Agape News March 2009

Agape News March 2009

PICTURES Girls Basketball Team Women s Basketball Team Men s Basketball Team Assumption Trivia Fundraiser Go Team!!!

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 His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

SUNDAY SCHOOL Spiritual Arrows All children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark and will be listed monthly in the Agape News! Congratulations to our Spiritual Arrows!!! Shebah Chirackal Bill Kandis Nicholas Kontos Elianna Lovejoy Kristin Lubbers Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos Stephanie Theofilis Shannon Thodos The ones that are in Bold have perfect attendance so far...i wonder how they ll be recognized at the end of the year? Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession On Sunday, March 8 th, the children of our Sunday School will participate in a Procession of the Holy Icons. Please bring an Icon from home to the DIVINE LITURGY for this Blessed Procession. Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

PHILOPTOCHOS NEWS Have you offered your 2009 Dues? It s that time of year again. Please offer your 2009 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. Urgent - We would like to have our cookbook available for sale at the 2009 Festival - please submit your recipes to Helen Haney today!!! Contact: Yvonne Constantinou (563)355-2204 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) The Orthodox Bible Study will continue to meet Thursday mornings from 10:00-11:30am. We will continue the study of St. Paul s 1 st Letter to the Corinthians. Monday evening Bible Study will resume in the Fall. Make this time a priority to study scripture and learn about our Orthodox Faith!!! Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

SPECIAL FELLOWSHIP HOURS GOYA Pasta Luncheon Sunday, March 8, following the Divine Liturgy, there will be a Luncheon To raise funds for a trip to the Ionian Village in 2010. Please help our children in their quest to discover the Orthodox Faith! Donation $5 per person LOUKOUMADES SUNDAY They re Doughy and Delicious... They re Irresistible and Now They re Here!!! Sunday, March 22, following Divine Liturgy. $5 per dozen $3 for 6 Sponsored by the Golden Circle.

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! 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

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 together with St. George at the Parish of St. George, on March 8 th, 2009, at 6:00pm with a reception and guest speaker presentation 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.

FROM THE JAN-FEB 2009. The Priesthood through the Eyes of a Child By Fr. John Bakas It was an unexpected yet moving experience to say the least. I was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in my parish of St. Basil in San Jose, Calif. a number of years ago, preparing to consecrate The Holy Gifts. Just as I lifted The Chalice and Paten, I felt two little hands hugging my right leg and saying I just love you. Looking down I saw a little girl who had apparently broken away from her parent s pew and ran right through the royal gates of the altar screen into the altar and gave me that incredible hug that I could feel through my heavy vestments. There was an audible gasp from the congregation. The cantor stopped his singing. No one knew quite what to do. I looked down and saw the adoring eyes and smile of the little girl who was not more than four years old. I stroked her hair, bent down and kissed her forehead and told her I loved her too and led her out of the altar to her petrified mother who was now waiting nervously on the solea and not knowing what to do. I told mom that everything was fine and whispered to her not to scold the little one. They walked back to their pew, with the little girl looking over her shoulder and waving one little hand at me while mom pulled on the other. At the end of the service while I was distributing the antidoron, the mother apologized for her little daughter s unusual action. Father, I m sorry about what happened and the disruption of the service. But you see Eleni thinks you are Jesus and we ve always taught her that she should love Jesus. With your beard and vestments and the icons of the Lord she sees in church, she made the connection. You are Jesus for her. I was moved to my core, hardly able to contain my tears. Yes! A little girl in her innocence dramatically reminded me of the true essence of my priestly calling. I was Jesus to little Eleni. I was humbled beyond explanation. Eleni re-taught me the meaning of my priesthood. I was to be Christlike- typos Christou. I spent the rest of that Sunday afternoon reflecting on the experience and the direction of my priesthood. Priests are pulled in so many directions in our daily parish life. We are theologians, pastors, fund raisers, social activities coordinators, administrators, public relations experts, psychologists, counselors, accountants, journalists, teachers, and the list goes on. We get so hung up on everything else that we sometimes forget we are priests and ambassadors of the Heavenly Kingdom. We are to be primarily prayer warriors and living icons of Christ especially when we celebrate God s Holy Mysteries and deal with our people in all aspects of ministry. Our parishioners should symbolically imitate Eleni. They should see in us Christ the Priest above all, and respond to us with merited respect and love because of the sacramental nature of our calling. The great St. John Chrysostom on his reflections on the priesthood said: If someone loves Christ, he will also love the priest, no matter what sort of man the priest is, because the awe inspiring mysteries take place through him. He further states: The Father has given all judgment to the Son, and the Son has appointed priests to be full trustees of this judgment.

. ORTHODOX OBSERVER He has raised them to such a high rank as if they had already been taken up to heaven, as if they had already overcome human nature by setting us free from our miseries. This exalted calling is not due to our personal worth or merit but a gift of grace from above. We priests are sinners and remind our congregations of that fact during every liturgy. That is why we constantly ask for forgiveness from the church. Nevertheless, unworthy as we are, we are still useful to the Lord in the celebration of His presence in our midst. As the people of God begin the New Year and reflect on our relationship with our parish priest let us remember the words of St. John. Give your priest what he deserves. By the grace of God he deserves: RESPECT- My priest deserves respect as the ambassador of God sent to teach me a holy way of living to live according to the Gospel and our Holy Orthodox Traditions. LOVE- My priest deserves Christian love that he may be strengthened by the knowledge that the members of the church are with him in the bonds of holy life and unity. TRUST- My priest deserves trust that he may be free to serve the church unhampered by fault-finding and suspicion. PRAYER- My priest deserves my prayers for him each day, that God may bless and strengthen him and make his ministry a blessing to all. PROTECTION- My priest deserves the protection of kindly silence by refraining from repeating in his presence any slander or unkind gossip that would burden him and prevent him from doing his best work in ministry. AID- My priest deserves aid in his ministry in that I not burden him before the holy services (or any time for that matter) with my personal gripes or disapprovals. This hinders the work of the Holy Spirit and his outreach to those with serious needs. TIME- My priest deserves enough of my volunteer time to help in his work, when and where he needs me. I must be a co-worker with him in the vineyard of the Lord The Church. ENCOURAGEMENT- My priest deserves prayerful encouragement when vexations and annoyances make his work difficult, or when he feels discouraged. APPRECIATION- My priest deserves a kindly word of appreciation when his ministry is especially helpful to me and the entire parish. ATTENTION- My priest deserves the courtesy of attention when I go to church that he may not be distracted by my careless actions. Priests, true shepherds of God, are to receive double honor, to be remembered in prayer, followed, and respected as leaders of God in all that is right (I Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7,17).

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 1 Sunday Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare) 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 2 Monday Great Compline / 1st Day of Lent (7:00 p.m.) March 4 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00 p.m.) March 6 Friday 1st Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 7 Saturday 3rd Saturday of the Souls 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 8 Sunday Sunday of Orthodoxy 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy 5:00 p.m. Great Vespers (St. George) March 9 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 11 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00 p.m.) March 13 Friday 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 15 Sunday Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 16 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 18 Wednesday Presanctified Liturgy (7:00 p.m.) March 20 Friday 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 22 Sunday Sunday of the Holy Cross 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 16 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.) March 25 Wednesday ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 20 Friday 4th Salutations to the Theotokos (7:00 p.m.) March 29 Sunday Sunday of Saint John Climacus 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy March 30 Monday Great Compline (7:00 p.m.)

CHURCH. M A R C H 2 0 0 9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Forgiveness Sunday/ Cheesefare Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship GOYA Pasta Luncheon Philoptochos Meeting 6:00pm - Great Vespers (Hosted by St. George) Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour GOYA Meeting Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Family Worship Loukoumades Sunday Sunday of Saint John Climacus Congregational Singing Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour 1 8 15 22 29 LENT BEGINS Great Compline 7:00pm Great Compline 7:00pm Great Compline 7:00pm Great Compline 7:00pm Great Compline 7:00pm 2 9 16 23 30 3 10 17 24 31

CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 4 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 11 It s Greek to Me Tour Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 18 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm 25 Great Feast of the Annunciation Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 5 10:00am-11:30am Orthodox Bible Study Festival Meeting 7:00pm 12 It s Greek to Me Tour 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 19 10:00am-11:30am Orthodox Bible Study It s Greek to Me Tour 26 10:00am-11:30am Orthodox Bible Study 6 Lenten Potluck Dinner 6:00pm 1st Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm Gospel Discussion 13 Lenten Potluck Dinner 6:00pm 2nd Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm Gospel Discussion 20 Lenten Potluck Dinner 6:00pm 3rd Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm Gospel Discussion 27 Lenten Potluck Dinner 6:00pm 4th Salutations to the Theotokos 7:00pm Gospel Discussion 7 Saturday of the Souls Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Assumption Trivia Night Fundraiser 7:30pm 14 21 28 Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Dairy Allowed

ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 1 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Τυροφάγου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 2 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 4 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 6 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Α Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 7 Μαρτίου Σάββατο Γ Ψυχοσάββατο 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 8 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Ορθοδοξίας 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 5:00 μ.μ. Μέγας Εσπερινός 9 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 11 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 13 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Β Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 15 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Β Κυριακή των Νηστειών 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 16 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 18 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη Προηγιασμένη Θεία Λειτουργία 7:00 μ.μ. 20 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Γ Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 22 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Σταυροπροσκυνήσεως 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 23 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ. 25 Μαρτίου Τετάρτη ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟΚΟΥ 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 27 Μαρτίου Παρασκευή Δ Χαιρετισμοί 7:00 μ.μ. 29 Μαρτίου Κυριακή Δ Κυριακή των Νηστειών 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 30 Μαρτίου Δευτέρα Μέγα Απόδειπινο 7:00 μ.μ.

DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule March 1 Katherine Moraetes March 8 Sophia Mihalopoulos March 15 Ludmilla Cherevko March 22 Maria Kotrogiannis March 29 Helen Petaros Coffee Hour March 1 Orest Akulow and Celia Lubbers March 8 GOYA Pasta Luncheon March 15 Not Yet Requested March 22 Loukoumades Sunday March 29 Not Yet Requested Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings March 1 Gospel Matthew 6:14-21 Epistle Romans 13:11-14:4 March 8 Gospel John 1:43-51 Epistle Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 March 15 Gospel Mark 2:1-122 Epistle Hebrews 1:10-2:3 March 22 Gospel Mark 8:34-9:1 Epistle Hebrews 4:14-5:6 March 29 Gospel Mark 9:17-31 Epistle Hebrews 6:13-20 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 March 1 St. Mark March 8 St. Luke March 15 St. John March 22 St. Matthew March 29 St. Mark

Η ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑΣ 8 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".

ANNUAL GOLF OUTING The 3rd Annual Greek Cultural Festival Golf Tournament Monday, June 22, 2009 at the TPC at Deere Run 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start $100 per golfer includes Greens Fees, Practice Range, Cart, Locker Room and Shower Facilities, On Course Soft Drinks, Continental Breakfast, Casual Lunch, On Course Events Sponsorship Opportunities: Lunch Sponsor ($1000) Hole Sponsor ($250) Breakfast Sponsor ($400) Beverage Cart Sponsor ($500) Cart Sponsor ($600)

GOLF OUTING REGISTRATION Name: Company: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: Email: I am reserving a Foursome w/hole sponsorship, attached is a check(s) For foursome(s) x $600 = I am organizing a Foursome, attached is a check(s) For foursome(s) x $400 = I am golfing as an individual; please place me in a foursome or with: Attached is my $100 payment. I can t golf, but wish to sponsor a hole for $250. Company/Individual Name: I can t golf, but please accept my donation of $ Please Make Check Payable To: Greek Cultural Festival And Return Prior To Friday, June 4th, 2009 Golfer #2 Golfer #3 Golfer #4 Additional Golfers for Foursome Reservations

STEWARDSHIP 2009 Stewardship Pledges received as of February 24, 2009 Haline Akulow Orest Akulow Derek and Sophia Anderson John and Katie Andrios John Arvanitis Steve and Aimee 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 Miltos and Cathy Diakogeorgiou Angie Dokolas Dr. Konstantinos and Allison Dounoulis George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos Shirley Eleopulos Nicholas and Mary Fotiadis Susan Fotiadis Gus and Toula Fotos John and Maria Fotos Paris Fotos Mike and Liz Gorman Elizabeth Gregory Tom Gregory Mike and Helen Haney Jim Jannes Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Francis Kandis Mike and Terri Kandis Connie Kappas Dr. George and Sherry Kontos Terry and Maria Kotrogiannis Helen Kouris Alex and Diane Lamacki Judy Larson Tom and Wilma Leon Peter Lingris Thomas Lingris Georgia and Roger Lovejoy Celia Lubbers Georgia Maess-Photiades Christ and Susan Mekus Demos Mekus Bill and Linda Minas Deno and Barbara Minas James Minas Sophie Minas Michael and Roseann Monn Gust Moraetes Katherine Moraetes Ilias and Stacy Nikolopoulos Biju and Sholly Ninan Angela Olvera Daphne Olvera Stacy Olvera Victoria Olvera Saki Padazopoulos Chris Panouses Helen Panouses Katherine Panouses Maria Papageorgiou Dean Papanikolaou Fr. Basil Papanikolaou Spiros and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros George Polios Louis and Toula Poulimas Gregory and Angie Poulos Steve Pyevich David and Brenda Ray Colette Spurgetis Frank Spurgetis Soc Spurgetis Nick and Barbara Staken Paraskevi Stamatoukos Anthony and Joan Stopoulos Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Jennie Tertipes Bill and Tracey Theofilis Kostas and Pam Theofilis John and Tricia Thodos John and Mary Velon Frank Vretis Michael and Elizabeth Weis

PASCHA DONATIONS NEEDED Icon Wreaths ($50 each) 1st Salutations (Donated) 2nd Salutations (Donated) 3rd Salutations (Donated) 4th Salutations (Donated) Akathist Hymn (Donated) Saturday of Lazarus Palm Sunday Palm Sunday Bridegroom Holy Monday Bridegroom Holy Tuesday Bridegroom Holy Wednesday Last Supper Wreath for Holy Cross Holy Friday Apocathelosis Holy Friday Crucifixion (Donated) Holy Saturday Resurrection Resurrection (Round) (Donated) DONATIONS Daffodils (Holy Cross Sunday) ($50) Palms for Palm Sunday (Donated) Holy Unction Supplies (Donated) Epitaphion Flowers (Donated) Gardenias for Epitaphion (Donated) Bay Leaves(Holy Saturday) (Donated) Easter Lillies (30 x $10) Pascha Eggs ($50) Ribbon and Toule for Eggs (Donated) Pascha Resurrection Meal ($200) Resurrection Priest Candle (Donated) Candy and Plastic Eggs ($100) Ruby 7 Day Candle Globes ($100) Blue 7 Day Candle Globes (Donated) Purple 7 Day Candle Globes (Donated) White 7 Day Candle Globes (Donated) Altarboy Candles 4 ($150 each) Altarboy Candle Stands 2 ($110 each) 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 Thank you to all who have responded with kitchen donations. May your offering to the Church be multiplied in your homes. Thank you to all of the parishioners who donated to the success of our Pre-Lenten Glendi. A special thanks to John Arvanitis and his helpers for making all of the necessary preparations. Have a Blessed Lent. Thank you to John and MaryBeth Stopoulos for donating the Gyros for the 1st Assumption Trivia Night. May God continue to Bless you. MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!

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 5th. All funds raised will by used to help our Goya kids attain their goal of going to the Ionian Village in 2010. 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 ASSUMPTION TRIVIA NIGHT Trivia Night at the Assumption Fellowship Hall Saturday, March 21, 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

GROCERY LIST Philoptochos Easter Grocery Sale Sunday April 5 The Philoptochos is sponsoring a grocery sale for our parishioners. The items being offered are listed below. As we have to purchase by the case, some items will only be available if we have enough orders to use the entire case. Everything must be preordered no later than March 22. Payment is due March 29 and the groceries will be available for pick-up on April 5. Filo $2.00 / pound Feta $11.50 / 4 pound tub Feta $23.00 / 8 pound tub Olives $24.00 / small keg Macaroni #2 $2.25 / pkg Macaroni #5 $2.25 / pkg Orzo $2.00 / pkg Grape Leaves $6.75 / 2 lb jar Mizithra $6.24/ pound (each head is 2-3 lb & will be priced per head) Olive Oil $25.00 for 3L can Easter Bread $6.00 / loaf Greek Coffee $9.50 per pound pkg Nescafe $10.00 / can Spanakopita $20.50 / tray of 48 Tiropita $20.50 / tray of 48 Spanakopita $5.50 / 12 oz pkg Tiropita $5.50 / 12 oz pkg Pastitsio (cooked) $18.50/ 6 lb frozen tray See Celia Lubbers During Coffee Hour

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 Paul and Christine Bagatelas Family George Bagatelas Theodore and Karen Bagatelas Andrew C. Boukis Ken and Packy Boukis Steve and Vaso Boukis and Family Kleo Caras Victor and Judy Cherevko Dr. and Mrs. Costas Constantinou and Family Miltos, Cathy and Harikleia Diakogeorgiou The Family of George and Georgia Eleftheropoulos George and Maria Georgiadis Mary Giovanis Mike and Liz Gorman Litsa Gregory Tom P. Gregory Mike and Helen Haney Susan Holgersson James Jannes Deno and Dr. Ann Kandis Family Mike and Terri Kandis George and Helen Kontos George and Sherry Kontos Jo-Ann Kontos and Joyce Coughlin Alex, Diane and Jim Lamacki Thomas Lingris and Judy Larson Peter and Sue Lingris Roger, Georgia and Elianna Lovejoy Roger, Celia, Alex and Kristin Lubbers Chris, Susan, Alaina and Melissa Mekus Michael and Roseanne Monn Ninan Family Sakis Padazopoulos Spiro and Carol Pappaspiros Christ and Helen Petaros Scott and Georgia Photiades Jimmy Pliakos Steve and Nancy Pyevich In Memory of Nickolaus Sluz St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Congregation Jim and Kristel Stopoulos Tony and Joan Stopoulos John and Mary Velon Michael and Elizabeth Weis 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. Advantage Pest Control 309-788-1584 Servicing Assumption for 2 years Call Steve Today! See your ad here!!! June 12 and 13 at the Assumption Church Dale Melchin Painting Phone: 309-373-1186 dalemelchin@gmail.com Residential & Commercial Painting 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) Old & New Testament Orthodox Study Bible! 1st Shipment SOLD OUT List $49.95 + $9 S&H Your Price $42!!!

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