Lenten/Easter Donation Thank You:
We are humbly appreciative of the outpouring of love by individuals and families who replied to the request of our blessed Panagia Community. We thank each of those individuals/families who responded to the Church's request.
Additionally, we thank all parishioners, supporters, and friends of Panagia who generously remembered their chuch through its general Pascha Appeal. Envelopes may still be found at the Church Pangaria both upstairs in the main Church as well as in Saint Catherine's Chapel. Again, thank you to all who remember their Church during this most glorious Resurrection season.
Philoptochos:
Reservations are being accepted for the Philoptochos 20th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, April 26, 2018,today, as well as on April 15th and April 22nd in Plato Hall during the Coffee Fellowship. You may also call or email Nikki Massouras, (630) 655-4421 Nikkikm2@hotmail.com, or Betty Tsiolis, (847) 813-6491 James.tsiolis@gmail.com, to secure your spot. Payment to accompany reservation.
The next General Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19th, 10:30 a.m., in the St. Catherine meeting room.
Pascha Agape Meal
Following the Midnight Resurrection and Divine Liturgy services, join us at the Agape Pascha Meal in Plato Hall. The meal is generously underwritten by an anonymous donor. We hope that everyone will stay and enjoy fellowship together on this most holy day.
Greek Independence day Parade
Will be April 29, at 2:30pm: If you are interested in marching in this year's parade please see or email Fr. Dimitrios: frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org
We will sign up if we have a group of 20 or more. PLEASE let us know if you are interested as soon as possilble.
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 website 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 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.
Hepzibah House Service Outing
On Sunday, April 29, the community will be catering Sunday dinner at the Hephzibah House in Oak Park. We will prepare the meal in our kitchen at 3pm and bring the food at 4:30. Volunteers will meet at Assumption to prepare the food and travel to Hephzibah House to begin to set up and serve. Our visit ends around 6:30. We need 15 volunteers from 7th grade to Senior Citizens to help prepare, serve, and visit with the children. Everyone who has participated in the past has been emotionally impacted and spiritually rewarded. We will serve approximately 50 people (children, staff, and volunteers) and need paper goods (plated, napkins, plastic utensils) and food items. Please contact Nick Papafotopoulos at 630-956-0533 or npapafot@hotmail.com to volunteer or donate items for the meal. To Learn more about Hephzibah House, please visit https://www.hephzibahhome.org/
Dates to Remember:
Tuesday of Bright Week, April 10
Feast of Panagia Portaitissa
8:30 am ~ Matins
9:30 am ~ Divine Liturgy
Friday of Bright Week, April 13
Zoodohos Peghe - The Life-giving Fountain
8:30 am ~ Matins
9:30 ~ Divine Liturgy
Fundraising Luncheon Event
Join us on May 6th immediately following Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall for a luncheon catered by Greek Islands, this luncheon will serve as a church fundraiser to help offset the projected deficit that was discussed in our February General Assembly. It is with your love and support that this event can be a true success while also enjoying fellowship. For more information please see flyer or contact the church office. Reservations can be made by calling the church office.
Annual Golf Outing
Mark your calendars! The Assumption Golf Outing will be held on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 11:00 am at the White Pines Golf Course. Contact office@assumptionchicago.org or call 773.626.3114. Information and registration packet can be found on Pangari in Narthex.
Coffee Fellowship Hosts Needed:
Have you considered selecting a day to host the Weekly Fellowship Hour following Worship Services on a specific Sunday in 2018? 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 2018 Year:
April 29
May 27
June 3, 10, 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
August 5, 19, 26
We are in the Loop!
Through a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Chris Maniates in memory of Mrs. Helen Maniates, we are delighted to announce that we are now part of a growing number of places with a hearing loop. If you need assistance, please see one of the Parish Council Ushers for assistance.
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 with the many others who are offering a prayer for the person who is ill, will bring comfort beyond comprehension.
Just think about that….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.
Catechism Class
For those interested in joining the Orthodox Christian Church, our parish of Panagia will be beginning a catechism class after Pascha. Catechism is the process of learning and beginning to live the Orthodox faith under the guidance of the Church and is a necessary step to baptism and/or chrismation. Please contact Fr. Dimitri at frdimitrios@assumptionchicago.org to register. Once a class list is gathered, we will work out dates and times that work for everyone.
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 Fr. Dimitrios. 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).
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.
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, which 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: Andrew Kanal, Evelyn Maggos, Lynn Voulgarakis, Peter Panton, George Sefer, Stavroula Spyropoulos