Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,

Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

On February 2^nd, the Church celebrates the Great Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple - which is in our more common terms, His 40 day blessing.

When each of us was brought to the Church for this blessing, it was so that we might be “introduced” to the Lord.  It is our 1^st  act of offering in obedience to the Lord.  Does it make sense that Jesus would need to be presented to the Lord? Is He not the Lord Himself?

This is the great irony of how we understand what is happening around us.  We perceive, thus we believe.  We use our human senses to draw conclusions that are not based on truth but based on our perception.  This is why so many say that perception is more important than reality - which may be true in marketing, but not in the Faith.

Returning to His 40 day blessing - what is really occurring? We know that if the Temple is holy it is because the Lord is present.  Jesus is not sanctified by going to the Temple, it is the Temple that is sanctified by Him, specifically, Simeon who is waiting for His arrival - for it was revealed to Simeon 3 centuries earlier that he would not die until he put his eyes upon the Savior.

Therefore, to the unknowing, it looks as though Christ is being presented to Simeon, when in fact, Simeon is being presented to Christ; it looks as though Christ is presented to be sanctified by the Temple when it is He who is sanctifying the Temple by His presence.

Let us not be like those who think they understand because their eyes have “seen,” when in fact their eyes don’t have the ability to comprehend.  Let us present ourselves that He may be presented to us.

In His Service,

Rev. Father Jon Boukis

Proistamenos

“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”

The Restaurant Circle will meet every few months at a different restaurant.  There will be no planned menus, no fixed costs and no obligations - just good food, good fun and great company!

Brazeiros Brazilian Steakhouse

6:30pm on Saturday, February 22^nd, at

450 S. 4th Street  • Louisville, KY

(Check it out www.brazeiros.com)

All you have to do is RSVP to the Church by February 17^th so that we can make a reservation - and then show up.

On Sunday, March 8th, the children of our Sunday School will participate in a Procession of Holy Icons. Please bring an Icon from home to the Divine Liturgy for this Blessed Procession.

Come and Celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy as the Orthodox Community of Kentucky Commemorates the Restoration of the Icons into the Church on March 8^th.

The Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers will take place at the Assumption at 5:00pm on March 8^th!!!  Reception to follow!!!

The Assumption Parish Oratorical Festival will be held on Sunday, March 15th!!!

Preparations have begun for a Holy Land Pilgrimage in January 2021!!!

The trip will be 10-11 days including travel days with an earliest departure of Monday, January 11 and latest return of Saturday, January 30.  Full details will be available for the March 2020 Beacon!

Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the “Good News” that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!!

The Wednesday Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm (please check calendar to verify times). The Sunday Orthodox Bible Study will meet after Divine Liturgy from 12:00 noon-1:00pm (please check calendar to verify times). Make a commitment to learning His Word!

Did you know that the Assumption recycles? There is a blue recycling bin in the social hall and another in the classrooms area. Please recycle clean and empty plastic, glass and metal bottles/containers as well as paper. Dirty plates, styrofoam, and plastic bags are not recyclable.

Are you already Kroger shopper?
Your current shopping could be benefitting the Assumption!

Kroger Community Rewards® makes fund-raising easy...all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!

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TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of AT066 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!