The Lessons Appointed for Use on
Saturday in Easter Week
All Years

Acts 4:13-21
Mark 16:9-15,20
Psalm 118:14-18 or 118:19-24

We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Acts 4:13-21

Now when the rulers and elders and scribes saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. They said, "What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard." After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.

Psalm 118:14-18 Page 761, BCP

Confitemini Domino

14

The LORD is my strength and my song, *
and he has become my salvation.

15

There is a sound of exultation and victory *
in the tents of the righteous:

16

"The right hand of the LORD has triumphed! *
the right hand of the LORD is exalted!
the right hand of the LORD has triumphed!"

17

I shall not die, but live, *
and declare the works of the LORD.

18

The LORD has punished me sorely, *
but he did not hand me over to death.

or

Psalm 118:19-24 Page 762, BCP

Confitemini Domino

19

Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the LORD.

20

"This is the gate of the LORD; *
he who is righteous may enter."

21

I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.

22

The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.

23

This is the LORD'S doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24

On this day the LORD has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Mark 16:9-15,20

Now when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

Later he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation."

And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.

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