Agape News March 2011

Agape News March 2011

PARISH LIFE Assumption Basketball Team Brings it on!!! Philoptochos Lunch The Glendi

PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Each and every year as we approach Holy Lent we tell ourselves that this will be the year that we live the faith and not let this Holy Season pass by; and, often times, 3 weeks into Lent, we find ourselves having made no changes and saying to ourselves, maybe next year. How many next years do we have left? Are we willing to wager our spiritual health on the proverbial next year? Now I am not trying to create fear by saying tomorrow you may die, but I am trying to show that having a relationship with the Lord that has an urgency to worship, honor and praise him not only in words but in action is imperative. Let this be the Year that you...fast to the fullest extent of your ability!!!...attend all of the Church Services you are able to!!! deepen your daily prayer rule!!!...cleanse your soul with Holy Confession!!!...encounter the Crucified Lord with tears of sorrow!!!...chant Χριστός Ανέστη (Christ is Risen) with joy in your heart coming from an unexplainable peace!!! Let this be the Year!!! Praying that you have a Blessed Lent, I remain, In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Way to go 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. Vasilia Boukis Shebah Chirackal Anthony Gorman Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912 Peter Stopoulos Shannon Thodos Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession On Sunday, March 13 th, the children of our Sunday School will participate in a Procession of Holy Icons. Please bring an Icon from home to the DIVINE LITURGY for this Blessed Procession. ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY The Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Monday Evenings from 6:00pm-6:50pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am to study St. Paul s Letter to the Romans. 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!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Have you offered your 2011 Dues? It s that time of year again. Please offer your 2011 dues ($20 per member) to the Philoptochos so that we may support the national ministries. It is important that we have as many members as possible so that our witness at the national level is as bright as possible. Next Philoptochos Meeting is Sunday, March 6 th following the Divine Liturgy. Cookbook? 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. Contact: Litsa Gregory (309)755-0164

GOYA PASCHA CARD ANNUAL PASCHA CARD Greet the entire Parish of the Assumption with Christ is Risen or Χριστός Ανέστη by filling out the form below. Your investment is only $20 to send your Paschal greetings to 200 families!!! The Deadline is April 17th. Please include my name (family) on the Pascha Card as follows: (Please Print) Twenty Dollars ($20) must accompany this form. Please make Checks payable to: Assumption GOYA BIGGEST LOSER Do you need a little push to get healthy? Now s your shot!!!! The Assumption Church is sponsoring a Biggest Loser Challenge that has begun. Weekly weigh-ins that will go through Pascha. The competition is based on percentage lost, not pounds. There is a no registration and for each week weight is gained, a $5 penalty. Be accountable!!! No Excuses!!!

LOUKOUMADES SUNDAY They re Doughy and Delicious... They re Irresistible and Now They re Here!!! Sunday, March 13, following Divine Liturgy. $5 per dozen $3 for 6 Sponsored by the Golden Circle. ASSUMPTION TRIVIA NIGHT Trivia Night at the Assumption Fellowship Hall Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. DETAILS 5:30 p.m. Doors Open - 6:30 p.m. Start Time $10 Registration per person - Teams of 8 Cash Bar First and Second Place Cash Prizes New!!! Prize for the Best March Madness Themed Table Bring your own snacks or buy a Greek Pastry or Gyro RSVP TO JOHN ASAP (309)314-0328

SUNDAY OF ORTHODOXY Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers Come and Celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy as the Orthodox Community of the Quad Cities Area Commemorates the Restoration of the Icons into the Church. The Parish of the Assumption will celebrate Great Vespers March 13 th, 2011, at 4:00pm with a reception immediately following.

GREAT AND HOLY LENT The Liturgical services of the Church are filled with beautiful hymns whose imagery can truly move you. This is especially true during the services of Great and Holy Lent! Don t let another year pass by without experiencing the Great Compline on the Mondays of Lent; the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on the Wednesdays of Lent and the Salutations to the Theotokos on the Fridays of Great Lent. Make this the year that you attend all the services as you fast and pray in preparation for the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Lord!!! Fasting without Prayer is like driving a car without gasoline Fasting allows each of us to create within us a controlled need for the Lord...it is preparing the ground for planting. We must sow into our fasting the seeds of prayer. During Great Lent, pray the Prayer of St. Ephrem...then reflect on its meaning. Allow this powerful prayer of the Lenten Season to reside in your heart, which fasting has softened! Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. Yea, Lord and King! Grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

THE ANNUNCIATION Celebrated March 25 Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most high overshadowed her allblameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38). Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55)

SERVICE SCHEDULE March 5 Saturday 2nd Saturday of the Souls 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 6 Sunday Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 7 Monday Great Compline / 1st Day of Lent (7:00 p.m.) March 9 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00 p.m.) March 11 Friday 1st Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 12 Saturday 3rd Saturday of the Souls 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 13 Sunday Sunday of Orthodoxy 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 4:00 p.m. Great Vespers March 14 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 16 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00 p.m.) March 18 Friday 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 20 Sunday Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 21 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 23 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00 p.m.) March 25 Friday ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 7:00 p.m. 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos March 27 Sunday Sunday of the Holy Cross 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 28 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 30 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00 p.m.) March 30 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.)

M CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday 1 A 6:30pm Festival Chair Meeting (all but food) 7:30pm - Food Chairs R C H 2 0 1 1 Forgiveness Sunday/ Cheesefare Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Philoptochos Meeting Biggest Loser Weigh-In Coffee Hour Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Children s Icon Procession Biggest Loser Weigh-In Coffee Hour 4:00pm - Great Vespers Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Biggest Loser Weigh-In Coffee Hour 6 13 20 27 Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Biggest Loser Weigh-In Coffee Hour LENT BEGINS No Bible Study Great Compline 7:00pm 7 14 6:00pm-6:50pm Orthodox Bible Study Great Compline 7:00pm 21 6:00pm-6:50pm Orthodox Bible Study Great Compline 7:00pm 28 6:00pm-6:50pm Orthodox Bible Study Great Compline 7:00pm Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center 8 15 22 Festival Baklava Preparation 9:00am 29

CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 3 4 5 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study Saturday of the Souls Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 9 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 10 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study Lenten Potluck Dinner 6:00pm 11 1st Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm 12 Saturday of the Souls Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 16 17 18 19 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 6:30pm - Parish Council Meeting Lenten Potluck Dinner 6:00pm 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm Assumption Trivia Night Fundraiser (March Madness) 6:30pm 23 Festival Baklava Preparation 9:00am Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 24 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 25 Annunciation Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Lenten Potluck Dinner 6:00pm 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm 26 30 31 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm Fish Allowed Dairy Allowed

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 5 Μαρτίου Σάββατο Β Ψυχοσάββατο 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 6 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Τυροφάγου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 7 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 9 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 11 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Α Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 12 Μαρτίου Σάββατο Γ Ψυχοσάββατο 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 13 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 4:00 μ.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός 14 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 16 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 18 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Β Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 20 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Β Κυριακή των Νηστειών 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 21 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 23 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 25 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. Γ Χαιρετισμοί 27 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 28 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 30 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ.

DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule March 6 Cathy Diakogeorgiou March 13 Kulla Anggeloplos March 20 Dimitra Kotrogiannis March 27 Katherine Moraetes Coffee Hour March 6 Chirackal and Ninan Families March 13 Loukoumades Sunday March 20 Not Yet Requested March 27 Celia Lubbers Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings March 6 Gospel Matthew 6:14-21 Epistle Romans 13:11-14:4 March 13 Gospel John 1:43-51 Epistle Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 March 20 Gospel Mark 2:1-12 Epistle Hebrews 1:10-2:3 March 27 Gospel Mark 8:34-9:1 Epistle Hebrews 4:14-5:6 Parish Council Ushering Teams & Schedule St. Matthew St. Mark St. Luke St. John 9:00 Celia Lubbers Cathy Diakogeorgiou Biju Ninan Deno Kandis 9:25 Nick Passini Michael Haney John Thodos Lambros Mihalopoulos 9:50 Diane Lamacki Abraham Chirackal Liz Haney Roger Lovejoy March 6 St. Mark March 13 St. Luke March 20 St. John March 27 St. Matthew

Η ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ 13 Μαρτίου Διάφοροι λόγοι και προπάντων η απομάκρυνση απο το πνεύμα της Ορθόδοξης Παράδοσης υποκίνησαν το κακό της Εικονομαχίας, που διάρκεσε απο το 726 μέχρι το 843 και ταλαιπώρησε τόσο πολύ την Εκκλησία. Κατάληξε όμως στο θρίαμβο της Ορθοδοξίας, που γιορτάζουμε την Κυριακή αυτή. Ο αυτοκράτορας του Βυζαντίου Λέων Γ ο Ίσαυρος, δέκα χρόνια μετά την άνοδό του στο θρόνο, σ ένα δημόσιο λόγο του, διακήρυξε οτι η τιμή στις άγιες εικόνες ήταν ειδωλολατρία. Απο τότε άρχισε ένα άγριο και αιματηρό κυνηγητό, ενάντια στις άγιες εικόνες και σ αυτούς που τις υποστήριζαν. Η κατάσταση αυτή συνεχίστηκε με τον γιό του Κωνσταντίνο τον Ε (740-755) και ο διωγμός ξεθύμανε αρκετά με τον βασιλιά Λέοντα τον Δ (775-780) και αργότερα με τη σύζυγό του Ειρήνη, η οποία συγκάλεσε την Ζ Οικουμενική Σύνοδο (787) που άρχισε στη Νίκαια και τελείωσε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη (Πατριάρχης τότε ήταν ο γραμματέας της Ειρήνης Ταράσιος). Στη Σύνοδο αυτή καταδικάστηκε η Εικονομαχία και έχουμε τον πρώτο θρίαμβο της Ορθοδοξίας. Όμως, νέα περίοδος άρχισε αργότερα με τον αυτοκράτορα Λέοντα Ε τον Αρμένιο (813-820), την συνέχισε ο Μιχαήλ Β ο Τραυλός (820-829) και τελευταίος εικονομάχος αυτοκράτορας ήταν ο γιός του Θεόφιλος (829-842), που αποδείχτηκε πολύ φανατικός και μισούσε την Ορθοδοξία. Αλλά μετά τον θάνατό του, η ευσεβής σύζυγός του Θεοδώρα, στερέωσε και πάλι την Ορθοδοξία (843), με συμπαραστάτη τον Πατριάρχη Μεθόδιο. Έτσι την Κυριακή αυτή, με λιτανεία που έκανε η ίδια η Θεοδώρα με τον γιό της Μιχαήλ τον αυτοκράτορα, καθώς και μ όλο τον κλήρο και τον λαό, αναστήλωσαν τις άγιες εικόνες και στόλισαν πάλι μ αυτές την Εκκλησία του Χριστού. Αυτού του γεγονότος την ανάμνηση γιορτάζουμε λοιπόν αυτή την Κυριακή, όλοι οι Ορθόδοξοι χριστιανοί με χαρά.

ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 25 Μαρτίου Είναι το χαρμόσυνο μήνυμα της θείας ενσάρκωσης, που με τόσο σαφή τρόπο μας το παρουσιάζει ο ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς στο Ευαγγέλιό του (κεφ. Α στίχ. 26-38). Την ημέρα αυτή, ο θεόσταλος αρχάγγελος Γαβριήλ παρουσιάζεται και λέει στην Παρθένο Μαρία οτι θα γεννήσει υιό, που θα είναι ο Σωτήρ του κόσμου. Αξίζει, όμως, να δούμε πως οι εμπνευσμένοι υμνωδοί της Εκκλησίας μας έψαλαν το κοσμοσωτήριο άγγελμα: "Σήμερον χαράς Ευαγγέλια, παρθενική πανήγυρις, τα κάτω τοις άνω συνάπτεται, ο Αδάμ καινουργείται, η Εύα της πρώτης λύπης ελευθερούται και η σκηνή της καθ ημάς ουσίας τη θεώσει του προσληφθέντος φυράματος ναός Θεού κεχρημάτικεν. Ώ μυστήριον! Ο τρόπος της κενώσεως άγνωστος, ο τρόπος της συλλήψεως άφραστος. Άγγελος λειτουργεί τω θαύματι, παρθενική γαστήρ τον Υιόν υποδέχεται, Πνεύμα άγιον καταπέμπεται, Πατήρ άνωθεν ευδοκεί, και το συνάλλαγμα κατά κοινήν πραγματεύεται βούλησιν, εν ώ και δι ού σωθέντες, συνωδά τω Γαβριήλ, προς την Παρθένον βοήσωμεν, χαίρε, κεχαριτωμένη, ο Κύριος μετά σου, εξ ής η σωτηρία, Χριστός ο Θεός ημών, την καθ ημάς προσλαβόμενος φύσιν προς εαυτόν επανήγαγεν".

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)792-2912 Home: (309)796-3734 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!

PASCHA DONATIONS NEEDED Icon Wreaths ($50 each) Daffodils (Holy Cross Sunday) ($50) 1st Salutations Palms for Palm Sunday (Donated) 2nd Salutations Holy Unction Supplies (Donated) 3rd Salutations Epitaphion Flowers (Donated) 4th Salutations Gardenias for Epitaphion ($40) Akathist Hymn Bay Leaves (Holy Saturday) Saturday of Lazarus Easter Lillies (30 x $10) Palm Sunday Pascha Eggs ($50) Palm Sunday Bridegroom Ribbon and Toule for Eggs (Donated) Holy Monday Bridegroom Pascha Resurrection Meal ($200) Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Resurrection Priest Candle ($75) Holy Wednesday Last Supper Candy and Plastic Eggs ($100) Wreath for Holy Cross Rose Petals for Flower Girls ($50) Holy Friday Apocathelosis Charcoal (2 x $25 each) Holy Friday Crucifixion Pascha Resurrection Meal ($200) Holy Saturday 24 Blue 7 Day Candle Holders ($100) Resurrection Resurrection (Round) (Donated) Please call Fr. Jon and make and offering today! Donations will be offered in the following 2 formats: For the health of and In Memory of DONATIONS Thank you to all of the parishioners who donated to the success of our Pre-Lenten Glendi. A special thanks to all our cooks and helpers for making all of the necessary preparations. Have a Blessed Lent. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!

STEWARDSHIP 2011 Haline Akulow Orest Akulow Kulla Anggeloplos John Arvanitis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis George Bagatelas Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Fr. Jon and Presbytera Doreece Boukis Ludmilla Cherevko Victor and Judy Cherevko Abraham and Molly Chirackal George and Nancy Coin Stan and Kay Coin Dr. Costas and Yvonne Constantinou Pauline Georgiadis-Cuzmano Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Angie Dokolas Anne Driscoll George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Nicholas Fotiadis Susan Fotiadis Gus and Toula Fotos Paris Fotos George and Maria Georgiadis Mary Giovanis Michael and Elizabeth Gorman Elizabeth Gregory Tom Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust John Haney Mike and Helen Haney Jim Jannes Ellen and Frank Kaldis Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Francis Kandis Mary Kandis Mike and Terri Kandis Dr. George and Sherry Kontos Helen Kouris Georgiana and Patricia Kutrumanes Alex and Diane Lamacki Judy Larson Robert and Bessie Lemen George Lingris Peter Lingris Thomas Lingris Georgia and Roger Lovejoy Celia Lubbers Georgia Maess-Photiades Christ and Susan Mekus Demos Mekus Dale and Erica Melchin Lambros and Lisa Mihalopoulos Sophia Mihalopoulos Matt Miller Bill and Linda Minas Deno and Barbara Minas Michael and Roseann Monn Katherine Moraetes Biju and Sholly Ninan Angela Olvera Daphne Olvera Saki Padazopoulos Bill Panouses Chris Panouses Helen Panouses Katherine Panouses Marena Panousis Dimitri and Kathy Papageorgiou Dean Papanikolaou Fr. Basil and Christina Papanikolaou Spiros and Carol Pappaspiros Nicholas and Daryn Passini Christ and Helen Petaros Jimmy Pliakos Ann Polillo George Polios Louis and Toula Poulimas Steve Pyevich David L. Ray Colette Spurgetis Frank Spurgetis Soc Spurgetis Paraskevi Stamatoukos Anthony and Joan Stopoulos Jim and Kristel Stopoulos John and MaryBeth Stopoulos Bill and Tracey Theofilis Chris Theofilis Kostas Theofilis John and Tricia Thodos Frank Vretis 92 Stewardship Pledges received for a total of $116,626 As of February 28, 2011. Approximately $53,000 to go to have a balanced budget...

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 $38.46 4% $15.40 $30.77 $46.15 $61.54 $76.92 6% $23.08 $46.15 $69.23 $92.31 $115.38 8% $30.77 $61.54 $92.31 $123.08 $153.85 10% $38.46 $76.92 $115.38 $153.85 $192.31

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 Anonymous Michael and Nancy Avgenackis George Bagatelas Family Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Kleo Caras The Constantinou Family Marcus and Barbara Paraskevi Georgiadis Couch George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos The Fotiadis George s Classic Cleaners George and Maria Georgiadis Mary Giovanis The Gorman Family Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes Frank, Ellen and Christa Kaldis Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Family Mike and Terri Kandis Michael Evangelos Karfaridis George and Helen Kontos George, Sherry, Lexi and Nick Kontos Joyce Coughlin and JoAnn Kontos Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Tom Lingris and Judy Larson Sue and Pete Lingris Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Ninan Family Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Marina Pikis and Chris Pikis Ann Polillo George and Nancy Polios Steve and Nancy Pyevich David L. Ray Christina Reed St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Congregation In Memory of Nickolaus, Halina, Andrei and Nickolaus Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Tony and Joan Stopoulos Bill and Tracey Theofilis and Family John Thodos Family John and Mary Velon In Memory of George and Grace Vretis 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).

ADVERTISEMENTS 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. 1190 - Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL 61244 (309)796-0030 COME SEE US AT OUR NEW LOCATION Miltos Diakogeorgiou, Parishioner Jose Zepeda, Chef Owners Owned by Parishioners Chris and Kathy Panouses 3629 Avenue of the Cities Moline, IL Service and Quality Workmanship for over 80 Years 1500 Fourth Avenue Rock Island, Illinois (309)788-4014 Gulliver's Travel Southpark Mall 762-8800 Northpark Mall 386-4400 Duck Creek Plaza 359-6500 Todd Bagatelas, President FULL COLOR ADVERTISEMENTS $400 for 2.5 x 3 $250 for 2.5 x 1.5 $150 for 1.25 x 1.5 Ecclesiastical Year Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 Advantage Pest Control 309-788-1584 Servicing Assumption for 3 years Call Steve Today! LCV Company Now selling retail to the public For wonderful Greek Foods including Feta, Olives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & much more Lambros Mihalopoulos 309-738-6452 Greek American D.J. Steve Makropoulos 312-485-4353 708-598-4353 SMakropoulos@sbcglobal.net Orthodox Study Bible! 1st & 2nd Shipments SOLD OUT List w/shipping $60 Your Price $40!!!

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 4900 Kennedy Drive East Moline, Illinois 61244 Return Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID E. Moline, IL. Permit No. 153