1st Reading (During the Easter Season)

Acts 10:34-43 (short form, 10:34-36, 42-43)

• Omit the words in bolded brackets [ ] for the short form of this reading.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Peter proceeded to speak, saying:
"In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
     is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the children of Israel
     as he proclaimed peace throughJesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
     [what has happened all over Judea,
     beginning in Galilee after the baptism
     that John preached,
     how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
     with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
     and healing all those oppressed by the Devil,
     for God was with him.
We are witnesses of all that he did
     both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible,
     not to all the people, but to us,
     the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
     who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.]
He commissioned us to preach to the people
     and testify that he is the one appointed by God
     as judge of the living and the dead.
To him all the prophets bear witness,
     that everyone who believes in him
     will receive forgiveness of sins through his name."

The Word of the Lord

Revelation 14:13
A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this:
     Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."
"Yes," said the Spirit,
     "let them find rest from their labors,
     for their works accompany them."

The word of the Lord.

Revelation 20:11-21:1
A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.
The earth and the sky fled from his presence
     and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
     and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
     by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
     then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
     was thrown into the pool of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
     and the sea was no more.

The word of the Lord.
​Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
     and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
     coming down out of heaven from God,
     prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
     "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race.
He will dwell with them and they will be his people
     and God himself will always be with them as their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
     and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,
     for the old order has passed away."

The One who sat on the throne said,
     "Behold, I make all things new."
I am the Alpha and the Omega,
     the beginning and the end.
To the thirsty I will give a gift
     from the spring of life-giving water.
The victor will inherit these gifts,
     and I shall be his God,
     and he will be my son."

The word of the Lord.