PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
Memorials:
40 Days ~ Arita Valessares, Right Rows 1 – 2
1 Year ~ Kyriakos Karabatsos, Right Rows 3 – 4
4 Years ~ Evangelos Glotsos, Right Row 5
45 Years ~ James (Demetrios) Valessares, Right Rows 1 – 2
Sacrament:
The daughter of Chris and Stamatia Angelos will be baptized today at 2:30 pm and will be named Chloe. The sponsors are Christina and Peter Dimitropoulos.
Stewardship As Creation Care:
The way we treat God’s creation in nature essentially reflects the way we respect human beings created “in the image and likeness of God.” The reality is that we should respond to nature with the same tenderness that we are called to respond to people. All of our spiritual activities are ultimately measured by their impact on the natural creation; just as all of our ecological choices are finally evaluated by their effect on the poor.
+Father John Chryssavgis
Godparents Breakfast Fellowship:
Today, the Sunday Church School is hosting the Godparents Breakfast in Plato Hall. There is no charge for the breakfast, but if you wish to make a free will offering, a basket for the benefit of the SCS projects will be at the serving table.
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, February 14th
Godparents Sunday and Breakfast
Monday, February 15th
7:00 pm – Adult Bible Study will meet
in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Thursday, February 18th
10:30 am – Philoptochos General Meeting
in St. Catherine’s Meeting Room
Friday, February 19th
7:30 pm – Youth Night at the Oak Brook Park District
Sunday, February 21st
Triodion Begins
Sunday, February 21st
Adult Education Program following Divine Liturgy
in St. Catherine's Chapel
Saturday, February 27th
5:00 pm - Sledding in Bartlett
Sunday, February 28th
SCS Students, Teachers and families
will be worshipping in the main Church as a ‘Church Family’
The Next Orthodox Adult Bible Study Monday February 15, 2016:
Our Adult Bible Study will meet Monday evening, February 15, 2016, at 7:00 pm, in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room. We will continue our study of St. Paul’s Epistle to Timothy. 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.
Adult Education Program:
Father Dimitrios will be offering a new adult education program that will be held in our St. Catherine's Chapel immediately following SCS Divine Liturgy. It is a 3-part series "Introduction To The Divine Liturgy". The dates are Sunday, February 21st, Sunday, March 20th and Sunday, April 10th.
Thinking of Converting to Orthodoxy?
If you, a family member, or friend, who are not of the Orthodox Faith, and may be considering conversion to Orthodoxy, please contact the Church Office (773.626.3114) or speak with Fr. Timothy or Fr. Dimitrios. A Confirmation/Chrismation Class is being formed to prepare those who have expressed interest to convert to Orthodoxy. This also includes couples who are planning to be married in the Orthodox Church in the near future, and where one of the couple is contemplating converting to the Orthodox Faith. We plan to begin this process in March.
Youth Ministries:
Our next youth night (Joy, Jr. GOYA and GOYA) will be Friday, February 19, 2016 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.
Be The Bee Youth Retreat:
Be the Bee Youth Retreat will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church. Sts. Peter and Paul in Glenview will be hosting a Metropolis of Chicago Be the Bee Retreat with the Archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director, Steven Christoforou (possibly better known as the 'Be the Bee Guy').
The day retreat (9:30am-roughly 3pm) is intended to be a PanOrthodox event for Youth (6th-12th Grades), Parents, and Youth Workers. There will also be an evening event for Young Adults (18-35 year olds) at a TBD location in the city with Steve, beginning at 7pm.
Registration will be done online at: bethebee.goarch.org/retreats.
AHEPA 13th District Scholarships Available:
Applications for the Order of AHEPA’s 13th District Scholarship Awards are now being accepted. Eligible students must be high school seniors, have a minimum four-year cumulative grade point average of ‘B’, and be either of Greek heritage or have a parent that is an active member of the AHEPA family. For further info, or to obtain an application, please call the Church Office (773.626.3114). Deadline for submitting application is March 15, 2016.
The Greek Women’s University Club:
The Greek Women’s University Club (GWUC) was founded in 1931. It has been the mission of our organization to promote higher education and to support a variety of endeavors in the arts, literature, and sciences within our community. Since its inception, the GWUC has supported women of Greek descent by offering academic scholarships. The Greek Women’s University Club is pleased to offer two (2) scholarships of $2,500 each for the 2016-17 schoolyear.
Selection of Award Recipients is made by an independent selection committee appointed by the GWUC Board of Directors. This committee will work independently and make decisions based on the criteria set forth in the scholarship application, including academic achievement, a written statement of academic objectives, faculty recommendations, and extracurricular activities. The semi-finalists are then invited for a personal interview. All candidates are advised of their status after each step in the process. Final notifications will be made by mid-May, 2016.
Application forms are available to any eligible women in the Church Office. Please call 773-626-3114 if you wish to receive an application.
Application materials must be returned by March 31st, 2016, via email to:
Eleni Fosses
Email: elenifosses@gmail.com
773-617-2945
AJM Architecture & Design Scholarship:
The Andreas J. Mourelatos Architectual & Design Scholarship fund is presented by the Mourelatos family in honor of Andreas who passed away in August of 2014. The scholarship is open to all Greek American students across the United States in the fields of architecture, interior and exterior design, and construction management. Please contact the AJM Architecture and Design to receive an application at: www.AJMscholarship.com or AJMarchdesign@gmail.com. Due date is May 30th.
Outing to the Field Museum of Chicago, February 28, 2016:
THE GREEKS
Agamemnon to Alexander the Great
SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 28, 2016
(Bus Leaving Directly following Divine Liturgy)
See more than 500 artifacts
From ancient Greece
At The Field Museum
Explore epic stories from the perspectives of the ancient Greeks
themselves, including men and women known to us through historical
accounts, mythological tales, and the archaeological record.
RESERVATIONS:
$27 per Adults: $20 for students: including bus and lunch (at the museum)
Please call the Church Office #773.626.3114 or email office@assumptionchicago.org to make your reservations.
RSVP: No Later than February 18, 2016
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:
Feb. 21 May 8 June 12 July 17
Feb. 28 May 15 June 19 July 31
March 6 May 22 June 26 Aug. 7
March 27 May 29 July 3 Aug. 21
April 10 June 5 July 10 Aug. 28
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.
NOTE: Please note that this morning’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.
Ushers:
Andrew Kanel, Tom Poulos, Chris Caprio, Diane Berbas, Dr. Peter J. Panton
