Assumption. Greek Orthodox Church. Agape news

Transcript

1 Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Agape news January 2013

2 CHRISTMAS 2012

3 PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The Nativity of the Lord has now passed and we await His Presentation to the Temple and reception by the Righteous Symeon. Although we are moving away from what many term the season of giving, it is important that we, as followers of Christ, fight to keep within us the spirit of the cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7). Wouldn t it be nice if the feeling of Christmas was in our hearts every day of the year? As Orthodox Christians, we understand that evangelism is not purely a function of preaching with our mouths, but also preaching with our actions. It is through our love that we bring people to Christ. St. Paul tells us that those to whom we are philanthropic will give glory to God for the obedience which you show in professing the gospel of Christ. (2 Cor. 9:13) When we profess to something it means that we own it in other words, we are not just talking the talk but walking the walk. As we enter the new year, let us: be cheerful givers to all of creation, offer our time and talent to Christ s Holy Church and to His people, be a beacon of righteousness to all who know us, not leave behind the spirit of Christmas and the peace that comes along with it, set aside our worldly cares that we may receive the King of All! Yes, it is possible to have the peace in our hearts that Christmas brings each and every day of the year!!! Wishing you a Blessed and Prosperous New Calendar Year, I remain, In His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis PROISTAMENOS

4 SUNDAY SCHOOL Students with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed here monthly. Congratulations to: Vasilia Boukis Daniel Dounoulis Evan Dounoulis Lydia Dounoulis Naina Ninan Naveen Ninan Peter Stopoulos Attendance is Important!!! Hit the Mark!!! ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY Bible Study is an opportunity for us to apply the Scriptures to our everyday lives. The Bible is the Good News that enriches our faith and deepens our understanding of every issue that we face. This can only be done through obtaining the mind of the Holy Fathers. Let the scripture come alive in your life today!!! The Orthodox Bible Study 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 PHILOPTOCHOS Vasilopita Sunday Following the Divine Liturgy and the cutting of the Vasilopita on Sunday, January 20, 2013, the Philoptochos will auction Vasilopita for the benefit of St. Basil s Academy. Be ready with your checkbook to make a difference for these children!!! RUMMAGE SALE NEWS It s never too early to donate to the rummage sale. We have made space in the garage to store your clean, gently used treasures until August. Please bring them in a closed box so they can be stacked in the garage. You may bring them on Sundays. Leave them in your car and you can unload them into the garage during coffee hour. JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 st Ashor Chirackal 2 nd Alexa Lingris 5 th Mary Kandis 6 th Frances Kandis 6 th Judy Larson 7 th Vicki Deusinger 7 th Maria Kotrogiannis 9 th Nick Arvanitis 10 th Elaine Eleftheropoulos 11 th Christ Mekus 12 th Elizabeth Weis 14 th Nicholas Kouris 17 th Eleni Andrios 18 th Lee Dokolas 22 nd Effie Constantinou 24 th Bill Kandis 24 th Anna Ray 24 th Jim Stopoulos 29 th Chris Panouses 31 st George Eleftheropoulos Just a few Saints (Namedays) commemorated in January... 1 st Vasilios, Vasilia, Vasiliki 17 th Anthony, Antonia 7 th John, Joanne 18 th Athanasios, Athanasia 10 th Gregory (of Nyssa) 25 th Greogory (the Theologian)

6 BEER TASTING Beer Tasting Saturday, January 12 th 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Featuring Over 25 Exotic Beers and MicroBrews with Greek and American Appetizers $25 Per Person in Advance $30 at the Door Only 200 Tickets Available Call (309) for Advance Tickets! Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline Euclid Beverage, LTD

7 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!

8 Άγιοι Πατέτες εν Ραϊθώ Οι Άγιοι Πατέρες εν Ραϊθώ Αναιρεθέντες 14 Ιανουαρίου Δύο μέρες μακριά από το όρος Σινά, πρός την Ερυθρά θάλασσα, ήταν η έρημος της Ραϊθού, στο εσωτερικό της οποίας ζούσαν χριστιανοί αναχωρητές. Ήταν δε συγκεντρωμένοι πάνω σ ένα όρος. Αλλά την ίδια μέρα, που έγινε η σφαγή των πατέρων στο όρος Σινά, οι βάρβαροι αποφάσισαν να εξολοθρεύσουν και τους πατέρες που βρίσκονταν στην έρημο της Ραϊθού. Ο ηγούμενος της μονής, Παύλος, μόλις είδε τον κίνδυνο, συγκέντρωσε τους αδελφούς όλους μέσα στο ναό και τους απηύθυνε λόγια γενναία και συγκινητικά. Τους θύμησε ότι σκοπός της ζωής τους είναι ο Χριστός και η Βασιλεία του. Ότι γι αύτην ήταν όλες οι προσευχές, οι μελέτες, οι πόθοι και τα έργα τους. Και ότι τώρα τους παρουσιάζεται λαμπρότατη ευκαιρία ν αποκτήσουν τα ωραιότερα στεφάνια, χύνοντας και αυτό το αίμα τους γιά τον μισθαποδότη Κύριό τους. Τους παρεκίνησε επίσης να ευχηθούν, ακόμα και γι αυτούς τους δυστυχισμένους που θα τους σκότωναν. Οι πατέρες συμφώνησαν με τα λόγια αυτά, και όλοι μαζί προσευχήθηκαν. Μόλις τελείωσαν την προσευχή τους, μπήκαν στο μοναστήρι οι βάρβαροι και έσπειραν παντού το θάνατο. Η δε Εκκλησία, κατέταξε στους Αγίους της και τους εργάτες αυτούς του Ευαγγελίου, που σφράγισαν την πίστη τους με το αίμα τους.

9 THE THREE HIERARCHS St. Basil the Great St. John Chrysostom St. Gregory the Theologian Commemorated January 30 This common feast of these three teachers was instituted a little before the year 1100, during the reign of the Emperor Alexis I Comnenus, because of a dispute and strife that arose among the notable and virtuous men of that time. Some of them preferred Basil, while others preferred Gregory, and yet others preferred John Chrysostom, quarreling among themselves over which of the three was the greatest. Furthermore, each party, in order to distinguish itself from the others, assumed the name of its preferred Saint; hence, they called themselves Basilians, Gregorians, or Johannites. Desiring to bring an end to the contention, the three Saints appeared together to the saintly John Mavropous, a monk who had been ordained Bishop of Euchaita, a city of Asia Minor, they revealed to him that the glory they have at the throne of God is equal, and told him to compose a common service for the three of them, which he did with great skill and beauty. Saint John of Euchaita (celebrated Oct. 5) is also the composer of the Canon to the Guardian Angel, the Protector of a Man's Life. In his old age, he retired from his episcopal see and again took up the monastic life in a monastery in Constantinople. He reposed during the reign of the aforementioned Emperor Alexis Comnenus ( ).

10 J A N U A R Y CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday Holy Theophany Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Great Blessing of the Water Family Worship Coffee Hour 6 All English Divine Liturgy Sunday After Theophany Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Affirmation of 2012 Council Sunday School Coffee Hour Sunday of the Ten Lepers Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Vasilopita Cutting and Auction All English Divine Liturgy Sunday of Zacchaeus Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour 27 7 Feastday of Saint John the Baptist Divine Liturgy 10:00am 14 Feastday of the Fathers Slain at Raitho in Sinai Divine Liturgy 10:00am 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

11 . CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday No Bible Study 2 No Bible Study Eve of the Feastday of Holy Theophany Divine Liturgy 10:00am Blessing of the Water :30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study :00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 16 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study :30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting 24 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study Beer Tasting 6:00pm-8:00pm Vasilopita Baking Festival Kick-Off Meeting and Potluck 6:00pm-8:00pm :00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 30 Feastday of the Three Hierarchs Divine Liturgy 10:00am No Bible Study 31 Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

12 SERVICE SCHEDULE January 5 Saturday Eve of Holy Theophany / Epiphany 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy / Blessing of the Water January 6 Sunday Great and Holy Theophany / Epiphany 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy of St. Basil / Blessing of the Water January 7 Monday Feastday of St. John the Baptist 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 13 Sunday Sunday After Theophany 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 14 Monday Feastday of the Fathers Slain at Raitho/Sinai 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 20 Sunday 12th Sunday of Luke (Ten Lepers) 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 27 Sunday 15th Sunday of Luke (Zacchaeus) 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy January 30 Wednesday Feastday of the Three Hierarchs 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy Πρόγραμμα Ιερών Ακολουθίων 5 Ιανουαρίου Σάββατο Προεόρτια των Φώτων 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία/Αγιασμός 6 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Αγία Θεοφάνεια του Κυρίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία/Μέγας Αγιασμός 7 Ιανουαρίου Δευτέρα Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Προδρόμος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 13 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή μετά των Θεοφανείων 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 14 Ιανουαρίου Δευτέρα Οι Άγιοι Πατέρες εν Ραϊθώ Αναιρεθέντες 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 20 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΒ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 27 Ιανουαρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΕ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 30 Ιανουαρίου Τετάρτη Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

13 DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule January 6 Toula Fotos January 13 Georgia Eleftheropoulos January 20 Maria Georgiadis January 27 Cathy Diakogeorgiou Coffee Hour January 6 Not Yet Reserved January 13 Not Yet Reserved January 20 Philoptochos January 27 Not Yet Reserved Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings January 6 Gospel Matthew 3:13-17 Epistle Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 January 13 Gospel Matthew 4:12-17 Epistle Ephesians 4:7-13 January 20 Gospel Luke 17:12-19 Epistle II Corinthians 4:6-15 January 27 Gospel Luke 19:1-10 Epistle Hebrews 7:26-28; 8:1-2 Parish Council Ushering Schedule January 6 th - Cathy Diakogeorgiou 13 th - Matt Miller 20 th - Paris Fotos 27 th - Mike Haney February 3 rd - Denny Mekus 10 th - George Georgiadis 17 rd - Kosta Dounoulis 24 th - John Stopoulos March 3 rd - Orest Akulow 10 th - Cathy Diakogeorgiou 17 th - Matt Miller 24 th - Paris Fotos 31 st - Mike Haney 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.

14 Άγιοι Πατέτες εν Ραϊθώ Οι Άγιοι Πατέρες εν Ραϊθώ Αναιρεθέντες 14 Ιανουαρίου Δύο μέρες μακριά από το όρος Σινά, πρός την Ερυθρά θάλασσα, ήταν η έρημος της Ραϊθού, στο εσωτερικό της οποίας ζούσαν χριστιανοί αναχωρητές. Ήταν δε συγκεντρωμένοι πάνω σ ένα όρος. Αλλά την ίδια μέρα, που έγινε η σφαγή των πατέρων στο όρος Σινά, οι βάρβαροι αποφάσισαν να εξολοθρεύσουν και τους πατέρες που βρίσκονταν στην έρημο της Ραϊθού. Ο ηγούμενος της μονής, Παύλος, μόλις είδε τον κίνδυνο, συγκέντρωσε τους αδελφούς όλους μέσα στο ναό και τους απηύθυνε λόγια γενναία και συγκινητικά. Τους θύμησε ότι σκοπός της ζωής τους είναι ο Χριστός και η Βασιλεία του. Ότι γι αύτην ήταν όλες οι προσευχές, οι μελέτες, οι πόθοι και τα έργα τους. Και ότι τώρα τους παρουσιάζεται λαμπρότατη ευκαιρία ν αποκτήσουν τα ωραιότερα στεφάνια, χύνοντας και αυτό το αίμα τους γιά τον μισθαποδότη Κύριό τους. Τους παρεκίνησε επίσης να ευχηθούν, ακόμα και γι αυτούς τους δυστυχισμένους που θα τους σκότωναν. Οι πατέρες συμφώνησαν με τα λόγια αυτά, και όλοι μαζί προσευχήθηκαν. Μόλις τελείωσαν την προσευχή τους, μπήκαν στο μοναστήρι οι βάρβαροι και έσπειραν παντού το θάνατο. Η δε Εκκλησία, κατέταξε στους Αγίους της και τους εργάτες αυτούς του Ευαγγελίου, που σφράγισαν την πίστη τους με το αίμα τους.

15 POINSETTIA DONATIONS A Poinsettia was donated by Ludmilla Cherevko in Memory of John Velon. A Poinsettia was donated by Helen Haney in Memory of Arthur and Ritsa Mihalopoulos. A Poinsettia was donated by the Dounoulis Family in Memory of the Dounoulis Family Loved Ones. A Poinsettia was donated by Bill and Tracey Theofilis in Memory of Panayiota Theofilis. A Poinsettia was donated by Steve Pyevich in Memory of Todor, Danica and Draginja. A Poinsettia was donated by Paula Baker in Memory of Alyce Carpenter and Duane Weis. A Poinsettia was donated by Pete and Arlene Gust for the Health of Pete Gust and in Memory of Michael and Metaxia Gust. A Poinsettia was donated by Marina Pikis for the Health of Chris Pikis. A Poinsettia was donated by Marina Pikis in Memory of Sophia Kollias. A Poinsettia was donated by Litsa and Tom Gregory in Memory of Pete Gregory. A Poinsettia was donated by Steve and Vaso Boukis in Memory of their son, Jimmy Boukis. A Poinsettia was donated by Frances Kandis and the Kandis Family in Memory of William Kandis. A Poinsettia was donated by Frances Kandis and the Kandis Family in Memory of Angela and James Minas. A Poinsettia was donated by Frances Kandis and the Kandis Family in Memory of Mary Fotiadis. A Poinsettia was donated by Frances Kandis and the Kandis Family in Memory of Gus and Catherine Kandis. A Poinsettia was donated by Frances Kandis and the Kandis Family for the Health of Frances Kandis. 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 1, 2013, and be put on the list. A schedule will be created after all requests have been received.

16 PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Parish Council Meeting Minutes November 15, 2012 Call to Order at 6:40pm with an opening prayer from Fr. Jon. Roll Call: Present: Orest Akulow, Cathy Diakogeorgiou, Liz Gorman, John Stopoulos, Tom Kouris, Deno Kandis, Mike Haney Excused: Paris Fotos, Denny Mekus, Kosta Dounoulis President s Report: John will hand deliver the letter to Bishop Demetrios requesting flexibility for the 1 st half of the year on our stewardship assessment until we are able to get the festival back. GOYA basketball tourney in Omaha start thinking about teams. Saturday, December 8 th Holy Metropolis of Chicago Special Assembly Need 4 people to go (Fr. Jon and Cathy so far). Mike motioned to take the stance of no if the loan for the camp gets passed down to the churches via an assessment. Tom 2 nd the motion. Motion passed. Priest s Report: He is asking all to get familiar with the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Treasurer s Report: Through Nov. 15 th we have transferred $6,000 more this year than last year out of the festival account. $8,200 lost this year to date. End of October balance was $1, As of today, $2, however we are short $1,944 in order to pay salaries this month. Getting through November will be tight December is unknown depending on how much we get in gifts and stewardships that get paid for rest of year. $2,600 is all that s left in the festival account. Tom made the motion to borrow from the Memorial Fund to help pay the bills with the repayment plan of ½ on 1 July 2013 and ½ on 1 July Cathy 2 nd the motion. Motion passed. Minutes: no changes

17 Old Business: Greek Cultural Festival: Proposed June John Stopoulos has ideas for those that would be possible leaders for the various areas. Cathy motioned to accept the date; Deno 2 nd, motioned passed. Wine Tasting: 120 people attended; we made ~$2,000 New Year s Party: Vesperal Divine Liturgy at 6pm; Dinner at 7:30pm. John will talk to Jimmy to help cook. Fr. Jon will call the D.J. It s Greek to Me events We need to decide whether or not we want to continue to do this. Christmas Card Church council to send the Christmas card instead of the GOYA this year. $20 for the Christmas Card. Beer Tasting Event January 12 th John and Paris to plan. Super Bowl Party February 3 rd New Business: PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES Trivia Night February 23 rd Mardi Gras Need to get baskets for the event at St. George St. Constantine & Helen Dinner - May Parish Appeal Church council to send note to parishioners encouraging Christmas donations. Friday Night Lenten Dinners Need to consider this Motion to adjourn by: Cathy motioned, 2 nd by: Deno Meeting adjourned at: 8:16pm 2013 STEWARSHIP UPDATE 37 Stewardship Pledges received for a total of: $55,520 These same 37 stewards pledged $55,553 in a virtually identical amount with an average of $1,543 per family!!! Please take a moment and fill our you pledge card today.

18 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 In Memory of George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Family Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Paula Baker In Memory of Sadie (Elias) Bakeris In Memory of Jimmy Boukis Steve, Vaso and Lynn Boukis Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Dennis and Pam Collier Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Dounoulis Family Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes Mike and Terri Kandis George and Helen Kontos Joyce Coughlin and JoAnn Kontos Anastasios and Dimitra Korovilas Ninan Family In Memory of Christ T. Panousis Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Ann Polillo Steve and Nancy Pyevich In Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Anthony and Joan Stopoulos Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Rick and Maria Krakos Thompson John and Mary Velon In Memory of George and Grace Vretis 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:

19 The Windmill FAMILY RESTAURANT Reserve our banquet room today for your next celebration. Let us help create a special memory for you with our award-winning dishes. ADVERTISEMENTS Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL (309) Miltos Diakogeorgiou, Parishioner Jose Zepeda, Chef Owners Owned by Chris & Kathy Panouses Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 Greek Cultural Festival Annual Golf Tournament 3629 Avenue of the Cities Moline, IL LCV Greek & Mediterranean Food Store Now selling a nice selection of Greek & Middle Eastern Products to the public Noon-5pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9am-Noon Saturday and by appointment th Ave. East Moline, IL Olympic Gyros Open 7 Days a Week 207 W. 53rd St. Davenport, IA Advantage Pest Control Servicing Assumption for 5 years Call Steve Today! 985 Ave. of the Cities Silvis, Illinois Owned by Parishioners John & MaryBeth Stopoulos Gulliver's Travel Southpark Mall Northpark Mall Duck Creek Plaza Todd Bagatelas, President

20 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