Today's Memorial Service is prayed in loving memory of Panayiota "Pam" Nekos (2 year).  EONIA I MNIMI - May her memory be eternal! Offered by her daughter, Barbara Soldano. 

Thursday, 12/17 - 8:45am Orthros, 10am Diving Liturgy - Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos, Prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Youths 

Christmas Toy Drive - Deadline Thursday 12/17

Pray with us by subscribing to the Assumption YouTube channel 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tD5mB_u3GgO1J8ikwIW0g

Or by visiting our Assumption page on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/pg/assumptiongreekorthodoxchurch/videos/?ref=page_internal

Live events will be streamed on both these services on programmed service hours.

In this time of social distancing we'd like to remind our parishioners of the Church's 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.

Next Parish Council Meeting - December 17, 7:30-9pm

As has always been the case, any member of the Assumption Church in good standing is welcome to attend our monthly Parish Council meetings as non-voting observers.  The date and time of our monthly meetings is published on our Parish Google Calendar and in our Weekly Bulletin.  At the present time, all meetings are held remotely via Zoom.

Link to 12/17 Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/94995435156?pwd=RngzVVV3dFo4QTcweHBxZnpINEFhQT09

Please note: An archive of Parish Council meeting minutes is available for public viewing in the Parish Conference Room.

Fifth Week of Advent 

This week's Comfort Food for Families episode from Marianna McMullen of the GOA Center for Family Care talks about how we need to most importantly prepare our souls and hearts for Christmas before anything else!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjA6Fk_nyD8&list=PLWopa4I5g3xAssZ4twRnu8dek6vsj8xKM&index=5

Be the Bee #159 - What it Means to be a Man or a Woman

 “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

What does it really mean to be a man or a woman? Society usually gives us two extremes: to accept every gender stereotype (no matter how superficial), or to completely reject the differences between male and female (no matter how obvious).

But what if the Church could offer a better way? What if the differences between men and women taught us something about how we can all grow in holiness?

Building on the work of Dr. Timothy Patitsas (Hellenic College Holy Cross), we'll look at how Adam and Eve failed to be the man and woman God called them to be. And how Jesus Christ and His saints (especially the Theotokos and Saint John the Forerunner) show us a better way. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgAF7fy-I0s

Downloadable Workbook

https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee159

Koulourakia and Kourambiedes for Sale - Available after church services in the lobby. Quantities limited – this may be the last weekend. Some of our wonderful ladies are generously baking using their beloved recipes.  $10 per box for Kourambiedes and $5/$10 per bags for Koulourakia.

Vasilopitas for Sale – CANCELLED - The Monastery that makes the Vasilopitas cancelled because the Monastery is in self quarantine.  All monies that we collected will be returned shortly. Thank you to everyone who ordered.  We appreciate your support and are sorry for this cancellation. 

Diaper Drive – THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! We Collected OVER 1,340 Diapers to Donate – The diapers collected have been delivered locally to The Community Action Agency of Western CT and Birthright of Greater Danbury. 

Adopt a Family – THANK YOU Again to those who were able to adopt the 10 families. We are still accepting local supermarket gift cards in increments of $25 to $50 through December 14^th.  The gift cards will help the families with a holiday dinner. Items are due December 14th in our conference room. Please have your bag labeled with your adopted family number and name on your bag. You may contact Caryn Flannery via text at (203) 512-5698 with questions.

FESTIVAL of TABLES 2020 – “FOT Special Appeal.” Please consider donating to our largest annual fundraiser, if you have not yet done so.  Help us raise money so we may continue to provide support to those in need. A complete email/letter was recently distributed. If you have questions, email us at philoptochos@agoc.us. WE WON'T STOP CARING!  

National Obligations - Our monthly National obligations for December are 1.) the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) which helps protect the rights, health and well-being of children worldwide; and 2.) the General Medical Fund which provides financial resources for individuals in need of assistance not covered by other programs. Thank you for your continued support and generosity. Information regarding all of our National obligations can be found at:  https://www.philoptochos.org/commitments/ 

Donations - Donations may be made directly to our Philoptochos by by CLICKING HERE. BE SURE TO CHECK OFF LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS. You may also mail a check to church. 

Philoptochos Stewardship – Be EARLY for 2021 Stewardship! You may make online stewardship donations by CLICKING HERE.  BE SURE TO CHECK OFF LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS. Email us at philoptochos@agoc.us to notify us you have submitted a stewardship offering. You may also mail your stewardship offering and include a Stewardship Form, available on the church site: https://agoc.us/agoc-organizations/philoptochos/. 

Link to National Ladies Philoptochos Society December Newsletter: 

Philanthropy Witness- December 2020

Christmas is a time for giving and a time for family. What a great opportunity to start a family tradition of giving back to the earth and instilling the values of sustainable living to your children, friends, and community. Start an annual, earth-friendly, Christmas family tradition like planting a small tree, feeding the birds or enjoying a peaceful walk through nature on Christmas day.