SUNDAY of ST. THOMAS 

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PROSFORA: Anne Tsagaras
EPISTLE READING: Acts of the Apostles 5:12-20
GOSPEL: John 20:19-31  (Greek text, p. 62, black books)
LITURGY: 9:30 a.m. 

SUNDAY OF ST. THOMAS   -  April 26th

 9:30 a.m. – Liturgy

Live streaming of our services will be available on both Facebook and YouTube. We have worked hard to make improvements to lighting, sound, and video quality as we strive to bring the church into the homes of our community during this unusual time. Our pages/channels are listed here. Please join, like, subscribe, and follow for future services.

(1) You can find, like, and subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/stsconstantine

(2)  the new Facebook page is located at https://www.facebook.com/stsconstantineCLE/live/  Look for the live stream on that page on Sunday mornings and for the rest of Holy Week. 

(3) As a member, you may also see the live stream automatically on your own Facebook feed on Sunday mornings (if you follow the group). 

You can utilize the AGES Initiatives Daily Services website for accompanying texts or assistance in singing or reading the hymns:  http://www.agesinitiatives.com/dcs/public/dcs/servicesindex.html 

You may also replace the litanies of petitions by saying "Lord, have mercy" three times, and replace the Priest's exclamations or blessings with "Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen."

We are exploring other ways of bringing the service to you while you are confined at home. We do send updates out via email during the week. If you haven't gotten an email from us lately, it may be because we don't have an updated email address for you. You can contact the office at office@stsconstantine.com or by phone at (216) 932-3300 to keep your contact information current.

Parishioners can also take advantage of the following online aids:

- Spend time at the appropriate moments to participate in the services via video. You can find online services at https://www.goarch.org/live-broadcasts

- Those with newer AppleTV devices, Roku, or Amazon Fire can find the Archdiocesan channel: https://www.goarch.org/tv

- Utilize the Archdiocesan Online Chapel for texts of services, daily readings, and lives of the Saints: https://www.goarch.org/chapel

- There are many edifying bible studies and educational podcasts available via Ancient Faith Ministries ( https://www.ancientfaith.com/ ) or Orthodox Christian Network ( http://myocn.net ) 

- Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis offers a wonderful daily message through his “Prayer Team” ministry. Sign up using the following link: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin

FAITH IN ACTION - Activities for April 2020 

Faith In Action - the Salvation Army Zelma George Family Shelter needs our help!  The Shelter is part of the Salvation Army's Harbor Light Complex in downtown Cleveland.  Unfortunately, 4 staff members of the Complex have been infected with COVID-19.  The families are essentially limited to staying in their single rooms most of the time.  We are purchasing arts and crafts supplies for the kids.  If you are interested in donating money for the supplies, please contact Peter Poulos at peter.poulos@case.edu.

A Call to Action - sign up for Instacart and have frozen dinner meals delivered to St. Herman's. You can have Instacart pick up the meals from the Dave's Market located in Ohio City. Even if it is just one dinner meal, it helps. I know the men of St. Herman's would appreciate the meal, whether it be beef, chicken or vegetarian.

Thanks and if you have any questions, please let us know - Peter and Denise Poulos 

Prayer Team - join the prayer team and keep others in your daily prayers. (Prayer Requests - If you have any prayer requests for our prayer team, or if you have questions about other activities, please send them to peter.poulos@case.edu).

Our team has been holding evening prayers via Zoom every other night at 8 p.m.  If you are interested in participating, you should either email pmp17@case.edu or text 216 288 1972 ahead of time to receive the link.  You will need to provide your name and email address to receive the Zoom invite. 

REMEMBER - we are the Church. And we haven’t gone anywhere.

“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  (James 2:18)

Philoptochos is sponsoring  Memorials on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to honor our Mothers, Grandmothers, and Godmothers; and our Fathers, Grandfathers and 

Godfathers who have departed. Everyone is invited to submit the names of their loved ones who are no longer with us.

Father will be reading the Mothers’ names during the service on Sunday May 10, 2020 and the Fathers’ names on June 21, 2020. If you would like to make a donation to the Philoptochos, it would be greatly appreciated.

You may submit names/checks for

• Mother’s Day Memorials by May 7^th and
• Father’s Day Memorials by June 18th

to:

Melissa Manos
3356 Lansmere Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122

Or

Sts Constantine and Helen Cathedral
3352 Mayfield Rd
Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118
Attn: Philoptochos Mother’s/Father’s Day Memorials

Please write Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Memorial in the memo area of your check.

If you have any questions about the Memorials please contact:
Anne Mitchell at mitchell.matt1@gmail.com/ or  text to 440 465-6014

Thank you so much!

All Orthodox Education activities have been suspended until further notice. E-ministry will continue to greatest degree possible. Contact Maria at orthodox_education@stsconstantine.com with any questions or suggestions.

Coffee Hosting:  For the time being, coffee hours are being cancelled but you can still get on the calendar for hosting coffee and keeping this beautiful tradition of our church going. June 7, July 5, 12, 26, all of August, September, October 11 and October 18, and November 15, 22, and 29 are open.  Host coffee in memory of your loved ones or in honor of your family's birthdays, anniversary, or namedays.  See Christina Callos to sign up for your Sunday or email: ctcallos@gmail.com

Each week the deadline for entries for the Sunday bulletin will be Wednesday by Noon. Any submissions after that will be included in the bulletin for the following week.

Candles are one way to express our prayers and our presence in worship. During the crisis, you may make a request to light a candle by (1) calling the church office during regular hours, M-F, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, (2) making an email request to office@stsconstantine.com, no later than 3:00 pm on a day of regular business hours, (3) coming to the church during regular office hours and purchasing a candle to take with you or leaving the candle (lit or not) in the candle stands, or (4) making a request thru the Facebook live stream during a service. This is an honor system in which we trust that you will make a monetary gift for your candle. 

Donations of pure olive oil for the vigil lamp on the Holy Altar.

This parish strives "To lead people to God thorugh Orthodox Christianity and to provide ways for them live and share God's love." It does so in good days and in difficult ones, such as we now expeience. Our doors may be closed to the general public, but we endeavor to spread the "good news" as best we can. Any financial help that you might offer is deeply apprciated. 

1) Join the "Search the Scriptures" live call-in show hosted by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou, Professor at the University of San Diego on Monday evenings from 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Link: ancientfaith.com/radio/live. Call in to the show: 1-855-237-2346.

3) Join ""The Whole Counsel of God" online Bible study hosted by Father Stephen de Young on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Link for live stream: facebook.com/TheWholeCounselOfGod/ Podcast Link: ancientfaith.com/podcasts/wholecounsel

4) Join "3 Men & a Bible" livestream show Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Fr. Panagiotis Boznos, Nick Lionas, and Steve Christoforou meet every week to discuss the Sunday Gospel and Epistle readings. Link: goarch.zoom.us/j/249935036

Christ is risen! ....and we're still at home. We hope you're staying healthy and safe. By now, we've all been encouraged to exercise or clean house; but here are some other things you can do to pass the time:

- Journal Daily: Journaling is a great way to express your thoughts and experiences in a healthy way. Write down your thoughts and fears or a few things you’re grateful for to help you center yourself.

- Practice Mindfulness: The world is a scary place right now, and tensions are high. Instead of scrolling through social media, take a break and focus. Short meditation or prayer sessions can help you relieve stress and calm down from feeling overwhelmed.

- Check Books off your To-Read List: It can be difficult to find time for quiet reading during the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in a book that may have been gathering dust as an escape from the pressures of the outside world.

- Take an Online Course: Lots of educational institutions and hobbyists are offering online classes for free right now, so take advantage of them! If you’ve always wanted to explore a particular subject or you’re looking to bolster your resume, now is the time to learn something new.

By keeping your mind and body active and engaged, you can help shed the stress of being stuck at home while also improving your skills, your space, and yourself.