Dear Faithful and Friends of the Assumption,

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

The Christmas Season is truly a special time of the year.  Each of us is filled with excitement as we yearn to express the love in our hearts for each of our loved ones by finding that perfect gift.  It is this season of giving, and all of the preparations for it, that allows each and every member of our families to enter into communion with each other at the festal table.

As wonderful as it is to give to others, there is only one perfect gift - we together receive this most awesome of gifts – the Christ Child, God incarnate.  As a child, God enters the world and the creator takes the form of His creature.  As a babe, the one who hung the stars in the sky comes to transform creation.  As an infant, our savior inaugurates His salvific incarnation.

We receive this gift together, bringing all who accept it a profound peace.  For on the occasion of the blessed Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Archangel Gabriel proclaims:

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11  

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with spiritual joy and health, I remain,

In His ever-abiding love,

Fr. Jon

Our parish is joining together with a local school to provide gifts for those that my be incurring hardship.  This year, we will be providing gift cards.

1. If you would like to purchase a gift card - please only buy Walmart gift cards - mail them to (you can also send a check to): Kristen Kyriacou (206 Club Oak Court, Louisville, KY 40223) or Venmo a donation at @Kristen_Kyriacou.
2. If you also want to donate family games or other fun items you're welcome to drop them by the Kyriacou house or contact Kristen and to arrange something.

Dear parishioners,            

This year’s traditional Christmas Bake Sale organized by Philoptochos is no longer possible. But as a charity organization, we are not giving up! We know that our help is important to those in need, especially now, and we are still fundraising for that purpose, by offering the possibility for our parishioners to order Filo dough for their baking needs.

Filo Dough $5/package

You can reserve your order by email to a_kourelis@hotmail.com

Pick up on Sunday, December 6th, after Divine Liturgy in the Church parking lot. (11am-12pm)

Payment in cash and checks can be paid at pick up.

Please make the checks out to Philoptochos AGOC, with the comment “Filo Sale”.

We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday!

Thank you,

Dana Schenk

LOP President

Philoptochos and the Daughters of Penelope are collecting new children’s pajamas and new or gently used children’s books for Wayside Mission for Christmas. Items may be delivered to the church, after Liturgy by Dec 21st. There will be a bin in the back of the church.

OR- Pajamas may be ordered and delivered to:

Nancy Anas
8317 Dravo  Circle
Louisville, KY. 40220

Nancy will deliver pjs and books to Wayside Mission on Sunday, December 21st.

Thanks in advance for your generosity!

If you would like to donate toward the poinsettias that will adorn the Church during the Christmas Season, please contact the Church Office with your offering at (502) 425-7775 or office@assumption.ky.goarch.org.

Assumption Covid Guidelines

Before Coming to Church

• †  Consider your risk.  Those who are at risk (persons with pre-existing health conditions and those over the age of 65) are strongly encouraged to stay at home.
• †  Assess your health.  Anyone who is currently experiencing any symptoms of illness must stay at home.
• †  Make sure you have a mask. (Masks for children under the age of 7 are not required but preferred. Note: Children 2 and under should not wear masks.)

Upon Arrival at Divine Liturgy

A Parish Council Member will greet you to:

• †  Verify all who enter the church have a mask.
• †  Take your temperature with a touchless thermometer (anyone with a temperature of 100.5° or above will not be permitted to enter).
• †  Provide hand sanitizer.
• †  Ask you the following:  Have you had a fever or other symptoms of Covid-19 in the past 72 hours? Have you been in contact with anyone that tested positive or exhibited symptoms of Covid-19 in the last 14 days?
• †  Open the door and direct you to your seat.

At Divine Liturgy

• †  The Icons will remain on the Solea.  One may bow to show respect.  Please do not kiss any icon.
• †  Seating (social distanced at 6 feet apart) will numbered and assigned.
• †  There will be no choir. (Chanter only)
• †  No paper bulletins will be distributed.  Bulletins will continue to be sent electronically.
• †  No liturgical books will be in the pews.
• †  Procedures for receiving Holy Communion will be announced prior to Holy Communion (procedures, given by the Metropolis of Detroit are listed below). The Eucharist will be distributed to those wishing to partake. Parishioners are reminded not to judge others based on their individual decision in this regard.
• †  No tray will be passed (the tray will be at the candle stand).
• †  Antidoron will be distributed in plastic bags. The hand of the priest is not to be venerated with a kiss.  One may bow to show respect.

General Applicable Guidelines

• †  The Commonwealth of Kentucky allows for upto 50% of capacity (=120 people). Family units must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet.
• †  There will be no gatherings on church premises aside from Divine Liturgy.  Fellowship groups, religious education and any other meetings that are typically held on church grounds will remain virtual (Zoom).
• †  The priest may offer pastoral counsel and provide the sacraments of Communion, Unction, and Confession on an appointment basis. Proper precautions for limiting contact and proximity must be observed.
• †  Weddings, Baptisms, and Funerals may also be conducted according to the capacity limitations and rules for each phase.
• †  No one is allowed be in any church facility without the express permission of the priest.

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 Holy Communion Procedures (Metropolis of Detroit)

It is clearly understood that the Holy Communion is the very Body and Blood of Christ which cannot be tainted by any harmful thing, and that those who receive it with proper intent of mind and heart cannot be harmed by it. However, for the pastoral reason that we do not want people to allow their fear of the coronavirus to separate them from the chalice, clergy are to drop the sacrament into the opened mouths of the faithful, being careful that the spoon not come into contact with the person. If accidental contact with the individual is made, the spoon will be immediately sanitized by dipping it in grain alcohol (140 proof or more) for at least 30 seconds,  dipping it in a rinse of water, and wiping it dry prior to the next use.

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 via ZOOM Teleconference (check calendar or email for link) from 6:00pm-7:30pm (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!!!