Memorials
40 Days ~ George C. Tsatsos
6 Months ~ Ilias Loulousis
23 Year ~ Aphrodite Tsatsos
Coffee Fellowship
Coffee Fellowship is being hosted by the Tsatsos Family in Memory of George & Aphrodite Tsatsos.
Dates to Remember
2018 August Religious Calendar
Abstinence Begins
For The Feast Of The Dormition
Of The Virgin Mary
Friday, August 3
Sts. Dalmatos, Faustos & Isaakios
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Small Paraklesis Service
Sunday, August 5
Forefeast of the Transfiguration
8:00 a.m. – Orthros
9:00 a.m. -Divine Liturgy
NO PARAKLESIS SERVICES – Vespers at
Holy Transfiguration
Monastery, Harvard, IL.
Monday, August 6
The Holy Transfiguration
Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ
8:30 a.m. – Orthros
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
NO PARAKLESIS SERVICE
Tuesday, August 7
Dometios of Persia, Wonderworker Nikanor
6:00 p.m. – Great Paraklesis Service
(There is No Holy Confession)
Wednesday, August 8
Emilian, Bishop of Cyzikos, Myron the Wonderworker
Triandaphyllos the New Martyr
7:00 p.m. Small Paraklesis Service
(There is No Holy Confession)
Thursday, August 9
Apostle Matthias, Apostle of the 70
Anthony of Alexandria
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Small Paraklesis Service
Friday, August 10
Archdeacon Laurentios, Sixtus of Rome
6:00 p.m. – Holy Confession
7:00 p.m. – Small Paraklesis Service
Monday, August 13
Apodosis of Transfiguration, Maximos the Confessor
7:00 p.m. – Akathist Hymn, Epitaphios and
Lamentations to the Virgin Mary
Tuesday, August 14
Forefeast of the Falling Asleep of the Theotokos
8:30 a.m. – Orthros
9:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
7:00 p.m. – Hierarchical and Panegyric Great
Feast Day Vespers
ALL NIGHT VIGIL
11:00 p.m. – Small Supplication to the Theotokos
(Names of the living inaudibly commemorated.)
12:00 a.m. – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
Wednesday, August 15
ALL NIGHT VIGIL CONTINUES
THE FALLING ASLEEP OF OUR MOST HOLY LADY
THE THEOTOKOS AND EVER VIRGIN MARY
2:00 a.m. – Sacrament of Holy Unction
First Divine Liturgy
4:30 a.m. – Orthros
5:30 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
Second Divine Liturgy
8:30 a.m. – Hierarchical Orthros
10:00 a.m. – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Stewardship
Have you pledged for the calendar year 2018 yet? If not, we kindly ask that you please prayerfully consider your pledge commitment for 2018, complete the pledge card that can be found at the Pangari in the Narthex, and return it to the Church Office. We are forever grateful to the many loving stewards, supporters, and friends of this Parish who stand tall in their commitment to our Lord, the Blessed Panagia and this ministry. If you need further information on becoming a steward, please see Dr. Voula Spyropoulos, Mary Zouras, or a member of the Parish Council.
Annual Panagia Names Day Appeal
The Annual Panagia Appeal has been sent to all parishioners/stewards/supporters of our blessed Parish of Assumption. As we approach the Feast of the Dormition of the Panagia, we respectfully ask that you remember your Church and the Patron Saint of this Parish, the Blessed Theotokos, with your prayers and loving gift. It is because of your continued support and love that allows this Church, through the intercession of the Theotokos, to minister and continue to spread the Grace, Love and Word of Jesus Christ. Included in the packet being mailed will also include the complete schedule of Worship Services during the fifteen day Panagia period, as well as a form to write the names of your loved ones to be remembered/commemorated at these Services. Blank prayer list forms for your departed souls and living loved ones can also be found on the Pangari, as well as offering envelopes.
Annual Blessing of the Grapes on August 6th (Feast of The Transfiguration)
The Annual Blessing of the Grapes will take place at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 6th. This tradition occurs in our Orthodox Churches on August 6th each year, giving thanks to our Lord for the ‘first fruits of harvest’ given to us by our God. Should you wish to contribute to defray the expense of the grapes, please call the Church office at 773-626-3114.
Panagia Feast Day Flowers
We are forever grateful for the love and support of our parishioners and friends of Panagia who generously defray the expenses of the flowers that so beautifully adorn our Icons of our Patron Saint, the Blessed Theotokos, on Her Feast Day. If you are interested in making this gift specifically for the flowers decorating the Icons of the Panagia, please inform the Church Office (773.626.3114), or see Father Timothy.
Artoclasia Service for Panagia Feast Day Observance
As is the tradition, our Parish honors the Feast Day of the Dormition of the Panagia with the Service of Artoclasia at BOTH the Great Vespers on Tuesday evening, August 14th, and the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning, August 15th. Those individuals/families wishing to offer the bread (artos), oil, and wine for the health of their family are asked to call the Church Office (773.626.3114) or see Father Timothy.
Philoptochos
We will be baking for Panagia Vespers on Saturday, August 11th, at 9:30 a.m. in Plato Hall. All are welcome to participate.
If you are able to assist with the Panagia Vespers fellowship on Tuesday evening, August 14th or for the Panagia Feast Day fellowship on Wednesday, August 15th, please contact Melia Linardos – 630.660.4643, Sophia Vlahos – 630.975.0776, or Valerie Green – 847.337.5687. Your help would be most appreciated!
20K Challenge
Want to support our Church Ministries? Grab an envelope and support our 20K challenge!
Here's how it works. All throughout the summer, envelopes will be posted on the large bulletin board in Plato Hall Simply grab an envelope off of the board and give that amount. Write your name and address on the card provided in the envelope add your donation to the envelope and deposit it in the clear box next to the board.
So if you grab envelope #43, give $43. Envelope #156, give $156. Envelope #1, that's 1 more dollar towards our goal. If all envelopes are filled, we will raise over $20,000 for Assumption Church Ministries! You can also connect to https://form.jotform.com/81452636384158, and make donations.
FAQ
Q: Can I grab more than one envelope?
A: YES! So if you grab envelope #100 and envelope #50,
you would give $150 towards our goal.
Q: What if all of the amounts in my price range are taken? Can I still give?
A: YES! We will take any donations that you are willing and able to give. Later in the
fundraiser we will have envelopes labeled "Other Amount". Simply grab one of those
and write the amount you want to give on it.
Each of us can together make a difference for all of us. Thank you for your support!
The Call is Sent Out For Sunday Church School Teachers and Assistants:
Our Church puts out the “call” for qualified and loving individuals (men and women) to join our Sunday Church School teaching staff for the 2018-19 school academic year. There is no more rewarding or fulfilling feeling, nor gift that we can give back to our Lord other than to impart to His children, the Word of God, and the blessed teachings of our Holy Orthodox Church. Helping to mold the formation of a child’s faith and belief in the Lord is a commission that each of us is bestowed with as baptized Orthodox Christians.
Specifically, we are in need of a fourth grade teacher for this coming year. Therefore, we ask that you give thought and prayer to the enormous opportunity of joining the Sunday Church School Staff. Please speak with Fr. Timothy, or the Sunday Church School Director, Mrs. Lynn Reid Voulgarakis. The SCS academic year begins on Sunday, September 9th.
Young Adult League
The Assumption Church is revitalizing their Young Adult ministries. In order to do so, we are asking young adults (ages 18-27 who are out of high school) and families with young adults to contact the church to provide contact information. All we need is a name, phone number, and email address to create a young adult database for our parish. Please email contact info to frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org. Our hope is to periodically organize social events for the young adults and support the Metropolis of Chicago YAL events and programs.
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 website 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 as we now broadcast live each Sunday. Just access it by going to our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org
Also, our parish is starting a database of all college students in the community. If you have a college student in your family or if you are a college student, please send your name, school, area of study, address, and email address to Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org.
Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed
Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2018? 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 2018 Year:
August 19
September 2, 16, 23, 30
October 7, 14, 21, 28
November 4, 11, 18
December 9, 16, 23, 30
We are in the Loop!
Through a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Chris Maniates in memory of Mrs. Helen Maniates, we are delighted to announce that we are now part of a growing number of places with a hearing loop. If you need assistance, please see one of the Parish Council Ushers for assistance.
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 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, 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 with the many others who are offering a prayer for the person who is ill, will bring comfort beyond comprehension.
Just think about that….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.
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 Fr. Dimitrios. With the help of each steward/member, we come together as a Church family to better offer our thanks to our Lord.
Bookstore
Do you need gifts for your family or relatives? 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!
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).
Website News
In addition our Parish’s website, we encourage you to keep abreast on the latest news and happenings about Orthodoxy from our Metropolis of Chicago and our Holy Archdiocese.
Please use the links below to access any of the three sites:
Assumption Church: www.assumptionchicago.org
Metropolis of Chicago: www.metropolisofchicago.org
Archdiocese of America www.goarch.org
All three websites will provide you with articles and resources for the Orthodox Church. 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, the Orthodox calendar, and much more. Specifically, on our Parish’s website, we have uploaded past and current editions of the Assumption Newsletter and the St. Catherine Newsletter, which are available for reading online.
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.
Our Sunday Church Services are broadcast live on the Internet each week
A reminder to all, 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.
NOTE: Please note that this morning’s Divine Liturgy, as well as prior Divine Liturgies, are available for rebroadcast. Simply log on to our parish’s website (www.assumptionchicago.org) and click on the “Watch Worship Services Online” link.
Ushers: Theodore Pappas, Christina Arvanites, Thomas Collis, James Lakerdas