Lessons for May 28, 2006 – Seventh Sunday of Easter The first lesson Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 During this time, on a day when about 120 believers were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows: 16"Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided the Temple police to arrest Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. 17Judas was one of us, chosen to share in the ministry with us." "So now we must choose another man to take Judas's place. It must be someone who has been with us all the time that we were with the Lord Jesus— 22from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection." 23So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they all prayed for the right man to be chosen. "O Lord," they said, "you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25as an apostle to replace Judas the traitor in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs." 26Then they cast lots, and in this way Matthias was chosen and became an apostle with the other eleven. (NLT) Psalm 1 L. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, C. or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. L. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. C. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. L. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. C. But this is not true of the wicked. L. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. C. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. L. Sinners will have no place among the godly. C. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. (NLT) The second lesson 1 John 5:9-13 Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. 10All who believe in the Son of God know that this is true. Those who don't believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don't believe what God has testified about his Son. 11And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life. 13I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson John 17:6-19 "I have told these men about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me. Actually, they were always yours, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, 8for I have passed on to them the words you gave me; and they accepted them and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me. 9"My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you; and you have given them back to me, so they are my glory! 11Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them and care for them—all those you have given me—so that they will be united just as we are. 12During my time here, I have kept them safe. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold. 13"And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy. 14I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. 15I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16They are not part of this world any more than I am. 17Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours. (NLT)