THE ASSUMPTION CONNECTION March 2015 LENTEN/PASCHAL ITEMS NEEDED 1. Items listed are needed for the celebration of the special services during Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha. 2. Families may share the cost of an item. Everyone has a chance to contribute. 3. If you are donating, please contact the church office as soon as possible. ITEM COST DONOR BAY LEAVES 220.00 ANNUNCIATION ICON FLOWERS 45.00 ANNUNCIATION ICON FLOWERS (3rd salutation) 45.00 CROSS FLOWERS ON KOUVOUKLION 50.00 CROSS WREATH (holy Thursday) 80.00 DAFFODILS (veneration of the cross) 75.00 GARDENIAS (12 TOTAL) 90.00 ICON SCREEN FLOWERS (4 TOTAL) 110.00 LILIES (6 TOTAL) 25.00/ea NYMPHIOS ICON FLOWERS 45.00 OIL FOR ALTAR CANDLES 45.00 OIL FOR HOLY UNCTION 10.00 PALMS FOR PALM SUNDAY 155.00 PALM SUNDAY ICON FLOWERS 45.00 PALM SUNDAY VASE SET 45.00 PASCHA RED EGGS (35 dozen) 32.00 PASCHA VASE SET 45.00 RESURRECTION BANNER 80.00 RESURRECTION CANDLE (for father) 45.00 RESURRECTION ICON FLOWERS (2 icons) 45.00/ea ROSE PETALS (holy Friday) 10.00 ROSE WATER (holy Friday) 10.00 THEOTOKOS ICON FLOWERS (AkathistHymn) 45.00 THEOTOKOS ICON FLOWERS (1stSalutation) 45.00 THEOTOKOS ICON FLOWERS (2nd Salutation) 45.00 THEOTOKOS ICON FLOWERS (4th Salutation) 45.00 Votive candles for kouvouklion (26 total) 5.00 ea.
MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY.......... Mondays: 10:30 12:30 PHILOPTOCHOS MEETINGS.............. Bi-Monthly Meetings GOYA MEETINGS......................... Last Sunday of the month RELIGIOUS EDUCATION................... Tuesdays 6 7 pm PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS.............. Third Wednesday of the month 6:15 pm FISH FRY DINNER........................ Fridays 3 8 pm GREEK DANCE PRACTICE TEENS...... Saturdays TBD GREEK DANCE PRACTICE KIDS........ Saturdays TBD MARCH 2015 Sun Mo Tue We Th Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 4: PreSanctified Liturgy @ St. Nicholas, 6:00 pm Burton 8: Parish Level Oratorical Festival 11: PreSanctified Liturgy @ Assumption 6:00 pm 14: Taste of Greece 4-8 pm 18: PreSanctified Liturgy @ St. Mary Magdalene 6:00 pm 22: Sunday Brunch Mortgage Reduction 25: Annunciation PanOrthodox Vesperal 6:00 pm Liturgy @ Assumption 29: Tenative Spring General Assembly MAY 2015 Sun Mo Tue We Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2
APRIL 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1: PreSanctified Liturgy @ St. George, Flint 6:00 pm 4: Saturday of Lazarus Liturgy 9:30 am Breakfast @ St. George, Flint 5: Palm Sunday Luncheon Bridegroom Vespers 6:00 pm 6: Bridegroom Vespers 6:00 pm 7: Bridegroom Cassiani Vespers 6:00 pm 8: Holy Unction 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm 9: St. Basil Liturgy 10:30 am Holy Thursday 12 Gospels 6:00 pm 10: Taking Down Service 4:00 pm Lamentations & Epitaphio Procession 7:00 pm 11: St. Basil Liturgy 10:30 am Resurrection Service 9:00 pm 12: PASCHA! Agape Service 11:00 am 13: Bright Week No Memorials Allowed 18: A Taste of Greece 4 8 pm 22: Parish Council Meeting 6:15 pm 25: St. Mary Magdalene Consegration Dinner @ Assumption Hall 5:00 pm 26: Sunday Brunch Proceeds for Children s Playscape 3
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT The services vices of Great Lent are at the same time extremely beautiful and yet filled with an atmosphere of a penitential character. The Church offers us many differences in the service to remind us of this such as the majority of services are conducted a night when the atmosphere is more peaceful, the royal gates to the altar area remain closed to remind us of Man s separation through sin from the Kingdom of God, and the priests vestments start out purple and become increasing darker as Holy Week approaches. The daily hymns have an intercessory nature, entreating God through His saints to have mercy on us sinners. Although most Orthodox are familiar with some of the services of Holy Week, few know the entire collection of services that make up the entire Lenten season. Every Orthodox Christian should allow themselves to separate from the noise of the world and retreat humbly and prayerfully into the greatest event of Christianity the passion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With that in mind I want to take time to review the entire schedule of services. The Lenten session is prefaced by the Triodion (Τριωδιον) period, which means three odes and covers the preparatory weeks leading up to Holy Week. The themes of this period begin our penitential descent into Lent, both spiritually through the services and physically through fasting. The Triodion includes Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, Sunday of the Prodigal Son and Sunday of Last Judgment (Meatfare or Apókreο-literally: the "Leave-taking from Meat") in Greek. Meatfare and finally Cheesefare Sunday (Tyrinĕ, - literally: "Cheese Sunday"). Additionally prior to the start of Great Lent we celebrate the Saturday of Souls (Ψυχοσαββατο) liturgies, where we pray universally for all of the departed. The faithful offer koliva, and names of their departed are all read during the Memorial portion of the service. The Scripture readings refer to the dead and their hope of salvation through Christ who has trampled down death by death. The Forty Days of Great Lent (Μεγαλη Σαρρακοστη), begin on Clean Monday following Cheesefare Sunday (Orthodox do not have Ash Wednesday) and it is typical to conduct the Great Compline of the Canon of St Andrew of Crete. The fast increases to exclude dairy products and oil, although on two specific feasts during Lent (the Annunciation and Palm Sunday), fish is allowed. In most Greek Orthodox parishes two services dominate the Lenten period, the Pre- Sanctified Liturgy (Προηγιασμενη Λειτουργια) each Wednesday and the salutations to the Theotokos each Fridays. The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was first documented by St. Gregory the Dialogist (AD 540-604), who was the papal legate to Constantinople and is a beautifully solemn evening service combining elements of Vespers with the administration of Holy Communion added to it. There is no consecration of 4
the Eucharist during the service as the Lamb (Body of Christ) has been pre-sanctified (consecrated) at the previous Sunday s liturgy. It comes after a day of spiritual preparation and offers the faithful who are unable to make the effort of total fasting because of weakness or work. Normally a light lenten meal is eaten in the morning or early afternoon. This service was initiated by the early Church to offer strength to the faithful during this time of increased struggle. The prayer of St. Ephraim of Syria that is repeated throughout this service clearly displays the repentance nature of this service: O Lord and Master of my life: take from me the spirit of sloth, faint-heartedness, lust of power and idle talk. But grant rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Your servant. Lord and King, grant me to see my own errors and not to judge my brother, for blessed are You unto ages of ages. Amen. In the typikon of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese each Friday of Lent we chant the Salutations to the Theotokos in place of the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. The hymn was composed in Constantinople, by St. Romanos the Melodist in the year 556. The majority of the hymn is made up of praises directed to the Mother of God, and also relate to our Lord's incarnation pass before us for our contemplation. Each stanza ends with the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel: "Rejoice O unwedded Bride." The final Friday we chant all five Salutations in a single service referred to as the Akathistos, which literally means "not sitting." Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday immediately precede our entrance into Holy Week and celebrate two significant events in the earthly life of our Lord: His resurrecting His friend Lazarus, and His glorious entrance into the city of Jerusalem. Great and Holy Week begins with the evening Matins of the Bridegroom service on Sunday night where the long Alleluia replaces the psalm: God is the Lord. Scripture readings from Genesis and Proverbs are added to Vespers, and the Prophecy of Isaiah to the Sixth Hour. Each of these books is read nearly in its entirety during the Lenten period. The remainder of Holy Week (and especially Holy Thursday where we hear the 12 Gospels) transports us ever deeper in to the darkness of Christ s betrayal, arrest, torture, trial, and finally crucifixion until we all celebrate the event of His glorious resurrection. And joyfully and in unison sing the triumphal hymn: Χριστός ανέστη έκ νεκρων, θανάτω θάνατον πατήσας, και τοις εν τοις μνήμασι, ζωήν χαρισάμενος! Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! 5
Prosphoron Schedule March 1: Tony & Vicki Iakovidis 8: Bill & Lisa Iordanou 15: Anita Jimos & John Jimos 22: Paula Jimos-Caverly 25: George & Julie Jonascu April 5: Elaine Joynt & David Duffy 9: Athena Kalatzis 11: John & Karen Kaloydis 17: Lou & Susan Kallis 19: Penny Kallis 26: Agape Kallis May 3: Kapellas, Katina 10: Karabinas, Pavlos & Ruth 17: Karakitsos, Peter & Litsa 24: Kitsonas, William 31: Kokkinakos, Peter & Tula Please make 4 loaves of Prosphora and bring them to church by 9:30 on the morning of the service. Be sure to include your lists of names to give to Father for the prayers: one list is for those who are living and the other for those who have died. If you choose not to make Prosphora, please send a check to the church for $20 made payable to Philoptochos with a note stating it is for Prosphora. Be sure to include your list of names. If you have questions, please contact Athena Kalatzis at 694-4295. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 PLEASE PRAY FOR: Argiri Haralambous; Marika Kalafatis; Nick Kondyles; John Kottalis Panagiota Kolokitha; Sophia Martorelli; Niki Panos; Theodora Stevens; Irene Yiannatji HOLY CONFESSION Wednesdays 3 5 pm Fridays 3 5:30 pm OR BY APPOINTMENT To schedule an appointment, call Fr. Angelo at 810-471-0316 6
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY March promises to be a busy month for our ladies organization. Our regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 1:00. This year the Philoptochos Society is looking at donating to causes that involve women such as domestic abuse. We are trying to arrange to have a speaker at our May meeting from the YWCA to speak on this issue. On Wednesday, March 11, 2015, we will be touring the Center of Hope at 9:30 AM. which is the old St. Michael s school located on Fifth Avenue. We welcome everyone who is interested to attend both of these activities. On Tuesday, March 31, the ladies will be baking tsoureki. Anyone interested in helping out can come at 10:00 AM and if you can t make it that day, we can use your help the following day to bag the bread. An extra pair of hands is always welcome! We will start collecting for the Epitaphio Flowers on Sunday, March 1, 2015 and will continue through Palm Sunday. Ann Lowe, President, Philoptochos Society DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE Our committees are hard at work. The budget committee has developed a proposed budget for 2015 that will be presented at the February 8th meeting. At that time we will either approve the proposed budget or offer suggestions for changes. Once the budget is approved and in place, we will have a better idea of how much we can spend on our various projects and what kind of fund raisers we will need to meet our goals. Then our committee for college student care-packages and the Salad Luncheon Committee can proceed with their work. Our next regular meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2015 after church. Please try your best to be present to give your input on the budget and our future projects. On Saturday, March 7 we are scheduled to go to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan from 9:00 am to noon to help out. There will be a variety of tasks for us to work on. Some tasks will involve shelving food while other tasks can be completed while sitting at a table. Please talk to your family members and friends to join us for this worthwhile project. It might be fun if we plan to go to lunch (Lenten of course) together after we complete our session. The District AHAEPA/Daughters Scholarship applications are now available. See you at the meeting on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8. Cathy Yeotis, Iris Chapter President, Daughters of Penelope 7
Εισαγωγή στη Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή Όταν κάποιος ξεκινά για ένα ταξίδι, πρέπει να ξέρει πού πηγαίνει. Το ίδιο ισχύει και με τη Σαρακοστή. H Σαρακοστή είναι ένα πνευματικό ταξίδι και προορισμός του είναι το Πάσχα, η εορτή των εορτών. Είναι η προετοιμασία για την εκπλήρωση του Πάσχα, την αληθινή Αποκάλυψη. Για να ξεκινήσουμε, επομένως, πρέπει να προσπαθήσουμε να καταλάβουμε αυτή τη σύνδεση μεταξύ Σαρακοστής και Πάσχα, επειδή αποκαλύπτει κάτι πολύ ουσιαστικό, ύψιστης σημασίας για τη χριστιανική μας πίστη και ζωή. Χρειάζεται να εξηγήσουμε ότι το Πάσχα είναι πολλά περισσότερα από μια ακόμη γιορτή, από μια ανάμνηση ενός περασμένου γεγονότος. Με το Πάσχα γιορτάζουμε την Ανάσταση του Χριστού ως κάτι που συνέβη και συνεχίζει να συμβαίνει σε μας. Επειδή ο καθένας μας έλαβε το δώρο αυτής της νέας ζωής και τη δύναμη να την αποδεχτεί και να τη ζήσει. Είναι ένα δώρο που αλλάζει ριζικά τη στάση μας απέναντι σε όλα τα στοιχεία αυτού του κόσμου, ακόμη και το θάνατο. Μας δίνει τη δυνατότητα να βεβαιώνουμε με χαρά: Θάνατος δεν υπάρχει πια! Όμως, ο θάνατος είναι ακόμα εδώ αναμφίβολα, και κάποια μέρα θα έρθει και θα μας πάρει. Αλλά είναι ολόκληρη η πίστη μας ότι με το θάνατό Του ο Χριστός άλλαξε την ίδια τη φύση του θανάτου, την έκανε μια μετάβαση, ένα πέρασμα, ένα Πάσχα προς τη Βασιλεία του Θεού και μεταμόρφωσε τη μεγαλύτερη τραγωδία στον απόλυτη νικη. Ωστόσο, μήπως δεν είναι καθημερινή μας διαπίστωση ότι αυτή η πίστη μάς ανήκει πολύ σπάνια, ότι συνεχώς χάνουμε και προδίδουμε τη νέα ζωή που λάβαμε ως δώρο, και ότι στην πραγματικότητα ζούμε σαν ο Χριστός να μην είχε αναστηθεί από τους νεκρούς, σαν αυτό το μοναδικό γεγονός να μην είχε καμιά σημασία για μας; Απλά τα ξεχνάμε όλα αυτά τόσο πολυάσχολοι είμαστε με τις καθημερινές μας ανησυχίες και επειδή τα ξεχνάμε, Και μέσα αυτη την κατασταση η ζωή μας γίνεται πάλι παλιά και σκοτεινή, ένα άσκοπο ταξίδι προς ένα άσκοπο τέλος. Μεσα την Σαρακοστη μπορουρε να παύουμε και αναγνωρίζουμε και να εξομολογούμαστε τις διάφορες αμαρτίες μας, να αντιστοιχίζουμε τη ζωή μας παλι προς εκείνη τη νέα ζωή που μας έδωσε ο Χριστός. Ένα ταξίδι, ένα προσκύνημα! Όμως, καθώς το ξεκινάμε, καθώς κάνουμε το πρώτο βήμα στο χαροποιόν πένθος. Η Σαρακοστή βλέπουμε μακριά, πολύ μακριά τον προορισμό. Είναι χαρά του Πάσχα, είναι η είσοδος στη δόξα της Βασιλείας. Και είναι αυτή η όραση, η πρόγευση του Πάσχα, που κάνει το πένθος της Σαρακοστής χαροποιόν, το σαρακοστιανό μας αγώνα μια «πνευματική άνοιξη». 8
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Assumption Ladies Philoptochos Society Annual Pascha Tsoureki Sale Each Tsoureki is: $8.00 ALL ORDERS MUST BE PRE-PAID DEADLINE IS: March 29, 2015 ANNUAL PASCHA TSOUREKI SALE PRE-PAID ORDER FORM DEADLINE: APRIL 2, 2014 NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE #: ALTERNATE PHONE #: TOTAL BREADS ORDERED @ $8.00 Each (Total) PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY Send Checks To: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 2245 E. Baldwin Rd., Grand Blanc, MI 48439 10
P a ge 11 Newsletter Title V olume 1, I s s u e 1 11
Newsletter Title V olume 1, I s s u e 1 P a ge 12 Inside Story Headline This story can fit 150-200 words. One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports. While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers. A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product. You can also research articles or find filler articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short. Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it. Caption describing picture or graphic. Inside Story Headline This story can fit 100-150 words. The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field. You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients. If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing. Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors. To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here. Inside Story Headline This story can fit 75-125 words. Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter. Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context. Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols. Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image. Caption describing picture or graphic. 12
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MORTGAGE DRIVE 2015 The following individuals and organizations have contributed this year to the Mortgage Drive: Dr. Chris Bakris Katie Chinonis Agape Kallis Athena Kalatzis John & Pauline Mandelaris Steve & Martha Poulos Hon. Tom & Meg Yeotis Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society Pastitsio Fundraiser Sunday Brunch In Memory of T. & N. Mersinas FRIENDS OF THE METROPOLIS 2014 CONTRIBUTORS Andy Brown Dennis & Debra Chinonis Katie Chinonis John & Linda Chinonis Jeff Lauster & Nancy Chinonis Sandra Chinonis John & Laura Costa Camelia Greenberg Dimitri Hountalas John & Tasia Hountalas Yanni Hountalas Jonascu Family Athena Kalatzis Agape Kallis John & Karen Kaloydis Tessie Komodromos Ted & Ann Lowe Fr. Angelo & Presvytera Teri Maggos John & Pauline Mandelaris Sophia Martorelli Chrysafis Mersinas Dr. George & Rita Politis Emmanouil Potsos Olga Steinhoff Cathy Yeotis Hon. Thomas & Meg Yeotis Assumption Parish Daughters of Penelope Iris Chapter Assumption Philoptochos (as of 11/30/14) If you would like to help us further reduce our mortgage, please contact any Parish Council member or the church office. We re still looking for donors to help reduce the church mortgage. If you haven t already donated, please consider contributing to the Mortgage Drive. Together we can slay the Mortgage Dragon! 14
We will be passing 2 trays from Now until Festival Time. 2nd tray is to defray and hopefully eliminate festival Expenses. Your donations mean more Profit for the festival!! Refer to the list on page 9 and sign up to donate one or more of the necessary items available on the list posted in the church hall. Jimmie s Pastitsio* Full Tray $50.00 Half Tray $30.00 ASSUMPTION FISH FRY FRIDAYS To order, call John Hountalas 810-701-5164 ALLOW 1 WEEK NOTICE *All proceeds go toward reducing the church mortgage. WE RE MORE THAN JUST FISH! FRIDAYS 3 8 PM 15
MEMORIAL SERVICES Scheduling of Memorial Services Church Keys The Parish Council has performed an assessment of key issuance. The original allotment of keys have been issued and we have incurred expenses to get new keys cut. The Parish Council is asking everyone who has a key or keys to sign a new Key Roster Log which is located in the Church Office. If you no longer have a need for the key(s), we ask that you turn the key or keys into the office or a Parish Council member. St. Basil Coin Winners: Who ever gets the coin is has the blessings of St. Basil! Congratulations! Agape Kallis Sophia Margaritis Nisiotes Dance Group All Memorial Services must be scheduled through the church secretary so that they may be placed on the church calendar. Refreshments Philoptochos no longer provides the refreshments. However, any family having a Memorial may sponsor the Coffee Hour and bring food. If the family is providing food, Philoptochos will assist in set up and clean up. However, the family must state that they wish assistance at the time the Memorial is scheduled with the church. Koliva If anyone is in need of Koliva, please contact Ann Lowe (of Philoptochos) for the names of those available to make it. The standard rate is $150. It is the responsibility of the family to arrange for Koliva. 16
STEWARDSHIP LIST: Beginning January 2015, your name will only appear on the Stewardship List if a filled out and signed stewardship card and a payment has been received. Allard, Clyde & Georgia Bakris, Dr. Chris Bakris, Dr. Nicholas Batsios, Eftyhia Batsios, Evangelos Birtsas, Sandra Bograkos, Tim & Sandy Brown Jr., Andy Chiavaras, Lucille Chinonis, Dennis & Dr. Debra Chinonis, John & Linda Chinonis, Katie Chiros, Theoni Chuleas-Williams, Anna Clinton, Mike & Kathy Costa, John & Laura Delbridge, Ray & Carol Federick, Curt & Vivian Ferich, Andrew & Voula Garceau, Greg & Sia Hagler, Gary & Marian Iakovidis, Tony & Vicki Joseph, Patti Joynt, Elaine & Duffy, David Kallis, Agape Kallis, Penny Kaloydis, John & Karen Karabinas, Pavlos & Ruth Kokkinakos, Peter & Tula Kontorousis, Dimitre & Jacqueline Kossaras, Dean & Joyce Kottalis, Mary T. Kuzmanovsky, Kosta & Shaochi Cheng Lauster, Jeff & Chinonis, Nancy Lowe, Ted & Ann Maggos, Fr. Angelo & Presvy. Teri Mandelaris, John & Pauline Manutes, Demi Manutes, Nicholas & Maria Margaritis, George & Sofia Marks-Vomvolakis, Maria Mersinas, Chrysafis Mersinas, Dina Mersinas, George & Laura Naum, Gus & Susie Nikolakeas, John & Polin Pappas, Dean & Elaine Paraschos, Tim & April Pavlis, John & Pat Photiou, Lucas & Lori Politis, Dr. George & Rita Poulos, Steve & Martha Pyles, Tom Schultze, JoAnne Stamatis, Tom & Sandra Steinhoff, Amanda Steinhoff, Dr. Stephanie Yeotis, Catherine Yeotis, Hon. Tom & Meg At the Last Supper, as we read in Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, Jesus instructed His disciples, "I Am the Vine; you are the branches." He was telling us that the purpose of our abiding in Him is that we may bear fruit for God in the world. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit..." Just as the vine bears fruit only through its branches, so Jesus has chosen to work in the world through us. We are the members of His Body. We are the branches through which the True Vine must bear fruit. We bear fruit when we serve and support God and His Church. 17
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION AND ANTIDORON With the fear of God, faith and love draw near Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a solemn matter, and a time to approach the Cup of Christ with reverence, awe and respect. In order to provide respect for the solemnity of the Eucharist, we have established the following order for the receipt of Holy Communion: Newly Baptized or Chrismated Choir Members Far Left Side Pew Main Body of church released by the Parish Council members by row, starting at the BACK of the church. Children will receive Communion with their parents. Please remain standing in your pew until a Parish Council member releases your row to receive Holy Communion. After Liturgy is completed, ushers will release you by row to receive Antidoron. Please go up the center aisle and exit down the side aisles, as it is inappropriate to turn your back when the Body and Blood of Christ is present at the Altar. Donations made at an Orthodox Funeral service in MEMORIAL DONATIONS memory of the departed are typically collected by the church, which then presents the names and final donation amount to the designated surviving family member. At that time the family has the opportunity to decide on distribution of those funds and can determine if they would like to use memorial funds to purchase an item for the church in memory of the departed from a published list of approved items. (This list will be published in the monthly newsletter and posted in the church office). We ask that should the family desire to purchase an item they indicate this to the priest and Parish Council by the time of the 40 day memorial, otherwise those funds will be released to the operating fund of our church. Any memorial donation checks not marked Assumption Church will be distributed for the purpose indicated on the check. ASSUMPTION GOC MEMBER POLICY The current approved policy for Parishioner Status of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (AGOC) of Flint, Michigan is as follows: Parishioner (Member) - Person Baptized and Chrismated according the rites of the Orthodox Church. Parishioner (Member) in Good Standing: Person in compliance with Section 1 and 2 of Article 18 of the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Person with an AGOC pledge card on file and current in pledges for active and preceding year. In-Active Parishioner (Member) - Person not in compliance with requirements for Member or Member in Good Standing as defined above. Members in Good Standing are entitled to all sacraments at the AGOC and are not required to pay church usage fees for sacraments for those persons identified on the applicable pledge card or persons under 18 years of age. Members and In-Active Members are entitled to all sacraments at AGOC but are required to pay church usage fees of $500. Any deviations from this policy must be approved by the parish priest and must be presented to him at least one month prior to the proposed sacrament date. 18
Swartz FUNERAL HOME Our Family Caring For Yours Owned and Operated by Rick R. Lamb & Family Personal Family Service Cremation Services Affordable Cost Options Aftercare Services Provided Advance Funeral Planning Monuments 1255 W. Hill Road Between I-475 and US-23 810-235-2345 www.swartzfuneralhomeinc.com 19
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These advertisers help to make our Newsletter possible by sponsoring it with their advertising. Won t you please patronize their businesses and mention that you saw their ad in this Newsletter? 21
These advertisers help to make our Newsletter possible by sponsoring it with their advertising. Won t you please patronize their businesses and mention that you saw their ad in this Newsletter? 22
Rev. Fr. Angelo Maggos Orthros: Divine Liturgy: Office Hours Tuesday through Thursday 10 am 3 pm Telephone: 810-771-4611 Fax: 810-771-4586 Secretary: Laura Mersinas E-Mail 9:30 am 10:00 am Weekdays and Feast Days: See Calendar chsecagoc@gmail.com Website www.flintorthodox.com Stewardship Payments can be made by Credit Card during regular office hours in the Office and on Friday s between 3-8 pm during the Fish Fry. Please contact a Parish Council member for other arrangements. 2014 Parish Council John Hountalas President Cathy Yeotis V. President Debra Chinonis Treasurer JoAnne Schultze Secretary Andy Brown, Jr. Susan Kallis Paul Margaris Sophia Martorelli Tom Pyles Vivian Sirakis-Federick Ryan VanDyke ORGANIZATIONS Religious Education committee Acolytes: John Kaloydis/Mike Potsos Choir: Nancy Chinonis Chant: Bill Roufos/Crystal Demps) Philoptochos: Ann Lowe GOYA: John Costa Greek School: Anna Anagnostopoulos VIPS: Voula Pagonis AHEPA: Dr. George Politis Daughters of Penelope: Cathy Yeotis Nisiotes: Kathy Clinton Jr. Nisiotes: Vivian Sirakis 23
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church 2245 E Baldwin Road Grand Blanc, MI 48439 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage Paid Grand Blanc, Michigan Permit #42 Place mailing label here THE HALL IS AVAILABLE FOR RENT. CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR DETAILS. 24