Acts 10:44-48

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

 

Psalm 98

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.

2 With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.

3 The Lord has made known his victory; *
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.

4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, *
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; *
lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.

6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, *
with the harp and the voice of song.

7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn *
shout with joy before the King, the Lord.

8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, *
the lands and those who dwell therein.

9 Let the rivers clap their hands, *
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.

10 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.

1 John 5:1-6

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This 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.

John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

 

HYMNS

 

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

 

For the beauty of the earth,

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies

 

Refrain

Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymnn of grateful praise.

 

For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale and tree and flower,

Sun and moon and stars of light

Refrain

 

For the joy of ear and eye,

For the heart and mind’s delight,

For the mystic harmony

Linking sense to sound and sight

Refrain

 

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild

Refrain

 

For thy church that evermore

Lifteth holy hands above,

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love

Refrain

 

 

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

 

Refrain

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

 

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

Refrain

 

The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning

That brightens up the sky.

Refrain

 

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

Refrain

 

He gave us eyes to see them

And lips that we might tell

How great is God almighty,

Who has made all things well.

Refrain

 

 

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

 

All creatures of our God and King,

Lift up your voices, let us sing,

Alleluia, alleluia!

Bright burning sun with golden beams,

Pale silver moon that gently gleams,

 

Refrain

O praise him, O praise him,

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

 

Great rushing winds and breezes soft,

You clouds that rise the heavens aloft,

O praise him, Alleluia!

Fair rising morn with praise rejoice,

Stars nightly shining, find a voice,

Refrain

 

Swift flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for your Lord to hear,

Alleluia, alleluia!

Fire, so intense and fiercely bright,

You give to us both warmth and light,

Refrain

 

Dear mother earth, you day by day

Unfold your blessings on our way,

O praise him, Alleluia!

All flowers and fruits that in you grow,

Let them his glory also show,

Refrain

 

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

 

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.