Saint John The Baptist Orthodox Church

Weekly Newsletter and Sunday Bulletin

Sunday, April 19, 2026

(Sunday of Thomas)

Sunday Services

Matins: 9:00 a.m.

Divine Liturgy: 10:00 a.m.

Coffee Fellowship follows Divine Liturgy

Saturdays - 5:00 pm - Vespers

(Confession available following Vespers)

691 Green Street, Craig, CO 81625

Fr. David Henderson - 970-846-2245

fatherdavid@saintjohnscraig.org

www.saintjohnscraig.org

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

In This Issue:

A Message from Father David

Epistle and Gospel Readings

for Sunday, April 19

Food for the Soul

This Week/Next Week Services and Coming Events

A Message from Father David

"Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).

There can be a kind of “let down” after Pascha. We go through Holy Week, culminating in the Paschal Feast, and then Bright Week comes and we can find ourselves a bit exhausted, recovering from the intensity of the week that has passed.

There can also be a bit of a spiritual let down, where we might find ourselves, like Thomas, doubting and wondering what it’s all about. The story of Thomas is given to us on the Sunday following Pascha because his story is our story. We weren’t there to witness the Resurrection of our Lord. We are those who rely on the accounts of others, having “not seen” for ourselves.

This is not just a story of doubt overcome, but an invitation for each one of us to bring our honest questions and struggles before God. Doubt is not necessarily the enemy of faith, but often its companion on the journey toward deeper growth and understanding. Through Thomas’s encounter, we learn that Christ meets us where we are, transforming our uncertainty into a recognition of who Christ is. Jesus’ words, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed," encourage us to trust in the living presence of Christ, our experience of Him, even when we cannot see Him with our eyes.

As we reflect on this day, we are invited to open our hearts to the Risen Lord, allowing Him to dispel our doubts and strengthen our faith, so that we too may joyfully proclaim, "My Lord and my God!"

Blessings,

Father David

Epistle and Gospel Readings

Psalm 146.5;134.3

Great is our Lord, and great is his power.

Verse: Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good.

The reading is from 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."

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The Gospel According to 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.

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Food for the Soul

Leave all human injustices to the Lord, for God is the Judge,

but as to yourself, be diligent in loving everybody with a pure heart.

Saint John of Kronstadt

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This Week

Thursday, April 16

Parish Council Meeting (6:00 PM)

Saturday, April 18

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

Upcoming Services / Events

Sunday, April 19

Matins (9:00 AM)
Divine Liturgy (10:00 AM)

Tuesday, April 21

Orthodox Journey (7:00 PM) This interactive discussion is for Catechemuns and for all who would like to learn more about the Orthodox Faith. It is held in person at the church and by Zoom.Click here to join: Orthodox Journey or use Meeting ID 973 8769 5656 and passcode 302935.

Saturday, April 25

Great Vespers (5:00 PM)

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CHRIST IS RISEN!

Our Saint John's family shared a beautiful Holy Week filled with solemnity, and prayer, and with record attendance at services. On Holy Saturday, we also welcomed six newly baptized into the Orthodox Church. Glory to God!

We are most grateful to all that participated in the services, preparations, and celebrations of the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord!

TRULY HE IS RISEN!

Saint John's Bookstore

Saint John’s bookstore is open in the Narthex where you can buy or borrow Orthodox Study Bibles, various books about our faith and the lives of the Saints, icons, prayer ropes, and other items. Come and see!