Memorials: 40 Days - Mary Petenes, Right - Row 1
3 Years - Andrew Andrews, Right - Rows 2 - 3

Stewardship Brunch: The Annual Complementary Stewardship Brunch, is being hosted today by the Parish Council. Everyone is invited to Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship.

Stewardship Message: HOW GENEROUS I WOULD BE

Too many of us are like the farmer who was asked, "If you had one hundred sheep, would you give fifty of them for God's work?"

"That I would," he replied, "I would be glad to give fifty."

"If you had one hundred cows would you give fifty?"

"Of course I would," he replied.

"But you wouldn't give fifty out of one hundred horses if you had them?"

"Oh, yes, you would see that I would," insisted the farmer. "Well, if you had two pigs would you give one of them?"

The man's countenance fell. "No, I wouldn't," he said. "You happen to know that I have two pigs, and the question is not fair."

God does not judge us on what we would give if we had so-and-so's possessions, but on what we give now in relation to what we have now.


2012 Stewardship: We thank and are appreciative to all stewards who have pledged to our beloved Parish of Panagia. Through your continued and loving support, the Parish Council has been able to serve as caretakers and deal with the needs and priorities that face our Church. We ask that you complete the Stewardship Pledge card and return it to the church office as soon as possible. In addition, any remaining balances of 2011 Pledges are also due.

Dates to Remember: Sunday, January 15th Annual
Complimentary Stewardship Brunch

Monday, January 16th Adult Bible Study
at 7:00 pm St. Catherine’s
Meeting Room

Sunday, January 29th Metropolis’ Annual
Hellenic Letters Luncheon

Sunday, February 19th Assumption
Philoptochos’ Apokreatiko
Glendi “Black & White
Masquerade”


Pictures Needed: The St. Catherine’s Consecration Committee would like to get pictures of what our Chapel looked liked before it became a Chapel. If you were married or baptized your child at Panagia’s and held your reception here and have any pictures, please bring them to the church office so that we could make copies of them for the day of the Consecration on May 6, 2012. All pictures will be return to you. We ask that you place them into an envelope with you name and address.

Prosfora Bakers Needed: One of the blessings of Stewardship that we are given is the ability to serve our Church in a number of ways. Our Church is in need of individuals who can offer the weekly Prosforo (Bread) for the Divine Liturgy. Should you be able to offer your service, please inform the Church office or see either Fr. Timothy or Mrs. Demetra Spyropoulos. With the help of each steward/member, we come together as a Church family to better offer our thanks to our Lord.



Second Tray: At the November Parish Council meeting, it was decided that a second tray would commence on January 8, 2012. This second tray would be designated to assist various specific ministries, as determined by the Clergy and Parish Council. Until further notice, collections from the second tray each Sunday will be earmarked for the benefit of Youth Ministry in this Parish.

Parish Youth Basketball Schedule: Listed below is the remaining schedule of games for our Assumption/Holy Cross grade School Basketball team. Our team is noted as #3 on the schedule. If you are able, please come our and cheer our team on!

Sun. 1/22 2:15pm #3 @ #1 (Sts. Const/Helen) Sts. Const/Helen/Palos

Sat. 1/28 4:15pm #3 @ #4 (St. Nicholas) St. Nicholas/Oak Lawn

Sat. 2/11 PLAYOFFS
Sun. 2/12 PLAYOFFS
Sat. 2/26 PLAYOFFS SEMI-FINAL GAMES
Sun. 2/27 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES


Volunteer Opportunity: Our Parish of Panagia has a new volunteer opportunity related to coordinating the production of the Assumption Church Newsletter. The Newsletter is produced six times a year. Computer knowledge is a requisite, and requires coordination for the submission of articles, layout of the newsletter in Microsoft Publisher (a standard Microsoft application), and submission to the printer via email. If you are a steward looking for a way to increase your involvement in our Church Community and would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Tina Sarantos, (708) 660-0154.

Orthodox Adult Bible Study the New Testament-Book of Acts: The next Adult Bible Study class will be on Monday, January 16th, at 7:00 pm in St. Catherine’s meeting room. We will next study St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. The class is open to all and it is hoped that you will avail yourself the opportunity to study the Bible in-depth. All you need to bring is your Bible. For further information and/or questions, please see Father Timothy.

Philoptochos Meeting There will be a general meeting of the Philoptochos Society on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 10:00AM. We will have a guided tour of our majestic church given by Mr. George Dervis. Please meet in the main church at 10:00 and after the lecture we will go to St. Catherine`s for our meeting. A light lunch will be served. Please make every effort to attend the meeting and enjoy what Mr. Dervis has prepared for us and visit with your church friends.

Annual Hellenic Letters Celebration Luncheon: The Metropolis of Chicago announces that this year’s Annual Hellenic Letters Celebration Luncheon will be held on Sunday, January 29th, at 2:00pm, at the Chateau Ritz Banquets, 9100 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Niles, Illinois. Donation is 50.00 per person. Should you wish to attend and be seated at the Assumption Church table, please call the Church Office (773.626.3114) to make your reservations.

Proper Church Etiquette: Worship Services are vital instruments and components to our prayer development. In order to help us achieve this, we need to be cognizant of our fellow parishioners and all those around us. Therefore, please make sure that cell phones are completely turned off during Services. In addition, while we most welcome children to participate in the liturgical life of the Church, it remains the responsibility of parents to make sure that children do not become a distraction to those around them. Therefore, if a child is crying, or in some way in need of attention, please feel free to take him/her to the Narthex or Cry Room. You are most welcome to enter and exit the Church proper as many times as necessary. By doing this, all who are in attendance will be afforded the opportunity to worship and pray together. (Please keep in mind that we are also privileged to have a complete Sunday School Liturgy celebrated in Saint Catherine’s Chapel each week for your use as well). We ask for your cooperation. Ushers will be available to help you, if needed.

Holy Communion Announcement: While we pray and work for the reconciliation and unity of all the world's Christians, the reality remains that there is still no intercommunion between our Orthodox Churches and the Churches of the West. This means that only baptized, chrismated, and observant Orthodox faithful are allowed to receive Holy Communion in our churches. At the same time, we warmly welcome all non-Orthodox to join us in prayer and celebration, and humbly offer to all present the Antidoro bread of fellowship at the end of the worship service. We offer this important symbol 'instead of the Gifts', in the words of the Apostle Paul, 'Till we all come to the unity of the Faith' (Eph. 4.13).

We Need Your E-mail Address: Are you receiving the weekly bulletin online in your e-mail mailbox each week? How about our Assumption Church’s Newsletter and the Saint Catherine’s Newsletter? If not, please give the Church Office your e-mail address so that you can stay informed about the schedule of religious services, events, and news of our Community.

Website News www.assumptionchicago.org Did you know that you can find Articles and Resources for the Orthodox Church on our web site. They include the history of Orthodoxy, special Services and Blessings, Spirituality, Teachings of the Orthodox Church, how to become a member of the Orthodox Church, the meaning and celebration of The Holy Eucahrist, the form and characteristics of Orthodox worship, the Sacrament of Confession, Holy Week Meditation and Study Guide, Fasting, and many others. Just go to our website and click on the heading Faith, read, learn, and enjoy. The latest editions of the Assumption Newsletter and the St. Catherine Newsletter are now available online.

Ushers: Dean Bastounes, Dean Maggos, Tom Demos, JoAnn Stavropoulos, Bill J. Vranis