Weekday Service Monday, October 26, 2009
Great Martyr Demetrios
Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thanksgiving of Protection of the Theotokos
Orthros: 8:30 a.m.
Divine Liturgy: 9:30 a.m.

Fellowship Today’s luncheon is hosted by the Stewardship Committee and Sunday Church School in honor of Godparents Sunday. Everyone is invited to Plato Hall to enjoy the free luncheon. There is no charge.

Bible Study: The Bible Study Class will take place on Wednesday, October 28th, at 7:00pm, in the Saint Catherine's Meeting Room.

Quote for the Week: Gain salvation by conducting yourself in a way pleasing to the Lord God, pleasing Him by all kinds of love. Make this your sole concern--to grow rich in love. He who has love has God within him. -- An Elder’s Counsels to Christians Living in the World

Scripture for the Week: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Question for the Week: Do I have a healthy, daily routine? Is it aiding in my salvation? Does it prevent me from 'stepping out of line’?

Thought for the Week: A Light in the Darkness Sometimes we want to be big heroes, vocal in our defense of the faith, carrying placards in front of the courthouse that wants to tear down the Ten Commandments, or initiating petition drives against the minority opinions of atheists who want to "White Out" God from our American history books. But sometimes the daily-ness of life gets in the way and we get swept along in the tide, bemoaning the fact that the frog is getting boiled in the water.

Sometimes all it really takes is stepping off the line. When the whole world celebrates the neat orderly appearance of everybody standing in a straight line, and conventional wisdom (which may be neither conventional nor wise) and political correctness (which is always political and rarely correct) rule the day, it may just take the courage of a raised hand or a step out of line to ask, "Hey, what are we doing here? Has anybody stopped to think about what we're really doing here?"

Ever wonder what your purpose is? Ever grapple with the enormity of "What is God's calling for my life”? What if your calling is simply to step out of line in the daily-ness of life, or to live intentionally and to be curious for those around you about why the assumed has to be, well, assumed. Don't be surprised when God blesses your courage.

How many times in our daily lives are we afforded the opportunity to get UN-comfortable, to step OUT of line, or to just quietly shake things up a bit? A question here, a conversation in passing here, doesn't require community organizing or major acts of heroism. Perhaps for many of us, our calling may be to live intentionally for our values. As Orthodox Christians, we CAN make that difference…..we CAN light to the darkness.


GODPARENT SUNDAY AND LUNCHEON OCTOBER 25TH: Today Sunday Church School celebrates Godparent Sunday. We welcome the godparents and visitors as the children and young people of our Sunday Church School are joined with their godparents in worship, honoring and commemorating their baptism into the Orthodox Church. Following the Divine Liturgy, the entire congregation is invited to remain for a spaghetti luncheon in Plato Hall. The Stewardship Committee and Sunday Church School are hosting this luncheon which is free of charge. The Sunday School Ministry hopes that all will our faithful and guests will make every effort to attend and share in the joy of our Sunday School Children/young people as they relive the day of their entry into Christian Orthodoxy.

Philoptochos News The Philoptochos "Elliniki Vrathia" held on Thursday, October 15th was a huge success. As always, everyone pitched in and worked so hard to make the event the success that it was. The proceeds from this event will enable the Philoptochos to continue to reach out to those in need. Congratulations to all the ladies of our Philoptochos and sincere thanks for your support.

Stewardship: A Way of Life Stewardship is not about calculations or portions or percentages. It can not be reduced to a number of hours of service or dollars offered. Stewardship is a way of life.
As Orthodox Christians, we are called to a new way of seeing things a new way of life. Our stewardship is obedience to the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. We are called to bring others to commit their lives to Jesus Christ in such a way that leads to the joy of knowing Him personally and profoundly.

As Orthodox Christians, we see the world as God`s gift, as a sacrament of God`s presence and a means of communion with Him. And so we are able to offer the world back to God in thanksgiving as we say in every Divine Liturgy Thine own of Thine own we offer to thee.


ANNUAL CHURCH FESTIVAL WRAPUP: Thank you to the more than 100 people that volunteered their time during the Annual Panagia Festival and to those who made generous financial donations. It was a fun, family event, we created wonderful memories together, and the net gain (profit) for our efforts was approximately $51,000. This happens to be the most profitable Festival in over 4 years. Given the condition of our economy, we all deserve a ‘pat on the back’. The Festival was a success because so many people were willing to give their time, talent and treasure. We personally thank each and every one of you for all your hard work in making the 2009 Annual Labor Day Festival a success!-- Christina Arvanites & Tina Sarantos 2009 Festival Chairs


WEEKLY TRAY DONATIONS: At the Parish Council meeting of October 13th, discussion continued on the possibility of reducing the number of trays passed during weekly Worship Services. It was decided that effective January 2010, only one tray will be passed at the conclusion of the weekly Divine Liturgy. As you can appreciate and understand, the collection from the second tray does bring in a significant amount of revenue. Therefore it is hoped and anticipated that you will continue your support and generosity to our blessed Parish of Panagia with your gift in the one tray that will be passed each Sunday.

DCFS Christmas Gifts Since 1998 the Orthodox Churches in the Chicago area (the largest participants in this program) have provided 16,000 gifts to foster children in the Department of Children and Family Services. Assumption Church has participated in this program every year. The children's forms are now available and you may pick them up after the Divine Liturgy in Plato Hall. Thank you for your generosity. The wrapped gifts are due in Church on Sunday, November 22.


Panos Fiorentinos-Architect A large architectural model of our church, Panagia, has been made in miniature. Made entirely out of laser cut acrylic sheets and painted white. This model shows our church without a roof, with the dome cut into thirds, and the original location of the choir loft. It will be on display for two months at North Park University. Brandel Library at North Park University located at 5114 N. Christiana, Chicago, Illinois 60625.

Brandel Library hours are
Monday -Thursday 8.00am to 12.00am
Friday 8.00 am to 10.00 pm
Saturday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Sunday 1.00 pm to 12.00 am




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, check out the photo album with its many new pictures which now include Junior Olympics, Mini-Golf, Harvest Day and many more events. 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.