Tuesday of The 4th Week of Easter, 05 May 2020 – John 10:22-30, Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 87 ~ “The Father and I are one.”

Tuesday of The 4th Week of Easter, 05 May 2020

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

Opening:

O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people:
Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 10:22-30 (NLT)

Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God

It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 11:19-26 (NLT)

The Church in Antioch of Syria

Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.

When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.

Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)
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Responsorial Psalm 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7 -(NLT)

+ All you nations, praise the Lord!

On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord.
He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel.
O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!

I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me—
also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.
They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!
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Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken – Robert Shaw Chorale

_____

+ All you nations, praise the Lord!

Regarding Jerusalem it will be said,
“Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.”
And the Most High will personally bless this city.

When the Lord registers the nations, he will say,
“They have all become citizens of Jerusalem.”

The people will play flutes and sing,
“The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!”

+ All you nations, praise the Lord!
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Fantasie Psalm 87 – J. Propitius | John Propitius

Closing: John 10:27

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

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

Monday of The 4th Week of Easter, 04 May 2020 – John 10:11-18, Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42 ~ “I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”

Monday of The 4th Week of Easter, 04 May 2020

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

Opening:

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me”.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 10:11-18 (NLT)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 11:1-18(NLT)

Peter Explains His Actions

Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers[a] in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, the Jewish believers criticized him. “You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!” they said.

Then Peter told them exactly what had happened. “I was in the town of Joppa,” he said, “and while I was praying, I went into a trance and saw a vision. Something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners from the sky. And it came right down to me. When I looked inside the sheet, I saw all sorts of tame and wild animals, reptiles, and birds. And I heard a voice say, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.’

“‘No, Lord,’ I replied. ‘I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure or unclean.’

“But the voice from heaven spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.’ This happened three times before the sheet and all it contained was pulled back up to heaven.

“Just then three men who had been sent from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. The Holy Spirit told me to go with them and not to worry that they were Gentiles. These six brothers here accompanied me, and we soon entered the home of the man who had sent for us. He told us how an angel had appeared to him in his home and had told him, ‘Send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!’

“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?”

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”
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Responsorial Psalm 42:2-3,3,4 -(NLT)

+ As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.

I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?

Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”

+ As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.

Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”

+ As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.

My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!

+ As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
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Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call (Psalm 42) – Keith & Kristyn Getty

Closing: John 10:14

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me”.

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

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, 03 May 2020 – John 10:1-10, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:20-25, ~ Jesus: the Guardian of our souls.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, 03 May 2020

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

Opening:

O God, you never cease to call even those far away,
for it is your will that all be drawn into one fold.

Attune our ears to the voice of the Good Shepherd,
who leads us always to you, that we may find under your tender protection
life in all its fullness.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever (and ever.
Amen.

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Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – (Nathan and Christy Nockels and band)

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A Reading from the Gospels: John 10:1-10 (NLT)

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
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Psalm 23 (Surely goodness surely mercy) – Shane & Shane

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Prayers of Intercession:

Good Shepherd, Guardian of our souls: you are our provider and protector.
Lord, walk ahead of us, and help us to recognize your voice above all others.
Speak to each one of us by name, that we may be assured of your presence with us –

+ and always feel safe under your watchful protection ….

+ and always feel satisfied with your continual provision….

+ and find true rest and refreshment, the restoration of our souls….

+ and recognize your daily blessing , goodness and peace….

+ and stay close to you, following in your footsteps as you go before us….

+ and live by faith over fear even in this uncertain time of suffering and disease….

+ and live with strength and courage even in the face of death and destruction….

+ and receive the anointing of your Spirit when we are besieged by our enemies….

Good Shepherd, Guardian of our souls: enable us to live out our days with your strength and blessing –
assured that we will live with you forever, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A Reading from the Epistles: 1 Peter 2:20-25 (NLT)

Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
By his wounds you are healed.

Once you were like sheep who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
_________

Guardian Of My Soul – The Salvation Army Church in Oshawa, CA

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Closing: John 10:10 (NLT)

Jesus: “My purpose is to give [you] a rich and satisfying life.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday of The 3rd Week of Easter, 02 May 2020 – John 6:60-69, Acts 9:31-42, Psalm 116:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 ~ You have the words that give eternal life.

Saturday of The 3rd Week of Easter, 02 May 2020

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

Opening:

Almighty God, you gave your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and an example of godly living: Give us grace to thankfully receive his inestimable benefits, and to daily follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:60-69 (NLT)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave? Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 9:31-42 (NLT)

The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.

Peter Heals Aeneas and Raises Dorcas

Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. here he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.

There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”

So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.

The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.
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Psalm 116 (You Turned My Soul to Rest) – Robbie Seay Band

Psalm 116:12-13 (NLT)

What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.

Closing: John 6:63,68 (NLT)

Your words, Lord, are spirit and life.
You have the words of everlasting life.

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

Friday of The 3rd Week of Easter, 01 May 2020 – John 6:52-59, Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 117:1-2 ~ “I am Jesus!”

Friday of The 3rd Week of Easter, 01 May 2020

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

Opening:

“I am the bread of life.
Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.”

A Reading from the Gospels: John 6:52-59 (NLT)

The True Bread from Heaven

Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked.

So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 9:1-20 (NLT)

Saul’s Conversion

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord!” he replied.

The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”
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Psalm 117 – Gary Oliver

Closing: Psalm 117:1-2 (NLT)

Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.

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

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