ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ Μ ΗΝΙ ΑΙΟ ΔΕΛ ΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔ ΟΞΗ Σ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙ ΑΣ ΤΗ Σ ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟ ΚΟ Υ

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1 NOVEMBER / ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2017 VOLUME 12, The H ARK - ΚΙΒΩΤΟΣ M ONTHL Y BULLE TIN OF THE ASS UM PTION OF OUR MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS GREEK ORTHODOX CH U RCH Μ ΗΝΙ ΑΙΟ ΔΕΛ ΤΙΟ ΤΗ Σ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΡΘΟΔ ΟΞΗ Σ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙ ΑΣ ΤΗ Σ ΚΟΙΜΗΣΕ ΩΣ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΟΤΟ ΚΟ Υ Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 111 Island Pond Road Manchester NH Phone: (603) Fax: (603) info@assumptionnh.org Join us on Facebook Links and Resources Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Boston Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople 1 November 8 th - Synaxis of the Holy Archangels Michael & Gabriel

2 Parish Priest Christmas is coming, and the feasts of saints have become more frequent. We have more feasts in the winter, because the days are shorter, the weather is colder and the sky is greyer. So, feasts come to sprinkle some color, and shed light and happiness on our winter days. So, starting November 7 th, we will celebrate Great Vespers for the feast of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel in the Church of Taxiarchae in Watertown, MA. Then, on November 8 th, we will celebrate Divine Liturgy for them in our church. The Archangels are very popular, because people feel protected by their divine presence. Since they are patrolling the skies, they are also patron saints of the Greek Air Force. In the evening of November 8 th, we will visit St. Nectarios in Boston and will celebrate the vespers in honor of this well-loved saint. Then, on November 13 th we will visit the neighboring Greek Orthodox Church of St. Philip in Nashua and attend their vespers and reception there. The next day, November 14 th, we will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in St. Philip in Nashua. Further, on November 16th, 25th and 30th, we will celebrate St. Matthew, Saint Catherine and St. Andrew respectively. Please join us on these occasions, so we can ask the intercession of these saints in our lives. Finally, the Presentation of our Lady and Mother of God to the Temple, is celebrated November 21 st, and it is one of the FOUR (4) major feasts for the Virgin Mary. It is also good to know that on November 15 th we will start the Advent Lent. This fasting period in its early part allows consumption of fish. Feasts and fasts are important to our faith, as they are both celebrating Christ. This is because the saints imitated Christ and many of them gave their lives for Him. Then, it is also because the fast requires we eliminate some food items from our diet, and at the same time it allows us to rise above our earthly lives and try to attain God. Happy name day for all celebrating their protector saint in November, and Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving! Parish News The Annual George Tzimopoulos Memorial Raffle will be held in the church hall on Sunday December 3rd following church services. If you are interested in purchasing tickets please contact Georgia Tzimopoulos at , or the church office. Thank you for your continued support! Philoptochos News Coffee Hours Philoptochos Board members are here to help any person or family who wants to sponsor regular, Sunday coffee hour. You must provide the food, and help with the setup and cleanup. We will supply the coffee, milk, juice and paper goods. Someone will be on hand to help you set up and start the coffee. Poinsettias and Wreaths We are accepting donations for the poinsettias and wreaths that will decorate the church for the Christmas season. We need 6 large poinsettias, 4 small poinsettias and 9 wreaths. If you wish to contribute, please use the form provided, or contact a Philoptochos Board member. Please cut below, complete the form below and include it with your donation. a POINSETTIA AND WREATH DONATION Donor Name: Amount: Cash Check 2

3 New Horizons Soup Kitchen The New Horizons Soup Kitchen visit this month is on Sunday, November 26 th, from 4 6 pm. We are always looking for volunteers to join our group. This is such a rewarding experience! Please join us for less than two hours of fellowship with the group from the Assumption Church. If you have any suggestions or questions, please call the church office. Thank you! Choir We are looking for an organist and choir director. If anyone is interested in learning the organ, we will pay for their lessons. Please contact the church office. We are looking for volunteers to join our talented choir. All ages are welcome! Do not be shy if you do not have experience. All that is required is your passion and love for our church! During the summer the choir is not singing or practicing. Youth Ministry News Sunday School Our Sunday School continues to grow. We are so happy to see all our students every Sunday morning! On Sunday, November 12 th, at 10:00 AM - Children will meet their teachers IN THEIR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES to put together the "Operation Christmas Child" boxes. They will proceed from there to church all together in time to receive Holy Communion. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan s Purse, an international relief organization. Their mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities who are affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S. After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said Go and do likewise. Our Sunday School students will be assembling these shoeboxes on Sunday, November 12, 2017 in the youth building at 10am with donations that we will be collecting from our parish community. These shoebox gifts are a way to demonstrate God s love to needy children around the world in addition to teaching our own children to be Good Samaritan s and spread the LOVE of God. First, decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or Suggested Donation Items: A Wow item (such as a stuffed animal, ball with a pump, toy) Personal Care Items (toothbrush, comb, bar of soap, wash cloth, hair elastics, headbands) Crafts and Activities (pencils, markers, pens, school supplies) PLEASE DO NOT PACK: Candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans. For more information regarding this ministry, please refer to their website: 3

4 Please keep in mind that these items will be packed in shoebox. Sunday, November 26 th will be a Family Sunday. Please take your children with you to church celebrate the Divine Liturgy together. Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving! Our annual Christmas Pageant will be held in church on CHRISTMAS EVE, Sunday, December 24 th after the service and will be followed by a community Coffee Hour in the church hall. The Sunday School, together with our other Youth Ministries, will be working hard at preparing for the Pageant. Please be sure to include your child (or children) by filling out the sign-up sheet located in the Youth Center, or by contacting Mrs. Theohare, Mrs. Ranya or any of the Sunday School teachers. Greek School Our Greek School students are busy each week building their Greek language and Greek dance skills. It is wonderful to hear their vocabulary expanding each week! Thursday, November 23 rd : No Greek School/Greek Dance classes. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving Day with your families! OTHER IMPORTANT UPCOMING YOUTH MINISTRY DATES & EVENTS TO REMEMBER Sunday, November 12 th, 12:30 PM, GOYA/Jr. GOYA meeting in the Youth Center. All aged are welcome. Saturday, November 18 th, 4:30-6:30 PM - Youth Family Movie Night & Pumpkin Decorating Children and their families are invited to join us for a fun-filled family evening! We will meet downstairs in the Youth Center at 4:30 pm to watch a movie and have lots of fun decorating pumpkins. Snacks & refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome! Sunday, November 19 th, is Youth Ministry Coffee Hour Sunday. Our Youth Ministry continues to sponsor the Coffee Hour on the 3 rd Sunday of each month. Your family can help by assisting with set-up, clean-up and/or by offering a baked good or bought snack to share. We will be in the church kitchen/hall from 9:30 AM on that Sunday morning for items to be dropped off. Please contact Mrs. Stavroula or Mrs. Connie if you would like to help. Our Youth Ministry will also sponsor a "Goodies Sale" during the coffee hour. Families are welcomed to bring in a favorite "goodie" to be sold. Proceeds will benefit our Youth Ministries. Thank you! You re invited to a Family Movie Night Popcorn, Hot Chocolate, and Pumpkin Painting too! Saturday, November 18 th 4:30 6:30 pm Assumption Youth Center Come in your PJs and feel free to bring your own blanket or pillow 4 A collection basket will be located by the entrance door for donations toward our "Operation Christmas Child" collection drive.

5 Assumption Christmas Card Fundraiser 2017 As the Christmas season quickly approaches, we are asking once again our parish community and friends of the Assumption Church to participate in our annual community Christmas Card. This year s donation remains at $15.00 per household. However, any amount you wish to contribute above this will be most welcome. It s that time of year again to think about sending our Christmas and New Year s wishes to everyone. Our Christmas Card will be sent to more than 300 Assumption Church parish families and friends. Please complete the form below and return it, together with your check payable to: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church either to our office, or by handing it to any Parish Council member by Sunday, December 3 rd, Thank you in advance for your participation, and Merry Christmas! The Parish Council ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΙΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΡΤΑ 2017 Καθώς τα Χριστούγεννα πλησιάζουν, ζητάμε για μιά ακόμα φορά από τα μέλλη της κοινότητάς μας και τους φίλους της Εκκλησίας μας να συμμετάσχουν στην ετήσια Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα της κοινότητάς μας. Η ελάχιστη δωρεά είναι $15.00 ανά οικογένεια, αλλα οποιοδήποτε μεγαλύτερη δωρεά είναι ευπρόσδεκτη Η Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα θα σταλεί σε περισσότερες από 300 οικογένειες της ενορίας μας, όπως επίσης και σε φίλους της κοινότητάς μας. Είναι ένας πολύ καλός τρόπος να στείλετε κι εσείς τις δικές σας ευχές, εξοικονομώντας πολύτιμο χρόνο και την δαπάνη της αγοράς και αποστολής των δικών σας καρτών. Αν θα θέλατε να συμμετέχετε και εσείς στην Χριστουγεννιάτικη κάρτα μας, παρακαλούμε να συμπληρώσετε την παρακάτω φόρμα και να την επιστρέψετε, μαζί με την δωρέα σας των $15.00 ή παραπάνω, στο γραφείο της εκκλησίας μας ή στους επίτροπους της ενορίας, μέχρι την Κυριακή 3 η Δεκεμβρίου. Ευχαριστούμε για την συμμετοχή σας και Καλά Χριστούγεννα! ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH 2017 Christmas Card Form Please print your name below, as you would like it to appear on the card Please return this form with your $15.00 (or more) donation Name 5

6 2017 GEORGE TZIMOPOULOS MEMORIAL MULTI-PRIZE RAFFLE to benefit the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church $10,000 CASH PRIZES! 1 st Prize - $5,000 2 nd Prize - $1,500 3 rd Prize - $750 (2) Prizes of - $500 (5) Prizes of - $250 (5) Prizes of - $ CHANCES TO WIN ONLY 200 TICKETS IN ALL $100 EACH Drawing will be held on Sunday, December 3 rd, 2017 at the Assumption Church hall following church services A light luncheon will be served. Everyone is welcome to attend! Raffle winners not present will be notified by phone If you are a previous ticket holder and would like to retain your number(s) or if you would like further information, please contact: Georgia Tzimopoulos at / , Stavroula Bakolas at /

7 Sacraments & Services When planning a baptism or wedding, please check church availability BEFORE booking your reception hall. Thank you! 40 Day Blessing October 5 th Noah, son of Irene & Steve Gordon Baptism November 5 th Natalia Vasiliki, daughter of Polly & Brendon Mulcahy Funeral October 18 th - Kalliope Kamberis October 28 th Antigone Bleecher Memorials October 15 th - Stephanie Papajohn November 19 th - Kalliope Kamberis Planning Memorials When planning for a memorial, please contact the church office at There is a particular altar wine and incense we use. Please call for details! LEAVE A LEGACY Planned giving is above all a gesture that comes from the heart. As we plan our financial future, please remember your parish. There are several types of planned donations to consider. Here are a few of them to consider. In all cases, please consult your financial advisor for more information. Charitable Bequests: Once you secure the well-being of your family, you may choose to include in your will a significant donation to your church. Gifts of Life Insurance: using a life insurance policy makes it possible to make a major gift while protecting the inheritance of one s heir(s). Gifts of Listed Securities: The gift of publicly listed securities, bonds, mutual fund units or other similar securities is one of the most fiscally advantageous ways to make a substantial donation to a charitable organization because the donor will avoid paying tax on the capital gain. The gift of shares or other securities will give rise to a tax credit. It is more advantageous to transfer the securities directly rather than to donate the proceeds collected from selling the securities. This type of donation is advisable to those who wish to make a substantial donation without encroaching on their liquid assets, or to those who own shares or other securities which have significantly increased in value since their acquisition. Charitable Annuities: A charitable gift annuity consists of a donation of money or other assets to a charitable organization in exchange for guaranteed earnings for life or for a determined period of time. It is with much love and appreciation we have received four considerable bequests made to our parish which should be recognized. The benefactors are: Doris Springer (Alex Demos sister), Phyllis Brown, Anastasia Galanis, and Kelly Locke. Their thoughtfulness is a tribute to their caring and desire for our parish to prosper and grow for generations to come. May their memory be eternal. 7

8 September Stewardship 2017 Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Bakolas Dimitrios Bakolas Mr. & Mrs. Dick Dryer Evangelia Gregorious Mr. & Mrs. Stathis Kapellakis Esther Kereakoglow Stephanie Kotromanos Mr. & Mrs. Peter Lazos Heidi Liolios Mr. & Mrs. Scott MacDonald Mr. & Mrs. Dimitrios Meimetis Adamandia Nardi Panagiota Papastathis Mr. & Mrs. James Papavlopoulos Mr. & Mrs. John Stergioulis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tsekrekas Betty Xintaras Please submit your 2017 Stewardship! Stewardship is our God-given OBLIGATION and the PRIMARY source of income for our church! Seek first God s Kingdom and His Righteousness and all other things shall be added to you. (Matt 6:33) And some seeds fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold. (Luke 8:8) Give to Cesar what is Cesar s and to God what is God s. (Mark 12:17) Reap bountifully. God loves a cheerful giver. (St. Paul 2 nd Corinthians 9:6-8) Rich is not the one who has much, but the one who gives much. For what one gives away, he keeps for all eternity. (St. John Chrysostom) AUGUST OFFERINGS Efigenia Giotas Mr. & Mrs. John Stergiou GREEKFEST DONATIONS Barbara George Evangelia Gregorious Mr. & Mrs. Costas Liolios Lucie Skouteris OTHER GREEKFEST DONATIONS: $ AD BOOK: $1, HURRICANE COLLECTION: $1, DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF Gregory Emmanuel George Kitsis John & Agorou Kitsis Thomas & Angeliki Lekkas Kelly Locke Stephanie Papajohn Menelaos & Glykeria Tsoumbanos Thank you for your love to the House of the Lord and Panagia! 8

9 Noah, son of Irene & Steve Gordon Melina Marie, daughter of Shawna & George Kalantzis BUSINESS CARD ADVERTISING If you would like to advertise your business card in our monthly bulletin, please contact the Church Office. A business card format, about 2 ½ x 1 ½ will run for a period of 12 months for one set fee of $ a year. This will help us defray the ever-increasing costs of printing and mailing these bulletins to our homes and at the same time you will be advertising your business to our parishioners, and through word of mouth, to their friends. This is a great opportunity for all! 9

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11 Road NH NON-PROFIT O G. US POSTAGE PAID MANCHESTER, PERMIT NO st Annual Pita Fest Saturday, November 11 th, :00 PM - 11:00 PM (judging at 8:00 PM) Submit a pita to the completion, or come and feast on some Tickets: $10 adults (ticket includes pita samples, desserts & coffee) Also available: Mezethakia platters, Assorted Beverages, Dancing! 11