BEHEADING OF ST. August 29, 2021

Saints Commemorated today: Theodora of Thessaloniki; Anastasios the New Martyr of Bulgaria

EPISTLE READING Acts 13:25-33 In those days, as John was finishing his course, he said, "What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie." Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they asked Pilate to have him killed. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead; and for many days he appeared to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.

GOSPEL READING Mark 6:14-30 At that time, Herod the King heard about the fame of Jesus, for his name had become known. He said, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." But others said, "It is ." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it." And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer." And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.

ENTRANCE HYMN: 1ST TONE When the stone was sealed by the Jews and the soldiers were guarding Thine immaculate body, Thou didst arise on the third day, O Savior, granting life unto the world. For which cause the powers of heaven cried out to Thee, O Lifegiver: Glory to Thy resurrection, O Christ. Glory to Thy Kingdom. Glory to Thy dispensation, O only Friend of man.

FOURTH MODE As the first-called of the Apostles, and brother of their leader O Andrew, entreat the Master of all that peace be granted unto the world and great mercy to our souls. SUNDAY SCHOOL After a long and tough Covid-19 break, we are looking forward to finally getting back to having Sunday School again! We will begin on SEPTEMBER 12th. We are very excited about the new school year and are looking forward to welcoming our students back! REGISTRATION: We will be doing registration online (click here) again this year. We will have a computer available at church for the first few Sundays after Divine Liturgy and can assist you with the process if you experience any difficulties. We ask that you please register your children ASAP so we can prepare the classroom and rosters.

SOCIALLY DISTANCED SECTION We kindly remind everyone that we have set aside a section of pews for those who wish to wear masks and continue to socially distance. Masks and distancing are required in this section, as per the Metropolis of Chicago. We ask that if you are not wearing a mask and distance, that you to sit in another section. If you have any questions, talk to Fr. John. Thank you for your consideration and understanding.

PHILANTHROPY AT ST. ANDREW Philoptochos is back after our summer break, and we’re going straight into the next virtual pastry sale in time for Labor Day celebrations! You can order through August 29, and pick-up on Saturday, Sep 4, 10-12, behind the church in the Good Samaritan social hall. Please share this fund-raiser with your family, friends and co-workers, and look for the ads and order form on our Facebook page called Philanthropy at Saint Andrew or order here. We will also have virtual sales in November and December for the holiday season. We also continue our sale of premium extra virgin olive oil of Greek origin. We are now offering 3 Liter cans of Spitiko for $33. This premium oil is produced in Kalamata, . (We are currently not able to get the previous variety, Olympion.) We thank everyone who has supported this initiative since its inception. We are thrilled with your response! Please contact Tina Assimos if you’d like to purchase olive oil via email or 574-288-4105. As a reminder, the pastry and olive oil sales are currently our two primary fundraisers which help us support our national, metropolis, church and community outreach commitments. Thank you for keeping us in mind for your Greek pastry and premium olive oil needs! We hope you’re having a fabulous summer despite the remnants of Covid. Stay healthy and positive!

STEWARDSHIP “Stewardship is the offering to God as children of faith rather than as hired servants. Children of God make offerings to God as an expression of authentic love, whereas hired servants simply fulfill legalistic duty. Christian stewardship is a manifestation of our love for God through the holistic offering of time, talent, and treasure to Him, through Christ’s Holy Church. By this offering of love to our Father in heaven, He further extends the healing experience of His Church to His children, through Her ministry.” -Father Luke Palumbis, St. Basil the Great Church, Houston, TX

METROPOLIS CHOIR FEDERATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE OCT 7-10 In less than 2 months, on Oct 7-10, we will welcome the Metropolis Federation of Church Choirs to Saint Andrew, for their 63rd conference. We are very fortunate to be hosting this event, and together we can make it the best it can be for both our church family and the choir federation. Attached is the conference packet. Please review it for familiarity of the event, adding special focus to the excellent entertainment planned for the two dinners, on Friday and Saturday nights of the event. These dinners are open to our parishioners as well as to the conference participants. Maximizing parishioner attendance will help increase event profit which will be split evenly between the church and the choir federation. Please consider attending the two dinners, in addition to purchasing an ad in the event ad book, which is another profit center to benefit the church and the federation. Since the June festival and the September drive-thru have been cancelled for a variety of reasons, it will be great if we leveraged the choir conference for much needed income for the church general fund. Please support this event which will help keep our church viable for years to come. In the attached conference packet, you will find the ad book purchase form and the Guest Meal Request Form. Please use these two documents for the ad purchases and dinner attendance. For the guest meal form, just indicate number attending the dinner, which dinner specifically, and a check for the amount indicated for each dinner. If you’d like to pay by credit card, please contact the church office. Submission deadline for both is September 10. Any questions, please contact Spyro Terezis at 574-404-1184 (call or text). Thank you in advance for supporting this event which will benefit our church in numerous ways.

VISIT OF ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW As many of you know, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was scheduled to visit us at St. Andrew in May of 2020. Because of COVID-19, his visit to the United States was delayed. Fr. John has mentioned this a few times in church, but we are blessed and excited to announce that His All-Holiness will be visiting our parish the morning of Thursday October 28th. Please mark your calendars for this amazing occasion and plan to join us. Fr. John has been in contact with members from His All- Holiness' team and more details will be forthcoming soon.

ICONOGRAPHY WORKSHOP HOSTED AT ST. ANDREW We're excited to announce that this October, a local Orthodox Christian iconographer Brian Whirledge will be hosting an iconography workshop at St. Andrew. If you're artistically talented OR just want to learn about the foundations of this sacred art, please consider joining the class. Brian has graciously offered a 20% discount for parishioners. Please click HERE for more information.

DISCRETIONARY FUND The Discretionary Fund is to assist local parishioners (individuals, and families) that have encountered financial hardship. If you would like to help please contact Father John or make donations payable to the Discretionary Fund.

VISITING SAINT ANDREW? People of different religious affiliation or tradition are always welcome at the liturgical services of our Holy Orthodox Church. If you are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy or have specific questions, please set up a time to speak with Father John.

YOUR PRAYERS HELP... “...I was sick and you visited Me...” St. Matthew 25:36. “Holy Father, Physician of our souls and bodies have mercy, forgive and heal thy servants.” The following brothers and sisters in Christ need your constant prayers and love, recovering at home or ill at home/hospital: Vasilios Spentzos (home) and Nick Limberopoulos (home). In nursing homes or home bound: Artemis Hoke (Westgate Garden), and Amelia Morris (Miller's Merry Manor, Walkerton).

Today's Ushers are: Manolis Anagnostou, Leon Andrews, Kurt Metros, Nick Giannakakis. If you are not serving in the pangari today, please join everyone in the Sanctuary.

Today’s Epistle Lesson will be read by an Altar Boy. Anthoula Kanalos prepared the Prosforo for this morning. May our God grant you spiritual joy always. Coffee Hour was lovingly prepared for our entire community by the Stangas Family. We thank you for your love and generosity. MEMORIAL: A 20 year memorial for her husband, Gus Stangas and a 6 month memorial for her sister, Sirago Pappas, is offered this morning by Mrs. Elaine Stangas and family. May their memory be eternal.

THIS WEEK Sat Aug 28 Great Vespers 5:00pm

Sun Aug 29 Beheading of St. John the Forerunner and Baptist 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy Wed Sep 1 Beginning of Ecclesiastical New Year 9:30am Divine Liturgy & Blessing of Waters

Thu Sep 2 St. Mammas the Martyr 9:30am Divine Liturgy Fri Sep 3 Paraklesis at Holy Dormition 9:30am

Fri Sep 3 Office Closed at St. Andrew

Sat Sep 4 Great Vespers 5:00pm Sun Sep 5 11th Sunday of Matthew 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy

LOOKING AHEAD Mon Sep 6 Office Closed Wed Sep 8 Nativity of the Theotokos 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy

Wed Sep 8 Bible Study 6:30pm Fri Sep 10 Paraklesis at Holy Dormition 9:30am Sat Sep 11 Great Vespers 5:00pm Sun Sep12 Sunday before Holy Cross 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy Sun Sep 12 Sunday School classes resume Mon Sept 13 Great Vespers 6:00pm Tue Sep14 The Elevation of the Holy Cross 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy

Tue, Sep 14 Parish Council 6pm Wed Sep 15 Bible Study 6:30pm Fri Sep 17 St. Sophia & her daughters Sts. Faith, Hope, and Love at 8:30am Orthros Holy Dormition 9:30am Divine Liturgy

Sat Sep 18 Great Vespers 5:00pm Sun Sep19 Sunday after the Holy Cross 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy

Wed Sep 22 Bible Study 6:30pm Fri Sep 24 St Thecla and St. Silouan of Athos at Holy Dormition 9:30am Divine Liturgy Sat Sep 25 Great Vespers 5:00pm Sun Sep 26 St. John the Theologian 8:30am Orthros 9:30am Divine Liturgy Wed Sep 29 Bible Study 6:30pm

Orthodox Christian Stewardship is a way of life, which acknowledges accountability, reverence, and responsibility before God. A primary goal of Stewardship is to promote spiritual growth and strengthen faith. Becoming a Steward begins when we believe in God, to whom we give our love, loyalty and trust and act on those beliefs. As Stewards, we affirm that every aspect of our lives comes as a gift from Him. Stewardship calls on the faithful to cheerfully offer back to God a portion of the gifts with which they have been blessed.

A steward is one who manages another’s property or resources; the Christian, therefore, is a steward of everything he is and has, including his own body and soul, for according to the mystery of salvation, we possess nothing from ourselves, not even our own life and being; all belongs to God and is given to us by the Father through His Son because of the richness of His love and mercy. from The Theology of Stewardship in Light of Orthodox Tradition by Fr Paul Wesche (Light and Life Publishing)

2021 Active Stewards

Allen, Anastasios & Colleen* Bilionis, Joanna* Anagnos, Nick & Katina* Bilionis, Joanne* Anagnostou, Manolis* Bilionis, Peter & Laura* Andrews, Leon & Jennie* Bilionis, Tasos & Jamie* Angelos, Maria* Blatter, Constance* Antsaklis, Panagiotis & Melinda* Bonnell, Larry & Maria* Arvanitis, Esther* Bouris, Peter* Arvanitis, Panayotis & Beth* Callas, Christine* Assimos, Fotine* Callas, George* Bechaka, Leah* Carroll, John & Kandyn* Bechaka, Terry* Carroll, Ruth* Bilionis, George & Chrysoula* Christ, Christine* Bilionis, Ilias & Maria* Christodoulakis, Chris & Maria* Crawford, Dain & Cindy* Kotziampasis, Dimitri* Christodoulides, Andreas & Jessica* Koucouthakis, Manuel & Inna* Christodoulides, Christos* Koucouthakis, Gus* Christodoulides, Costa* Kozyra, Chester* Christodoulides, George* Krekelas, Spyredon* Christodoulides, Stelios & Joanne* Kristos, Elena* DiPietro, Gerald* Kurtis, Christ & Pamela* Domer, Paul* Lambrou, Kosta & Miranda* El-Zind, Samira Lampos, Janice* Farr, Elizabeth* Lampos, William & Linda* Fotiou, James & Evangelia Lenzo, Nicholas & Christina* Fotopoulos, Nicholaos & Kelsey Leonakis, Catherine* Gachumi, Stephen & Ngure, Sophia Leonakis, Thomas & Deb* Gergis, George and Monique Limberopoulos, George & Billie* Gevas, Nicholas & Ephie* Limberopoulos, Nick & Joanna* Giannakakis, Nikolaos & Maria* Limberopoulos, Nickolaos & Rachel* Giannakakis, Vasilios & Chrisanthi* Lykoudis, & Theresa Gikopoulos, Bill & Patty* Madias, John & Kathy* Hahn, Alexander & Marianthi* Magrames, Angela* Hartlep, Zachary Manos, Andrew* Hawthorne, Krista* Martino, Jim & Cleo* Hendricks, Maxine* Matchette, Matthew Himonas, Alexandrou* Mattheos, Mattheos* Hoke, Artemis* Mattheos, Pete & Nektaria* Hostetler, William & Catherine* McCormick, Paul & Helene Iuston, Natasha Metros, Kurt & Lisa* Kalafat, George & Peggy Mighion, George & Christine* Kamiotis, George & Athina* Mihail, Andrew & Christine* Kanalos, Dean & Anthoula* Moskolis, Samuel* Karagiannis, John & Tressa Mudis, Eleas & Christa* Karagiannis, Kathy Muffoletto, Tony & Helen* Karamitsos, Tony & Jennifer* Napoleon, Dimitri* Karaszewski, Terrence* Napoleon, Thomas & Anna* Katris, Chris & Sandra* Niarchos, Panos & Georgeann* Katris, Gus & Nitsa* Nolan, Robert & Amelia* Katsampes Graham, Rita* Pagedas, Athena* Katsaris, Aliki* Poledor, Theodore* Kirgios, Erika* Pomrening, Norman & Anthoula* Kirgios, Hristos & Claudia* Popyk, Mattheos* Konstantopoulos, Fr. George & Pres. Elaine* Popyk, Michael & Kalliopi* Konstantopoulos, Mariam* Rogers, Geoffrey & Patrcia* Rorres, Rose* Taluzek, Jeremy & Eleni* Samoilis, Sam & Elaine* Terezis, Thanasis & Sinis-Terezis, Spyro* Schlitt, Michael & Jasmine* Terezis, Theodore* Scott, Michael & Mary Thanos, Nick & Sigrid* Sinis, Orestis & Maria* Thrapsimis, Angelos* Skotadis, Pete & Peggy* Tirikos, Frazier* Solomon, William & Mary Lou* Tirikos, Mary Jo* Spentzos, Vasilios Torrance, Fr. Alexis & Pres. Eugenia* Stangas, Deanna* Tripodis, Dino* Stangas, Elaine* Tsikalas, Fr. John & Pres. Kahlee* Stangas, George & Nancy* Tsiumas, Sam* Stangas, Peri* Tucker, Zachary & Gabriella Stavropulos, Connie* Tyler, Gregory & Soula* Stavros, James & Teresa* Verhamme, Phil & Katherine* Strafford, Alaina* Walsh, Eirene* Strafford, Christopher & Maria* Ward, Moses & Marie Strambu, Florina & Fota, Eugen Watkins, Charles & Marina* Strickler, Joseph & Christina Wedrychowicz, Christopher & Savvopoulou, Anna* Swarts, Jonathan & Karakatsanis, Neovi* Whittenberger, Lynn* Symeonides, Nathanael Williams, James & Tina Talia, Faneromeni*

* = Pledged Stewards In compliance with the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: Our parish of St. Andrew has adopted an annual stewardship pledge as the means of fulfilling a parishioner's financial obligations to the Parish and determining good standing in the Parish.

For the purpose of determining a parishioner’s ability to vote at any General Assembly meetings, participate in parish council elections or receive letters of good standing to participate in sacraments, the office should have a pledge card on file each year.

The parish priest may waive a parishioner's financial obligation. ______18th Annual Holy Dormition Picnic Summary Sunday, August 15, 2021

Income: Luncheon:$3061.00 Trays:$60.00 Candles: $674.23 Donations: $6780.01

TOTAL INCOME Deposited to chapel acct: $10,574.24

Thank you to all the families and individuals who donated 100% of all the expenses to make this a successful event. Tent rentals, tables, chairs, bounce houses, food, drinks, coffee hour, supplies etc, printing of flyers and envelopes, were all donated.

Total Donated Expenses: $4875.00

A special thank you to Fr. John for all his guidance, thoughts, and prayers. Thank you again to all the volunteers, and to all those that attended for making this a wonderful event for all to enjoy. Most importantly thank you to our Panagia for this beautiful chapel, wonderful weekend, and her everlasting love. “Kai tou hronou” Save the date: August 21, 2022!

Nick Giannakakis