Sunday 22 April 2023 | Claim the space you're in

Patronal Festival COLLECT Risen Christ, you revealed yourself to the disciples and calmed their fears: meet us in our uncertainties, and walk with us into the new life you bring; for you live and reign with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. READING Acts 2: 14, 36-41 38 Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit. 39 For God's promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away—all whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he urged them, saying, “Save yourselves from the punishment coming on this wicked people!” 41 Many of them believed his message and were baptized, and about three thousand people were added to the group that day. READING 1 Peter 1: 17-23 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from death and gave him glory; and so your faith and hope are fixed on God. 22 Now that by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves and have come to have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart. 23 For through the living and eternal word of God you have been born again as the children of a parent who is immortal, not mortal. GOSPEL according to Luke 24: 13-35 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" 19 He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 20 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. 21 Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 25 Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. THE BLESSING Go now as witnesses of God’s eternal presence. The risen Christ has made himself known to you in the breaking of bread, so set your faith and hope on God, fulfilling your vows and living in genuine mutual love.