Sunday, April 19, 2026
New Sunday
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin
Sunday of St. Thomas:
On the Sunday following Pascha, 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) 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 to 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.”
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 to 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 to 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 to 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, “Thomas, you have 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.
Troparion for Thomas Sunday: While the tomb was sealed, Thou didst shine forth from it, O Life. 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: 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.
Calendar
Sunday, April 19, 2026 (New Sunday or Anti-Pascha; Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Monday, April 20, 2026
Fr. Herman off
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
No Services
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
5:45 PM – Catechesis
6:30 PM – Daily Vespers
Thursday, April 23, 2026
No Services
Friday, April 24, 2026
1:00 PM – Ladies Lunch
No Services
Saturday, April 25, 2026
4:45 PM – Catechesis
6:00 PM – Great Vespers
Sunday, April 26, 2026 (Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women)
8:50 AM – Orthros
10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy
Special Announcements
Thank you to all who helped with the pick-up, set, and clean up for the Agape Meal!
The Eucharist Bread was provided by the Amanda Kumar for the Divine Liturgy this morning.
Eucharist Bread Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
April 19 Kumar Baker/Jimmy Jones
April 26 Baker Dansereau/ Alaeetawi
May 3 Henderson Ellis/Zouboukos
May 10 Algood Miller/D. Root
Potluck
May 17 Jones Lasseter/Pacurari/Lavric
May 20 (Wed p.m.) Meadows Lockhart/Karam/Snell
Ascension
May 24 Davis Algood/Rodriguez/Kumar
May 30 (Sat p.m.) D. Root Baker/Jimmy Jones
Saturday of the Souls
May 31 Karam Pigott/Ian Jones
Pentecost Potluck
Schedule for Epistle Readers – Page numbers refer to the Apostolos (book of Epistles) located on the chanters’ stand at the front of the nave. Please be sure to use book when you read.
Reader Reading Page#
April 19 Doru Pacurari Acts 5:12-20 32
April 26 Ian Jones Acts 6:1-7 38
May 3 Gabrielle Jones Acts 9:32-42 45
May 10 Grady Fisher Acts 11:19-30 52
May 17 Amanda Kumar Acts 16:16-34 58
May 20 (Wed pm) Kh. Sharon Meadows Acts 1:1-12 63
May 24 Katie Miller Acts 20:16-18,28-36 66
May 30 (Sat am) Reader Basil Baker Acts 28:1-31 72
May 31 Reader Chad Miller Acts 2:1-11 77
Congratulations and Many Years to Luke Jackson who was chrismated, on Holy Saturday! May God bless and guide him.
Congratulations to Gabrielle Jones who will graduate with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Jackson State University on Friday May 1.
Catechumens and Inquirers, we will meet again for classes on Wednesday April 22 and Saturday April 25.
DOMSE 2026 Parish Life Conference, June 10-13, 2026: Registration is now open. Please refer to the email sent by Fr. Herman. You may also go online to www.DOMSE.org to register.
Greeter Ministry: If you are still interested in joining the Greeter ministry please place your name on the sign-up sheet on the table in the foyer. We ask that only baptized/chrismated Orthodox members of the parish become members of this ministry. Please see Andrew Spiehler for questions.
Please make sure to check and subscribe to the Google calendar for all updated services and events at the parish
Please remember that we still need your tithes and offerings which may be placed in the tray that is passed during Divine Liturgy, 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
Potluck Meals: Everyone who attends the potluck meals during the month is encouraged to bring a dish to share with everyone. This is to ensure that there is enough food for all to partake. Over the past several months we have been running out of food before everyone has an opportunity to go through the line. This also applies to the Festal Liturgies that may be served during the week and the Soup Suppers after Presanctified Liturgies during Lent. Parents, please accompany your children through the line. Thank you all for your help with this.
As a friendly reminder, in regards to coffee hour, the church will provide beef sticks, cheese cubes, crackers, cookies, and orange juice. For sponsors of baptisms/chrismations a reception may be held after the service and may have whatever food the sponsors would like to provide in celebration of this occasion. If you wish to bring a snack for your children, please be responsible for the clean up of those items. Coffee hour is not meant to be a meal, but a means to break the fast with a snack and visit with each other. Also, as a friendly reminder, please make sure kids are not getting ice in the kitchen without adult supervision.
Please remember the following in your prayers: Aidan Milnor, the Milnor family; Mary Greene (Lee and Kh. Sharon’s sister); Jay and Joanna Davis; Fr. Leo and Kh. Be’Be’ Schelver and their family; Jack and Jill Weatherly; Dn.Terry Algood and their family; Fr. John and Kh. Janet Henderson and their family
Calendar Items
* The men of the parish meet for lunch at 11:00 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month.
* The men will also meet for breakfast once a month. Time and dates TBA.
* The Ladies meet for dining once a month. Times and dates TBA.
* The Ladies meet at the church at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month to pray the
Akathist. Alternating on behalf of our children and our sick.
* The Ladies of St Peter will meet every third Sunday during Coffee Hour.
* Stewpot on May 2, and November 7
Fasting Discipline for April/ May
NO FASTING from April 12th through May 21.
Major Commemorations for April/May
April 26 Sunday of Holy Myrrh-Bearers
May 2 Sunday of the Paralytic
May 8 Apostle John the Theologian
May 10 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Simon the Zealot
May 17 Sunday of the Blind Man
May 21 Feast of the Ascension
Sts Constantine and Helen
May 24 Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council
May 25 The Forerunner (3rd Discovery)
May 31 Holy Pentecost
Quote: Christ is Risen, and death is overthrown! Christ is Risen, and the demons are fallen! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life reigns!
-Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom
Sunday, April 26, 2026 (Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women)
Scripture: Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8
Epistle Reader: Ian Jones
Prosphora: Baker
Coffee Hour: Dansereau/Alaeetawi