THE ORTHODOX WAY
October 2018

Dear St. Nicholas Family,

Thank you to all who were able to help make our festival a success! See below for new activities that have been planned this fall!
Quick Links:

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

Archdiocese & Metropolis News

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

A BIG Thank You to our festival sponsors:

  • Demoulas Foundation/Market Basket
  • Mantzoukas Family
  • Thomas A. Pappas Charitable Foundation
  • The Breakfast Club

And to our business friends:
  • Group5POS
  • Nauset
  • Lexington Prosthodontics

For making the festival possible for us!
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

PC President's Message

Church School

Health & Wellness
FR. DEMETRI'S MESSAGE

Dear Parish Family Members,
 
Those who have young ones in the home (from pre school to college age) know that everyone has finally settled down and gotten back into the routine of picking out clothes to wear, making lunches and snacks, emptying the backpack and of course…doing homework!
 
While either we are going through this process again this year or if you are reading this and reflecting on your loved ones (when they went to school) or if you are just remembering your days growing up… I wanted to share this reflection that I recently found in a book by a great Priest of our Holy Archdiocese! Here are his words:
 
“St. Paul tells us that one of the characteristics of love is that it is kind (1 Cor. 13:4). If love is kind, its kindness should shine forth in all its tender beauty especially at home. For this is the place where we live with the people who are nearest and dearest to us.
 
Yet, the opposite is often what happens. We treat our visitors and guests at home with the greatest kindness. If one of them spills coffee on the carpet, it is promptly excused: “Don’t worry!” It can happen to anyone! It’s just an old rug anyway. And besides, coffee doesn't stain.”
 
But if one of our children does the same they are usually given a tongue lashing: “you clumsy idiot! Can’t you ever do anything right? Don't you have any sense at all? Can’t you ever pick up anything without dropping it?”
 
Examine for a moment how dad treats his customers at work. No matter what they do or say, they are always right. He tries never to lose his temper with them for fear of losing a sale. He uses a very soft, pleasant tone of voice when speaking to them. He is always kind and ingratiating.
 
But watch out when he comes home! You wouldn't believe he is the same person. The whole attitude changes: the tone of voice becomes harsh; the temper flares; the words are caustic. He becomes like a roaring lion.
 
If we would only treat our children with the same kindness and consideration with which we treat our guests and customers, how different our homes would be! How happy! How pleasant! How fully of happy memories!
 
Do we not speak of our children as little gifts from God? Do we not speak of them as brief visitors from heaven in our household? Why not treat them as such?
 
Children are a reflection of their parents if they love them and a reaction to them if they hate them. Treating our children unkindly builds up hatred that eventually leads to rebellion. Treating them kindly, on the other hand, exemplifies the love of God so that when they pray “Our Father, Who are in heaven…” the image of God as Father will be for them a pleasing and attractive one.
 
Remember, “love is kind” especially at home, to those nearest and dearest to us!”
 
Taken from “Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home” by Fr Anthony M. Coniaris pgs 214-215

God bless,
PC PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Hopefully, we are rested again after our festival. It was a great festival. We got to spend time with our church family; we shared our faith, church, and culture with family, friends, neighbors, and many others. We can all be satisfied that we worked hard and raised funds for our church.
 
I want to thank everyone who helped out. Everyone’s help made the festival a success. I especially would like to thank the Festival Committee for all of their work over the last year. The committee did a great job and made everything run so smoothly. 
 
Coming up in November will be our fall general assembly. This will be a very important meeting. Our 2019 budget will be presented. The Master Planning Committee will review potential plans for the future of our parish. These include renovating, rebuilding, or relocating our parish. We want to get this information out to as many stewards as possible. We also want your feedback on these plans or on another idea. Please try to attend the general assembly after liturgy on November 4th. 

Bill Sager
CHURCH SCHOOL

Our growing Church School needs you! Please join us as a teacher, an assistant or an occasional substitute teacher. Share in the spiritual growth of our St. Nicholas Parish youth. Contact Amantha Tsaros at amanthatsaros@gmail.com or 617-733-5956.
HEALTH & WELLNESS

We had our first health walk of the fall on Sunday, September 9th but only a few of the Parish family attended. We will be walking together again on Sunday, October 14th ! Please join us! It’s only a mile and it’s a great way to get out and get some fresh air and exercise with our Saint Nicholas Family!
 
If you have any questions, please call Judy Gray at 978-266-1409. Be well and God Bless!
 
Judy Gray
Announcements
On Monday, September 24, funeral services were held for Irene Jelatis Phelps, wife of Austin Phelps and mother of Georgia Pedicini.
 
On Monday, September 24, the funeral service for George Hatsopoulos was celebrated. He was the husband of Daphne Hatsopoulos and father of Nicholas Hatsopoulos and Marina Bornhorst.
 
On Tuesday, September 24, the funeral service for Andrew Vasilakis was held at St. Nicholas Church. He was the husband of Nancy Vasilakis and the father of Costas Vasilakis and Elena Kruger and grandfather of Gabriella, Victor, Drew and Dean.
Reminders
Lost & Found
Please check the church coat rack for items forgotten during the winter months; also, any trays, etc. in the kitchen that may belong to you. If not claimed, all items will be donated to Morgan Memorial.  Thank you. 

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  office@stnicholaslex.org  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  office@stnicholaslex.org