Dear Parishioners of our Beloved Assumption,

The most beautiful days of Summer are upon us.  Many are relaxing and taking family vacations to places where one may relax, refresh and recharge one’s spirit - some choose the beach, others a quiet camp site with fishing or hunting.  At times, we all need to “reset” ourselves away from the pace of life in this modern world.  We all can agree that this is necessary.

So many take a week vacation away from their homes and months and months of “vacation” from their Father’s home.  Our vacations, though, should not be ones that include an absence from the Church.  Worship is not a source of distraction from which one must get a break - but a source of refreshment that one must always partake of through vigilant presence.  It is the fallenness of the world that distracts and tires us, not our relationship with our Father in Heaven.

Faith and worship are essential elements of our lives.  None of us would say, “I’m on vacation this week, I think I will take a break from eating and bathing.  I think I’ll splurge and stop brushing my teeth also.”  This is absurd and I’m sure it makes you chuckle even as you read it.  Let us understand that worship is more essential than even these basic actions of our lives.  Many Saints have survived without food and water, but none without the Lord!

I remain,

In His Service,

Rev. Father Jon Boukis

Proistamenos

“Attract, Serve, Illuminate”

Dear Parishioners,

The matter of faith is very complicated.  One should believe that his faith is better that every other, otherwise - if there is another which may be better - why be part of that faith?

There is a difference between tolerance and acceptance of others and feeling supremacy over others.

We are taught not to exult ourselves as to make others less than we are. I believe that our Father, who gave His only Son for our salvation, is not going to forsake the rest of humanity because they do no see it in the same way that we do—He is loving. But this does not mean that the faith of others has the fullness of Orthodoxy.

If we believe that we are in fact the true faith, we must practice it with humility and love.  We must pray for those who do not see the fullness of the truth to be enlightened, so that God will give them righteousness, in there own way, as to inherit eternal life.

God promised salvation to all of His faithful children. We must give our love and respect  to everyone—even those whose beliefs differ from ours—because every person is made in the image of God.

Our faith, which has the fullness of the truth, must express itself through each of us as to attract people to the truth.

In Christ,

Ramsey

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TO USE THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM:

· Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com and register your Kroger Plus Card (if you are already registered, click “Sign In” instead of “Create an Account.”)

· Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

· You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.

· Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

· Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number. If you use your phone number at the register instead of a card, call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

· Update or confirm your information.

· Enter “Assumption” or our NPO number of 10779 and select us from the list and click on confirm.

· If enrollment is complete, you will see Assumption’s name on the right side of your information page.

· That’s it!!! Use your registered Kroger Plus card or phone number at the register and our parish benefits!!!

By registering online, coupons can be electronically attached to your Plus Card. Not only do you help the Church, but you save money. Talk to everyone you know about registering to benefit our parish!!!