2nd Sunday of Easter | Sunday 16 April 2023

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.