May 7, 2006 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER B Lectionary #50

Traditionally, because of the gospel reading, in the Catholic liturgical calendar this Easter Sunday is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, and it is traditionally a day to pray for vocations.

Acts 4:8-12. Following on the healing of a cripple in the name of Jesus, Peter affirms the heart of Christian faith: “There is no salvation through anyone else.” (This does not mean, however, that there is no salvation outside the Church, as Vatican II affirmed.)

Psalm of the Day: Ps (117) 118

1 John 3:1-2. The church is the incarnate promise of the coming kingdom.

John 10:11-18. I am the good shepherd.

Opening: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (CC-366)
Psalm: This is the day the Lord has made (see sheet)
Offertory: Mary's Song(CC-105)
Com 1: Gift of Finest Wheat(CC-484)
Com 2: Like A Shepherd(CC-402)
Closing: You Grace Is Enough (SS2-403)

April 30 - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Context from http://www.npm.org/Planning/yearb/3se.html

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER B Lectionary #47

The readings present Jesus as the fulfillment of the Torah and the prophets and as the one who offers true forgiveness and reconciliation.

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19. Luke presents a “typical” sample sermon of the apostolic church that links Jesus to Jewish history and presents the approach that the church took in its preaching to contemporary Jews—Jesus is the fulfillment of the divine promises.

Psalm of the Day: Ps 4

Though this is actually a lament, it is filled with great trust in God and is an appropriate expression of personal trust in God's presence and power.

1 John 2:1-5a. Jesus is not only our advocate when we sin; he is the expiation for our sins.

Luke 24:35-38. The story of the journey to Emmaus echoes, in a sense, the structure of the liturgy: the proclamation and interpretation of the Scriptures followed by the meal in which we recognize Jesus “in the breaking of the bread.” It also summarizes Luke's practice of setting major teaching in the context of a meal.

Opening: Alleluia! Sing To Jesus (CC-312)
Ps: Lord, Let Your Face Shine upon us (ss2-246) ( sing and read)
Offertory: Alleluia No. 1(CC-290)
Com 1: Jesus, Come To Us(CC-411)
Com 2: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name(CC-355)
Closing: God of Wonders(SS2-346)

April 23 - SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Context from http://www.npm.org/Planning/yearb/2se.html

EASTER SEASON, YEAR B

Unlike other seasons of the liturgical year, the first reading in the Easter Season is taken from the Acts of the Apostles instead of from the Hebrew Bible. This fact invites us to reflect on how the early church responded to the Good News in its life as well as in its texts.

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER B: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY Lectionary #44

The readings for this Sunday describe a community of believers who held everything in common, caring for the needy, loving the children of God, bringing effective peace and forgiveness to all.

LITURGICAL NOTE: Pope John Paul II added a new title to this Sunday, but nothing else has changed. The Divine Mercy devotion—a private devotion—should not be part of the Sunday liturgy. It may, of course, be celebrated apart from Mass on this day.

Acts 4:32-35. Luke paints an idealized picture of the earliest communities. Here, he points out how holding all things in common followed from the preaching of the resurrection as a way to care for the community's needy members.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (117) 118

This song of thanksgiving has become, in Christian practice, the song of the resurrection. Picture Jesus singing it as he comes out of the tomb.

Suggested Common Psalm: Ps (117) 118

This is the Day the Lord Has Made

See additional suggestions for Easter Day

1 John 5:1-6. Written to support a struggling community—and to condemn those in the community who disagree with the writer's interpretation of Christ—the First Letter of John describes fidelity to God and to the commandments as best expressed in love for God's children.

John 20:19-31. This account of Jesus' resurrection appearance to the disciples on Easter in Jerusalem describes the risen Christ's gift as “shalom”—that deep peace which comes from being in union with God through forgiveness of sin. It ends with the story of Thomas and a promise to future believers that they are “blessed,” even though they did not witness the resurrection personally.

Prelude: Kindness
Opening: Gather Us In(CC-471)
Psalm: Ps 118: This is the day (SS2-118)
Offertory: You are mine (CC-435)
Com 1: How Great Thou Art(CC-387)
Com 2: Cup of life (see sheet)
Closing: City of God(CC-509)
CCM Closing: Holy Is the Lord (see sheet)
CCM Postlude: Prince of Peace (see sheet)