Parish Announcement of Rev. Dr. Peter J. Spiro's assignment to the Assumption Church
To The Stewards, Contributors, and Friends of Panagia,
I am pleased to announce that effective November 1, 2019, the Rev. Dr. Peter J. Spiro will begin his assignment as proestamenos of our Assumption Church. Fr. Peter currently holds the same position at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora, and has served in the priesthood for twenty-two years. He will be joined at Assumption by his presvytera, Dana, and his three children: Theodore, Elaina, and Steven. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Fr. Peter and his family in anticipation of a long and fruitful ministry at Panagia.
As we prepare for Fr. Peter's arrival, we would also like to honor and thank Fr. Timothy for the past 14 years of service to our parish. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, October 20th, there will be a short presentation to Father Timothy before the Inclusion Awareness program. We encourage all to attend so that we, as a community, can express our love and gratitude to Father Timothy as he begins his new ministry as chancellor of our Metropolis.
Sincerely,
Chris E. Limperis
President, Parish Council
Coffee Fellowship
Today's coffee fellowship is being hosted by the Assumption Community in honor of Inclusion Awareness Sunday.
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, October 23rd
Feast of St. Iakovos
8:30 am Orthros
9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Thursday, October 24th
Grand Raffle Dinner
Saturday, October 26th
Feast of St. Demetrios
8:30 am Orthros
9:30 am Divine Liturgy
Inclusion Awareness Sunday TODAY
Inclusion Awareness Sunday is a day when our Parish opens its doors to people with special needs of all kinds for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the coffee hour fellowship to follow. Of course, people with special needs are welcomed in our parish and all Orthodox parishes on every day of the year, but this is a special day with the goal of raising awareness of how we can build up the community of the faithful by being more welcoming and inclusive to people with special needs in our church.
The Assumption Church is hosting its annual Grand Raffle Dinner on Thursday, October 24th at the Cafe La Cave in Des Plaines. 6pm cocktails, 7pm dinner. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased from any parish council member or by calling the church office at 773-626-3114. See the included flyer for more information.
Fall Family Retreat
We will be holding our 2nd annual Fall Family Retreat on Saturday, November 23rd at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. The theme for the retreat is "By Prayer and Fasting" and will focus on these two Christian practices, their impact on our family life, and how to implement them in our own homes. This all-day retreat is for all members of our community regardless of age or family situation. Even if you can only come for part of the day or with part of the family, please come. There is no cost to attend and all meals will be provided. See the included flyer for more details, and visit https://forms.gle/pr5rwHGz2vBhcmwf6 to register.
Adult Education Program
The Adult Education Program will begin in September on the theme, "Full of Grace: The Life of the Theotokos". Lectures will be held either once or twice a month. Dates ~ October 27th, November 10th & 24th, December 8th, January 12th & 26th, February 2nd.
Have you made your 2019 Stewardship Pledge Commitment?
We are forever grateful to our many stewards who faithfully contribute their stewardship gift to our Panagia Church without fail. It is with the support of each member, supporter, and friend to Panagia and Her Church that allows this Parish to continue to offer its ministry to the faithful who enter its doors. To date, we have received 311 pledge cards from families/individuals who have responded and lovingly made their offering pledge to this parish. We reach out to all who consider this ‘home of worship’ as their refuge and spiritual home to please consider making your pledge commitment for 2019. Orthodox Theology teaches us that we should participate in offering the three ‘T’’s (time, talent, and treasure). Your Panagia Parish needs your support, love, and participation so that it may continue providing the blessed ministry of our Lord. Pledge packets can be found at the pangari in the narthex, in the church office, or by asking one of the members of the parish council or welcoming committee. We thank you for your past and continued support.
Thinking of Converting to Orthodoxy?
If you, a family member, or friend who are not of the Orthodox Faith may be considering conversion to Orthodoxy, please contact the Church Office (773.626.3114) or speak with Fr. Timothy or Fr. Dimitrios. If there is a need and interest, a Confirmation/Chrismation Class will be formed to prepare those who have expressing an 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.
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 2019? 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 2019 Year:
November 3, 10, 24
December 8, 15, 22, 29
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 worship spaces 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: George Sefer, Ray Riha, Dean Sarantos, John Vassiliades