May 9, 2021

Antipascha

Thomas Sunday

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 Pascha: When Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades. In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God, proclaiming Rejoice! to the myrrh-bearing women, granting peace to Thine apostles and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.

From Father John: In His Eminence, Metropolitan JOSEPH’s last communique regarding the restrictions for participation in the services at our churches, he stated that, we should follow the guidelines based on our local numbers with the virus. As our numbers locally are rising, we will be dropping back to 35 participants at liturgies (which includes the priest and chanters). I will continue to try my best to rotate, as fairly as possible, our members who are healthy and wish to come to the services. Thank you for your cooperation with these restrictions.

Until Further Notice: Please continue to contact Father John about participation in the liturgical services. Once the numbers have been filled for the nave, we will allow a number of places to overflow into the Fellowship Hall.

CALENDAR

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: All services listed on the calendar will be available through streaming and webcast.

Sunday, May 9 (Thomas Sunday)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

Monday, May 10 (Apostle Simon the Zealot)

Father John’s Day Off

Tuesday, May 11

NO Services

Wednesday, May 12

6:30 p.m. — Daily Vespers

Thursday, May 13

NO Services

Friday, May 14

NO Services

Saturday, May 15

6:00 p.m. — Great Vespers (No Ninth Hour)

Sunday, May 16 (Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers)

8:50 a.m. — Orthros (webcast)

10:00 a.m. — Divine Liturgy (webcast)

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Eucharist Bread …was offered by the Morrises for the Divine Liturgy this morning.

Eucharist Bread Schedule (NO Coffee Hour):

Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour

May 16 Jones

May 23 Meadows

May 30 Davis

June 6 D. Root

June 9 (Wed. p.m.) Karam

(Feast of the Ascension)

June 13 Brock

June 19 (Sat. a.m.) R. Root Koliva: Karen Cooper

(Saturday of the Souls)

June 20 Baker

June 27 Henderson

June 28 (Mon. p.m.) Algood

(Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul)

Please remember that the schedule for prosphora is still in place as we will continue to serve the Divine Liturgy.

Also, please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tithe box at the back of the nave or be mailed to: St. Peter Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 2084, Madison, MS 39130-2084.

Please continue to follow the CDC Guidelines to limit contagion and the spread of the COVID virus.

ATTENTION: Please be reminded that both the Archdiocese and the Governor have issued directions which mandate that masks be worn while in public/group settings. If you are inside of the church, you must wear a mask. Only the chanters and serving clergy are exempted from this during services. Masks should be worn outside, too, if you are in close proximity to others. You have done well with this for the most part, but with a few lapses recently, I wanted to remind you of this essential precaution. — Fr. John

Continue to pray for Metropolitan Paul (who is also the brother of our Patriarch) and the Syriac Archbishop John of Aleppo who were abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Syria.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Steve, Sheryl Chamblee; Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Sam and Lamia Dabit; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ and their family; Emad and Natalia Alaeetawi and their family; Tom and Kathy Willingham.

Please remember Fr. Joseph and Kh. Joanna Bittle, and their daughter Abigail, in your prayers.

Please keep Lottie Dabbs (Sh. Charlotte Algood’s mother) in your prayers as she recovers from a bad fall which resulted in a fractured pelvis. Please also remember Sh. Charlotte and their family as well.

If you are ready to return to the services of our church, please let Fr. John know so that he can add you to the list of attendees. It is up to individuals to request attendance at the services. Fr. John attempts to be fair in allotting slots, but he does not make assignments or phone calls.

If you get sick, especially with the Corona virus, please let Fr. John know.

Pledge Letters have been mailed out. Please return them to the church as soon as possible.

Calendar Items:

* Stewpot dates for the coming year are JUNE 26 and November 6. More information will be available closer to time.

Save the Date for the 2021 Virtual PLC! The Virtual PLC of the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast will be held June 13-20, 2021. Registration is free. Please make plans to participate.

Fasting Discipline for May

There will be no fasting of any kind during Bright Week following PASCHA. There will be no fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays until the Feast of Ascension (June 10 this year), for the full forty days, as decided by the Holy Synod of the Church of Antioch in 1997. (This is a departure from what we have done in the past, but is what we have been directed to do by the Archdiocese.)

Major Commemorations for May

May 2 Great and Holy PASCHA

Athanasius the Great

May 3-8 Bright Week

May 8 Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

May 9 Thomas Sunday

May 16 Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers

May 21 Constantine and Helen

May 23 Sunday of the Paralytic

May 25 The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)

May 30 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

Instructions for streaming our services can be found on the parish website.

ead of ManHead of Maonasteries

Quotable: “The holy Fathers say with one voice: The first thing to keep in mind is never in any respect to rely on yourself. The warfare that now lies before you is extraordinarily hard, and your own human powers are altogether insufficient to carry it on. If you rely on them you will immediately be felled to the ground and have no desire to continue the battle. Only God can give you the victory you wish.”

Tito Colliander, The Way of the Ascetics

Worship: Sunday, May 16, 2021 (Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearers)

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

Celebrant: Father John

Prosphora: Jones