Sunday, May 26, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Pascha

Sunday of the Paralytic

Apostle Karpos of the Seventy; Apostle Alphaeus and his children, Martyrs Abercius and Helen

Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen! 

Thought for Today“I consider no other labor as difficult as prayer. When we are ready to pray, our spiritual enemies interfere. They understand it is only by making it difficult for us to pray that they can harm us. Other things will meet with success if we keep at it, but laboring at prayer is a war that will continue until we die.” – Abba Agathon

VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH

The Eisodikon (Entrance Hymn) 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.

Ressurectional 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

Sing praises to our God, sing praises. 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 that lived at Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and paralyzed. And Peter said to him: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; arise and make your bed.” And immediately he arose. 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 Dora. 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 laid her in an upper chamber.  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 arose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing 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 called the saints and widows and 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 

THIS WEEK 

Today, SundaySquare Dance Birthday Howdown for Hannah Gillquist 4-7pm in the St. George Pavilion

Monday, May 273rd Hour Prayers at 9:00 am. Memorial Day.

Tuesday, May 28: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, May 29: 6th Hour Prayers at 12:00 noon; Daily Vespers at 6:00 pm; (followed by Orthodoxy 101).

Thursday, May 30: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am.

FridayMay 31Divine Liturgy at 9:00 am, OC Life Akathist to the Theotokos at 6:00pm.

Saturday, June 1: Bible Study at the Webb’s home, 9:00 am; Reader Vespers at 5:00 pm, combined Jr./Sr SOYO 6:00pm to 8:00 pm.

Sunday, June 2Matins at 9:00 am, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.

FAMILY NEWS

Names Day CelebrationTristan Rigsby, Alexander of Alexandria (29th); McKenzie Hall, St. Dymphna (30th).

Birthday Celebration: Aurora Skinner (26th); Audrey Hall (26th); Thomas Stucker (27th).

Memory Eternal: Priest Andrew; Priest Serguis, Lexi.

Prayer ListNectaria (Released from ICU); Taylor and infant Houston(congenital heart defect);Fr. James Bernstein; Rebecca with child;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 nations’ leaders; schools: children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mary Ann; Emma; Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Megan (lymphoma); Josiah; Fr. Athanasius; Jack; Christopher; Fr. Jerome; Fr. Basil; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia; Marvin; Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite; Kim; Kristy; Vicki;Kenzie; Dusty; Cari; Betsy; Josh; Allison; Andrew; Isaac; Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Lexi, Ross, Vivian; Theo; Jeremy; Dn. Lawrence, Marcia; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; John; Stanley; Macrina; Anne; Allen; Linda; Mary Barger; Allison and children; Kip; Erica with child, Stephanie with child, Mary with child, Meaghan with child, Alexis with child.

 Coffee Hour Host: Rhonda Webb with Parishioners S-Z

Next Week HostMelissa Barbarick with Parishioners A-B.

Hope for the Journey is an annual conference that presents practical stragegies for understanding and parenting through the deep impact of childhood trama on the body, brain, biology, beliefs and behavior. Clear Creek Church is hosting this virtual conference free of charge. Contact Chris Smith with questions about the event, 812-668-9600; chris@clearcreekchurch.com

Building Committee Update:

The Building Committee is John Alexander (chair), Subdeacon Daniel Barrett and Daniel Rigsby, with Fr. Peter Jon presiding.

The Building Committee met on Thursday, May 23. They agreed unanimously that:

  1. The parish council should form a subcommittee to examine operating costs in our current facility and project the increase in operating costs for the future temple. These figures will inform the overall financial plan for the project.
  2. We should not compromise seating capacity in the temple in order to cut project costs. We should plan to build what we need and fundraise accordingly.
  3. We will evaluate the drawings that will be submitted to architectural firms as we move toward the blueprinting phase of the project.
  4. We must streamline our parish website to accommodate increased and varied types of giving during the fundraising stage. The fundraising stage will be launched when the proper pieces are in place.

Giving Opportunities:

Our In-House Food PantryThank you for the generous support to theFood Pantry. The pantry is available to parish members as well as families and individuals in the greater Bloomington community. Donations of nonperishable items of pasta, marinara sauce, peanut

butter, canned chicken and Tuna, canned vegetables, canned fruit and soups are always welcome.

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 FundDonations 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.