the word Much of the news and media today peddles information that is distorted, biased and Here is why you need to know the Truth

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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 June 2018 Here is why you need to know the Truth Message by Fr. Christopher Much of the news and media today peddles information that is distorted, biased and opinionated. And so therefore it s very difficult for people to get the facts and raw truth of what is really going on in the world. Morning Meditations June 13: 10 a.m. June 3 - Senior Recognition (high school and college graduates) June 10 - Sunday School Graduation & Anniversary Brunch In addition, much of the news being reported today is not really important news at all. It is tabloid, shock value stories that seek to simply grab attention and sell advertising. Also, this type of news leaves people feeling sad, depressed and fearful. Meanwhile the truly important news and information of the day is barely being covered at all. And so we the people are being left in the dark, having to seek and search to find the truth. So this is the news and information environment we live in. But there is a solution. The Gospel. The Gospel is called the Good News. It is the True News. The Gospel is the true story of Jesus Christ who came into the world to reveal the very purpose and meaning of our life. So where do we get this "Good News?" We find it every time we open the Bible and read one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. We also hear the truth every time we come to Liturgy and worship and listen to the prayers, hymns and Gospel being proclaimed. Beloved, we all need this kind of news! We need to know the truth. It s relevant, its practical, and it affects how we live now, today. The Bible teaches that if you believe in Jesus, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!" (John 8:32). The Gospel sets us free and counteracts the deception of false news and information of the world. VCS 2018 August 13, 14 & 15 Summer Schedule Begins June 17 Metropolis Summer Camp See schedule on page 3 Get news of additional events and announcements via . Go to the church website and sign up to be on our LISTSERV. And it s not just about hearing it once. But continually hearing, reading, listening, and believing in the Gospel truth of Jesus Christ changes us! It gives us greater understanding of who were are and the purpose of our lives. The Gospel fills us with hope, wisdom and knowledge. It comforts us, fulfills us with love and strengthens us. And indeed, this Good news never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:8) Don t be deceived by the world. Learn, believe and follow the positive, uplifting, joyful news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Amen! ANDOVER GREEK FESTIVAL September 8 & 9 Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church 71 Chandler Rd., Andover 1

2 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 Sam Diamantis Bess Gorman Dorothy Hatzikonstantis John Karafilidis Nicholas Miminos David Murphy Peter Souhleris Anthony Warren George Xifaras Church Office Karen Davies Office Assistants Dorothy Mastromonaco & Ann Paris Philoptochos Olga Pithis, President Chanter Telly Papanikolaou Choir Pres. Katerina Makiej, Director Organist David Harvey Altar Boy Co-Captains Stelios Koutsogiannopoulos & 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 Samuel Xifaras 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 Telly Papanikolaou Young Professionals Ministry Nicholas Miminos Facilities George Perakis Archons Arthur C. Anton James Lolos Telly Papanikolaou The Word Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor Parish Council Notes Dear Parishioners, In May, Sandy and I had the honor of attending the baptism of the granddaughter of dear friends. What made this a very special event was the fact that the baby s mother grew up in our church, she was married in our church, moved away, and then returned to our church to baptize her children. As Father Chris began the baptism, he said this sacrament is rich in the symbolism and meaning of our Orthodox religion. What struck me as beautiful symbolism was that the baby s mother returned to her home parish for these sacraments. May we all be so fortunate with the children of our parish. Speaking of the youth of our community, I want to congratulate the finalists in this year s Metropolis Oratorical Festival: Junior Division, Soultana Tsaparlis, Erin Trant, and Theo Trant; and, in the Senior Division: Alexandra Trant and Michaelangelo Tsaparlis. We are all proud of them! June will be a very busy month for us at Saints Constantine and Helen. We will have two graduations. On Sunday, June 3, we will recognize and honor our high school and college graduates. On Sunday, June 10, we will have our Sunday School Graduation. Both of these events are always uplifting as we hear where our high schoolers will be going on to college and what they will be studying, and we hear what the younger children learned all year in Sunday School. Sunday, June 10 is going to be very special day for our entire parish family. We will be celebrating the 20 th anniversary of Fr. Chris and Presvytera Katerina at our church! After Divine Liturgy and the Sunday School graduation, the Parish Council and Philoptochos will host a luncheon to celebrate their twenty year ministry and service to our parish community. Please plan to come and celebrate Father and Presvytera. Also, on Father s Day, Sunday, June 17, we will start summer hours. May God be with you and your family, Buzz Stapczynski Parish Council President Well wishes and prayers to Dn. Sal, Angela, Andrew, and Elias on their move to Texas! Dn. Sal served as one of our parish deacons for the past nine years. We thank him for his devotion and service to our Church. 2

3 Philoptochos Dear Church Family, Philoptochos held its final meeting of this year on May 17 at Palmer s Restaurant. We had a large turnout of current members and people interested in joining us. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal and each other s company. We committed to the financial obligations for donations scheduled for September as our first meeting will be on October 18, Details of the meeting will be published on the list serve and members will receive notice by . All ladies of the parish are welcomed and encouraged to join. Please plan to join us on October 18 to find out more about Philoptochos. Wishing everyone a wonderful summer and looking forward to seeing everyone in Church! With sisterly love, Georgiana (Gina) Betses LaFortune Congratulations to our five finalists who competed at the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival at the Metropolis of Boston on Saturday. We are proud of them advancing from the parish to the district level, and then to the Metropolis level. Junior Division: Soultana Tsaparlis - third place Erin Trant - honorable mention Theo Trant - honorable mention Senior Division: Alexandra Trant - honorable mention Michaelangelo Tsaparlis - honorable mention Special thanks to Dn. Gary and Maria Beers who chaired our parish and district festivals. Bookstore Thank you to the Duci Family for the donation of flowers planted around the stone sign at the entrance to the church grounds in loving memory of Constantine "Kosta" Duci. Youth Summer Camp is for persons ages 8-18 and offers a week of fun and fellowship connecting youth from throughout the Metropolis to each other and their faith. Registration has begun. For more information, go to Session 1: July 9 - July 15 *Youth Session: Ages 8-18 Session 2: July 16 - July 22*Youth Session: Ages 8-18 Session 3: July 23 - July 29 *Youth Session: Ages 8-18 Session 4: July 30 - August 5*Youth Session: Ages 8-18 ***Olympiacos FC Soccer Camp will be held during Session 2. Hello Fellow Parishioners, Summertime is almost here, and it s time to start thinking about good reading material to have on hand for those leisurely hours on the beach or by the pool. Come into our bookstore to find some interesting and informative reading for everyone in the family. There are story books and puzzles for the children, enlightening literature for our young people, as well as bibles and edifying religious books for those of us who would like to strengthen our knowledge and beliefs. The bookstore will be closing for the summer on June 10 and will reopen in time for our grand Greek Festival in September. Thank you for your patronage, Elaine Demetroulakos Dotty Vlamis The Word Volume 20, Issue 5 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

4 Attention Adventurers ages 4-12! VCS 2018 Mon-Wed August 13,14, pm Ages 4-12 Teen & Adult helpers needed too! Experience the ride of a lifetime with God! We ll be whitewater rafting adventurers at VCS 2018, navigating waves, avoiding obstacles, and maneuvering through the rapids. We ll enjoy crafts, music, food, and fun while we find joy and adventure on the river! The cost is $25 per child or $50 per family. Food, prizes, and a theme T-shirt are included. Questions or want to Volunteer? Contact Diana Koster, (781) , dvlamis@yahoo.com Make checks payable to Saints Constantine & Helen Church VCS 2018 REGISTRATION FORM Name: Age: Name: Age: Name: Age: Address: Phone: T-shirt Sizes & Quantities: Youth XS Youth S Youth M Youth L Youth XL Adult S Adult M Adult L Parent's Name: 4

5 STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL 2018 EMERGENCY CONTACT/ALLERGY INFORMATION (Please print and return with registration) Name: DOB Age Medications your child is allergic to: Does your child have any food allergies? If yes, please list them and give details. Name: DOB Age Medications your child is allergic to: Does your child have any food allergies? If yes, please list them and give details. Name: DOB Age Medications your child is allergic to: Does your child have any food allergies? If yes, please list them and give details. Name: DOB Age Medications your child is allergic to: Does your child have any food allergies? If yes, please list them and give details. Address: Parent/Guardian(s): Phone Number(s) where you can be reached during VCS: Please list an adult familiar with your child that we may call in an emergency if you cannot be reached. Name: Phone #:

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7 June 2018 SAINTS CONSTANTINE & HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Greek School Graduation 5:00 p.m. 3 Orthros 9:00 am Liturgy 10:00 a.m Wedding (Gounaris) 3:00 p.m. Senior Recognition Day 10 Orthros 9:00 a.m. Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Graduation Morning Meditations Bible Study 10:00 a.m Baptism (Kefallinos) 10:30 a.m. GOYA Year-End Beach Outing 17 Orthros 8:30 a.m. Liturgy 9:30 a.m. Summer Hours Begin HAPPY FATHER S DAY! 24 Orthros 8:30 a.m. Liturgy 9:30 a.m Parish Council Mtg 7:15 p.m Men s Dinner 7:00 p.m Baptism (Katsaros) 11:00 a.m Baptism (Nassar) 2:00 p.m. 7

8 Please join us for an Anniversary Brunch on June 10th honoring Fr. Chris and Presvytera celebrating their 20-year ministry at Saints Constantine and Helen in Andover! A brief program and light buffet will be served following Sunday School Graduation. (This brunch will replace our annual family BBQ.) Please RSVP to the church office no later than Sunday, June 3rd. Periodical 8