Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church December 2011

Transcription

1 Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church December 2011

2 Sunday &Weekly Services Matins 8:30 am Divine Liturgy 9:30 am Office Hours: Mon.-Fri 9am-4pm Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church 1401 Wagner Road Glenview, Il Phone: (847) Fax: (847) Fr. Angelo Artemas-Pastor Fr. Michael Stearns~Associate Pastor Fr. Vladimir Christy-Sunday Assistant Louis Pappas-Pastoral Assistant Office Manager: Jeannine McIntyre Office Assistant: Toula Garbis Bookkeeper: Diane Bravos 2011 PARISH COUNCIL Jim Santos (President) Joan Bailar Chris Atsaves (Vice President) Athan Demakos Steve Koulogeorge (Treasurer) Fritz Freidinger Nick Mechales (Assistant Treasurer) James Gottreich Demete Papson (Assistant Treasurer) George Kirie Therese Speropoulos (Assistant Treasurer) Keith Anderson (Secretary) Christy Gouletas (Secretary) Bo LaMotte Mary Ann Langas Bud Photopulos Lee Poteracki Choir Director: Artie Coclanis Organist: Helen Mariano Book & Icon Store: Pat Nassos Philoptochos President: Mary Ann Rasmussen Church School Coordinators: Randa Anderson Stacy Sennott Greek School: Stella Theoharopoulos (847) Agape Preschool: Julia Mantice (224) Youth Ministry: Louis Pappas Custodian: Arturo Lemus Coffee Fellowship: Lucia Economos (847) Dynamis Group: Athena Ames (847) The Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church was chartered in 1960, the Church edifice was completed in Designed by James S. Economou, who was the recipient of the 1968 DISTINGUISHED BUILDING AWARD by the Chicago Chapter of the The American Institute of Architects and at the Association of Commerce and Industry.

3 Tis the Season for Stewardship By Father Michael Stearns To give, or not to give? That s not often the question! The real issues usually surround price, availability, shipping, and finding just the right present to bring a little joy and happiness into the life of its recipient. We give because it feels good, but it can also be extremely stressful. When are we going to find the time in our super-busy holiday schedules to fight traffic across town to our favorite retailers? There is also a question of our aptitude for finding the right gifts. If those thoughts don t stress you out, just try and think of how you are going to pay for it all! Some savvy shoppers have turned to the internet for help. Almost ten percent (10%) of the anticipated $465 Billion in retail holiday sales will be conducted via computer, tablet, and smart phone! If we just focus on questions of how this year, we will miss something very important. So let s turn our attention to why. What is the reason for the season? As Orthodox Christians we know the answer. No lengthy encyclical is necessary here to remind us that Jesus Christ, and the Salvation that He brings, is the greatest gift God has ever given the world. Each and every one of us receives that gift at our Baptism and/or Chrismation. It is out of our great joy and thanksgiving that we give each other gifts, and thereby express our love for Christ, who is found inside each one of us. But what about Christ Himself? What gift have we prepared for Him this year? Is there nothing under the tree for the Savior of our souls? The re-gifted fruitcake from your aunt, reserved to save you the embarrassment of not having a present for the unexpected house guest, is simply not going to cut it in this case! The truth is that we spend an inordinate amount of time, energy, and money on gift giving during the holidays. In our over-exuberance, and over-indulgence, we tend to overlook the importance of this time in our spiritual lives. Along with Snow and Santa, we need to consider our Stewardship. While your chestnuts are roasting, pour yourself a peppermint latte, sit down and really reflect on your life through the lens of spiritual giving. Think about all the time, effort, and hard earned cash you are expending this holiday season, and compare that with your Stewardship. Are you spending more time shopping this month alone than you do in prayer all year long? Are you putting more effort into finding your kids the toys they desire than teaching them how to live the Gospel? Finally, are you spending more money on gifts that will soon be discarded than you give to support the mission of the Savior through His Holy Church? Right now you may be saying to yourself, bah humbug! This message is not meant to dampen your giving spirit, but on the contrary, help you get the most out of it! The greatest joy this holiday season is found in our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. When we give back to Him, in thanksgiving for what He has blessed us with already, He showers us with presents beyond the imagination of any wideeyed child on Christmas morning. If you want a sure fire way to get the most out of your gift giving this year, make Christ a part of every aspect. Give your time to the Lord, through daily prayer and attending the Divine Services. Give of your talent, by finding just the right ministry to get involved in, bringing both joy to others and a sense of fulfillment to yourself. Give of your abundance, to ensure that the mission and ministries of Jesus Christ continue to be offered through His Church. True Stewardship is the greatest gift that we can give to the Greatest Giver ever known! A Blessed and Merry Christmas to all!

4 SACRAMENTS Baptisms Sophia Isabella, daughter of Constantine and Dorothy (Deptuch) Karamitsos Sponsors: Catherine and Philip Birmingham Reese Elizabeth, daughter of Mark and Lisa (Zaffer) Olson Sponsors: Tina and Gus Sparagis John Frank, son of Frank and Cecilia (Bravo) Sponsor: Jim Carallis All who have been baptized into Christ, are clothed with Christ. (Galatians 3:27)) Wedding Sacrament Alec and Meghan (McCool) Gatziolis Sponsor: Kosti Demos Mark and Nicole (Zuba) Rantis Sponsor: Nicholas Pridmore Our Condolences to the families of Dr. Apollo Solecki, Maxine Sikora, Annette Gramatis, Dorothea Kavooras, and Conrad Verges. May their memory be eternal. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable. (1 Corinthians. 15:52) 40 Day Churching of Mother and Infant Zachary Evan, son of Beth (Herrington) and Van Stamos Anastasia Magdeline, daughter of Nota (Vasdekis) and Frank Marinos

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9 Tuesday November 1st, was Faith, Love and Joy Family night. We enjoyed pizza, talked about Thanksgiving and the importance of saying thank you, and Father Angelo lead a discussion on the subjects of Halloween and materialism. F A I T H L O V E & J O Y

10 Philoptochos News by Milly Pappas COMING EVENTS December 1, Thursday - PHILOPTOCHOS CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY Social Hour: 6:00 p.m. (cash bar) Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Place: Valley Lo Club in Glenview Donation: $40.00 Please bring an unwrapped toy for the aids children, ages 3 to 5 years. Checks payable to SS Peter and Paul Philoptochos and mail by November 23 to: Kaye Janus 660 McHenry Road- #307, Wheeling, IL Co-Chairs: Phyllis Perivolitis Juanita Leakakos December 18, Sunday - METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO OPEN HOUSE Metropolis Home, 40 East Burton Place, Chicago Everyone is welcome. January 8, 2012, Sunday - METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO CITY WIDE VASILOPITA Place: St. George Greek Orthodox Church th Avenue Schererville, Indiana The event helps support St. Basil s Academy, a home for orthodox children, in New York State. Our Philoptochos has complimentary tickets for our parish during Coffee Hour on Sundays in December. The Ladies Philoptochos Society would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the year and send their many blessings for a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and happiness.

11 Philoptochos members toured the Jane Addams Hull House Museum in Chicago last June. Many immigrants, including Greek immigrants, were involved with the Hull House and were helped by Jane Addams with the language and customs of America. Very interesting. Pictured above are Evelyn Demetrius, Program Chairlady, MaryAnn Rasmussen, Philoptochos President, and Toula Georgacopoulos (center), Director of Operations and Programs, National Hellenic Museum, who gave us an update on the future of the museum. The Clergy Laity Conference was held in Champaign, Illinois in October. Philoptochos was represented by Delegates MaryAnn Rasmussen, Fay Paras, and Peggy Vranas. Our Parish representatives were, Fr. Angelo and Presbytera Patricia, Fr. Michael, Chris Atsaves, George Nassos, Bill Vranas, and Fr. John Artemas (Fr. Angelos s father).

12 On Monday October 31st, the Hope group held their annual dress-up day. In attendance were Superman, Lightening McQueen, a New York Yankee, Thomas the Train, Woody, Snow White, Grover, a princess, a cat and two ladybugs. Afterwards we all celebrated Sebastian s 2 nd Birthday.

13 Junior High On Tuesday October 11th, the Junior High met for an evening of fellowship and fun. The kids enjoyed playing ping-pong and video games, and we talked about the recent stories in the news about cheating and how to avoid that temptation.

14 On Saturday November 5th, the 3 th grade church school gathered in the kitchen to learn how to make Prosphora. Then on Sunday Father Angelo explained how the Prosphora was prepared for the Divine Liturgy.

15 December 2011 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 4:30 pm Greek School 2 3 9:30 am Greek School 9:30 am Christmas Pageant Rehearsal 4 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Church School Christmas Pageant 5 9:30 am HOPE Group 4:30 pm Greek School 7:30 pm High School Youth Group 6 9:30 am St. Nicholas Divine Liturgy 6:30 pm Faith, Love & Joy 6:30 pm Philoptochos Board Mtg. 7 10:00 am Adult Bible Study 8 4:30 pm Greek School 7:00 pm Parish Council Executive Mtg :30 am Greek School 11 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Parish Council Elections 12 9:30 am HOPE Group 4:30 pm Greek School 7:30 pm High School Youth Group 13 7:30 pm Jr. High Youth Group 14 10:00 am Adult Bible Study 10:30 am Preschool Christmas Program 15 1:00 pm Dynamis Christmas Party 4:30 pm Greek School :30 am Greek School 18 9:30 am Divine Liturgy Coffee Connection 10 9:30 am HOPE Group 5:00 pm Greek School Christmas Program 7:30 pm High School Youth Group :00 am Adult Bible Study 22 7:00 pm Parish Council Mtg. 23 Office Closed 24 9:00 am Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy 25 9:00 am Christmas Day Divine Liturgy 26 Office Closed Office Closed 31 No Church School

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18 1401 Wagner Road Glenview, Illinois Address Service Requested Hope Group