Sunday, May 4, 2008
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 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.
CALENDAR
Sunday, May 4 (Thomas Sunday)
8:50 a.m. – Orthros
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
5:30 p.m. – Youth Group
Monday, May 5
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED – FATHER JOHN'S DAY OFF
Tuesday, May 6
6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
6:30 p.m. – Choir Practice
Wednesday, May 7
5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
6:30 p.m. – Daily Vespers
Thursday, May 8 (Apostle John the Theologian)
6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
12N – Ladies Reading Group at the Algoods'
Friday, May 9
6:00 a.m. – Daily Orthros
Saturday, May 10 (Apostle Simon the Zealot)
5:00 p.m. – Catechism Class
6:30 p.m. – Great Vespers
Sunday, May 11 (Sunday of the Myrrhbearers)
8:50 a.m. – Orthros
9:00 a.m. – Sunday School
10:00 a.m. – Divine Liturgy
6:00 p.m. – Young Adults
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Eucharist Bread was offered by Daniel Roots for the Divine Liturgy today.
Eucharist Bread and Coffee Hour Schedule:
Eucharist Bread Coffee Hour
May 4 D. Roots Pigotts
May 11 Freundts Rebecca Root
May 18 Fahmys D. Roots
May 25 Bakers Morrises
Please be careful not to spill food or drink on our new chairs. Also, please supervise your children to avoid spills or ink stains or marks from their writing and drawing. These chairs cost over $200 each, so we need to take care of them. Thank you for your help with this.
Calendar Items:
* The teens are hoping to hold two fund-raisers in May to raise money for the Parish Life Conference. One will be a carwash and the other a meal (dates yet to be finalized).
* The Ladies of St. Peter are planning a garage sale for the first week-end in June.
* This year we will celebrate the feast of Ascension with Orthros and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday evening, June 4th and the feast of Pentecost on Sunday, June 15th. The feast of Sts. Peter and Paul falls on a Sunday this year (June 29th).
* Mark your calendars now for the Parish Life Conference, June 18-22, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The conference is a wonderful opportunity to meet and build relationships with members of other parishes in our diocese.
* We are scheduled to serve at the Stewpot on July 5th. More information will be available as the time approaches.
Fasting Discipline for May
The traditional fasting resumes after Bright Week, which follows Great Pascha (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, wine and oil) being observed on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Major Commemorations During May
May 4 Thomas Sunday
May 5 Great Martyr Irene
May 8 Repose of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
May 11 Sunday of the Myrrhbearers
May 18 Sunday of the Paralytic
May 21 God-crowned Emperor Constantine and His Mother Helen
May 25 Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
Quotable: "If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined. Any time is the right time for works of charity....A generous spirit is itself great wealth. There can be no shortage of material for generosity where it is Christ who feeds and Christ who is fed."
St. Leo of Rome
Weekly Quote: "The Lord never ceases calling us to Himself: 'Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.' He nourishes us with His most precious Body and Blood. In His mercy He schools us by His Word and the Holy Spirit. He has revealed His mysteries to us. He lives in us and in the sacraments of the Church, and leads us to where we shall behold His glory. But this glory shall each man behold according to the measure of his love. The more a man loves, the more ardently does he set his face towards God, yearning to be with the Beloved Lord, and therefore will he approach the nearer to Him; while the man who loves but little will have little desire for the Lord, and the man who does not love at all will neither wish nor aspire to see the Lord, and will spend his life in darkness."
St. Silouan the Athonite
WORSHIP: Sunday, May 11, 2008 (Sunday of the Myrrhbearers)
Scripture: Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8
Celebrant: Father John
Homily: Father John
Deacon: Deacon Terry
Acolytes: John Wood
Prosphora: Freundts
Coffee Hour: Rebecca Root
Teen Hosts: TBA