The 5th Sunday of Easter | Sunday 7 May 2023

Today is Sunday the 7th of May, beginning the fifth week of Easter.

Molly Parden with Bifrost Arts sings, ‘Psalm 126’.

Our mouths they were filled, filled with laughter
Our tongues they were loosed, loosed with joy
Restore us, O Lord
Restore us, O Lord
Although we are weeping
Lord, help us keep sowing
The seeds of Your Kingdom
For the day You will reap them
Your sheaves we will carry
Lord, please do not tarry
All those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy
The nations will say, "He has done great things!"
The nations will sing songs of joy
Restore us, O Lord
Restore us, O Lord

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


Acts 6:1-7

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

We get a glimpse today of the early Christians figuring out how to stay faithful to the word of God whilst dealing with community needs and challenges. Place yourself into the scene now… who are you in this passage? Perhaps one of the widows, neglected in the daily distribution of food…maybe one of the twelve, frustrated at the state of things or overwhelmed by the new number of followers… or maybe you’re part of the wider community, hearing their suggestion… place yourself there now and notice what arises for you…

Now reflect on the seven chosen to serve… you might like to imagine each man by name…what qualities do you think they possessed that led them to be chosen? Imagine them now…

As you listen again, see if the passage resonates with any experience of church or community you have had, or are going through at the moment…could God be speaking in some way?


‘The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.’ It sounds like God’s hand was on the community; over their comings and goings, tasks, serving and prayer… Speak to God as we end this prayer session about anything that has inspired you during this time… is anything lingering or anything you would like to dig a little deeper into?


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.