Publish-header
Assumption Church
Publish Date: 2020-05-10
Bulletin Contents
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Saints and Feasts
Weekly Bulletin
Jcparal1
Organization Icon
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

 
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 8:15 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. Third Mode. Psalm 46.6,1.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises.
Verse: Clap your hands, all you nations.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42.

In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Paralytic
The Reading is from John 5:1-15

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.

Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

BACK TO TOP

Saints and Feasts

Jcparal1
May 10

Sunday of the Paralytic

Close to the Sheep's Gate in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was healed immediately of whatever malady he had.

It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying, tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him, He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle took place on the Sabbath.

BACK TO TOP

Weekly Bulletin

Happy Mother’s Day!

2nd Virtual Town Hall next Sunday, May 17, 2020 @12:30pm

Details on how to participate via Zoom will be circulated this coming week via our Listserv.

Weekday Divine Services

Over the next several weeks, we will schedule and pray a variety of weekday services, including evening Vespers, Paraklesis services, and as always, morning Orthros & Divine Liturgies for various saints and major feasts.  Please keep an eye on our Google Calendar (https://agoc.us/services-calendar/) for the most up-to-date details and services will also be announced via our Listserv whenever possible.  We continue to livestream on YouTube and FaceBook Live.

Assumption Church 2020 Stewardship Ministry:

In this time of social distancing we'd like to remind our parishioners of the Church's new ability to accept online donations by CLICKING HERE. You will be taken to Assumption Church's secure payment portal through Vanco, a reputable and leading provider of electronic payment and donation processing solutions (https://www.vancopayments.com).  More than 40,000 churches, faith-based groups, nonprofits, schools and educational organizations trust Vanco to simplify administrative processes, organize events and securely complete transactions every day.  A shorter link to our Parish's giving page is here: http://bit.ly/3a8YvJj.

Livestreaming

If these services have been a blessing to you, we’d love to hear from you! We are in the process of enhancing our Livestreaming tools to develop an Audio-Visual Ministry that will last well beyond the Coronavirus pandemic.  This has and will continue to be a vital ministry to enable our seniors and homebound parishioners to pray with us from anywhere in the world! With your prayers and support, we can improve the quality and bring the beauty of our Orthodox Liturgical Life and the Good News of Christ Risen into the homes of so many others!

***HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS***

May 16 - Christian Speros

Your Assumption Church Community wants to celebrate with you! Please let us know of any upcoming events in your life so we can (virtually) share the joy! Your submissions will be announced in future weekly bulletins. Email details to: creationcare@agoc.us

Mother’s Day Reflections:

The Earliest Known Prayer to the Theotokos is a prayer found on a fragment of papyrus dating back to approximately AD 250. The prayer appears to be from a Coptic Christmas liturgy or Vespers. It is written in Koine Greek and may be a private copy of the prayer. The prayer is still chanted in the Orthodox Church to this day at the end of nearly every Vespers service during Lent. It is also found in the worship services of the Roman Catholic and Oriental churches. Early Christians recognized the Theotokos as a powerful intercessor for those who are suffering and in need of protection. See and hear the prayer chanted here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCGSsNQMuww

Why do Orthodox Christians call Mary the Theotokos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqDHhDGHrbo

The Power of a Mother’s Prayer

https://www.goarch.org/-/the-power-of-a-mother-s-prayer

Orthodox Mother’s Prayer for her children

http://www.saintgregoryoutreach.org/2011/12/mothers-prayer-for-children.html?m=1

Ladies Philoptochos Society News:

Xristos Anesti! We extend a special Happy Mother's Day wish to all of the beautiful mothers of our parish. 

Our Ladies Philoptochos continues our outreach to church family members to offer support and "stay in touch."  We encourage all parishioners to think of fellow parishioners to reach out to with a phone call or email. As a chapter, we continue to look for ways we can donate to support others as we focus on our philanthropic mission.  We are all in "this together" and we want to help.  We have donated $1,000 to the National Philoptochos COVID-19 Relief Fund. There are many needs out there during this pandemic. To help us continue to offer this kind of support as well as meet our monthly National obligations, we welcome any donations in place of our monthly trays and fundraisers.  Donations may be made directly to our Philoptochos on the church website (see details below).  We have many gracious ladies who are offering their talents by sewing facemasks. They are available for families in the parish. If you are in need of masks, please email Eleni Manolakes at eleni.manolakes@yahoo.com. Masks will be mailed or potentially dropped off at your home.  Email us (philoptochos@agoc.us) with any questions or comments.  May God bless us all.

Philoptochos Stewardship/Donations:

We kindly ask you to renew your Philoptochos stewardship, if you have not already done so this year (Stewardship is from Jan. to Dec. 2020). We invite all ladies 18 years and older to join.  We have joined with the Assumption Church's secure payment portal through Vanco to accept online stewardship and donations by CLICKING HERE.  BE SURE TO CHECK OFF LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS. You may also visit our website www.agoc.us – just click the "WE NOW ACCEPT ONLINE DONATIONS" or the “DONATE ONLINE” buttons on our home page.  Of course we still accept checks and cash.  Please mail to The Ladies Philoptochos, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT 06811.  Please be sure to include a Stewardship Form, which is available on the church site: https://agoc.us/agoc-organizations/philoptochos/ . We pick up mail about once a week.  Philoptochos provides the opportunity to offer time, talent and treasure through Christian fellowship.  NOTE: If you donate online, we may be in contact with you to confirm your personal information or confirm the intent of your donation (stewardship, general donation, etc.) or you may email us at philoptochos@agoc.us with the same information. We thank you for your support.

Link to latest National Ladies Philoptochos Society Newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/philoptochos.org/philanthropy-witness-april-2020?e=f65be0b376

Link to new Philoptochos promo video:

https://youtu.be/E_Xm0EAyYCU

Please Share Photos of Our Community Heroes and Families:

The Fanari newsletter is asking for your submissions so we can compile a virtual archive of images related to the coronavirus pandemic to chronicle our Assumption Church family’s experiences throughout this crisis. We know the value of communication in these difficult times and see this living archive as a way of fostering community and telling our story. We would love to share your experiences in this moment. 

Are you or a family member a healthcare professional, first responder or essential businessperson leaving home every day? Please submit photos of your family heroes! How are you maintaining your connection with family, friends and church while sheltering at home? How do you maintain your worship practice? Have you created a “home altar?” How is your family celebrating Pascha? What does work and home schooling look like? What creative solutions have you designed for these new challenges? Share your journey with us.

Many of these photos will be featured in upcoming Fanari newsletters and all will be anthologized for future reference. Please send your photos with names/caption, as individual jpegs if possible, to creationcare@agoc.us.

Family/Youth Ministry:

Family Gospel Lesson – Forth Sunday of Pascha: The Paralytic

https://www.goarch.org/documents/32058/2618758/familygospellesson_paralytic.pdf/9c5595fc-5c74-4478-82dd-75b4703814c1


God’s Mother, Our Mother – Be the Bee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3B8bZcpPU0

The History of Mother’s Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k64ttIyUFvs

Volunteer from Home:

Please consider sending cards and notes to Danbury Hospital staff during this time of crisis. All cards received are delivered to staff on all nursing floors and also may be displayed for staff to see in special areas of the hospital. Sign your name (if you like) and please note that you are a member of AGOC. The hospital would like to track the organizations participating and will send us photos of their displays. Address envelope to:

Danbury Hospital

Attn:  Kathy Hearty, Volunteer Services

24 Hospital Avenue

Danbury, CT 06810

Creation Care Quote of the Week:

“Take a quiet walk with Mother Nature. It will nurture your mind, body, and soul.”

-Anon

BACK TO TOP