PASTORAL MESSAGE. Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Transcript

1 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. So many came to honor Fr. Basil Papanikolaou and John Velon; so many families have made Sunday School a priority; the GOYA has a renewed commitment to fellowship and growth; and, we have merely just begun so many new ministries: Orthodoxy 101, JOY, Orthodox Bible Study, etc. 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 Boukis Proistamenos

2 PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale Saturday, December 8, :00 am - 12:00 noon Baking Schedule Finikia Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18 Baklava Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28 Tiropitakia and Spanakopitakia Completed!!! Koulourakia, Kourambiethes & Melomakarona 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. Contact: Yvonne Constantinou (563) CHILDREN S GREEK SCHOOL Do you want your child to begin learning the Greek Language? Dr. Vicki Pyevich teaches a Greek Class on Monday evenings (5:30-6:30pm) at the Bettendorf Library. The cost is only $25 per family!!! Classes began on September 17. Please call Fr. Jon ASAP if you are interested.

3 SUNDAY SCHOOL Back to the Basics This Year s Sunday School curriculum is entitled Back to the Basics. True to its name, the program focuses on teaching our children the prayers, theology, expressions and skills of Orthodoxy. The Christian formation of our children is a sacred responsibility given to the Parents and Godparents of our Church. This program is the perfect aid. See you on Sundays!!! Spiritual Arrows All children with attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News as based on cumulative attendance. Spiritual Arrows with 3 absences or less for the entire year will be recognized at the end of the year with a special gift to acknowledge their dedication to Religious Education. Attendance is Important!!! Next Month Your Name Could be Here!!! All you need is 80% Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

4 JOY NEWS Are you ready for our 1st JOY event? It s a great one!!! On October 13th, we will be going to the Buffalo Pumpkin Patch!!! For $6 each child will get to go on a hayride, pick a pumpkin, go through the Straw Castle, bottle feed and milk the goats, and pet many other farm animals!!! What a deal!!! We will depart from the Church at 10:00am sharp. Parents are not only welcome but encouraged to participate. Please RSVP to Fr. Jon by October 9th. In November we will be making Apple Pies for a Thanksgiving Fundraiser!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309) GOYA NEWS Congratulations to the New GOYA Officers!!! President: Vice-President: Treasurer: Co-Secretary: Co-Secretary: Louie Constantinou Shebah Chirackal Kristin Lubbers Effie Constantinou Shannon Thodos The 1st GOYA Outing of the New Ecclesiastical Year will be on Saturday, October 6 at 12 Noon!!! We are off for an afternoon of Lunch and Bowling. (Cost $10 per person, GOYA to cover the rest. We will meet at Highland Park Bowl at 12 Noon) GOYA Meetings will now be held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month following Sunday School (Oct. 7 and 21) Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

5 MEN S FELLOWSHIP Tickets are sold out - so we re having a Private Party versus Saturday, October 13th!!! (Time and Place to be announced) Fr. Jon at FrJon@AssumptionEM.org if you will be attending. Contact: John Stopoulos (309) LADIES FELLOWSHIP It s time for our Ladies to have a Little R&R and Fellowship. On Wednesday, October 17th, at 6:30 p.m. Celia Lubbers will host a Card Stamping Party Please RSVP by October 3rd Celia s address is: 2156 Gretchen Court Bettendorf, Iowa Contact: Tracey Theofilis (309)

6 GOLDEN CIRCLE On December 2nd, the Golden Circle will go to the Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse for an evening of fellowship, fun and food. Dinner is served at 4:00pm and the Show, Irving Berlin s White Christmas begins at 5:45pm. Ticket Cost is $40. Please RSVP to the Church Office as soon as possible. Contact: Litsa Gregory (309) 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) Beginning September 17, 2007 the Bible Study will meet every Monday evening from 6:00-7:30pm to study St. Paul s 1 st Letter to the Corinthians. This book is filled with application that is not only applicable at the time of Christ, but to us today. Come and learn about the role of the Clergy, clicks in the church, pride, spiritual discernment, proper attire, marriage, marital relations, divorce and much more!!! Make Bible Study a priority!!! Keep your Monday evenings open!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)

7 ORTHODOXY 101 I need to make Spiritual Growth a Priority! I have so many questions about the faith! Where can I go to learn more? Is this going on in your head? It sounds like Orthodoxy 101 is for you!!! October Dates and Topics Wednesday, October 10th, 7:00-8:30pm Brief Church History Wednesday, October 24th, 7:00-8:30pm Prayer and Fasting After each session, there will be time for discussion. For future topics see the November Agape News.

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. Beginning in September, a Paraklesis will be offered monthly so that we, the Body of Christ, may come and pray for our loved ones and for the whole world. It is important that we as Orthodox recapture our environment of worship. We are a community of worship and prayer. We must not be only Sunday Morning Christians! We must glorify God in every moment of our lives! Please take a moment and prepare a list of those for whom you would like to have prayers offered - bring the list to the Paraklesis and offer your prayers with the whole community. For those who cannot come, know that the Church is open and that prayers are being offered for all of us. Again we pray for mercy, life, health, peace, safety, salvation, visitation, forgiveness and remission of sins of the servants of God

11 SERVICE SCHEDULE October 7 Sunday 3RD SUNDAY OF SAINT LUKE Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. October 12 Friday SMALL PARAKLESIS 6:00 p.m. October 14 Sunday SUNDAY OF THE 7TH HOLY COUNCIL Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. October 21 Sunday 6TH SUNDAY OF SAINT LUKE Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. October 23 Tuesday FEASTDAY OF SAINT IAKOVOS Divine Liturgy of St. Iakovos to be celebrated by His Eminence in Chicago. Εις Πολλά Έτη Δέσποτα!!! October 26 Friday Orthros 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. October 28 Sunday Orthros 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 10:00 a.m. FEASTDAY OF SAINT DEMETRIOS 7TH SUNDAY OF SAINT LUKE

12 CHURCH. O C T O B E R Sunday Monday Tuesday 3rd Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour GOYA Meeting GCF Board Meeting Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Philoptochos Meeting 6th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour GOYA Meeting th Sunday of Luke -OXI Day Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Philoptochos Bake Day Baklava after Coffee Hour 1 Greek Cultural Festival Golf Tournament at TPC Deere Run 12 Noon Lunch 1:00pm Shotgun Start No Bible Study Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 8 15 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 22 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 29 Orthodox Bible Study 6:00pm - 7:30pm 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Advanced Greek 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Advanced Greek :00pm-8:30pm - Adult Advanced Greek Feastday of 23 Saint Iakovos Divine Liturgy of Saint Iakovos in Chicago Metropolitan IAKOVOS Nameday Dinner 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Advanced Greek 30 November Agape News Assembly Day 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Advanced Greek

13 CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday GOYA Lunch and Bowling 6 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Beginners Greek 6:00 - Paraklesis Service JOY outing to the Buffalo Pumpkin Patch 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Beginners Greek Men s Club Party Hawkeye s vs. Illini Ladies Fellowship Card Stamping Party at the Lubbers Home (6:30pm) 24 7:00pm Parish Council Meeting 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Beginners Greek Feastday of Saint Demetrios Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am + Sacrament 27 Philoptochos Bake Day Baklava 9am 31 7:00pm-8:30pm - Adult Beginners Greek Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

14 ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 7 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Γ Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 12 Οκτωβρίου Παρασκευή Μικρή Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. 14 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Δ Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 21 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΣΤ Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 26 Οκτωβρίου Παρασκευή Άγιος Ιάκωβος ο Αδελφόθεος Θεία Λειτουργία του Αγίου Ιακώβου στο Σικάγο 26 Οκτωβρίου Παρασκευή Άγιος Δημήτριος ο Μευαλομάρτυς Όρθρος 9:30 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ. 28 Οκτωβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ζ Λουκά Όρθρος 9:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 10:00 π.μ.

15 DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule October 7 Cathy Diakogeorgiou October 14 Kulla Anggeloplos October 21 Dimitra Kotrogiannis October 28 Kathy Panouses Coffee Hour October 7 Stopoulos Family October 14 Thodos Family October 21 Moraetes Family October 28 Olvera Family Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings October 7 Gospel Luke 7:11-16 Epistle II Corinthians 11:31-12:9 October 14 Gospel Luke 8:5-15 Epistle Titus 3:8-15 October 21 Gospel Luke 8:26-39 Epistle Galatians 2:16-20 October 28 Gospel Luke 8:41-56 Epistle Galatians 6:11-18 Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St.John 9:15 Celia Lubbers Cathy Diakogeorgiou Michael Weis Bill Theofilis 9:40 George Bagatelas Michael Haney Michael Kandis Deno Kandis 9:55 Lee Dokolas Abraham Chirackal John Stopoulos Lambros Mihalopoulos October 7 St. Luke October 14 St. John October 21 St. Matthew October 28 St. Mark

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 ΕΝΑ ΠΟΙΜΑ ΤΑ ΠΑΙΔΙΑ ΚΙ Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ Τον καλό Χριστό μας πρέπει τα παιδιά μ όλη την καρδιά να τον αγαπούνε. Κάθε προσταγή του, νόμο κι εντολή, πρόθημα πολύ να την εκτελούνε. Έστι θ αποκτήσουν δόξα και τιμή, και παντοτεινή θάχουν ευτυχία, κι όταν πάλι αφήσουν τη ζωή αυτή, θάβρουν ανοιχτή θεία Βασιλεία.

19 DONATIONS A very special thanks to those who donated to adorn the Sanctuary and the Solea with Marble: Thank you to Orest Akulow for making custom number stands for use during our many functions in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you to Orest Akulow, Judy Larson, Tom Lingris and Celia Lubbers who painted the Fellowship Hall Walls. Thank you to Chris Panouses of Uncle Pete s who donated Gyro Lunches for the Painters who were diligently working at the Church. Thank you to Dimitra Kotrogiannis who donated Holy Incense from Greece for the Holy Services. Thank you to John and MaryBeth Stopoulos who donated Gyros for the Ladies as they baked Tiropites Thank you to those who responded to the special appeal and have made a contribution toward the repair of the Courtyard: Fr. Jon & Presbytera Doreece Boukis Nick & Mary Fotiadis George & Maria Georgiadis Helen Karas George & Sherry Kontos Roger and Celia Lubbers Roseanne Monn Chris Panouses Spiro & Carol Pappaspiros In Next Month s Agape News will be printed a complete list of donors for the Courtyard renovation and for the Marble Altar and Solea Floor. Make sure your name is on the list!!!

20 COURTYARD PROJECT During September the Courtyard and sidewalk concrete will be removed and redone to reflect the rendering above (not drawn to scale). This is a necessary project because the current courtyard concrete is damaged and unsafe during the icy winter months. The new courtyard will have a Byzantine Cross as shown, which will be colored concrete and stamped in a pattern. A fountain will adorn the new courtyard. This project will cost approximately $12,500. If each of our families would donate $100, the cost would be covered. Please use the form on the next page to make your donation. May God Bless your stewardship offering to repair His Holy Church!!!

21 COURTYARD DONATION Name: Knowing that $100 per steward will cover this necessary project, I am offering $100 to do my family s part. The Lord has Blessed my family. I would like to give more than $100. Please accept my donation of $ toward this necessary project. I understand the need for full participation, but am unable to commit $100. Please accept my donation of $ toward this necessary project. All donors will be listed in publication unless otherwise requested Please keep my donation anonymous (do not list in the Agape News or the Weekly Bulletin) But remember: anyone who sows sparsely will reap sparsely as well -- and anyone who sows generously will reap generously as well. Each one should give as much as he has decided on his own initiative, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

22 Growing Up Greek in America Saturday, November 10, night only at the Assumption Cultural Center This is a limited engagement!!! Tickets are $50 per person All seating is reserved - tables of 10 may be reserved - but hurry, seating is limited!!! Mezathakia will be served!!! Return the reservation form and secure your table today!!!

23 Basile Growing Up Greek in America Reservations Tables are reserved on a 1st Come 1st Served Basis - Those who reply 1st, get the best seating!!! So reserve your table today!!! As of August 1st, This Event is now open to the public!!! Reservation Name I would like to reserve a table of 10. Attached is a check for $500 I would like to reserve a table of 10. I will come to the Church Office in the next 14 days and pay with MasterCard / Visa. I would like to reserve tickets at $50 each. Attached is a check for $ I would like to reserve tickets at $50 each. I will come to the Church Office in the next 14 days and pay with MasterCard / Visa. For Office Use Only Date Reserved Date Paid MasterCard Visa Check #

24 ST. GEORGE PHILOPTOCHOS A Special Invitation from the Ladies of Saint George...