Agape News August 2008

Agape News August 2008

PICTURES 1965 - Despina Raptopoulos with His All Holiness Patriarch ATHENAGORAS 2007 - The Lubbers Family with His All Holiness Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW Our kids learn to Greek Dance for the Feastday of the Parish Youth Mini Golf JOY Swimming

PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we enter into this blessed season, we not only pray unceasingly for the intercession of the Theotokos for our health and salvation but also rejoice in the fact that our parish is named in her honor. This blessed commemoration places upon each of us a responsibility to witness to the entire world our love and dedication to the Lord s Mother. During the first 15 days of August we will be offering the Paraklesis prayers. Please place the names of your loved ones on the enclosed Paraklesis sheet and return it to the Church so that you may ask the Theotokos for her prayers, and, more importantly, come to the Church and offer your prayers personally with the Priest and the whole Body of Christ! I know that many of our parishioners are very excited about the upcoming Nameday Celebration on Saturday, August 16. Remember, to feast, you must first fast. I know that we will have hundreds of people at the Church for the celebration on the 16th; I pray that we will have hundreds of people at the Church for the celebration on the 15th, as well as all the evening Paraklesis services. In times of trouble, we come and fall on our knees on the Solea in front of the Lord and Panagia. Come and fall on your knees and thank the Lord for his blessings. Come and honor His Mother in worship - as we chant each Orthros service, To the Theotokos, the mother of Light, in hymns you do we magnify! Praying that our Blessed Mother the Theotokos intercedes for our health and salvation, I remain, In His service, Rev. Father Jon S. Boukis PROISTAMENOS

SUNDAY SCHOOL First Day of Sunday School Religious Education will begin on Sunday, September 7, 2008. Last year so many of our children displayed true maturity with stellar attendance and participation. Let us grow over last year as we each aim for 100%. This year there will be a few new programs and surprises - so don t miss a class! Back to the Basics This Year s Sunday School curriculum will continue to include the Back to the Basics program. 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 and as our children displayed to us last year, it was truly effective. 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. Ask those who received their special gift last year - it was worth it! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS The Philoptochos will have its 1st meeting of the year on Sunday, August 31st, following the Coffee Hour. We will be deciding on our fundraisers and activities for the year please make this meeting a priority. September brings us the Metropolis of Chicago Philopthochos Luncheon. Details coming soon (don t miss the meeting!). Contact: Yvonne Constantinou (563)355-2204 GOYA & JOY It s time for our kids to Greek Dance!!! On Tuesday evenings, August 5 and 12, and Thursday, August 7, our children will be practicing Greek Dance in the Fellowship Hall of the Church. The 1st performance will be at the Church Nameday Celebration on August 16!!! Thank you Sherry Kontos & Georgia Maess for making it happen! The first GOYA Meeting of the year will be on Sunday, August 24, following the coffee hour. Elections for officers will take place at this meeting. Don t miss it!!! August brings to us a fasting period and the beginning of the school year. For these reasons, JOY will resume in September. Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

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! GOLDEN CIRCLE In September the Golden Circle Group will be taking a lunch cruise on the Celebration Belle. We are currently planning the 2008 Ecclesiastical Year. If you have any suggestions for Golden Circle events, please contact the church office. Thanks for your suggestions. Contact: Litsa Gregory (309)755-0164

RESTAURANT CIRCLE Do you long for fellowship? Do you want to avoid activities that take energy? Do you like to eat? Well, there s a new fellowship group designed just for you!!! The Assumption Restaurant Circle will meet each month at a new restaurant with new and different food options. There will be no planned menus, no fixed costs and no obligations - just good food, good fun and great company! The first excursion will be at 6:30pm on Saturday, August 30, to the 113 Eighteenth Street Rock Island, Illinois 61201 At each restaurant the group in attendance will decide where we will go the following months. All you need to do is RSVP to the Church by August 21 so that we can make a reservation and then show up.

THEOTOKOS PRAY FOR US LET US NOT FORGET OUR GREEK ORTHODOX FAITH!!! In today s society, many Protestant groups teach that one only needs to pray to Jesus. The Church not only teaches us to pray unceasingly to the Holy Trinity but also that it is not honorable to discount the Theotokos and the Saints. The Theotokos and the Saints pray with us and pray for us when we ask them to. Look at these 2 beautiful hymns from the Paraklesis Service and know that the Theotokos saves us with her prayer. Deliver us, All of your servants, from dangers, O Theotokos; After God, we all flee to you, For shelter and covering, As an unshakable wall and our protection. Spotless one, Who by a word, did bring to us the Word eternal, In the last days ineffably; Do you now plead with him As the one with the motherly favor. DONATIONS The Parish of the Assumption offers it most sincere gratitude to the following persons who donated their stewardship of time and talent to beautify the Church grounds: Ludmilla Cherevko, Victor Cherevko, Abraham Chirackal, Ashor Chirackal, Deno Kandis and Mike Kandis SACRAMENTS The Servant of God Peter Dokolas was given Christian Burial from the Assumption Parish on July 22, 2008. May his memory be eternal! NEW COURTYARD DONATION Mary Giovanis NEW STEWARDSHIP CARD Nikolopoulos Family We offer our whole selves to Christ our God!

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 ORTHODOX 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 15, 2008 the Bible Study will meet Monday evenings from 6:00-7:30pm to continue the study of St. Paul s 1 st Letter to the Corinthians. As part of the study, we will continue to discuss Orthodox Feastdays, selected Gospel Pericopes, the calendar, Orthodox Theology, etc. Bring your questions and ask the Priest. This is your time to deepen your understanding of the faith. Make Bible Study a priority! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION Celebrated August 6 Our Lord had spoken to His disciples many times not only concerning His Passion, Cross, and Death, but also concerning the coming persecutions and afflictions that they themselves would endure. Since all these evils were near at hand, but the enjoyment of good things which they hoped to receive in their stead was yet to come, our Savior desired to give them full assurance, evidently and openly, concerning that glory which is prepared for those who endure to the end. Therefore, fulfilling that which He had promised shortly before, that "there be some standing here which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28), He took His three foremost disciples and ascended Mount Tabor, where He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light. Suddenly, together with this dread and marvelous effulgence of light, there appeared those pinnacles of the Prophets, Moses and Elias, who spoke with the Lord Jesus concerning His saving Passion which was about to take place. Standing before Him as reverent servants, they showed that He is the Lord of both the living and the dead, for Moses came forth from Hades, having died many centuries before, and Elias, as it were from heaven, whither he had been taken up while yet alive. After a little while a radiant cloud overshadowed them and out of the cloud they heard that same voice which had been heard at the Jordan at the Baptism of Christ, testifying to the Divinity of Jesus and saying: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well-pleased; hear ye Him"(Mt. 17: 5). Such are the marvels, truly worthy of God, celebrated in this present feast, which is an image and prefiguring of the future state of the righteous, whose splendor the Lord spoke of, saying: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun" (Matt. 13:43). It is because of this that the Kontakion of this Feast is said daily (when there is not a great feast) in the Service of the Typica in perpetual commemoration of the glory that will be the lot of the Saints. According to tradition, the Lord's Transfiguration came to pass forty days before His Crucifixion; this is why the Transfiguration is celebrated forty days before the Exaltation of the Cross.

BEHEADING OF THE FORERUNNER Celebrated August 29 The divine St John the Baptist, who by many miracles was both conceived and born; who was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother's womb: sealed with his own blood the truth of his words and was made a sacred victim for the divine Law at the hands of a transgressor. This was Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, the son of Herod the Great. This man had a lawful wife, the daughter of Arethas (or Aretas), the King of Arabia. Without any cause, and against every commandment of the Law, he put her away and took to himself Herodias, the wife of his deceased brother Philip, to whom Herodias had borne a daughter, Salome. He would not desist from this unlawful union even when John, the preacher of repentance, the bold and austere accuser of the lawless, censured him and told him, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife" (Mark 6: 18). Thus Herod, besides his other unholy acts, added yet this, that he apprehended John and shut him in prison; and perhaps he would have killed him straightway, had he not feared the people, who had extreme reverence for John. Certainly, in the beginning, he himself had great reverence for this just and holy man. But finally, being pierced with the sting of a mad lust for the woman Herodias, he laid his defiled hands on the teacher of purity on the very day he was celebrating his birthday. When Salome, Herodias' daughter, had danced in order to please him and those who were supping with him, he promised her -- with an oath more foolish than any foolishness -- that he would give her anything she asked, even unto the half of his kingdom. And she, consulting with her mother, straightway asked for the head of John the Baptist in a charger. Hence this transgressor of the Law, preferring his lawless oath above the precepts of the Law, fulfilled this godless promise and filled his loathsome banquet with the blood of the Prophet. So it was that that all-venerable head, revered by the Angels, was given as a prize for an abominable dance, and became the plaything of the dissolute daughter of a debauched mother. As for the body of the divine Baptist, it was taken up by his disciples and placed in a tomb (Mark 6: 21-29).

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 August 1 Friday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 3 Sunday 7th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 4 Monday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 6 Wednesday Great Feast of the Holy Transfiguration 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 8 Friday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 10 Sunday 8th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 11 Monday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 13 Wednesday Small Paraklesis Service (7:00 p.m.) August 14 Thursday Eve of the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Church Nameday) 7:00 p.m. Great Vespers, Artoklasia and Reception August 15 Friday Great Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Church Nameday) 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy (followed by Plaki Luncheon) August 17 Sunday 9th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 24 Sunday 10th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 29 Friday Beheading of St. John the Baptist 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy August 31 Sunday 11th Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy

A CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday Fasting Symbols U G U S T 2 0 0 8 Strict Fast Wine/Oil Allowed Fish Allowed 7th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 8th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 9th Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 3 10 17 24 10th Sunday Mt. Orthros 9:00am Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 31 GOYA 11th Sunday of Mt. Orthros 9:00am Liturgy 10:00am Coffee/Philoptochos Mtg. 4 Rummage Sale Set-up 9:00am 7:00pm - Paraklesis 7:00pm - Paraklesis 11 5 Rummage Sale Set-up 9:00am 6:30pm-8:00pm Youth Dance Practice Prayer Service 9:00am at EMCC 12 6:30pm-8:00pm Youth Dance Practice 18 19 25 26 Prayer Service 9:00am at the East Moline Correctional Center

CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7:00pm Paraklesis 6 Feast of Holy Transfiguration Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 7 Rummage Sale Set-up 9:00am Philoptochos Rummage Sale 9:00am-2:00pm 8 Philoptochos Rummage Sale 9:00am-2:00pm 9 Rummage Sale Set-up 11:00am 6:30pm-8:00pm Youth Dance Practice 7:00pm - Paraklesis 7:00pm - Paraklesis 13 14 Great Vespers of the Dormition of the Theotokos & Artoklasia 7:00pm Reception to follow 15 Feast of The Dormition of The Theotokos Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Plaki Luncheon 16 Assumption Nameday Celebration Beginning 11:00am 20 21 22 23 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 27 28 29 Feast of The Beheading of St. John the Baptist Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Assumption Restaurant Circle Blue Cat Brew Pub 6:30pm 30

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 1 Αυγούστου Παρασκευή Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 3 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ζ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 4 Αυγούστου Δευτέρα Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 6 Αυγούστου Τετάρτη Η Μεταμόρφωσις του Κυρίου 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 8 Αυγούστου Παρασκευή Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 10 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή Η του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 11 Αυγούστου Δευτέρα Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 13 Αυγούστου Τετάρτη Μικρή Παράκλησις 7:00 μ.μ. 14 Αυγούστου Πέμπτη Προεόρτια Κοιμήσεως Θεοτόκου 7:00 μ.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός (και Αρτοκλασία) 15 Αυγούστου Παρασκευή Η Κοίμησης της Θεοτόκου 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 17 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή Θ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 24 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή Ι του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 29 Αυγούστου Παρασκευή Αποτομή Κεφάλης Αγίου Προδρόμου 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 31 Αυγούστου Κυριακή Κυριακή ΙΑ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule August 3 Paraskevi Stamatoukos August 10 Maria Georgiadis August 17 Toula Poulimas August 24 Elaine Eleftheropoulos August 31 Litsa Gregory Coffee Hour August 3 Stopoulos Family August 10 Not yet reserved August 17 Weis Family August 24 Not yet reserved August 31 Not yet reserved Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings August 3 Gospel Matthew 9:27-35 Epistle Romans 15:1-7 August 10 Gospel Matthew 14:14-22 Epistle I Corinthians 1:10-17 August 17 Gospel Matthew 14:22-34 Epistle I Corinthians 3:9-17 August 24 Gospel Matthew 17:14-23 Epistle I Corinthians 4:9-16 August 31 Gospel Matthew 18:23-35 Epistle Hebrews 9:1-7 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 August 3 St. John August 10 St. Matthew August 17 St. Mark August 24 St. Luke August 31 St. John

Η ΜΕΤΑΜΟΡΦΩΣΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ 6 Αυγούστου Κ α τ ά τ η δ ι ή γ η σ η τ ω ν Ευαγγελιστών, ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός πήρε απο τους μαθητές τον Πέτρο, τον Ιωάννη και τον Ιάκοβω και ανέβηκε στο όρος Θαβώρ για να προσευχηθεί. Οι τρείς μαθητές Του, όπως ήταν κουρασμένοι απο τη δύσκολη ανάβαση στο Θαβώρ και ενώ κάθησαν να ξεκουρασθούν, έπεσα ν σε βαθύ ύπνο. Όταν, όμως, ξύπνησαν, αντίκρυσαν απροσδόκητο και εξαίσιο θέαμα. Το πρόσωπο του Κυρίου άστραφτε σαν τον ήλιο, και τα φορέματά Του ήταν λευκά σαν το φώς. Τον περιστοίχιζαν δε και συνομιλούσαν μαζί Του δυό άνδρες, ο Μωϋσής και ο Ηλίας. Αφού οι μαθητές συνήλθαν κάπως απο την έκπληξη, ο πάντα ενθουσιώδης, Πέτρος, θέλοντας να διατηρηθεί αυτή η αγία μέθη που προκαλούσε η ακτινοβολία του Κυρίου, ικετευτικά είπε να στήσουν τρείς σκηνές. Μία για τον Κύριο, μία για το Μωϋσή και μία για τον Ηλία. Πρίν προλάβει, όμως, να τελειώσει τη φράση του, ήλθε σύννεφο που τους σκέπασε και μέσα απ αυτό ακούστηκε φωνή που έλεγε: "Ούτος έστιν ο υιός μου ο αγαπητός, αυτού ακούετε". Δηλαδή, Αυτός είναι ο Υιός μου ο αγαπητός, που τον έστειλα για να σωθεί ο κόσμος. Αυτόν να ακούτε. Οφείλουμε, λοιπόν, και εμείς όχι μόνο να Τον ακούμε, αλλά και να Τον υπακούμε. Σε οποιοδήποτε δρόμο μας φέρει, είμαστε υποχρεωμένοι να πειθαρχούμε.

Η ΚΟΙΜΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 15 Αυγούστου Όπως είναι γνωστό, επάνω απο το Σταυρό ο Κύριός μας Ιησούς Χριστός, έδωσε εντολή και την Παναγία μητέρα του παρέλαβε ο Ιωάννης ο Ευαγγελιστής στο σπίτι του, όπου διέμενε μαζί με τον αδελφό του Ιάκωβο και τη μητέρα του Σαλώμη, συγγενή της Θεοτόκου. Όταν δε ήλθε η στιγμή να τελειώσει την επίγεια ζωή της, άγγελος Κυρίου της το έκανε γνωστό τρείς μέρες πρίν. Η χαρά της Θεοτόκου υπήρξε μεγάλη, διότι θα συναντούσε το μονογενή της Υιό και Θεό όλων των ανθρώπων. Πήγε, λοιπόν, και προσευχήθηκε στο όρος των Ελαιών, όπου συνήθιζε να προσεύχεται και ο Κύριος Ιησούς. Έπειτα, γύρισε στο σπίτι του Ιωάννη, όπου έκανε γνωστή την επικείμενη κοίμησή της. Η παράδοση αναφέρει ότι την τρίτη ημέρα απο την εμφάνιση του αγγέλου, λίγο πρίν κοιμηθεί η Θεοτόκος, οι Απόστολοι δεν ήταν όλοι στα Ιεροσόλυμα, αλλά σε μακρινούς τόπους όπου κήρυτταν το Ευαγγέλιο. Τότε, ξαφνικά νεφέλη τους άρπαξε και τους έφερε όλους μπροστά στο κρεβάτι, όπου ήταν ξαπλωμένη η Θεοτόκος και περίμενε την κοίμησή της. Όταν εκοιμήθη, με ψαλμούς και ύμνους την τοποθέτησαν στο μνήμα της Γεσθημανή. Μετά τρείς ημέρες, άνοιξαν τον τάφο και έκπληκτοι διαπίστωσαν ότι η Παναγία αναστήθηκε σωματικά και ανελήφθη στους ουρανούς. Και βέβαια, όλη η ανθρωπότητα, με ευγνωμοσύνη για τις πρεσβείες της στο Σωτήρα Χριστό, αναφωνεί: "Χαίρε, ώ Μήτερ της ζωής".

Prologue... A BIT OF WISDOM... Gone are the Good Old Days (A letter from Jimmy Minas to the Parish Council, circa 1990) What happened to the days when Assumption was a happy, thriving and prosperous congregation. Where are the days when everyone would work together as a team for a common goal. We worked together and erected a beautiful church (for what!). No one seems to care what happens. Attendance in our church is declining. Remember - not too long ago when we rented the UAW Hall for our annual picnic. We had to cook all the food in the small kitchen at our old church and shuttle to the UAW. Everyone worked together and we had very successful turnouts. Everyone enjoyed working and having a good time. Also, they not only worked together, but they donated all the food and beverages thereby making all the income clear profit. Now we have a beautiful church, kitchen and hall, but we can t seem to get the people to help. All we have is bickering and dissolution. That old feeling of love and cooperation is gone and with it someday the downfall of our beautiful church. Without unity and cooperation we cannot meet our obligations. It is time to show our Christian background and settle our difficulties to once again become a united community. I know it will be difficult to accomplish but I am sure with open minds and hearts this can be done. Without complete unity our church has a very difficult road ahead to meet our obligations. A few select points Someone better come forward with some money making ideas or suggestions to keep our church going. Many of our members are dragging their feet when it comes to helping or donating financially to help preserve our beautiful church. The Philoptochos needs more members to help us achieve this goal. There are quite a few ladies that could get involved. Join the Philoptochos and contribute some of your time. Another good point would be to revive the dinners we had once a month after church. It would be a good moneymaker and provide a means for everyone to get together and get reacquainted and have a good time. Remember - unity is strength. Let s face it, without unity, love and cooperation, Assumption Church will cease to exist in a few short years. It would be nice to have a General Assembly meeting with everyone present to discuss all our problems openly.

...THEN AND NOW Our Best Days are still to come! (A response by Father Jon, here and now) Bravo Jimmy!!! Through your wisdom and discernment you have shown us that you were not only a completely devoted member of the community but also a visionary! Your finger is truly on the pulse of our community. From the time that Jimmy had written this letter to the present, the Parish of the Assumption has made many strides toward reclaiming the Good old days. The attendance of the Divine Services has increase dramatically over the last 15 years, the number of ministries has grown as has participation, and most importantly - there is a sense of unity among the majority of the people. Although we have minor disagreements and there are the few that love to argue, overall we have no lack of unity. Unity though is not enough. Is our unity one of having like minds and hearts? Or, one of complacency? Do we get alone because we no longer love the Church as we should? Understand, strong opinions arise out of strong emotions. So have we reconciled with each other or merely given up or do we just not care? From my perspective, we are somewhere in the middle - we ve come to some agreement and some indifference. So how do we ensure that our best days are still to come? Here is what we must do We must love the Lord our God with all our heart, minds and strength. The Lord must be number 1 in our lives in every way! This means getting to Service on time, volunteering (the festival can no longer be run by 2 people), participating in ministries - in other words, striving to grow spiritually and showing love for the Lord and His people. Each of us must feel as though the Church is our home and take personal responsibility for its condition. We must be 100% stewardship supported. That means that we have to strive to give 10% of our income to the Church. If we aren t there yet, than 5%. If we re not even there yet, than 3%. But stewardship of $500 a year or even $750 a year is not adequate. $750 a year is less than $2 a day!!! How thankful are we? Even someone with limited resources and income can give more than $2 per day. Remember, you offer your stewardship not for the Church but for yourself! We must bring the Faith to the community - not just the Orthodox community, but the Quad Cities community. St. John Chrysostom asks, is the parish your universe or the universe your parish? If we have the fullness of the faith, we must share it! Let our best days be those to come, not ones long gone!

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. Don t forget to come and shop there are many amazing buys available to those who come early!!! Contact: The Church Office (309)792-2912

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!

WEBSITE Have you visited the Assumption Parish Website yet - www.assumptionem.org? Come and Check it out!!! We have had 726 visits to our website from 14 countries including Belarus, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Sweden, South Africa, Greece, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines!!! Church Email: info@assumptionem.org Fr. Jon s Email: FrJon@assumptionem.org

Agape News SPONSORSHIP Agape News Did you enjoy the 1 st year? It s time to renew your sponsorship for the 2008 Ecclesiastical Year!!! To keep this ministry alive, renew your sponsorship; or if you are not yet a sponsor, join the other 50 families and become a supporter. Your name will be listed each month for the entire Ecclesiastical Year (until September 1, 2009) on a special sponsors page. Enclosed is my sponsorship of $25. Please list the sponsor line as follows:

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