PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
Memorial:
40 Days ~ Fay (Fotini) Kollias, Right Rows 1 – 2
1 Year ~ Helen (Eleni) Maniates, Right Rows 3 – 4
24 Years ~ Louis (Elias) Sedaris, No Pews
40 Years ~ Christine (Xristina) Orfanos, No Pews
43 Years ~ Harry (Aristotelis) Orfanos, No Pews
Sunday Church School Annual Christmas Pageant:
This morning following Divine Liturgy Worship Services, the children and young people of our Sunday Church School will present their Annual Christmas Pageant. This year’s Pageant is entitled, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. We invite you to enjoy and receive the Gift of Christmas as they present this short program to us this morning.
Philoptochos Annual Bake Sale and Coffee Fellowship:
Today’s Coffee Fellowship is hosted by the Assumption Philoptochos. Come join us not only for coffee but to also purchase the delicious sweets, either for your home or to give as a gift that the Ladies are offering at their Annual Bake Sale. Please join us in Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship and to support the Philoptochos Society.
Sunday Church School:
Our Panagia Sunday Church School Divine Liturgy begins promptly at 9:45am. Sunday Church School classes takes place immediately following the Divine Liturgy in Plato School. If you have not, as yet, registered your child for the 2015-16 school year, please do so by contacting the Church Office, securing a registration form online at our Church’s Website (www.assumptionchicago.org), or by speaking with our SCS Director, Mrs. Christina Arvanites.
Dates to Remember:
Sunday, December 13th
Sunday Church School Annual Christmas Pageant
in the Main Church, following the Divine Liturgy
Sunday, December 13th
Philoptochos' Annual Christmas Bake Sale
Sunday, December 13th
Metropolis Open House
Monday, December 14th
7:00 pm - Adult Bible Study
will meet in St. Catherine's Meeting Room
Thursday, December 24th
Christmas Eve
5:00 pm - Great Vespers
Friday, December 25th
Christmas Day
8:30 am - Orthros
10:00 am - Divine Liturgy
Saturday, December 26th
Synaxis of the Theotokos
8:30 am - Orthros
9:30 am - Divine Liturgy
Ladies Philoptochos Membership Drive November and December:
During the months of November and December, the Ladies Philoptochos will be holding its “2016 Membership Drive”. All ladies of our Parish of Panagia are invited and encouraged to become a member and participate in the many good works and acts of philanthropy that this organization is involved in. There will be a table set up in Plato Hall each Sunday during coffee fellowship hour, and Demetra Lakerdas and Pat Karabas will be available to answer any questions as well as register you. In addition, all current members of Philoptochos are encouraged to pay their 2016 dues.
The Next Orthodox Adult Bible Study Monday December 14, 2015:
Our Adult Bible Study will meet Monday evening, December 7, 2015, at 7:00 pm, in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room. We will continue our study of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Thessalonians. This class is open to all, and it is hoped that you will avail yourself to the opportunity to study the Bible in-depth. All you need to bring along with you is your Bible. For further information and/or questions, please see Father Timothy.
Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis Women's Retreat 2016
Please save the date!
Friday, January 15 - Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center
The retreat leader will be Presvytera Vassi Haros from Transfiguration of our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, South Carolina. She is a graduate of Hellenic College/Holy Cross. She is currently program coordinator at Orthodox Christian Network. In addition to being a Presvytera and mother, Presvytera Vassi writes a blog called "In Service and Love."
She runs workshops on Orthodox topics including women’s concerns, practical expression of the Orthodox faith, and
the church calendar.
Please check our website www.gocfamilysynaxis.org for more details and to register online starting Friday, December 18th.
Dn. Chris Avramopoulos, Director
Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
312-337-4130; 312-587-7963 Fax; 708-288-2876 Cell
gochicagoyouth@aol.com or www.chicago.goarch.org
PROPOSED PROSKINITARION FOR 90th ANNIVERSARY
PANAGIA PORTAITISSA ICON
At the 90th Anniversary Gala Celebration Banquet on Sunday, October 18th, 2015, a very special Icon was unveiled honoring our blessed Parish of Panagia. Father Timothy and the Parish Council commissioned the writing of an anniversary icon. The iconographer was Mr. Leonidas Diamandopoulos, well-known in Greece and especially here in the United States. This Icon bears the name ‘Panagia Portaitissa’ or ‘Panagia Protectress of the Assumption Church’. What makes this Icon so special is our Panagia embracing our Panagia Parish in her arms, thereby calling Her ‘the Protectress of our blessed Spiritual Home’. This Icon is unique and will hold special meaning to this and future generations who worship in this Church and come forward to venerate this Icon.
The proposed marble proskinitarion will be placed on the north wall of the main church adjacent to the solea and we hope to have Panagia Portaitissa available for all to venerate by next Easter. The marble has been selected, and a marble contractor has been contracted to fabricate this proskinitarion.
The cost for this project will be approximately $15,000.00. Respectfully, it is the hope of our Parish Council that an individual, family, or families, come forward and offer to underwrite the cost. If you have any questions, please speak with Fr. Timothy.
Youth Ministries:
We are off to a great start to our ministry year and hope to continue growing as the year goes on. Our next youth night (Joy, Jr. GOYA and GOYA) will be Friday, December 18th at 7:30pm at the Oak Brook Park District. We look forward to seeing everyone there! If you have any questions regarding Assumption Youth Programs, please contact Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org.
5th/6th Basketball Team – Practice Schedule
Our 5th/6th Basketball Team will playing in the division of the Greek Orthodox Athletic League. The following is the where and when the practices will be held. If you have any questions, please see either Fr. Dimitri or Tom Demos.
Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:15pm – 5:15pm
4th G.O.A.L. Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660
Sat Dec 19, 2015 4:15pm – 5:15pm
5th G.O.A.L. Game - 133 S Roselle Rd, Palatine, IL 60067
Sun Dec 20, 2015 4:00pm Place TBD
This was not originally scheduled, if this causes a conflict for anyone, please contact Tom Demos
Sun Jan 3, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
6th G.O.A.L Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660
Fri Jan 8, 2016 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Basketball Practice - Bulls/Sox Academy6200 River Bend Dr., Lisle, IL
Sat Jan 9, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
7th G.O.A.L. Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660
Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
8th G.O.A.L. Game - St Haralambos Greek Orthodox, 7373 N Caldwell Ave, Niles, IL 60714
Sun Jan 24, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
9th G.O.A.L. Game - Saint Spyridon's Hellenic Orthodox Church, Worth Township, 12307 S Ridgeland Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463
Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Basketball Practice - Bulls/Sox Academy6200 River Bend Dr., Lisle, IL
Sat Jan 30, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
10th G.O.A.L Game - 5649 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660
Fri Feb 5, 2016 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Basketball Practice - Bulls/Sox Academy6200 River Bend Dr., Lisle, IL
Sat Feb 6, 2016 4:15pm – 5:15pm
11th G.O.A.L. Game - 11025 S Roberts Rd, Palos Hills, IL 60465
Church School on FACEBOOK:
Our Sunday Church School has created a FACEBOOK page. Like our page: Assumption Sunday Church School! Keep up to date on upcoming events and view photos from recent events.
Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:
Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2016? 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 first half of 2016 are:
Jan. 3 March 6 April 10 May 29
Jan. 31 March 13 April 17 June 5
Feb. 7 March 20 May 8 June 12
Feb. 21 March 27 May 15 June 19
Feb. 28 April 3 May 22 June 26
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 individuals 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, and 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 along with the many others who are offering a prayer for the person who is ill, will bring comfort beyond comprehension.
Just think about that….our prayers 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.
Bookstore:
Do you need gifts for your family or relatives? Then please 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.
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 Mrs. Demetra Spyropoulos. With the help of each steward/member, we come together as a Church family to better offer our thanks to our Lord.
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 web site 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 each Sunday as we now broadcast live each Sunday. Just access it by going to our website at: www.assumptionchicago.org
Cemetery Graves Update:
Individuals/Families interested in purchasing graves at Elmwood Cemetery, please be advised of the following rates: $1,995.00 (members), and $2,295.00 (non-members). Our Parish has only twenty-six (26) graves remaining in the Panagia section, and the Church pricing is about 50% less than the graves that are being sold at Elmwood. For more information, please call the Church office and speak with Gail (773.626.3114).
Proper Church Etiquette:
Worship Services are vital instruments and components to our prayer development. In order to help us achieve this, we need to be cognizant of our fellow parishioners and all those around us. Therefore, please make sure that cell phones are completely turned off during Services. In addition, while we most welcome children to participate in the liturgical life of the Church, it remains the responsibility of parents to make sure that children do not become a distraction to those around them. Therefore, if a child is crying, or in some way in need of attention, please feel free to take him/her to the Narthex or Cry Room. You are most welcome to enter and exit the Church proper as many times as necessary. By doing this, all who are in attendance will be afforded the opportunity to worship and pray together. (Please keep in mind that we are also privileged to have a complete Sunday School Liturgy celebrated in Saint Catherine’s Chapel each week for your use as well). We ask for your cooperation. Ushers will be available to help you, if needed.
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).
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.
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, and are available for reading online.
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.
Ushers:
Andrew Kanel, Tom Poulos, Chris Caprio, Diane Berbas, Dr. Peter Panton