Sunday -MAIN CHURCH
8:30 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
Sunday Summer Hours - MAIN CHURCH
8:00 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy
Sunday Church School
9:45 am - Divine Liturgy
Weekday Services
8:30 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy
The Mission of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church
Is to lead the faithful into the Kingdom of God by:
Proclaiming and teaching the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox Faith;
Sanctifying the faithful through God’s grace in worship, the Divine Liturgy and the sacraments;
Enhancing the spiritual life of the faithful;
Adding to the numbers of the faithful by receiving persons into the church through instruction, baptism and/or chrismation.
In giving birth, O Theotokos, you have retained your virginity, and in falling asleep you have not forsaken the world. You who are the Mother of Life have passed over into life, and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death.
This Saint, a wealthy nobleman of Constantinople, was filled with piety toward God. He had two sons, Arcadius and John, whom he sent to Beirut to study law. But they were shipwrecked during their voyage; barely saved, they forsook all things and departed for Palestine. Saint Xenophon and his wife Mary, ignorant of what had happened, went in search of their sons. On finding them in Jerusalem, dressed in the habit of monks, they also took up the monastic life. And thus, having completed their lives in holiness, they departed for the Lord about the beginning of the sixth century. Saint Xenophon and his sons reposed at Saint Sabbas Monastery, and Mary at the Monastery of Saint Theodosius.
This event took place on this day in the year 438, when Saint Theodosius the Younger had been Emperor for thirty years; he was the son of Arcadius, and Eudoxia, who had exiled Saint John. The Archbishop of Constantinople at that time was Proclus, who had been the Saint's disciple (see Nov. 13 and Nov. 20).
15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to Timothy 4:9-15
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and suffer reproach, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
15th Sunday of Luke
The Reading is from Luke 19:1-10
At that time, Jesus was passing through Jericho. And there was a man named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."
Sunday- Jan. 26
8:45am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy
Memorials:
20yr Edward Limperis
9yr Helen Limperis
Meeting for 95th GALA after Coffee Hour
Monday- Jan. 27
12pm Final Youth Safety Zoom Meeting
Tuesday- Jan. 28
7pm Bible Study - The Liturgical Cycle
Thursday-Jan.30
Three Hierarchs
9am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy
Saturday- Feb. 1
1-4pm Community Outreach Luncheon
Sunday- Feb. 2
Presentation of Christ into the Temple
8:45am Orthros
10am Divine Liturgy
Senior Choir Singing
Open ArmsWe will be celebrating liturgies in the Main Church on Sundays. Please make every effort to embrace the children and refrain from scolding or “shushing” someone else’s child. Fr. Peter will never ask a child to leave the service, and he also asks that you also focus your attention on the services and not other people within the church. In a Christian family we are all different, with differing abilities, working together to pray, and grow. We need to make all people within our church feel welcome, and Father is asking for your help to do so.
HOLY LIGHT Father Peter has brought the Holy Light to our church that was the Holy Light from the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem that is miraculously lit every Easter Service at the tomb of Christ. The light was brought by plane to America and Father has been given the flame. If you would like to take the light home with you, please bring a lantern candle or purchase a 3 day candle, and Father will give out the light on Sunday after church. You can read more about the “Holy Fire” online.
Apokreatiko/Mardi Gras We will be hosting a Mardi Gras on February 23rd in Plato Hall. The event is a luncheon that is designed to be reasonably priced for entire families to participate. There will also be some unique auction items that are experiences with Fr. Peter. Sign up in our Hall after church, and be part of the fun, and maybe win a special time with Father Peter.
Stewardship Father is very grateful and thanks all of you for your stewardship over the years. For those who have already submitted your stewardship for 2020. Thank you!!!
Sermon Note Please come into the church prior to the start of the sermon. When the sermon is in progress, please remain in the rear of the church until the sermon is over. After the sermon, then make your way to your pew or place your candle on the solea, etc.
Communion NotePlease follow the direction of our Parish Council for the new procedure for receiving Holy Communion.
Shut-insInterested in supporting our shut-in program? Contact Christina Arvanites to get more information on helping.
YouTube Father recommends watching the interview with Elder Thaddeus on his YouTube Channel under educational videos. Elder Thaddeus has also written a book, “Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives.” www.YouTube.com/FatherPeterSpiro
FULL PARISH COUNCIL This past year we have had 5 vacant seats on the Parish Council. Father Peter has administered the Oath of Office to 5 new volunteer members of the Parish Council this past month. We welcome our 5 newest Members to the Parish Council. Eileen Szubert, Kristin Callahan, Christina Arvanites, Vincent Nicholas, and John Szubert. Please make them feel welcome to the Parish Council and congratulate them on their new service to our church. Thank you!
Metropolis Men’s and Women’s Retreat for 2020 through the Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Please go to https://www.gocfamilysynaxis.org for information and to register.
Youth Game Room We will be developing a youth game room. If you have any table top games or fun items for the game room, please contact Fr. Peter.’
Communication and Emergencies If you need to contact Fr. Peter by email, his email is frpspiro999@gmail.com The emergency number for our church which is on 24/7 is 847-452-5989. This number is Fr. Peter’s cell phone number if you have an emergency (severe injury, severe pastoral need, or death). Please do not text important, time sensitive information or emergencies. For non-emergencies, please send an email or contact the office at (773) 626-3114.
Crossroad High School Summer Institute -High School juniors and seniors explore life’s biggest questions- Who am I? Who is God? Who is my neighbor? visit crossroadinstitute.org for more information. July 20-30 in Chicago.
OCMC Annual Mission Benefit Thursday February 13th at St. John’s in Des Plaines, the Missions Center has its annual benefit dinner. $35 per person. More information or tickets at MissionTeamChicago.org or MTCBenefit@yahoo.com
Coffee Hour ItemsWe would like to have parishioners bring a box of cookies so we can stock our coffee hour supplies. Please consider bringing some sealed cookies to church on occasion or hosting a coffee hour.
Choir- Please consider joining our choir and making our choir loft full! Fr. Peter would like everyone to know that children and teens are welcome to join. Give it a try!
ScholarshipsScholarships to High School Seniors. Please go to https://www.panhellenicsf.org/apply/
The Annual Western Regional Basketball Tournament: is quickly approaching, Feb 7-9 at St. George, St. Paul, MN! More information is attached.
Fanari ❄ Winter Camp Session 2 in February! Our Junior (Middle School) are invited to join us for our annual Fanari Winter Camp at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center! Feb 28-Mar 2 for Junior GOYAns ONLY. Registration OPEN NOW at fanari.org.
Fanari Summer Camp Registration will open February 12, 2020 at 11am. Dates and other information can be found at www.fanari.camp.
The YAL Chicago Conference: is back this coming President's Day Weekend, Feb 14-17, 2020. Registration and more information is open at yalchicago.com. We are requesting donations and sponsorships from our parishes; please see attached for more information.
Lighthouse, a camp for 12th Grade Grads: will be launched June 7-14, 2020! A program to help prepare our grads for college. Registration is open now at: https://chicago.goarch.org/light-house
Yearly Calendar Please see one of our Parish Council members today to pick up your calendar. They can also be picked up in the church office during office hours M-F 9-2pm. Happy New Year!
Telos Project Please visit https://tinyurl.com/agocya to submit basic contact info for any young adult ages 21-35 with a connection to Assumption. This will help us build our young adult ministry.
Office Staff We welcome Sandy Klaud as our new secretary in the church office. Sandy has worked for the Catholic Archdiocese, and in the hospital setting as well. She has a warm personality that you will find embracing. Please make her feel welcome and be patient as she is being trained to take proper care of our church office. Presbytera Dana is currently working with Sandy in the office, helping this time of transition.
See It Again Today’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. Sermons on Father Peter’s YouTube channel. www.YouTube.com/FatherPeterSpiro
House Blessings If you would like your home or business blessed, please email Fr. Peter in order to set up a time to have him bless your home or business. Please note that distance from church is not a problem. Father has a philosophy that “if someone comes to the church, then the priest can certainly go to their home, no matter where they live.”
Prosfora Bakers Needed Our Church is in need of individuals who can offer the weekly Prosforo (Bread) for the Divine Liturgy. If you are interested in learning how to make Prosforo, please contact Fr. Peter
COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST (put this in your prayer corner at home)
O Lord our God, Who by word alone did heal all diseases, Who cured the mother in law of Peter, You Who chastise with pity and heal according to Your goodness; grant aid to these Your servants (Names) and heal them of every sickness of which they are grieved; lift them up from their pain, and send down upon them Your great mercy. For to you we send up Glory: to Father, and to Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR: William, Nicholas, Momcilo, Jill, Panagiotis, Vasiliki, Elizabeth, Panagiota, Betty, Dimitri, Alexander, Vasiliki, Eleni, Panagiotis, George, Thomas, Nicholas, Sophia, Susan, Mary Lou (Contact Fr. Peter to add names)
Donations of Pre-Loved Coats for Children and Adults.
Coffee Hour
Gift Card Collection
Mardi Gras
Sock Drive