Weekday Service Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Apodosis of Pascha
Orthros 7:30 p.m.
Divine Liturgy 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 28,2009
Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord
Orthros 8:30am
Divine Liturgy 9:30am

In Memoriam 40 Days: Marda (Martha) Pappas
1 Year: Mando Gouvas, Left, Rows 1-2
American Legion Evzones Post 1039: We pause today to honor the deceased veterans who served during wartime in our Armed Forces. Eternal be their memory. Right, Rows 1-3

Sacraments Daniel Hatch and Sofia Paloumpis will be joined in Holy Matrimony today at 3:30 p.m. Their sponsor will be Danielle Paloumpis.

Jim Kappos and Indre Valiurype will be joined in Holy Matrimony, Saturday, May 30, 2009, at 3:30 p.m. Their sponsor will be Harry Kappos.




Fellowship Today's fellowship will be hosted by the American Legion Evzones Post 1039 and its Auxiliary in memory of the deceased veterans of all the wars and conflicts of the United States. Everyone is invited to Plato Hall to enjoy fellowship..



Metropolis of Chicago Annual Junior Olympics May 22nd – 24th: This weekend, together with all the other Parishes, our children and young people are participating in the Annual Metropolis of Chicago Junior Olympics at Stagg High School and Sts. Constantine & Helen Church in Palos Hills, Illinois. We wish our athletes and participants well.

Annual Memorial Day Blessing of the Graves: A reminder to all parishioners that as is the tradition in our area Churches in Chicagoland Area, the Clergy from our Parish will again be at Elmwood Cemetery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m., to bless the graves and souls of your departed loved ones. Father Timothy and Father Athanasios can be found in our Assumption Church Sections, available to offer a Trisagion Service.

Assumption Ladies Philoptochos Society Election Results: On Thursday, May 21st, the Ladies Philoptochos Society held their monthly meeting in St. Catherine’s Chapel Meeting Room. At the conclusion of the meeting, elections were held for the 2009-2011 Board of Directs and Executive Officers. The results were as follows:
Assumption Ladies Philoptochos Society Board of Directors

Officers:
President……………..Nancy Pilafas
1st Vice President……Pat Karabas
2nd Vice President…...Elaine Vassiliades
Treasurer…………….Eleanor Georgalas
Asst. Treasurer………Sophia Vlahos
Recording Secretary…Joan Leakakos
Asst. Rec. Secretary…Betty Tsiolis
Corresp. Secretary…..Valerie Green
* Advisor……………Violet Skuteris

Members:
Soula Boudros
Anne Dervis
Christine Kanel
Demetra Lakerdas
Frances Riha
Lillian Stamas
Elaine Yannias

Father Timothy, Father Athanasios, and the members of the Parish Council join together is extending a special thank you to Violet Skuteris for the past four years that she served as President of our Ladies Philoptochos Society. She exhibited that special love and leadership that benefited our Parish of Panagia and her ministries. She, along with her Officers, Board of Directors, and membership gave so much to those in need and to our Parish. Thank you Violet…….may our Lord Bless you abundantly always!


Quote of the Week “Completely have trust in God, leave everything in His hands, and believe that His love will act for your own benefit. Then God will take care of everything, because there is nothing He cannot do; everything is easy for Him. The difficult thing is for man to decide to humble himself and leave everything to God’s providence and love”.
---Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain (Athos)


Question for the Week Is there some area of your life where God is trying to teach you to trust? (Hint: If it is an area that causes you frustration and unease, then it may well be the place you want to start handing over to Him!). How can I begin to release this area and trust God to take control of it? How does this make me feel?

Scripture for the Week “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. ---Romans 15:13

Thought for the Week: On The Ascension
"Let us who carry bright lights go forth..."
As we approach the Ascension of our Lord into heaven and the leave-taking of Pascha, we are reminded, once again, that all of our efforts, all of our energies, and all of our struggles ultimately find their fulfillment in gaining paradise and living in communion with the Holy Trinity, with each other, and with the blessed saints forever. Sometimes this seems like a mirage; after all, we only see the heavenly reality in a mirror dimly. But let us never forget that this is our life's goal, and that without Heaven, we are but fools seeking a fantasy kingdom. How do we live our lives in such a way that reflects our deep conviction that someday we will be united with our Lord forever? This is the calling of each of us with our own unique talents, strengths, and circumstances.
One of the main themes of Pascha is the theme of Light. "Come receive the light from the Light that is never overtaken by night.." we chant each year (Orthros of Pascha), and "Let us who carry bright lights go forth...and celebrate the saving Pascha of God." (Ode 5, Paschal Canon). There is also the image of the ten virgins with their lamps. This past week we heard in our Holy Scripture the reference that we were first called 'Christians' or 'Little Christs' in Antioch. How can we be 'Little Christs' if we are not also light-bearers, if the Light is not in us as well? May we all need to be that 'lamp-stand on a hill,' shining with virtue, love and hospitality, and may we make it our daily toil to be reflectors of the unwaning Light amidst the mundane of our everyday life……to our husbands, children, parishioners, neighbors, co-workers, and to all with whom we come in daily contact. May we remember that as our Lord arose and ascended, we, too, will arise and ascend to His Kingdom of Light, Love and eternal Joy. Christos Anesti! ---Borrowed


Constantinople Lecture Thursday, May 28th: The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, together with the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the Hellenic Society of Constantinople, will host a lecture commemorating the Fall of Constantinople on Thursday, May 28th, at 7:00 p.m., at the Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago. The topic will be: Pilgrimage to Constantinople. The centerpiece of the Fall of Constantinople 2009 program will be a presentation by Dr. James C. Skedros Ph.D, Professor of Byzantine Studies & Early Christianity at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, Brookline MA.

EVERY ACT OF CHARITY ON EARTH IS AN INVESTMENT IN HEAVEN Imagine a carpenter with the crudest of tools. It takes him many days to make a simple table; and its quality is so low that the price he obtains for it is poor. He has a choice: either he can spend all the money he earns on food and drink or he can set some money aside, even if it means going hungry, in order to buy better tools. If he does the latter, then he will soon be making good tables much more quickly, and so his earnings will quickly rise. This choice is analogous to a spiritual choice that each of us must make. Either we can spend for our own pleasure all the wealth we possess or we can set aside part of our wealth to give to others. If we do the latter, then we may sacrifice a few immediate, earthly pleasures; but the joy we earn for ourselves in heaven, far, far surpasses the pleasure we have lost on earth. Every act of charity on earth is an investment in heaven. Saint John Chrysostom



Community Family Picnic The Community Family Picnic and Divine Liturgy in the Park, will take place, Sunday, May 31, 2009 starting at 9:00 am at Ty Warner Park in Westmont, Il. More information will follow.

Please Note The Sacraments of the Orthodox Church, including the reception of Holy Communion, are reserved for those of the Orthodox Faith only, and who are also in Good Standing Ecclesiastically with the Church. If you are a visitor from another Denomination/Faith, we welcome you as an observer and guest.

Website News www.AssumptionChicago.org There have been many exciting changes to our web site, including the on line calendar which now include Baptisms, Weddings, Worship Service Schedule, upcoming events and pictures. Keep an eye on our site for more changes to come. If you would like to be added to the list, please contact the church office and give them your address.

Ushers George Arvanites, Diane Berbas, Jack Woods, John Vassiliades and Tom Collis.