Friday of The 7th Week of Easter, 29 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, you opened for us the way to eternal life when Christ your Son was taken up to glory and your Holy Spirit came to enlighten your Church. Grant that, as we share in so great a gift, our faith may grow ever stronger, our service ever more loyal. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

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“Psalm 103” By Zach Jones

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 21:15-19 (NLT)

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
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Responsorial Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20

+ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.

+ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

+ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.

+ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.

+ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 25:13-21 (NLT)

A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to Festus. During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. “There is a prisoner here,” he told him, “whose case was left for me by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him. I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.

“When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn’t delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected. Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.”
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Psalm 103 – Bless the Lord – Statewide Youth Service (Slavic Center Tacoma)

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Closing: John 14:26 (NLT)

“When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

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