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Assumption Church
Publish Date: 2020-02-23
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Weekly Bulletin
Lastjudgement1
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Assumption Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (203) 748-2992
  • Fax:
  • (203) 748-7747
  • Street Address:

  • 30 Clapboard Ridge Road

  • Danbury, CT 06811

Contact Information

Proistamenos Father Nikolas Karloutsos


frnikolas@agoc.us

Services Schedule

Services Schedule:
Orthros at 8:45 am - Sundays
Divine Liturgy at 10am - Sundays
 
Weekday Divine Liturgies without Orthros begin with the Doxology at 9:50 am
 
Summer Services Schedule (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend):
Orthros at 8:30 am - Sundays
Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am - Sundays
 
Summer weekday Divine Liturgies without Orthros begin with the Doxology at 9:20 am

Past Bulletins


Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 146.5;134.3.
Great is our Lord, and great is his power.
Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 8:8-13; 9:1-2.

Brethren, food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)
The Reading is from Matthew 25:31-46

The Lord said, "When the Son of man comes in his glory and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

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Saints and Feasts

Lastjudgement1
February 23

Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday)

The foregoing two parables -- especially that of the Prodigal Son -- have presented to us God's extreme goodness and love for man. But lest certain persons, putting their confidence in this alone, live carelessly, squandering upon sin the time given them to work out their salvation, and death suddenly snatch them away, the most divine Fathers have appointed this day's feast commemorating Christ's impartial Second Coming, through which we bring to mind that God is not only the Friend of man, but also the most righteous Judge, Who recompenses to each according to his deeds.

It is the aim of the holy Fathers, through bringing to mind that fearful day, to rouse us from the slumber of carelessness unto the work of virtue, and to move us to love and compassion for our brethren. Besides this, even as on the coming Sunday of Cheese-fare we commemorate Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight -- which exile is the beginning of life as we know it now -- it is clear that today's is reckoned the last of all feasts, because on the last day of judgment, truly, everything of this world will come to an end.

All foods, except meat and meat products, are allowed during the week that follows this Sunday.

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Weekly Bulletin

Agape Coffee Fellowship: Today’s Coffee Fellowship is sponsored by the Ladies Philoptochos. Thank you to our volunteer hostesses.

Church Life: On Monday, February 24, 2020, the Funeral Service will be prayed for the soul of the servant of God, Nicholas Karloutsos, brother of Fr. Peter Karloutsos. A brief wake will be held on Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:00AM, followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at St. Peter Cemetery in Danbury, CT. May God truly grant rest to the soul of His departed servant Nicholas in a place where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering, but life everlasting.  May his memory be eternal! And on behalf of our entire Karloutsos family, we thank our Assumption Church Family for your expressions of sympathy, love and support during this time.

GOYA Service Project Today, February 23rd Our GOYAns will be preparing a meal in our Fellowship Hall kitchen after coffee hour (12:00pm) and delivering it to the Dorothy Day House in Danbury. Please RSVP via the Remind App!

Calendar at a Glance

  • Feb 23 (Su) - H.O.P.E. Winter Get Together - Cookie baking for Dorothy Day House (12pm - 2:30pm *NEW TIME*)
  • Feb 23 (Su) - GOYA Service Project - Savory Meal Prep for and delivery to Dorothy Day House in Danbury (12pm - 3:30pm *NEW TIME*)
  • Feb 26 (W) - Lenten+Creation Care Study Group @7:30PM
  • Mar 1 (Su) - Forgiveness Sunday & Stewardship Committee's "Pledges for Wedges" during Coffee Hour
  • Mar 1 (Su) - GOYA Lenten Retreat @ Holy Trinity Bridgeport @2:00PM
  • Mar 2 (M) - Great Lent Begins - Compline & Forgiveness Service @6:00PM
  • Mar 4 (W) - Pre-Sanctified Liturgy @6:00PM
  • Mar 6 (F) - Salutations to the Theotokos @7:00PM
  • Mar 7 (Sa) - First Saturday of Lent: The Commemoration of the Miracle of Kollyva wrought by Saint Theodore the Tyro Orthros (8:50AM) & Divine Liturgy (10:00AM) - Third Saturday of Souls (Please bring kollyva! - Submit names of the dead to be commemorated using forms available at pangari/candle stand or on your own paper - please print or type neatly)
  • Mar 8 (Su) - Sunday of Orthodoxy - Procession with Icons & Visit of Anna Dounelis, President of the Direct Archdiocesan District (D.A.D) Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians for the Demetrios Pappas Scholarship Presentation
  • Mar 9 (M) Ladies Philoptochos Meeting @ 7:00 pm NOTE: Adjusted date and start time
  • Mar 13 (F) - Save the Date! Philoptochos Lenten Potluck (7pm) after Salutations Service (6pm *earlier start time)
  • Mar 14 (Sa) - D.A.D. Clergy-Laity Assembly at St. Nicholas in Flushing, NY

Ladies Philoptochos Society News:  Our 2020 Stewardship/Membership drive continues for the Ladies Philoptochos – Visit our Philoptochos table in the Church hall and learn about the exciting things our chapter and this wonderful organization is doing locally, regionally and nationally.    Please consider gifting a membership for a loved one or daughter 18 years or older. Your stewardship helps in so many ways. Our Philoptochos chapter is one of over 400 chapters and we are the 2nd largest ladies’ philanthropic groups.  You do not have to do anything unless you can. Our chapter will host events throughout the year so if you are free please join us.

The Michael Kallas Memorial Scholarship Fundin association with the Ladies Philoptochos Society is pleased to announce that applications are being accepted for the 2020 Michael Kallas Memorial Scholarship.  The scholarship is available for any graduating High School boy or girl. Applications have been emailed. Completed applications must be returned by March 15, 2020. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.

Our next Philoptochos meeting is Monday, March 9th, at 7:00 PM. Please join us for as long as youcan. Please note adjusted date/time

IV-On-The-Go! Our Sister Parish, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of New Rochelle has been selected to host IV-On-The-Go!                       

Date:  Saturday March 21st, 2020

Time:  9:30 am - 5 pm 

Location: 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY  10804  

Details:  The goal of IV On-The-Go is to spread the Ionian Village program domestically.  To give those the opportunity to experience who might not be able to attend, give those interested a sneak peak of what’s to come or give those who have attended the opportunity to relive their memories.  The retreat is run by former staff of the IV summer program.  Activities throughout the day include arts and crafts, music and culture and will resemble what a real day at IV might feel like.  All activities are played in game format (jeopardy, charades), encourage team building, are fun and explore the role of Orthodoxy in our children's daily lives.  There will be orthros and vespers services to start and end the day.  

Attendees:  The retreat is offered to children in grades 7-12.  The retreat is open to all parishes so please spread the word.  

Cost:  The retreat is FREE to attend.  Holy Trinity New Rochelle has graciously offered to serve breakfast and lunch to all the attendees.   Sign up here to reserve your spot:  https://rb.gy/plsk8d    

View a video clip from 2019 IV on-the-go highlights to get a better sense of what the day may look like:  https://www.facebook.com/bestsummerofyourlife/videos/vb.47133538724/402196286996321/?type=2&theater

Please contact Anda Benekos with any questions (avagenas@hotmail.com). Hope to see you there!

YOUTH CHOIR NEEDS YOU! Looking for a new co-director since Therese Papadopoulos will be moving in the spring. He or she should be responsible, reliable and motivated! Music background is helpful but not mandatory. Please contact Cindy or Therese if interested. Cindyvz37@gmail.com or therese.papadopoulos@gmail.com

Assumption Church 2020 Stewardship Ministry Pledge Cards AVAILABLE!   With the 2020 Calendar year upon us, we are truly thankful for you and your family here in our Church.  Pledge Cards are available at the Candle Stand/Pangari and have been mailed with 2019 Year End Statements.  Please fill out a Pledge Card for the 2020 year to ensure the ongoing success of the programs and ministries undertaken for the spiritual needs of the families entrusted to our care.  You are a vital part of our Church Community and together as one Family and with God's help, we can continue to preach and teach the Good News of Peace and Love, with fervor of the faith, in thanksgiving and continuing commitment to serving Christ and His Church.

The Sacrament of Repentance and Confession is available by appointment during Great Lent and before and after a variety of our daily and weekend services. See Fanari Newsletter and Sunday Bulletins for times of Services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of Great Lent and avail yourself of this most sacred, underutilized and purifying Sacrament/Mysterion.

Lenten & Creation Care Study Group: As Great and Holy Lent is an occasion for us to “purify our hearts and transform our habits,” our Assumption Church family will avail ourselves of this season’s time for increased prayer, fasting and charity to engage in a Lenten study focused on Creation Care. Our first gathering will take place Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 7:30PM, in which we will explore the Beatitudes (from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount) and their call to us as Christians to strive on earth for the qualities of heaven.

Thereafter, we will meet on Wednesdays of Lent after Pre-Sanctified Liturgy (the service begins at 6:00PM and concludes around 7:20PM) on the following dates: March 11, March 18, April 1 and April 8.

Please join us for any one or all of these gatherings as they will each explore some of the distinctive ways in which our Orthodox theology of creation has implications on our Christian practice/praxis and lifestyle, as expressed in its fullness.

Creation Care: Don’t waste napkins. We’ve all done it – gone somewhere and took a napkin or two more than we needed, only to throw them away unused. If everyone in the USA used one less napkin per day, current figures show that it could save a billion pounds of space in landfills.

  - Eartheasy.com

Interested in becoming more involved in being stewards of God’s earth? For more information, email creationcare@agoc.us. 

Holy Communion:  Please follow the directions of the Parish Council, allowing our Sunday School students and teachers to enter the center aisle first, so that they may begin classes promptly with the limited time that we have.  Adults who are baptized or chrismated in the Orthodox faith & waiting to prayerfully receive the Sacrament, please take this opportunity to read the prayers before Holy Communion if you have prepared to receive Holy Eucharist.  All are invited to receive the blessed bread (antidoron) after Liturgy concludes, regardless of faith tradition.

Before You Reserve Your Wedding or Child's Baptism Day:  The Holy Church has a sacred obligation to uphold and abide by the spiritual guidelines which have been formulated over the ages, some of which dictate that on some dates of the year, certain sacraments are prohibited.  Moreover, it is always best practice to confirm availability of the Church and Parish Clergy prior to making any plans for a reception venue. In order to avoid such confusion and conflict, before you reserve a reception hall, kindly check with Fr. Nikolas to confirm that the day you have chosen is indeed a day when sacraments are permitted AND that Parish Clergy & the Church are available.

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