Agape News June 2009

Agape News June 2009

PICTURES FLOWERGIRLS & ALTARBOYS SERVING ON HOLY FRIDAY EVENING SOUVLAKI PREPERATION SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AWARDS CONGRATULATIONS KIDS!!! SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

PASTORAL MESSAGE Dear Parishioners, As we end the Religious Education year, let us reflect. We expanded from 1 Orthodox Bible Study to 2 with a growth in attendance; we grew from having no children with perfect attendance in 2008 to 4 in 2009; and, the number of children with 3 or less absences grew dramatically. Religious education is alive and growing at the Assumption - let us continue the trend in 2010. I believe that when we look back, 2009 we be one of those years when the momentum of the parish shifted. At the Parish level, this year has brought us thus far the introduction of It s Greek to Me tours, Assumption Trivia Nights, a Building Fund and a Memorial Fund. Soon, we will be celebrating together as the Church is finally consecrated. Even more importantly, at the level of individual spiritual growth, the number of confessions has risen dramatically and many have begun to understand the importance of the Spiritual Father. I am truly proud of the growth I have witnessed. It is through our spiritual growth and participation in the sacraments that we... become luminaries for all to see!!!...witness to the world!!!...show that we are One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!!! In His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos

SUNDAY SCHOOL Spiritual Arrows Children with cumulative attendance of 80% or better have hit the mark!!! Congratulations to our Spiritual Arrows!!! Shebah Chirackal Bill Kandis Lexi Kontos Nicholas Kontos Elianna Lovejoy Kristin Lubbers Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912 Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos Shannon Thodos Stephanie Thodos Congratulations to our kids with near perfect Attendance With 3 Absences Shannon Thodos and Stephanie Thodos With 1 Absence Shebah Chirackal With Perfect Attendance!!! Naina Biju Ninan Naveen Biju Ninan Peter Stopoulos Tony Stopoulos

GREEK CULTURAL FESTIVAL Friday, June 12 & Saturday, June 13 New for 2009!!! New Location - The Church Grounds! Pastitsio Dinner on Friday Night! Chicken Dinner on Saturday Night! Church Tours! Discount Coupons for Kids and Seniors for Saturday Afternoon! A Drive Thru! New Food Items Once Again Sponsored by: Want to Volunteer? Contact a Chairperson Today!!!

PENTECOST Celebrated June 7 th Such, therefore, are the reasons for the feast of Pentecost: the coming of the All-holy Spirit into the world, the completion of the Lord Jesus Christ's promise, and the fulfillment of the hope of the sacred disciples, which we celebrate today. This is the final feast of the great mystery and dispensation of God's incarnation. On this last, and great, and saving day of Pentecost, the Apostles of the Savior, who were unlearned fishermen, made wise now of a sudden by the Holy Spirit, clearly and with divine authority spoke the heavenly doctrines. They became heralds of the truth and teachers of the whole world. On this day they were ordained and began their apostleship, of which the salvation of those three thousand souls in one day was the comely and marvelous first fruit. That which came to pass at Pentecost, then, was the ordination of the Apostles, the commencement of the apostolic preaching to the nations, and the inauguration of the priesthood of the new Israel. Therefore, together with the baptism of the Holy Spirit which came upon them who were present in the upper chamber, which the Lord had foretold as recorded in the Acts, "ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence" (Acts 1:5), the Apostles were also appointed and raised to the high priestly rank, according to Saint John Chrysostom. On this day commenced the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by which we become "partakers of the Divine Nature" (II Peter 1:4). For before Pentecost, it is said of the Apostles and disciples only that they abode in "prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14); it is only after the coming of the Holy Spirit that they persevered in the "breaking of bread," that is, the communion of the Holy Mysteries- "and in prayer" (Acts 2:42).

ST. PAUL Celebrated June 29 th Paul, the chosen vessel of Christ, the glory of the Church, the Apostle of the Nations and teacher of the whole world, was a Jew by race, of the tribe of Benjamin, having Tarsus as his homeland. He was a Roman citizen, fluent in the Greek language, an expert in knowledge of the Law. For this cause, from the beginning, Paul was a most fervent zealot for the traditions of the Jews and a great persecutor of the Church of Christ; at that time, his name was Saul. In his great passion of rage and fury against the disciples of the Lord, he went to Damascus bearing letters of introduction from the high priest. His intention was to bring the disciples of Christ back to Jerusalem in bonds. As he was approaching Damascus, about midday there suddenly shone upon him a light from Heaven. Falling on the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" And he asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And that heavenly voice and brilliance made him tremble, and he was blinded for a time. He was led by the hand into the city, and on account of a divine revelation to the Apostle Ananias, he was baptized by him, and both his bodily and spiritual eyes were opened to the knowledge of the Sun of Righteousness. And straightway- O wondrous transformation! - beyond all expectation, he spoke with boldness in the synagogues, proclaiming that "Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 9:1-21). As for his zeal in preaching the Gospel after these things had come to pass, as for his unabating labors and afflictions of diverse kinds, the wounds, the prisons, the bonds, the beatings, the stonings, the shipwrecks, the journeys, the perils on land, on sea, in cities, in wildernesses, the continual vigils, the daily fasting, the hunger, the thirst, the nakedness, and all those other things that he endured for the Name of Christ, and which he underwent before nations and kings and the Israelites, and above all, his care for all the churches, his fiery longing for the salvation of all, whereby he became all things to all men, that he might save them all if possible, and because of which, with his heart aflame, he continuously traveled throughout all parts, visiting them all, and like a bird of heaven flying from Asia and Europe, the West and East, neither staying nor abiding in any one place - all these things are related in the Book of the Acts, and as he himself tells them in his Epistles. Having completed the work of his ministry, he likewise ended his life in martyrdom when he was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero, at the same time, some say, when Peter was crucified.

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 June 6 Saturday Saturday of the Souls 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy June 7 Sunday Sunday of Holy Pentecost 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy June 14 Sunday Sunday of All Saints 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy June 17 Wednesday Small Paraklesis (6:00 p.m.) June 21 Sunday 2nd Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy June 28 Sunday 3rd Sunday of Matthew 9:00 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy June 29 Monday Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul 9:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΙΕΡΩΝ ΑΚΟΛΟΥΘΙΩΝ 6 Ιουνίου Σάββατο Ψυχοσάββατο 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος / 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 7 Ιουνίου Κυριακή Κυριακή της Πεντηκοστής 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος / 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 14 Ιουνίου Κυριακή Κυριακή των Αγίων Πατέρων 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος / 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 17 Ιουνίου Τετάρτη Μικρή Παράκλησις 6:00 μ.μ. 21 Ιουνίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Β του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος / 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 28 Ιουνίου Κυριακή Κυριακή Γ του Ματθαίου 9:00 π.μ. Όρθρος / 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία 29 Ιουνίου Δευτέρα Απόστολοι Πετρός και Παύλος 9:30 π.μ. Όρθρος / 10:00 π.μ. Θεία Λειτουργία

J CHURCH. Sunday Monday Tuesday 1 2 U 4:00pm - 7:00pm Souvlaki Preparation N Sunday of Holy Pentecost Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour My Life in Ruins Fellowship 7 8 9 E Sunday of All Saints Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 14 15 16 2 0 0 9 2nd Sunday of Matthew Father s Day Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 3rd Sunday of Matthew Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Coffee Hour 21 28 Greek Cultural Festival 3rd Annual Golf Tournament at TPC Deere Run 22 29 Feast of Saints Peter & Paul Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 23 30

CALENDAR Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 4 5 6 Saturday of the Souls Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy 10:00am 3:00pm - Golf Outing Committee Meeting 4:00pm - 7:00pm Souvlaki Skewering 10 11 12 Greek Cultural Festival 5pm - 11pm 13 Greek Cultural Festival 11am - 11pm 17 18 19 20 Paraklesis Service 6:00pm 7:00pm - Parish Council Meeting 24 25 26 27 + Sacrament Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free

DIAKONIA Prosforo Schedule June 7 Litsa Gregory June 14 Elaine Eleftheropoulos June 21 Marena Panousis June 28 Kulla Anggeloplos Coffee Hour June 7 Not Yet Reserved June 14 Not Yet Reserved June 21 Not Yet Reserved June 28 Akulow Family Sunday Gospel and Epistle Readings June 10 Gospel John 7:37-8:12 Epistle Acts 2:1-11 June 17 Gospel Matthew 4:5-42 Epistle James 5:10-20 June 24 Gospel Matthew 4:18-23 Epistle Romans 2:10-16 June 31 Gospel Matthew 6:22-33 Epistle Romans 5:1-11 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 June 7 St. John June 14 St. Matthew June 21 St. Mark June 28 St. Luke

DONATIONS Thank you to Derek and Sophia Anderson for offering 5 Easter Lilies for the Health of the Anderson Family and the George Eleftheropoulos Family. Thank you to Chris Panouses and Uncle Pete s for donating the Gyros for the It s Greek to Me tour. May God continue to Bless you and your works! Thank you to Tom and Judy who came and offered stewardship of time, talents and treasures as they renovated the landscaping in the front beds of the Church. God Bless the works of your hands! Thank you to Orest Akulow, Judy Larson, Tom Lingris and Celia Lubbers who cleaned out the storage room. Cleanliness is next to Godliness NEW STEWARDSHIP CARDS RECEIVED George and Karissa Andrianopoulos George and Maria Georgiadis Pete and Arlene Gust Lambros and Lisa Mihalopoulos MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! GOLDEN CIRCLE Movie will Start between 2 and 3 pm. Time will be announced Sunday, June 7th. Dinner will follow at the Panda Buffet. Contact: Fr. Jon (309)792-2912

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΠΕΝΤΗΚΟΣΤΗΣ 7 Ιουνίου Μετά την Ανάληψη του Κυρίου στους ουρανούς, οι Απόστολοι και οι υπόλοιποι μαθητές του, καθώς και οι γυναίκες που απο την αρχή τον είχαν ακολουθήσει, η Παναγία Παρθένος Μαρία η Μητέρα του και τα αδέλφια του, περίπου όλοι μαζί 120 άτομα, γύρισαν απο το όρος των Ελαιών στην Ιερουσαλήμ και, μπαίνοντας στο σπίτι όπου έμεναν, ανέβηκαν στο υπερώο, δηλαδή στον πάνω όροφο του σπιτιού και εκεί, περίμεναν με προσευχή την επιφοίτηση του Αγίου Πνεύματος, σύμφωνα με την υπόσχεση του Σωτήρα Χριστού. Στο μεταξή εκεί, εξέλεξαν και τον Ματθία και τον συναρίθμησαν με τους ένδεκα Αποστόλους. ΚΥΡΙΑΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΑΓΙΩΝ ΠΑΝΤΩΝ 14 Ιουνίου Τον κάθε ένα απο τους γνωστούς Αγίους, τιμούμε ειδικά σε κάποια μέρα του χρόνου. Επειδή όμως πολλοί μας είναι άγνωστοι και ο αριθμός τους πολλαπλασιάστηκε κατά καιρούς, γι αυτό η Εκκλησία όρισε, μια συγκεκριμένη γιορτή. Έτσι λοιπόν την ημέρα αυτή, τιμάμε με ευλάβεια όλους τους Δικαίους, Προφήτες, Όσιους, άνδρες και γυναίκες μαζί, γνωστούς και άγνωστους, όσους απο τον Αδάμ μέχρι τώρα απεβίωσαν με ευσέβεις και με τα καλά τους έργα δόξασαν τον Θεό. Αυτούς όλους και αυτές επίσης τις στρατιές των Αγγέλων, πρίν απ αυτούς δε και μαζί με όλους την Παναγία Θεοτόκο και αειπάρθενο Μαρία, τιμάμε σήμερα με την παρούσα γιορτή, προβάλλοντας τη ζωή της σαν παράδειγμα αρετής. Και παρακαλούμε όλους αυτούς τους Αγίους να πρεσβεύουν στον Θεό για μας προκειμένου η χάρη και το άπειρο έλεός Του να είναι μαζί με όλους μας.

ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΟΙ ΠΕΤΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΑΥΛΟΣ Οι Πρωτοκορυφαίοι Απόστολοι ΠΕΤΡΟΣ και ΠΑΥΛΟΣ 29 Ιουνίου Ο Πέτρος καταγόταν απο τη Βηθσαϊδά της Γαλιλαίας και ήταν γιός του Ιωνά, αδελφός του αποστόλου Ανδρέα του Πρωτοκλήτου και ήταν ψαράδες στη λίμνη Γεννησαρέτ. Είχε νυμφευθεί στην Καπερναούμ, όπου έμενε οικογενειακά, μαζί με την πεθερά του. Ψαράς στο επάγγελμα, ήταν τύπος αυθόρμητος, ορμητικός, και η ζωή του κοντά στο Χριστό τη μαθαίνουμε απο τα τέσσερα Ευαγγέλια, ενώ την αποστολική του δράση, απο τις Πράξεις τών Αποστόλων. Έγραψε και δύο Καθολικές Επιστολές, μέσα στις οποίες, να τί προτρέπει στους χριστιανούς: "Νήψατε, γρηγορήσατε, ο αντίδικος υμών διάβολος ώς λέων ωμυόμενος περιπατεί ζητών τίνα καταπίη". Δηλαδή εγκρατευθείτε, γίνετε άγρυπνοι και προσεκτικοί. Διότι ο αντίπαλος και κατήγοράς σας διάβολος, σαν λιοντάρι που βρυχάται, περιπατεί με μανία και ζητάει ποιόν να τραβήξει μακριά απο την πίστη για να τον καταπιεί. Μετά την Ανάληψη του Κυρίου, ο Πέτρος, δίδαξε το Ευαγγέλιο στην Ιουδαία, στην Αντιόχεια, στον Πόντο, στην Γαλατία, στην Καππαδοκία, στην Ασία και τη Βιθυνία. Κατά την παράδοση (που σημαίνει ότι δεν είναι απόλυτα ιστορικά διασταυρωμένο) έφτασε μέχρι τη Ρώμη, όπου επί Νέρωνος (54-68) υπέστη μαρτυρικό θάνατο, αφού τον σταύρωσαν χιαστί, με το κεφάλι προς τα κάτω. Ο δε Παύλος γεννήθηκε στην Ταρσό της Κιλικίας και στην αρχή ήταν σκληρός διώκτης του χριστιανισμού. Όμως, με θαύμα γνώρισε το Χριστό και έγινε ο μεγαλύτερος κήρυκας του Ευαγγελίου, θυσιάζοντας μάλιστα και τη ζωή του γι αυτό. Ονομάστηκε Απόστολος τών Εθνών, και τη ζωή με τις περιπέτειες του θα τα δεί κανείς, άν μελετήσει τις Πράξεις τών Αποστόλων, αλλά και τις 14 Επιστολές του στην Καινή Διαθήκη. Ο Παύλος θέλει κάθε χριστιανός, όπως και ο ίδιος, να αισθάνεται και να λέει: "ζώ δε ουκέτι εγώ, ζή δε εν εμοί Χριστός".Δηλαδή, δε ζώ πλέον εγώ, ο παλαιός άνθρωπος, αλλά ζεί μέσα μου ο Χριστός. Και ακόμα, "τα πάντα και εν πάσι Χριστός". Να διευθύνει, δηλαδή, όλες τις εκδηλώσεις της ανθρώπινης ζωής μας ο Χριστός. Ο απόστολος Παύλος υπέστη μαρτυρικό θάνατο (χωρίς αυτό να είναι απόλυτα διασταυρωμένο) δι αποκεφαλισμού στη Ρώμη.

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

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 Helen Kouris 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 Rick and Maria Krakos Thompson 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).

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