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Sixth Sunday of Easter |
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The Promise of the Holy Spirit |
O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such
good things as pass mans understanding: Pour into our
hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee in all
things and above all things, may obtain thy promises, which
exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Lesson - Acts 14:8-18 or Joel 2:21-27 |
Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe
Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a
cripple from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking; and
Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and
walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their
voices, saying in Lycao'nian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness
of men!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief
speaker, they called Hermes. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in
front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to
offer sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul
heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude,
crying, "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with
you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to
a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is
in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own
ways; yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave
you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food
and gladness." With these words they scarcely restrained the people from
offering sacrifice to them.
or
God's Response and Promise
"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!
Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are
green; the tree bears its fruit, the fig tree and vine give their full
yield. "Be glad, O sons of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD, your God; for he
has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you
abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before. "The threshing
floors shall be full of grain, the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I
will restore to you the years which the swarming locust has eaten, the
hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among
you. "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the
LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never
again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and
that I, the LORD, am your God and there is none else. And my people shall
never again be put to shame.
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Epistle - Revelation 21:22--22:5 or Acts 14:8-18 |
Vision of the New Jerusalem
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty
and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for
the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light shall
the nations walk; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into
it, and its gates shall never be shut by day -- and there shall be no night
there; they shall bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But
nothing unclean shall enter it, nor any one who practices abomination or
falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. Then
he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from
the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the
city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve
kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree
were for the healing of the nations. There shall no more be anything
accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his
servants shall worship him; they shall see his face, and his name shall be
on their foreheads. And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp
or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever
and ever.
or
Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe
Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a
cripple from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking; and
Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he sprang up and
walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their
voices, saying in Lycao'nian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness
of men!" Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief
speaker, they called Hermes. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in
front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to
offer sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul
heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude,
crying, "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with
you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to
a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is
in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own
ways; yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave
you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food
and gladness." With these words they scarcely restrained the people from
offering sacrifice to them.
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Gospel - John 14:23-29 |
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father
will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who
does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not
mine but the Father's who sent me. "These things I have spoken to you, while
I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I
give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be
troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I go away,
and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I
go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you
before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. |
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