FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

INTROIT. Cantate Domino. Ps. 98
 O SING unto the Lord a new song, alleluia: for the Lord hath done marvellous things, alleluia: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. ibid. With his own right hand and with his holy arm: hath he gotten himself the victory. V. Glory be.

COLLECT.
O ALMIGHTY GOD, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: grant unto thy people that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found. [Through.]

FIRST LESSON:  ACTS 16:22-34

[22] The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. [23] And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. [24] Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. [25] But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, [26] and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one’s fetters were unfastened. [27] When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” [29] And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, [30] and brought them out and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” [31] And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” [32] And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house. [33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family. [34] Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.

PSALM 148

[1] Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights!
[2] Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!
[3] Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!
[4] Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
[5] Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.
[6] And he established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds which cannot be passed.
[7] Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
[8] fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
[9] Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
[10] Beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
[11] Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
[12] Young men and maidens together, old men and children!
[13] Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; is glory is above earth and heaven.
[14] He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!

[15] Glory be………………………………………………………………………….

EPISTLE. St. James 1:17-21
17 DEARLY beloved: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

GRADUAL: Alleluia, alleluia. V. Psalm 118 The right hand of the Lord hath the pre-eminence: the right hand of the Lord bringeth might things to pass. Alleluia. V. Rom 6, 9. Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over him. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Saint John 16:5-15
 5 AT that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: Now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.

OFFERTORY. Psalm 66 O be joyful in God, all ye lands, sing praises unto the honour of his Name: O come hither, and hearken, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soul. Alleluia.