PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
Memorial:
3 Years ~ Chris (Xristos) P. Lageotakes, Right Rows 1 - 2
Coffee Fellowship:
Today’s Coffee Fellowship is hosted by the Assumption Community. Please join us in Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship.
Weekday Services:
Monday, January 5, 2015
Eve of Epiphany
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Feast of Holy Epiphany
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Feast Day of St. John the Baptist
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Sunday Church School:
Divine Liturgy begins promptly at 9:45am in St. Catherine's Chapel. Classes will take place immediately following the Divine Liturgy in Plato School. If you have not, as yet, registered your child for the 2014-15 school year, please do so by contacting the Church Office, securing a registration form online at our Church’s Website (www.assumptionchicago.org), or by speaking with our SCS Director, Mrs. Christina Arvanites.
Stewardship Message:
But I Didn't Give It To You!
A special offering for missions was being taken in a church, and the people were asked to come to the front and bring their gifts. One by one they came, each making his offering. Finally, a crippled girl arose from her pew, and adjusting her crutches, moved slowly to the front. Standing before the offering plates, she removed a beautiful ring from her finger and placed it among the envelopes as her offering. She had no money to give, but she was giving her prized possession.
After the service, the pastor quickly gathered some of the leaders together. They decided to return the ring to the girl, for they knew the emotional struggle she experienced in parting with something she cherished. When they took the ring to her and offered it back, she broke into tears and said, "But I didn't give it to you!" Abraham met God's test by his willingness to give the best he had: his beloved son. God so loved the world he gave his best: his only begotten Son. Shall I give Him less than the best?
2014 Stewardship:
We thank and are appreciative to all stewards who have pledged and remained committed to our beloved Parish of Panagia. Through your continued and loving support, the Parish Council has been able to serve as caretakers and steward the needs and priorities that face our Church. We ask that you complete your 2015 pledge card for the New Year at your earliest convenience and return it to the church office. If you have a balance on your 2014 commitment, you may submit that as well.
New Parish Council President:
Last Sunday, following the “Oath of Office’, the members of the 2015-16 Parish Council met under the direction of Father Timothy and elected Dr. Peter Panton as the Parish Council president for the next two years. The remainder of the executive board will be elected at the first scheduled Parish Council meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 13th. Congratulations to Dr. Panton.
Dates to Remember:
Monday, January 5, 2015
Eve of Epiphany
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Monday, January 5, 2015
7:00 pm – Adult Bible Study in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Feast of Holy Epiphany
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Feast Day of St. John the Baptist
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Thursday, January 8, 2015
7:30 pm – Book Club Meeting at the Pan Arcadian Bldg. in Elmhurst, IL
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Dive For The Cross
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Oak Brook Park District
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Annual Parish and Metropolis Vasilopita
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
SCS Staff Meeting in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Thursday, January 15, 2015
10:30 am - Philoptochos General Meeting in St. Catherine's
Meeting Room
Friday, January 16, 2015
7:30 pm – Jr. GOYA meeting at the Oak Brook Park District
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Feast Day of St. Antonios
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Outing to Art Institute of Chicago-following Divine Liturgy
Monday, January 19, 2015
7:00 pm – Adult Bible Study in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Friday, January 23, 2015
7:30 pm – GOYA meeting at the Oak Brook Park District
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Greek Letters Luncheon, Chateau Ritz, Niles, IL
Friday, January 30, 2015
Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Friday, January 30, 2015
7:30 pm – JOY Meeting at the River Forest Community Center
Philoptochos News:
The Ladies Philoptochos will be holding its “2015 Membership Drive”. All ladies of our Parish of Panagia are invited and encouraged to become a member and participate in the many good works and acts of philanthropy that this organization participates in. There will be a table set up in Plato Hall each Sunday during coffee fellowship hour, and Demetra Lakerdas and Pat Karabas will be available to answer any questions and to register you. In addition, all current members of Philoptochos are encouraged to pay their 2015 dues.
On January 11th, the community celebrates the cutting of the Vasilopita. The Philoptochos will be selling tickets for the Metropolis Vasilopta which will be held at St. Demetrios, Elmhurst. The proceeds from the sale of these tickets will benefit St. Basil Academy.
Just a reminder, on Thursday, January 15th at 10:30 am Philoptochos will have their General Meeting. The guest speaker is Mr. George Dervis, who will speak on the topic of the Icon of "Panagia Portaitissa" (Keeper of the Gate). the meeting is open to everyone and a light luncheon will be served.
Save the Date: February 15th is the Apokreatiko Glendi at the Carlisle, in Lombard, IL. Please see the flyer for more information.
Christmas Offering Appeal:
We are grateful to All who lovingly included their Church and responded to the Annual Appeal for Christmas. Thank You.
3rd Annual Dive For The Cross - Saturday, January 10th:
Once again, our Parish will sponsor its Annual Dive for the Cross on Saturday, January 10th, from 6pm to 8pm, at the Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook, IL. This is an opportunity for our children and young people to take part in a blessed event that many Churches throughout our Archdiocese participate in as we commemorate the Feast of Epiphany (January 6th). As was done last year, we will have the children participate in the dive for the Cross (age appropriate), followed by swimming, food, and fellowship. Please refer to the Flyer that can be found in the weekly bulletin. Please call the Church Office (773.626.3114) for more info and to make reservations.
Annual Parish Cutting of the Vasilopita Sunday, January 11th:
Following Worship Services on Sunday, January 11th, we will conduct the Annual Parish Cutting of the Vasilopita in Church. This annual event is sponsored by the Ladies Philoptochos Society, with the entire proceeds benefitting the Saint Basil’s Academy in Garrison, New York. After each Organization/Department Head receives a piece of Vasilopita, representing his/her co-workers, we will invite all parishioners to receive a piece of Saint Basil’s Bread that is a centuries old tradition of our Orthodox Christian Church. A member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society will be in the back of the Church as you exit where you can offer your gift to Saint Basil’s Academy.
Metropolis Vasilopita Celebration:
On January 11th, 2015, the Annual Metropolis Vasilopita Celebration will be held at St. Demetrios Church, Elmhurst. The Assumption Philoptochos have been given 200 tickets to sell, and the ladies will have tickets available in Plato Hall for the next few weeks. The proceeds from the sale of the tickets will benefit St. Basil Academy.
Outing to the Art Institute of Chicago, January 18, 2015:
On January 18, 2015, the Assumption Church will sponsor an outing to the Art Institute of Chicago to view Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium. The exhibit consists of 63 pieces of Byzantine art and iconography--most of which have previously never left Greece. Sponsored by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and the Benaki Museum in Athens, the exhibit previously visited the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.) and the Getty Museum (Los Angeles).
A chartered bus will leave the Assumption Church immediately after the Divine Liturgy and will return to the Church at 4.00 PM. A private guided tour by the professional staff of the Art Institute will be provided.
The cost per person is: Students greater than 13 years old--$20; Adults--$30.00; Seniors greater than 65 years old--$24. Seating is limited. Please call the Church Office at 773-626-3114 for reservations.
Sunday Church School 90 Acts of Kindness Challenge:
Our 90 Acts of Kindness Challenge continues to progress! Thank you to all our fellow parishioners for the continued support of our Sunday Church School and its events. Together we are making a positive difference one kind act at a time!
Act of Kindness #1-30 Completed – Please visit our website or our bulletin board to see who benefited from these Acts of Kindness
Act of Kindness #31 – We will be collecting lovingly and gently, used Icons to pack and mail to OCMC. Collection will take place 11/2- 1/18. Boxes are in the St. Catherine’s Narthex.
Act of Kindness #32 – SCS Students will be creating get well cards for patients that our Parish Priests visit.
Act of Kindness #33 – We will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital
Act of Kindness #34 – SCS students will be making trail mix that will be used by the Night Ministry program. The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, health care and human connection to members of our community struggling with poverty or homelessness. For more information visit www.thenightministry.org
There’s so much more kindness to spread and our Sunday Church School is just the right group to do it!! Our goal is 90 by our Anniversary Dinner on October 18, 2015! You can watch our progress as we fill in a “thermometer” that is displayed in St. Catherine’s Meeting room. *Do you have a suggestion for an Act of Kindness or have an organization that you would like to see benefit? Please let Mrs. Christina Arvanites know.
Next Orthodox Adult Bible Study, Monday, January 5, 2015:
Our Adult Bible Study will meet on Monday evening, January 5, 2015, at 7:00 pm, in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room. We have moved into study of another Epistle written by Saint Paul the Apostle, the Epistle to the Philippians. This class is open to all, and it is hoped that you will avail yourself to the opportunity to study the Bible in-depth. All you need to bring along with you is your Bible. For further information and/or questions, please see Father Timothy.
Panagia’s Monthly Book Club:
Our Monthly Book Club has commenced for this fall. The next gathering will be Thursday, January 8, 2015 at the Pan Arcadian House, 880 North York Road, Elmhurst, IL. The discussion will center on the Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives by Elder Thaddeus. The Monthly Book Club meets the 2nd Thursday of each month. If you would like to join the group or want further information, please contact Father Athanasios.
Establishment of Assumption Prayer Ministry:
The Assumption Adult Bible Study Group has developed an idea that may be of interest to parishioners and friends of our Panagia Parish. They are interested in being able to form a ministry comprised of individuals who would like to pray for the health of those individuals who may be ill or experiencing health issues. Our Orthodox Faith teaches us that the ‘power of prayer’ literally works miracles, and Jesus instructs us in the Bible that we should “always pray for one another in the fellowship of love and through the Holy Spirit”. As a Panagia Parish, we are united as brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are encouraged to pray for one another as any family would do. So, how do we plan to do it? It’s simple, easy, and spiritually uplifting and rewarding. Here is what we can all do:
- If you are interested in participating, you need only submit your name and email address to the Church Office or Fr. Timothy.
- When a name is submitted to be prayed for, you will be contacted by email, given the first name of the person to be prayed for, along with the prayer to be read by you, offering the prayer for the intercession of God upon that individual, and asking that the afflicted be healed by God’s abundant blessing.
- Your prayer, together along with the many others who are offering a prayer for the person who is ill, will bring comfort beyond comprehension.
Just think about that….our prayers collectively praying for a person who needs the loving and tender Hand of God during his/her special time of need. It’s that simple. Just provide us with your email address, and you can join this ministry team who will pray for the person who needs help the most. It costs nothing, takes only a few seconds to do, but will make us all part of a spiritual family that looks and cares for one another.
Bookstore:
Do you need gifts for your family or relatives? Then please visit the Bookstore in Plato Hall after the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. There you will find unique gifts for everyone, such as books for children and adults, icons of your or your children’s patron saints, crosses, key chains and other beautiful items, which will make much appreciated gifts this year. Please stop in and browse, you’ll be glad you did.
Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:
Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2015? You might want to celebrate a family event, a memorial, or just want to share time with the Church family. Please call the Church Office (773.626.3114) to book a date and for more information. Available dates for the first half of 2015 are:
Jan. 18 March 1 March 29 May 10 June 14 July 12
Jan. 25 March 8 April 19 May 17 June 21 July 19
Feb.15 March 15 April 26 May 24 June 28 Aug. 2
Feb. 22 March 22 May 3 May 31 July 5 Aug. 9
Prosfora Bakers Needed:
One of the blessings of Stewardship that we are given is the ability to serve our Church in a number of ways. Our Church is in need of individuals who can offer the weekly Prosforo (Bread) for the Divine Liturgy. Should you be able to offer your service, please inform the Church office or see either Fr. Timothy or Mrs. Demetra Spyropoulos. With the help of each steward/member, we come together as a Church family to better offer our thanks to our Lord.
College Students -- Check Out OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship):
To our young people who are going away to college for the first time, or to those returning to school to continue their studies, Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the organization which keeps you connected to your Church and your Orthodox Faith. OCF has 300 chapters in colleges and universities throughout North America. So be sure to check out their web site to locate and find out about your chapter -- WWW.OCF.NET. We also encourage our college young people to share their e-mail addresses with our Church so that we may keep them informed of their “Spiritual Home” while they are away. And always remember, your Assumption Church’s weekly Divine Liturgy Services are just a click away on your computer each Sunday as we now broadcast live each Sunday. Just access it by going to our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org
Cemetery Graves Update:
The Parish Council announces that effectively immediately, prices for graves at Elmwood Cemetery will be the following: $1,995.00 (members), and $2,295.00 (non-members). Our Parish has only forty-six (46) graves remaining in the Panagia section, and the Church pricing is about 50% less than the graves that are being sold at Elmwood. For more information, please call the Church office and speak with Gail (773.626.3114).
Proper Church Etiquette:
Worship Services are vital instruments and components to our prayer development. In order to help us achieve this, we need to be cognizant of our fellow parishioners and all those around us. Therefore, please make sure that cell phones are completely turned off during Services. In addition, while we most welcome children to participate in the liturgical life of the Church, it remains the responsibility of parents to make sure that children do not become a distraction to those around them. Therefore, if a child is crying, or in some way in need of attention, please feel free to take him/her to the Narthex or Cry Room. You are most welcome to enter and exit the Church proper as many times as necessary. By doing this, all who are in attendance will be afforded the opportunity to worship and pray together. (Please keep in mind that we are also privileged to have a complete Sunday School Liturgy celebrated in Saint Catherine’s Chapel each week for your use as well). We ask for your cooperation. Ushers will be available to help you, if needed.
Holy Communion Announcement:
While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world’s Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated, and observant Orthodox faithful are allowed to receive Holy Communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all non-Orthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the worship service. We offer this important symbol ‘instead of the Gifts’, in the words of the Apostle Paul, ‘Till we all come to the unity of the Faith’ (Eph. 4.13).
We Need Your E-mail Address:
Are you receiving the weekly bulletin online in your e-mail mailbox each week? How about our Assumption Church’s Newsletter and the Saint Catherine’s Newsletter? If not, please give the Church Office your e-mail address so that you can stay informed about the schedule of religious services, events, and news of our Community.
Website News: www.assumptionchicago.org
We are excited to announce that many additions/changes have been made to our Church’s Website. In addition to upcoming events in our Parish and throughout our Metropolis of Chicago, we are constantly updating information as well regarding our faith. You can find articles and resources for the Orthodox Church on our web site. They include the history of Orthodoxy, special Services and Blessings, Spirituality, Teachings of the Orthodox Church, how to become a member of the Orthodox Church, the meaning and celebration of The Holy Eucharist, the form and characteristics of Orthodox worship, the Sacrament of Confession, Holy Week Meditation and Study Guide, Fasting, and many others. We have up loaded the current editions of the Assumption Newsletter and the St. Catherine Newsletter, and are available for reading online. Through the help of Mr. Chris Panos, we have also uploaded all previous newsletters dating back to 2008. They are now available online. Just log on to our website www.assumptionchicago.org, and see the many changes we have made.
Our Sunday Church Services are broadcast live on the Internet each week:
A reminder to all, in April of last year, our Parish of Panagia began broadcasting live to the internet each Sunday. This is of particular benefit to our shut-ins, elderly, college students, and vacationers who are away from home, yet need to receive the benefit and blessing of the weekly Divine Liturgy experience. All you need to do is log on to our website www.assumptionchicago.org, and click the link to begin watching the Worship Service live. We have also archived our Services allowing anyone to click and watch the Service/sermon at their leisure. We encourage you to give it a try.
Ushers:
Ted Pappas, Rose Marie Stewart, James Lakerdas, Voula Spyropoulos, Tom Collis
