THE BEACON ASSUMPTION. March 2017

Transcription

1 ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY Attract, Serve, Illuminate THE BEACON March 2017 Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower. St. John Chrysostom Lent 2017

2 Assumption Calendar of Events Sunday Monday Tuesday Sunday of Orthodoxy Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Youth Procession of the Icons Sunday School Coffee Hour Greek School Pan-Orthodox Great Vespers (St. Michael) 5:00pm Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Coffee Hour Greek School Philoptochos Meeting Sunday of the Holy Cross Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Parish Oratorical Festival Coffee Hour Greek School Sunday of St. John Climacus Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am Sunday School Greek Independence Day Brunch Coffee Hour Spring General Assembly Fasting Symbols Strict Fast Wine and Oil Allowed Fish Allowed Fast Free Great Compline Great Compline Great Compline AHEPA Meeting 6:30pm Deadline for Submissions to The Beacon Great Compline Holy Confession is done by appointment and may be scheduled by calling Fr. Jon at the Church Office: (502) Greek Night at Captain s Quarters (Fasting Foods!!!!) March 2017 Wednesday Thursday Friday 1 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm-8:00pm 8 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm-8:00pm 15 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm-8:00pm 22 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm-8:00pm 29 Presanctified Liturgy 7:00pm-8:00pm 10:00am-11:30am 10:00am-11:30am 2 9 Capital Campaign & Parish Council Retreat 6:30pm-8:30pm 10:00am-11:30am 10:00am-11:30am 10:00am-11:30am st Salutations to the Theotokos nd Salutations to the Theotokos 17 3 rd Salutations to the Theotokos 24 Festal Great Vespers with the 4 th Stasis of the Akathist Hymn Akathist Hymn 31 Saturday 4 Saturday of the Souls Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am No Great Vespers + Sacraments No Great Vespers Daughters of Penelope Meeting 10:30am Great Vespers 5:00pm 25 Great Feastday of the Annunciation Orthros 9:00am Divine Liturgy 10:00am No Great Vespers

3 Happenings Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers Come and Celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy as the Orthodox Community of Kentucky Commemorates the Restoration of the Icons into the Church on March 5 th. The Sunday of Orthodoxy Great Vespers will take place at St. Michael s (Louisville) at 5:00pm on March 5 th!!! Reception to follow!!!

4 Pastoral Message Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption, Greetings in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The period of the Great and Holy Lent is now upon us, and soon we will pass from the time of preparation and penitence into a time of joy and feasting (but we ll leave our feasting until April). Holy Lent brings us many beautiful liturgical services filled with some of the most beautiful and moving hymns and prayers. During March, 3 such services will be celebrated: the Great Compline on Mondays, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesdays, and the Salutations to the Theotokos on Fridays. Each of these services is so unique and differs so greatly from the normal Sunday Divine Liturgy, that they present us with opportunities to experience our faith in ways that may stimulate spiritual growth. If we feel stalled or that our faith has fallen into a routine, come and participate in the beauty of the Lenten cycle (by the way, routine can be good or bad - brushing your teeth properly is a good routine, not brushing bad). During this time, many of our faithful will increase their fasting and praying in their own homes, but it is also important that we come to the Lord s House and pray together as a community. Great Lent is filled with opportunity for spiritual growth. It takes all the necessary elements and blends them into the perfect combination to allow for a complete transformation of the soul in a short 48 day period. Begin with fasting and prayer, add the liturgy of the Church and finish with Holy Confession and the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord - this is the map for spiritual health. Follow it year after year to eternity. In His Service, Rev. Father Jon Boukis Proistamenos Attract, Serve, Illuminate

5 Dear Parishioners, Last week, at the parish council meeting, we discussed the past year and the future year; and although we are doing quite well, we cannot afford being complacent. Even though we are stable financially, we are not strong enough to depend on our stewardship alone, which should be our goal as a community. We are still dependent on fundraising activities, which as you know are controlled by many unforeseen factors. I urge all to at least keep your present level of commitment, and if possible, try to increase it - even by 5%. We are embarking on a most exciting time with our fundraising for the new building. Please be as generous as you have all been in the past. I am more confident today than ever before, that we will succeed in building our new educational and community building, and that we will continue to be beacon of our faith. In Christ Ramsey Parish Council Corner Attract, Serve, Illuminate 2017 Parish Council Ramsey Nassar, President John Harris, Vice President Cosmin Schenk, Treasurer Steven Taylor, Secretary Athanasi Agamemnonos Michael Balakos Charles Blackford Daniel Cupkovic Ryan Leathers Contact Information Priest s priest@assumption.ky.goarch.org Parish Council President s president@assumption.ky.goarch.org Office Administrator's office@assumption.ky.goarch.org Church Website: Church Phone: (502) Administrator s Office Hours: 9:00am-1:00pm Monday 930 Ormsby Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40242

6 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.

7 Sunday School Sunday of Orthodoxy Procession On Sunday, March 5 th, the children of our Sunday School will participate in a Procession of Holy Icons. Kids, Please bring an Icon from home! Important Oratorical Festival Dates Junior & Senior Festival and 4th-6th Grade Presentations Sunday, March 19 th Both following Liturgy in social hall. Come and See!!! (Gospel According to St. John) 1. Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 2. Thursday: 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. is not just for adults. Families can and should come together to learn about the Faith!!! March Birthdays & Namedays 2 nd Melina Digenis-Taylor 4 th Iakovos Stylianou 7 th Noah Fadel 8 th Aidan Jones 9 th Alessia Tone 10 th Carly Thomas 12 th Doris Abdallah 12 th Matthew Brown 12 th Chris Stavens 13 th Katerina Soteriou 14 th Phillip Digenis-Lentsch 16 th Mark Mann 18 th Philip Georgious 18 th Cosmin Schenk 18 th Pam Theoharatos 21 st Faith Kappas 22 nd Jeff Sexton 23 rd Elias Kikareas 25 th Alice Collis 25 th Ronald B. Fadel 26 th Ashley Panaretos 27 th Penny VonAllmen 28 th Chuck Shuff 29 th Rick Buono Just a few Saints (Namedays) commemorated in March th Alexios, Alexia 25 th Evangelos, Evangelia

8 Philoptochos Bake Sale The Ladies Philoptochos of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Spring Bake Sale March 12 - March 26 You may mail this order form and payment to 930 Ormsby Ln., Louisville, 40242, Attn: Philoptochos Questions can be answered by ing Evanthia at espeliotis@bellarmine.edu Item Quantity Cost Baklava ½ dozen.. $9.00 Baklava 1 dozen $18.00 Baklava 3 dozen $48.00 Kourambiethes 1 dozen. $12.00 Kourambiethes - nut free* 1 dozen $12.00 *Nut free kourambiethes will be made in the same kitchen Total Amount Due: Please make checks payable to Philoptochos AGOC Name: address: Phone Number: Who will pick-up and deliver your order? Orders available April 9 th.

9 Holy Friday Luminaries HOLY FRIDAY LUMINARY BAGS You may order luminaries in honor of your departed loved ones for the Epitaphios Service by returning the form below to the parish office by Palm Sunday, April 9 th. The deadline is Palm Sunday, April 9 th. Candlelit bags honoring our deceased loved ones will signify their presence as we process with the Body of Christ. On each bag will be listed the name(s) of your loved ones who have fallen asleep and from whom the luminary is offered. The names that are offered will be commemorated silently before the Epitaphion during the Friday evening service. The cost is $5 per name (thus $10 for a couple). I would like to donate the following luminary bags: Total number of names at $5 each = $ Donated by:

10 Pascha Donations Needed Icon Wreaths ($50 each) 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 Holy Saturday Resurrection Daffodils (Holy Cross Sunday) ($100) Palms for Palm Sunday ($150) Holy Unction Supplies ($25) Epitaphion Flowers (Donated) Gardenias for Epitaphion ($50) Bay Leaves ($150) Easter Lilies/Azaleas (20 x $20) Resurrection Priest Candle ($75) Rose Petals for Flower Girls ($50) More may be listed as we further determine what else may be needed for the proper expression of worship in our beloved parish. Please call Fr. Jon and make an offering today! Donations will be offered in the following 3 formats: For the health of In Honor of In Memory of Daughters of Penelope The Daughters of Penelope will be hosting a brunch to celebrate Greek Independence Day on Sunday, March 26th, after the Liturgy. We'll be serving egg casseroles, hash brown casserole, pancakes, fruit, assorted sweet rolls and breads, coffee, milk, and juice. The price will be $8 for adults, $4 for kids and kids 5 and under eat for free. We hope you can join us to celebrate this important day in Greek history! Also, the Daughters will be meeting in the church hall on Saturday, March 18th for our regular meeting at 10:30 a.m. We need to meet to finalize the plans for the brunch and discuss other chapter business.

11 Sunday of Orthodoxy Celebrated March 20 th For more than one hundred years the Church of Christ was troubled by the persecution of the Iconoclasts of evil belief, beginning in the reign of Leo the Isaurian ( ) and ending in the reign of Theophilus ( ). After Theophilus's death, his widow the Empress Theodora (celebrated Feb. 11), together with the Patriarch Methodius (June 14), established Orthodoxy anew. This evermemorable Queen venerated the icon of the Mother of God in the presence of the Patriarch Methodius and the other confessors and righteous men, and openly cried out these holy words: "If anyone does not offer relative worship to the holy icons, not adoring them as though they were gods, but venerating them out of love as images of the archetype, let him be anathema." Then with common prayer and fasting during the whole first week of the Forty-day Fast, she asked God's forgiveness for her husband. After this, on the first Sunday of the Fast, she and her son, Michael the Emperor, made a procession with all the clergy and people and restored the holy icons, and again adorned the Church of Christ with them. This is the holy deed that all we the Orthodox commemorate today, and we call this radiant and venerable day the Sunday of Orthodoxy, that is, the triumph of true doctrine over heresy. Apolytikion of the Sunday of Orthodoxy We worship Thine immaculate icon, O Good One, asking the forgiveness of our failings, O Christ our God; for of Thine own will Thou wast well-pleased to ascend the Cross in the flesh, that Thou mightest deliver from slavery to the enemy those whom Thou hadst fashioned. Wherefore, we cry to Thee thankfully: Thou didst fill all things with joy, O our Saviour, when Thou camest to save the world.

12 Annunciation of the Theotokos Celebrated March 25 th 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 all-blameless 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)

13 Spring General Assembly NOTICE OF PARISH ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD MARCH 26, 2017 An assembly of all the stewards* of the parish will occur on Sunday, March 26, following the DIVINE LITURGY. The draft agenda will be as follows: 1. Call to Order / Opening Prayer 2. Determination of Quorum* requirement of parishioners** 3. Adoption of Agenda 4. Election of Assembly Chairperson 5. Election of Secretary 6. Amendment / Approval of Fall 2016 General Assembly Minutes 7. Capital Campaign Presentation 8. Reports (Priest s, President s, Treasurer s, Festival, Facilities and Stewardship) 9. Presentation of the 2016 Audited Financial Statements 10. Organizational Reports: Philoptochos Society, Sunday School, Greek School, Youth Ministries, Choir (Reports distributed at Assembly) 11. New Business 12. Adjournment / Closing Prayer *Quorum To be legally binding, a quorum must be present before any meeting of the Parish Council or the Parish Assembly. A majority of the Parish Council shall constitute a quorum. The minimum affirmative vote to pass a motion in a meeting of the Parish Council shall be a majority of a quorum. For a Parish Assembly, at least twenty-five percent (25%) of current members in good standing shall constitute a quorum, except in matters pertaining to the purchase, sale or encumbering of Parish Property, which require a quorum of the current members in good standing per Part One, Article VI, Section 5 of the UPR. The minimum affirmative vote to pass a motion in a Parish Assembly shall be two-thirds (2/3) of a quorum. **Parishioners Parish membership is in accordance with the Part One, Article V of the UPR. An eligible Orthodox Christian may become a member in good standing of this parish by: 1) Submitting a signed yearly Stewardship Pledge card reflecting a contribution that is sacrificial in nature, and; 2) Meeting one s financial obligation in a timely fashion, including an initial remittance at the time of initial yearly pledging. To maintain member in good standing status for the purposes of the two annual Parish Assemblies, a parishioner should fulfill at least 25% of their annual Stewardship Pledge prior to the first annual Parish Assembly and at least 75% of their pledge before the second annual Parish Assembly. To maintain member in good status for any Special Parish Assemblies or ecclesiastical services (such as weddings and baptisms), a parishioner will need to have their pledge current as of the annual quarter in which the Assembly or service takes place.

14 2017 Stewardship Pledge Cards Received for 2017 Bill & Doris Abdallah Lara Abdallah Jason & Elyse Allemang Larry & Nancy Anas Chris & Connie Anggelis Alena Balakos Michael & Lori Balakos Areti & Jack Masero-Baldwin Charles & Patricia Blackford Fr. Jon & Presbytera Doreece Boukis Alexandra Brown Tom & Joanna Caneris Joanne Caridis Susan Christoff & Louie Falconburg Gus & Alice Collis Ricky & Anne Collis Stanley & Maria Collis Stephanie Cox & John Hile Dan & Sarah Cupkovic George & Helen Digenis John Dobson Ron & Melanie Fadel Michael and Lauren Flaherty Peter & Angelica Fotos Milton & Kelly Galanos George & Kendra Georgacopoulos Marcus & Nancy Geromes Thomas Gianacakes Dimitrios & Margie Gregoriades Anthony & Jennifer Griffin John & Julie Harris Michael & Deborah Harris Helen Hellen Elizabeth Johnson John Johnson Alexis Karageorge & Rick Buono Rhonda Karageorge Tom Karageorge 71 As the Father has sent me, so I send you. (John 20:21) Chris & Anita Kounnas Nick Kounnas Angeliki Kourelis Stephanos & Kristen Kyriacou Chad & Rose Leathers Phillip & Cheryl Leathers Ryan & Laura Leathers Daniel & Christina Lococo Lisa and Joseph Major Mary Makris Mark & Pamela Mann Penelope Masterson Joanna Mikos Georgia Panaretos Jennifer Paulk Dennis & Chrisoula Peppas Demetra Raptis Emily Digenis & Hunter Sattich Cosmin & Dana Schenk James & Marsha Serdenis Mary Sharish Chuck Shuff Jim & Christine Simatacolos Chris & Lisa Stavens Gerasimos & Donna Stavens John & Eve Stelter Robert Taylor & Linda Shapiro Melina Digenis & Steve Taylor Tara Tsioropoulos Penny VonAllmen Fr. Gregory C. Wingenbach Madelon Zady William Zhunga

15 Phase 2: Naming Opportunities Item Donation Classrooms (including Toddler room) (6) $75,000 Administrative and Priest Offices (2) $75,000 Youth Room $75,000 Meeting Room $100,000 Kitchen $150,000 Entrance/Lobby $200,000 Main Hall $400,000 Building Naming Rights $1,000,000

16 Phase 2: Tiered Giving Tier Donation Level Benefactors $50,000 - $75,000 Pillars $35,000 $49,999 Supporters $20,000 $34,999 Patrons $10,000 $19,999 Providers $5,000 $9,999 Friends $1,000 $4,999 At the Fall General Assembly held on October 23, 2016, the Parish announced the Capital Campaign for Phase 2 of our parish campus. The new building will offer to the parish a new home for our education, fellowship, outreach and service ministries - as well as, provide much needed administration and meeting spaces. We will have room for all of our current ministries and those that we haven t been able to attempt with our current facilities (finally - a kitchen!!!). With your commitment, it is possible for us to break ground as soon as this Summer. To do this, the parish need every family committed. Thank you in advance for your dedication and faith put into action. Together, we will continue to build a great beacon of His Church.

17 Fellowship Hour March 5 Not Yet Reserved March 12 Brown Family March 19 Not Yet Reserved March 26 Daughters of Penelope The Church is built on 4 legs: Worship (the most important), Fellowship, Evangelization and Service. Divine Liturgy without fellowship following is incomplete. When you host coffee hour you are promoting fellowship which feeds community, not only appetites. Sign up to host a coffee hour today! Are you having a Memorial Service and want to host a coffee hour, but feel that the Set-up and Clean-up is too much? Good news!!! Charlie and Pat Blackford have volunteered to do Set-up and Clean-up for your Memorial Coffee Hour for a nominal donation of $25-$50 to the Church. You bring the food and drinks and the Blackfords will do the rest! Contact Fr. Jon if you would like their assistance. Philanthropic Opportunities Backpack Buddies Because Hunger Doesn t Take the Weekend Off Help feed 20 elementary age kids over the weekend! Make it a habit to bring in an item each week for those children who without help may go hungry. Offerings collected in a container in the back of the church! Please bring foods that are: Non-perishable Shelf-stable Single-serving Nutritious

18 Friends of the Metropolis We are truly blessed to have His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas as our Spiritual Father! Let us show our support for the ministries of the Metropolis and for our Spiritual Father by supporting the Friends of the Metropolis Program this month - not waiting until December. Let us be an example to our sister Parishes by having the greatest number of supporters in the next Shepard s Staff (Metropolis Newsletter). God Bless Your Offerings!!! To donate to the Friends of the Metropolis online, go to: and click here Daughters of Penelope On Sunday, March 26 th, in honor of Greek Independence Day - (March 25 th ) - the Daughters of Penelope will be sponsoring a Brunch following the Divine Liturgy for the benefit of the ministries of our Beloved Assumption Parish. Come and support the Daughters of Penelope as they work to support our parish!!! $8/Adults $4/Kids under 12 (Kids 5 and under are free)