On the Sunday following Easter, we hear the story of Thomas and are reminded of the all-permeating presence of Christ and the faith of those who followed the disciples. Even as walls and doors proved no obstacle to His coming to His followers, so nothing can prevent His presence with us. Even as He commissioned them to be peaceful of themselves and to bear His peace and life to those about them, so He grants us peace for ourselves and those we touch. Even as Thomas turned from his doubt to faith, so let us bow before our Lord and God in acknowledgment and praise. With Thomas and all the faithful who sing in heavenly worship, let us raise our hymn of adoration and life to our risen Saviour.

Acts 5:12-20: Through healing of the sick and the addition of new believers to the Church in Jerusalem we see the power of the Holy Spirit at work with the Apostles.

John 20:19-31: In our gospel reading we hear of the Apostle Thomas’ doubt regarding Jesus’ resurrection. When our Lord appears to Him he immediately believes; yet, the Lord pronounces a blessing upon those who believe without having seen Him.

Troparion of Thomas Sunday: While the tomb was sealed, thou didst shine forth from it, O Light. While the doors were closed, thou didst come in to thy Disciples, O Christ God, Resurrection of all, renewing in us through them an upright spirit, according to the greatness of thy mercy.

　

Kontakion of Thomas Sunday: With his anxiously searching right hand, O Christ God, Thomas did probe your life-giving side; for when you did enter, the doors being shut, he shouted with the rest of the Disciples, crying, You are my Lord and my God.

 

 

 

Sunday, April 11 (Thomas Sunday)8:50 a.m.– Thomas Sunday

9:00 a.m.– Christian Education

10:00 a.m.– Divine Liturgy

5:30 p.m.– Youth Group

Office Closed– Father John’s Day Off

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros of Paschal Season

5:00 p.m.– Catechism Class

6:30 p.m.–Daily Vespers of Paschal Season

6:00 a.m.– Daily Orthros of Paschal Season

6:00 a.m.– Daily Ortros of Paschal Season

5:45 p.m.– Ninth Hour followed by Great Vespers

 

 

Eucharist Bread: …was offered by the Morrises for the Divine Liturgy today.

Please be very careful with the Blessed Bread when you take after communion or at the end of the liturgy. Because this bread has been blessed, we should take care not to let crumbs fall on the floor. Parents, especially, please help your children to choose a small piece and treat it carefully.

Memory Eternal! Esther (Elliott) Longa from St. John’s in Memphis fell asleep in the Lord this past Monday evening. Please keep her husband, Luis; their newborn son, Elliott; her parents, Dn. Sidney and Sh. Mary Elliott; and her sisters, Sally and Rebecca in your prayers.

May her memory ever be eternal.

April 11                                                          Morrises                                                 Pigotts

April 18                                                          Joneses                                                 Morrises

April 25                                                           Milnors                                                  Dansereaus

Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of the Epistles) located on the front pew. Please be sure to use this book when you read.

April 11                  Walt Wood                    Acts 5:12-20             32

April 18                  Warren Strain               Acts 6:1-7                  38

April 25                  Kh. Sharon Meadows  I Pet. 5:6-14            379

Please remember the following in your prayers: The Longa and Dn. Sidney Elliott families from St. John’s in Memphis; Fr. Donald Lloyd; Sh. Charlotte Algood, Deacon Terry and their family; Fr. James and Kh. Linda Ellison; Bobby and Sue Webb (Deborah Finley’s parents); Tom Skirtech, Amy and Brantley Oliver; Reader Basil’s family; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Jared and Stacy Autrey and their daughter Olivia Kate (St. Ignatius in Franklin).

Please continue to pray for the health of His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN.

Camp St. Thekla will soon be here! Applications for scholarships have already been submitted, but it is still necessary to send in the applications for camp, itself. Parents, please be sure that you have done this while space is still available!!

If you are the last to leave the building, please make sure that the heating and cooling unit in the Fellowship Hall is set to the optimum temperature for the building when unoccupied.

Pledge Letters for 2010 have been mailed. Please return yours as soon as possible, either by mail in the enclosed envelope, or by placing you pledge slip in the Tithes box at the back of the nave.

Calling everyone (especially Men): We need more help in cleaning up following Coffee Hour and meals at the Church (especially the monthly Pot Luck meals). Since the cooking and set up are usually done by the women, this is a terrific time for the men in our parish to also serve. Please remember that those hosting coffee would always appreciate a little help in setting things back right afterwards. The more hands, the quicker the work.

Sunday Pot Luck Meal was not held this month due to other meals which were held in conjunction with the various feasts. We will probably resume our monthly Pot Luck meals in May.

*Our next time to serve a meal at the Stewpot will be May 1^st (and again later on October 30^th ).

Starting on April 12^th , traditional fasting (no meat, poultry, fish eggs, dairy, wine and oil) will resume on Wednesdays and Fridays.

April 11 Thomas Sunday

April 23 Great-martyr George

April 24 Apostle and Evangelist Mark

 

Quotable: ” Whom have we, Lord, like you? The Great One who became small, the Wakeful who slept, the Pure One who was baptized, the Living One who died, the King who abased himself to ensure honor for all. Blessed is your honor! It is right that man should acknowledge your divinity, it is right for heavenly beings to worship your humanity. The heavenly beings were amazed to see how small you became, and earthly ones to see how exalted.”

    – St. Ephraim the Syrian

 

 

　

Scriptures: Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43 – 16:8

Celebrant: Father John

Epistle Reader: Warren Strain

Prosphora: Joneses

Coffee Hour: Morrises