Agape News August 2009

Transcript

1 Agape News August 2009

2 PICTURES VBS 2009 RESTAURANT CIRCLE AT CAFÉ INDIGO

3 PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! This testament from the Gospel of Luke shows us that before St. John the Baptist s birth, he was already preparing the way of the Lord. Before he was taken from the womb, the womb became a place of worship for in the womb he bowed to the Lord. This witness was a proclamation for his mother that compelled her to recognize the Λόγος, Christ the Word, being brought before her. This moment was not only a moment of revelation of Christ in her womb, but a moment in which the Virgin Mary became the mother to Elizabeth, who raised the Virgin Mary when she lived in the temple, and in fact the mother of all. Mary, the betrothed one, who dedicated her life to virginity, through whose virgin womb brought forth the Savior, stood before the one whose womb was opened after 50 years of marriage to bring forth the forerunner, John the Baptist! Thus it is with this understanding that we proclaim the Apolytikion of the Dormition: In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions. Let this not be only the proclamation of the of the choir or the Priest, but your own personal proclamation. A proclamation of the heart and body through fasting and prayer for 14 days and feasting on the 15th of August. In His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

4 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious Education and Spiritual Formation Announcing: Sunday Lunch & Learning with Fr. Jon This year the Religious Education Program (Sunday School) of the Assumption Church for the 2 older classes will take place on Sunday afternoons with Fr. Jon. We will start with lunch and meet for an hour. Parents are welcome to listen so that the whole family not only can grow together, but can continue discussing the material on their own. Spiritual Formation and Religious Education at the Parish must be a seed which grows and blossoms in the home. Watch your mail for upcoming details of this new program. ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY This year the Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Monday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm and on Thursday Mornings from 10:00am-11:30am. We will be studying St. Paul s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians. 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 by obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

5 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Congratulations to the Newly-Elected Philoptochos Officers: President - Litsa Gregory Vice President - Yvonne Constantinou Treasurer - Diane Lamacki Secretary - Erica Melchin ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE Friday, August 7 th Saturday, August 8 th 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Great Items from Over 50 Households! Kids Clothes Home Furnishings Knick Knacks Kitchen Items Seasonal Decor Books Toys and much, much more! Please bring your unwanted treasures (and all your extra shopping bags) to the Sunday School Rooms. Contact: Litsa Gregory (309)

6 RESTAURANT CIRCLE Come experience what everyone s talking about! The Assumption Restaurant Circle will meet each month at a new restaurant with new and different food options. There will be no planned menus, no fixed costs and no obligations - just good food, good fun and great company! 6:30pm on Saturday, August 22 nd Osaka Japanese Steakhouse th Street Moline, Illinois All you have to do is RSVP to the Church by August 20 th so that we can make a reservation and then show up. ASSUMPTION TRIVIA NIGHT Trivia Night at the Assumption Fellowship Hall Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. DETAILS 6:30 p.m. Doors Open - 7:30 p.m. Start Time $10 Registration per person - Teams of 8 Cash Bar First Place Cash Prize Bring your own snacks or buy a Greek Pastry RSVP TO JOHN ASAP (309)

7 ALTARBOY APPRECIATION On August 4th, the Assumption Church will be honoring the Altarboys with an outing to see the Quad City River Bandits! RSVP ASAP to the Church Office!!! 1st Come 1st Served! Tickets are limited!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309) GOYA & JOY It s time for our kids to Greek Dance!!! On Thursday, August 13, (7:00pm-8:00pm), our children will be practicing Greek Dance in the Fellowship Hall of the Church in preparation for the Assumption Nameday Celebration on August 15!!! Youth Mini-Golf On August 22, at 11:30am, all kids and their families are invited to come to River Valley Golf on John Deere road for a group game of Putt-Putt. Come one, come all, and enjoy each other s fellowship. (Cost will be actual cost at the course) Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

8 CONSECRATION The Consecration of our Parish of the Assumption is an event that is not merely celebrated during one service, but spans the Liturgical Cycle of an entire day beginning with Great Vespers on Saturday Evening and continuing through Orthros, the Consecration Service and the first Hierarchical Liturgy. Although the cycle is very rich, it is the Service of the Consecration that for most of us that is truly a once in a lifetime event. Unlike most of the Liturgical Services that are celebrated at the Assumption, the Consecration cannot be celebrated by the Priest the Bishop is the only one who can consecrate a Church (the other services that can only be celebrated by the Bishop are Ordinations and the preparation of Holy Chrism). This is necessary by definition of the ministry of the Bishop, which is to bring unity to Christ s Church. It is through the Episcopacy that the Church is the same no matter where we go, whether it is here in the Quad Cities, Chicago, New York or Athens. The ministry of the Priesthood is to tend to the Parish on behalf of the Bishop and to celebrate the mysteries of the faith. The Consecration Service has 5 main components: 1. The three processions of the Clergy and People around the Temple. 2. The placing and sealing of the Holy Relics into the Altar Table. 3. The Baptizing and Anointing of the Holy Altar Table. 4. The Vesting of the Holy Altar. 5. The Lighting of the Vigil Light on the Holy Altar. It is through the Consecration that the Church building is set aside as a place that is sacred and different from everyplace else in the world. Just as we are entirely changed into a new creation during the mystery of Holy Baptism and sealed with the mark of the Holy Spirit with Holy Chrismation, so is the Temple building completely changed during the this Blessed Event. In the July, August and September issues of the Agape News, I will further explain each of the five parts of the Consecration Service. This event is truly awe inspiring and each time I think about it I become moved and even feel chills. Don t miss out on truly understanding and being a part of this once in a lifetime event!

9 CONSECRATION The procession around the Temple Explained in the July Agape News THE SEALING OF THE HOLY RELICS INTO THE ALTAR TABLE The doors have now been opened by the Godparents. The procession now enters the Church following the Bishop, who proceeds into the Holy Altar with the Holy Relics of the Saints. The Relics are placed in a special box called a reliquary upon the Altar Table, which is barren of its liturgical coverings and items. At this point, the Bishop pours Holy Chrism over the Relics as he prays for the departed founders of the Church. The Reliquary is then placed inside of the Holy Altar Table and is permanently sealed in with mastic that is comprised of Bees wax, marble dust and a number of fragrant spices. Along with the relics are placed a list of Orthodox Christians departed this life and a list of those who we pray for who are living in history. The sealing of the Holy Relics in the Altar Table using the fragrance of many spices reminds us of the anointing of Christ s body by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, which we remember on Holy Friday afternoon at the Unnailing Service. The presence of the Martyrs is also reminiscent of the early worship of the Church, which took place in the catacombs (or tombs). Although many are aware that early Christians worshiped in the tombs, only few realize that it was so that the Eucharist could be celebrated at the tombs of the Martyrs. It is in this way (the relics entombed in the Altar) that we today continue to celebrate our Divine Services on the graves of the Saints and are continuously reminded that the Church was established with their blood. The Altar Table, which symbolizes that burial stone within the tomb of Christ, is now ready to be Baptized and Chrismated. It is at this time when the faithful will begin to come forward, each offering a prayer and placing a drop of oil in the vigil light which will be placed upon the Holy Altar. IN FUTURE ISSUES: The Baptizing and Anointing of the Holy Altar Table The Vesting of the Holy Altar The Lighting of the Vigil Light on the Holy Altar.

10 THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION Celebrated August 6 Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him"(Mt. 17: 5). Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.

11 BEHEADING OF THE FORERUNNER Celebrated August 29 The divine St John the Baptist, who by many miracles was both conceived and born; who was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb: sealed with his own blood the truth of his words and was made a sacred victim for the divine Law at the hands of a transgressor. This was Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, the son of Herod the Great. This man had a lawful wife, the daughter of Arethas (or Aretas), the King of Arabia. Without any cause, and against every commandment of the Law, he put her away and took to himself Herodias, the wife of his deceased brother Philip, to whom Herodias had borne a daughter, Salome. He would not desist from this unlawful union even when John, the preacher of repentance, the bold and austere accuser of the lawless, censured him and told him, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife" (Mark 6: 18). Thus Herod, besides his other unholy acts, added yet this, that he apprehended John and shut him in prison; and perhaps he would have killed him straightway, had he not feared the people, who had extreme reverence for John. Certainly, in the beginning, he himself had great reverence for this just and holy man. But finally, being pierced with the sting of a mad lust for the woman Herodias, he laid his defiled hands on the teacher of purity on the very day he was celebrating his birthday. When Salome, Herodias' daughter, had danced in order to please him and those who were supping with him, he promised her -- with an oath more foolish than any foolishness -- that he would give her anything she asked, even unto the half of his kingdom. And she, consulting with her mother, straightway asked for the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Hence this transgressor of the Law, preferring his lawless oath above the precepts of the Law, fulfilled this godless promise and filled his loathsome banquet with the blood of the Prophet. So it was that that all-venerable head, revered by the Angels, was given as a prize for an abominable dance, and became the plaything of the dissolute daughter of a debauched mother. As for the body of the divine Baptist, it was taken up by his disciples and placed in a tomb (Mark 6: 21-29).

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. 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 August 2 Sunday 8th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 3 Monday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 5 Wednesday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 6 Thursday Great Feast of the Holy Transfiguration 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (Blessing of the Grapes) August 7 Friday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 9 Sunday 9th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 10 Monday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 12 Wednesday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 14 Friday Eve of the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Church Nameday) 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers, Artoklasia and Reception August 15 Saturday Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Church Nameday) 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (followed by Artoklasia) August 16 Sunday 10th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 23 Sunday 11th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 29 Saturday Beheading of St. John the Baptist 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 30 Sunday 12th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy

14 A CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday U G U S 8th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 9th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour Rummage Setup 10am Paraklesis Service 7:00pm Paraklesis Service 7:00pm 10 4 Rummage Setup 10am Altarboy Appreciation River Bandits Outing 7:00pm 11 T 10th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour +Sacrament 12th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour

15 CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Return from Youth Trip to Wisconsin Dells 5 Rummage Setup 10am Paraklesis Service 7:00pm Paraklesis Service 7:00pm Feast of the Holy Transfiguration Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Rummage Setup Noon 13 Youth Greek Dance 7:00pm 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 20 7 Rummage Sale 9:00am - 2:00pm Paraklesis Service 7:00pm Church Feastday Great Vespers 7:00pm Rummage Sale 9:00am - 2:00pm 8 15 Assumption Feastday Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Nameday Celebration Beginning at Noon 22 Holy Qurbana 9:30am GOYA/JOY - 11:30am at River Valley Golf Restaurant Circle 6:30pm at Osaka Japan 29 Feast of The Beheading of St. John the Baptist Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed

16 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 2 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή Η του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 3 Αυγούστου Δευτέρα Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 5 Αυγούστου Τετάρτη Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 6 Αυγούστου Πέμπτη Η Μεταμόρφωσις του Κυρίου 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 7 Αυγούστου Παρασκευή Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 9 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή Θ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10 Αυγούστου Δευτέρα Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 12 Αυγούστου Τετάρτη Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 14 Αυγούστου Παρασκευή Προεόρτια Κοιμήσεως Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός (και Αρτοκλασία) 15 Αυγούστου Σάββατο Η Κοίμησης της Θεοτόκου 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία (και Αρτοκλασία) 16 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ι του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 23 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΑ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 29 Αυγούστου Σάββατο Αποτομή Κεφάλης Αγίου Προδρόμου 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 30 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΒ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

17 DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule August 2 Cathy Diakogeorgiou August 9 Paraskevi Stamatoukos August 15 (Sat.) Maria Georgiadis August 16 Katherine Moraetes August 23 Sophia Mihalopoulos August 30 Toula Poulimas Coffee Hour August 2 Not Yet Requested August 9 Chirackal & Ninan Families August 16 Not Yet Requested August 23 Photiades/Maess Family August 30 Not Yet Requested Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings August 2 Gospel Matthew 14:14-22 Epistle I Corinthians 1:10-17 August 9 Gospel Matthew 14:22-34 Epistle I Corinthians 3:9-17 August 16 Gospel Luke 9:51-57, 10:22-24, 13:22 Epistle I Timothy 3:13-16, 4:1-5 August 23 Gospel Matthew 18:23-35 Epistle I Corinthians 9:2-12 August 30 Gospel Matthew 19:16-26 Epistle I Corinthians 15:1-11 Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St. John 9:15 Celia Lubbers Cathy Diakogeorgiou Steve Arvanitis Bill Theofilis 9:40 Victor Cherevko Michael Haney Michael Kandis Deno Kandis 9:55 Diane Lamacki Abraham Chirackal John Stopoulos Georgia Lovejoy August 2 St. John August 9 St. Matthew August 16 St. Mark August 23 St. Luke August 30 St. John

18 Η ΜΕΤΑΜΟΡΦΩΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ 6 Αυγούστου Κ α τ ά τ η δ ι ή γ η σ η τ ω ν Ευαγγελιστών, ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός πήρε απο τους μαθητές τον Πέτρο, τον Ιωάννη και τον Ιάκοβω και ανέβηκε στο όρος Θαβώρ για να προσευχηθεί. Οι τρείς μαθητές Του, όπως ήταν κουρασμένοι απο τη δύσκολη ανάβαση στο Θαβώρ και ενώ κάθησαν να ξεκουρασθούν, έπεσα ν σε βαθύ ύπνο. Όταν, όμως, ξύπνησαν, αντίκρυσαν απροσδόκητο και εξαίσιο θέαμα. Το πρόσωπο του Κυρίου άστραφτε σαν τον ήλιο, και τα φορέματά Του ήταν λευκά σαν το φώς. Τον περιστοίχιζαν δε και συνομιλούσαν μαζί Του δυό άνδρες, ο Μωϋσής και ο Ηλίας. Αφού οι μαθητές συνήλθαν κάπως απο την έκπληξη, ο πάντα ενθουσιώδης, Πέτρος, θέλοντας να διατηρηθεί αυτή η αγία μέθη που προκαλούσε η ακτινοβολία του Κυρίου, ικετευτικά είπε να στήσουν τρείς σκηνές. Μία για τον Κύριο, μία για το Μωϋσή και μία για τον Ηλία. Πρίν προλάβει, όμως, να τελειώσει τη φράση του, ήλθε σύννεφο που τους σκέπασε και μέσα απ αυτό ακούστηκε φωνή που έλεγε: "Ούτος έστιν ο υιός μου ο αγαπητός, αυτού ακούετε". Δηλαδή, Αυτός είναι ο Υιός μου ο αγαπητός, που τον έστειλα για να σωθεί ο κόσμος. Αυτόν να ακούτε. Οφείλουμε, λοιπόν, και εμείς όχι μόνο να Τον ακούμε, αλλά και να Τον υπακούμε. Σε οποιοδήποτε δρόμο μας φέρει, είμαστε υποχρεωμένοι να πειθαρχούμε.

19 Η ΚΟΙΜΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 15 Αυγούστου Όπως είναι γνωστό, επάνω απο το Σταυρό ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός, έδωσε εντολή και την Παναγία μητέρα του παρέλαβε ο Ιωάννης ο Ευαγγελιστής στο σπίτι του, όπου διέμενε μαζί με τον αδελφό του Ιάκωβο και τη μητέρα του Σαλώμη, συγγενή της Θεοτόκου. Όταν δε ήλθε η στιγμή να τελειώσει την επίγεια ζωή της, άγγελος Κυρίου της το έκανε γνωστό τρείς μέρες πρίν. Η χαρά της Θεοτόκου υπήρξε μεγάλη, διότι θα συναντούσε το μονογενή της Υιό και Θεό όλων των ανθρώπων. Πήγε, λοιπόν, και προσευχήθηκε στο όρος των Ελαιών, όπου συνήθιζε να προσεύχεται και ο Κύριος Ιησούς. Έπειτα, γύρισε στο σπίτι του Ιωάννη, όπου έκανε γνωστή την επικείμενη κοίμησή της. Η παράδοση αναφέρει ότι την τρίτη ημέρα απο την εμφάνιση του αγγέλου, λίγο πρίν κοιμηθεί η Θεοτόκος, οι Απόστολοι δεν ήταν όλοι στα Ιεροσόλυμα, αλλά σε μακρινούς τόπους όπου κήρυτταν το Ευαγγέλιο. Τότε, ξαφνικά νεφέλη τους άρπαξε και τους έφερε όλους μπροστά στο κρεβάτι, όπου ήταν ξαπλωμένη η Θεοτόκος και περίμενε την κοίμησή της. Όταν εκοιμήθη, με ψαλμούς και ύμνους την τοποθέτησαν στο μνήμα της Γεσθημανή. Μετά τρείς ημέρες, άνοιξαν τον τάφο και έκπληκτοι διαπίστωσαν ότι η Παναγία αναστήθηκε σωματικά και ανελήφθη στους ουρανούς. Και βέβαια, όλη η ανθρωπότητα, με ευγνωμοσύνη για τις πρεσβείες της στο Σωτήρα Χριστό, αναφωνεί: "Χαίρε, ώ Μήτερ της ζωής".

20 NAMEDAY CELEBRATION Assumption Nameday Celebration Chicken Dinners Gyro Souvlaki Greek Fries More Saturday, August 15 th 12 Noon till the Music Stops Please join us for a fun-filled day! Free Admission! Silent Auction! Food served all day! Greek Music all Day! Come and celebrate the Feast of the Panagia like you did years ago. The Classic Celebration has returned! Bring your friends and neighbors and enjoy a true Great Feast, a celebration of the Mother of God, the Orthodox Church and her parishioners you, the Body of Christ!

21 NAMEDAY CELEBRATION BASKETS Donors Needed for Themed Baskets to be Raffled at the Nameday Celebration on Saturday, August 15, 2009!!! Value of the baskets should be $20 to $50. Themes can include: "Mom's night out" with restaurant gift certificates Movie Night" with microwave popcorn and gift card for a movie rental, Themes: Snowman, Sports, Bath gels/lotions, Chocoholic, etc. Be Creative!!! Kid s baskets are always a big hit!!! If you would like help but don t think you have the creativity to make a basket, the Philoptochos would be happy to take your monetary donation and make up a basket for you or just help you with a theme. Raffle tickets will sell for $1 each the night of the event. DONATIONS Thank you to John Stopoulos of Dr. Gyros for donating lunch for our VBS Students! Thank you to Ludmilla Cherevko, Deno Kandis, Judy Larson and Tom Lingris for their extensive work on the landscape. SACRAMENTS The Handmaiden of God Sophia (Jessica) Lane was Baptized on July 19, Her Godmother is Yvonne Constantinou. NEW STEWARDSHIP CARDS RECEIVED John Maess MAY GOD BLESS EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST FOREVERMORE, ALLELUIA!

22 CONSECRATION GRAND BANQUET The Parish of the Assumption requests the honour of your presence at the Grand Banquet on Sunday, the 4th of October, at 6 o clock in the evening as we celebrate the Consecration of our Beloved Parish Donation: $100 for adults $50 for students (up to12 grade) For Stewards of the Assumption, The adult donation will be $80 for the month of August. Donation must be received prior to September 1 and the number of tickets is limited to those listed on the stewardship card. Reservations may be made by calling the Church Office. The number of attendees is limited, so prior to Sept.1, only Stewards may RSVP

23 HOSPITAL VISITATION Hospital Visitation is a ministry that we as Orthodox take very seriously, because it is at times when our fallen humanity is failing that we often times also experience spiritual weakness. Just a reminder, hospital visitations and visitation to our homebound parishioners are of utmost importance, but will only occur when the request comes from the family directly. Please respect this policy and also the Church and the Clergy. With pastoral love, Rev. Father Jon S. Boukis PROISTAMENOS Fr. Jon s Contact Numbers Church: (309) Home: (309) FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY The Assumption can now benefit from YOU shopping at Up to 5% of your monthly spending will be automatically transferred to the Church. Worried about the cost of gas - Schnucks is at the Locust St. exit (2nd exit off I-74 in Iowa) - less than 4 miles away!!! Iowa has no tax on food - it s a wash!!! Call Fr. Jon and get signed up for an escrip card and begin shopping at Schnucks today!

24 WEBSITE Have you visited the Assumption Parish Website yet - Come and Check it out!!! We have had 2310 visits to our website from 37 countries including Australia, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom!!!

25 Agape News SPONSORSHIP Agape News Did you enjoy the Agape News? It s time to renew your sponsorship for the 2009/10 Ecclesiastical Year!!! To keep this ministry alive, renew your sponsorship; or if you are not yet a sponsor, join the other 50 families and become a supporter. Your name will be listed each month for the entire Ecclesiastical Year (until September 1, 2010) on a special sponsors page. Enclosed is my sponsorship of $25. Please list the sponsor line as follows:

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 Fr. Basil Papanikolaou Dr. Steve, Aimee, Nick and Zoe Arvanitis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis Paul and Christine Bagatelas Family George Bagatelas Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Andrew C. Boukis Ken and Packy Boukis Steve and Vaso Boukis and Family Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Dr. and Mrs. Costas Constantinou and Family Miltos, Cathy and Harikleia Diakogeorgiou The Family of George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos George and Maria Georgiadis Mary Giovanis Mike and Liz Gorman Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Mike and Helen Haney Susan Holgersson James Jannes Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Family Mike and Terri Kandis George and Helen Kontos George and Sherry Kontos Jo-Ann Kontos and Joyce Coughlin Helen Kouris Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Thomas Lingris and Judy Larson Peter and Sue Lingris Roger, Georgia and Elianna Lovejoy Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Lubbers Chris, Susan, Alaina and Melissa Mekus Michael and Roseanne Monn Ninan Family Sakis Padazopoulos Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Scott and Georgia Photiades Jimmy Pliakos Steve and Nancy Pyevich In Memory of Nickolaus Sluz St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Congregation Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Tony and Joan Stopoulos Rick and Maria Krakos Thompson John and Mary Velon Michael and Elizabeth Weis 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).

27 ADVERTISEMENTS Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL Miltos Diakogeorgiou Jose Zepeda (309) The family restaurant where you feel like family. Let us share your special moments in our newly opened banquet room. Advantage Pest Control Servicing Assumption for 2 years Call Steve Today! See your ad here!!! Thanks to all who offered their time & talents Dale Melchin Painting Phone: dalemelchin@gmail.com Residential & Commercial Painting FULL COLOR ADVERTISEMENTS $400 per year for 2.5 x 3 $250 per year for 2.5 x 1.5 $150 per year for 1.25 x 1.5 (Ecclesiastical Year - Sept. 1 to Aug. 31) Old & New Testament Orthodox Study Bible! 1st Shipment SOLD OUT List $ $9 S&H Your Price $42!!!

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