Sunday, May 2, 2021: Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21

A READING FROM ACTS

26An of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian , a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his , he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about . 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to .

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

(If the Psalm is sung by the choir, you will not be required to lead the Psalm. Check the day’s worship bulletin to confirm one way or the other)

PLEASE JOIN ME IN READING THE 22nd PSALM RESPONSIVELY 25From you comes my praise in the | great assembly; I will perform my vows in the sight of those who | fear the LORD. 26The poor shall eat | and be satisfied, Let those who seek the LORD give praise! May your hearts | live forever! 27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn | to the LORD; all the families of nations shall bow | before God. 28For dominion belongs | to the LORD, who rules o- | ver the nations. R 29Indeed, all who sleep in the earth shall bow | down in worship; all who go down to the dust, though they be dead, shall kneel be- | fore the LORD. 30Their descendants shall | serve the LORD, whom they shall proclaim to genera- | tions to come. 31They shall proclaim God’s deliverance to a people | yet unborn, saying to them, “The | LORD has acted!” R

A READING FROM 1ST JOHN

7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

Sunday, May 9, 2021: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 10:44-48 Psalm 98 1 John 5:1-6

A READING FROM ACTS

44While Peter was still speaking, the fell upon all who heard the word. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the , 46for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, 47“Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus . Then they invited him to stay for several days.

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

(If the Psalm is sung by the choir, you will not be required to lead the Psalm. Check the day’s worship bulletin to confirm one way or the other)

PLEASE JOIN ME IN READING THE 98th PSALM RESPONSIVELY

1Sing a new song to the LORD, who has done | marvelous things, whose right hand and holy arm have | won the victory. 2O LORD, you have made | known your victory, you have revealed your righteousness in the sight | of the nations. 3You remember your steadfast love and faithfulness to the | house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the victory | of our God. 4Shout with joy to the LORD, | all you lands; lift up your voice, re- | joice, and sing. R 5Sing to the LORD| with the harp, with the harp and the | voice of song. 6With trumpets and the sound | of the horn shout with joy before the | king, the LORD. 7Let the sea roar, and | all that fills it, the world and those who | dwell therein. 8Let the rivers | clap their hands, and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, who comes to | judge the earth. 9The LORD will judge the | world with righteousness and the peo- | ples with equity. R

A READING FROM 1st JOHN

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, 4for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. 5Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

Sunday, May 16, 2021: Seventh Sunday of Easter

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13

A READING FROM ACTS

15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, 16“Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus—17for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 21So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from the of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” 23So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

(If the Psalm is sung by the choir, you will not be required to lead the Psalm. Check the day’s worship bulletin to confirm one way or the other)

PLEASE JOIN ME IN READING THE 1st PSALM RESPONSIVELY

1Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel | of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats | of the scornful! 2Their delight is in the law | of the LORD, and they meditate on God’s teaching | day and night. R 3They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that | do not wither; everything they | do shall prosper. 4It is not so | with the wicked; they are like chaff which the wind | blows away. 5Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when | judgment comes, nor the sinner in the council | of the righteous. 6For the LORD knows the way | of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall | be destroyed. R

A READING FROM 1 JOHN

9If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. 10Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. 11And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD Sunday, May 23, 2021: Day of

Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Romans 8:22-27

A READING FROM ACTS

1When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, and Cappadocia, and , 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from , both Jews and , 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ ”

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

(If the Psalm is sung by the choir, you will not be required to lead the Psalm. Check the day’s worship bulletin to confirm one way or the other)

PLEASE JOIN ME IN READING THE 104th PSALM RESPONSIVELY

24How manifold are your | works, O LORD! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full | of your creatures. 25Yonder is the sea, great and wide, with its swarms too man- | y to number, living things both | small and great. 26There go the ships | to and fro, and Leviathan, which you made for the | sport of it. 27All of them | look to you to give them their food | in due season. R 28You give it to them; they | gather it; you open your hand, and they are filled | with good things. 29When you hide your face, | they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return | to their dust. 30You send forth your Spirit, and they | are created; and so you renew the face | of the earth. 31May the glory of the LORD en- | dure forever; O LORD, rejoice in | all your works. R 32You look at the earth | and it trembles; you touch the mountains | and they smoke. 33I will sing to the LORD as long | as I live; I will praise my God while I | have my being. 34May these words of | mine please God. I will rejoice | in the LORD. 35bBless the LORD, | O my soul. Hal- | lelujah! R A READING FROM ROMANS

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

Sunday, May 30, 2021: The Holy Trinity

Isaiah 6:1-8 Psalm 29 Romans 8:12-17

A READING FROM ISAIAH

1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. 2Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. 5And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD

(If the Psalm is sung by the choir, you will not be required to lead the Psalm. Check the day’s worship bulletin to confirm one way or the other)

PLEASE JOIN ME IN READING THE 29TH PSALM RESPONSIVELY

1Ascribe to the | LORD, you gods, ascribe to the LORD glo- | ry and strength. 2Ascribe to the LORD the glory | due God’s name; worship the LORD in the beau- | ty of holiness. 3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders; the LORD is upon the | mighty waters. 4The voice of the LORD is a pow- | erful voice; the voice of the LORD is a | voice of splendor. R 5The voice of the LORD breaks the | cedar trees; the LORD breaks the ce- | dars of Lebanon; 6the LORD makes Lebanon skip | like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox. 7The voice | of the LORD bursts forth in | lightning flashes. 8The voice of the LORD| shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilder- | ness of Kadesh. R 9The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the | forests bare. And in the temple of the LORD all are | crying, “Glory!” 10The LORD sits enthroned a- | bove the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for- | evermore. 11O LORD, give strength | to your people; give them, O LORD, the bless- | ings of peace. R

A READING FROM ROMANS

12Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

THE WORD OF THE LORD THANKS BE TO GOD