Agape News October 2008

Transcript

1 Agape News October 2008

2 PICTURES Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Luncheon Assumption Restaurant Circle at Trattoria Tiramisu GOYA and JOY Youth Felllowship at Michael s Fund World

3 PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It is truly a Blessing to witness the blossoming of so many ministries of our Beloved Assumption. The Restaurant Circle, Men s Club and Bible Study have been attended by so many. The GOYA has a renewed commitment to fellowship and growth. We now have 11 Altarboys! And...I am very excited that our Choir has a few new members from our youth!!! I pray that each of us through Prayer and Fasting find the commitment to give of our time to the Lord and participate in the many programs of our parish with our brothers and sisters in Christ. On October 23rd, His Eminence Metropolitan IAKOVOS of Chicago celebrates his Nameday and on October 26th, His Eminence Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America and His Grace Bishop DEMETRIOS of Mokissos celebrate their Nameday. It is with the most sincere respect and admiration that we proclaim Εις Πολλά Έτη Δέσποτα to each of our Hierarchs that celebrate their Feastdays during the month of October. May God Grant You Many Years!!! In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon S. Boukis PROISTAMENOS

4 SUNDAY SCHOOL Important Dates!!! They may be a few months away, but make sure that you put them on your calendars. Sunday School s a Blast!!! December 7 - St. Nicholas Gift Giving Observance December 7 - Breakfast with Santa Claus December 14 - Metropolis of Chicago Christmas Open House December 21 - Sunday School Christmas Pageant December 31 - New Year s Eve Party Beginning in the November Agape News, all children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed as Contact: Fr. Jon (309) GOYA Birthday Bags The GOYA will be combining fellowship, witness and service in a fun-filled afternoon which includes lunch at the mall and the preparation of Birthday Bags for donation to those in need. The fun will take place on Sunday, October 19, following the Coffee Hour. We will also have a meeting on that same day. Way to go GOYA!!! Don t miss Greek Dance Practice - Monday, Oct. 13 th!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

5 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale Saturday, December 13, :00 am - 12:00 noon Baking Schedule Tiropitakia Completed!!! Spanakopitakia Completed!!! Koulourakia October 20 Finikia October 25 Melomakarona October 29 Baklava November 1 Paximathia November 5 Koulourakia Packaging December 3 Assortment Packaging December 11 Kourambiethes To Be Announced 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. Next Philoptochos Meeting is Sunday, October 12, following the Divine Liturgy. Contact: Yvonne Constantinou (563)

6 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 will continue to meet on Monday evenings from 6:00-7:30pm and will continue the study of St. Paul s 1 st Letter to the Corinthians. Beginning on Thursday, October 30, there will be a second Bible Study offered at 10:00am for those who can t make it in the evening!!! We will begin at the beginning of St. Paul s 1 st Letter to the Corinthians. Now, there s no excuse to not study scripture and our Orthodox Faith!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309) MEN S CLUB The Men s Club will be enjoying an afternoon of food and fellowship at the Windmill Restaurant. An Hors d oeuvre buffet with soda will be the indulgence and football what s on the screen. Cost is $20 per person. Please RSVP to John Stopoulos with your payment. Contact: John Stopoulos (309)

7 RESTAURANT CIRCLE Do you long for fellowship? Do you like to eat? Come experience what everyone is 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! We re off again!!! 6:30pm on Saturday, November 1 st, to th Avenue Moline, Illinois At each restaurant the group in attendance will decide where we will go the following months. All you need to do is RSVP to the Church by October 28 th so that we can make a reservation and then show up.

8 SAINT JAMES, BROTHER OF OUR LORD Celebrated October 23 According to some, this Saint was a son of Joseph the Betrothed, born of the wife that the latter had before he was betrothed to the Ever-virgin. Hence he was the brother of the Lord, Who was also thought to be the son of Joseph (Matt. 13: 55). But some say that he was a nephew of Joseph, and the son of his brother Cleopas, who was also called Alphaeus and Mary his wife, who was the first cousin of the Theotokos. But even according to this genealogy, he was still called, according to the idiom of the Scriptures, the Lord's brother because of their kinship. This James is called the Less (Mark 15:4) by the Evangelists to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee, who was called the Great. He became the first Bishop of Jerusalem, elevated to this Episcopal rank by the Apostles, according to Eusebius (Eccl. Hist., Book II: 23), and was called Obliah, that is, the Just, because of his great holiness and righteousness. Having ascended the crest of the Temple on the day of the Passover at the prompting of all, he bore testimony from there concerning his belief in Jesus, and he proclaimed with a great voice that Jesus sits at the right hand of the great power of God and shall come again upon the clouds of heaven. On hearing this testimony, many of those present cried, "Hosanna to the Son of David." But the Scribes and Pharisees cried, "So, even the just one hath been led astray," and at the command of Ananias the high priest, the Apostle was cast down headlong from thence, then was stoned, and while he prayed for his slayers, his head was crushed by the wooden club wielded by a certain scribe. The first of the Catholic (General) Epistles written to the Jews in the Diaspora who believed in Christ was written by this James.

9 SAINT DEMETRIOS THE MYRRHBEARER Celebrated October 26 S a i n t D e m e t r i ο s w a s a Thessalonian, a most pious son of pious and noble parents, and a teacher of the Faith of Christ. When Maximian first came to Thessalonica in 290, he raised the Saint to the rank of Duke of Thessaly. But when it was discovered that the Saint was a Christian, he was arrested and kept bound in a bath-house. While the games were under way in the city, Maximian was a spectator there. A certain friend of his, a barbarian who was a notable wrestler, Lyaeus by name, waxing haughty because of the height and strength of his body, boasted in the stadium and challenged the citizens to a contest with him. All that fought with him were defeated. Seeing this, a certain youth named Nestor, acquaintance of Demetriοs', came to the Saint in the bath-house and asked his blessing to fight Lyaeus single-handed. Receiving this blessing and sealing himself with the sign of the precious Cross, he presented himself in the stadium, and said, "O God of Demetriοs, help me!" and straightway he engaged Lyaeus in combat and smote him with a mortal blow to the heart, leaving the former boaster lifeless upon the earth. Maximian was sorely grieved over this, and when he learned who was the cause of this defeat, he commanded straightway and Demetriοs was pierced with lances while he was yet in the bath-house, As for Nestor, Maximian commanded that he be slain with his own sword.

10 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

11 SERVICE SCHEDULE October 1 Wednesday Small Paraklesis Service (6:00 p.m.) October 5 Sunday 2nd Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy October 12 Sunday Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy October 19 Sunday 3rd Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy October 23 Thursday Feast of St. Iakovos Divine Liturgy of St. Iakovos to be celebrated by His Eminence in Chicago. Εις Πολλά Έτη Δέσποτα!!! October 26 Sunday 6th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 1 Οκτωβρίου Τετάρτη Μικρή Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. 5 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Β του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 12 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή των Αγίων Πατέρων (Ζ Οικ. Συν.) 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 19 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Γ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 23 Οκτωβρίου Πέμπτη Ιάκωβος ο Αδελφόθεος Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγίου Ιακώβου στο Σικάγο 26 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΣΤ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

12 O C T O B E R CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday 2nd Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour 5 12 Sunday of the 7th Ec. Council Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Philoptochos Meeting Coffee Hour 3rd Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Altarboy Breakfast GOYA Meeting, Lunch and Birthday Bag Assembly 6tt Sunday of Luke Congregational Singing Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour General Assembly No Bible Study :30pm-7:30pm Youth Dance Practice No Bible Study Koulourakia Baking 9:00am 20 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 27 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study Church Tour Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center 28

13 CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00pm Paraklesis Fr. Jon Away from Parish Fr. Jon Away from Parish Fr. Jon Away from Parish 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting Feast of St. Iakovos Divine Liturgy of St. Iakovos in Chicago 10:00am Metropolitan IAKOVOS Nameday Banquet 24 Finikia Baking 9:00am 25 Men s Club Event at the Windmill Family Restaurant 1:00pm Melomakarona Baking 9:00am **New** 10:00am-11:30am Orthodox Bible Study 31 Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine/Oil Allowed

14 DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule Coffee Hour October 5 Cathy Diakogeorgiou October 12 Kulla Anggeloplos October 19 Dimitra Kotogiannis October 26 Katherine Moraetes October 5 Katie Andrios October 12 George Bagatelas October 19 Altarboy Breakfast October 26 Dimitra Kotrogiannis Angie Dokolas Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings October 5 Gospel Luke 6:31-36 Epistle II Corinthians 6:1-10 October 12 Gospel Luke 8:5-15 Epistle Titus 3:8-15 October 19 Gospel Luke 7:11-16 Epistle II Corinthians 9:6-11 October 26 Gospel Luke 8:26-39 Epistle II Timothy 2:1-10 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 Victor Cherevko Michael Haney Michael Kandis Deno Kandis 9:55 Diane Lamacki Abraham Chirackal John Stopoulos Georgia Lovejoy October 5 St. Matthew October 12 St. Mark October 19 St. Luke October 26 St. John

15 DONATIONS Thank you to the Van Hoe Funeral Home for donating the Parish Calendars for the year of May God continue to bless your families. Thank you to Kristel Stopoulos for donating her time and talent in the beautifying of the Courtyard landscape. May the Lord multiply your talents. Than you to Orest Akulow who donated the materials and his time and talent to the building of the picture board that are used for the It s Greek to Me Tours.; and to Mary Kandis for painting the figures on the boards. May God bless you both. Thank you to John and Katie Andrios, Dr. Steve and Aimee Arvanitis, Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis, Celia Lubbers, Tony and Joan Stopoulos, Bill and Tracey Theofilis for their donation toward the new Altarboy robes. May God Bless your offerings. A special thank you to Judy Larson and Tom Lingris for putting the Agape News together for mailing each month. The Lord Blesses those who work in His vineyard. ALTARBOY BREAKFAST Breakfast Wraps, Scones, Fruit We ll have it all!!! Mmmmm! Breakfast... On Sunday, October 19, following the Divine Liturgy, there will be a breakfast to help raise funds for the purchase of new Altarboy Robes. Please come and show our Altarboys that we appreciate their sacred service. Donation $5 per person

16 ΑΓΙΟΣ ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ Ο ΑΔΕΛΦΟΘΕΟΣ 23 Οκτωβρίου Η παράδοση αναφέρει ότι ήταν ένας από τους γιούς του Ιωσήφ από άλλη γυναίκα, γι αυτό ονομαζόταν αδελφός του Κυρίου. Η συγγενική του, όμως, σχέση με τον Κύριο δεν είναι ομόφωνα καθορισμένη. Αλλά το γεγονός είναι ότι ο Ιάκωβος ο αδελφόθεος έγινε πρώτος επίσκοπος Ιεροσολύμων και είναι αυτός που έγραψε την πρώτη Θεία Λειτουργία της χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας. Ο Ιάκωβος, λοιπόν, ποίμανε την Εκκλησία τών Ιεροσολύμων με δικαιοσύνη, με γενναία στοργή και στερεότητα στην πίστη. Αυτό όμως, εξήγειρε τη μοχθηρία και την κακουργία των Ιουδαίων. Αφού τον έπιασαν, τον έριξαν πάνω από το πτερύγιο του Ναού, και ενώ ακόμα ήταν ζωντανός, τον αποτελείωσαν με άγριο κτύπημα ροπάλου στο κεφάλι. Έργο του Ιακώβου είναι και η Καθολική Επιστολή του στην Καινή Διαθήκη, στην οποία να τί μας συμβουλεύει, σχετικά με το πώς πρέπει να χειριζόμαστε το λόγο του Θεού: "Γίνεσθε ποιηταί λόγου και μή μόνον ακροαταί, παραλογιζόμενοι εαυτούς". Δηλαδή να γίνεσθε εκτελεστές και τηρητές του λόγου του Θεού και όχι μόνο ακροατές. Και να μή ξεγελάτε τον εαυτό σας, με την ιδέα ότι είναι αρκετό και μόνον να ακούει κανείς το λόγο.

17 ΑΓΙΟΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ Ο ΜΥΡΟΒΛΥΤΗΣ 26 Οκτωβρίου Ο Μεγαλομάρτυς Δημήτριος, γόνος της ένδοξης πόλης Θεσσαλονίκης, ήταν στρατιωτικός στα χρόνια του Διοκλητιανού. Γ ε ν ν α ί ο ς κ α ι α τ ρ ό μ ητ ο ς στρατιώτης του Χριστού και κήρυκας της χριστιανικής πίστης, είναι παράδειγμα χριστιανού μάρτυρος. Θα λέγαμε ότι υπήρξε ο πρώτος κατηχητής της Εκκλησίας μας. Διότι χωρίς τον παραμικρό φόβο κατηχούσε τους νέους της πόλης, εμπνέοντας σ αυτούς τη χριστιανική πίστη. Η δραστηριότητα του Δημητρίου καταγγέλθηκε στο Διοκλητιανό, ο οποίος τον κάλεσε στα ανάκτορα. Ο Δημήτριος δήλωσε στο Διοκλητιανό ότι πράγματι είναι χριστιανός, διότι μόνο η θρησκεία του Χριστού παρέχει ηθική λύτρωση και αιώνια ζωή. Τότε ο Διοκλητιανός διέταξε και τον έκλεισαν στη φυλακή. Αλλά τις ημέρες εκείνες γίνονταν στη Θεσσαλονίκη αγώνες. Οι ειδωλολάτρες, εκμεταλλευόμενοι τη δύναμη κάποιου Λυαίου, προκαλούσαν τους χριστιανούς να τον αντιμετωπίσουν. Τότε ένας νεαρός χριστιανός, ο Νέστωρ, αφού πήρε την ευχή του Δημητρίου μέσα από τη φυλακή, μπήκε στο στάδιο και νίκησε το σωματώδη Λυαίο. Οδιοκλητιανός έμαθε την αιτία της ήττας του Λυαίου. Πήγε στη φυλακή και με τη λόγχη σκότωσε το Δημήτριο και το Νέστορα. Η δε μητέρα Εκκλησία περιβάλλεται "ώς πορφύραν και βύσσον τα αίματα τών μαρτύρων της", διότι αυτά τα τέκνα της αποτελούν το καύχημά της.

18 GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOTICE OF PARISH ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 26, 2008 An assembly of all the stewards* of the parish will occur on Sunday, October 26, following the DIVINE LITURGY. The agenda will be as follows: 1. Opening Prayer / Attendance 2. Election of Assembly Chairperson 3. Minutes of Previous Assembly 4. Reports (President s Report, Treasurer s Report,, Stewardship, Foundation, 2008 Cultural Festival) 5. Adoption of 2008 Parish Budget 6. Parish Bylaws 7. Nomination of Candidates for Parish Council, Election / Auditing Committees 8. Cultural Festival Cancellation 9. Property Renovations (roof, etc.) 10. Unfinished and New Business affecting the life of the Parish 11. Adjournment / Closing Prayer *A steward is any person baptized according to the rites of the Church, or was received into the church through CHRISMATION, who lives according to the faith and canons of the Church, and who has met his or her stewardship obligations to the parish for the current year. A list of current stewards will be available at the Parish Assembly. Please contact the church office to determine if you are currently a steward or if we can be of assistance in any aspect of living as an Orthodox Christian. A Parish Assembly consists of parishioners in good standing of the Parish who have met their stewardship obligations to the Parish in accordance with the Parish Bylaws. A person whose name appears on the Stewardship rolls but who is in arrears in the payment of his/her stewardship obligations may take part in the Parish Assembly by meeting such stewardship obligations on or before the date of the meeting. If a Parishioner is delinquent for more than the current calendar year, he or she may vote at the Parish Assembly only after that parishioner has met the unfulfilled stewardship financial obligations at least thirty (30) days before the Parish Assembly. New members may exercise their vote at Parish Assemblies if they have been parishioners in good standing for at least three months. The Priest shall be non-voting participant of the Parish Assembly. Uniform Parish Regulations, Article 31, Section 3

19 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! 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)

20 WEBSITE Have you visited the Assumption Parish Website yet - Come and Check it out!!! We have had 1026 visits to our website from 23 countries including Australia, Belarus, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russian, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, South Africa, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines!!! Church info@assumptionem.org

21 Agape News SPONSORSHIP Agape News Did you enjoy the 1 st year? It s time to renew your sponsorship for the 2008 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, 2009) on a special sponsors page. Enclosed is my sponsorship of $25. Please list the sponsor line as follows:

22 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 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 The Family of George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Mary Giovanis Litsa 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 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 Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Scott and Georgia Photiades In Memory of Nickolaus Sluz St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Congregation Tony and Joan Stopoulos 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).

23 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. 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) See Your Ad Here!!! Old & New Testament Orthodox Study Bible! 1st Shipment SOLD OUT List $ $9 S&H Your Price $42!!! Reserve a copy today!

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