Sixth Sunday of Pascha: Sunday of the Blind Man

 Third Discovery of the Forerunner’s Honorable Head

Martyr Celestine of Rome; Hieromartyr Therapon, bishop of Cyprus; Demetrios the Myrrh Streaming

Visitors, we welcome you in the Name of our Risen Lord and Savior.

Nourishment of the Soul: “Whoever you may be, always have God before your eyes; whatever you do, do it according to the testimony of the Holy Scriptures; in whatever place you live, do not easily leave it. Keep these three precepts and you will be saved.” — St. Anthony the Great

 Angela Wilson invites you to her son Seavor Roach’s Graduation Open House

Saturday, May 31 – 1:00-4:00 pm

Hatfield Elementary School Cafeteria (1081 Teke Burton Dr., Mitchell, IN)

 Today, the Myrrh Bearers meet during social hour.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday is the Leave-taking of Holy Pascha as we celebrate the Ascension of Christ.

Monday, May 26: Memorials at Valhalla – Meet at 3:00 outside the Mausoleum.

Wednesday, May 28: Vesperal Liturgy for the Ascension at 6:00

Saturday, May 31: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, June 1: Matins at 8:50; Divine Liturgy at 10:00  

 LOOKING AHEAD

June 4-6: Special Meetings in Chicago – Father attends to cast a vote for the candidates for Metropolitan

June 8: Holy Pentecost – Kneeling Vespers

June 15: All Saints Feast Day – Pitch in and Saints presentation

June 16: Apostles Fast begins.

June 25-29: Midwest Parish Life Conference in Fort Wayne

June 29: Ss. Peter & Paul Cookout (2-year memorial for Archpriest Peter -Name day for Fr. Peter Jon, Robert Rogers, and all celebrating their name day; Anniversary for Father and Khouria

June 29-July 11: Antiochian Village Camp, Session II – Our campers leave early Sunday.

Happy Birthday: Dnssa Miriam Stant (26^th); Robert Rogers (29^th); Jennifer Patterson Tatlock (31^st)

Wedding Anniversary Blessings: David and Jan Gudaitis (26^th)

Memory Eternal Anniversary: Archpriest Wladimir (May 18^th – Matushka Raisa’s husband)

Prayer List:  Patricia; Bob R ; Dr. Frank; Geni; Alex; Zane; Vicki; John; Leanne; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John, Syrian Orphans; Kh. Loretta; Chad & Connie; Beth; Jeffry Ellis; Lillian Miller; Julie; Roger; Virginia McCallister; Marilyn; Eric; Marna; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Ioana; Michael & Shelley: Jill Patterson; Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; John; Charles; Fr. John Koen; Archpriest Roman; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Korene; Dennis and Joyce.

 Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.”

Verse: “Hearken unto my voice, O God!” Psalm 103:26, 1

Epistle: The Reading is from Saint Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians. (4:6-15)

 BRETHREN, seeing that it is the God Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, the same also shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of power is from God, and not from us. We are pressed on every way, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; smitten down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh.  So then death is working in us, but life in you.

But having in us the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, “I believed, and therefore I spoke,” we also believe, and therefore we also speak, knowing that the One who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up through Jesus and will make us stand together with you.  For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, which is multiplied through the thanksgiving of many, may abound to the glory of God.

 Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (9:1-38)

 AT THAT TIME, when Jesus was passing, He saw a man blind from his birth.  And His Disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him.  I must work the works of Him Who sent me, while it is day; night comes, when no one can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  

As He said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the man’s eyes with the clay, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” [which means Sent].  So he went and washed and came back seeing.  The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar, said, “Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?”  Some said, “It is he”; others said, “No, but he is like him.”  He said, “I am the man.”  They said to him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”  He answered, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went and washed and received my sight.” 

They said to him, “Where is He?”  He said, “I do not know.”  They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.  Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.  The Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight.  And he said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”  Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.”  But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?”  There was a division among them.

 So they again said to the blind man, “What do you say about Him, since He has opened your eyes?”  He said, “He is a prophet.” 

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight, and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind?  How then does he now see?”  His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes.  Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.”  His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.  Therefore his parents said, “He is of age, ask him.” 

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner.”  He answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see.”  They said to him, “What did He do to you?  How did He open your eyes?”  He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen.  Why do you want to hear it again?  Do you too want to become His disciples?”

 And they reviled him, saying, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.  We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He comes from.”  The man answered, “Why, this is a marvel!  You do not know where He comes from, and yet He opened my eyes.  We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him. 

Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.  If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”  They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?”  And they cast him out.

 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him He said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”  He answered, “And Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?”  Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He who speaks to you.”  He said, “Lord, I believe”; and he worshiped Him.

Fifth Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Martyrs Peter, Dionysios, Andrew, Paul, Christina, Heraklios, Paulinos and Benedimos; Stephen the New, patriarch of Constantinople

Visitors, we welcome you in the Name of our Risen Lord and Savior.

 Nourishment of the Soul: “The mouth which is continuously giving thanks, receives blessing from God.  In the heart that always shows gratitude, grace abides.” St. Isaac the Syrian

Parish Council meets today in Father’s office.

   THIS WEEK

There is a dispensation from fasting until Holy Ascension,

May 29^th.

Wednesday, May 21: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Saturday, May 24: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, May 25: Matins at 8:50; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Myrrh Bearers meet.

Monday, May 26: Memorial Day

 LOOKING AHEAD

May 28: Vesperal Liturgy of the Ascension of Christ

June 4-6: Special Meetings in Chicago – selection process of choosing the metropolitan

June 8: Holy Pentecost

June 15: All Saints Feast Day

June 16: Apostles Fast begins.

June 25-29: Midwest Parish Life Conference in Fort Wayne

June 29-July 11: Antiochian Village Camp, Session II

Happy Birthday: Hannah Gillquist (18^th); Phyllis Walker (22^nd)

Blessed Name Day: Lydia Finchum (20^th)

 Prayer List:  Geni Gritton; Alex; Zane; Vicki; John; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John, Syrian Orphans; Kh. Loretta Wilson; Chad & Connie; Beth; Jeffry Ellis; Lillian Miller; Julie; Roger; Virginia McCallister; Marilyn; Eric; Marna; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Ioana;; Michael & Shelley: Leanne; Jill Patterson; Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Patricia; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; John; Charles; Fr. John Koen; Archpriest Roman; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Bob R; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Korene; Dennis and Joyce.

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “How magnified are Thy works, O Lord!

In Wisdom hast Thou made them all.”

Verse: “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Psalm 103:26, 1

 Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles. (11:19-30)

 IN THOSE DAYS, when the apostles were scattered because of the tribulation that arose over Stephen, they traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the Word to no one except to Jews only. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, upon coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. The report concerning them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far out as Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave to the Lord; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great multitude was added unto the Lord.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together in the church, and taught a great multitude of people; and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and signified by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over the whole world; and this took place in the days of Claudius Caesar. And the disciples, every one according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea; and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (4:5-42)

 AT THAT TIME, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Jacob’s well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as He was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.  There came a woman of Samaria to draw water.  Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”  For His Disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.  The Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that Thou, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?”  For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.  Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and Who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”  The woman said to Him, “Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water?  Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?”  Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst forever; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” 

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”  The woman answered Him, “I have no husband.”  Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly.” 

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and Thou sayest that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”  Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.  You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship Him.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming [He Who is called Christ]; when He comes, He will tell us all things.”

 Jesus said to her, “I Who speak to you am He.” 

Just then His Disciples came.  They marveled that He was talking with a woman, but none said, “What dost Thou wish?” or, “Why art Thou talking with her?”  So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, “Come, see a man Who told me all that I ever did.  Can this be the Christ?”  They went out of the city and were coming to Him. 

Meanwhile the Disciples besought Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”  But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”  So the Disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him food?”  Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.  Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’?  I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest.  He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.  For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’  I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 

Many Samaritans from that city believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He said to me all that I ever did.” 

So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of His words.  They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Fourth Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Paralytic

Hieromartyr Mokios, priest in Macedonia;

Cyril and Methodios, equals-to-the-Apostles and enlighteners of the Slavs; New-martyr Argyros of Thessalonica; Venerable Martyr Olympia; Martyr Joseph of Astrakhan

Visitors, we welcome you in the Name of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Nourishment of the Soul: “Lord and Savior, You have taught us to honor our fathers and mothers, and to show love and obedience to them. From the depth of my heart I fervently pray to You, my God: hear my prayer. Bless my mother who has raised me up with the help of Your grace. Protect her from evil, harm, and sickness. Grant her faith, health, and joy. Bless all her works that they may give You honor and glory all the days of her life. Amen” – Ancient Faith  Mother’s Day Card

Communion: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession.  If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Communion Line: The choir goes first in both lines so members may continue ministering through music during communion. Little Lambs Sunday School follows. The ushers then assist each row from front to back.  Those in the overflow behind the choir may follow adjacent rows. 

THIS WEEK

There is a dispensation from fasting until Holy Ascension, May 29^th.

Tuesday, May 13: Women’s Bible Study at 7:00 – Kh. Marilyn’s home

Wednesday, May 14: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Saturday, May 17: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, May 18: Matins at 8:50; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – Parish Council meets.

LOOKING AHEAD 

May 26: Memorial Day

May 28: Vesperal Liturgy of the Ascension of Christ

June 8: Holy Pentecost

June 15: All Saints Feast Day

June 16: Apostles Fast begins.

June 25-29: Midwest Parish Life Conference in Fort Wayne

June 29-July 11: Antiochian Village Camp, Session II

Happy Birthday: Teya Tabbal (12^th); Trevor Potts (12^th); Missy Shahadey (13^th); Lisa Woodward (14^th)

Prayer List:  Geni Gritton; Alex; Zane; Vicki; John; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John, Syrian Orphans; Kh. Loretta Wilson; Chad & Connie; Beth; Jeffry Ellis; Lillian Miller; Julie; Roger; Virginia McCallister; Marilyn; Eric; Marna; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Ioana;; Michael & Shelley: Leanne; Jill Patterson; Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Patricia; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; John; Charles; Fr. John Koen; Archpriest Roman; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Bob R; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Korene; Dennis and Joyce.

 Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “O chant unto our God, chant ye.”

Verse: “Clap your hands, all ye nations!” Psalm 46:6, 1

Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles. (9:32-42)

IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went throughout all regions, he came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who was bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he arose. And all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned back to the Lord.

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which means Gazelle. She was full of good works and of charitable deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they placed her in an upper chamber. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, “Come to us without delay.” So Peter arose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments, which Tabitha made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said: “Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (5:1-15)

At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethsaida, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first, after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for 38 years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me said to me, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your pallet, and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befalls you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had healed him.

Third Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women,

Pious Joseph of Arimathea & Righteous Nicodemus

Venerable Martyr Pelagia of Tarsus; Athanasios, bishop of Corinth;

Venerable Nikephoros the Solitary of Athos

 Visitors, we welcome you

in the Name of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Nourishment of the Soul: “For in the baptismal rite, death ensues through the slaying of sin; threefold immersion initiates the lying in the tomb three days, and the raising out of the water is like Him Who rose again from the tomb. The very nature, therefore, of the act teaches us that that is the recognized day for the general reception of the grace, on which the power of the gift and the character of the action originated.” — St. Leo the Great

Today at 9:00we welcome through Holy Chrismation Dan and Jennifer Rigsby and through Holy Baptism their children Ava and Tristan. We know them well and their love for the church.

Communion: We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession.  If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.

Communion Line: The choir goes first in both lines so members may continue ministering through music during communion. Little Lambs Sunday School follows. The ushers then assist each row from front to back.  Those in the overflow behind the choir may follow adjacent rows.

Tonight, Sunday, May 4: Akathist to the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Cup” at 5:00. Meet at the church and go in procession together to the shrine on our property. (The icon is also known as “The Chalice of Non-Intoxication.”)

 THIS WEEK

There is a dispensation from fasting until Holy Ascension, May 29^th.

Wednesday, May 7: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Saturday, May 10: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, May 11: Mother’s Day – Matins at 8:50; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

May 28: Vesperal Liturgy of the Ascension of Christ

June 8: Holy Pentecost

June 15: All Saints Feast Day

June 16: Apostles Fast begins.

Happy Birthday: Kh. Marilyn Gillquist (9^th); Marina Stant (9^th)

Happy Name Day: Irene Vlachos-Weber (5^th – The Great Martyr Irene); Subdeacon Jon Weber (8th – St. John the Evangelist); Barbara Grinder (10^th – St. Isadora of Tabenna)

Memory Eternal: Dorothy (26^th); Edward (March- Bara’s brother); Vicki (March); Louise (March) 

Prayer List:  Please update the list by adding or deleting names. Vicki Gans; John; Alex; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John, Syrian Orphans; Danica D’Onofrio; Kh. Loretta Wilson; Chad & Connie; Beth; Jeffry Ellis; Lillian Miller; Julie; Roger; Virginia McCallister; Marilyn; Eric; Marna; Cheryl; Lori; Pam; Debbie; Natasha; Ioana; Geni Gritton; Michael & Shelley: Leanne; Jill Patterson; Gabriel; Mary; Doug; Janet; Kelly; Patricia; Matushka Raisa; John C; Marty; John; Charles; Fr. John Koen; Archpriest Roman; Eileen; Mary; Marvin, Alice; Katie; Bob R; Deborah; Ruth; Steve; Kevin; Romaine; Derek, Claire & Micah; Tim; Preston; Sharon; Sherri; Dianna; Michael and Diane; Aaron; Brent; Jennifer; Brigid; Caleb; Korene; Dennis and Joyce.

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

 Prokeimenon: “The Lord is my strength and my song.”

Verse: “With chastisement has the Lord chastened me!” Psalm 117:14, 18

 Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles.

(6:1-7)

 In Those Days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily ministry. And the Twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said: “It is not right that we should forsake the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. And we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And the saying pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaos, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them.

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

 Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark. (15:43-16:8)

 At that time, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if He were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether Jesus was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud, and laid Him in a tomb, which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid. And when the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices so that they might go and anoint Him. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He has risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His Disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

New Sunday or Anti-Pascha

Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”

Great Martyr George, the Trophy Bearer

Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Jerusalem and the kinsman of the Lord; Venerable George, John the Confessor, Abbot of the Monastery of the Chaste; Eulogios the Hospitable of Egypt; Stephen, Abbot of the Kiev Caves and Bishop of Vladimir

 Visitors, we welcome you in the Name of our Risen Lord and Savior.

Nourishment of the Soul: “Some, I know not why (for I have not learned to pry conceitedly into the gifts of God) are by nature, I might say, prone to temperance, or stillness, or purity, or modesty, or meekness, or contrition.  But others, although almost their own  nature itself resists them in this, to the best of their power force themselves; and though they occasionally suffer defeat yet, as men struggling with nature, they are in my opinion higher than the former.  Do not boast, man, of the wealth you have obtained without labor.  For the Bestower, foreseeing your great hurt, and infirmity, and ruin, at least saves you to some extent by those unmerited gifts.”-  St John Climacus

.

 For those who serve and those who sing: A heartfelt “thank you” to all who spent their time and energy preparing music & food, beautifying the grounds and adorning the church, for those who have given of themselves in every way imaginable during Lent, Holy Week, and in preparation for the great Feast of Feasts! In serving your brothers and sisters in Christ, and in welcoming visitors to the house of God with a melodious sound and a warm meal, you have served Christ Himself, our risen Lord and King. Fr. Peter Jon

Service Book Order: Several families have approached me wanting to order the black book used by clergy, chanters, and choir during Holy Week.  If you want to order one in preparation for next year, please contact Marcia. Services of Holy Week and Pascha are $35 plus shipping. Do not pay until they arrive!

THIS WEEK

There is a dispensation from fasting until Holy Ascension. 

Tuesday, April 29: Paschal Trisagion at Valhalla Memory Gardens, meeting at 11:00 in front of the office

Wednesday, April 30: Daily Vespers at 6:00

Thursday, May 1: Bedford-Mitchell Fellowship at 10:00

Saturday, May 3: Great Vespers at 5:00

Sunday, May 4: Baptisms and Chrismations of Dan, Jennifer, Ava, and Tristan Rigsby

at 9:00;   Divine Liturgy at 10:00 (Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women)

Sunday, May 4: Akathist to the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Cup” at 5:00

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings 

Prokeimenon: “Great is our Lord, and great is His strength.”

Verse: “Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good!” Psalm 146:5; 134:3

Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Holy Apostles. (5:12-20) 

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the Apostles. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. None of the rest dared join them, but the people magnified them. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the chief priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the sect of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they laid their hands on the Apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John. (20:19-31) 

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the Disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the Disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other Disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, His Disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the Disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His Name.