Fr. Alex’s Message: The Lazarus Effect · “Lazarus,” and we can surely return the favor and...
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St. Philip Church 500 West Hollis St. Nashua, NH 03062 www.stphilipnh.org April 2015 Table of Contents Have you heard of the movie, “The Lazarus Effect”? The new thriller is about a group of medical students who develop a serum (codename “Lazarus”) to help coma patients—but that, it is found, also ultimately brings people back from the dead. When their university discovers what they’ve been up to, the stu- dents’ program is shut down. Unable to let go, they secretly continue their work. But one of the students, Zoe, is accidentally killed in the process. Her boyfriend, Frank, out of misguided love, de- cides to use the serum on her, with terrifying con- sequences. That’s a lot to take in in one little paragraph! Now let’s distance ourselves from Hollywood and be reminded of the graceful, inspiring real Lazarus narrative from Holy Scripture: “Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone’…. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are stand- ing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” —John 11:38 - 44 Hollywood will always borrow from scriptural and religious themes, as they have with “Lazarus,” and we can surely return the favor and borrow right back—in this case, to discuss what the “Lazarus Effect” is for us, as we approach Easter, our Holy Pascha. As I mentioned before, in the movie, the character Zoe (remember, her name means “life”) is brought back to life by someone who loves her. But the effort is catastrophic and monstrous. Zoe, in the end, does not come back as herself—but as a dark, sinis- ter shadow of her former self. If we were to play around with this idea in a theological sense, we might say that the love that motivated Zoe’s “resurrection” was a good thing; however, her friends failed to realize that we are Creation, not the Creator—the Lord is —Cont. on Pg. 2 Fr. Alex’s Message: The Lazarus Effect @StPhilipNH facebook.com/ StPhilipNashua Liturgical Schedule 2 Stewardship 3 Youth 4, 5 Photos 6 Calendar 7 Community/ Outreach 8 Education/ News 9 Sponsors 10, 11 instagram.com/ stphilipnashu- anh
Transcript of Fr. Alex’s Message: The Lazarus Effect · “Lazarus,” and we can surely return the favor and...
St. Philip Church 500 West Hollis St. Nashua, NH 03062 www.stphilipnh.org
April 2015
Table of Contents
Have you heard of the movie, “The Lazarus Effect”?
The new thriller is about a group of medical students who develop a serum (codename “Lazarus”) to help coma patients—but that, it is found, also ultimately brings people back from the dead. When their university discovers what they’ve been up to, the stu-dents’ program is shut down. Unable to let go, they secretly continue their work. But one of the students, Zoe, is accidentally killed in the process. Her boyfriend, Frank, out of misguided love, de-cides to use the serum on her, with terrifying con-sequences.
That’s a lot to take in in one little paragraph! Now let’s distance ourselves from Hollywood and be reminded of the graceful, inspiring real Lazarus narrative from Holy Scripture:
“Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone’….
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are stand-ing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.’ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” —John 11:38 - 44
Hollywood will always borrow from scriptural and religious themes, as they have with “Lazarus,” and we can surely return the favor and borrow right back—in this case, to discuss what the “Lazarus Effect” is for us, as we approach Easter, our Holy Pascha.
As I mentioned before, in the movie, the character Zoe (remember, her name means “life”) is brought back to life by someone who loves her. But the effort is catastrophic and monstrous. Zoe, in the end, does not come back as herself—but as a dark, sinis-ter shadow of her former self. If we were to play around with this idea in a theological sense, we might say that the love that motivated Zoe’s “resurrection” was a good thing; however, her friends failed to realize that we are Creation, not the Creator—the Lord is —Cont. on Pg. 2
Fr. Alex’s Message: The Lazarus Effect
@StPhilipNH
facebook.com/ StPhilipNashua
Liturgical Schedule 2
Stewardship 3
Youth 4, 5
Photos 6
Calendar 7
Community/
Outreach 8
Education/
News 9
Sponsors 10, 11
instagram.com/stphilipnashu-
anh
Come and See 2
the author of life and any misunderstanding of this misleads us. God is the only one who saves. This is, in fact, what Pascha is all about. We understand loss. So did Christ. You’ll notice in the John passage that Christ was “groaning in Himself” over the loss of Lazarus. Christ loved him deeply. And motivated by that love—and of course for the glory of God—Christ raised Lazarus, prefiguring His own Resurrection. So what’s the true, “non-movie” Lazarus Effect? Very simply, it is hope, joy, and that we might “believe” (see the John quote again) that Christ was sent by God to rescue us from ourselves, from our misguided efforts to save ourselves. It is the knowledge that Christ is the true miracle work-er of our lives, and that our solace is in Him, not in the work of our hands. It is, as well, the understanding that we are loved by God, never alone. I wish you a “Kali Anastasi,” a “Good Resurrection”! Together, as we ap-proach Holy Week, we can embrace the true “Lazarus Effect,” allowing Christ’s eternal love and miraculous power to permeate our lives.
Fr. Alex
As we look toward Holy Week, one of the most moving days is of course Holy Friday, when we contemplate, like Mary, the sacrifice of Christ, the mystery of His profound love for us all:
“The Mother cried aloud, when she saw her Son hang-ing on the Cross; The Maiden, pierced to the heart, cried out fervently shedding tears. O Light of my eyes, my sweetest Child, how are You now cov-ered in the grave?”
—Lamentations of Holy Friday Evening
The Lenten Donation Form and Agape Kouvouklion/Epitaphios Donation Enve-lopes have been mailed to our Stewards and are available in the Narthex. It’s not too late to support the beautification of our Church during this holy season. Thank you for your support! and generosity!
Sundays Orthros, 9 am Divine Liturgy, 10 am 5: Palm Sunday 12: Pascha 19: Thomas Sunday 26: Myrrhbearing Women
Weekday Liturgies Orthros, 9 am Divine Liturgy, 10 am 4: Saturday of Lazarus (Breakfast/palm cross-making, Church cleaning & iconography workshop) 23: St. George
PreSanctified Liturgy
1: 6 pm
Holy Week See the April Calendar on Pg. 7.
The Lazarus Effect (continued)
Lenten & Kouvouklion/Epitaphios Donations
All parishioners are welcome to read the Epistle during Sunday Liturgy. Readers are also welcome to help with our Holy Week services, especially the Holy Wednesday Unction & Holy Friday Royal Hours services. Contact Fr. Alex.
APRIL EPISTLE SCHEDULE
5: Bette Gioffre 12: Elena Barker (Agape Vespers) 19: Lori Pitsas 26: Dorothy Pitarys
Voices of Faith
April Schedule
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
Holy Friday
Night Vigil
After the Lamenta-tions, stay with us for a moving vigil. We’ll read the Gospels and remain “vigilant” and “near” Christ in anticipation of the Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Saturday.
Contact Dan Gioffre for details: [email protected].
From the Heart of the Theotokos
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Often our faithful will ask our Stewardship Committee members to break down the finan-cial aspect of the program, so we can all view our progress in relation to our goals. Here is a view of 2015, as of March 1.
-Total Pledged Stewards: 80 -Total Non-Pledged Stewards: 78 -Total Pledged Funds: $60,195 -Pledged Funds Received: $21,947 -Non-Pledged Funds Received: $11,375 -Pledges: Low $100; High $12,000; Av. $785 -2015 Budgeted Stew. Income: $139,500 -2015 Operating Budget: $311,346 -Average Stewardship Offering Needed to Cover 2015 Operating Budget (based on 270 Stewards): $1,153 As mentioned last month, we will continue to offer these updates periodical-ly throughout 2015—and we hope our faithful find these insights useful.
At the early March General Assembly meeting, it was reported that we had only collected roughly $15,000 of the $57,000 pledged thus far for 2015. While at face value one might not give this much thought, it was mentioned during the last Parish Council meeting that we actually needed to transfer funds to make payroll. (Apparently this happens more than we would care to know.)
This should be an easy fix … we need to change the way we give! Simple! Why not shift to an early gift as opposed to a De-cember gift? This practice is like you might do with your IRA to maximize your return over time.
In addition, one might ask, “Why have we only collected such a small amount given that we have nearly 300 active stewards?” We could give some prayerful thought about the importance of our St Philip community and how our gifts need to grow in a way that allows us to sustain ourselves. We are very fortunate that we do not have a mortgage! Yet, we barely make financial ends meet year after year.
We are a giving community. Please send in your pledge card with your generous offering. As our Stewardship Committee has urged you before, let’s make 2015 a breakout year together!
Note: We’re hoping to have the online giving (debit card) feature of our Stewardship Webpage up and running by May, so please watch for news on this. And contact me with any general ques-tions you may have on our ministry, including how you might join and be an active member of our growing Stewardship Com-mittee: [email protected].
St. Philip
Greek Orthodox Church
We hope our faithful are now aware of our capital campaign. Our report during the Gen-eral Assembly meeting, last month, was well-
received, and we now need to ask those sitting on the sidelines to jump in. The need to fund our improvements and replenish our capital funds should be clear. From comments at the as-sembly, the area people seem most interested in tackling is the dome. (Why not think of this as helping maintain your home away from home!) We look forward to your participation as we all help preserve and enhance our beloved Church!
Contact Doug Philipon: [email protected].
How Are We Really Doing? —Doug Philipon
Every Member Campaign Seeking Your Involvement
500 West Hollis St.
Nashua, NH 03062
P: 603.889.4000; F: 603.889.3763
Rev. Fr. Alex Chetsas: [email protected]
Office Staff
Cheryl Petren & Sophie Theoharis:
Office Hours: M - F, 10 am - 2 pm
Help Us Reach You Are you receiving weekly emails and other elec-tronic communications from St. Philip? If not, we may not have an updated email for you and/or
your family. Please help us stay close to you by contacting the office with your email. Thanks!
Stewardship Progress Breaking It Down
stewardship
500 West Hollis St.
Nashua, NH 03062
Phone: 603.889.4000; Web: stphilipnh.org
Rev. Fr. Alex Chetsas: [email protected]
Office Staff
Cheryl Petren & Sophie Theoharis:
Office Hours: M - F, 10 am - 3 pm
Reaching Out Do you have friends or family members not on our current electronic mailing list who might like to receive Come & See, the Weekly eBulletin and other resources? If so, reach out to them and invite them to contact the Church Office today!
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Sunday School —Heather Cloutier Hello Sunday School Parents!
Please save these dates and join us for the special events we have planned for your children:
April 4: Saturday of Lazarus Event - 10 am: Divine Liturgy - Communion Breakfast following Liturgy - Palm cross-making, Church cleaning, and icono-graphy workshop with Chris Gosey - All activities end at 4 pm
April 5: Palm Sunday - Continuation of iconography workshop with Chris Gosey after Sunday School classes
April 10: Holy Friday Retreat—“The Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection” - 11:30 am: Meet with Fr. Alex in the Church, fol-lowed by a light Lenten lunch at 12 pm - 1 pm: Break down into age-appropriate groups led by Sunday school teachers and parents for discus-sion and activities - 3 pm: Wrap up and dismissal (please remain for the Descent from the Cross Service at 3:30 pm)
April 12: Holy Pascha/Easter - Family Worship/No Sunday School classes
April 19: Thomas Sunday - Classes resume
April 26: Myrrhbearers Sunday - All classes will gather to watch “Be the Bee”
Contact me ([email protected]) for an “Excused Absence” letter for the Holy Friday Youth Retreat. And have a blessed Pascha!
Hello everyone!
We had a great outing to the Man-chester Monarchs hockey game on March 22. It was wonderful to be together! As the events list below will show, we have lots to look for-ward to this month and beyond. Please join us for as much as pos-
sible, especially our coming Holy Week events—let’s all plug in to this beautiful season that means so much to us as Orthodox Christians!
Coming GOYA Events: April 4 (Sat. of Lazarus Event): Liturgy, palm cross-making, Church cleaning, and iconography workshop April 10 (Holy Friday): Youth Retreat & Descent from the Cross Service participation April 11 (Holy Saturday): Pascha egg wrapping May 15 & 16: Greek Food Festival booth help May 31: Car Wash June: End-of-year gathering/party/cookout/officer elec-tions. Date and details TBA.
I will be in touch with details on these events, but please contact me ([email protected]) in the meantime if you have any questions or to learn more about our GOYA Ministry at St. Philip.
Hellenic Dance Troupe
Our next practices are April 5 & 19, immediately following Divine Liturgy. We also will be perform-ing on May 15 & 16 at the festi-val. We can’t wait!
For further details, contact Ma-ria Donati: 603.672.1914.
youth
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…”
GOYA —Marisa Donati
Classes meet each Wednesday: Youth
Beginners, 4 pm; Youth Advanced, 5:15 pm; Adults, 6 pm (“Adults” class will re-sume after Pascha). We are grateful to our students for the wonderful An-nunciation/Greek Independence Day Program they presented on March 29. Their efforts reminded us that free-dom is a true gift from God!
Greek School
Saturday of Lazarus Event, April 4
We will begin this special day with Divine Liturgy at 10 am, followed by a delicious Communion Break-fast, palm cross-making, Church cleaning and an amazing iconography workshop with Chris Gosey. All children, parents and parishioners are invit-ed, and the activities will end by 4 pm. Please come early to Liturgy, so your child can hear the moving Gospel of the Lazarus story.
Sponsored by our Sunday School. Please con-tact Heather Cloutier for details or to help lead: [email protected].
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AGAPE $500 Award. Applications in the Narthex. Deadline is May 1.
AHEPA Multiple Awards. Applications in the of-fice. Deadlines vary.
DIKOS MEMORIAL $500 Award. Applica-tions in the Narthex. Deadline is May 1.
MBC 1st-Timer Applications in the Nar-thex. Deadline is May 1.
St. George, called a “great martyr” and “triumphant” in the Church, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. He was a military tribune, or chiliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), and he was famous for his battle exploits and highly honored for his courage. When he learned that the Emperor Diocletian was preparing a per-secution of the Christians, St. George, aready a Christian, presented himself
publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast faith, he was tor-tured repeatedly and horribly, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming these trials by his faith and love for Christ. In fact, during his gauntlet of tortures, many wondrous and inspiring signs were witnessed—these events guided many to knowledge of Christ, in-cluding Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian. After enduring so much for His Lord, he was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia. He is of-ten pictured in armor or upon a white horse destroying the serpent or dragon, and his life story continues to direct and inspire us today.
Making it real: Children seem naturally drawn to the life of St. George—perhaps it’s the armor, horse and triumph over the serpent or dragon shown in his icons. Take advantage of their interest: repeat the story of St. George with your children; then challenge them to write their own “icon” of
St. George, highlighting his faith and bravery!
Holy Friday is one of the most profound days of our Church year, and on the 10th, our Sunday
School will offer a retreat to mark the day. The day’s theme will be “The Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection,” focusing on the power of Christ’s sacrifice and Resurrection—all accomplished out of love.
***All Sunday School students and parent volunteers are en-couraged to join us ***Lunch (including nut-free op-tions) will be served ***School “Excused Absence” form letters are available
Register your child/help lead: [email protected].
Sunday School Outreach —A Lenten Project
Last month, as each year, our Sunday School staff led all of our students in a meaningful outreach project, reminding our students that action on behalf of those in need is an indispensable as-pect of our Lenten preparation and an
Orthodox Christian Life. This year’s project focused on supporting the efforts of Habitat for Humanity—our students made colorful, joyous, and heartfelt cards welcoming a Habitat client family to their new home, which is soon to be built.
We know their loving efforts will make a difference in the lives of a local family during this holy season!
Saintly Lives: St. George, April 23
Scholarship Opportunities
HS Seniors, College Students & More
Holy Friday Youth Retreat 2015
April 10, 11:30 am - 3 pm
“...but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith and in purity.” —1 Timothy 4:12
youth
Girls grades 2 - 5 are invited to participate in the Lamentations. We will rehearse on Palm Sunday. Irene Alton: [email protected].
Holy Friday Myrrhbearers
Come and See 6
Museum of Russian Icons
Sunday School Outreach
Orthodox Life Series
Festival Baking
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Come and See 7
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
April 2015
9 8 5
15 16 14 13 12
11 10
22 23 21 20 19
18 17
29 28 27 26
25 24
30 10
Nymphios Service, 7 pm
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Holy Pascha - Agape Vespers, 11 am - Sunday School Fami-ly Worship/No classes - Easter Egg Hunt
Thomas Sunday Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School - Dance Troupe
Myrrhbearing Women Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School - Agape Artoklasia - Health/Wellness Ministry
Festival Baking, 9 am
Festival Baking, 9 am
Health/Wellness Ministry, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
Health/Wellness Ministry, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
Health/Wellness Ministry, 10 am
Holy Unction, 3:30 & 7 pm
Parish Council, 6:30 pm
Health/Wellness Ministry, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
Women’s Prayer Group/Bible Study, 6:30 pm
Agape @Nashua Soup Kitchen, 4 pm
Festival Baking Prep., 6:30 pm
Festival Baking Prep., 6:30 pm
Royal Hours, 9 am
Youth Retreat, 11 am - 3 pm
Descent from the Cross, 3:30 pm
Lamentations, 7 pm
Vesperal Liturgy, 9 am
GOYA egg wrap-ping, 11:30 am
Res. Service & Divine Liturgy, 11 pm (Anastasi Fel-lowship to follow)
Stewardship, 6:30 pm
Compassionate Friends, 6:30 pm
St. George Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am
Festival Baking Prep., 6:30 pm
Nymphios Service, 7 pm
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Vesperal Liturgy, 6 am
The Passion, 7 pm
Palm Sunday Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School - Luncheon - Bake Sale; - Dance - Myrrhbearers Reh. - Nymphios, 7 pm
Saturday of Lazarus Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am Breakfast, palm cross-making, Church cleaning & iconogra-phy workshop
7
4 1 2 3
12 13
Health/Wellness Ministry, 9:30 am
Greek School 4 & 5:15 pm
PreSanctified Lit-urgy, 6 pm
Sponsoring Fellowship Hour Many thanks to Don and Marcia Lebrun for sponsoring Fel-lowship Hour on March 29. Sponsoring, on any given Sunday, is certainly a beautiful, meaningful way to remember a loved one or mark a special family occasion. Contact Nick Kallan to re-serve your special Sunday or for further details: [email protected]; 603.424.3925.
Anastasi Fellowship Following Divine Liturgy in the early hours of Easter Sunday, we are all invited to a lovely re-ception, hosted by our Parish Council. Before heading home, please join us as we celebrate the Feast of Feasts! Kali Anastasi to all!
Parents: please have your fam-ily remain with us after the Agape Vespers for the annual St. Philip East-er Egg Hunt!
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Stay Connected
MINISTRIES/PROGRAMS
ADULT/GENERAL Chanting Theodore Persakis 978.256.4351
Choir George Karakantas 603.889.6484
Every Member Doug Philipon 603.893.3922
Food Festival Jamie Pappas 603.883.8770
Health/Wellness Katherine Richo 603.689.5044
Orthodox Life Frank Edelblut 603.661.7730
Parish Council Jorge Panteli 603.809.6301
Outdoor Ministry Dennis Bechis 215.431.5988
Outreach Committee Stephanie Norris 603.882.8022
Welcome Committee Greg Danas 978.833.7255 Women’s Prayer/Bible Iris Houdyshel 603.577.8946
YOUTH
Altar Service Daniel Gioffre 617.429.9132
Family Night Brandy Chetsas 508.653.0561
GOYA Marisa Donati 603.672.1914
Greek School George Kitsis 603.669.9041
Hellenic Dance Troupe Maria Donati 603.672.1914
JOY Brandy Chetsas 508.653.0561
Mommy & Me Fr. Alex Chetsas 603.889.4000
Sunday School Heather Cloutier 603.889.5501
GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS
Agape Ladies’ Society Dorothy Pitarys 603.465.3763
AHEPA Cosmos Marandos 603.888.1010
Elpis Ladies’ Society Maria Donati 603.672.1914
Pan-Macedonian Society Charles Paskaley 603.889.1368
For months, many parishioners have been coming to bake for our coming Greek Food Festival. By doing so, they are paving the way not just for a fundraiser but a ma-jor outreach effort as well!
The Altar Fund is a special account that is main-tained at St. Philip for multiple purposes: to support
the efforts of the St. Philip Outreach Committee, to offer financial support for diverse philanthropic needs, and to support special educa-tional and enrichment opportunities for our parishioners and others who may be in financial hardship. Many, many thanks to all our parishioners who have donated—and helped lift the spirits of others—through several efforts this year.
Outreach Snapshot —Festival Bakers
For the last few years, we have sent Lenten care pack-ages to our “away” college students. Last month, the packages were mailed, containing a Lenten reflection book, beautiful bookmark, prayer rope, and a personal note of love and encouragement from our parish family. Many thanks to Elena Barker for chairing this project this year. But what’s next? Is there something more we can
do for our college and graduate stu-dents during these critical years, to re-mind them that they have a God and par-ish family that love them? Perhaps you have an idea to help
nurture them in the faith and keep both our local and away students connected.
If you have an idea or would like to lead an effort, con-tact Fr. Alex: [email protected].
COMMUNITY/OUTREACH
Altar Fund Thanks
College Student Care Packages —What’s Next?
Get Involved As We Approach Holy Week!
We are moving toward Holy Week quickly—a time of opportunity for involvement and spiritual growth. Please lend your time and talent to these efforts:
Offer Red Eggs. Every family of our parish is asked to dye and offer a dozen or more red eggs for Holy Saturday Night and the Agape Vespers. Please bring them to the Church on Holy Thursday (Office is open 10 am - 3 pm; or during service times).
Prepare for the Anastasi. Fr. Alex needs help preparing the Sanctuary following the Holy Saturday Vesperal Liturgy. Contact him: [email protected].
Read the Gospel. Help us proclaim the Gospel in a foreign language at the Agape Vespers on Pascha/Easter! Contact Dan Gioffre: [email protected].
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We wish all our members a blessed Holy Week and East-er! Please note: there is no General Meeting this month.
Event Updates & Notes
The Chair Lady of the Month is Stella Bloom. Contact her to get involved: 603.886.1710.
Palm Sunday Bake Sale: April 5. Contact Dorothy Pi-tarys to preorder Easter goodies: 603.465.3763.
Nashua Soup Kitchen: April 16, 4 - 6 pm. Volunteers are always needed to help serve. Contact Sia Juris: 603.888.4681.
Artoklasia: April 26. As each year, we will sponsor an Artoklasia in honor of Myrrhbearers Sunday.
Agape Cookbooks. Copies are still available! Contact Dorothy Pitarys: 603.465.3763.
Altar Cloth Donation. We are pleased to announce that last month, we donated $3,000 toward the funding of gorgeous new burgundy Altar Cloths for St. Philip! We know that these sacred items will be utilized for our divine services for decades to come, beautifying our Church and inspiring our faithful.
Agape —Dorothy Pitarys
Needs & Opportunities In addition to the baking dates outlined in the Calen-dar, there are a host of ways to get involved. We need meat-cutting and marinat-ing assistance on May 11, 12 & 13, at 6 pm. Cooking, serving, cleaning and hos-pitality support is needed
on May 15 & 16. Finally, our Ad Book still has room for your company/family ad or greeting.
Confirm your festival role or support of the Ad Book with Doug Philipon: [email protected].
Our Lenten “Living the Liturgy Series” was well-attended and was truly inspirational. From time spent with Dr. Menios Karanos to Dn. Jeff Smith, there was something uplifting and thought-provoking for everyone.
Look out for news on our next series!
EDUCATION/NEWS
Greek Food Festival, May 15 & 16
Orthodox Life Reflections
Many thanks to all those who joined us on March 21 for the prayer at Hellenic Circle and activities at City Hall Plaza. We are pleased to confirm that our postponed February break-fast has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 10, immediately following Divine Liturgy at St. Philip. The 10th is Mother’s Day, and we look forward to honoring our beloved mothers with this delicious breakfast—and, of course, treating all our parishioners. All are welcome to join us!
AHEPA Breakfast, May 10
He says that the body is the closet of the soul and its door our 5 bodily senses, distracting us with earthly thoughts. Prayer is healing. Medical science can now measure physical changes that occur with prayer— changes that affect blood pressure, heart rate, and the symptoms of many disorders. Some interesting facts: Non-churchgoing hospital patients have an average stay 3x longer than churchgoers. Non-churchgoing heart surgery patients are 14x more likely to die following surgery than churchgoers. The stroke rate among elderly who never or rarely attend church is double that of those who attend regularly. So when we pray let us be mindful lest we leave the door ajar.
Health/Wellness Ministry —Kathey Richo
The effect of prayer on our health is powerful! St. Gregory Palamas instructs us to work with the body and pray with the soul.
Orthodox Christian news, radio and video program-ming are available right now at myocn.org. What a great resource for us all!
Palm Sunday Luncheon
We look forward to a beautiful fish din-ner on April 5, following Divine Liturgy. Please join us and celebrate this im-portant day! Menu and ticket details will be announced soon.
Come and See 10
Stellos Family
Investment Properties of
Nashua, New Hampshire
Proud Stewards of
St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church
We thank our sponsors for their support!
Come and See 11
Funeral
Charles Dimopoulos March 16
Save the Date
April 5: Palm Sunday Luncheon & Agape Bake Sale
April 10: Holy Friday Youth Retreat
April 23: Divine Liturgy for St. George the Great Martyr
April 26: Agape Artoklasia
May 10: AHEPA Breakfast
May 15 & 16: Greek Food Festival
Easter Offering Envelopes
These envelopes have been mailed home and are available in the Nar-thex. We hope you will feel moved to make in offering to our parish during the Lenten/Paschal season. Your support of St. Philip is appreciated!
Altar Flowers
The Venetos Family
March 15
The Katsioulis Family
March 29
Baptisms
John, Julia & Stella Wayman March 21
Memorials Emmanuel Venetos
March 15, 3 years
Stella Voudoukis March 15, 40 days
