Agape News December 2007

Transcript

1 Agape News December 2007

2 PICTURES Basile at the Assumption JOY Fellowship Pie Bake Fall Clean-Up

3 PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In the Month of December there is much happening: the Philoptochos Bake Sale, the Sunday School Christmas Pageant, the Metropolis Christmas Open-House and countless other Christmas events. Let us not forget that the root of all that happens in December is Christmas - the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this season through the giving of gifts and through Christian Fellowship, let us also take time - if necessary make time - to thank the Lord for His gift to us, His Only Begotten Son, through whom we can achieve salvation. Make sure that time is given to the Church Services not only each and every Sunday, but also for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is especially difficult to leave the presents behind under the tree on Christmas Day and to wait for the big Christmas Breakfast, but this small sacrifice make a huge statement to our families and all in the community that Christmas first and foremost is a Feastday of the Faithful. I pray that as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord together that each of us grows in our faith. Wishing you a Blessed Nativity, I remain, In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

4 A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT My Fellow Parishioners, We are nearing the end of our calendar year, 2007, but just beginning our Liturgical year. We have accomplished a lot in Thanks to many volunteers, friends with discounts, and generous donations we have painted, carpeted, cleaned our fellowship hall and upgraded our office. Our church has taken on a whole new look and sound with our marble Solea and Altar and our new organ. Fr. Jon, Presbytera, and Vasilia arrived just in time for Holy Week. We continued traditions and added new ones. We have gone from 1 to 2 altar boys to 8 with more in training. New fellowship ministries began during the summer. The summer also found GOYA regrouping and making plans for the new school year. The Liturgical year began with Fr. Jon and 9 of our ladies attending the Metropolis Philoptochos Luncheon. October was busy with the JOY group Fall Outing and 10 parishioners attending Metropolitan Iakovos Name Day Dinner. November was kids month with GOYA organizing their Parish Christmas Card (Don t be left out!) and JOY baking and selling their delicious homemade apple pies. December is full with activities and preparations for the Christmas season. On December 1 we are invited to join the Golden Circle outing to Circa 21 to see Irvin Berlin s White Christmas, December 8 is the Philoptochos Annual Bake Sale, and December 9 we re on the road to Chicago for the Metropolis Christmas Open House. We ll end 2007 with the annual Parish Christmas Party at the Arsenal Golf Club. This is a wonderful way to end the hectic Christmas season and our group grows every year. We ll take a couple of days off to put away the Christmas decorations and then put our 2008 GOYAL Basketball Tournament plans into action. I am looking forward to having our sister parishes visit our Assumption parish. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in 2007 and look forward to a prosperous Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the members of your Parish Council. Celia Lubbers Parish Council President

5 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale Saturday, December 8, :00 am - 12:00 noon Please come and offer you service to this event Cookbook Recipes Needed Do you have a recipe for which you are known? Did Yiayia have a great recipe for Bougatsa? Submit your recipes for the Philoptochos cookbook to info@assumptionem.org or to Helen Haney. Don t forget to RSVP for the Philoptochos - Parish Christmas Party!!! Details are located later in this Agape News! Contact: Yvonne Constantinou (563) SACRAMENTS The Servant of God Nicholas Passini and the Handmaiden of God Daryn Thodos were united in Marriage on November 3, The Koumbaro is John Thodos. The Servant of God George (Dale) Melchin and the Handmaiden of God Katherine (Erica) Melchin were received into the Orthodox Faith through the Sacrament of Chrismation on November 11, George s sponsor is Christ Petaros and Katherine s sponsor is Helen Petaros. The servant of God Gust Kouris was buried from the Assumption Church on November 13, May his memory be eternal!

6 SUNDAY SCHOOL Spiritual Arrows All children with attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News as based on cumulative attendance. Spiritual Arrows with 3 absences or less for the entire year will be recognized at the end of the year with a special gift to acknowledge their dedication to Religious Education. Attendance is Important!!! All you need is 80% Attendance!!! Congratulations to our Spiritual Arrows!!! Shebah Chirackal Effie Constantinou Penny Constantinou Evan Dounoulis Bill Kandis Alexia Kontos Jimmy Lamacki Elianna Lovejoy Kristin Lubbers Bobby Nikolopoulos John Nikolopoulos Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Alejandra Olvera Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis Shannon Thodos Stephanie Thodos Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

7 YOUTH CHRISTMAS CAROLING The youth of the Assumption will be Christmas Caroling on the afternoon of Sunday, December 16th. All youth and their families are encouraged to participate. If you would like them to come to your home and carol, please notify Fr. Jon at (309) prior to December 14th. The order of the homes will be determined once all RSVP s have been received. CHRISTMAS PAGEANT This Year s Sunday School Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 16th, following the Divine Liturgy. Parts have been handed out and practices have been held!!! The final dress rehearsal in the Church will be on Sunday, December 2. If you would like your child to participate, and (s)he has not yet been assigned a part nor attended practices, it is not too late. Please contact Fr. Jon ASAP!!! It will not be possible for a child that does not attend practice to participate - as practice is necessary for a quality event.

8 JOY NEWS The JOY is probably going Sledding!!! Probably, because we are waiting for 1 important thing - SNOW!!! The date is flexible, but if it snows, be ready to go!!! December 16 in the afternoon is the time set for Christmas Caroling. Don t miss it!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309) GOYA NEWS Kalahari Trip Is it going to happen. If you want it to, don t miss the next GOYA Meeting on Sunday, December 2nd!!! The GOYA is planning on going Ice Skating on Saturday, December 8. Details coming soon!!! December 16 in the afternoon is the time set for Christmas Caroling. Don t miss it!!! Contact: Louie Constantinou (563)

9 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY One plants in you the seeds and another does the watering - but it is...only God, who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6) The Orthodox Bible Study meets every Monday evening from 6:00-7:30pm to study St. Paul s 1 st Letter to the Corinthians. This book is filled with application that is not only applicable at the time of Christ, but to us today. Come and learn about the role of the Clergy, clicks in the church, pride, spiritual discernment, proper attire, marriage, marital relations, divorce and much more!!! Make Bible Study a priority!!! Keep your Monday evenings open!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309) METROPOLIS OPEN HOUSE His Eminence Metropolitan IAKOVOS has extended to his Parishes an invitation to the Annual Christmas Open-House at the Metropolis. Let us take this opportunity to extend our love to our Spiritual Father. We will be departing the Church on a Luxury Bus at 12 Noon on Sunday, December 9th. Our 1st stop will be the Greek Islands Restaurant in Greek Town (Chicago) for Mezathakia and then we will proceed to the Metropolis, where His Eminence offers a wonderful display of hospitality and desserts. Cost is $40/person - please RSVP to the Church office ASAP. Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

10 SAINT NICHOLAS Commemorated December 6 This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

11 SAINT SPYDIRON. Commemorated December 12 Saint Spyridon, the God-bearing Father of the Church, the great defender of Corfu and the boast of all the Orthodox, had Cyprus as his homeland. He was simple in manner and humble of heart, and was a shepherd of sheep. When he was joined to a wife, he begat of her a daughter whom they named Irene. After his wife's departure from this life, he was appointed Bishop of Trimythus, and thus he became also a shepherd of rational sheep. When the First Ecumenical Council was assembled in Nicaea, he also was present, and by means of his most simple words stopped the mouths of the Arians who were wise in their own conceit. By the divine grace which dwelt in him, he wrought such great wonders that he received the surname 'Wonderworker." So it is that, having tended his flock piously and in a manner pleasing to God, he reposed in the Lord about the year 350, leaving to his country his sacred relics as a consolation and source of healing for the faithful. About the middle of the seventh century, because of the incursions made by the barbarians at that time, his sacred relics were taken to Constantinople, where they remained, being honoured by the emperors themselves. But before the fall of Constantinople, which took place on May 29, 1453, a certain priest named George Kalokhairetes, the parish priest of the church where the Saint's sacred relics, as well as those of Saint Theodora the Empress, were kept, took them away on account of the impending peril. Travelling by way of Serbia, he came as far as Arta in Epirus, a region in Western Greece opposite to the isle of Corfu. From there, while the misfortunes of the Christian people were increasing with every day, he passed over to Corfu about the year The relics of Saint Theodora were given to the people of Corfu; but those of Saint Spyridon remain to this day, according to the rights of inheritance, the most precious treasure of the priest's own descendants, and they continue to be a staff for the faithful in Orthodoxy, and a supernatural wonder for those that behold him; for even after the passage of 1,500 years, they have remained incorrupt, and even the flexibility of his flesh has been preserved.

12 PARAKLESIS The Small Paraklesis to the Theotokos is a service in which we offer our prayers to the Blessed Mother of God in which we ask her to pray on our behalf to the Lord. Our supplications are for health, guidance and deliverance from adversity. It is through her prayers that we are saved, for she is closer to the Lord than you or I, and we know through many miracles that her prayers are heard. A Paraklesis will be offered monthly so that we, the Body of Christ, may come and pray for our loved ones and for the whole world. It is important that we as Orthodox recapture our environment of worship. We are a community of worship and prayer. We must not be only Sunday Morning Christians! We must glorify God in every moment of our lives! Please take a moment and prepare a list of those for whom you would like to have prayers offered - bring the list to the Paraklesis and offer your prayers with the whole community. For those who cannot come, know that the Church is open and that prayers are being offered for all of us. Again we pray for mercy, life, health, peace, safety, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of sins of the servants of God

13 SERVICE SCHEDULE December 2 Sunday 14TH SUNDAY OF SAINT LUKE Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. December 6 Thursday FEASTDAY OF ST. NICHOLAS Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. December 9 Sunday 10TH SUNDAY OF SAINT LUKE Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. December 12 Wednesday FEASTDAY OF ST. SPYRIDON Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. December 14 Friday SMALL PARAKLESIS 6:00 p.m. December 16 Sunday 11TH SUNDAY OF SAINT LUKE Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. December 23 Sunday SUNDAY BEFORE THE NATIVITY Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. December 24 Monday EVE OF THE NATIVITY Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 7:00 p.m. December 25 Tuesday THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. December 30 Sunday SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

14 D E C E M B E R CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday 14th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour / PC Elections GOYA Meeting Golden Circle to Circa 21 10th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour Philoptochos Meeting Metropolis of Chicago Christmas Open House 11th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Pageant Pancake Breakfast Youth Christmas Caroling Sunday Before Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Sunday After Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 3 10 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 17 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 24 Eve of the Nativity Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil 7:00pm 31 1st Annual Assumption St. George New Year s Eve Celebration 7:00pm at St. George Feast of the Nativity Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am

15 CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 6 Feastday of Saint Nicholas Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 7 8 Philoptochos Bake Sale 2:00pm - GOYA Ice Skating 12 Feastday of Saint Spyridon Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 13 6:00pm - Paraklesis Service December Agape News Assembly Day Parish Christmas Party at the Arsenal Country Club. Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

16 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 2 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΔ Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 6 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη Άγιος Νικόλαος Νεοπάρτυς Όρθρος 9:30 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 9 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ι Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 12 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη Άγιος Σπυρίδων ο Θαυματουργός Όρθρος 9:30 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 14 Δεκεμβρίου Παρασκευή Μικρή Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. 16 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΑ Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 23 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Προ της Γεννήσεως Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 24 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα Προεορτή της Γεννήσεως Χριστού Εσπερηνό Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 25 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη Γέννησις του Χριστού Όρθρος 9:30 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 30 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΓ Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ.

17 Prosforo Schedule December 2 Paraskevi Stamatoukos December 9 Maria Georgiadis December 16 Toula Poulimas December 23 Elaine Eleftheropoulos December 30 Litsa Gregory DIAKONIA Coffee Hour Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings December 2 Gospel Luke 18:35-43 Epistle Ephesians 6:10-17 December 9 Gospel Luke 13:10-17 Epistle Galatians 4:22-27 December 16 Gospel Lk 14:16-24; Mt. 22:14 Epistle Colossians 4:1-6 December 23 Gospel Matthew 1:1-25 Epistle Heb. 11:9-10, December 30 Gospel Matthew 2:13-23 Epistle Galatians 1:11-19 Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St.John 9:15 Celia Lubbers Cathy Diakogeorgiou Michael Weis Bill Theofilis 9:40 George Bagatelas Michael Haney Michael Kandis Deno Kandis 9:55 Lee Dokolas Abraham Chirackal John Stopoulos TBA December 2 St. Luke December 9 St. John December 16 St. Matthew December 23 St. Mark December 30 St. Luke December 2 Larson, Lingris, Lubbers December 9 Sophia Mihalopoulos December 16 Pancake Breakfast December 23 Lovejoy Family December 30 Kathy Panouses

18 ΑΓΙΟΣ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ Άγιος Νικόλαος 6 Δεκεμβρίου Ο Κύριος, στην επί του Όρους ομιλία του, είπε: "Γίνεσθε οικτίρμονες, καθώς και ο πατήρ υμών οικτίρμων εστί". Να γίνεσθε, δηλαδή, σπλαγχνικοί προς τον πλησίον και συμπονετικοί στις δυστυχίες του και τις ανάγκες του, καθώς και ο ουράνιος Πατέρας σας είναι ευσπλαγχνικός προς όλους. Μιά τέτοια προσωποποίηση της χριστιανικής ευσπλαγνίας υπήρξε και ο Άγιος Νικόλαος. Γεννήθηκε τον 3ο αιώνα μ.χ. στα Πάταρα της Λυκίας, από γονείς ευσεβείς και πλουσίους. Όμως, σε νεαρή ηλικία έμεινε ορφανός και κληρονόμος μιάς μεγάλης περιουσίας. Αλλά ο Νικόλαος, εμπνευόμενος από φιλάνθρωπα συναισθήματα, διέθετε την περιουσία του για να ανακουφίζει άπορα ορφανά, φτωχούς, χήρες, στενοχωρημένους οικογενειάρχες. Ένας, μάλιστα, θα διέφθειρε τις τρείς κόρες του, προκειμένου να εξασφαλίσει χρήματα. Όταν το έμαθε αυτό ο Νικόλαος, μυστικά σε τρείς νύκτες εξασφάλισε την προίκα τριών κοριτσιών, αφήνοντας 100 χρυσά φλουριά στην κάθε μία. Έτσι, οι τρείς κόρες αποκατατσάθηκαν και γλύτωσαν από βέβαιη διαφθορά. Έπειτα ο Νικόλαος, μετά από ένα ταξίδι του στην Ιερουσαλήμ, χειροτονήθηκε ιερέας στα Πάταρα. Και όταν απεβίωσε ο τότε Αρχιεπέσκοπος Μύρων της Λυκίας, οι επίσκοποι, δια θεϊκής αποκαλύψεως, έκαναν Αρχιεπίσκοπο το Νικόλαο. Από τη νέα του θέση ο Νικόλαος επεξέτεινε τους αγώνες του για την προστασία τών φτωχών και τών απόρων. Έκανε πολλά θαύματα και ήταν σημαντική η συμμετοχή του στην Α Οικουμενική Σύνοδο. Πέθανε ειρηνικά το έτος 330 μ.χ.

19 ΑΓΙΟΣ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝ Άγιος Σπυρίδων 12 Δεκεμβρίου Γεννήθηκε από οικογένεια βοσκών, που ήταν κάπως εύπορη, το 270 μ.χ. Άν και μορφώθηκε αρκετά στην πατρίδα του Κύπρο, όμως δεν άλλαξε επάγγελμα. Συνέχισε και αυτός να είναι βοσκός. Ήταν χαρακτήρας απλός, αγαθός, γεμάτος αγάπη για τον πλησίον του. Τις Κυριακές και τις γιορτές, συχνά έπαιρνε τους βοσκούς και τους οδηγούσε στους ιερούς ναούς, και κατόπιν τους εξηγούσε την ευαγγελική ή την αποστολική περικοπή. Ο Θεός τον ευλόγησε να γίνεται συχνά προστάτης χηρών και ορφανών. Νυμφεύθηκε σύζυγο και απέκτησε παιδιά. Γρήγορα, όμως, η σύζυγός του πέθανε. Για να επουλώσει το τραύμα του ο Σπυρίδων αφοσιώθηκε ακόμα περισσότερο στη διδαχή του θείου λόγου. Μετά από πολλές πιέσεις, χειροτονήθηκε ιερέας. Και πράγματι, υπήρξε αληθινός ιερέας του Ευαγγελίου, έτσι όπως τον θέλει ο θείος Παύλος: "Ανεπίληπτον, νηφάλιον, σώφρονα, κόσμιον, φιλόξενον, διδακτικόν, τέκνα έχοντα εν υποταγή μετά πάσης σεμνότητος". Δηλαδή ακατηγόρητο, προσεκτικό, εγκρατή, σεμνό, φιλόξενο, διδακτικό, και να έχει παιδιά που να υποτάσσονται με κάθε σεμνότητα. Έτσι και ο Σπυρίδων, τόσο σωστός υπήρξε σαν ιερέας, ώστε όταν χήρεψε η επισκοπή Τριμυθούντος στην Κύπρο, δια βοής λαός και κλήρος τον εξέλεξαν επίσκοπο. Από τη θέση αυτή ο Σπυρίδων προχώρησε τόσο πολύ στην αρετή, ώστε τον αξίωσε ο Θεός να κάνει πολλά θαύματα. Στις 12 Δεκεμβρίου το 350 μ.χ. απεβίωσε. Το λείψανό του πήγε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και μετά στην Κέρκυρα όπου βρίσκεται μέχρι σήμερα.

20 PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD With the change of the color of the trees and the drop in temperature, there is no doubt that Christmas is on its way. Save time, energy and postage while supporting our GOYA Kids. Wish a Blessed Christmas to the entire Parish of the Assumption by filling out the form below or by visiting the GOYA table at the Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy. Your investment is only $20 to send your greetings to over 200 families!!! The Deadline is Sunday, December 9th. ASSUMPTION CHURCH CHRISTMAS CARD APPLICATION Please include my name (family) on the Christmas Card as follows: (Please Print) Twenty Dollars ($20) must accompany this form. Please make Checks payable to: Assumption GOYA Send to: 4900 Kennedy Drive, East Moline, Illinois Contact: Louie Constantinou (563)

21 PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY Christ is Born - Χριστός Γεννάται Let us now Celebrate HIS Birth!!! Where: Rock Island Arsenal Golf Club Rock Island Arsenal When: Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 Time: Cocktail 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Dinner 7:00 p.m. Menu: Chicken Supreme (Lightly breaded chicken w/cream sauce) - $30.00 Fillet of Salmon with dill sauce - $30.00 Roast Prime Rib of Beef - $35.00 Included in meals: Plantation Salad, Twice Baked Potato, Green Beans Almondine and Choice of Dessert: Fresh Strawberries and Cream Cake or Chocolate Truffle Torte Children's Menu : $6.00 Choice of Chicken Fingers, Hamburger or Cheeseburger. Plus French Fries, fruit cup and Choice of ice cream (chocolate, vanilla and strawberry) Dress Code: Collared Shirt and No Jeans Identification required to enter the Island RSVP: No Later Than December 19th No money will be collected the night of the party. RSVP to Georgia Maess

22 NEW YEAR S EVE PARTY 1st Annual Assumption - St. George New Year s Eve Celebration 2008 is Almost Here!!! Come and celebrate the changing of the year in a safe environment with plenty of good food, fun and fellowship. Each year the Assumption and St. George will alternate hosting this wonderful event. This year the event will be hosted at St. George and will be catered by Jimmy Pliakos. Don t miss it!!! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers 8:00 p.m. Dinner is served 9:00 p.m. until 2008 Dancing & Mezathakia 12:00 Midnight - Happy New Year TICKETS: Adults: $25 - $40 per couple Kids ages 6-12: $10 Kids 5 and under: Free Seniors 65 and over: $15 Please submit your reservation by Friday, December 21st so that we may plan accordingly. RSVP to the Church Office ASAP

23 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ADS Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago- Western Region 2008 Family Basketball Tournament Friday, February 8th Sunday, February 10th, 2008 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church East Moline, Host Parish AD BOOK SALES SHEET Full Page (5 x 8 )...$100 1/2 Page (5 x 3 ¼ )... $75 1/4 Page (2 ¼ x 3 ¼ )....$50 1/8 Page (2 ¼ x 1 5/8 )...$40 Single Line Listing... $20 Please mail camera-ready artwork or a typed message to the address below, or you can artwork to jhaney@kidsroe.org. Please note that any artwork received at this will not be included in the ad book unless we receive this form and payment by the deadline below!! Name: Address: City, State, and Zip: Amount Paid: Check/Money Order Cash Please make checks payable to: Assumption Basketball Tournament Send artwork, a copy of this form, and payment to: John Haney, Host Chair 203 Newman Street #3 Durand, IL DEADLINE IS JANUARY 11 TH!!!

24 PANCAKE BREAKFAST Following the Divine Liturgy and Christmas Pageant on December 16, 2007 Donation: $5 for Adults (Age ) $3 for Children (Age 3-12) Free for those under 3 and Over 100 The proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast will be dedicated to offsetting the remainder of the debt incurred for the repair and renovation of the Courtyard.

25 DONATIONS Thank you to Helen Panouses and Lupe and Daphne Olvera who made an additional donation to the Marble Solea and Sanctuary renovation. May God continue to Bless your family! Thank you to Orest Akulow, Ludmilla Cherevko, Victor and Judy Cherevko, and Vladimir Chobotarev for offering their stewardship of time and talent to aid Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece with the Fall Clean-up. Offering one s self in the House of the Lord is a true Blessing! Please call Fr. Jon if you would like to donate a Poinsettia ($20), which will adorn our Church for Christmas. HOME BLESSINGS Following Epiphany Fr. Jon will be blessing the homes and business of the Parishioners who so request. If you would like your home or business blessed, please call the church prior to January 1, 2008,and be put on the list. A schedule will be created after all requests have been received.

26 COURTYARD DONATION Only a small percentage of our congregation has contributed to this necessary project. The cost is approximately $12,500 (only $3,900 collected so far). Please help retire this debt. Name: Knowing that $100 per steward will cover this necessary project, I am offering $100 to do my family s part. The Lord has Blessed my family. I would like to give more than $100. Please accept my donation of $ toward this necessary project. All donors will be listed in publication unless otherwise requested Please keep my donation anonymous (do not list in the Agape News or the Weekly Bulletin) COURTYARD DONORS Thank you to those who responded to the special appeal and have made a contribution toward the renovation of the Courtyard: Fr. Jon & Presbytera Doreece Boukis Fr. Basil Papanikolaou Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Ted and Karen Bagatelas Ludmilla A. Cherevko Victor and Judy Cherevko Abraham and Molly Chirackal Nick & Mary Fotiadis George & Maria Georgiadis Tom P. Gregory Mike and Helen Haney Holgersson Family Mike and Terry Kandis Helen Karas George & Sherry Kontos Judy Larson Thomas Lingris Georgia and Roger Lovejoy & Family Roger and Celia Lubbers Sophia Mihalopoulos Roseanne Monn Biju and Sholly Ninan Chris Panouses Kathy Panouses Spiro & Carol Pappaspiros Chris and Helen Petaros George and Nancy Polios Judy Poterack Steve and Nancy Pyevich Colette Spurgetis Paraskevi Stamatoukos Peter and Patricia Stopoulos Frank Vretis

27 INAUGUARAL SPONSORS The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Fr. Basil Papanikolaou John and Katie Andrios and Family Steve and Aimee Arvanitis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis Paul and Christine Bagatelas George Bagatelas Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Steve and Vaso Boukis and Family Victor and Judy Cherevko Abraham and Molly Chirackal and Family Dr. and Mrs. Costas Constantinou and Family Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Dr. Konstantine, Allison, Evangelos and Daniel Dounoulis George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Michael and Cathy (Boukis) Gaudio Mary Giovanis Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes George and Sherry Kontos Georgia Maess and Family Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Peter and Sue Lingris Tom Lingris and Judy Larson Roger, Georgia and Elianna Lovejoy Dr. Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Lubbers Nick and Charlotte Maroudas Anna Marston Chris, Susan, Alaina and Melissa Mekus Michael and Roseanne Monn Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros In Memory of Uncle Pete Panouses Christ and Marena Panousis Christ and Helen Petaros Marina Pikis George and Nancy Polios Mark Edward Prebyl St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church Tony and Joan Stopoulos Bill, Tracey, Christopher and Stephanie Theofilis Rick (Demetri) and Maria Krakos Thompson John and Mary Velon Michael and Elizabeth Weis The Windmill Family Restaurant For an annual donation of $25, your name could appear as a supporter of this invaluable ministry. Support is offered for the Ecclesiastical Year (beginning and ending September 1st).

28 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline, Illinois Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. Moline, IL. Permit No. 153