PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
Memorial:
20 Years ~ Vasiliki Jouris, Right Row 1
Coffee Fellowship:
Today’s Coffee Fellowship is hosted by the John Sandors in celebration of his namesday. Please join us in Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship.
Weekday Services:
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Feast Day of St. Anthony the Great
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:
Zacchaeus And The Tree
We recall the story of Zacchaeus who was too short to see Jesus in the crowd. So he climbed a sycamore tree. From this tree he saw Jesus and Jesus saw him. The Lord called him down from the tree, as you recall, to salvation. Legend has it that in later years Zacchaeus used to rise early every morning and carry a bucketful of water to this tree and carefully watered its roots. On one occasion his wife followed him and when she asked the reason for this strange concern over an old sycamore tree, Zacchaeus said, "This is where I found Jesus."
What a sycamore tree was to Zacchaeus, the Church is to us: this is where we find Jesus. To express our appreciation and to enable others to also keep finding Jesus, like Zacchaeus we bring our Stewardship offering of love to Church every Sunday morning.
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.
Dates to Remember:
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Annual Parish and Metropolis Vasilopita
Monday, January 12, 2015 (RESCHEDULED)
7:00 pm – Adult Bible Study in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
SCS Staff Meeting in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Wednesday, January 14, 2015 (RESCHEDULED)
7:30 pm – Book Club Meeting at the Pan Arcadian Bldg. in Elmhurst, IL
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. Anthony the Great
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.
Annual Parish Cutting of the Vasilopita This Sunday, January 11th:
Following Worship Services today, 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 – On Sunday, January 25th 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
Act of Kindness #35 – We will be collecting plastic caps for “Caps of Love” a non-profit, Florida based charity that collects plastic caps, recycle them and uses proceeds to purchase/repair wheelchairs for children. For more information visit www.capsoflove.com
Act of Kindness #36 – We will be collecting gently used glasses for the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in developing countries. Lions accept prescription & reading glasses, plastic & metal frames.
Act of Kindness #37 – We will be making quilts for the SEWonderful Quilts. SEWonderful Quilts recycles designer fabric into one-of-a-kind quilts which are gifted, free of charge, to children (0-21yrs) suffering with life-threatening illnesses, as well as children who have been sexually abused. Recipients include: Comer Children's Hospital, Lutheran General Hospital, Horizon Hospice & Palliative Care, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Seasons Hospice, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center.
Act of Kindness #38 – We will be making sleeping mats for the homeless. “New Life for Old Bags" (NLOB) is a collaboration of people of all ages and abilities making sleeping mats for the homeless out of used plastic bags. NLOB is intergenerational and green. The mats are distributed by Cornerstone Community Outreach in Uptown.
Act of Kindness #39 – Now thru January 25th we will be collecting gently, used magazines for TLP for their annual Vision Boarding Party.
Act of Kindness #40 – On Saturday, January 31st from 9:30-11am we will assist in packing care packages for Phil’s Friends (1350 Lake Street, Suite 1, Roselle) volunteers ages 5 and up needed! Phil’s Friends distributes care packages to cancer patients and their families. To volunteer please see Christina Arvanites. Visit www.philfriends.org for more information.
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 Rescheduled for Monday, January 12, 2015:
Our Adult Bible Study will meet on Monday evening, January 12, 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 Rescheduled:
Our Monthly Book Club has been rescheduled. The next gathering will be Wednesday, January 14, 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.
Sunday Church School – Save the Date:
Save the date – February 21, 2015 for the Annual Family/Youth Event. Details to follow.
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 April 19 May 24 June 28 Aug. 2
Jan. 25 March 8 April 26 May 31 July 5 Aug. 9
Feb.15 March 15 May 3 June 14 July 12 Aug. 16
Feb. 22 March 29 May 17 June 21 July 19 Aug. 23
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:
Andrew Kanel, Tom Poulos, Chris Caprio, Peter J. Panton
