Agape News July 2008

Agape News July 2008

PICTURES GCF Golf Outing GCF Golf Outing Vacation Bible School QC River Bandits Outing Greek Cultural Festival Ambassadors Sunday School Attendance Awards

PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, June was a very busy month...greek Cultural Festival, Annual Golf Outing, Vacation Bible School, etc., and, it looks as though we are about to become even busier. Since my arrival, I have been told by countless individuals, Father, you should have been here for our August 15th celebration in the good old days! Well, starting in 2008, the good old days have returned. The doors will be open on August 16 for the Quad Cities community to come and feast as we celebrate our nameday! It is truly exciting to reintroduce this wonderful ministry that is the source of so many memories! It is also very exciting that our 1st deposit from Schnucks has arrived. Together, about a dozen parishioners raised almost $50 during the month of April by doing nothing except buying groceries. Let us all embrace this program. Regarding all of humanity, Christ tells us, It is by your love for one another, that everyone will recognize you as my disciples. (John 13:35) During the month of July, we will do exactly this - a 2nd tray will be passed each Sunday for the flood victims. Let us show our love through our witness and service to those who have suffered in the Quad Cities community. Show your personal thanksgiving to the Lord and His protection by helping those in need. Thanking the Lord for His providence, I remain, In His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Annual Rummage Sale Friday, August 8 th & Saturday, August 9 th 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Great Items from Over 50 Households! Kids Clothes Home Furnishings Knick Knacks Kitchen Items Seasonal Decor Books Toys and much, much more! Please bring your unwanted treasures (and all your extra shopping bags) to the Sunday School Rooms. Contact: Yvonne Constantinou (563)355-2204 GOYA & JOY It s time for our kids to Greek Dance!!! On Tuesday evenings (6:30pm-8:00pm) beginning July 15, our children will be learning to Greek Dance in the Fellowship Hall of the Church. The 1st performance will be at the Assumption Nameday Celebration on August 16!!! Thank you Sherry Kontos & Georgia Maess for making it happen! Youth Mini-Golf On July 26, at 11:00am, all kids and their families are invited to come to River Valley Golf on John Deere road for a group game of Putt-Putt. Come one, come all, and enjoy each other s fellowship. (Cost will be actual cost at the course) Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

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 CANA COUPLES FELLOWSHIP Calling all fun couples...the time has come to meet at Nan s Piano Bar on July 26, at 6:00pm, for dueling pianos, food and of course...great company!!! All of you who came to Comedy Sportz know how much fun we had...this time is bound to be bigger and better!!! $20 per person will cover the entrance fee and select appetizers. Contact John Stopoulos at the number below to reserve your place. Do it now!!! Contact: John Stopoulos (309)314-0328

SAINT PARASKEVI Celebrated July 26th Saint Paraskevi was born on a Friday (in Greek, Paraskevi), and was given this name, w h i c h m eans " p r e p a r a t i o n " o r "preparedness" (see Matt. 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31, where 'Friday' is called "the day of the preparation"). From childhood she was instructed in the sacred letters and devoted herself to the study of the divine Scriptures, while leading a monastic life and guiding many to the Faith of Christ. During the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Pius, she was apprehended because she was a Christian and was urged to worship the idols, but she answered with the words of Jeremias: "Let the gods that have not made heaven and the earth perish from off the earth" (Jer. 10:11). Because of this she endured exceedingly painful torments, and was beheaded in the year 140. The faithful pray to her for the healing of eye ailments. DORMITION OF ST. ANNA The Mother of the Theotokos Celebrated July 25 According to tradition, Anna, the ancestor of God, lived for sixtynine years, and her spouse Joachim, for eighty; according to one account, Saint Joachim died two years before Saint Anna. The Theotokos had been orphaned of both her parents already when she was eleven years of age, when she was living in the Temple. Saint Anna is invoked for conceiving children, and for help in difficult childbirth.

SERVICE SCHEDULE July 6 Sunday 3rd Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy July 13 Sunday Sunday of the Holy Fathers 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy July 20 Sunday 5th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy July 27 Sunday 6th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 6 Ιουλίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Γ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 13 Ιουλίου Κυριακή Κυριακή των Αγίων Πατέρων (Δ Οίκ. Ζυν.) 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 20 Ιουλίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ε της Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 27 Ιουλίου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΣΤ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

J CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday 1 U L 3rd Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 6 7 8 Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center Y 2 0 0 8 13 Sunday of the Holy Fathers Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Philoptochos Meeting Coffee Hour 5th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour Fr. Jon out of town 6th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 20 27 14 15 6:30pm-8:00pm Youth Dance Practice 21 22 Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center 6:30pm-8:00pm Youth Dance Practice 28 29 6:30pm-8:00pm Youth Dance Practice

CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 12 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 16 17 18 19 Fr. Jon at Clergy Laity Congress 23 24 25 26 Youth Fellowship 11:00am at River Valley Golf Cana Couples Fellowship - 6:00pm at Nan s Piano Bar 30 31 Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule July 6 Sophia Mihalopoulos July 13 Katherine Moraetes July 20 Anna Fotos July 27 Helen Petaros Coffee Hour July 6 Michael Kandis Family July 13 Petaros Family July 20 Minas Family July 27 Rick & Maria Krakos Thompson Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings July 6 Gospel Matthew 6:22-33 Epistle Romans 5:1-11 July 13 Gospel Matthew 5:14-19 Epistle Titus 3:8-15 July 20 Gospel Matthew 8:28-9:1 Epistle James 5:10-20 July 27 Gospel Matthew 9:1-8 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 July 6 St. John July 13 St. Matthew July 20 St. Mark July 27 St. Luke

ΜΕΓΑΛΟΜΑΡΤΥΣ ΠΑΝΤΕΛΕΗΜΩΝ Ο Άγιος ΠΑΝΤΕΛΕΗΜΩΝ ο Μεγαλομάρτυς και Ιαματικός 27 Ιουλίου Έ ζ ησε σ τ α χ ρ ό νια τ ο υ αυτοκράτορα Διοκλητιανού και καταγόταν απο τη Νικομήδεια. Τον πατέρα του έλεγαν Ευστόργιο και τη μητέρα του, που ήταν ευσεβέστατη χριστιανή, Ευβούλη. Ο Παντελεήμων γρήγορα στερήθηκε τις φροντίδες της μητέρας του, διότι πέθανε πρόωρα. Αλλά ο Θεός τον αξίωσε να διδαχθεί τη χριστιανική πίστη απο ένα διακεκριμένο λειτουργικό της Εκκλησίας, τον Ιερέα Ερμόλαο. Τότε ο Παντελεήμων, είχε τελειώσει τις ιατρικές του σπουδές, κοντά στο φημισμένο γιατρό Ευφρόσυνο. Την επιστήμη του χρησιμοποίησε ιδιαίτερα για τους απόρους ασθενείς και έτρεχε με μοναδική προθυμία στις καλύβες τους, βοηθώντας τους όχι μόνο ιατρικά, αλλά και χρηματικά. Σε κάθε σπίτι που έμπαινε δίδασκε το Ευαγγέλιο και έφερνε σ αυτό πολλές ψυχές. Ήταν ευσπλαγχνικός σε ακρότατο βαθμό για όλους τους πάσχοντες, γι αυτό και ο Θεός του δώρησε το χάρισμα να θεραπεύει ασθενείς με μόνη την προσευχή του. Έτσι θεράπευσε πολλούς, μεταξύ αυτών και ένα τυφλό, που έγινε αφορμή να συλλάβει ο Διοκλητιανός και τον Άγιο. Τον τυφλό τον θανάτωσε διότι πίστεψε στο Χριστό και τον Παντελεήμονα υπέβαλε σε φρικτά βασανιστήρια, ώσπου στο τέλος τον αποκεφάλισε. Ο Παντελεήμων, όμως, ανήκει σ αυτούς, για τους οποίους ο Κύριος είπε: "μακάριοι οι ελεήμονες, ότι αυτοί ελεηθήσονται". Μακάριοι, δηλαδή, είναι, οι ευσπλαγχνικοί που συμπονούν στη δυστυχία του πλησίον, διότι αυτοί θα ελεηθούν απο το Θεό την ημέρα της Κρίσεως.

NAMEDAY CELEBRATION Assumption Nameday Celebration Chicken Dinners Gyro Souvlaki Greek Fries More Saturday, August 16 th 11:00 a.m. till the Music Stops Please join us for a fun-filled day! Free Admission! Silent Auction! Food served all day! Greek Music all Day! Come and celebrate the Feast of the Panagia like you did years ago. The Classic Celebration has returned! Bring your friends and neighbors and enjoy a true Great Feast, a celebration of the Mother of God, the Orthodox Church and her parishioners you, the Body of Christ!

NEW FUNDRAIZING 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! DONATIONS Thank you to Sophie Minas for donating the Callaway Driver for raffle at the GCF Golf Outing. Your generosity is truly blessed. Thank you to Ken Maess for donating to two skillets for the Loukoumades preparation at the GCF. Stepping in when needed is a blessing. Thank you to Sherry Kontos for donating her talents and time to the Vacation Bible Study program. The kids were blessed to have your help. New stewardship card received from Derek and Sophia Anderson. May God bless you and your household! We offer our whole selves to Christ our God! SACRAMENTS The Handmaiden of God Sophia Spurgetis was given Christian Burial from the Assumption Parish on June 18, 2008. May her memory be eternal!

Agape News SPONSORS The Agape News is made possible by the generous support of the following parishioners: Fr. Jon, Presbytera Doreece and Vasilia Fr. Basil Papanikolaou John and Katie Andrios and Family Steve and Aimee Arvanitis Michael and Nancy Avgenackis Paul and Christine Bagatelas George Bagatelas Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Steve and Vaso Boukis and Family Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Abraham and Molly Chirackal and Family Dr. and Mrs. Costas Constantinou and Family Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Dr. Konstantine, Allison, Evangelos and Daniel Dounoulis George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Michael and Cathy (Boukis) Gaudio Mary Giovanis Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Mike and Helen Haney James Jannes George and Sherry Kontos Georgia Maess and Family Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Peter and Sue Lingris Tom Lingris and Judy Larson Roger, Georgia and Elianna Lovejoy Dr. Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Lubbers Nick and Charlotte Maroudas Anna Marston Chris, Susan, Alaina and Melissa Mekus Michael and Roseanne Monn Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros In Memory of Uncle Pete Panouses Christ and Marena Panousis Christ and Helen Petaros Marina Pikis George and Nancy Polios Mark Edward Prebyl St. Thomas Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church Tony and Joan Stopoulos Bill, Tracey, Christopher and Stephanie Theofilis Rick (Demetri) and Maria Krakos Thompson The Unique Jewelry John and Mary Velon Michael and Elizabeth Weis The Windmill Family Restaurant 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 1190 - Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL 61244 Miltos Diakogeorgiou Jose Zepeda (309)796-0030 The family restaurant where you feel like family. Let us share your special moments in our newly opened banquet room. Dale Melchin Painting Phone: 309-373-1186 dalemelchin@gmail.com Residential & Commercial Painting Thank you to all that helped make the Greek Cultural Festival a wonderful experience for all our patrons!!! 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 $49.95 + $9 S&H Your Price $42!!! Reserve a copy today!

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