Friday of The 6th Week of Easter, 22 May 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Lord God, you restore us to eternal life by our Savior’s resurrection: place us at your right hand, where he is enthroned with you. You gave us a new birth in baptism: clothe us in the garment of eternal happiness when Christ comes in his glory. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again;
then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 16:20-23 (NLT)

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.
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What Wonderful Joy– The Sons of the Pioneers

Wonderful home, glorious home,
Oh it is mine, surely is mine,
Where Jesus now lives,
There in that home,
And I shall see
Glory sublime
Yes I will go, yes I will go
Ever to share,
With Him up there,
What wonderful joy to be with Him there!

Sometime I shall leave for a mansion in Heaven
That Jesus has gone to prepare,
For as He was leaving, a promise was given
What wonderful joy to be with Him there!

Oh soon I shall see all it’s beauty still clearer,
No mansion can with it compare
Each hour and each moment my mansion grows nearer,
What wonderful joy to be with Him there!
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 18:9-18 (NLT)

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.

But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”

But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.

The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

Paul Returns to Antioch of Syria

Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.
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Responsorial Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (NLT)

+ Shout to God with joyful praise!

For the Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.
He subdues the nations before us,
putting our enemies beneath our feet.

+ Shout to God with joyful praise!

He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance,
the proud possession of Jacob’s descendants, whom he loves.
God has ascended with a mighty shout.
The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring.

+ Shout to God with joyful praise!

Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm.
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Psalm 47 (Shout to God) – Mercy Worship

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Closing: John 16:22 (NLT)

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again;
then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.