Assumption. Greek Orthodox Church. Agape news

Transcript

1 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Agape news December 2013

2 PARISH LIFE MONASTERY TRIP VISIT TO THE JELLY BELLY WAREHOUSE APPLE PICKING CHIGAGO CLERGY AT THE APC RETREAT ACOLYTES WINE TASTING

3 PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In the Month of December there is much happening: the St. Nicholas Gifting, the Philoptochos Bake Sale, the Parish Christmas Party, the Sunday School Christmas Program, the Metropolis Christmas Open- House, a visit from Santa 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 the Christmas Day Divine Liturgy. It is especially difficult to leave our homes on Christmas Day, but this small sacrifice makes 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 His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis PROISTAMENOS

4 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION All children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News. Congratulations to: Vasilia Boukis Daniel Dounoulis Lydia Dounoulis Naina Ninan Evan Dounoulis Save the Dates 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. December 8 th - St. Nicholas Gift Giving December 15 th - Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal December 21 st - Christmas Caroling December 22 nd - Christmas Pageant ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!! This year we will study the shorter Epistles of Paul: Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Please start the new ecclesiastical year with a renewed desire of learning the blessed scriptures and tradition of the Church. The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Wednesday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am. Make a commitment to learning His Word!

5 Baklava, Melomakarona, Sesame Cookies, Spanakopitakia, Tiropitakia, Paximathia, Chocolate Dipped Paximathia Done!!! Kourambiethes December 2 nd & 3 rd PHILOPTOCHOS Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale Saturday, December 14 th, 2013 Baking Schedule Homemade Greek Bread December 12 th & 13 th Melomakarona Dipping December 9 th Packaging December 11 th Next Philoptochos Meeting is following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 15 th DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 st Tony Argeros 2 nd Demos Mekus 5 th Judy Cherevko 7 th Kathy Panouses 8 th Roger Lovejoy 9 th Jim Jannes 10 th Susan Mekus 15 th Lydia Dounoulis 16 th Nicolas Bagatelas 16 th Dimitrios Dokolas 16 th Maria Fotos 16 th Tom Lingris 19 th Billy Mihalopoulos 20 th Pauline Bagatelas 20 th Denny Mekus 21 st Paul Bagatelas 22 nd Miltos Diakogeorgiou 22 nd Christa Kaldis 25 th Frank Kaldis 26 th Bill Kotrogiannis 27 th Ilias Nikolopoulos 29 th Angie Dokolas Just a few Saints (Namedays) commemorated in December... 4 th Barbara 17 th Daniel 6 th Nicholas, Nicoletta 25 th Christmas (Christos, Christina) 15 th Eleftherios, Eleftheria 27 th Stephen, Stephanie

6 HOW OLD IS THE ORTHODOX CHURCH? By Rev. Dr. Miltiades Efthimiou If you are a Lutheran, your religion was founded by Martin Luther, an exmonk of the Catholic Church, in the year If you belong to the church of England, your religion was founded by King Henry VIII in the year 1534 because the Pope would not grant him a divorce with the right to re-marry. If you are Presbyterian, your religion was founded by John Knox in Scotland in the year If you are a Congregationalist, your religion was originated by Robert Brown in Holland in If you are a Protestant Episcopalian, your religion was an offshoot of the Church of England, founded by Samuel Senbury in the American Colonies in the 17th century. If you are Baptist, you owe the tenets of your religion to John Smyth, who launched it in Amsterdam in If you are of the Dutch Reform Church, you recognize Michelis Jones as founder because he originated your religion in New York in If you are Methodist, your religion was founded by John and Charles Wesley in England in If you are Mormon (Latter Day Saints), Joseph Smith started your religion in Palmyra, New York in If you worship with the Salvation Army, your sect began with William Booth in London in If you are Christian Scientist, you look to 1879 as the year which your religion was born and to Mary Baker Eddy as the founder. If you belong to one of the religious organizations known as Church of the Nazarene, Pentecostal Gospel, Holiness Church or Jehovah s Witnesses, your religion is one of hundreds of new sects founded by men within the past hundred years. If you are Roman Catholic, your church shared the same rich apostolic and doctrinal heritage as the Orthodox Church for the first thousand years of its history since during the first millennium they were one and the same Church. Lamentably, in 1054, the Pope of Rome broke away from the other four Apostolic Patriarchates (which included Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem), by tampering with the Original Creed of the Church, and considering himself to be infallible. Thus your church is 1,000 years old. If you are Orthodox Christian, your religion was founded in the year 33 by Jesus Christ the Son of God. It has not changed since that time. Our church is now almost 2,000 years old. And it is for this reason, that Orthodoxy, the Church of the Apostles and the Fathers is considered the true one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. This is the greatest legacy that we can pass on to the young people of the new millennium!

7 ACOLYTE OUTING Acolyte Appreciation Day!!! On January 4 th, 2014, the Acolytes (Altarboys) will be taken as guests of the Parish to see the Harlem Globetrotters. The Globetrotters will be appearing at the I-Wireless Center at 7:00 p.m on Saturday, January 4 th. RSVP before December 10 th HOME BLESSINGS Following Epiphany Fr. Jon will be blessing the homes and businesses of the Parishioners who so request. If you would like your home or business blessed, please call the church prior to January 4, 2014, and be put on the list. A schedule will be created after all requests have been received.

8 POINSETTIA DONATIONS Please call the Church Office if you would like to donate a Poinsettia ($20), which will adorn our Church for Christmas. Donations for Poinsettias should be offered in one of the following formats: Offered for the Health of Offered in Memory of MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD Wish a Blessed Christmas to the entire Parish of the Assumption by filling out the form below and giving it to a Parish Council member at the Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy. Your investment is only $20 to send your greetings to the entire Parish!!! Deadline is December 9 th. 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.

9 Mitten Tree Please bring mittens, gloves, hats, socks and scarves to hang on our Mitten Tree in the hallway of the Church. Offerings should be for Children ages 12 and under and for women. generosity! CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS God Bless your St. Nicholas Gifting On Sunday, December 8 th, please bring a gift (cost $5-$10) for a child of your same sex and age. The gift should be wrapped and labeled accordingly. Following HOLY COMMUNION, the children will place their special gift on the Solea. The gifts will be distributed to children in need. CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Sunday, December 22 nd following the Divine Liturgy Come and celebrate in anticipation of His birth as our kids lead us in carols!!! Visit from Santa Please come and meet Santa on December 22 nd and just maybe he ll have a surprise for you. God Bless you all!!! Metropolis Open House On December 15 th, Fr. Jon will be going to the Metropolis for the Annual Christmas Open House to visit with His Eminence Metropolitan IAKOVOS. All are invited to come along so that we may show our love to our Spiritual Father by accepting his invitation and wishing him a Blessed Nativity.

10 SAINT NICHOLAS THE WONDERWORKER Commemorated December 6 th 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 SPYRIDON THE WONDERWORKER Commemorated December 12 th 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 COMMEMORATION SUBMISSIONS ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 40 Liturgies for the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of the sins of the servants For the blessed repose of the servants of God Print clearly and use only Orthodox names given through Baptism or Chrismation (no last names)

13 SERVICE SCHEDULE December 1 Sunday 14 th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 2 Monday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 3 Tuesday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (St. George, RI) December 4 Wednesday Feast of St. Barbara the Great Martyr 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (Assumption, EM) December 5 Thursday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 6 Friday Feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (St. George, RI) December 7 Saturday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 8 Sunday 10 th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 9 Monday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (St. George, RI) December 10 Tuesday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 11 Wednesday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 12 Thursday Feast of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (St. George, RI) December 13 Friday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 14 Saturday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (St. George, RI) December 15 Sunday 11 th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 16 Monday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (St. George, RI) December 17 Tuesday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 18 Wednesday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (St. George, RI) December 19 Thursday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 20 Friday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (St. George, RI) December 21 Saturday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 22 Sunday Sunday Before the Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 23 Monday 40 Divine Liturgies 9:00 a.m (Assumption, EM) December 24 Tuesday Eve of the Nativity of the Lord 3:00 p.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil December 25 Wednesday The Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 27 Friday Feast of St. Stephen the First Martyr 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 29 Sunday 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Sunday After the Nativity of the Lord

14 CHURCH. D E C E M B E R Sunday Monday Tuesday 14th Sunday of Luke Orthros 8:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Christmas Pageant Practice Coffee Hour All English Sunday 10th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am St. Nicholas Gift Giving Parish Council Elections Coffee Hour Parish Christmas Party th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Philoptochos Meeting Christmas Pageant Practice Coffee Hour Metropolis Open House 22 Sunday Before the Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Christmas Pageant Visit from Santa Christmas Caroling Sunday after the Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Coffee Hour 29 2 (Assumption) Kourambiethes Baking 10:00am 9 (St. George) Melomacarona Dipping 10:00am 16 (St. George) 23 (Assumption) 30 3 (St. George) Kourambiethes Baking 10:00am 10 (Assumption) 6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting 17 (Assumption) 24 Vesperal Divine Liturgy of the Eve of the Nativity 3:00pm (St. George) 31

15 . CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Feast of St. Barbara Orthros 8:00am (Assumption) 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 11 (Assumption) Bake Sale Packaging 10:00am 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 18 (St. George) (Assumption) 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 12 Feast of St. Spyridon Orthros 8:00am (St. George) Bread Baking 10:00am 19 (Assumption) Feast of St. Nicholas Orthros 8:00am (St. George) 13 (Assumption) Bread Baking 10:00am 20 (St. George) (Assumption) 14 (St. George) Philoptochos Bake Sale 9:00am-Noon 21 (Assumption) 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study Youth Christmas Caroling 25 The Great Feast of the Holy Nativity of the Lord Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am No Bible Study 26 No Bible Study 27 Feast of St. Stephen the First Martyr 28 Currently, we are in the midst of the Nativity Fast (Dec. 25 th ). Fasting, though, is needless without prayer. Likewise, we will observe the ancient tradition of the Σαρανταλείτουργο (40 Daily Divine Liturgies) beginning November 15 th. Assumption and St. George will observe this expression of love in alternating fashion, praying for our community. "In the Divine Liturgy is celebrated the mystery of love. And love in its essence is contagious. ( St. John of Kronstadt ) Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

16 Πρόγραμμα Ιερών Ακολουθίων 1 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΔ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 2 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 3 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 4 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη Άγια Βαρβάρα 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 5 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 6 Δεκεμβρίου Παρασκευή Άγιος Νικόλαος 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 7 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 8 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ι του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 9 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 10 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 11 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 12 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη Άγιος Σπυρίδον 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 13 Δεκεμβρίου Παρασκευή Άγιος Νικόλαος 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 14 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 15 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΑ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 16 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 17 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 18 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 19 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 20 Δεκεμβρίου Παρασκευή Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (St. George, RI) 21 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 22 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Προ της Γεννήσεως Χριστού 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 23 Δεκεμβρίου Δευτέρα Σαρανταλείτουργο 9:00 π.μ. (Assumption, EM) 24 Δεκεμβρίου Τρίτη Προεορτή Γεννήσεως του Ιησού Χριστού 3:00 μ.μ. Εσπερηνό Θεία Λειτουργία (St. George, RI) 25 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη Γέννησις του Ιησού Χριστού 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 27 Δεκεμβρίου Παρασκευή Άγιος Στέφανος ο Πρωτομάρτυς 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 22 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Μετἀ την Χριστού Γἐννησιν 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

17 DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule December 1 Cathy Diakogeorgiou December 8 Kulla Anggelopolos December 15 Katherine Moraetes December 22 Maria Kotrogiannis December 29 Ludmilla Cherevko Coffee Hour December 1 Spiro and Jennifer Dokolas December 8 Kaylla McKay December 15 M. Kotrogiannis & A. Dokolas December 22 Papanikolaou Family December 29 Katherine Panouses Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings December 1 Gospel Luke 18:35-43 Epistle Ephesians 2:4-10 December 8 Gospel Luke 13:10-17 Epistle Ephesians 2:14-22 December 15 Gospel Lk 14:16-24, Mt 22:14 Epistle II Timothy 1:8-18 December 22 Gospel Matthew 1:1-25 Epistle Hebrews 11:9-10, December 29 Gospel Matthew 2:13-23 Epistle Galatians 1:11-19 Parish Council Ushering Schedule December 1 st - Paris Fotos 8 th - Mike Haney 15 th - Denny Mekus 22 nd - George Georgiadis 29 th - Kosta Dounoulis January 5 th - John Stopoulos 12 th - Cathy Diakogeorgiou 19 th - Orest Akulow 26 th - Matt Miller February 2 nd - Paris Fotos 9 th - Mike Haney 16 th - Dennis Collier 23 rd - George Georgiadis For each Sunday, the council member listed is to be present at 9:00 a.m. The council member listed for the week following will be assigned to help during the Divine Liturgy beginning at 9:50 a.m. through the processing of the collection.

18 Άγιος Νικόλαος 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 Άγιος Σπυρίδων 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 WHAT S STEWARDSHIP Everything we have comes from God - our time, our talents and our treasures. This means that our gifts that we use in our daily lives all are from God, whether it be the gift of teaching or healing, motivating or counseling, or even just walking, listening or seeing. Stewardship is giving back to God a portion of what he has given to us. This means volunteering of our talents and time as well as our resources. According to the bible, the standard for the tithe is 10%. As in Genesis: Jacob then made this vow, 'If God remains with me and keeps me safe on this journey I am making, if he gives me food to eat and clothes to wear, and if I come home safe to my father's home, then Yahweh shall be my God. This stone I have set up as a pillar is to be a house of God, and I shall faithfully pay you a tenth part of everything you give me.' Genesis 28:20-22 Not all have the spiritual maturity to offer the full tithe, but with effort, we can build together by starting at a lesser offering. First, make a decision that is achievable, yet a true sacrifice. Second, make it official by stating your intentions with a pledge. Third, make your offering weekly so it isn t overwhelming. Inch by inch - it s a cinch; yard by yard - it s hard! If your annual family income is Then your annual pledge would be $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 2% $400 $800 $1,200 $1,600 $2,000 4% $800 $1,600 $2,400 $3,200 $4,000 6% $1,200 $2,400 $3,600 $4,800 $6,000 8% $1,600 $3,200 $4,800 $6,400 $8,000 10% $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 This may seem like a lot But it s not if you look at it as weekly It s really not... $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 2% $7.70 $15.40 $23.08 $30.77 $ % $15.40 $30.77 $46.15 $61.54 $ % $23.08 $46.15 $69.23 $92.31 $ % $30.77 $61.54 $92.31 $ $ % $38.46 $76.92 $ $ $192.31

21 STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY Recently a young couple came to their Priest s office to make a stewardship donation to the parish which was many times the average of the parish. They were not wealthy and didn t display significant means. Letting his curiosity get the best of him, the Priest asked the young couple how they determined the amount they were offering. They responded, Our parents sacrificed and worked for years to build and preserve our parish. We want to follow their good example. Notice the Priest viewed the parish as the parish, but the couple said our parish. How do you view the Assumption? How hard did your parents work for the Church? Don t let your pledge be routine. Ask yourself if your offering to His Church displays your gratitude and if you ve followed the good example of those who have gone before us? Stewardship Sunday is December 8, 2013 PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS Parish Council Elections will take place on Sunday, December 8, 2013, following the Divine Liturgy and will remain open for 30 minutes. As defined by the UPR and the Parish Bylaws, the Parish Council consists of the Priest, as the head of the Parish, and 8 elected lay members. Each year 4 members will be elected to serve a two year term. Nominated for the term at the Parish General Assembly held on October 13, 2013, were the following candidates: Orest Akulow Dennis Collier Paris Fotos John Stopoulos

22 PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY Sponsored by the Philoptochos Where: Short Hills Country Club When: Sunday, Dec. 8 th, 2013 Time: Cocktails (Cash Bar) 6:00 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Entrées All Entrées served with a Short Hills Salad, Dinner Rolls and Butter, Dessert and Coffee, Tea or Milk $15 Vegetarian Lasagna $16 Filet of Swai (White Fish) with Lemon Butter Sauce, Potato and Vegetable $27 Shrimp Scampi served over Rice with Vegetable $6 Children's Mac & Cheese with Fresh Fruit Cup Prepayment Required: No money will be collected at the party. RSVP by Sunday, Dec. 1 st to Allison Dounoulis (309) or Dounoulis1@gmail.com

23 PHILOPTOCHOS BAKE SALE

24 PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Parish Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2013 Call to Order at 6:35pm. Fr. Jon led the opening prayer. Roll Call: Present: John Stopoulos, Cathy Diakageorgiou, Paris Fotos, George Georgiadis, Orest Akulow, Kosta Dounoulis, Matt Miller and Mike Haney. Excused: Denny Mekus Approval of September Minutes: Motion made by Cathy; 2 nd by: Kosta. President s/treasurer s Report: Balance as of September 30 th, 2013 was $1, Current expenses show us short $8, for bills due by Tuesday October 15 th, Of the $8, owed by next week, $2, of that is to go towards Archdiocese Dues. Motion made to delay money due for Archdiocese dues until December 15 th, 2013 made by Kosta, 2 nd by: Cathy. With that motion passing we are now at negative $6, for expenses due by next week. Rough estimates of current balances include: General Fund (-)$8, Capital Improvement - $0 Foundation Money Available - $1, Consecration Fund - $17, Memorial Fund - $28, ($9k/$28k was donated for patio. That $9k is untouchable. If patio project doesn t happen, must contact all those who donated to give them option to take back donation OR have it go towards something else). Festival Fund - $2, Motion was made by Kosta to transfer $6, from the Memorial Fund with no intention to pay it back and relieve debt of $5, taken out previously with Fr. Jon s approval, 2 nd by: Paris. Will also officially transfer $3, to Consecration Fund from Memorial Fund, which was supposed to have happened over 3 ½ years ago Annual Budget reviewed with total expenses estimated at $204, to $212, Motion made to propose 2014 Budget by Cathy, 2 nd by: Kosta.

25 PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Old/New Business: General Assembly October 13 th, 2013 Motion made by Kosta to change dates of festival to June 27 th, 28 th and 29 th due to 5k Race schedule. 2 nd by: Matt. It s Greek to Me. Sue Miller has booked 3 It s Greek to Me events. The first one is October 17 th, 2013 at 11:30am and the other two are set for the beginning of Looking at setting up It s Greek to Me events once a month with groups. Wine Tasting November 9 th, Tickets are available. Please get the word out to advertise this event. October 26 th, 2013 St. Demetrios Dinner at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church from 5pm 8pm. Need volunteers to help with door, bar, food, etc. Carpet Cleaning. Checked with Warner Carpet Cleaning and came back too expensive. Will reach out to other vendors for pricing. Metropolitan Name Day Thursday October 24 th, Philoptochos donated $ to get table. St. George is buying other half of table. Will continue with Gibby s Plowing for the upcoming season. Clergy Laity went well. Will need to have someone at the National Clergy Laity that is coming up. Motion made by Kosta to put in for GOYA 2015 Basketball Tournament. 2 nd by: Paris Nominations for Parish Council will be held at General Assembly. Orest got pricing for 5-day plastic insert candles. 50 cases for $2, are what have been purchased in the past. Motion made to get 15 cases for $ by Orest. 2 nd by: Cathy. November 2 nd, 2013 Philoptochos will be taking a trip to Monastery in Wisconsin if anyone else would like to attend? Will need to get Bus for trip. Greek Taverna Night (East Moline Church Re-Union) December 28 th, 2013!!! With the Greek Taverna Night/Re-Union we will have a potluck after Vespers for New Year s Eve Celebration on December 31 st, Motion to adjourn by Mike motioned, 2 nd by: Matt. Meeting adjourned at 9:30pm

26 Agape News SPONSORS The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Boukis In Memory of Harry and Alfreda Arvanis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis Bill Bagatelas In Memory of George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Ted and Karen Bagatelas Paula Baker Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Dennis and Pam Collier Nicholas Fotiadis Pete and Arlene Gust Jim Jannes Darlene M. Lingris Nick and Charlotte Maroudas Katherine Moraetes and Family Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Steve and Nancy Pyevich In Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Tony and Joan Stopoulos In Memory of George and Grace Vretis Litsa Gregory Sponsors offer $20 for the Ecclesiastical Year (beginning and ending Sept. 1 st ) Do you enjoy the Agape News? Then become a supporter!!! Here is my support of $20. Please list my sponsorship as follows:

27 Advantage Pest Control Servicing Assumption for 6 years Call Steve Today! LCV Greek & Mediterranean Food Store Now selling a nice selection of Greek & Middle Eastern Products to the public Noon-5pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9am-1pm Saturday and by appointment th Ave. East Moline, IL ADVERTISEMENTS The Windmill FAMILY RESTAURANT Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL (309) Miltos & Cathy Diakogeorgiou Parishioners and Owners Olympic Gyros 207 West 53 rd St. Davenport, IA GULLIVER'S TRAVEL Southpark Mall Northpark Mall Duck Creek Plaza Todd Bagatelas, President FULL COLOR ADVERTISEMENTS Last Space Available! See Your Ad Here! 1.25 x 1.5 $125 Ecclesiastical Year Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 J D Steakhouse 320 South 2 nd St. Clinton, IA Owned by Taso Korovilas & Ilias Nikolopoulos 985 Ave. of the Cities Silvis, Illinois Owned by Parishioners John & MaryBeth Stopoulos 3629 Avenue of the Cities Moline, IL (309) th St. East Moline, IL

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