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St. Philip Church 500 West Hollis St. Nashua, NH 03062 www.stphilipnh.org
March 2015
Table of Contents
Lent has arrived. As each year, it seemed to come more swiftly than expected last month—right on the heels of our New Year’s celebrations and resolutions. I never feel ready, like I’ve had enough time to get “geared up” to begin it with the proper mindset. However, ready or not, we are in it, and there’s every reason in the world to do our best to make it meaningful. And to make it meaningful, we might be wise to ask a refreshingly simple question, one we shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask at all—what is Lent? It is certainly a time of preparation before our feast of feasts, Great and Holy Pascha. We also know that it has certain elements which all go hand-in-hand: special services that help turn our eyes to-ward God; food abstention guidelines that remind us, just a little bit, of what it means to sacrifice and give; we are called to build our personal prayer lives; the Church invites us, as well, to rediscover the Sacrament of Confession and trust God with our deepest thoughts and reflections—and we are also called to practice something very concrete, what the Church calls “Almsgiving.” This last element of preparation is what I’d like to focus on here. Almsgiving means for us to be sacrificial givers, not only to be mindful and prayerful concerning those in need but to do something about their situation. We are called to see Christ in the eyes of those who are hungry, homeless, sick and in any difficult situation. We are called to be present for them, to give them the comfort of our Lord and to make every effort to aid their physical circumstances—helping with things like food, shelter, and medical needs, even if it means we go “without.” Interestingly, we are also called to do these things quietly, without sounding a “trumpet” before our actions (Matt. 6:2). Almsgiving is a real, clear, and touchable directive of our Faith, one that’s often ig-nored, probably because it takes effort, sacrifice and can be challenging in a host of ways. Truly acting on behalf of the poor involves making the effort to get involved with helping agencies. It’s about sacrificing time and making ourselves vulnerable. It some-times requires putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations. It requires us to trust oth-ers with our resources of time, talent and treasure (I know you’ve heard these words (Cont. on Pg. 2)
Fr. Alex’s Message: What Are We Waiting For?
@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
before), and to have real deep down hope that God is indeed a miracle worker and has the ability to guide, empower, and inspire our efforts, as well as the lives of those we are serving. Like I said, the call to be an Almsgiver is challenging in a host of ways. If it sounds like too much or something you’d like to pass on, please con-sider this: there isn’t a week that goes by when our faithful don’t mention something to me about wishing for more involvement at St. Philip, for our services to have more “real meaning” in their lives, for our faithful beliefs to bear fruit in the world and, of course, that our services/Church life could be less “boring.” If we’re looking for action, meaning, involvement and fruitfulness, do we have to look further? If we’re looking for an opportunity to give the Gos-pel of Christ “legs and arms,” if we have been waiting for a chance to put all of our beautiful liturgical prayers and hymns to action, or if we want our Church to look more like the vibrant, Spirit-filled entity we read about in Acts, then what exactly are we waiting or searching for? It’s here, right now—at St. Philip, around St. Philip, and beyond the West Hollis St. border. This Lent, I look forward to worshipping alongside you at our poignant services. I look forward to learning with you through our Orthodox Life “Living the Liturgy Series.” I look forward to welcoming your children to Family Night on March 6, our exciting Saturday of Lazarus Event on April 4, Holy Friday Youth Retreat on April 10, and so much more. And I also look forward to rediscovering the concept of Orthodox Alms-giving with you. See the Community/Outreach section (Pg. 8) for several ideas on making it a reality in your life—or contact me for support. I would be very glad to help you find people who really need your help, an experience that would certainly be a great blessing for all concerned. Wishing you a potent and life-changing Lent,
Fr. Alex
The Lenten Donation Form has been mailed home to all our Stewards and is available in the Narthex. Agape Kouvoukli-on/Epitaphios donation envelopes are en-closed in this Come & See and are also in the Narthex. Thank you for your support! and generosity!
Sundays Orthros, 9 am Divine Liturgy, 10 am 1: Sunday of Orthodoxy 8: St. Gregory Palamas 15: Holy Cross 22: St. John of the Ladder
29: St. Mary of Egypt
Weekday Orthros, 9 am Divine Liturgy, 10 am 25: The Annunciation
PreSanctified Liturgy 4,11,18, & 25, 6 pm (Community dinner & “Living the Litur-gy Series” presentation to follow)
Salutations/Akathist 6,13,20, & 27, 7 pm
What Are We Waiting For? (continued)
Lenten & Kouvouklion/Epitaphios Donations
All parishioners are welcome to read the Epistle during Sunday Liturgy. Readers are welcome to help with our evening Lenten services. Contact Fr. Alex for details on both opportunities.
MARCH EPISTLE SCHEDULE
1: Rex Houdyshel 8: Elena Barker 15: Lori Pitsas 22: Marian Pleakas 29: Dorothy Pitarys
Voices of Faith
March 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].
Come and See 3
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 Feb. 1.
-Total Pledged Stewards: 72 -Total Non-Pledged Stewards: 58 -Pledged Funds Received: $3690 -Non-Pledged Funds Received: $5525 -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 We hope this is eye-opening, especially the $171,846 disparity be-tween our 2015 Operat-ing Budget and Budgeted Stewardship Income. We will continue these up-dates throughout 2015.
For a change of pace this month, instead of words of encouragement from a Stewardship Committee member, we offer you a thoughtful little story illustrating the importance of heartfelt, intentional, caring stew-ardship. How does it apply to our lives and to our mission to grow the Church today, rather than some time in the future?
“Do You Sleep When the Wind Blows”? —Author Unknown. Published on inspirationalarchive.com
A handsome young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the old farmer asked for his qualifications, he replied with an air of confi-dence, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” The statement puzzled the farmer. But he liked the pleasant looking young man, nevertheless, and hired him.
A few days later, the old farmer and his wife were rudely awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farm-house had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The farm tools had been placed neatly in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. The young man slept soundly. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man’s words, “I can sleep when the wind blows.”
Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke loose. So when the wind blew, he was fearless. He slept in peace.
In time, it isn’t the things you do, but the things you leave un-done, which give you a heartache at the setting of the sun.
St. Philip
Greek Orthodox Church
Our Every Member Committee would like to reach out to our community and involve you in our capital campaign. We need your feedback
on prioritizing projects and more. Please consider attending an informal presentation during Fellowship Hour, right after Divine Liturgy—a chance to inform you and hear from you. Several dates are in the works and will soon be shared in the Weekly Bulletin. Please make every effort to join us, and share your ideas and expertise with our committee.
For further information on the Every Member Campaign, contact Doug Philipon: [email protected].
Being A Steward … Today!
Every Member Campaign Hall Gatherings
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 How Are We Doing?
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!
Come and See 4
Sunday School —Heather Cloutier We have some wonderful events going on for this Lenten season.
March 1 is our icon procession in Church for the Sunday of Orthodoxy. Students are invited to bring their special “name day” icons from home.
March 6 is Family Night. All Sunday School fami-lies are invited and encouraged to come. The night’s theme will be “Rejoicing with Mary” and will focus on the meaning of the Salutations Service.
On March 8, all students will participate in the annual Sunday School Outreach Project. We will be making heart-felt cards for families served by Habitat for Humanity.
April 4 is the Saturday of Lazarus Event, 10 am - 4 pm. We will have Liturgy and a Communion Breakfast, and then the children will get into groups to make palm crosses, clean the Church, and partici-pate in an iconography workshop with Chris Gosey. They will be working on an icon of Sts. Peter and Paul, and Chris will also be here on Palm Sunday to continue this holy work.
On April 10 we will have our Holy Friday Retreat, 11:30 am - 3 pm. The theme is “ The Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection.” A light Lenten lunch will be served, and our children will enjoy a welcome activi-ty, special sessions, and more.
Please contact me with any questions ([email protected]), and see the an-nouncements on this and the opposite page for more details on Family Night, the Saturday of Lazarus Event & Holy Friday Retreat!
Hello everyone!
February was a crazy month with all the snow storms and freezing temperatures! Our scheduled Feb-ruary GOYA planning meeting will be pushed to March 1, right after Liturgy and Sunday School. See you all there!
Winter/Spring GOYA events: March 1: Meeting after Sunday School (all GOYAns) March 6: Family Night—“Rejoicing with Mary.” We are all invited and encouraged to come Later in March: Monarchs hockey game. Date TBA 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/Easter 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. (This is a preliminary schedule, subject to change. More events/details to follow.)
Feel free to contact me ([email protected]) or Marisa Donati ([email protected]) for more infor-mation anytime.
Hellenic Dance Troupe
Our next practices are March 8 & 22, immediately following Divine Liturgy. We also will be perform-ing on March 29 for all our parish-ioners!
For further details, contact Ma-ria Donati: 603.672.1914.
youth
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…”
GOYA —Athena Lajeunesse
Classes meet each Wednesday: Youth
Beginners, 4 pm; Youth Advanced, 5:15 pm; Adults, 6 pm. We are looking for-ward to Sunday, March 29, for this year’s Annunciation/Greek Independ-ence Day Program. We hope all our parishioners can make it!
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].
Come and See 5
AGAPE Award Amount TBA. Applications in the office. Deadline is May 1.
AHEPA Multiple Awards. Applications in the of-fice or visit: ahepadistrict9.org/scholarship. Deadline is April 15.
DIKOS MEMORIAL $500 Award. Applica-tions in the office. Dead-line is May 1.
MBC 1st-Timer Details TBA.
St. Evdokia was from Heliopolis of Phoenicia (which is in present-day Lebanon). She was a pagan in her early years—she worshipped idols and not our God. She also led a life that was based on what she wanted, not what God wanted. It is believed that she was remarkably beautiful and that many men wanted to marry her; in fact, she became very rich from the gifts that they gave her, hoping to win
her over. But at some point, something changed. She was taught about Christ by a monk, Germanus, and baptized not long after by a bishop named Theodotus. During her conversion process, she repented greatly over the life she had lived in the past. To help complete this wonderful process, she gave all of her ill-gotten riches to the poor and entered a convent, giving herself up completely to a life of prayer. Over time, several of her former suitors were so angry over losing her to Christ, that they informed the authorities of her conversion, which led to her martyrdom, probably in the late first or early second century.
Making it real: St. Evdokia’s life reminds us that it is never too late to build a relationship with Christ. This month, start a conversation with your child about relationships—what they are like, why they’re important, etc. Then bring up how God wants a healthy relationship with us. Together, brain-
storm ways to make this possible during Lent!
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].
Family Night: March 6 “Rejoicing with Mary,” 6 - 8 pm
The spiritually power-ful Salutations Ser-vice, which focuses on the many reasons Mary had to “rejoice” over the coming of Christ, is sung on the first 5 Friday nights of Lent, but many of us have never had an opportunity to partici-pate in one. Let’s
make sure to change that on March 6!
We’ll gather for dinner and a thoughtful re-flection activity at 6 pm—then head into Church by 7 for the service. All children (Sunday School, JOY, GOYA, etc.), par-ents, and parishioners are welcome! Please contact Brandy Chetsas with your side, dessert, or drink offering ASAP: [email protected].
Saintly Lives: St. Evdokia, March 1
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 on April 10. Contact Irene Alton: [email protected].
Holy Friday Myrrhbearers
Come and See 6
Memories of Great Lent, Holy Week & Pascha 2014
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Come and See 7
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
March 2015
12 11 8
18 19 17 16 15
14 13
25 26 24 23 22
21 20
7 31 30 29
28 27
8 10
11
Stewardship, 6:30 pm
9
Family Night: “Rejoicing with Mary,” 6 pm
2nd Salutations, 7pm
Holy Cross Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School
John of the Ladder Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School - Dance Troupe
Mary of Egypt Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School - Annunciation/Greek ID program - Health/Wellness Ministry
Akathist Hymn, 7 pm
4th Salutations, 7 pm
AHEPA Greek Independence Day Event, 11 am (@Hellenic Circle)
Festival Baking, 9 am
Annunciation Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
PS Liturgy, Dinner & O. Life w/ Dr. Beck, 6 pm
St. John the Baptist
Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
Health/Wellness Ministry, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
PS Liturgy, Dinner & O. Life w/ Dr. Karanos, 6 pm
Compassionate Friends, 6:30 pm
Health/Wellness Ministry, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
PS Liturgy, Dinner & O. Life w/ Dn. Smith, 6 pm
Agape @Nashua Soup Kitchen, 4 pm
Women’s Prayer Group/Bible Study, 6:30 pm
3rd Salutations, 7pm
Festival Baking, 9 am
Agape General Membership Mtg., 6:30 pm
9
Festival Baking Preparation, 6 pm
Gregory Palamas Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School/Outreach Project - General Assembly - Dance Troupe
Festival Baking, 9 am
10
7 2 3 4 5 6 1
12 13 14
Parish Council, 6:30 pm
Sunday of Ortho-doxy Orthros, 9 am Liturgy, 10 am - Sunday School/Icon Procession - GOYA Mtg.
Health/Wellness Ministry, 9:30 am
Greek School 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
PS Liturgy, Dinner & O. Life w/ Dr. Vrame, 6 pm
Health/Wellness Ministry, 10 am
Greek School, 4, 5:15 & 6 pm
Festival Baking Preparation, 6 pm
Celebrating the Annunciation, March 25 “To you, Theotokos, invincible Defender, having been delivered from peril, I, your city, dedicate the victory festival as a thankful offering. In your irresistible might, keep me safe from all trials, that I may call out to you: "Hail, unwedded bride!" —Kontakion Hymn
Sponsoring Fellowship Hour Contact Nick Kallan to sponsor on a coming Sunday in memory of a loved one or to mark a special family occasion: [email protected]; 603.424.3925. Thanks to our recent sponsors: Feb. 1: Polychronopoulos Family Feb. 22: Juris & Pitsillides Families
Come and See 9
We wish all our members a blessed Lenten season—and invite the participation of all the women of our parish.
Notes & Coming Events General Meeting: March 9, 6:30 pm. All members are encouraged to join us for this important planning meeting.
The Chair Lady of the Month is Marian Pleakas. Con-tact her with any questions or to help with March events: 603.881.8839.
Lenten Dinner Sponsorship: March 18. Please plan to offer a meatless dish for the dinner following PreSancti-fied Liturgy.
Nashua Soup Kitchen: March 19, 4 - 6 pm. Volunteers are always needed to help serve. Contact Sia Juris: 603.888.4681.
Palm Sunday Bake Sale: April 8. We hope all our members will bake for this fundraiser (baking date TBA). And please spread the word about the sale!
Kouvouklion/Epitaphios Donation Envelopes. Enve-lopes are within this Come & See and in the Narthex.
Prosfora Offerings. Your prayerful baking efforts are greatly appreciated and need-ed each month. Contact Vickey Batzoyiannis (603.921.7108) or Elaine Vrouhas (978.256.7009) to learn more .
Agape
March 4,11,18, & 25 To help with our Lenten journey, we are again welcoming a host of guest speakers to St. Philip. Our “Living the Liturgy Series” focuses on the im-
portance of holy action in day-to-day life.
Schedule for Remaining Event Nights 6 pm: PreSanctified Liturgy; 7:15: Community Dinner; 7:30 - 8:15: Program Presentation
We welcome Dr. Tony Vrame on March 4. Join us!
All women of our parish, and interested friends, are invited to join us the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our next gathering is March. 19, begin-ning at 6:30 pm. We will have a “Coffee with Sister Vassa” viewing par-ty! BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug). We look forward to seeing you.
Contact Iris Houdyshel to learn more: [email protected].
EDUCATION/NEWS
Orthodox Life: “Living the Liturgy”
Women’s Prayer Group & Bible Study
Unfortunately, stormy weather interfered with our plans to offer our St. Philip community a pre-Lenten breakfast last month. But we are still on target to celebrate Greek Inde-pendence Day, and remember those who have come before us, on March 21. Join us at Hellenic Circle at 11 am for a Trisagion, followed by the raising of the flag and other festivities at City Hall Plaza. We hope to see you on this special day. All are welcome to join us.
AHEPA Greek Independence Day Event
Likewise, to hit the mark and reach your Target Heart Rate gives you the most health benefit during 20 minutes of physical exercise at this heart rate. To calculate your Target Heart Rate: 1. Maximum Heart Rate: 220 beats/minute minus your age 2. Target Heart Rate: 60 - 80% of your Maximum Heart Rate
Find your pulse by placing index and middle fingers at the crook on either side of your neck or in the groove of your wrist above your thumb. Average rate at rest is 60 - 90 beats/minute. Just a little aid to help you stay on target!
Health/Wellness Ministry: Your Mark!
Exercising the muscles of your soul means striving to hit the mark (English translation of the Greek "amartia" {sin} is to "miss the mark").
Orthodox Christian news, radio and video program-ming are available right now at myocn.org. What a great Lenten resource!
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
Memorials
“Give rest, O Christ ... among the Saints to the souls of your servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no grieving, but life everlasting.”
Feb. 1: Connie Polychronopoulos 1 year
Feb. 8: Mary Anne Kyriax 10 years
Save the Date
March 27: Akathist Hymn
April 4: Saturday of Lazarus Event
April 5: Palm Sunday Liturgy, Luncheon & Bake Sale
April 10: Holy Friday Youth Retreat
April 12: Agape Vespers (Egg Hunt to Follow)
April 26: Agape Artoklasia
Festival Baking Dates
It’s that time of year again! A host of preparation and baking dates are listed on our March calendar. Please lend your support as much as you can—our festival must be a total community event to be successful!
Altar & Festal Flowers
Feb. 8: Karakantas Family
In loving memory of Marika Karakantas
Feb. 15: Priscilla Betses In loving memory of George Betses
Feb. 22: Kathey Richo In loving memory of George and Zaharo Maragoudakis
