the word Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Andover, MA February 2019 SAVE THE DATE March 2 - Family Glendi hearing Faith comes by

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1 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17 the word Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church Andover, MA February 2019 BIBLE STUDIES THIS MONTH Pursuing our spiritual life Morning Meditations February 13-10:00 AM Men s Ministry Dinner February 27-7:00 PM SAVE THE DATE March 2 - Family Glendi Get news of additional events and announcements via . Go to the church website and sign up to be on our LISTSERV. From Focus on the Family Intentional parent. It s a term we often hear yet perhaps not fully recognize and appreciate what it means. Of course I m an intentional parent, we might think. I m certainly not doing any of this accidentally. Intentional parenting really just means having a plan, prioritizing where you put your time and energy. Those priorities then guide your day-to-day decision-making and what commitments you make. Should we go on this trip? Should I accept that job even though it means I ll have less time with my family? Should we buy that used van instead of a new one? Should I work out or go home and take my daughter for a run? As I face these sorts of decisions every day, I m always reminded of two inescapable truths: First, time is a precious resource that we never can get back. Secondly, the seemingly small day-to-day decisions we make directly shape our years and ultimately the course of our lives. To be an intentional parent means recognizing that time with our kids is precious and limited, and that there is a long-lasting impact to how we decide to use that time. Long days, yet the years speed by It seems like just yesterday that I was holding my baby son to my chest, or playing with stuffed animals with my daughter. They re now both teenagers, and we re suddenly talking about driving and dating, marriage and sex. So, I m always asking myself: What am I doing with the precious opportunities I ve been given to influence my kids? That focus is the heart of intentional parenting. How are we spending our time together? What are we intentionally teaching and modeling? Are we intentionally imparting godly wisdom and providing spiritual guidance? When Moses instructed the Israelites to teach God s wisdom to the next generation, he recognized the importance of being deliberate: You shall teach [Scripture] diligently to your children, and shall talk of [it] when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise (Deuteronomy 6:7). Thankfully, good parenting doesn t demand perfection in these areas or in the areas of guidance and discipline, but it does require us to be deliberate. So, to be an intentional parent, we must remember the following: Intentional parenting is relational. Life gets busy, particularly as kids get older and their lives fill with events and milestones. Look for ways to consistently connect throughout the busy seasons of school and extracurricular activities. Find opportunities to have one-on-one time with each of your children. Look for times each day to laugh, play, and talk even if it is just for a few minutes. When time is especially precious, take a few moments to write individualized notes to your kids, something they can look at throughout the day to appreciate the bond they have with you. And look for the unique ways your kids seem wired to connect with you. In our home, my son and daughter seem to thrive with constant encouragement. They both look forward to hearing genuine affirmations and encouragement from me and my wife. By Danny Huerta, MSW, LCSW, LSSW 1

2 Parish Council Notes Fr. Christopher Makiej, Parish Priest Dn. Gary Kent Parish Deacon Buzz Stapczynski, President John Terzakis, Vice President Jim Panagas, Secretary Carol DiPietro, Treasurer Dylan Archambault Voula Danas Bess Gorman Dorothy Hatzikonstantis Jimmy Kalogeropoulos John Karafilidis Nicholas Miminos Steven Robinson Peter Souhleris John Vitale Anthony Warren Church Office Karen Davies Office Assistant Dorothy Mastromonaco Philoptochos Olga Pithis, President Chanter Telly Papanikolaou Choir Pres. Katerina Makiej, Director Organist David Harvey Altar Boy Co-Captains Michaelangelo Tsaparlis & Michael Makiej Sunday School Patty Trant, Director Greek School Voula Nikitas Christian Lending Library Patti George, Director GOYA Advisors Voula Danas & Eleni Xifaras GOYA President Joanna Archambault JOY Advisor Patty Trant YouthChoir/Women sfellowship Pres. Katerina Makiej Book Store Manager Elaine Demetroulakos Internet Ministry George Xifaras AHEPA Steven Pithis Daughters of Penelope Nancy Pantazopoulos College Fellowship Dn. Gary & Fr. Chris Young Professionals Ministry Nicholas Miminos Facilities George Perakis Archons Arthur C. Anton James Lolos Telly Papanikolaou The Word Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor Dear Parishioners, On Sunday, January 13, we celebrated Vasilopita Sunday with the cutting of the Vasilopita bread. Pieces were given to our Parish Ministry leaders to recognize their devotion and commitment to our parish. We prayed for every good and perfect blessing for them, their servant leadership during 2019, and our parish family. In addition, Fr. Chris gave the Parish Council the oath of office for the new year. As I mentioned in my last letter, we have three new members of the Parish Council: Steve Robinson, John Vitale, and Jimmy Kalogeropoulos. Please welcome them! In September, many of our Parishioner were affected by the gas explosions - some in very dramatic ways and others in smaller ways. I trust those affected are back in their homes and getting their lives back to normal again. The Church was impacted financially, as we were without power and gas for several days and lost food left over from our annual Greek Festival. The Colombia Gas insurance company paid our claim in the amount of $3,850. This reimbursed us for our spoiled food and necessary clean up expenses. As Fr. Chris mentioned at Church on Vasilopita Sunday, we are looking for parishioners who would like to volunteer to be Service Team members. There are four Service Teams, and the requirement is to be available one rotating Sunday a month to assist in Church and in the Narthex during Divine Liturgy and/or to help with set-up and clean-up for coffee hour. The invitation is for women or men. It s a great way to meet other parishioners and be servant leaders of our wonderful parish! Finally, I want to thank all those who have made their Stewardship pledge for Our budget is $560K, and we rely on your time, talents, and treasury to be able to provide ministries, activities, and services to our parish community. Eftixismeno to neo etos 2019, Buzz Stapczynski Parish Council President 2019 Parish Council From Left to right: John Karafalidis, Bess Gorman, Steve Robinson, Nick Miminos, (Dn. Gary), Jim Panagas, (Fr. Chris), John Terzakis, Peter Souhleris, Carol DiPietro, Buzz Stapczynski, Dorothy Hatzikonstantis, John Vitale, Anthony Warren Not pictured: Dylan Archambault,Voula Danas, Jimmy Kalogeropoulos 2

3 Sunday School children decorating gingerbread cookies and making gingerbread houses the Sunday before Christmas Philoptochos Dear Church Family, Happy New Year! With the new year comes an opportunity to join our Philoptochos. Everyone will be receiving a letter welcoming you to join. If you cannot joint at this time, or are a male parishioner, there is an opportunity on the letter for you to make a donation of any amount. All donations go directly to charities supported by our local, state, and national Philoptochos and those in need. We would like to thank everyone for your support and generosity in helping us to decorate the Church for Christmas. The poinsettias are still blooming and look very beautiful. We would also like to thank you for purchasing the sweet bread and vasilopita coin gift packages. We hope that you enjoyed them as much as we did. With sisterly love, Georgiana (Gina) LaFortune Corresponding Secretary New Conference Room! We are very grateful to parishioners Nick and Mary Koskores Family as the donors of all the furniture, décor, art, and multimedia furnishings of our parish Conference Room! We are also grateful to parishioners Anthony and Stephanie Warren who donated their time and talent for design and layout. And thanks also to parishioners Nick and Helen Boulos who donated the re-painting of the entire room. to Michaelangelo Tsaparlis and Valerie Skigis, who received the coins at our Vasilopeta celebration this year. May they receive God s blessings this year and always. The Word Volume 20, Issue 2 Published monthly except August and January by Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 71 Chandler Road, Andover, MA Phone v Fax Periodicals postage paid at Andover, MA. Permit No POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sts. Constantine & Helen Church. Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor. exbigelow@aol.com. 3

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5 Metropolis of Boston GOYA 2019 Winter Camp Presidents' Day weekend, February 15-18, 2019! The Word - February 2019 This 3-day retreat is hosted at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center for all GOYAns! Don't Miss Out On: WINTER ACTIVITIES FAITH CULTURE FELLOWSHIP CAMP WIDE ACTIVITIES CABIN SESSIONS SUNDAY OUTING TO PAT'S PEAK SKI RESORT For more info, go to Thanksgiving food basket making 5

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7 The Great and Holy Lenten Season is coming up. Below is a list of items needed for the additional services that are held during this season. Should you wish to offer any of the items below In Honor of or In Memory of a loved one, please contact Karen at the Church office SALUTATION SERVICES (five Fridays): Checks made payable to SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. 2 Vases and Icon Frame $75.00; 2 Vases only: $60.00; Icon only: $50.00 Friday, March 15: Friday, March 22: Friday, March 29: Friday, April 5: Friday, April 12: SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY March 17 Narthex Icon: $50.00 THIRD SUNDAY of LENT ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS March 31 Narthex Icon: $50.00: 700 Jonquils or Daffodils $150.00: SATURDAY of LAZARUS April 20 Narthex Icon of Lazarus: $50.00: Daughters of Penelope sponsored Communion Breakfast PALM SUNDAY April 21 Palms: $ Narthex Palm Sunday Icon $50.00: SUNDAY EVENING BRIDEGROOM SERVICE Sunday, April 21; Monday April 22; Tuesday, April 23: Bridegroom Icon: $50.00: HOLY WEDNESDAY (Holy Unction) April 24 Narthex Icon: $50.00: 1 Bottle Extra Virgin Olive Oil 200 Ziplock snack bags 200 Q-tips 200 cotton balls HOLY THURSDAY April 25 Narthex Icon: $50.00: Crown of Thorns: $35.00: Plant at foot of Crucifix: $30.00: GREAT and HOLY FRIDAY April 26 Morning Service Nothing Needed 3:00 pm Service Philoptochos sponsors a special floral appeal for the Kouvouklion decoration! Rose Water: Narthex Icon: $50.00: HOLY SATURDAY MORNING April 27 Narthex Icon: $50.00: MIDNIGHT RESURRECTION SERVICE PASCHA Narthex Resurrection Icon: White Lilies $60.00: White Lily Resurrection Wreath: $75.00: 25 Lily Plants: Stephanos and Meni (Iraclidis) Frangias and Family 600 Red Easter Eggs: Please make an extra dozen for the Church and bring to Thursday or Friday Services. 7

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9 3 February 2019 SAINTS CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Presentation of Our Lord 9:00 AM Orthros 9:30 AM Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM 4 5 Greek School 4:30 PM Liturgy. 10 Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM Morning Meditations Bible Study 10:00 AM GOYA Meeting 6:00 PM 17 Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM 18 Massachusetts School Vacation Week Greek School 4:30 PM 19 NO Greek School Baptism 11:00 AM (Nightingale/ O Leary) Presidents Day 24 Orthros 9:00 AM Liturgy 10:00 AM JOY Meeting 12:15 PM Greek School 4:30 PM Parish Council Meeting 7:15 PM 27 Men s Dinner 7:00 PM. 28 9

10 S T S. C O N S T A N T I N E A N D H E L E N A N D O V E R G O Y A F A M I L Y G L E N D I G l e n d i Music ~ Dinner ~ Dancing M A R C H 2, : 3 0 P M : 0 0 P M F A M I L Y L I F E C E N T E R 7 1 C H A N D L E R R O A D A D U L T S $ 4 0 C H I L D R E N 1 2 A N D U N D E R $ 2 0 A N D O V E R G O Y G M A I L. C O M Periodical 10