Church celebrates renovations, anniversary

NORTH ANDOVER — Members of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley have a lot to celebrate tomorrow.

Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in America, will preside over the consecration and blessing of the church's new altar and baptismal font and the church is celebrating the 42nd anniversary of its founding. Divine liturgy begins at 10 a.m. and the church is located at 158 Main St.

"It's going to be a historic event," said the Rev. Karekin Bedourian, pastor. "This is a very exciting. We can't wait to enter our newly renovated church to restart our faith journey."

For the past nine months, Bedourian has led divine liturgy in Jaffarian Hall while the construction was taking place.

In addition to the altar and baptismal font, St. Gregory had a complete overhaul of the sanctuary from rebuilding the walls and ceiling, refinishing the hardwood floor, updating the electrical system and installing new chandeliers.

Plans for renovations started in 2005 with a capital campaign, said Richard Shahtanian, chairman of the 16-member building committee.

Work on Jaffarian Hall was done in 2007, followed by fixing the exterior granite stairs in front of the main entrance and side office door, siding the cupola and capping the chimney.

Next on the repair list will be installing a lift/elevator, the steeple and renovating the Sunday school classrooms and church offices.

This is the first time in more than 40 years that members have done major repairs to the church. Repairs will total $1 million.

St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic has more than 100 members who come from Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, Salem and Manchester. An average of 70 people attend divine liturgy on Sundays, and there are 50 children in the Sunday school. Bedourian said 95 percent of its members contributed to the campaign, with the largest donation being $50,000.

"For a church of our size, it took a lot of sacrifice for our people who put church above personal interest, but that's how important their faith is and how much they want to preserve it," Shahtanian said.

The downturn in the economy affected members and almost stalled renovations because they needed to fill a $75,000 gap. But after explaining the situation to parishioners at a meeting and asking families to contribute $2,000 each, all the money was raised.

"They had a vision to see the future of our church for our children," Bedourian said. "For us, the church is not only a place to go and enrich your spirit, but also where we gather to keep our Armenian heritage alive and get a sense of belonging."

Shahtanian agrees.

"This work is going to create a platform for years to come and preserve the church for generations to practice our Christian faith," he said.

In addition, Shahtanian said members put their faith to work by helping out the needy, including the House of Hope in Lowell and orphan children in Armenia.

"This is a very exciting time for our community because our Christian faith is so strong," Shahtanian said.

Lithuanians celebrate independence day at Mass

LAWRENCE — Father Joseph of the Primitive Franciscans celebrates Mass in honor of Lithuania's 94th Independence Day tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Corpus Christi, 35 Essex St.

The liturgy will be in Lithuanian and English. Dinner follows. A slide show on Lithuanian Wayside crosses will be shown.

Tickets are $10. For information, contact Lithuanian Council president Jonas Stundzia at 978-685-4478.

Registration for Lenten program

HAMPSTEAD, N.H. — Registration will be taken this weekend for "Living the Eucharist" Lenten program schedule for Feb. 20 to April 1 at St. Anne Church, 26 Emerson Ave. People can sign up today after the 4 p.m. Mass or tomorrow after the 8, 9:30 or 11 a.m. services.

There will be adult discussion group held at the church or in home settings; a family program, and a teen group.

Religion listings

All Saints, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill: The parish is starting a writer's group Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m. It will begin with a reflection by a catholic writer followed by sharing memories on different topics. The theme for the first meeting is, "I realized I loved saint... when...." A movie on the apparitions of our Holy Mother in Garabandal, Spain to four girls during 1961-1965 will be shown Feb. 25 at 6 p.m., sponsored by the Knight of Columbus.

Christ Church, 25 Central St., Andover: Rachel Williams shows her film, "Afghanistan: View from a Grain of Sand" about thee women and war, Monday at 7 p.m. Williams, from "Help Women Heal" will show photographs taken while making the film and leads a discussion. Epiphany Learning Series ends Wednesday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Choral evensong service is Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

DeColores Bookstore, 34 N. Broadway, Salem, N.H.: Father Andrew of the Primitive Order of Franciscans in Lawrence offers a teaching on the book of Genesis, Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Faith Lutheran, 360 South Main St., Andover: The movie, "Random Harvest" will be shown Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Newcomers dinner for people interested in joining the church is tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.

Free Christian, 31 Elm St., Andover: The Alpha course continues Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., until Dec. 5.

Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St. North Andover: The school's newspaper, The Beacon, hosts a forum on "Faith in the Press," Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. A panel of political journalists discuss religion and faith as an issue in the upcoming presidential election.

Merrimack Valley Jewish Federation, 439 S. Union St., second floor, Lawrence: Hebrew Ulpan class, a full-language program that teaches grammar, reading comprehension and conversational skills begins Feb. 26 through May 20 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The class is for high school to adults and is being offered by Hebrew College.

New England Bible, 60 Chandler Road, Andover: "Clear Answers to Hard Questions" adult class Sundays through April 1 at 9 a.m.

North Parish, 190 Academy Road, North Andover: Lunch with Rev. Lee Bluemel is Feb. 21, noon to 1 p.m. and every third Tuesday of the month. Bring a brown bag lunch, opinions, politics, questions and observations. Newcomer night for teens and young adults at Great Pond Sangha, Feb. 29, 7:30 to 9 p.m.. Old Center Hall, 3 Great Pond Road with guided meditation and discussion. Free. For details, contact Laura at greatpondsangha@verizon.net.

St. Andrew Episcopal, 90 Broadway, Methuen: Bishop Gayle Harris leads service tomorrow at 2 p.m., followed by meetings with parishioners until 6 p.m. The church's book club reads "Same Kind of Different as Me," Feb. 29.

St. Anne, 26 Emerson Ave., Hampstead, N.H.: "Living the Eucharist" learn about and discuss the meaning of Mass, the Eucharist, scripture readings, and enjoy and connect more deeply with your faith community, Feb. 20 through April 1. for adults, teens, and families. Sign up at February 11/12 or call the office at 603-329-5886.

St. Augustine of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 128 Ames St., Lawrence: Confirmation students lead Holy Hour tomorrow at noon to pray for people dealing with an illness.

St. David Episcopal, 231 Main St., Salem, N.H.: The adult education series is studying, "Breaking Free," by Mark William Olson, Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

St. James, Winter Street, Haverhill: Youngsters from St. James and St. John serve as altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, cantor and choir members at the first youth Mass Feb. 19 at 5 p.m.

St. James Episcopal Church, 119 Washington St., Groveland: Kid's Day of Art and Prayer during School Vacation for second through sixth-graders, Feb. 22 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children's workshop lead by Ingrid Sanborn and the Rev. Marya Decarlen. Participants will create charcoal drawings for a quilt which will be displayed in the church during Lent. Cost is $7 per child and includes a pizza lunch.

St. Joseph of Sts. Mary and Joseph parish, 40 Main St., Salem, N.H.: Catholics who have been away from the church are invited to a series of meetings to talk about their faith journey, Feb. 27, March 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 7 p.m.

St. Mark the Evangelist, 1 South Road, Londonderry, N.H.: Scripture study on the Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus Christ will be held Mondays Feb. 27 to April 2 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $15.

St. Monica, 212 Lawrence St., Methuen: On the third Sunday of the month, the 5:30 p.m. Mass will be signed by a volunteer using American sign language.

St. Robert Bellarmine, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: World Day of Prayer for the Sick is celebrated with the anointing of the sick tomorrow at the 11 a.m. Mass.

St. Theresa of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen: Joyce Wholey of the San Damiano House of Prayer speaks about the house and spiritual direction, Feb. 20 at noon. This is part of the monthly luncheon speakers series. Free but donations accepted. Register by calling the parish office at 686-3984 by Feb. 18.

St. Thomas Aquinas, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry, N.H.: Donald H. Nohs, one of the world's leading authorities on the Shroud of Turin speaks on the image Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. He will have on display one of the few church-sanctioned authentic full body replicas of the shroud.

South Church, 41 Central St., Andover: The Rev. Ned Martin leads a four-week session titled, "Love your Enemies? What does that mean and why should I" tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. The Rev. John Zehring leads a study on "The Sermon on the Mount" Sundays through March 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover: Family sabbath dinner is March 2 at 6 p.m., prior to the service for kindergartners, first-graders and their families. Reservations must be made by Feb. 24 by calling 978-470-1356.

Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill: Bible study class on issues concerning Israel and the Middle East is Feb. 18 at noon.

Trinitarian Congregational, 72 Elm St., North Andover: Singers Lara Sablich, Janet Swatski, Mike and Laura Green, Rich and Alisa Knight perform in "An Evening of Love Songs" tonight at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 and proceeds benefit the youth mission trip. The Rev. Rich Knight continues his sermon series titled, "Love, Sweet, Love," exploring the great love passages in the Bible tomorrow at 10 am. Joani Geltman, author of "I Get It — The Three Magic Words for Parents of Teens" kicks off "Parenting Potluck Series" March 5 with supper at 6 p.m. followed by workshop 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The series continues March 12 and 26.

Trinity Episcopal, 26 White St., Haverhill: Bishop Gayle Harris visits tomorrow beginning with the 10 a.m. worship service followed by meetings with parishioners.

Universalist Unitarian, Kenoza Ave., Haverhill: The book groups discusses "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color blindness," by Michelle Alexander, tomorrow at 9 a.m. Salma Kazmi speaks on, "Islamic faith from the Perspective of a Believer," Feb. 18, 1 to 4 p.m. Kazmi developed and teaches "Theology and History of Jewish, Christian Muslim Relations" at Merrimack College.

West Congregational, 767 Broadway, Haverhill: Alpha course exploring key issues of the Christian faith continues Tuesdays at 6 p.m. until Dec. 5. A 12-week women's Bible study looks at the prophet Daniel, Mondays, 6:45 to 9 p.m. After School Bible Club, Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m., Feb. 29 to April 4 for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Program teaches about the Christian faith through music, memorization, study, games and videos. Each session includes pizza. To register, log on to westchurch.org.

West Parish, 129 Reservation Road, Andover: "Living the Questions 2.0," Lenten series begins Feb. 16, featuring leading mainline and progressive Christianity through such topics as "Taking the Bible Seriously" "Stories of Creation," "Thinking Theologically and "Out into the World: challenges Facing Progressive Christians." Silent meditation is Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

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Church celebrates renovations, anniversary