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
Christ is Risen; Truly He is Risen!
Thought for Today: “Where would there be an opportunity for struggling for great deeds if we were not occasionally injured by our neighbors, if they did not offend us? Where would there be opportunities for patiently bearing offenses, for meekness and humility? You see, then, that we must be tried by many and various evils in order to prove our virtue and eventually be crowned.” – St. John of Kronstadt
The Eisodikon (Entrance) of Pascha
In the gathering places bless ye God the Lord, from the springs of Israel. Save us, O Son of God, Who art risen from the dead, who sing to Thee: Alleluia.
Resurrectional Apolytikion – Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord hath done a mighty act with His own arm. He hath trampled down death by death, and become the first-born from the dead. He hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world the Great Mercy.
The Kontakion of Pascha – Tone 8 Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of Hades, and didst arise as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women, Rejoice, and giving peace unto Thine Apostles, O Thou Who dost grant resurrection to the fallen.
Receiving the Eucharist: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.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
O chant unto our God, chant ye. Clap your hands, all ye nations.
The Reading from the Acts of the Holy Apostles. (9:32-42)
In those days, as Peter went here and there among them all, 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 paralyzed. And Peter said to him: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; arise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha (which means Dorcas). She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they placed her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him: “Please come to us without delay!” So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood beside him weeping, showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas 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 lifted her up. Then calling all the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
The Gospel
The Reading 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 Bethesda, 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.
Congratulations to the Robertson family on the arrival of their daughter Ivana Margaret. May God grant you many years!
This Week
Today, Sunday: Mother’s Day – honoring the women influencing our lives – Mothers, Godmothers, and Grandmothers. May God grant you many years!
Monday, May 12: 3rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am.
Tuesday, May 13: Vesperal Liturgy at 6:00 pm, for the Mid-feast of Pentecost.
Wednesday, May 14: Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm; teaching, fellowship meal to follow.
Thursday, May 15: Divine Liturgy at 9:00am.
Friday, May 16: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.
Saturday, May 17: Bible Study, 10:00 am at the Webb’s house, Howard will be leading a study of selections from Isaiah. All adults are welcome to join us for a time of fellowship and study! 3960 E. Fenbrook Lane, Bloomington, 47401. 314-313-4275 webbrk1@gmail.com.
Great Vespers at 5:00 pm, ask Abouna to follow; Jr. and Teen SOYO at 6:30 pm.
Sunday, May 18: Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am; Parish Council meeting.
Family News
Birthday Celebration: Lance Cowen (11th); Anthony Gillquist (12th); Teya Tabbal (12th); Howard Webb (14th).
Prayer List: Kh. Parasheva; Hal (rehab); Scott and Jackie; Jim and Lisa; Taylor;Fr. Athanasius; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Fr. Matthew; Marvin; Nectaria;Shu-Mei,Charlie;Shirley; Jim;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war in Ukraine, and the Middle East; Peace talks; our nation and all schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Josiah; Jack; Christopher; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Missy; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Neumann Seraphim; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; John; Stanley; Macrina and child born of her; Allen; Linda; Allison and children; Kip; Hermione with child, Evan; Catherine with child; Victoria with child; Evan; Hannah and children.
Memory Eternal: Matushka Mary, Armondo, Archimandrite Panteleimon.
Changes in the Nave: We are working to more comfortably accommodate the growing number of faithful in our parish. We removed some chairs and rearranged seating to afford everyone a better view of the iconostasis and improve the path for the Great Entrance. Standing is welcome up front or in the back on the new rugs which are specifically provided for comfortable seating during the homily. We will continue to look out for one another and make sure that those who need a chair will have one. I thank you for your cheerful patience and helpful feedback. – Fr. Peter Jon
A Pilgrimage to Holy Dormition Monastery – Friday, May 23 – Monday May 25, 2025. All Saints will be offering a pilgrimage to this women’s monastery located in south central Michigan. Rhonda & Howard Webb will be leading the group. Catechumens and Inquirers are welcome. Services are primarily in English with some Romanian. Please email Rhonda Webb at webbrk1@gmail.com to sign up – space is limited. Priority will be given to those who have not visited a monastery before. See flyer on the bulletin board for more details.
All Saints’ Sunday Meal:
Today, Sunday: 2nd Sunday Host Coffman-Holland, with Elizabeth Carter as lead hostess.
Next week: 3rd Sunday Host Hostettler- Rogers, with Nina Rogers as lead hostess.
Giving Opportunities:
Food Pantry: Thank you for the generous support.Our in-houseFood Pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the community of Bloomington. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always a great blessing.
Mission Donations: We send monthly support to two missionary units in Albania, the Hoppe family and Hannah Valentine. We welcome and encourage you to contribute to their ongoing support.
Benevolence Fund: Donations may be made to this fund throughout the year and are mainly used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.