April 22, 2026

1Persecution of the Church. On that day, there broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him. 3Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. 4III. The Mission in Judea and Samaria - Philip in Samaria. Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5Thus Philip went down to [the] city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6With one accord, the crowds paid attention to what was said by Philip when they heard it and saw the signs he was doing. 7For unclean spirits, crying out in a loud voice, came out of many possessed people, and many paralyzed and crippled people were cured. 8There was great joy in that city.

1Psalm 66 Praise of God, Israel’s Deliverer - For the leader. A song; a psalm. 2I - Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing of his glorious name; give him glorious praise. 3Say to God: “How awesome your deeds! Before your great strength your enemies cringe. 4All the earth falls in worship before you; they sing of you, sing of your name!” Selah 5II - Come and see the works of God, awesome in deeds before the children of Adam. 6He changed the sea to dry land; through the river they passed on foot. There we rejoiced in him, 7who rules by his might forever, His eyes are fixed upon the nations. Let no rebel rise to challenge! Selah

40For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”

35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. 36But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe. 37Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, 38because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. 39And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. 40For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”