Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. One Gospel, Many Languages

Transcript

1 ST NICHOLAS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 4967 FOREST PARK AVENUE ST LOUIS, MO ST NICHOLAS CHURCH FAMILY LIFE CENTER SOUTH 40 DRIVE ST LOUIS, MO Proistamenos: Fr Douglas Papulis (636) Parish Priest: Fr Michael Arbanas (314) Office (314) Fax (314) Website: wwwsngocorg May 2015 Volume 19 - Number 5 Pentecost Sunday, May 31st One Gospel, Many Languages The miracle of Pentecost was not that the assembled crowd was made to understand the speech of a single man in a single language Rather, the miracle was that the one Gospel was expressed equally in a variety of languages Anyone who recognizes the intimate link of language to culture must also recognize the bold statement that Pentecost makes: the truth of Christ can be embodied in more than one or two cultural-linguistic systems The work of the Church is not to construct a single universal culture; instead the Kingdom of God created by the One Holy Spirit contains many languages, many cultures -Archbishop Demetrios of America Mother s Day Sunday, May 10 th Barbara Bush once said, Success does not depend on what happens at the White House, but what happens at your house What this previous First Lady was affirming was the belief that the health of the family reflects the health of the nation I can think of no better way to assure spiritual success and safety in our respective homes during these precarious times than for parents to dedicate themselves to increasing their knowledge, appreciation, and faithfulness of their Orthodox Christian heritage -Fr Frank Marangos In children we have a great charge committed to us Let us bestow great care upon them -St John Chrysostom 1

2 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 St Nicholas Servants 2014 Parish Council Dr Andrew Galatakos, President Steve Ott, Vice-President Demetrios Tsikalas, Treasurer Sakis Salas, Assistant Treasurer Mary Ann Mastorakos, Secretary Nicky Antoniou Yemane Habtu Jonathan Hartley Marilynn Jemas Alexandra Kavourinos Robert Meyer Pete Papadopoulos Fifi Scarato Peter Vaccaro Thomas Whaley Audit Committee Roxana Couternais Peter Lemakis Joe Palazzola Janet Papageorge Mark Vleisides Stewardship Committee Fr Douglas Papulis Fr Michael Arbanas, Chairperson Teddy Hart Michael Ferretti John Koch Mary Ann Mastorakos Steve Ott Michael Pappas Michael Tsichlis Demetrios Tsikalas Chris Varvares Cemetery Committee Pat Johnson William Karides Irene Schildroth Election Committee Roxana Couteranis Lee Hartley Helen Leara Christina Lemakis Tina Paradowski Library Committee James Anno Elaine Coulson Zachary Kostopoulos Physical Facilities Paul Efthim Pat Johnson Dino Pappas Physical Facilities Family Life Center Mike Kamburis Robert Meyer Sam Mezines Nick Tharenos Planned Giving John Koch, Chairman George J Bude Voula Francis Sakis Salas Dan Tarlas Peter Vaccaro Scholarship Committee Barbara Corrigan Denise Karras Peter Takes Philoptochos Georgia Ferretti, President St Irenaeus Orthodox Theological Institute Michael G Tsichlis, PhD x330 Church School Co-Director Bess Fitzmaurice Despina Hartley Handmaidens Rosie Hartley Dance Troupe Georgia Johnson GOYA Helen Carey Mark & Renee Vleisides JR GOYA Mimi Davis Debbie Palazzola HOPE Presvytera Caroline Arbanas OUR LITTLE ANGELS/CHERUBS -Presvytera Caroline Arbanas CHRISTOS ANESTI In this issue of our monthly newsletter: Parish President message Philoptochos Corner Thank you message Inspirational messages/stories Centerfold of pictures of preparation for Palm Sunday and Holy Week Please read/look over all the flyers Don t forget to checkout the calendar for all the events happening in May Youth Events Last day of Sunday School is May 17th There will be a picnic at church on this day Jr Olympics in Chicago May 22-25th Hellenic Greek Culture Camp July 20-24th, see flyer in this issue 2 Announcements St Nicholas Book Group The St Nicholas Book Group will gather on Monday, May 4th to discuss the book All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr This novel, a finalist for the National Book Award, traces the story of a blind French girl and a sensitive German intelligence officer who meet during World War II We ll meet at 7pm at the Family Life Center; everyone is welcome! PLEASE JOIN US!!! Please submit all articles by the 10th of month jenniferengish5674@gmailcom Thank You Jennifer English, Editor Don t Forget Is Pascha over with, is it really? The answer is NO! It s not one week or 40 days, it s 24/7 and its for Faith, Humility, and Love for everyone -submitted by Roxanna Couteranis

3 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 PRESIDENT S NOTES Andrew E Galakatos MD PHONE: Galakatos@wudosiswustledu CHRISTOS ANESTI FALL FESTIVAL As per his 22 March General Assembly presentation, Fr Doug (Chairman of the Fall Festival Committee) gave an outline of the new changes to take place with our 2015 LABOR DAY GREEK FESTIVAL Friday 5 thru Monday 7 Sept Each year this major highly publicized St Louis metro event becomes even greater than the year before So please begin to think a/b how you may wish to volunteer, to help and to participate by contacting the Festival Volunteer Coordinators CHRISTINA and SANDRA FRIDAY LUNCHEONS Please try to visit our Friday Church Luncheons and bring a friend or two Also available are phone orders and local delivery to offices etc by calling the CHURCH CHURCH PRISON MINISTRY Fellow parishioner, CLARK PORTER, heads our CHURCH PRISON MINISTRY and is planning a group trip of young kids to the federal prison in Leavenworth KA for incarcerated prisoners to meet w/ their family, especially young boys w/ their fathers More details are in the weekly Sunday Bulletin Flyers a special table on Sundays after Church in the Auditorium Any and all financial help is appreciated REFINANCING OF FAMILY LIFE CENTER (FLC) MORTGAGE Approximately 2 years prior to the end of the existing Note and with the current low interest rates, the Church Board is in the process of refinancing the FLC Mortgage before the anticipated rate increases More information will be forthcoming from Treasurer, DEMETRIOS TSIKALAS CHURCH DRIVEWAY EXTENSION - DELAYED As mentioned in the March Newsletter about the Church Driveway Extension to begin after Easter, unfortunately, there will be a postponement due to a leaking break in the main water pipe that extends from the Street to around the Church sidewalk that must be repaired first In view of this delay, hopefully all of this work can now be done at a time interval to avoid inconvenience for any special Church Services and Activities at this time of the year Χριστός Ανέστη ΠΤΩΣΗ ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ Σύμφωνα με την παρουσίαση του 22, Μάρ Γενική Συνέλευση, π ο Νταγκ (Πρόεδρος της Επιτροπής Φθινόπωρο Φεστιβάλ) έδωσε ένα περίγραμμα των νέων αλλαγών που θα πραγματοποιηθεί με μας 2015 Εργατική Πρωτομαγιά ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΦΕΣΤΙΒΑΛ Παρασκευή 5 μέσω Δευτέρα έβδομης Σεπτεμβρίου κάθε έτους, αυτή η μεγάλη μεγάλη δημοσιότητα εκδήλωση Σεντ Λούις μετρό γίνεται ακόμη μεγαλύτερη από ό, τι το προηγούμενο έτος Επομένως, σας παρακαλώ να αρχίσουν να σκέφτονται a / b πώς μπορεί να επιθυμούν να εργαστούν εθελοντικά, για να βοηθήσει και να συμμετάσχει επικοινωνώντας με το Φεστιβάλ συντονιστές των εθελοντών ΧΡΙΣΤΙΝΑ του και η Σάντρα Παρασκευή γεύματα Παρακαλώ δοκιμάστε να επισκεφθεί την Παρασκευή η Εκκλησία μας Γεύματα και να φέρει ένα φίλο ή δύο Επίσης είναι διαθέσιμα τηλεφωνικές παραγγελίες και τοπική παράδοση στα γραφεία καλώντας το Γραφείο Εκκλησία τών φυλακών ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ Συνεργάτης ενορίτης, CLARK PORTER, ηγείται η Εκκλησία μας ΦΥΛΑΚΗ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΕΙΟ και σχεδιάζει ένα ταξίδι ομάδα νέων παιδιών στην ομοσπονδιακή φυλακή στο Λίβενγουορθ ΚΑ για έγκλειστος κρατούμενους να ανταποκριθεί w / οικογένεια τους, ιδιαίτερα τα νεαρά αγόρια w / πατέρες τους Περισσότερες πληροφορίες παρέχονται στα εβδομαδιαία Κυριακή Δελτίο Flyers ένα ειδικό τραπέζι τις Κυριακές μετά την εκκλησία στο Αμφιθέατρο Οποιαδήποτε και όλες οι οικονομική βοήθεια είναι ευπρόσδεκτη Αναχρηματοδότηση των ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΟΙΚΟΓΕΝΕΙΑΚΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ (FLC) ΚΤΗΜΑΤΙΚΗ Περίπου 2 έτη πριν από τη λήξη της υπάρχουσας σημείωσης και με τα σημερινά χαμηλά επιτόκια, η Εκκλησία Διοικητικό Συμβούλιο βρίσκεται σε διαδικασία αναχρηματοδότησης του FLC Δανείου πριν από τις αναμενόμενες αυξήσεις επιτοκίων Περισσότερες πληροφορίες θα δοθούν από τον Ταμία, Δημήτριος ΤΣΙΚΑΛΑΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑ δρόμο ΕΠΕΚΤΑΣΗ - ΚΑΘΥΣΤΕΡΗΣΗ Όπως αναφέρεται στο Ενημερωτικό Δελτίο Μαρτίου για την Εκκλησία Δρόμο Παράταση να ξεκινήσει μετά το Πάσχα, δυστυχώς, θα υπάρξει μια αναβολή οφείλεται σε μια διακοπή διαρροή στον κύριο σωλήνα νερού που εκτείνεται από την οδό για να γύρω από το πεζοδρόμιο Εκκλησία που πρέπει να επισκευάζονται Εν όψει αυτής της καθυστέρησης, ελπίζουμε ότι όλη αυτή η εργασία μπορεί να γίνει τώρα σε ένα χρονικό διάστημα για να αποφευχθεί η ταλαιπωρία για τυχόν ειδικές υπηρεσίες εκκλησία και δραστηριότητες σε αυτή την εποχή του έτους 3

4 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 PLANNED GIVING - LEGACY: TERMINOLOGY - PART 2 original 2014 article by Voula S Francis CFP (edited & recirculated by A E Galakatos) This is a continuation of last month s article, which began listing some terminology, in simpler language, that is often heard with regards to legacy planning This is in hopes to dispel the myth that legacy planning has to be more complicated or intimidating than it really has to be Below are the remaining terms in simple language: Bequest A gift of personal property under the terms of a Will A bequest can be of specific assets or the "residue" (what is left after specific gifts have been made) of an estate Beneficiary Any person or entity (like a church) that receives assets or profits from an estate, a trust, retirement account, or insurance policy Durable Power of Attorney Your authorization for someone to act as your Attorney-in-Fact to handle your financial matters when you cannot You can grant very broad or limited powers to the Attorneyin-Fact Living Will Sometimes called a "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care" or "Health Care Power of Attorney" or Advance Medical Directive You name a Health Care Agent and indicate what kind of medical care you want when you cannot make those decisions for yourself This document also authorizes your doctors to disclose your confidential medical information to your Health Care Agent Revocable Trust (or Living Trust) A trust created by you for your benefit during your lifetime with distribution to beneficiaries taking place according to the terms of the trust after your death A Revocable Trust is often used to keep an Estate's affairs more private and to reduce or eliminate probate expenses In conclusion hopefully, defining these official legacy terms will help and encourage you to develop your personal legal papers Minimally, a WILL, a LIVING WILL and a DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY should be considered Also, please think of our CHURCH as a beneficiary as well if not an absolute DOLLAR amount then a PERCENTAGE of your estate Feel free to contact SAKIS SALAS, VOULA FRANCIS, DAN TARLAS or JOHN KOCH of the PLANNED GIVING COMMITTEE for any assistance Αυτό αποτελεί συνέχεια του άρθρου περασμένο μήνα, η οποία ξεκίνησε την απαρίθμηση ορισμένων ορολογία, σε απλή γλώσσα, που ακούγεται συχνά σε σχέση με την κληρονομιά του σχεδιασμού Αυτό είναι με την ελπίδα να διαλύσει τον μύθο ότι η κληρονομιά του σχεδιασμού θα πρέπει να είναι πιο περίπλοκη ή εκφοβισμό από ό, τι πραγματικά είναι Παρακάτω είναι οι υπόλοιποι όροι σε απλή γλώσσα: Κληροδότημα Ένα δώρο της προσωπικής περιουσίας σύμφωνα με τους όρους της διαθήκης Ένα κληροδότημα μπορεί να συγκεκριμένων στοιχείων ενεργητικού ή του «κατάλοιπο» (ό, τι έχει απομείνει μετά την ειδική δώρα έχουν γίνει) του ακινήτου Δικαιούχος Κάθε φυσικό ή νομικό πρόσωπο (όπως μια εκκλησία) που δέχεται τα περιουσιακά στοιχεία ή τα κέρδη από ένα κτήμα, μια εμπιστοσύνη, λογαριασμό συνταξιοδότησης, ή ασφαλιστήριο συμβόλαιο ανθεκτική δύναμη του πληρεξούσιου Η έγκριση σας για κάποιον να ενεργεί ως Εισαγγελέα-in-Fact σας για να χειριστεί τα οικονομικά θέματα σας, όταν δεν μπορείτε Μπορείτε να χορηγήσει πολύ ευρείες ή περιορισμένες αρμοδιότητες στην Εισαγγελέα-in-Fact Living Will Μερικές φορές ονομάζεται «ανθεκτική δύναμη του πληρεξούσιου για τη Φροντίδα Υγείας" ή "Power Health για φροντίδα του Εισαγγελέα» ή «την προαγωγή της ιατρικής οδηγίας" Θα αναφέρουμε Agent Υγείας και δείχνουν τι είδους ιατρική περίθαλψη που θέλετε, όταν δεν μπορείτε να κάνετε αυτές τις αποφάσεις για τον εαυτό σας Το έγγραφο αυτό εξουσιοδοτεί επίσης τους γιατρούς σας να αποκαλύπτει εμπιστευτικές ιατρικές πληροφορίες σας με τον συνεργάτη σας Φροντίδα Υγείας ανακλητή εμπιστοσύνη (ή Living Trust) Μια εμπιστοσύνη που δημιουργήθηκε από εσάς προς όφελός σας κατά τη διάρκεια της ζωής σας με τη διανομή στους δικαιούχους που λαμβάνουν χώρα σύμφωνα με τους όρους της εμπιστοσύνης μετά το θάνατό σας Ανακλητή καταπιστεύματος χρησιμοποιείται συχνά για να κρατήσει τις υποθέσεις μιας Κτήματος περισσότερες ιδιωτικές και να μειώσουν ή να εξαλείψουν τα έξοδα διαθήκης Εν κατακλείδι ελπίζω, τον καθορισμό αυτών των όρων επίσημη κληρονομιά θα σας βοηθήσουν και να σας ενθαρρύνουν να αναπτύξουν τις προσωπικές νομικά έγγραφα σας Ελάχιστα, μία διαθήκη, θα είναι και πρέπει να θεωρείται ανθεκτική δύναμη του πληρεξούσιου τα προς το ζην Επίσης, παρακαλώ σκεφτείτε της Εκκλησίας μας, ως δικαιούχος αν όχι σε απόλυτο ποσό δολάριο τότε ένα ποσοστό της περιουσίας σας Μη διστάσετε να επικοινωνήσετε ΣΑΚΗΣ SALAS, ΒΟΥΛΑ FRANCIS, DAN TARLAS ή JOHN ΚΩΧ των προγραμματισμένων επιτροπή, εκθέτοντας για οποιαδήποτε βοήθεια 4

5 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 Pre-Sanctified Dinner March 11 th Philoptochos hosted its Annual Pre-Sanctified Dinner at the Family Life Center with just over 50 in attendance Thanks to Chairperson Nicky Antoniou and her committee for a delicious Lenten dinner and Maria Kamburis for the delicious Lenten cake General Assembly Meeting March 12 th Our General membership met and shared a wonderful Lenten meal donated by Cardwell s in Clayton, mimosas donated by Helen Carey, and dessert by Maria Kamburis We were honored to have as our guest speaker Susan Cassimatis, a Licensed Professional Counselor She spoke on Communication Listening Toward One-ness Everyone enjoyed her presentation and interaction You could not hear a pin drop while she was speaking! Palm Sunday Brunch April 5 th A special thank you to Chris Anastas, Nicky Antoniou, Carol Kamburis, the entire committee, and all those that gave their time in making our Annual Palm Sunday a huge success We served 312 parishioners for brunch The auditorium was decorated in a beautiful spring-like setting with a purple/apple green accent The committee spent endless hours in the kitchen preparing the meal, shopping, setting up, taking reservations, making centerpieces, and baking/selling our Grecian Kitchen spring menu specialties Many thanks to our kitchen chefs, omelet chefs, and others who served the meal The children enjoyed face painting and taking home their favorite balloons We are grateful to our cleanup crew and to the many parishioners who helped on this very special day Philoptochos Corner May 2015 Save the date Thursday, May 7th General Assembly Meeting to Elect Board of Directors Please join us for dinner at 6:00 pm at the Family Life Center to elect our new Board of Directors All candidates seeking election to the Board of Directors must qualify in accordance with the Philoptochos Bylaws To be qualified for election to the Board of Directors, the member must have been a member in good standing of the Parish and the Chapter for a period of at least one year prior and must have attended a minimum of four meetings held in the year previous to the election Grecian Kitchen Orders Remember our Grecian Kitchen is open all year round! We continue to offer baklava, Spanakopita Tiropita, Galatoboureko, Pastitsio, OPA Salad Dressing, and our fabulous Hellenic Cuisine Cookbook These items make great gifts and can be kept in the freezer and used for last minute dinner parties Contact Dianne Zotos at Calendar of Events: Thursday 5/07 General Assembly meeting Tuesday 6/29 Appreciation Dinner (Old/New Board) 5

6 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May EASTER THANKS Many thanks to you, the wonderful parishioners of Saint Nicholas, for your great generosity, as well as your dedication, and hard work for your donation of time, talent, and the treasure to once again adorned our church for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Celebration Thanks to: All the organizations that hosted the Lenten Meals after the Wednesday night Pre-sanctified Liturgies: Parish Council Philoptochos, Greek Dancers, and the Men s Wednesday Morning Fellowship Group Georgia Ferretti, Philoptochos President, and the entire Philoptochos Board for the wonderful Palm Sunday Brunch, chaired by Chris Anastas, and meal prepared by Nicky Antoniou and her kitchen crew The March 25 th Celebration chef, Pete Papadopoulos, and the entire Committee chaired by Peter Vacarro The children who read at the Holy Unction Service on Holy Wednesday Christina Francis, Paige Hartman, Jacob LaPasso, Athena King, and Kara Tsikalas The Myrrh bearing girls, Handmaidens, and HOPE children who were candle bearers on Good Friday Evening and the Handmaiden advisor Rosie Hartley and HOPE advisor Maria Tovrea Michael Ferretti who carried the Holy Cross in the Good Friday Procession The Philoptochos for the Agape reception chaired by Stephanie Glioumas Martha Sewall, Dominica Redman, and Presvytera Caroline Arbanas for the Easter Egg/Candy Hunt after the Agape Service at the Church on Easter Sunday Mary Ann Koch and her Committee for the Easter Egg Hunt at the Family Life Center during the Lamb Roast on Easter Sunday afternoon Our choir director Diana Ott and the Saint Nicholas Choir and Youth Choir our chanters Dean Kalomas, Lee Hartley, Demetrios Tsikalas, and Peter Takes All our Altar Boys, especially the following Altar Boys who helped during many of the Services of Lent and Holy Week, and most of whom were of great assistance in helping Nicky Antoniou, Diane Zotos, and Demetria Panopoulos set up the Hall for the Good Friday and Easter Services Jonathan Hartley, Drew Sewall, George and William Arbanas, Timothy Palazzola, Alex Nezamis, Pete Panopoulos, John Angelides, Christian Brennan, Christos Antoniou, George Tsichlis, Colin Duffy, John Yannakakis, Nicholas Yannakakis, Noel Zerai, Maximos Souris, Amanuel Debass and George and John Francis Thanks also to the members of the Parish Council and the Altar Boys who helped move and set up the Kouvouklion (Epitaphion) late Holy Thursday night after the Service The Handmaidens who helped prepare the Hall for Good Friday Evening Julia Arbanas, Olivia Duffy, Athena King, Snit Ogbe, Marianthe Meyer, Liwam Debass, Wehazit Tesfamariam, and Despina Hartley together with Lee Hartley, George Arbanas, and Andy Keleta Chrysoula Tomaras and her Committee (together with Helen Carey, Dr Tinna King, Ann Prstojevich and Kerry Boudoures) who prepared the delicious meal (Feast!) for the Faithful to share on Easter night/early morning our Church Family appreciates their love, hard work, and enthusiasm, as well as the kindness and generosity of Steve Chalmers-Chelemengos who sponsored the meal by underwriting the expenses The Handmaidens who helped serve the Anastasi Brunch Lidia Goben, Marianthe Meyer, Liwam Debass, Athena King, Bana Ogbe, Meley Ogbe, Christina Hartley, and Despina Hartley The Handmaidens who prepared the bay leaves for Holy Saturday Katherine Ellis and her committee that made the Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday (The English Family, Georgia Doumouras, Mary Jane Thomas, Cynthia Milonas, Christine Lemakis, Georgia James, Harry Pliakos, Katherine Forsting, Helen Kumpis, Ann Peterson, Bess Millonas, Helen Leara, Teddy Hart, Maria Kamburis, Abrahatzion, Kimberly Anno, the Altar Boys, and Handmaidens, and Stacey English who made the Donkey Palms as Andy Cassimatis of blessed memory had taught her Pat Johnson and Dino Benos at the Candlestands Christian Argyros, Sakis Salas, John and Nasos Ginos, Jonathan Hartley, and John Pappas who held up the kouvouklion Good Friday night for all the faithful to walk underneath after the procession outside Becky Tharenos and the ladies who make the prosfora and Chrysoula Panopoulos who made prosfora for Easter Sunday from the wheat flour used at the Holy Unction Service Egg Dyeing committee (Marilynn Jemas, Becky Liringis, Andrew Efthim, Janet Efthim, Libby Efthim, Dianne Zotos, and Nick and Becky Tharenos) that dyed the hundreds of Easter eggs that you received Easter Sunday night and morning, as well as at our annual Easter Lamb Roast The parishioners who wrapped the Easter eggs Georgia James, Harry Pliakos, Mary Jane Thomas, Marilynn Jemas, Becky Liringis, Katherine Forsting, and Mary Angelides Jeanne Tompras, Kathleen Ginos, Helen Demmas, and Diane Zotos who so beautifully decorated the Epitaphion and the candles used by the clergy, altar boys, and handmaidens Kathleen Ginos and Jeanne Tompras who made the large beautiful floral arrangement that covered the basketball net and backboard in the gym Many thanks to Dr Andrew Galakatos and his family, including his grandchildren, who each year move everything back upstairs after Holy Saturday evening s Service for the Easter Sunday Agape Service Stephanie Glioumas for all the icons decorated with flowers Tom Whaley who, together with his daughter Sarah and his future son-in-law, Tom St Gem, decorated the Cross in our Church Hall for the Resurrection Service Jonathan Hartley who set the sound system in the Hall Kathy Ellis our Church secretary Chris Paradowski, our custodian We thank you all for another great Holy Week, Lent and Pascha/Easter! 6

7 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 Excuse Me, Are You Jesus? A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night s dinner In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples Apples flew everywhere Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly-missed boarding ALL BUT ONE! He paused, took a deep breath, told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor He was glad he did The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did Are you okay? She nodded through her tears He continued on with, I hope we didn t spoil your day too badly As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, Mister He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes She continued, Are you Jesus? He stopped in mid-stride and he wondered He gently went back and said, No, I am nothing like Jesus He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place The girl gently nodded: I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples He sent you to help me, so you are like Him only He knows who will do His will Thank you for hearing His call, Mister Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: Are you Jesus? Do people mistake you for Jesus? That s our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit -submitted by Tina Cassimatis The Grandmother s Clock Grandma, why is it that you always count each time your clock strikes, and then you look as though you re thinking of something? The seven-year-old girl put this question to her dear grandmother as she climbed onto her lap I ve developed a habit of counting the chimes, and then I reflect on the fact that, with each passing hour, the life still ahead of me is that much shorter and death is that much closer The clock begins to strike and I think to myself, Another hour of my life has flown into eternity; I have an hour less to live in this world The striking of the clock, like to tolling of a funeral bell, reminds me that eventually the last hour of my life will strike, and then the funeral bell will let people know that my time on earth has come to an end But why, Grandma, do you think about this? It can t be very pleasant Surely you don t want to die No, my child, I don t want to die, but death does not ask us when he will be welcome However, I ve reached the age when the thought of death is there, whether I want it or not And what kind of Christian would I be if I was afraid to think about death? Our Lord teaches us to think about death and to be prepared for it any day And so, when the clock begins to strike, I think to myself: Yet another hour of my life here on earth has gone by What good or bad have I done in the past hour? Am I becoming a better person or not? Am I prepared to stand before God at His judgment? If I did or said something bad in the hour just gone by, then I sigh to the Lord over my sin and afterwards try to refrain from committing the same offense The memory of death helps me to keep from getting cross and saying angry words to the servants or you or anyone else Instead, I am able to respond with kindness, even love From now on, Grandma, I m going to do the same Every time the clock begins to strike, I m going to think about death, just as you do It is good, my child, for each and every Christian to do that, but at your age its beyond your ability Don t promise something you cannot carry through When you grow up, then you can undertake to do as I do Until then, do this When the clock strikes, ask yourself: My life has grown by another hour What have I done in this hour, what have I learned, what have I discovered? If there s something you neglected or forgot to do, hurry and do it If you offended someone or you have taken offense, be quick to make it up with person, and in the next hour try not to do anything bad or to repeat the mistakes you made in the hour gone by In this way, with each passing hour, you will become wiser and kinder; you will grow in body and soul That sounds good, Grandma I m going to do just that And may the Lord bless you, my dear child -author unknown, from The Divine Spark 7

8 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 On the Bible: Take a Promise With You Never put the Bible away without memorizing at least one verse each day Take it with you Make it the controlling thought of the day Return to it Cling to it Live it all day Chew on it as a cow chews her cud Fall asleep with it at night It is possible to carry the Bible around in your heart Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16) We can keep our minds well stocked with beautiful thoughts from God s word They can become our daily companions bringing us strength, comfort and inspiration when we need it Those divine promises will come to our assistance when we need them They will serve as life preservers when we find ourselves adrift and shipwrecked on the sea of life St Jerome advised that a passage of Scripture be learned by heart each day, and two or three times a night one should rise to go over the Scriptures which one has memorized But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19) She feasted her mind and heart on the marvelous promises of God thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11) The Psalmist stored God s word in his heart where in a moment of need it brought him strength The prophet Jeremiah wrote thy words were found and I ate them, and thy words became a joy and the delight of my heart (Jeremiah 15:16) -Daily Vitamins for Spiritual COMMENCE, DON T GRADUATE Don t call it graduation! Learning and growing in our Orthodox Faith and Way of Life is meant to be a life-long activity Calling the end of a Sunday Church school year a graduation sends the message that education has ended The message that we should send is that at least after high school each of us must not take personal responsibility for continuing to learn and live our Faith Of course it helps when our parishes offer opportunities for adults to learn DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDE May F Acts 8:40-9:19 Jn 6: S Heb 13:7-16 Mt 5:14-19 Sun 3 Acts9:32-42 Jn 5: M Acts 10:1-16 Jn 6: T Acts 10:21-33 Jn 7: W Acts 14:6-18 Jn 7: T Acts 26:1,12-20 Jn 8: F 1 Jn 1:1-17 Jn 19:25-28;21: S Acts 12:1-11 Jn 8:31-42 Sun 10 Acts 11:19-30 Jn 4: M Acts 12:12-17 Jn 8: T Acts 12:25;13:1-12 Jn 8: W Acts 13:13-24 Jn 6: T Acts 14:20-28;15:1-4 Jn 9:39-10:9 15 F Acts 15:5-12 Jn 10: S Acts 15:35-41 Jn 10:27-38 Sun 17 Acts 16:16-34 Jn 9: M Acts 17:1-9 Jn 11: T Acts 17:19-28 Jn 12: W Acts 18:22-28 Jn 12: T Acts 1:1-12 Lk 24: F Acts 19:1-8 Jn 14: S Acts 20:7-12 Jn 14:10-21 Sun 24 Acts 20:16-18,28-36 Jn 17: M 2 Cor 4:6-15 Mt 11: T Acts 21:26-32 Jn 16: W Acts 23:1-11 Jn 16: T Acts 25:13-19 Jn 16: F Acts 27:1-44;28:1 Jn 17:18-26 * 30 S 1 Thes 4:13-17 Jn 21: Sun 30 Acts 2:1-11 Jn 7:37-52;8:12 + Ascension * Saturday of the Souls ++Pentecost So, instead of graduation, call it a commencement, a celebration, or an achievement day with students showing off something that they have learned You can still distribute awards and certificates, but send the message that the real learning is just beginning 8

9 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 OCMC Mission Team St Louis News We are honored to announce that two young ladies from our area, Jamie MacKoul and Madeleine Bishop, have been accepted to serve in one of the OCMC mission teams this summer to the country of Moldova Please congratulate them and support them in prayer or financially as you can ORHEI, MOLDOVA -- The 2015 Moldova Youth Mission Team will travel to Orhei to offer, Water from Stone summer youth camp Work with new youth leaders, and camp counselors from Romania, in this emerging youth ministry program of the Church Before camp begins, Team members will help prepare a program for counselor development This Orthodox Camp for teenagers will include religious studies, sports, arts and crafts and fellowship In order to help establish vibrant, self-sustaining, and self-propagating Orthodox communities, OCMC s work in Moldova is to support the work of the Church by helping to fulfill the vision of Metropolitan Petru to reach the youth of the nation and to provide them with strong leadership and vital programs to guide and educate them in the faith, and to share this faith with non-believing youth In Moldova, Orthodox youth programs are still fairly new since its' 1991 independence from the Soviet Union Young Moldovans face many obstacles in their Christian walk as social pressures from an increasingly westernized society challenges their faith Due to new found freedoms the youth of Moldova are looking to the Church for guidance and direction in their Christian walk The Orthodox Church has regained influence but requests assistance to deepen the spiritual life of the faithful and offer age-appropriate programs that will help the youth as they follow Christ and fight against obstacles and temptations Although it has rich agricultural lands with unfulfilled potential, Moldova is Europe s poorest nation due to persistent and unresolved political problems, lack of industry and trade, economic dependence on Russia and lingering effects of communism The weakened state of the family in Moldova (approximately 25 percent of adults have left the country to find work, leaving children with guardians or grandparents) and the plague of generations of atheism has weakened the society s spiritual foundations This unique opportunity to engage the younger generation of Moldovans, allows the missionaries to share their Faith and be a part of an Orthodox Christian camp 2015 Open OCMC Mission Teams Current Mission Team opportunities, available through OCMC, are listed below Airfare not included in Team costs Team members must travel on scheduled dates; air travel to be coordinated with OCMC; ground transportation will be provided Team members are encouraged to raise additional funds to cover the cost of domestic and international travel If you are unable to go on a current mission, you may still support a missionary by going online to wwwocmcorg or by contacting Mission Team St Louis at Albania 5/29/2015 to 6/9/ $1,000 Spiritual Odyssey Earn credit hours on a mission practicum Participation limited to Orthodox seminarians 6/3/2015 to 6/13/ $1,100 Youth Work Participate at a youth camp in Tirana Guatemala 7/26/2015 to 8/8/ $1,325 Outreach Work with the community in Nueva Concepcion to restore facilities to a senior center and offer outreach to surrounding communities 8/17/2015 to 8/26/ $1,475 Healthcare Take part in a holistic health outreach to minister to spiritual and physical needs in Aguacate Indonesia 6/28/2015 to 7/12/ $1,065 Teaching Teach religious education at two Orthodox church schools and offer catechism to the faithful in Medan Sign-up Kenya 5/28/2015 to 6/12/ $1,415 Construction Assist the community of St Peter with the construction of a school in the remote village of Loupwala in northern Kenya 9 Mexico 6/20/2015 to 6/27/ $675 Teaching Offer youth and adult catechism to educate and encourage the faithful in San Esteban & Pisaflores Sign-up Uganda 6/1/2015 to 6/12/ $1,350 Healthcare Provide health care as part of the ongoing initiative of the Orthodox Church to minister to the needs in eastern Uganda United States - Alaska 7/6/2015 to 7/13/ $1,320 Youth Work Participate in a youth conference in Kasigluk for the Kuskokwim Deanery focusing on teaching the Faith and maintaining an Orthodox witness Sign-up 7/22/2015 to 7/30/ $1,530 Youth Work Participate in a youth conference in Pilot Station for the Yukon Deanery focusing on teaching the Faith and maintaining an Orthodox witness Sign-up 7/28/2015 to 8/5/ $1,280 Teaching Offer a retreat program in Nanwalek for children, teenagers and adults focusing on the teachings of the Faith

10 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 LENT AND HOLY WEEK DONATIONS 2015 We extend to you, the beloved Faithful of St Nicholas, the opportunity to share in making our Great Lent a Holy and most beautiful and inspiring event by decoration our Church Below are items needed during the Holy Season: Mid-Lent Veneration of the Cross - Jonquils for Sunday of the Cross donated by Mary Varvares Organ rental for Easter Service Palms for Palm Sunday Palm Sunday Crosses donated by Matina Cassimatis Palm Sunday Icon Flower Arrangement donated by Dr Elizabeth Riethmann Jasmine Plants donated in memory of Frank and Dimitra Fotinos 24 Azalea Plants donated by the family of Pete Athanas in loving memory Hertisme (Friday night) Candles donated by Chris Malamas in memory of loved ones in Greece donated by Sophia Chronopoulos in memory of father, Christos Levane (incense) donated by Katherine Ellis in memory of loved ones Altar Candles for Holy Week Services Palm Sunday donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Monday donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Tuesday donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Wednesday donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Thursday donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Friday donated by Sophia Chronopoulos and Family Saturday donated by Stephanie Glioumas in memory of George Peterson Flowers for the Icon of the Bridegroom (Nymphios) Holy Wednesday Service Holy Unction (Q-tips, baggies, cotton balls and olive oil) donated by Kamburis Family in memory of Tharinos and Kyriaki Patakas Holy Thursday Icon Flower Arrangement for Divine Liturgy donated by the Family of Florence Mastis, in her memory Holy Thursday Icon Flower Arrangement Service for 12 Passion Gospels donated by Christos and Thomai Karakasis Holy Thursday 12 Gospel Candles donated by Katherine Siromas Rutter Holy Thursday Service Wreath donated by Dr Elizabeth Riethmann Holy Thursday Service Candles for Cross donated by Katherine Siromas Rutter Good Friday Sheet for Body of Christ donated by the family of Mary Rupi in her memory Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement for Royal Hours Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement The Descent from the Cross donated by Kon Vellios Good Friday Icon Flower Arrangement The Lamentations (Epitahion) donated anonymous Good Friday Epitahion Candles donated by Loretta Wacker Good Friday Anthonero (Rosewater) donated by Rosie Hartley Good Friday Crucifixion Arrangement donated by Tom and Patti Elwood Holy Saturday Icon Flower Arrangement for 1 st Divine Liturgy Holy Saturday Resurrection Candles for Priests One Candle donated by Nota Chronopoulos in memory of husband, Christos Two Candle donated by Anna P Siromas in memory of parents, Efthalia and Pashalis Holy Saturday Resurrection Icons donated by Kon Vellios Holy Saturday Floral Cross for Resurrection Service donated by Mary Jane Thomas Holy Saturday Resurrection Banner donated by Georgia Doumouras in memory of loved ones Agape Service Icon Flower Arrangement donated by Kon Vellios Easter Eggs donated by Dino Benos Olive Oil (for votive lights) donated by the Kamburis Family 14 Palm Tree Plants Resurrection Lite Meal Donation - donated by Steve Chalmers-Chelemengos 10

11 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 MEMORIAL DONATIONS March 10th thru April 10th CHURCH FUND In Memory of Johanna Dunlap Carolyn & Byron Golfin In Memory of Theodora Degerinis Sampel The Degerinis Family In Memory of Erasmia Livaditis Dr & Mrs AK Dagartzikas In Memory of Margaret E Hatzes Christos & Thomai Karakasis Robert & Janice Lynch Antigone & Christos Dafnides In Memory of Lewis G Lockos Thimios & Mary Zanetos Anne Thavorides & Family Ron & Elaine Been Katherine Georgen Bess Zotos In Memory of Nicholas J Kontras Thimios & Mary Zanetos Becky Liringis Virginia Pemberton Nick Katsaras John & Carla Stille Johnson-Ruebsam Business Group CAPITAL CAMPAIGN In Memory of William Pappademos Harry & Georgia Pliakos In Memory of Erasmia Livaditis Barbara Corrigan In Memory of Ricardo Nicolopulos, Sr Michael & Georgia Ferretti CAPITAL CAMPAIGN In Memory of Margaret E Hatzes Bess Pappas Mrs Con G Demmas Anne Silvestri Ben & Betsy Murphy Andrea & George Mezines George & Kim Tarlas Katherine & Terry Livaditis Harry & Georgia Pliakos In Memory of Nicholas J Kontras Maria Cutsoukos Michael & Georgia Ferretti Nancy & Emery Cox III Sam & Maureen Mezines Bess Pappas Janet E Papageorge Leon & Johanna Spanos Socrates Dendrinelis George & Fran Demetre FAMILY LIFE CENTER In Memory of James Casten Georgia Casten In Memory of Nicholas George Georgia Casten In Memory of Leon Babe Pappas Harry & Georgia Pliakos In Memory of Margaret E Hatzes Georgia Casten In Memory of Lewis G Lockos Mary C Mastorakos FAMILY LIFE CENTER In Memory of Nicholas J Kontras James Kontras Family Margaret Sutton Family Karen, Kallis & Jimmy Kontras Michael & Alice Fandos The Officers & Employees of The Daniel & Henry Co Penny & Lou Karagianis Dan & Andrea Tarlas Katherine Ellis Mary C Mastorakos George & Kim Tarlas The Winter Family Spencer C Wolling Nan & Gary Guebert Louis Galli Mr & Mrs James Dunlap Harry & Georgia Pliakos Bess Millonas Virginia Calbos George P Paspalas Cleo F Tarlas Mr & Mrs Arthur Scheer Susan Muenks Sandy Crowell Carolyn & Byron Golfin Westborough Country Club Mike & Suzi Wieser Linda Cowl Mr & Mrs George A Souris PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY In Memory of Margaret E Hatzes Byron & Stacy Smyrniotis CHRISMATIONS The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit Sophia Cluck Sponsor: Georgia Johnson Frances Alexandra Cluck Sponsor: Georgia Johnson Parish Life FUNERAL Where the Righteous Rest March 11 th March 19 th March 21 st Theodora Degerinis Sampel Lewis G Lockos Nicholas J Kontras MEMORIAL May 3 rd 40 Day Lewis G Lockos 5 Year Maria Xenos 10 Year George Xenos May 17 th 40 Day Nicholas J Kontras 11

12 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 Palm Sunday Preparations and Brunch 12

13 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 Holy Week and Pascha Lamb Roast 13

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19 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 HELP RENT THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER! TO NON-PARISHIONERS Want to make some easy money and help the church at the same time? Have friends or co-workers rent the Family Life Center for their next gathering/event and receive an incentive for any contract signed by a nonparishioner resulting from your referral* Room Rental Incentive Cultural Center $2,500 $ 125 Atrium $ 750 $ 40 Philoptochos Room $ 500 $ 25 The spaces are great for: Trivia Nights Parties Showers Seminars Conferences Lectures Bridge Tournaments Award Dinners Charity Auctions Fashion Shows Trade Show (ie coins, stamps) Wedding Ceremonies and/or Receptions Rehearsal Dinner Contact Event Coordinator, Nicky Antoniou: ; nickyanton@aolcom; Or call Kathy at the church office: Caterer: Butler s Pantry (Butlerspantrycom or , ask for Maggie) Check out our new web site: sngocorg or snflcorg *Payments of referral incentives are subject to all terms and conditions of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Referral Incentive Policy 19

20 St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Monthly Bulletin May 2015 PRETTY THE PATIO PROJECT Spring is here and our church patio is a fine place to meet for coffee, tea and chat after liturgy We want to make it inviting and colorful You can help When you purchase your garden plants please buy one extra for the patio Suggestions Begonias six-pack Ferns: 6 pots or larger Impatiens six-pack Geraniums- 6 pots or larger Petunias 6 pack Bag of potting soil What ever looks good at the garden-center Bring you donated plants on any Sunday and leave on the patio, we will take care of the rest Thank you Marilyn Jemas marilynnjemas@gmailcom Becky Liringis elizabethliringis@gmailcom Mary Ann Mastorakos MAM636@gmailcom 20