Lessons for April 29, 2007 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

The first lesson

Acts 9:36-43
 
    There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. [37] About this time she became ill and died. Her friends prepared her for burial and laid her in an upstairs room. [38] But they had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, "Please come as soon as possible!" [39] So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other garments Dorcas had made for them. [40] But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, "Get up, Tabitha." And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! [41] He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he showed them that she was alive. [42] The news raced through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. [43] And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a leatherworker.  (NLT)

Psalm 23

L.  The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. 
C.  He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 
L.  He renews my strength.
C.  He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
L.  Even when I walk through the dark valley of death,
C.  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
L.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
C.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
L.  You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.
C.  My cup overflows with blessings. 
L.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
C.  and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  (NLT)

The second lesson

Revelation 7:9-17
 
    After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. [10] And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" 
    [11] And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell face down before the throne and worshiped God. [12] They said,

    "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
        and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength
        belong to our God forever and forever. Amen!"
 
    [13] Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, "Who are these who are clothed in white? Where do they come from?"  [14] And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. [15] That is why they are standing in front of the throne of God, serving him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will live among them and shelter them. [16] They will never again be hungry or thirsty, and they will be fully protected from the scorching noontime heat. [17] For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears."  (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

John 10:22-30
 
    It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah. [23] He was at the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon's Colonnade. [24] The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 
    [25] Jesus replied, "I have already told you, and you don't believe me. The proof is what I do in the name of my Father. [26] But you don't believe me because you are not part of my flock. [27] My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, [29] for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. [30] The Father and I are one."  (NLT)