Sunday 7 May 2023

1Now in those days,when the number of the disciples was multiplying,a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews,because their widows were neglected in the daily service.2The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said,“It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.3Therefore, select from among you,brothers, seven men of good report,full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom,whom we may appoint over this business.4But we will continue steadfastly in prayerand in the ministry of the word.”

5These words pleased the whole multitude.They chose Stephen,a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit,Philip, Prochorus,Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch,6whom they set before the apostles.When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7The word of God increasedand the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem.A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

1Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous!Praise is fitting for the upright.2Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre.Sing praises to him with the harp of ten strings.

4For the Lord’s word is right.All his work is done in faithfulness.5He loves righteousness and justice.The earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord.

18Behold, the Lord’s eye is on those who fear him,on those who hope in his loving kindness,19to deliver their soul from death,to keep them alive in famine.

4Come to him, a living stone,rejected indeed by men,but chosen by God, precious.5You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house,to be a holy priesthood,to offer up spiritual sacrifices,acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.6Because it is contained in Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious.He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”

7For you who believe therefore is the honor,but for those who are disobedient,

“The stone which the builders rejectedhas become the chief cornerstone,”

8and,

“a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.”

For they stumble at the word,being disobedient,to which also they were appointed.9But you are a chosen race,a royal priesthood,a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession,that you may proclaim the excellence of himwho called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1“Don’t let your heart be troubled.Believe in God.Believe also in me.2In my Father’s house are many homes.If it weren’t so, I would have told you.I am going to prepare a place for you.3If I go and prepare a place for you,I will come again and will receive you to myself;that where I am, you may be there also.4You know where I go, and you know the way.”

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

6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.No one comes to the Father, except through me.7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.From now on, you know him and have seen him.”

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

9Jesus said to him,“Have I been with you such a long time,and do you not know me, Philip?He who has seen me has seen the Father.How do you say, ‘Show us the Father’?10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father,and the Father in me?The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself;but the Father who lives in me does his works.11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me;or else believe me for the very works’ sake.12Most certainly I tell you,he who believes in me,the works that I do, he will do also;and he will do greater works than these,because I am going to my Father.