The Word - December/January 2016
Faith
comes
by
hearing
and
hearing
by the
Word of
God.
Romans 10:17
the word
Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Andover, MA
December/January 2016
G
od entered into the time zone of history and got personal with the human race. He
ceased simply being God out there somewhere in the sky and took on the form of
Person, Jesus Christ. He became real; He became tangible. We saw Him; He talked
and lived with us.
Sunday School Christmas
Pagent December 13
Some Christians agree with all of this, yet they still feel that it all happened so long ago.
They feel it’s nice to think about, and there are some good teachings to live by, yet they
stop short of believing that Jesus Christ can be experienced in a very real and personal way
in their lives now, in 2015.
Women’s Faith & Fellowship
December 11: 9 am
January 8: 9 am
Beloved, God wants to get personal with us. He wants to enter into our time zone right
now. Do we believe it? Do we want that experience for our lives? God wants to make it
personal with us. The question is, will we get personal with Him?
Morning Meditations
December 9: 10 am
January 13: 10 am
One of the basic ways people get to know each other is simply by saying the other’s name.
How many times have we called a company and spoken to a customer service person and
half way through the conversation you ask their name? It just makes things more personal
that way.
Bread for Life
December 16: 7 pm
Vasilopita Sunday - January 10
It’s the same way with Jesus. That’s His Name; that makes it personal. And when we
simply pray and say His Name over and over again…things get very personal. That’s the
Jesus Prayer. Just saying, whispering, thinking the Name of Jesus, over and over again.
Saying and repeating and meditating, Jesus, or, Lord, Jesus; or, Lord Jesus have mercy
upon me a sinner. Whatever form we use, we are getting personal and connecting with God.
And then, when we read the Bible for five minutes a day, or ten or twenty minutes, we are
connecting; making it personal, getting to know Christ in a fresh new way every day. And
we worship in Liturgy, praising, singing and adoring Him; then receiving and touching
Him in a very tangible way through receiving the Eucharist.
Prayer, Bible, Church and
Eucharist makes our
relationship with Christ very
personal and real. It changes
us, and gives us joy, kindness,
patience and brings inner
peace and fulfillment.
Get news of additional events and
announcements via email. Go to
the church web site
www.andoverorthodox.org
and sign up to be on our
LISTSERV
This Christmas, as we
celebrate the birth of
Christ―let’s make it personal!
Amen.
Fr. Christopher
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The Word - December/January 2016
Parish Council Notes
Fr. Christopher Makiej,
Parish Priest
Dn. Sal Fazio
Dn. Gary Kent
Parish Deacons
Buzz Stapczynski, President
John Terzakis, Vice President
Jim Panagas, Secretary
Robert Trant, Treasurer
Chris Alexandrou
Dylan Archambault
Sam Diamantis
Jean Koulouris
Nicholas Miminos
David Murphy
Valerie Murphy
Tom Pantely
Peter Souhleris
Anthony Warren
George Xifaras
Church Office
Karen Davies
Office Assistant
Anita Stratigakis
Philoptochos
Martha Coravos, President
Chanter
Telly Papanikolaou
Choir
Pres. Katerina Makiej, Director
Organist
David Harvey
Altar Boy Captain
Costas Vergados
Sunday School
Patty Trant, Director
Greek School
Voula Nikitas
Christian Lending Library
Patti George, Director
GOYA Advisors
Connie Vergados
GOYA President
Costas Vergados
JOY Advisor
Patty Trant
YouthChoir/Women’sFellowship
Pres. Katerina Makiej
Book Store Manager
Elaine Demetroulakos
Internet Ministry
Christopher Primes
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
Dear Parishioners,
The Parish Council and I pray you and your family will have a holy, happy and safe holiday
season. This Word covers both December and January so we want to offer our best wishes
for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. During this season our parish is participating in
a food and clothing drive for the needy in the Merrimack Valley. Please contribute if you can.
We had our Annual General Assembly on the third Sunday of November and again this year
it was a successful business meeting for our Parish. We heard reports from our Parish
Ministries and they all have had a successful year. Our finances (revenues and expenditures)
are tracking to the budget that was approved for 2015. Thank you for your participation.
The Mortgage Elimination Program is making good progress; however, we still need your
support. As of the beginning of November we have 100 of our 400 families pledging a little
over $400,000. Our goal is to eliminate our million dollar mortgage by 2017 and have 100%
participation by our Parish families. We want to eliminate the $8,000+ monthly mortgage
payment and free up those resources to better serve our Parish community and ministries.
Most immediately we see the need for a Youth Director and more outreach to the needy and
elders of our Parish. Nick Miminos and his committee have done a fantastic job with rolling
out the pledge drive. We are now asking Parish Council members to assist with contacting
families that have not yet pledged. If you haven’t pledged as of yet, please consider pledging
so we can expand our ministries and have a greater impact to our community.
Those of us who have witnessed and experienced the “Kardiotissa” Myrrh-Streaming Icon of
the Mother of God are still enjoying the thoughts and memories of the wonderful pilgrimage
we took last month. In addition, in late October some parishioners visited the Holy
Resurrection Orthodox Church in Allston to venerate the holy icon when it was brought
there. We are truly blessed to have this holy gift from God for all to witness and experience.
We have two valuable members of the Parish Council who will be stepping off the Council at
the end of this year. Bob Trant, Treasurer, and Jean Koulouris, Council Member, will be
“retiring” after many years of faithful service to our Parish community. Congratulations and
thank you for all you did to make Sts. Constantine and Helen Church a better place.
This Christmas and New Year’s season take the opportunity that these holidays present to
slow down and enjoy the quality family time that we all need at this time of year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Buzz Stapczynski
Parish Council President
Kindergarten students made thank you cards for the Veterans
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The Word - December/January 2016
Philoptochos
Sunday School
Several Philoptochos sisters from our chapter attended the
2015 National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund
Luncheon in Boston on October 31st. The very first Children’s
Medical Fund Luncheon was held in 1997 and was chaired by
our own Elaine Kevgas. Elaine has been serving as a National
Philoptochos Board member for more than 30 years and was
actively involved in running this year’s luncheon, as were
Diane Miminos and Stephanie Connor. The event was a sellout with over 650 people attending, including Archbishop
Demetrios, emcee and national television personality Maria
Stephanos, dignitaries from the National Philoptochos Board,
and hundreds of ladies from Philoptochos chapters from all
over the country. Due to the success of the luncheon, grants
totaling $167,000 were given out to area hospitals or
organizations that assist children, particularly those who have
survived abuse or have special needs including Mount Auburn
Hospital, UMASS Medical in Worcester, Bay State Medical,
and New England Disabled Sports.
Sunday School Updates:
November was a busy month for Sunday School. The students
have been busy learning about their Orthodox faith and how to
not conform to the secular world, but be transformed and live
their lives the way God wants them to. We also kicked off our
first service project of the year. The students wrote thank you
notes and letters to the servicemen and women stationed overseas. The letters and notes were beautiful! Many students told
the soldiers that they will be praying for their safety. These letters will give hope and show gratitude to many of our soldiers.
Thank you to all the classes that participated!
The next service project for December and January will be assembling Emergency Health/Hygiene Kits to be sent to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). The IOCC
offers emergency relief and development programs to those in
need worldwide. They will distribute these kits to displaced
families worldwide. Any parents that would like to volunteer to
help in the classrooms with this service project or would like to
donate supplies please email me at [email protected]
The Andover chapter of Philoptochos was proud to contribute
to the Children’s Medical Fund. We look forward to continuing
our ongoing mission to help disadvantaged children as we
approach the Christmas season. In that spirit, we ask you to
consider purchasing the Holiday Hope Candle from the Sisters
of All Saints Greek Orthodox Monastery in Long Island, New
York. Their website is www.whitefieldfarm.org. This beautiful
candle, hand made by the Sisters, is scented with the essential
oils and fragrances of holly, fir, cedarwood, vetiver, citrus, and
clove. Proceeds go to assist victims of human trafficking, a
social tragedy that effects young people, many from countries
that are predominately Orthodox Christian.
In addition to teaching the regular curriculum, our Sunday
school teachers that attended the pilgrimage in Pennsylvania
held interactive discussions with the entire Sunday School about
the miracle of the myrrh streaming icon, Tender Heart - Kardiotissa. Many thanks to all the teachers and students that shared
their experience with the entire Sunday School.
The students are also finalizing preparations for the annual
Christmas Pageant. It is a wonderful time to enact the birth of
baby Jesus. Any student that does not have a part in the pageant
is invited to sing in the chorus. We hope you can all join us in
this joyous celebration!
Sunday School Calendar:
· December 6th – Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
· December 13th - Christmas Pageant
· December 20th – Christmas Pageant Snow Date
· December 27th – No Sunday School
· January 3rd – Sunday School Resumes
Our charitable contributions for December are:
· Now through December 20th – Hats and Mittens
drive. We will be collecting brand new hats and mittens
for the Lazarus House. Please place all donations in the
Hats and Mittens box placed in the atrium.
·
Gina LaFortune, Olga Pithis, Sandra Johnson, Sue Terzakis,
and Gail Constantine were pleased to attend the 2015
Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon along with Olga’s in-laws
Nick and Mary Pithis (seated). Not pictured but also attending
were Elaine Kevgas, Stephanie Connor, Rachel Pantely, and
Diane Miminos.
December 6th – December 13th - – Lazarus House
Christmas Food drive. Please drop off non-perishable
food donations in the food box located in the atrium.
Boxes and cans only, please no glass.
I wish everyone a most blessed Christmas and a very happy and
healthy 2016!
In Christ,
Patty Trant
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The Word - December/January 2016
Junior GOYA
JOY
We held our November Junior GOYA meeting on Sunday,
November 15th. The children had a wonderful discussion with
Deacon Gary about being in the light vs. the darkness. They
talked about the evils in the world and what that means and how
to avoid being in the darkness. It was a powerful bible study that
ended with a fun activity that showed how difficult simple tasks
in life are when we live in darkness and how easy everything is
living in the light. Our next church meeting will be held on
January 10th.
We held our November JOY meeting on Sunday, November 8th.
The children had a great time and learned about the Archangels.
Deacon Gary and Deacon Sal talked about who the Archangels
are, their purpose, and why they are so important to us. Our next
church meeting will be held on January 17th.
Thank you to all who donated a frozen turkey to the Lazarus
House on November 21st. You helped feed many poor families
this Thanksgiving! Without your donations these families would
not have had a traditional turkey dinner. Your generosity was
greatly appreciated by the people at the Lazarus House. May
God bless you and your families!
Our next meeting is:
Church Meeting – January 10th from 12:00-1:15
immediately following Sunday school dismissal in the
conference room.
· NOTE―be sure to look at the Youth Activities article
to see what’s happening with our younger members.
Our next meeting is:
All children in the 5th and 6th grades are welcome to attend all
the Junior GOYA meetings and events. I look forward to seeing
everyone at the North Shore Music Theater.
I wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and a very happy,
healthy and peaceful New Year!
·
Church Meeting – January 17th from 12:00-1:15
immediately following Sunday school dismissal.
·
Note― be sure to look at the Youth Activities
article to see what’s happening with our younger
members.
All children ages 7 – 9 in grades 1 – 4 are welcome to attend all
the JOY meetings and events. I look forward to seeing everyone
at the North Shore Music Theater.
In Christ,
Patty Trant
I wish everyone a very blessed Christmas and a very happy,
healthy and peaceful New Year!
In Christ,
Patty Trant
Youth Activities
We invite all youth of the Church to join in the activities of the
Sunday school, Junior GOYA and JOY.
· Christmas Outing – Saturday, December 12th at the
North Shore Music Theater at 2 pm to see a production of “A
Christmas Carol”.
The Word
Volume 18, Issue 1
Published monthly except August and January by
Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church,
71 Chandler Road Andover, MA 01810
Phone 978-470-0919 vFax 978-470-0239
Please RSVP to [email protected] by
December 1st with the number of people attending.
Parents and siblings are welcome to attend.
Periodicals postage paid at Andover, MA.
Permit No. 022-997. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to Sts. Constantine & Helen Church.
· Snow Tubing Outing – Saturday, February 13th at
Amesbury Sports Park, Amesbury, MA. Join us for a fun
afternoon of tubing and pizza afterwards. Please RSVP to
[email protected] by February 1st with the number of
people attending. Parents and siblings are welcome to attend.
Elizabeth Xaros Bigelow, Editor. [email protected]
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The Word - December/January 2016
Daughters of Penelope
Christian Lending Library
Dear Sisters,
We are looking forward to our annual Christmas Dinner Party on
Thursday, December 3rd at Angelica’s Restaurant in Middleton,
MA, beginning at 5:30 pm. Members, friends and family are all
welcomed to attend. Call me at 617-694-1359, if you would like
to join us.
Dear Parishioners,
As Christmas quickly approaches, I want to remind and encourage
everyone to stop by the Lending Library and browse through our
Christmas selections. We have a number of inspirational movies
and books centered around the magnificent birth of Christ. These
heartwarming Christmas selections are perfect for the whole
family.
On November 15th Marion Colman, Angie Chingris, Kathy
Kambourakis, and I joined Elaine Kevgas for the 85th
Anniversary Celebration of the Founding of the Daughters of
Penelope. Michael Theriault of “Enterprises by Michael”
mesmerized the crowd by transforming wreaths and trees in to
spectacular Christmas decorations. A great time was had by all
who attended.
Please stop by during family hour this Sunday and see what the
Library has to offer during this holiday season.
We now turn our focus to New Year’s Eve. I ask that all members
of our chapter attend, invite family and friends, and lend a hand
on New Year’s Eve to help make this event a complete success.
I thank you for all of your help and support this past year, and
may God Bless you with, Health, Happiness, Peace and Love this
Christmas and always!
RETURNS – Movies are due back to the Library in one week
and books are due in two weeks. The Sunday school children
visit the Library every month so please remember to return
any outstanding books and movies the next time you are in
church. We have two convenient drop-off boxes, one is located at
the top of the stairs leading to the Sunday school classrooms and
the other is located outside the Library in the Family Life Center
Hall.
With Sisterly Love,
Nancy Pantazopoulos
καλά Χριστούγεννα,
Patti George
Philoptochos is pleased to announce
that
TEAMWORK TRIVIA
Will return to Saints Constantine &
Helen on….
The Bookstore
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, fellow parishioners.
Here’s looking forward to a meaningful Christmas season. With
so much to do, shopping for gifts can be daunting. The
Bookstore will try to help in some small way by offering many
gifts items for all ages. Bibles, jewelry, wall crosses and icons,
including the wondrous Kathiotissa, are available. Also
Christmas storybooks and decorations are on display. Come in
early and we will do our best to meet your requests in time for
the big day.
May you find joy this Christmas season and rejoice in the Birth
of our Lord Jesus.
With love and best wishes,
The Bookstore Staff
Elaine Demetroulakos
Dotty Vlamis
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The Word - December/January 2016
JOY Outing
Crescent Farms
October 18
6
The Word - December/January 2016
GOYA
Greetings Goyans!
The Christmas season is upon us and it truly is a wonderful time
of year! Our GOYA meetings continue to be fun and exciting and
we encourage everyone grades 7-12 to join us in the church hall
on the third Sunday of every month! No prior attendance is
necessary, making this a great opportunity for new GOYANs make
friends through the fellowship and support of our faith! Our past
Holy-ween meeting was a great success with everyone in
costume! From a Market Basket Bag to a priest, the costumes
were both creative and comical! Opening with our traditional
blessing and dinner, GOYANS had the chance to socialize and
catch up with each other over some delicious pizza. With full
stomachs, we played a game requiring us to utilize our acting
skills. We then moved to the church for an inspiring and
meaningful discussion with Father Chris about the myrrhstreaming icon (“Kardiotissa”) in Taylor, PA. We closed the
night with an energetic game of “mummy wrap up” where
GOYANS worked in teams to wrap a volunteered member in toilet
paper! As always, our meeting continues to foster the spiritual
growth and sense of community that represents GOYA!
We also enjoyed other events such as our Hayride to Krochmal
Farms! It was an entertaining afternoon composed of a challenging
corn maze, petting zoo, dinner and a traditional hayride pulled by
two beautiful horses. The evening was topped off with a huge
bonfire, s’mores, and a chorus of campfire songs! We also held
our traditional leaf raking for members of the parish. This is
always a great chance to not only help the community but also
share memorable experiences with friends while doing so! Pictures
of the events are available on our GOYA facebook page, along with
updates and reminders for upcoming GOYA events!
We have a fun filled month coming up as well! Our annual trip to
the Festival of Trees in Methuen, MA is coming up on December
5th. The Festival of Trees is an indoor event featuring over 240
trees, wreaths and displays that are absolutely amazing to see! This
is a great time for GOYANS to get in the holiday spirit while
checking out the countless creative and colorful trees! Also in
December, we will be having a Christmas movie night! GOYANS
will be able to come to the church hall, relax, watch a Christmas
movie, and sip some warm hot chocolate. This is definitely an
event to mark in the calendar and details will soon follow! As
always, our December meeting is our annual potluck Yankee
Swap meeting. GOYANS are asked to purchase a $15-$20 gift and
bring it to the meeting wrapped along with their Christmas
spirit! Lastly, during this time of year, we have our Toys for Tots
drive! We kindly ask that anyone wishing to donate a new,
unwrapped toy to please drop it off in the designated box in the
church hall! We had a record number of toys last year and our goal
is to exceed it and bring happy faces to as many children as
possible! If anyone is interested in signing up/has any questions
about the above information, feel free to email me at
[email protected]! I hope to see you all at our upcoming
events and activities!
In Christ,
Costas Vergados, Goya President
“Strive with all your might to bring your interior activity into
accord with God, and you will overcome exterior passions.”Abba Arsenius
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The Word - December/January 2016
Stewardship 2015
Here are those who have contributed all or part
of their commitment for 2015. Thank you very
much. If you have not done so, please consider
doing so now.
Abdennour, Mario & Dana
Alexandris, Greg & Maria
Alexandrou, Chris & Jeanette
Anderson, Raymond
Andreadis, Sophie
Andros, William
Anton, Arthur & Madeline
Apostolopoulos, Costas & Maria
Archambault, Dylan & Concetta
Bajor, John & Mary
Banos, Leonard & Janis
Bassi III, Armand & Nicole-Elena
Bedrosian, Margaret
Bennett, David & Alexia
Berry, Robert & Elaina
Bigelow, John & Elizabeth
Boutselis, Antonia
Brachos, Vasilios & Ekaterina
Brandon, Fred & Katie
Budd, William & Jayne
Camargo, Jorge & Susan
Campolini, Susan
Capozzi, Joseph & Elaine
Carafotes, Sophia
Caron, Wes & Nicole
Carras, George & Betsy
Caselle, Paul & Adrienne
Chamberas, George & Cynthia
Chavez, David & Lyena
Cholidis, Stavros & Luz
Christakos, Chris
Chunias, Theodore & Paula
Coconis, Charles & Anne
Colello, Gary & Christina
Colman, Marion
Connor, Jack & Stephanie
Connor, Stephen
Constantine, Peter & Gail
Contos, Michael & Ethel
Cook, Kate
Coravos, Martha
Coufas, Nick & Jean
Coufos,Stephan & Kathy
Coulouras, Catherine
Danas, Peter & Voula
Degnan, Kevin & Stephanie
Delegas, George & Evelyn
Demetroulakos, Elaine
Demetroulakos, James & Pam
Demopoulos, Gary & Georgiann
Diamantis, Sotirios & Lauri
Diamantopoulos, Kosta & Diana
DiPietro, John & Carol
Dragonas, Denis
Duci, Christine
Duci, Simora
Dukas, George & Priscilla
Dukas, James & Carla
Evangelinos, Constantinos & Asimina
Exarchos, Georgia & Sirois, Chad
Faulkner, Chip & Sharon
Fazio, Salvatore & Angela
Filippakis, Harry & Alexandra
Flaherty, George & Mourmoutis, Sofia
Furman, Paul & Zoi
Gabriello, Max & Shelly
Gavriel, Michael & Cathy
Georgacopoulos, Nicholas & Anna
George, Chris & Patti
George, Edward & Patricia
George, Ken & Stephanie
Georgelis, William & Stasia
Georges, Tom & Eugenia
Georgian, Andrea
Georgian, Ted & Colleen
Georgoudis, Paul & Alexandra
Gianakouras, John & Margarita
Gianes, Paul
& Marie-Denise
Karko, Eugenia & Antoine
Katsaros, Katherine
Katsikis, Stanley & Maria
Kelekis, Dimitra
Kelly, Matthew & Evangelea
Kenney, William & Bessie
Kent, Gary & Amalia (Lia)
Kettenbach, Michael & Kelly
Kiladis, Glenn & Diane
Kiladis, James & Georgia
Kokkotos, Fotios & Barbara
Kolofoles, Charles & Joan
Kolofoles, George
Kolofoles, Michael
Kolofoles, Nicholas
Kombouras, Christos & Effie
Koskores, Christopher & Molly
Koskores, Nick & Mary
Koskores, Peter
Kostakis, Mihail & Helen
Kostas, Chris & Joanne
Koster, Marcellus & Diana
Kotsopoulos, Ernest & Suzanne
Koulopoulos, Michael
Koulouris, David & Jean
Koutouvides, Daki & Kim
Koutsogiannopoulos, Eleni
Koutsogiannopoulos, Constantine & Christina
Kouvaris, Demos
Kritzas, Athena
Krueger, Martin & Shelley
Kulesza, David & Joanna
Kyriages, John & Kay
LaFlamme, Adam & Sarah
LaFortune, Steven & Georgiana
Lakos, Yole
Lallos, Frank & Lisa
Lambropoulos, Costas & Thuy Trang T. Tran
Lampropoulos, Demetrious & Pauline
Lancione, Stephanie & Ryan Walfield
Lapinskas, Aras & Vasiliki
Lawler, James & Katherine
Lellos-Wilson, Chris & Christine
Liatsos, Nick & Laurie
Likousas, George & Eleni
Liponis, Bessie
Loisou, James & Natalie
Loisou, Stefanos & Gayle
Lolos, James & Emily
Macrokanis, Chris & Victoria
Mahoney, John & Anastasia
Mahoney, John & Ashley
Mak, Derek & Olga
Makiej, Christopher & Katerina
Makiej, John & Lynn
Makiej, Jr., Walter & Maura
Makiej, Sr., Walter & Vaia
Mancini, Al & Dina
Manikas, Christina
Maravelis, Arthur & Lombardo, Lois
Maravelis, Electra
Marino, John & Heidi
Mariolis, Anastasia
Mastromonaco, Dorothy
Matses, Vasilike
8
Matzouranis, James & Caroline
Matzouranis, Nikole
Matzouranis, Paul & Ellen
Maynard, J. Kenyon & Nestervich, Ellen
McArdle, Joanne
McGarry, Penelope
McKenna, Sean & Christine
Medor, Kenneth & Georgianne
Melahouris, Dennis & Elaine
Meletis, George & Anastasia
Melucci, Athena
Miara, Maria
Milligan, Jeremy & Alyssa
Miminos, Nicholas
Miminos, Nick & Diane
Moccia, Gary & Theodora
Mothon, Louis & Rose
Moularas, Eleni
Mouyos, William & Zaimes, Kerry
Munroe, Barry & Helen
Munroe, Marie
Murphy, David & Christine
Murphy, James & Diana
Murphy, Terrance & Valerie
Murray, Thomas & Pauline
Mylonas, Agamemnon & Irene
Nikitas, Dimitrios & Stavroula
Nikolopoulos, Jim & Angela
Nikopoulos, Charles & Kimberly
O'Rourke, Paul & Cindy
Orphanos, Catrina
Orphanos, Peter
Packard, Anastasia
Panagas, Ethel
Panagas, James
Panagas, Steven
Panos, Marie
Pantazi, Edward & Ana
Pantazopoulos, John & Nancy
Pantely, Thomas & Rachel
Papadopoulos, John & Corcoran, Lindsay
Papadopoulos, John & Diane
Papadopulos, Stergios
Papageorgiou, Panos & Georgia
Papanikolaou, Telly & Constantia
Papantonakis, John & Andrea
Papapetros, Athena
Pappey, Theodore & Lisa
Paris, Anastasia
Parker, Michael & Marina
Pasanen, Wayne & Susan
Patrakis, Stephanie
Patsios, James & Nancy
Perakis, George & Suzanne
Pescatore, John & Elaine
Pescatore, Michael & Deanna
Petrakis, Nikolas & Sussanne
Petrakos, Nicholas & Krista
Pithis, Steven & Olga
Plentzas, Joseph & Constantina
Popken, William
Porter, David & Evangeline
Powers, Edwin & Kathleen
Primes, Stephen & Elizabeth
Primes, Theodore & Rhonda
Proctor, Christopher & Keira
Prutsalis, Andrew
Rassias, Anthony & Karen
Raymond, Michael & Kara
Redard, Russell & Alysia
Reuther, Dieter & Karen
Revelotis, Dennis & Sophia
Robinson, Steven & Kulesza, Angela
Rooks, Gerald & Irene
Saideh Sr., George
Sanborn, Mark & Andrea
The Word - December/January 2016
Sangermano, Thomas & Eleni
Santos, Demetra
Saragas, George & Elaine
Saragas, Jimmy & Cori
Saragas, Patroklos & Vasiliki
Saraidaridis, Harry & Susan
Saraidaridis, Jeanette
Scarmoutzos, Doree
Schuhwerk, Kurt & Kristin
Sheehan, Brian & Anastasia
Skigis, Harry & Valerie
Skowronek, Chris & Joanna
Smith, Mark & Patricia
Soseos, Sandra
Souhleris, Peter & Desi
Spanos, George & Bethany
Splagounias, Nikitas & LesleyAnn
Stapczynski, Buzz & Sandy
Stathos, William & Katherine
Stellakis, Nicholas & Sefany
Stern, Richard & Cynthia
Stetson, Helen
Stevens, Frank & Vasilike
Stoupis, Constantine & Voula
Strakosha, Leonidha & Klara
Stratigakis, Peter & Margaret
Stratigakis, Thomas & Anita
Stylos, Louis & Lisa
Stylos, Pota
Sutherland, Maria Anastos
Taliadouros, Marina
Tasiopoulos, George & Tammy
Telios, Chris & Debbie
Terzakis, John & Susan
Theodorou, George & Marlene
Tierney, Gregory & Laura
Tikellis, Christos & Katerina
Touma, Dan & Georgia
Trant, Robert & Patricia
Treat, Michael & Alexis
Trebach, Malcolm & Charlene
Tsakonas, Demetrios & Patricia
Tsaparlis, Nicholas & Kyriaki
Tsekrekas, Sr., Anthony & Jeanne
Ullman, Jonathan & Alison
Valavanis, Pauline
Varitimos, Chris & Mary Lou
Varitimos, Nicholas
Varitimos, Theodore & Madeline
Vergados, Nicholas & Connie
Vitale, John
Vitas, Zachary & Katherine
Vlamis, Dotty
Vlamis, Paul & Michelle
Vogis, Victor & Margo
Wallingford, Stephen & Marina
Warren, Anthony & Stephanie
Webster, Thomas & Susan
Wighardt, Carl & Popi
Winnell, Alexis
Winslow, Michael & Alexis
Wouralis, Peter & Ethel
Xifaras, George & Eleni
Xintaropoulos, Demetre & Audrey
Yates, Philip & Christine
Yianopoulos, Peter & Joanna
Zaimes, Soterios & Althea
Zavalianos, Joanne
Zohdi, Peter & Cara
Zollo, Elaine
MORTGAGE ELIMINATION UPDATE
We have now reached over $400,000 pledged!!
“Be a part of history – Be a part of the future”
Sow your financial seed for a harvest in 2017
Our parish family has always risen to the occasion to support the needs of our Church. When the
parish moved from Lawrence to Andover there was a mortgage needed to complete the building of
the Church. We eliminated that mortgage in 2001. Then as the parish continued to grow, we built a
new Family Life Center at a cost of $3.5 million, with a new grand hall, kitchen, classrooms,
conference room, and administrative wing. We raised $2.5 million.
All of these moves and expansions were an absolute necessity in order for the parish to not only
survive, but to thrive. And so now, another challenge is before us―the elimination of our 30 year,
$1 million mortgage. Currently, our church pays $7,000 per month toward that mortgage, which is
a drain on our parish, wastes a big portion of our precious stewardship donations on bank interest,
and keeps us from expanding staff, outreach and ministries.
Beloved, we are being asked to open our hearts and minds to the future of our parish. We are very
grateful for your generous support in the past, and through your continued love and generosity, we
look forward to reaping a wonderful harvest together by eliminating the mortgage in 2017.
THANK YOU! Over 100 families already pledged.
(Please see mortgage pledge card in this edition of the Word).
Our Goal
$1,000,000 ― to be debt free in the year of our parish’s 100th Anniversary,
2017!
Pledged to Date
$402,182 ― as of November 10, 2015
TESTIMONY:
Twenty-Five years ago we joined Saints Constantine and Helen parish in Andover. It was one of
the best decisions we ever made. We have raised two children through the many ministries of the
church and we have all made many cherished friends here. We have become better people through
our Christian faith and we continue to grow on a daily basis. We have always been involved in
different aspects of our church ministries which has given us our richness in life. We look forward
to burning the mortgage on the 100th anniversary of our parish so that all future funds can benefit
the many ministries of the church, which benefit so many.
Steve and Olga Pithis
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The Word - December/January 2016
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The Word - December/January 2016
December 2015
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
2
3
4
Greek School
4:30 pm
Saturday
5
Wedding 1:00
(Stern)
Goya Outing
6
7
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
8
9
Greek School
4:30 pm
Morning
Meditations
10:00 am
15
16
10
11
12
Women’s Faith
& Fellowship
9:00-10:30 am
St. Nicholas
Orthros 9:00 am
Liturgy 10:00 am
Youth Sunday
13
14
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
Greek School
4:30 pm
Sunday School
Christmas
Pageant
Parish Council
Mtg 7:15
17
18
19
24
25
26
Bread for Life
Parish Bible Study
7:00 pm
Greek School
Christmas party
20
21
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
22
23
Greek School
4:30 pm
Vesperal Liturgy
Christmas
of Christmas
Liturgy 11:00 am
6:00 pm
Holy
Communion
Christmas Carols
Joy Outing
GOYA 6 pm
27
28
29
30
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
12
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January 2016
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
Feast Day of the
Circumcision of
our Lord
3
4
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
5
6
Eve of Epiphany
Vesperal Liturgy
6:30 pm
Epiphany
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
7
8
9
Women’s Faith
& Fellowship
9:00-10:30 am
Greek School
4:30 pm
10
11
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
12
13
Greek School
4:30 pm
Morning
Meditations
10:00 am
19
20
14
15
16
21
22
23
29
30
Jr. Goya Mtg.
Noon
17
18
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
Greek School
4:30 pm
Joy mtg. 12-1:15
Parish Council
Mtg. 7:15 pm
Philoptochos
Mtg. 7 pm
Goya 6 pm
24
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
25
26
27
Greek School
4:30 pm
31
Orthros 9:00
Liturgy 10:00
13
28
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Periodical
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