Sunday, April 15, 2018
New Sunday or Anti-Pascha
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”
Martyr Crescens of Myra in Lycia; Hieromartyr Leonidas, bishop of Athens

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death,
and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

If you are visiting, we warmly welcome you
and invite you to join us during the social hour, following Divine Liturgy.

Nourishment of the Soul: “When one gives his heart to God, he loves everything. He not only loves all people, he also loves the birds and the trees – even the snakes. he reveres, with devotion, not only God and the Saints, but also all human beings: the images of God.”
St. Paisios the Athonite

The Food for Hungry People and Charitable Outreach collection will end today. Thus far $779 has been donated here at All Saints. Thank you.

Honored Visitors Today: Fr. Paisios from the Hermitage of the Holy Cross (Monastery) in Wayne, West Virginia will concelebrate with Fr. Peter Jon at Sunday’s Divine Liturgy. We offer our warmest Paschal greetings to him and to the other monks in attendance as well. You may recall that our own Michael John Ewing resides at this same monastery.

Camp Fundraiser today (Sunday, April 15th) during coffee hour: Campers will grill hamburgers and hotdogs, set up & clean up to raise money for camping expenses. Please give generously to support our youth, as you are able. Additional side dishes will be provided.

Many thanks to those who helped throughout Great Lent and Holy Pascha — chanting, singing, cleaning, preparing food, decorating, and doing all of the things which enable each of us to more fully participate in the life of the Church at this blessed time of year. May God grant you eternal blessings for your work in His earthly vineyard!

Father Peter Jon will be traveling this week with Khouria Kristina and the kids. They will attend an Orthodox homeschooling conference at the Antiochian Village in Pennsylvania. If you have any needs, please contact Dn. Lawrence or Marcia Baldwin. Fr. Peter Jon will be reachable through them in case of emergency.

Parish Council meets today around noon.

THIS WEEK
Fast-Free Period
Tuesday, April 17: Bible Study at Kh. Marilyn’s home at 7:00
Wednesday, April 18: Daily Vespers at 6:00
Thursday, April 19: Bible Study at Becky’s home 3:00 – 5:00
Saturday, April 21: Great Vespers at 5:00
Sunday, April 22: Matins at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00

LOOKING AHEAD

…April 24: The last OCF meeting of the spring semester is at the Webb’s home, 6:00 – 8:00.
…April 29: Myrrh Bearers meet after Divine Liturgy.

FAMILY NOTES

Birthday Celebration: Marvin P (15th); Gabriella C (20th); Alexander P (21st)
Name Day Remembrance: Ayris F (St. Anastasia – 16th)
Memory Eternal: Gladys; Betty

Prayer List: Barbara; Paul; Caden, Dylan,& Maddie; Marvin (surgery) & Alice; Cathy; Kh. Kristina; Sitto; Elias; Waded; Neva; Bill; Lonnie; Fr. George; Iva Lee; Adrian T; Nancy & Shalayna; Rigsby family; those suffering in the drug crisis in the USA; Safety in our Schools; Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop John

Today’s Epistle and Gospel Readings

Prokeimenon: “Great is our Lord, and great is His power.”
Verse: “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.” Psalm 146:5; 134:3

Epistle: The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. (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 together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. 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 towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested 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.”

Gospel: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. 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 with 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 with 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 with 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, “Have you 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.

Divine Liturgy Variables

The Third Antiphon
+ Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered, and let them that hate Him flee from before His face.

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death; and upon those in the tombs, bestowing life!
+ As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish; as wax melteth before the fire. (Refrain)

+ So let sinners perish at the presence of God, and let the righteous be glad. (Refrain)

+ This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad therein. (Refrain)

Eisokikon (Entrance Hymn) of Pascha
In the gathering places bless 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.

Apolytikion of Thomas Sunday – Tone 7
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 – Tone 8
O Immortal One, when Thou didst descend into the tomb, Thou didst destroy the power of Hades; and Thou didst rise victorious, O Christ God. Thou hast said to the ointment bearing women: Rejoice! And Thou gavest peace to Thy Disciples, O Bestower of Resurrection to those Who had fallen.

Megalynarion for Thomas Sunday – Tone 1
O most radiant lamp, the Theotokos, the immeasurable honor, which is more exalted than all creatures, with praises do we magnify thee.

Koinonikon (Communion Hymn) of Thomas Sunday – (Psalm 147:1)
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. Alleluia.