Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 9, 2021

The Collect

 O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

The First Lesson 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. 

The Second Lesson 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. 

The Gospel 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.”

A Litany for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Creator God, source of all that is good

you shower us with rain and sunlight

making our gardens grow abundantly

and making our communities strong.

Lord, help us to love one another.

You were among us and are among us still

teaching us the way of love and justice

helping us to live your greatest command

which is to love one another as you love us.

Lord, help us to love one another.

We are often jealous and envious

we do not see the pain in our neighbors

yet you know their broken hearts

and love them in their greatest sorrows.

Lord, help us to love one another.

Our hearts are full to the brim with anxiety

and loving others will restore our joy.

We cannot always see the hope of tomorrow

and a simple kindness can change our world.

You offered your life that all may live

let us offer love to whomever we meet.

Help us to follow your commandment 

so that we might be your friends forever. Amen