|
FOURTH
SUNDAY OF EASTER
ACTS 2:42-47
PSALM
23
1
PETER 2:19-25
JOHN
10:1-10
COLLECT
O God of peace,
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
make us perfect in every good work to do your will,
and work in us that which is well-pleasing in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[Return
to top]
A
READING FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone,
because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.
All who believed were together and had all things in common; they
would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds
to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time
together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their
food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the
goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their
number those who were being saved.
ACTS 2:42-47
[Return
to top]
PSALM
REFRAIN The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
The
Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
He
makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still
waters. R
He
revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his name's
sake.
Though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no
evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort
me. R
You
spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Surely
your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. R
PSALM 23
[Return
to top]
A
READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF PETER
For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain
while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for
doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do
right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you
have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving
you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. "He
committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When
he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did
not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges
justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so
that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his
wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep,
but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your
souls.
1 PETER 2:19-25
[Return
to top]
THE
HOLY GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
ACCORDING TO JOHN
Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not
enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a
thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd
of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep
hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and
the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not
follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not
know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of
speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying
to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell
you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are
thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am
the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and
go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly."
JOHN 10:1-10
[Return
to top]
PRAYER
OVER THE GIFTS
God of loving care,
you spread before us the table of life,
and give us the cup of salvation to drink.
Keep us always in the fold of your Son Jesus Christ,
our Saviour and our shepherd.
[Return
to top]
PRAYER
AFTER COMMUNION
God of steadfast love,
watch over the Church redeemed by the blood of your Son.
May we who share in these holy mysteries
come safely to your eternal kingdom,
where there is one flock and one shepherd.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord.
[Return
to top]
|
