Notable Feast Days this Week

April 1 - Macarius the Confessor, 830
April 2 - Mary of Egypt, Penitent, 430 (Roman Catholic)
April 3 - Nicetas the Confessor, 824
April 4 - Isidore of Seville, 636
April 5 - Holy Thursday (Eastern)
April 6 - Holy Friday (Eastern)
April 6 - Eutychius, Bishop of Constantinople, 582
April 7 - Holy Saturday (Eastern)
April 8 - Holy Pascha "Resurrection of Christ" (Eastern)

Revised Common Lectionary

Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1 - 2:2
John 20:19-31

Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - White

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-------- Second Sunday of Easter -------- April 8, 2018 (Year B)
Light and Peace
 
Because the good news of Easter can hardly be contained in a single day's celebration, Easter is only the first of fifty days of Eastertide, the "Great Fifty Days" that lead up to Pentecost. This season is designed for extended celebration, for exploring the ramifications of Easter for the redemption of all creation, and for joyful Christian living ... Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the central event ... of all human history. Christians who make this confession are talking not about the resurrection of faith in the disciples, or of hope in the women at the tomb, or of tulips in the spring. They are confessing the real resurrection of Jesus ... (more)"
-from The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd Edition.
 
Psalm of the Week
Scripture Readings
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Commentary on Psalm 133
Augustine, Calvin, Spurgeon,
 Fr. Michael Fallon

Audio
Psalm 133, Acts 4, 1 John 1, John 20
Acts 4:32-35
One in heart and mind

1 John 1:1 - 2:2
A witness to the light

John 20:19-31
Jesus appears to the disciples

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year
Chronological
Quotes
 
Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate
Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead,
the first of the sleepers,
Glory and power are his forever and ever.
- St. Hippolytus of Rome

"Christ hath trampled down death by death and become the First-born from the dead. he hath delivered us from the depths of Hades, granting the world great mercy."
—From an Orthodox hymn, Basil Kazan (1915-2001)

"There is sorrow in the hour when a man is born into the world, but also joy - deep and unspeakable - thankfulness so great that it reacheth the highest Heavens...There is sorrow in the hour of death - but there too joy unspeakable when it is the hour of death of one who has fought a good fight. There is One who has said, I am the resurrection and the life, if any man believe in me, though he were dead yet shall he live."
- from a sermon preached by Vincent van Gogh on October 29, 1876 

Resources
Practicing Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. -The Book of Common Prayer
Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)
Morning Prayer (View and Download)
Further Prayer Resources

Morning and Evening Prayer (Church of England-Protestant)
Liturgy of the Hours and Sung Breviary (Roman Catholic)
Sung Morning Prayer by Calvin Peters (Eastern Orthodox)
Audio Prayer Meditation (Pray as You Go)
Psalm Spotify Playlist
Singing Psalms and Hymns
Hymn suggestions for The Second Sunday of Easter (Year B) from Hymnary.org 

Hymns related to Psalm 133 from Hymnary.com

Paschal Troparion | Traditional Greek Hymn with music by The Opiate Mass |Leadsheet

Christ the Lord is Risen Today | Leadsheet

Before the Throne of God Above | Original words by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1892), music and alt. words by Vikki Cook. | Chord Charts

Psalm 133 Refrain | From The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 133 | Genevan Resources 

Psalm 133 Anglican Chant | Anglican Chant Psalter

Psalm 133 Pointed Chant | Chart | How to Sing Pointed Chant
Commentary on John 20:19-31
It was not an accident that that particular disciple was not present. The divine mercy ordained that a doubting disciple should, by feeling in his Master the wounds of the flesh, heal in us the wounds of unbelief. The unbelief of Thomas is more profitable to our faith than the belief of the other disciples. For the touch by which he is brought to believe confirms our minds in belief, beyond all question. -Gregory the Great
Music for Listening
Art 
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