PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
Welcome Father Simeon Johnson:
Our Parish of Panagia welcomes Father Simeon Johnson this morning. Fr. Simeon is the part-time assistant priest at the Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine, and is filling in for Father Timothy while he is out of town. Father Simeon will be serving the Divine Liturgy today in St. Catherine Chapel for our Sunday Church School children. We welcome Fr. Johnson to our beloved Panagia Community.
Memorials:
9 Days ~ Emile Mantzakides, Right Rows 1 – 2
40 Days ~ Helen (Eleni) Maniates, Right Rows 3 – 4
3 Months ~ Sophia Karagiannis, NO PEWS
1 Year ~ Helen Kouimelis, Left Rows 1 – 3
6 Years ~ Peter (Panayiotis) Karagiannis, NO PEWS
Coffee Fellowship:
Today’s Coffee Fellowship is hosted by the Assumption Community. Please join us in Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship.
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 Thought for the Week:
GRATITUDE: "Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude. Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moments we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines. Not just in the moments when life seems easy." (Henri Nouwen)
“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, and is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.” (Thomas Merton)
“Gratitude goes beyond the "mine" and "thine" and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.” (Henri Nouwen)
Outreach Thought for the Week:
REFLECTING THE LIGHT: The brightness of the full moon should always be a reminder to us that, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, we are called to reflect the light of Christ to all those whom He places in our path.
2015 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 25, 2015
Greek Letters Luncheon, Chateau Ritz, Niles, IL
Friday, January 30th
7:30 pm – JOY Meeting at the River Forest
Community Center
Sunday, February 1st
Triodion Begins
Monday, February 2nd
Presentation of the Lord
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Sunday, February 8th
Stewardship Brunch following the Divine Liturgy
Monday, February 9th
7:00 pm – Adult Bible Study in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Thursday, February 12th
7:30 pm – Assumption Monthly Book Club at the
Pan Arcadian House in Elmhurst, IL
Friday, February 13th
7:30 pm – Jr. GOYA Meeting at the Oak Brook Park District
Saturday, February 14th
1st Saturday of the Souls
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Sunday, February 15th
Meatfare Sunday
Sunday, February 15th
4:00 pm – Assumption Philoptochos Apokreatiko Glendi
at the Carlisle Banquets, in Lombard, IL.
Please see the flyer for more information.
Monday, February 16th
7:00 pm – Adult Bible Study in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Friday, February 20th
7:30 pm – GOYA Meeting at the Oak Brook Park District
Saturday, February 21st
2nd Saturday of the Souls
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Saturday, February 21st
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm – Tubing at Villa Olivia, see flyer in this bulletin
for more information.
Sunday, February 22nd
Cheesefare Sunday
Monday, February 23rd
GREAT LENT BEGINS
Friday, February 27th
7:30 pm – JOY Meeting at the River Forest Community Center
Saturday, February 28th
3rd Saturday of the Souls
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Annual Stewardship Brunch February 8th:
On Sunday, February 8th, following the Divine Liturgy, we again will enjoy our Annual Complimentary Stewardship Brunch in Plato Hall, hosted by the Panagia Stewardship Committee and the Parish Council. We cordially invite all stewards, guests and friends who will be in worship on that day to please join us following Church Services for brunch in Plato Hall.
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.
Thinking of Converting to Orthodoxy?
If you, a family member, or friend, who are not of the Orthodox Faith, and may be considering conversion to Orthodoxy, please contact the Church Office (773.626.3114) or speak with Fr. Timothy. A Confirmation/Chrismation Class is being formed to prepare those who have expressed interest to convert to Orthodoxy. This also includes couples who are planning to be married in the Orthodox Church in the near future, and where one of the couple is contemplating converting to the Orthodox Faith. We plan to begin this process in mid-February.
AHEPA 13th District Scholarships Available:
Applications for the Order of AHEPA’s 13th District Scholarship Awards are now being accepted. Eligible students must be high school seniors, have a minimum four-year cumulative grade point average of ‘B’, and be either of Greek heritage or have a parent that is an active member of the AHEPA family. For further info, or to obtain an application, please call the Church Office (773.626.3114). Deadline for submitting application is March 15, 2015.
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 #1-34 Completed – Please visit our website or our bulletin board to see who benefited from these Acts of Kindness
Act of Kindness #35 – We will be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital
Act of Kindness #36 – 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. (Grades Little Lambs, PREK & K will be sorting/packing)For more information visit www.capsoflove.com
Act of Kindness #37 – Now through February 1st 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 #38 – 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 #39 – 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 #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.
Act of Kindness #41 – Now through February 1st we will be collecting gently used clothing for homeless of the Franciscan Outreach Day Program at 10 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago.
Act of Kindness #42- On February 1st we will be making sack lunches for the Franciscan Outreach Day program
Act of Kindness #43- Students will be making Valentine’s Day cards for the students of Plato Learning Academy
Act of Kindness #44 – Now through February 15th we will be collecting small sized toiletries (hotel samples) to be donated to the Franciscan Home at 2715 Harrison, Chicago. (Grades 5/6 will be sorting/packing)
Act of Kindness #45 - Students will be making cards of encouragement for patients with cancer that will be given with care packages from Phil’s Friends.
Act of Kindness #46 - On Saturday, March 7th from 4:30-7pm we will be serving a meal to the homeless at Marquard Center 1645 W. LeMoyne, Chicago. Volunteers ages 14 and up needed! Please see Christina Arvanites if interested in volunteering.
Act of Kindness #47– We will be collecting gently used blankets, throw rugs, towels for the Chicago Animal Control and Care 2741 S. Western Ave, Chicago
Act of Kindness #48 – We will be baking/delivering cookies and thank you cards to the Chicago Police Dept.15th District-Austin (Department responsible for serving our church) 5701 W. Madison, Chicago.
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.
Church School on FACEBOOK:
Our Sunday Church School has created a FACEBOOK page. Like our page: Assumption Sunday Church School! See our progress on our Acts of Kindness Challenge, keep up to date on upcoming events and view photos from recent events.
Next Orthodox Adult Bible Study Monday, February 9, 2015:
Our Adult Bible Study will meet on Monday evening, February 9, 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 Thursday, February 12, 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. "Let’s Go Tubing!” Come join us for an afternoon of fun at Villa Olivia in Bartlett from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Please see the flyer for more information.
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:
Feb.15 March 15 May 3 June 14 July 12 Aug. 16
Feb. 22 March 29 May 17 June 21 July 19 Aug. 23
March 1 April 19 May 24 June 28 Aug. 2 Aug. 30
March 8 April 26 May 31 July 5 Aug. 9 Sept. 6
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:
Chris Limperis, Bill J. Vranas, Demetra Lakerdas, Stacy Lynch, Dean Sarantos