{"id":7667,"date":"2019-04-30T09:53:33","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T13:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/?p=7667"},"modified":"2019-04-30T09:53:33","modified_gmt":"2019-04-30T13:53:33","slug":"st-peter-newsletter-april-30-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stpeterorthodoxchurch.com\/st-peter-newsletter-april-30-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter Newsletter April 30, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Christ is Risen! Truly He has Risen!<\/h2>\n

The First Sunday after Pascha
Sunday of Thomas the Apostle<\/h2>\n

Great-martyr Irene of Thessalonica; Venerable Euthymios, bishop of Maditos in Thrace<\/h4>\n
\"The
The Sunday of Thomas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though the doors were shut at the dwelling where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews on the evening of the Sunday after the Passover, our Saviour wondrously entered and stood in their midst, and greeted them with His customary words, “Peace be unto you.” Then He showed unto them His hands and feet and side; furthermore, in their presence, He took some fish and a honeycomb and ate before them, and thus assured them of His bodily Resurrection.<\/p>\n

But Thomas, who was not then present with the others, did not believe their testimony concerning Christ’s Resurrection, but said in a decisive manner, “Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.”<\/p>\n

Wherefore after eight days, that is, on this day, when the disciples were again gathered together and Thomas was with them, the Lord Jesus came while the doors were shut, as He did formerly. Standing in their midst, He said, “Peace be unto you”; then He said to Thomas, “Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.”<\/p>\n

And Thomas, beholding and examining carefully the hands and side of the Master, cried out with faith, “My Lord and my God.” Thus he clearly proclaimed the two natures – human and divine – of the God-man (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-29).<\/p>\n

Read more on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Building St. Peter’s<\/h2>\n

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Many, many thanks to all who worked so diligently to make our Lent and Pascha what it was. Orthodoxy is work but it is the kind of work that endures; the necessary work that allows us to move closer to Christ and experience Him in ways that transform us and the world around us.<\/p>\n

That’s why we do it. The Church the Apostle Paul says is the “pillar and ground of the truth” — ground zero, the place where we can encounter Christ and learn His voice to be able to recognize Him when He meets us outside of it. <\/p>\n

All of us have gifts given to us by God. Our job is to discern what they are and develop them. These gifts are not for us but for our neighbor — for our neighbor’s good and edification — although when we use them in these ways we discover real meaning and joy. We begin to comprehend the reason we are alive and what we were put on the earth to do.<\/p>\n

No work is too small. The parts make the whole. When we live this way, Christ lives in us and His Church becomes His habitation, His house, His body<\/em>. This too is what people who are looking for him will experience (they will sense Christ is present) and this experience is their confirmation that they too have finally found their home.<\/p>\n

If we remain faithful to Christ in this way, our Lord with meet our needs and will also provide for us when it is time to build our permanent structure.<\/p>\n

Christ is Risen!<\/p>\n

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Moms, Grandmothers, and God-Mothers: A Dinner in Your Honor on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12 Following Divine Liturgy<\/h2>\n

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St. Peter’s honors our mothers — whether you are a mom, grandmother, God-Mother and even a sister or daughter who helps mom be mom! So join us following Divine Liturgy on Sunday, May 12 for a dinner in your honor.<\/p>\n

Here’s the menu: Grilled souvlaki (pork and chicken), vegetables, rice pilaf, salad and a cake for dessert. <\/p>\n

Sign up in the Social Hall starting this Sunday.<\/p>\n

Everyone is invited of course (not just moms)!<\/p>\n

Pledge Report<\/h2>\n

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In order to meet our operating Budget goal for 2019 we need to take in $16,666.00 each month.<\/p>\n

Please pledge in order to meet our goal. Pledge forms are available on the table in the narthex.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Interfaith Charities Needs Our Help<\/h2>\n

\"Interfaith<\/p>\n

Interfaith Charities, the local agency St. Peter’s partners with to help working poor families in our immediate area needs these items:<\/p>\n