PARISH NEWS AND EVENTS
This Sunday, the Sunday Church School Students, teachers and families will be worshipping in the main Church as a ‘Church Family’.
Memorials:
40 Days ~ John (Ioanis) Demitropoulos, Right Pews 1 - 3
13 Years ~ Maria Dallas, NO PEWS
Coffee Fellowship:
This Sunday the Coffee Fellowship is hosted by the Vlagos family in celebration of Evangelia (Alethia) Vlagos names day and in memory of Angeline Pappas. All are invited to stay, and enjoy fellowship.
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.
Ministry, Ministry, Ministry!
Every Christian who has accepted salvation has also accepted the responsibility of working in the ministry of the Church. The clergy have been called apart and given the grace and blessing to perform the specific sacramental functions of the church, but all Christians, clergy and laity alike, have been called to serve in our Lord’s ministry. If this is not what the Church is doing, then we have entered into serious error. Everything that we do as a Church should be in direct support of Christ’s ministry of salvation. If we build buildings, they should be to support ministry. Any event sponsored by the Church should be ministry or in support of ministry. The Church’s budget should be driven by its ministry, not the ministry to be limited by its budget.
Sunday Church School Happiness Challenge:
The children of our Sunday Church School continue to spread happiness from organization to organization.
January: Cards for a child with leukemia
Dinner for families staying at Ronald McDonald House (Loyola Hospital)
February: Valentine Cards for children at LaRabida Children's hospital
Every month the children will have an opportunity to put our faith in action with various philanthropic service projects. We will have monthly bulletin updates to show our children’s progress as well as updates to our website with pictures that will show a glimpse of the beautiful example of our faith in action that our children continue to offer.
Sunday Church School - Journey Through Lent 40 Charities in 40 Days:
With the blessing of Fr. Timothy and Fr. Dimitrios and their Spiritual Guidance our Church School is excited to kick off a new program that we will participate in during Great Lent. 40 Charities in 40 days!! (this does not replace our Happiness Challenge which is our hands-on service projects we have committed to).
During the course of Great Lent, we will have an opportunity to learn about and donate to 40 different charitable organizations. Each day there will be a SCS email sent with a name/brief description of the chosen organization and their need. Our hope is that our Lenten Journey will be one that is spiritually enriching; that along with prayers, fasting and attendance in some of our many church services during Great Lent there will be an opportunity to talk to our children about each of these organizations and let them decide or maybe even shop for the item that is being collected. There will be 40 boxes labeled with the organization's name where donations can be dropped off. During Bright Week students of the SCS will deliver all the donations.
Every month the children will have an opportunity to put our faith in action with various philanthropic service projects. We will have monthly bulletin updates to show our children’s progress as well as updates to our website with pictures that will show a glimpse of the beautiful example of our faith in action that our children continue to offer.
WEEK 1 RECAP:
Charity #1: Peace Corner Youth Center, Collecting: crayons, markers, colored pencils
Charity #2: Thumbuddy Special , Collecting: Hand lotion, nail polish
Charity #3: Mission Congo, Collecting: Spare change for copier purchase
Charity #4: OPRF Food Pantry, Collecting: Food seasonings and Spices
Charity #5: Easter Seals, Collecting: Art supplies(glue sticks, crayons, markers etc
Charity #6: Anti Cruelty Society, Collecting: Newspapers
Charity #7:The Boulevard, Collecting: Toiletries
Week 2 RECAP:
Charity #8: Deborah’s Place, Collecting: hand soap, bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner
Charity #9: Sarah’s Inn, Collecting: non perishable food items (any canned food, cereal, pasta, etc)
Charity #10: Bridge to Success, Collecting: gently used professional clothing
Charity #11: Covenant House, Collecting: gently used backpacks, drawstring athletic bags, & new socks
Charity #12: Ronald McDonald House, Collecting: pop tabs
Charity #13: New Moms, Collecting{ kitchen cleaning supplies
Charity #14: Phils Friends, Collecting: knit hats, puzzle books (word search, crossword etc)
Week 3 RECAP:
Charity #15: The Night Ministry, Collecting: Plastic Grocery Bags
Charity #16: Bernie's Book Bank, Collecting: Gently used, children's books(ages birth- 6th grade)
Charity #17: Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, Collecting: Cleaned, used mascara wands
Charity #18: IOCC, Collecting: metal nail files/nail clippers, combs or band aids
Charity #19: The GrayMatters Foundation, Collecting: Bright, colorful stickers
Charity #20: Muscular Dystrophy, Collecting: Pens
Charity #21: Sunny Patch, Collecting: Craft sticks or Garden Markers
Stewardship:
The 2017 stewardship packets were mailed to all faithful (stewards) of this Parish. We ask that you please prayerfully consider your pledge commitment for 2017, complete the pledge card and mail in the the envelope provided. We are forever grateful to the many loving stewards, supporters, and friends of this Parish who stand tall in their commitment to our Lord, the Blessed Panagia and this ministry.
Adult Education Program:
Once again, Fr. Dimitrios is continuing the Adult Education Program (AEP) one Sunday each month for the 2016-17 year. The next AEP will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 in St. Catherine Chapel following the SCS Liturgy.
Did you miss the last Adult Education Program session? Have no fear! The hard working video team at Assumption will be recording all of the AEP sessions and posting them on the parish website. You can watch all of the videos at http://www.assumptionchicago.org/video/educational-videos/.
Philoptochos News:
Philoptochos Baking:
The Philoptochos Ladies will be baking melomakarona and kourabiethes for the Easter Bake Sale will be on Saturday, April 1st, in Plato Hall kitchen starting at 9:30 a.m. You may place your order on Sundays after Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall.
Easter Bake Sale
Just a reminder, the Easter Bake Sale will be Sunday, April 9th after Divine Liturgy. Flyers can be found on the Pangari.
Easter Lambades
If you need Lambades for your Children or Godchildren, please stop by and check out the Lambades that the Sunday Church School Ladies and the Assumption Philoptochos Ladies will be selling every Sunday from March 12th up to Palm Sunday, April 9th during the Coffee Fellowship.
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
Also, our parish is starting a database of all college students in the community. If you have a college student in your family or if you are a college student, please send your name, school, area of study, address, and email address to Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org.
Lenten/Easter Needs:
As we enter the Lenten Season and as in the past we look for donors for the flowers that are used during the Lenten/Easter Season. Should you wish to offer a donation for one of the items below, please call the Church Office - 773-626-3114
Icon for The Salutations to the Theotokos (5 Friday’s)
March 3rd, March 10th, March 17th, March 24th, March 31st - $175 per week
Jonquils for the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross March 19th - DONATED
Palm Leaves for Palm Sunday April 9th- DONATED
Icon for Bridegroom Services, April 10th, April 11th, April 12th - $175
Large Icon of the Last Supper – April 12th - DONATED
3 Wreaths for Holy Thursday, April 13th - DONATED
Rose Pedals, Holy Friday, April 14th - DONATED
Carnations, Holy Friday, April 14th - DONATED
Lavaro, April 15th and April 16th - $200
Easter Lilies for Holy Pascha, April 15th and April 16th- DONATED
2 Priest Pascal Candles - DONATED
Annual Palm Sunday Luncheon:
Please reserve Sunday, April 9, 2017 for our Annual Palm Sunday Luncheon in Plato Hall. Donation: Adults $12.00, Children $6.00. For reservations, please contact either Mrs. Demetra Spyropoulos: 630-789-4559 or 630-833-1773, call the Church Office at 773-626-3114, or stop by the Church’s Bookstore in Plato Hall during the Coffee Fellowship Hour. The cost of luncheon has been graciously underwritten by an anonymous donor. Proceeds will benefit the Sunday Church School’s Lenten Project: 40 Charities in 40 Days. Please join us in Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship..
Dates to Remember:
Monday, March 27th
6:00 pm – Great Compline Service
Wednesday, March 29th
6:00 pm – Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Communion may be received with proper preparation.
Holy Confession available prior to the Service
Friday, March 31st
7:00 pm – Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos
Sunday, April 2nd
Fifth Sunday of Great LentSaint Mary of Egypt
8:30 am – Orthros
10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Monday, April 3rd
6:00 pm – Great Compline Service
7:00 pm - Adult Bible Study will meet in St. Catherine
Meeting Room
Saturday, April 8th
Saturday of the Resurrection of Lazarus
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy Main Church
Palm Sunday, April 9th
8:30 am – Orthros
10:00 am – Divine Liturgy
Annual Palm Sunday Luncheon following the Divine Liturgy
7:00 pm – Service of the Bridegroom
Monday, April 10th
Great and Holy Monday
7:00 pm – Service of the Bridegroom
Tuesday, April 11th
Great and Holy Tuesday
7:00 pm – Service of the Bridegroom
Wednesday, April 12th
Great and Holy Wednesday
2:30 pm – Sacrament of Holy Unction
7:00 pm – Service of the Bridegroom
Holy Unction will be distributed after the service.
Thursday, April 13th
Great and Holy Thursday
9:00 am – Vespers and Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil
7:00 pm – The Holy Passion of Our Lord
Friday, April 14th
Great and Holy Friday
9:00 am – Reading of the Royal Hours
3:00 pm – Removal of Christ from the Cross
7:00 pm – Service of the Lamentations
Saturday, April 15th
Great and Holy Saturday
9:00 am – Vespers and Divine Liturgy
11:00 pm – Canon of the Holy Resurrection
Sunday, April 16th
HOLY PASCHA
12:00 Midnight Resurrection Service and Divine Liturgy
11:00 am – Vespers of the Feast of Agape
Tuesday of Bright Week, April 18th
Feast of Panagia Portaitissa
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Friday of Bright Week, April 21st
Zoodohos Peghe - The Life-giving Fountain
8:30 am – Orthros
9:30 am – Divine Liturgy
Sunday, April 23rd
Saint George the Great Martyr
8:30 am – Orthros
10:00 am – Liturgy
SUNDAY SOLEMN VESPERS SERVICES
Sunday March 26, 2017 (St. John of the Ladder)
Solemn Vespers beginning at 7:00 pm
St. Basil Church, Chicago, IL
Rev. Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres, Preacher
Sunday, April 2, 2017 (St. Mary Egypt)
Solemn Vespers beginning at 7:00
St. Demetrios Church, Hammond, IN
Rev. Fr. Athanasios Minetos, Preacher
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 late March.
Adult Bible Study Monday April 3, 2017:
Our Adult Bible Study will meet Monday evening, April 3, 2017, at 7:00 pm, in Saint Catherine’s Meeting Room. We will continue with our study of the Epistles written by Saint Paul the Apostle. 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.
Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:
Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2017? 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 2017 Year:
April 2 May 21 June 25 July 23
April 23 May 28 July 2 July 30
May 7 June 4 July 9 Aug. 6
May 14 June 18 July 16 Aug. 13
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.
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 a few 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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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:
Chris Limperis, Vince Nicholas, Rose Marie Stewart, Bill J. Vranas, Mary Zouras