New Sunday or Anti-Pascha
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle, Called “The Twin”
Great-martyr George the Trophy-bearer
Thought for Today: “As the most effective prayer the Church Fathers use the short phase, ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.’ This prayer is the key to the spiritual life. It is a prayer that cannot be taught either by books, or by spiritual fathers or by anyone else. Its sole teacher is divine grace.” – St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
VARIABLE for CHOIR and PARISH
The Eisodikon (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 for 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
Apolytikion of St. George – Tone 4
Since thou art a liberator and deliverer of captives, a help and support of the poor and needy, a healing physician of the sick, a contender and fighter for kings, O great among Martyrs, the victory-clad George; intercede with Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
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.
EPISTLE and GOSPEL READINGS
The Epistle
The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord. Hear my voice, O God.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles. (12:1-11)
In those days, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword; and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the Church. The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison; and behold, an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Wrap your mantle around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him; he did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened to them of its own accord, and they went out and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel left him. And Peter came to himself, and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
The Gospel
The Reading 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.
Receiving the Eucharist:We invite you to receive the Holy Eucharist if you are an Orthodox Christian who has prepared yourself through fasting, prayer, and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox, or are Orthodox but have not prepared, we invite you to receive a piece of the blessed bread in the wooden bowls held by the altar servers at the front of the church.
Metropolitan Saba: The Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan SABA will take place at Saint Nicholas cathedral in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, May 13. Axios!!
Saturday, April 22: Baby Shower Brunch for Macrina Robertson, 10am-12pm; All Saints Orthodox Church. All Ladies, girls and infants are invited.
Registry: babylist.com/coranrobertson.
THIS WEEK
Today, Sunday: Barb Grinder is moving from Bloomington, and will be greatly missed in our community. Today is her final Divine Liturgy at All Saints. May God grant her many years!
Parish Council will meet after Divine Liturgy.
Wednesday, April 26: Readers Vespers at 6:00 pm.
Friday, April 28: Orthodox Christians for Life invites you to pray the Akathist for the Protection of the Theotokos at All Saints, 6:00 pm.
Saturday, April 29: Readers Vespers at 5:00 pm, SOYO and OCF will chant the service;
NO jr. SOYO at 3:30 pm; SOYO at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, April 30: Matins at 9:00am; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
FAMILY NEWS
Names Day Celebration: George Tabbal, Griffin Finchum St. George (23rd); Elizabeth Arthur St. Elizabeth the Wonderworker (24th).
Birthday Celebrations: Elizabeth Arthur (24th); Paul Blair (24th); Noah Shahadey (28th).
Memory Eternal: Ronald; Jack; Kh. Rita; Joe.
Prayer List: Michael, Olga, Eileen, Soren, Kathy; Toni;Jan; Don and Dee; those suffering the war of Ukraine; Peace talks; our nation and all nations’ leaders; Earthquake victims and relief efforts in Syria and Turkey; schools: school children, youth and personnel across the nation; Mat. Raisa; Mary Ann; Emma (Mary Ann’s granddaughter); Bob & Bonnie Thelen; Wes (infant with brittle bone disorder); Megan (lymphoma); Mark (CHF) and (caregiver) Barbara; Wes’s grandfather;Josiah; Vicki;Vicki’s granddaughter; Arianna; Linda; Steve Crandall; Fr. Athanasius; Fr.Gabriel;Jack;Christopher; Nancy; Fr. Jerome Mother Nektaria; Catherine; Wadia; Jayci; Patricia, Marvin, Alice; Kitsa; Apthrodite and Angelos; Kim; Kristy, Dusty, Cari; Betsy, Josh; Allison; Andrew (Texas/military); Isaac (Germany/military); Leanne; Heather; Nancy; Sharon Catherine; Lexi, Ross and Vivian; Theo; Doug; Jeremy; Marcia & Deacon; Elias; Waded; Seraphima; Lilly’s family; Jennifer; Christy; Megan; John; Stanley; Anna with child (Coran’s friend); Paulina with child; Macrina with child; Emilia with child; Anne; Allen; Linda; Marilyn; Mary Barger; Norma; Allison and children.
Attention All Saints men 18 years and older: Please See Vasily (Glen) Carter for information about the newly-resurrected men’s group.
Bookstore Update: Thank you for your support of the All Saints Bookstore. The Purchase Slip, is helping to track purchases and maintain inventory, place in payment box. Payment can be made by cash, check or online. For questions, or to request items you would like to see in the bookstore, please see Rhonda Webb or email her at webbrk1@gmail.com.
Coffee Hour Host: Nina Rogers with Parishioners H-R.
Next week Host: Rhonda Webb with Parishioners S-Z.
Giving Opportunities:
The Benevolence Fund: Donations may be made to this fund throughout the year, and are mainly used to support families in need of help with rent and utilities payments. Thank you for your ongoing generosity.
Our In-House Food Pantry: Non-perishable food items are always welcome, thank you for your continued support. The Food Pantry is available to parish member as well as families in the community.
Donations to the church are being made online at www.allsaintsbloomington.org and by U.S mail. Many thanks to all who continue supporting All Saints.