Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
WATCH ONLINE
Watch our services online. You can go directly to www.youtube.com/TransGOC or www.facebook.com/transchurch to participate. A full list of services can be found on our website www.transchurch.org.
WORKING TOWARD REOPENING FOR SERVICES
This week we received word from Gov. Baker and His Eminence pertaining to reopening our churches for worship. Both have encouraged extreme caution in reopening our parishes. Each parish must address certain protocols and procedures before opening its doors.
Fr. Tom and the Parish Council have begun the process, but that will take some time. Be patient. We look forward to the day when we can gather for worship; but, in order to ensure the safety of everyone, we have work to do before that can take place. We will keep you posted on our progress and when ready welcome you back to Transfiguration.
OUR LIFE ONLINE
Though some of us have felt comfortable shopping and paying bills online, there are many who are finding this a new experience. The parish has worked on providing you the opportunity to continue with some of the most basic acts of worship online.
1) Lighting a vigil candle. Please contact the Pat Mahoney (pmahoney7@comcast.net or 978 436 0998) or the church office (info@transchurch.org or 978-458-4321). Pat will make sure that your vigil candle is lit. Donation: $10. As with all donations, you can still mail in a check or you can make a donation online at www.transchurch.churchgiving.com . This site keeps your information safe and secure.
2) Making your donations. We welcome all of your donations online. You are able to make your stewardship, offering basket, candle, memorial, or general donations by using the website above. Your donations help support the ministries of the parish. Although we may not be in the church building, the essential ministries of the parish continue.
3) For now, even our worship is found online. We all know it is not the same, but it is the best we can do for now. Hopefully soon we will be able to gather, but until then we welcome you to our live steaming of services.
4) Many have found comfort in being able to participate in the worship during this extraordinary time. In fact, there is more and more support being expressed to continue this ministry even when we are able to gather for worship. We would need to invest in some new technology. If you are interested in supporting this ministry financially or participating in the production aspect, please speak with Fr. Tom.
5) Bible Study. Join in Bible Study Thursdays at 10 am. Contact Fr. Tom if you are not on the parish email contact list for the zoom link.
PARISH OFFICE IS REMOTE
Our parish office is open remotely from 9 am to 2 pm. Though you won’t be able to come in to the office, with a phone call you can get your questions answered. It may take a little longer to provide you with some of the information, but we will strive to do so in a timely fashion.
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE
Please let us know if you are a high school, college, or advanced degree graduate. Parents, its okay for you to let us know too! You should take great pride in your son's or daughter's accomplishment. This has been a very strange way to end the year, but we want to recognize and congratulate all who have achieved such great honors.
Email info@transchurch.org or call 978-458-4321 to let us know the details.
BECOME A ‘TRANSFIGURATION ANGEL’ AND TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE LIVES
The concept is really quite simple. For 10 weeks, on Sunday evening, the band of Transfiguration Angels will join together and, throughout that week, make a donation to a different local organization or charity together. Fr. Tom will send out an email with a target charity and each one of us will make a donation to that particular charity. Sometimes we will have to send in checks and other times we may be able to donate online directly to the charity or organization. The amount of the donation is not the target, but increasing the number of individuals and families who participate each week and our consistency in giving. Working together we will be able to make an impact on others lives and at the same time open our hearts to the love of our Resurrected Lord. Join the 45 Households that have participated in the Transfiguration Angel Initiative.
With each donation, you are encouraged to include a simple note.
“I(We) am(are) from the Transfiguration Church in Lowell. Please accept this donation and (my)our prayers for good health and continued good works.”
Just imagine getting this same note from 10, 20, 30 or 50 different donations! How much brighter will their day or week become.
Additionally, we ask that you send Fr. Tom an email (frtom@transchurch.org) telling him that you sent a donation, not the amount, only that you participated.
Remember, we will be making donations each week, so plan your giving accordingly. A donation of $5, $10, $25 or more, together with the donations of all the other Transfiguration Angels, will certainly have a positive impact on the lives of so many, many more. What you give is totally up to you and dependent on your current financial situation.
Join us in helping others. Join us in sharing a grateful heart for all of our Lord’s blessings we have as individuals, as families, and as the Transfiguration Family.
Donations made by the Transfiguration Angels so far consist of: Week 1 to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, week 2 to the Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities, week 3 to Life Connections. Be sure to watch for the Sunday email from Fr. Tom to see what week 4 will be.
HELLENIC WOMEN’S CLUB, INC. SCHOLARSHIP
The Hellenic Women's Club, Inc., EOK, is offering scholarships to young women of Greek descent pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, will be awarded based on academic achievement, leadership and community service.
The application deadline is June 30, 2020.
For more details and application materials, visit The Hellenic Women’s Club’s website: www.hellenicwomensclub.org
To access EOK Scholarship Application materials on the website: click on the What We Do tab at the top of the Homepage and then click on the EOK Scholarships tab section.
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
During this time of crisis, we need to take care of one another, friends, family, and stranger. If you, or anyone you know, is having difficulties because of the COVID-19 crisis, please let us know. We know that there are those who would never think of asking facing financial difficulties. We will help as we are able.
To enable us to offer help, if you are able, we welcome your donations. You can send a donation to the church or go online and donate. Go to www.transchurch.churchgiving.com, sign in and click on the Outreach Donation button and make your one-time or recurring donation. Large or small, your donation can make a difference. Thank you in advance.
STEWARDSHIP PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, accept our offerings as You accepted the gifts of Your people throughout the ages. We offer these gifts to Your glory, for the support of the ministries of Your holy Church, for the alleviation of suffering and hunger, and for the proclamation of Your Gospel to the whole world.
Grant us Your blessing, Lord our Savior, that we may always be faithful stewards, continuing to share the gifts you have given us, by the power of Your grace, mercy and love. May Your name be glorified forever. Amen.
Trinity votive candles (To Sponsor a Candle please call the Church Office.)
†Vigil Light at the Side Altar (Icon of the Theotokos): Available
†Vigil Light at the Icon of Christ: In Loving Memory of Deborah Victoria Skrekas and George Skrekas
†Vigil Light at the Theotokos: In Loving Memory of Ioannis "John" Zaralidis from his family
†Vigil Light at the Icon of the Forerunner: Available
†Vigil Light at the Foot of the Holy Cross: For the safety and wellbeing of Chris Paul Tsioulis and all of the nurses, doctors and health care professionals during this unprecedented pandemic.