Month: May 2020

Saturday of The 5th Week of Easter, 16 May 2020 – Psalm 100, Acts 16:1-10, John 15:18-21 ~ What did you expect?

Saturday of The 5th Week of Easter, 16 May 2020

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

Opening:

Almighty, ever-living God, you gave us the life of heaven by the new birth of baptism; you implanted in us the seed of eternity by your gift of grace. Lead us, in your providence, to the fullness of glory. 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.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

Psalm 100 (Enter In)) – People and Songs

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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 16:1-10(NLT)

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

A Call from Macedonia

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas.

That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
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Responsorial Psalm 100(NLT)

+ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

+ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

+ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.
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Psalm 100 – Chris Tomlin

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Closing: Colossians 3:1 (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 

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

Friday of The 5th Week of Easter, 15 May 2020 – John 15:12-17, Acts 15:22-31, Psalm 57 ~ This is my command: Love each other.

Friday of The 5th Week of Easter, 15 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, grant that the Easter mystery may shape our lives, so that what we celebrate with joy may be our constant defense and salvation. 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.

“This is my commandment:
Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:12-17 (NLT)

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
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Responsorial Psalm 57:8-9, 10, 12 (NLT)

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
I will wake the dawn with my song.

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

+ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 15:22-31(NLT)

The Letter for Gentile Believers

Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. This is the letter they took with them:

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
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(Be Exalted O God) – Kimberly Douma

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Closing: John 15:17 (NLT)

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

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

Thursday of The 5th Week of Easter, 14 May 2020 – John 15:9-17, Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113 ~ Chosen to love each other.

Thursday of The 5th Week of Easter, 14 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, you chose Saint Matthias by lot to complete the number of the twelve apostles. Include us among your chosen ones, since we rejoice to see that the lot marked out for us is your love. 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.

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 (NLT)

During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
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Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’

“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus— from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

Responsorial Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (NLT)

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

Everywhere—from east to west—
praise the name of the Lord.
For the Lord is high above the nations;
his glory is higher than the heavens.

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
who is enthroned on high?
He stoops to look down
on heaven and on earth.

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
even the princes of his own people!

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

From the Rising of the Sun (Psalm 113) – Sandra McCracken

Hallelujah, give praise, you servants
Praise the name of the LORD
Let the name of the LORD be blessed
from now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun, to it’s going down
Let the name of the LORD be praised, from the rising of the sun.

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens,
Who is like the LORD our God? Who sits enthroned on high?
Who is like the LORD our God? Who stoops to behold,
The heavens and the earth?

From the rising of the sun, to it’s going down
Let the name of the LORD be praised, from the rising of the sun.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:9-17 (NLT)

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Friend of God – by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

https://youtu.be/R-M8mXsGztM?rel=0
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Closing: John 15:16 (NLT)

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

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

Wednesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 13 May 2020 – John 15:1-8, Acts 15:1-6, Psalm 122 ~ “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Wednesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 13 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, you love innocence of heart, and when it is lost you alone can restore it. Turn then our hearts to you, and kindle in them the fire of your Spirit, so that we may be steadfast in faith and unwearied in good works. 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.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:1-8 (NLT)

Jesus, the True Vine

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Christ Be All Around Me – All Sons & Daughters

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 15:1-6 (NLT)

The Council at Jerusalem

While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone’s joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.”
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Responsorial Psalm 122 (NLT)

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”

+ I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
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Psalm 122 (Let Us Go Rejoicing) – Michael Joncas

Closing: John 15:5 (NLT)

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.
For apart from me you can do nothing.

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

Tuesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 12 May 2020 – John 14:27-31, Acts 14:19-28, Psalm 145 ~ peace of mind and heart

Tuesday of The 5th Week of Easter, 12 May 2020

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

Opening:

Lord our God, in the resurrection of Christ you create us anew for eternal life. Grant your people firmness in faith and constancy in hope: let us never doubt that you will fulfill what we know you have promised. 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 peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 14:27-31 (NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 14:19-28 (NLT)

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch of Syria

After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.

Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.
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Responsorial Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 21 (NLT)

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

I will praise the Lord,
and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
forever and ever.
I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.

+ All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

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Psalm 145  – Dustin Kensrue (Mars Hill Music)

Closing: John 14:27

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

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