2nd Sunday of Easter | Sunday 16 April 2023

2nd Sunday of Easter | Sunday 16 April 2023

Apr 16, 2023

Music Info

We Labor Unto Glory (Live)

We Labor Unto Glory (Live)

By The Porter's Gate

Work Songs | The Porter's Gate Worship Project (Used with permission)

Link to the artist's websiteLink to the song on SpotifyLink to the song on Apple Music

Cirrus

Cirrus

By Greg Thomas

Form | Musicbed (Used with a license)

Link to the song on Spotify

Script

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Today is Sunday the 16th of April, beginning the second week of Easter.

Liz Vice with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘We Labor Unto Glory’.

My God, my God, where e'er I go

Glo-o-ory

Where I reap and where I sow

Glo-o-ory

And my hand it grips the thorn

Glo-o-ory

In the still and in the storm

Glo-o-ory, glo-o-ory

Oh, we labor unto glory

Till heaven and earth are one

Oh, we labor unto glory

Until God's kingdom comes

The sun it shines and then goes down

Glo-o-ory

Rain, it pours and beats the ground

Glo-o-ory

Dust, it blows and ends my days

Glo-o-ory

Hearts they burn beneath Your gaze

Glo-o-ory, glo-o-ory

Oh, we labor unto glory

Till heaven and earth are one

Oh, we labor unto glory

Until God's kingdom comes

My heart, my hands, they're kingdom bound

Glo-o-ory

Where thorns no longer curse the ground

Glo-o-ory

Trim the wick, ignate the flame

Glo-o-ory

My work, it will not be in vain

Glo-o-ory, glo-o-ory

Oh, we labor unto glory

Till heaven and earth are one

Oh, we labor unto glory

Until God's kingdom comes

Oh, we labor unto glory

Till heaven and earth are one

Oh, we labor unto glory

Until God's kingdom comes

Until God's kingdom comes

Until God's kingdom comes

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Our reading today describes the life of the early days of the apostles; how, as they devoted themselves to the breaking of bread and prayers, awe fell upon everyone.

Have you ever experienced this sense of awe either alone in prayer or in fellowship with others? What was it like?

If you haven’t, how might you imagine it?

Their rhythm of the life of these early believers revolves around worship and prayer, the breaking of bread, witnessing signs and wonders and the sharing of wealth and belongings wherever there was need.

At the heart of their lives together, there is love with great joy and generosity towards God and towards one another.

Can you for a few moments, imagine being with this community?

How would it feel to belong to them?

As you listen to the reading again, imagine this group as they begin to grow, the Lord adding daily to their number those who are saved.

In which ways can you identify with these believers?

What gift or inspiration can you receive from today’s reading? Perhaps a new way of being with other Christians, of giving or sharing, or perhaps worshipping?

Talk with God about this in the closing moments of your prayer.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.