The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, May 7, 2023 — Fifth Sunday of Easter

 

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Opening Statement

Hard as a rock. The psalmist considers God a rock fortress where protection may be found. Peter speaks of a cornerstone upon which the church is built—built of “living stones.” The Gospel of John speaks of “my Father’s house” where rooms are available and waiting for the arrival of the disciples. The stumbling block of 1 Peter may be tied to the gospel where Jesus says too plainly for some, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” These weeks following Easter are a great time to remember that God is continually at work in our midst and is ever building the character of the church and of the individuals who are followers of the Way. Rock formations could be likened to the transforming work of God in the lives of those we serve. God continually is at work, changing us, calling us to maturity.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Give us grace to love one another, to follow in the way of his commandments, and to share his risen life with all the world, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Collect
(from the Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Call to Confession
(adapted from Psalm 23, John 10)

Shepherding God, be with us in our need. Like sheep who have gone astray—we have not heeded your voice, calling us to follow the right paths, beckoning us to lie down and be restored; we have acted as if our salvation lies in busyness and control. We do not want to be sheep—dependent on a shepherd for everything. We want to do it alone—to maintain our independence. Forgive us for rejecting your shepherding care and your love and guidance. Forgive us for our need to do it by ourselves, to be separate from the flock. Forgive us for doubting your presence in times of trouble. Forgive us our despair in the face of seemingly unrelenting evil and death. Lead us back to the path of life. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
(adapted from 1 Peter 2, John 10)

Jesus said, I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly. In so confessing, we have returned to the shepherd, the guardian of our souls who welcomes us with open arms and a glad heart. Know that the shepherd of our lives never abandons us, is always calling our name, and unfailingly loves and forgives us.

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

For us to be able to thank God in all things, we must be able to see Him in every detail of our lives. Our hearts should be grateful toward Him, even when we face difficulties, because we know He is intimately involved in our circumstances and will work everything for our good if we have faith and obey Him (Rom. 8:28).

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
First Reading
Acts 7:55-60
Martyrdom of Stephen

7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
I commend my spirit
In te, Domine, speravi

1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge;
      let me never be put to shame; *
    deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Incline your ear to me; *
    make haste to deliver me.

3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
      for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
    for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
    for you are my tower of strength.

5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
    for you have redeemed me,
      O LORD, O God of truth.

15 My times are in your hand; *
     rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
       and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
     and in your loving-kindness save me.”

O God, we praise and thank You for the many mercies we have received from Your steadfast love. We continue to pray for all those in need, knowing that You will keep your many precious promises, revealed in Your word, to us. Amen.

Second Reading
From the Epistles
1 Peter 2:2-10
God’s chosen people

2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”

8 and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Gospel Acclamation
(John 14:6)

Alleluia. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Alleluia.

Today’s Gospel Reading
John 14:1-14
Christ the way truth life

14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

• And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

• And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord's Prayer - Our Father Who Art in Heaven

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.

Benediction

May the love of God take away your millstones and place you high up on the Rock, that you may see more clearly the calling of God in your life. Into the hands of God, commit your spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

Change The World

Christ’s death and resurrection mean that we are invited to join God in his plan to redeem this broken world. It’s not just a wishful idea; it’s a call to every follower of Jesus to change the world.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, May 7, 2023
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
Hard as a rock. The psalmist considers God a rock fortress where protection may be found. Peter speaks of a cornerstone upon which the church is built—built of “living stones.” The Gospel of John speaks of “my Father’s house” where rooms are available and waiting for the arrival of the disciples. The stumbling block of 1 Peter may be tied to the gospel where Jesus says too plainly for some, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” These weeks following Easter are a great time to remember that God is continually at work in our midst and is ever building the character of the church and of the individuals who are followers of the Way. Rock formations could be likened to the transforming work of God in the lives of those we serve. God continually is at work, changing us, calling us to maturity.