Readings

Reading I Acts 13:13-25 From Paphos, Paul and his companionsset sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.After the reading of the law and the prophets,the synagogue officials sent word to them,“My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortationfor the people, please speak.”So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,“Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.The God of this people Israel chose our ancestorsand exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.With uplifted arm he led them out,and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,he gave them their land as an inheritanceat the end of about four hundred and fifty years.After these things he provided judges up

Reading 1 Acts 11:19-26 Those who had been scattered by the persecutionthat arose because of Stephenwent as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,preaching the word to no one but Jews.There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,proclaiming the Lord Jesus.The hand of the Lord was with themand a great number who believed turned to the Lord.The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.When he arrived and saw the grace of God,he rejoiced and encouraged them allto remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.And a large number of people was added to the Lord.Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.For a whole year they met with the Churchand taught a large number of people,and it was in Antioch that the discipleswere first