My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When most think about what “church” is, it is either a destination for which one goes to for worship, or it is the gathering of the faithful for purposes of prayer, or both.  For those that are more greatly connected, it is a community of like believers, hopefully in communion with one another in a uniform code of ethics, conduct and beliefs. It is a gathering of like believers in faith.

Although all of the above is true, it is truly a cursory understanding of what “church” is.  It is a surface understanding that distills what “church” is supposed to be down to its simplest level. When in fact, “church” is a family, and families are complexed and nuanced—each person of the family having a unique relationship with every other member; each offering different talents and understandings to the whole.

You and I, and all of those who are in good standing in the Orthodox Church are brothers and sisters. We most often add “in Christ,” but this is merely to differentiate from those that are of blood relations.  We are “brothers and sisters” created in the image of our Father and united in thoughts, beliefs, purpose and, most importantly, love.—or at least we should be.  The “church” therefore is no longer a destination or merely a gathering place for the like minded, but our family’s generational home! By this, “church” is no longer a place or event, but we become the “Church.”

In a few short weeks, we will be gathering for Great and Holy Week.  We will come together as our Father, Creator, Savior and Lord is tortured and put to death in the flesh with only one purpose, to enter into the realm of death so that we don’t ever have to.  He “tramples down death by death” so that we may have life! He then resurrects to give us the “good news” (the meaning of Gospel) so that we may believe and receive this gift that none of us have earned or deserve.  We should be there with Him, as we are the benefactors of this divine condescension, humility and grace.

All He asks is to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength; and, to love each other as we love ourselves.  In other words, be the “Church.”

A Blessed Great and Holy Lent to all of you as we prepare for His Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection!

In Christ,

Fr. Jon

ΖΗΤΩ ΕΛΛΑΣ!  Long live Greece! 

What a special day today, that we celebrate the 201^st anniversary of Greek Independence.  We thank the Heroes of the Greek War of Independence that fought for 400 years for freedom, justice and the preservation of our Hellenic culture (including the art of Greek dance)!!

My apologies for the late notice, but, we have a lot to do in a very short amount of time.  I have been very busy working on our practice venue, schedules and groups.  We have had such an AMAZING response this year that we will proudly have 5 dance groups:

Ta Pedakia                                      Ages  3 – 5

The Kefi Dancers                              Ages  7 – 9

The Athenian Dancers                     Ages 10 – 13

The Hellenic Dancers                       Ages 16 – 17       (traditional)

The OPA Dancers                            Ages 16 – 17       (modern)

There will be an in-person registration and first dance practice this Sunday evening:

SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022

LYNDON BAPTIST CHURCH AUDITORIUM (parking lot/entrance behind church)

8025 New LaGrange Road (down the street from Assumption)

5:30PM – 6:30PM             Ta Pedakia

6:30PM – 7:30PM             Kefi and Athenian Dancers

We will discuss practice schedules, costumes, COVID protocols and more.  Dancers, please wear comfortable shoes (no flip-flops) and bring a bottled water.

Let’s keep things fun and safe!  ***Please do not attend if you have symptoms of infection: fever, cough, sore throat, sinusitis or have had close exposure to someone with COVID 19***

(As per previous notification, Hellenic and OPA Dancers will be meeting at my home tomorrow evening at 5:30pm).

Let the fun begin……………………………..!!!

OPA!!

Alexis Karageorge

Cell: (502) 439-1300

The SJC Parish Oratorical Festival has been postponed to Sunday, May 22, following Divine Liturgy. The presentations will not be part of the Metropolis Competition, but offered for the edification of our youth and our members.  The Sunday School will be making this part of the curriculum and working on it in class!

All are encouraged to come and be inspired by our youth.  This is a wonderful event!!!  Don’t miss it!

With the schools open to in person classes, we are happy to announce that the program sponsored by AGOC Philoptochos in partnership with Broadway Baptist Church, that supports children from Chenoweth Elementary School is back! We are collecting food for 40 less fortunate children that will be placed in their Backpacks every Friday, so they can have food over the weekend.

Your help and generosity have made this program possible over the years and is needed now more than ever! Please look for the information on what type of foods we are collecting (non-perishable individual packages, nuts free, etc). The collecting bin is in the back of the church.

If you have any questions, please contact Alice Collis at aliceccollis@gmail.com

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 Orthodox Bible Study is currenly on Summer break. Make Bible Study part of a greater commitment to the faith in the Fall.

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!

______________________________________________________

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!!!

Assumption Parish (Louisville, KY) Worship Guidelines

Revised February 22, 2022

†  Mask protocols

• The wearing of masks is optional and supported. The Parish Council wants every person to feel safe in the Church.
• Although wearing a mask is not formally mandated and is a personal prerogative for anyone to wear a mask as he/she sees fit, as a church community, we want to be as caring and welcoming of everyone as we possibly can.
• Wearing a mask is out of love and care for your fellow parishioners, so that everyone may feel safe and comfortable attending church and participating fully in our community of faith.

†  Seating

• A section of the church will be designated for individuals who choose to social distance (masks required in this section). 
• The remaining portion of the church will be open seating for those who do not choose to be socially distant.

†  Fellowship Hall

• Coffee Hour will resume in the hall without restriction.
• Sunday School will return to the classrooms.