Agape News December 2009

Agape News December 2009

PICTURES CLERGY LAITY GOYA ON ICE GOLDEN CIRCLE AT J&D STEAKHOUSE ASSUMPTION BAND JOY AT THE FIRE STATION

PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In the Month of December there is much happening: the St. Nicholas Gifting, the Philoptochos Bake Sale, the Sunday School Christmas Pageant, the Metropolis Christmas Open-House, Breakfast with Santa and countless other Christmas events. Let us not forget that the root of all that happens in December is Christmas - the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this season through the giving of gifts and through Christian Fellowship, let us also take time - if necessary make time - to thank the Lord for His gift to us, His Only Begotten Son, through whom we can achieve salvation. Make sure that time is given to the Church Services not only each and every Sunday, but also for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is especially difficult to leave the presents behind under the tree on Christmas Day and to wait for the big Christmas Breakfast, but this small sacrifice makes a huge statement to our families and all in the community that Christmas first and foremost is a Feastday of the Faithful. I pray that as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord together that each of us grows in our faith. Wishing you a Blessed Nativity, I remain, In Christ s Love, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 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!!! All you need is 80% Attendance!!! Congratulations to our Spiritual Arrows!!! Vasilia Boukis Shebah Chirackal Penny Constantinou Bill Kandis Jim Lamacki Elianna Lovejoy Kristin Lubbers Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS FOR THE KIDS!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS Mitten Tree This year the parish of the Assumption will be helping to keep warm those in need. Please bring mittens, gloves, hats, socks and scarves to hang on our Mitten Tree in the hallway of the Church. Offerings should be for Children ages 12 and under and for women. God Bless your generosity! St. Nicholas Gifting On Sunday, December 6 th, please bring a gift (cost $5-$10) for a child of your same sex and age. The gift should be wrapped and labeled accordingly. Following HOLY COMMUNION, the children will place their special gift on the Solea next to the Icon of Saint Nicholas. The gifts will be distributed to children in need. Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 20 th following the Divine Liturgy The final dress rehearsal will be on Sunday, December 6 th in the Church. If you would like your child to participate, it is important that (s)he is present for the practices. It will not be possible for a child that does not attend practice to participate - as practice is necessary for a quality event. Breakfast with Santa Note from Fr. Jon: Santa Claus let me know that he is excited that the kids of the Assumption are bringing gifts in for kids in need. He is planning on being here on December 20 th to show you your gifts are very special to kids that may have nothing under their trees. Please come and meet Santa for breakfast, and just maybe he ll have a surprise for you. God Bless you all!!!

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Philoptochos Christmas Bake Sale Saturday, December 12, 2009 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Baking Schedule Kourambiethes December 2 Packaging December 10 Philoptochos Christmas Party December 27, 2009, at Oakwood Country Club (See Christmas Party Page in this Agape News) Next Philoptochos Meeting - Sunday, December 6th, following Divine Liturgy Contact: Litsa Gregory (309)755-0164 ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY ORTHODOX BIBLE STUDY This year the Orthodox Bible Study will meet on Monday Evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm and on Thursday Mornings from 9:30am-11:00am beginning Thursday, October 8th. 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)792-2912

IONIAN VILLAGE CHRISTMAS CAROLING The Children are truly excited about their upcoming trip to the Ionian Village!!! In order to wish you a Blessed Christmas, they will be Christmas Caroling on the Sunday Evenings in December. Here is the Schedule: Sunday, December 6 - East Moline and Silvis Sunday, December 13 - Moline and Iowa Because of the many stops that must be made, we ask you to not feed the children but show your thanksgiving in the form of a donation to aid in their upcoming trip. There is no need to RSVP, if we re in your neighborhood, we ll be stopping. The next Ionian Village Meeting will be on December 13 th following the Divine Liturgy where we will roll out an HDTV Raffle!!! Don t miss it!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY Christ is Born - Χριστός Γεννάται Let us now Celebrate HIS Birth!!! Where: Oakwood Country Club When: Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 Time: Cocktails & Hors d oeuvres 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. Menu and Cost: Choice of Beef Tenderloin ($40), Cornish Hen ($34), Grouper ($31), or Chicken Marsala ($30) served with Caesar Salad, Green Beans, Rolls and choice of Chocolate Decadence Cake or Peppermint Cheesecake for Dessert!!! Children s Menu and Cost: Chicken Fingers, French Fries and Applesauce ($10-12 and under) Dress Code: Collared Shirt and No Jeans RSVP: No Later Than December 20th Prepayment Required: No money will be collected at the party. RSVP to Helen Haney 309-755-7935 NEW YEAR S EVE On New Year s Eve, December 31, 2009, we will have a fellowship dinner following the 6:00 p.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil. The Menu Homemade Pastitso Donated by Steve and Vaso Boukis and prepared by Vaso Boukis in honor of her nameday. Χρόνια Πολλά!!!

SAINT NICHOLAS Commemorated December 6 This Saint lived during the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, and reposed in 330, As a young man, he desired to espouse the solitary life. He made a pilgrimage to the holy city Jerusalem, where he found a place to withdraw to devote himself to prayer. It was made known to him, however, that this was not the will of God for him, but that he should return to his homeland to be a cause of salvation for many. He returned to Myra, and was ordained bishop. He became known for his abundant mercy, providing for the poor and needy, and delivering those who had been unjustly accused. No less was he known for his zeal for the truth. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council of the 318 Fathers at Nicaea in 325; upon hearing the blasphemies that Arius brazenly uttered against the Son of God, Saint Nicholas struck him on the face. Since the canons of the Church forbid the clergy to strike any man at all, his fellow bishops were in perplexity what disciplinary action was to be taken against this hierarch whom all revered. In the night our Lord Jesus Christ and our Lady Theotokos appeared to certain of the bishops, informing them that no action was to be taken against him, since he had acted not out of passion, but extreme love and piety. The Dismissal Hymn for holy hierarchs, The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock... was written originally for Saint Nicholas. He is the patron of all travelers, and of sea-farers in particular; he is one of the best known and best loved Saints of all time.

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

SERVICE SCHEDULE December 6 Sunday 10th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 9 Wednesday Small Paraklesis Service (6:00 p.m.) December 12 Saturday Feast of St. Spyridon 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 13 Sunday 11th Sunday of Luke 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 20 Sunday Sunday Before the Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 24 Thursday Eve of the Nativity of the Lord 6:00 p.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil December 25 Friday Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 27 Sunday Sunday Following the Nativity of the Lord 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy December 31 Thursday Eve of the Feast of St. Basil 6:00 p.m. Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil

D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 9 CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday 10th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am St. Nicholas Gift Giving Coffee Hour Philoptochos Meeting Christmas Pageant Practice 6 13 11th Sunday of Luke Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Ionian Village Meeting Coffee Hour Parish Council Elections Sunday School (Levels 1 & 3) Sunday Before Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour Family Worship Christmas Pageant Sunday After Nativity Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour Family Worship 20 27 7 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 14 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study 21 6:00pm-7:30pm Orthodox Bible Study No Bible Study 28 Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center 1 8 15 22 Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center 29

CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Kourambiethes Baking 2 3 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 4 5 Paraklesis Service 6:00pm 9 16 10 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study Bake Sale Pastry Packaging 11:30am 17 9:30am-11:00am Orthodox Bible Study 11 18 12 Feast of St. Spyridon the Wonderworker Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Philoptochos Bake Sale 9:00am-Noon 19 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 23 24 Eve of the Nativity Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil - 6:00pm 25 Great Feast of the Nativity of the Lord Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 26 30 31 Feast of St. Basil Eve Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil - 6:00pm Fellowship Pastitso Dinner following Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 6 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ι του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 9 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη Μικρή Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. 12 Δεκεμβρίου Σάββατο Σπυρίδων ο Θαυματουργός 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 13 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΑ του Λουκά 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 20 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Προ της Γεννήσεως Χριστού 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 24 Δεκεμβρίου Πέμπτη Προεορτή της Γεννήσεως Χριστού 6:00 μ.μ. Εσπερηνό Θεία Λειτουργία 25 Δεκεμβρίου Παρασκευή Γέννησις του Ιησού Χριστού 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 27 Δεκεμβρίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Μετά της Γεννήσεως Χριστού 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 31 Δεκεμβρίου Τετάρτη Προεορτή του Μεγάς Βασίλειος 6:00 μ.μ. Εσπερηνό Θεία Λειτουργία

DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule December 6 Litsa Gregory December 13 Toula Poulimas December 20 Elaine Eleftheropoulos December 27 Kathy Panouses Coffee Hour December 6 Paraskevi and Dimitra December 13 Lovejoy Family December 20 Breakfast with Santa Claus December 27 Kathy Panouses Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings December 6 Gospel Luke 13:10-17 Epistle Hebrews 13:17-21 December 13 Gospel Luke 14:16-24 Epistle Colossians 3:4-11 December 20 Gospel Matthew 1:1-25 Epistle Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40 December 27 Gospel Matthew 2:13-23 Epistle Galatians 1:11-19 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 December 6 St. Mark December 13 St. Luke December 20 St. John December 27 St. Matthew

ΑΓΙΟΣ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ Άγιος Νικόλαος 6 Δεκεμβρίου Ο Κύριος, στην επί του Όρους ομιλία του, είπε: "Γίνεσθε οικτίρμονες, καθώς και ο πατήρ υμών οικτίρμων εστί". Να γίνεσθε, δηλαδή, σπλαγχνικοί προς τον πλησίον και συμπονετικοί στις δυστυχίες του και τις ανάγκες του, καθώς και ο ουράνιος Πατέρας σας είναι ευσπλαγχνικός προς όλους. Μιά τέτοια προσωποποίηση της χριστιανικής ευσπλαγνίας υπήρξε και ο Άγιος Νικόλαος. Γεννήθηκε τον 3ο αιώνα μ.χ. στα Πάταρα της Λυκίας, από γονείς ευσεβείς και πλουσίους. Όμως, σε νεαρή ηλικία έμεινε ορφανός και κληρονόμος μιάς μεγάλης περιουσίας. Αλλά ο Νικόλαος, εμπνευόμενος από φιλάνθρωπα συναισθήματα, διέθετε την περιουσία του για να ανακουφίζει άπορα ορφανά, φτωχούς, χήρες, στενοχωρημένους οικογενειάρχες. Ένας, μάλιστα, θα διέφθειρε τις τρείς κόρες του, προκειμένου να εξασφαλίσει χρήματα. Όταν το έμαθε αυτό ο Νικόλαος, μυστικά σε τρείς νύκτες εξασφάλισε την προίκα τριών κοριτσιών, αφήνοντας 100 χρυσά φλουριά στην κάθε μία. Έτσι, οι τρείς κόρες αποκατατσάθηκαν και γλύτωσαν από βέβαιη διαφθορά. Έπειτα ο Νικόλαος, μετά από ένα ταξίδι του στην Ιερουσαλήμ, χειροτονήθηκε ιερέας στα Πάταρα. Και όταν απεβίωσε ο τότε Αρχιεπέσκοπος Μύρων της Λυκίας, οι επίσκοποι, δια θεϊκής αποκαλύψεως, έκαναν Αρχιεπίσκοπο το Νικόλαο. Από τη νέα του θέση ο Νικόλαος επεξέτεινε τους αγώνες του για την προστασία τών φτωχών και τών απόρων. Έκανε πολλά θαύματα και ήταν σημαντική η συμμετοχή του στην Α Οικουμενική Σύνοδο. Πέθανε ειρηνικά το έτος 330 μ.χ.

DONATIONS Please call Fr. Jon if you would like to donate a Poinsettia ($20), which will adorn our Church for Christmas. Donations for Poinsettias should be offered in one of the following formats: Offered for the Health of Offered in Memory of MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS Parish Council Elections will take place on Sunday, December 13, 2009, following the Divine Liturgy and will remain open for 30 minutes. As defined by the UPR and the Parish Bylaws, the Parish Council consists of the Priest, as the head of the Parish, and 12 elected lay members. Each year 6 members will be elected to serve a two year term. Nominated for the 2010-2011 term at the Parish General Assembly held on November 15, 2009, were the following candidates: Celia Lubbers Abraham Chirackal Deno Kandis Diane Lamacki Nick Passini Chris Panouses John Thodos

COMMEMORATIVE ALBUM It s more than an Album...it s a pictorial history of our Beloved Parish. You are submitting your pictures and they will be printed in full color. It s also going to have a section dedicated to pictures from the Consecration and a section for you to put your message. All pages will be in full color!!! Commemorative Album Don t miss out - The album quantity is going to be based on the preorders. In honor of you, the parishioners of the Assumption, the book is being offered at $75. COMMEMORATIVE ALBUM Do you have pictures that document our Parish s life? If so, please bring them to the Church in an envelope with your name on it (so that they may be returned to you) and we will scan them for possible use in the 90th Anniversary and Consecration Commemorative Album. We need your help to make the Album a true pictorial history of our Blessed Parish of the Assumption. Please submit your photos for the Commemorative Album as soon as possible. Pictures can be mailed or brought to the Church, or emailed to info@assumptionem.org Thank you for your help!

ALBUM SPONSORSHIP Don t miss this opportunity to extend your congratulations in our All-Color Consecration Commemorative Album. This volume will contain an extensive number of pictures from the beginning of the parish to the present, including the Blessed Consecration. Name: Address: Phone Number: Email: Gold Page ($600, includes a complementary album) Silver Page ($500, includes a complementary album) Full Page ($300) Half Page ($200) Quarter Page ($150) Benefactor ($100) Patron ($50) Please Note: Full color photos may be submitted for full, half and quarter pages (quarter pages must use portrait oriented photos). Electronic pictures are preferred and should be sent to info@assumptionem.org. Please Print Wishing our Assumption Church Family the Lord s Blessings for the Deadline: December 30, 2009 Consecration and 90th Anniversary of the Parish.

ASSUMPTION TRIVIA NIGHT Trivia Night at the Assumption Fellowship Hall Saturday, January 17, 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)314-0328 HOME BLESSINGS Following Epiphany Fr. Jon will be blessing the homes and business of the Parishioners who so request. If you would like your home or business blessed, please call the church prior to January 1, 2010,and be put on the list. A schedule will be created after all requests have been received.

PARISH CHRISTMAS CARD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD With the change of the color of the trees and the drop in temperature, there is not doubt that Christmas is on its way. Save time, energy and postage while supporting our GOYA Kids who will be using this Christmas Card as a fundraiser for travel to the Ionian Village Camp in Greece. Wish a Blessed Christmas to the entire Parish of the Assumption by filling out the form below or by visiting the GOYA table at the Coffee Hour after the Divine Liturgy. Your investment is only $20 to send your greetings to 200 families!!! The Deadline is December 6th. ASSUMPTION CHURCH CHRISTMAS CARD APPLICATION Please include my name (family) on the Christmas Card as follows: (Please Print) Twenty Dollars ($20) must accompany this form. Please make Checks payable to: Assumption GOYA Send to: 4900 Kennedy Drive, East Moline, Illinois 61244 Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

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 George Bagatelas Paul and Christine Bagatelas Family Theodore and Karen Bagatelas In Memory of Jimmy Boukis Steve, Vaso and Lynn Boukis Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou The Fotiadis George and Maria Georgiadis Mary Giovanis Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Pete and Arlene Gust Mike and Helen Haney Christina Iskos Reed James Jannes Frank and Ellen Kaldis Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Family Mike and Terri Kandis Mr. and Mrs George J. Kontos Sherry and George Kontos Joyce Coughlin and JoAnn Kontos Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Tom Lingris and Judy Larson Peter and Sue Lingris Roger, Georgia and Elianna Lovejoy Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Sophia Mihalopoulos Michael and Roseanne Monn Ninan Family George and Nancy Polios Mrs. Helen Panouses and the Olvera Family Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Steve and Nancy Pyevich 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 Rick and Maria Krakos Thompson 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 Dale Melchin Painting 1190 - Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL 61244 Miltos Diakogeorgiou Jose Zepeda (309)796-0030 Phone: 309-373-1186 dalemelchin@gmail.com Residential & Commercial Painting The family restaurant where you feel like family. Let us share your special moments in our newly opened banquet room. Service and Quality Workmanship for over 80 Years 1500 Fourth Avenue Rock Island, Illinois (309)788-4014 See your ad here!!! Advantage Pest Control 309-788-1584 Servicing Assumption for 2 years Call Steve Today! FOOD FOR THOUGHT 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) Copyright Gospel Communications International, Inc - www.reverendfun.com

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