALL who decorated - adults and youth!
  • Those who brought the flour and oil for the Holy Unction service.
  • Those who donated the Communion Wine used at The Divine Liturgy.
  • Those who led the retreat on Great and Holy Friday for the youth of our parish!
  • Those who donated the funds for the docorated icons during Great and Holy Week, the wreath for the Crucifix, as well as the Resurrection banner.
  • Many thanks also to those who donated the Pascha eggs, the ladies who helped prepare them, and wrapped them in the tulle and tied them with the red ribbons.
  • Thank you to all who donated your annual Pascha offering!
  • Those who proclaimed the Gospel at the Vespers of Love in different languages (13 were proclaimed this year).
 
I especially would like to Fr. Nicholas Mueller who helped our parish family by serving some of the Divine Services during Great and Holy Week, may God grant him many years! Finally I would like thank all of you, the parish family members of St. Nicholas for your love, participation and attendance during Great Lent and Great & Holy Week. May our Risen Lord bless each of you abundantly!
 
It was most gratifying to have such a great participation of the faithful prior, during and following the Divine Services! Palm Sunday was so full that faithful were standing in the narthex (and even outside) during the service. It was also great to see such a large number of faithful stay until the end of the services on both Friday and Saturday night. I’m sure that we all left the Church on both of those nights, renewed in our resolve that it was the greatest experience that we could have hoped for!

God Bless,
Philoptochos

  • Philoptochos Stewardship- Please don't forget to send in your stewardship as we have to submit the names to National. Please reach out to our stewardship chair, Pam Brown, if you have any specific questions on this. 

  • Interfaith Garden Flyer- THE LEXINGTON INTERFAITH GARDEN will begin its ninth season this year! If you have volunteered before or have never volunteered and are curious, this is a perfect time to see the work we do. Beautiful organic produce is grown and brought over to the Lexington Food Pantry every Saturday morning from Spring through Fall. It is a wonderful opportunity to garden with fellow parishioners, connect with people from all other faiths in the Lexington area, and ensure those visiting the food pantry are able to receive fresh, healthy vegetables. You will also pick up great gardening tips! For more information and to be on the St Nicholas volunteer list, please contact Helen Theodosiou at htheodosiou@rcn.com.

  • Visit Philoxenia House- (June) more details to come soon! 

  • June 4th: Next meeting  (6:30-8pm)

God Bless, 

Eleni Saledas    
esaledas@gmail.com / 803.514.8696 
STEWARDSHIP

Christos Anesti! 

"Remember God and all he has done for you, honoring and thanking him in your heart."

Thank you to all of those who volunteered during and leading up to Easter celebrations at St.Nicholas, we couldn't have done it without your love and support. Our stewardship year has gotten off to a great start not only financially but through the time people have and continue to put into our community, and the talent that has surfaced in community members taking on roles. Our PC has a young assistant treasurer, our Philoptochos president is one of the youngest we have had, and our newest ministry Orthodoxy in Action has been gaining support for their activities. This all shows our love for each other as a family, and our commitment to Orthodoxy and community. I believe we will just keep getting stronger. 

Our Numbers as of April 24th, 2018: 
GOAL for 2018 Stewardship: $191,095
Total collected thru 4/24/18: $77,915
Total pledged thru 4/24/18: $110,300

With love in Christ,

Meli Papayannis 
Stewardship Chair
GOYA

Christos Anesti! Spring is finally here! We will be having one more fundraiser towards our mission trip, and we are looking forward to a service activity or dinner/discussion soon. We are also in the process of planning a GOYA camping trip. 

The school year is slowly coming to a close, this doesn't mean GOYA has to end. If you haven't already looked into attending the Metropolis summer camp in NH, follow the link to learn more:


We are looking for a GOYA family to host an end of the year GOYA family dinner at their home, please contact Meli or Eleni if you are interested.

God Bless,
Meli and Eleni
Reminders

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 Materials?:
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