Coffee Fellowship
Please join us in Plato Hall after the Divine Liturgy for Coffee Hour Fellowship! The coffee hour is being hosted by the Vlagos Family in celebration of their daughters, Anastasia and Evagelea, namesdays.
Palm Sunday Luncheon Recap
Thank you to all parishioners and friends who attended the Palm Sunday Fish Luncheon following worship services on Sunday, April 1st. A very special thank you to our anonymous donor who had underwritten this event, with the total proceeds going to Bishop Athanasios of Kisumu and Western Kenya to further the mission of Orthodoxy in that region of the world. The total amount collected was $1,900.00. Thank you to all who attended and supported this event. And a special thank you to the donor who graciously underwrote this luncheon.
Pascha Thank You
Father Timothy, Fr. Dimitrios, and the members of the Parish Council of Panagia thank the tremendous outpouring of love, service, and generosity during this past Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha. A special thank you is extended to those who gave of their gifts to the Church, and to the many individuals and families who gave of their time and service for the benefit of all. Thank you for remembering and supporting your Church. We wish to also thank our chanters, altar boys, choir, Philoptochos Ladies, office staff, and the many volunteers who offered their time and service throughout Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha.
Pascha Appeal Thank You
Thank you to all the individuals and families who prayed for and remembered our Church during this Pascha Season. Your kind thoughts, prayers, and generous support to our beloved Panagia is deeply appreciated.
Resurrection AGAPE Meal
Following the Anastasis Divine Liturgy, a lamb meal was served in Plato Hall, underwritten by a generous steward in our Parish. It was a delicious meal enjoyed by a large crowd that remained to break bread together and share in the joy of the Resurrection saying “Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen”! We graciously thank this donor for the kindness and generous love shown to our Beloved Panagia and Her parishioners. We also thank the cooks, servers, and people who tended to the setup/cleanup.
Assumption Church Scholarship Fund Applications Available Soon
Fr. Timothy, the members of the Parish Council, and the scholarship committee are pleased to announce that it will again award scholarship(s) for the 2018-19 academic year. “The Assumption Church Scholarship Fund” is available to a student entering college in the fall of 2018, or current college students. The parents of the applicants must be paid contributing members (stewards) of the Assumption Church for four (4) consecutive years leading up to 2018. Applications and further details will soon be available by calling the Church Office (773.626.3114). Deadline to submit an application is Sunday, June 24th.
Adult Bible Study Monday April 16, 2018
Our Adult Bible Study will meet Monday evening, April 16, 2018, 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.
Philoptochos
Please join us for an evening of great food, laughs and intrigue as we solve the mystery of "who done it?" This is a night out for ladies and gentlemen--come in your Roaring 20's speakeasy attire. The Murder Mystery Theater Company will entertain us while your table of friends tries to solve the crime.
As we celebrate the 20th year of Philoptochos at Assumption, we will honor the founding members and raise money for two worthy philanthropies--IOCC and Pick Up Your Cross and Carry Me Ministry.
Please RSVP today or bring your reservation and payment to coffee hour after church this Sunday.
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.
Junior Olympics
The Metropolis of Chicago Jr. Olympics are right around the corner! From May 25th-27th, Orthodox athletes from around the Midwest will gather at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Palos Hills to compete in the spirit of Christian fellowship. Don't miss out! Please contact Athletic Director Tom Demos at thomasdemos@gmail.com to receive the registration form. Practices will be starting soon, so don't delay!
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/
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: Dean Bastounes, Thomas Demos, Nicholas Mansour, Dean Sarantos, John Vassiliadis