FIRST
READING: Acts 15: 1 - 6
1
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brethren,
"Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses,
you cannot be saved."
2
And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with
them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go
up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
3
So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both
Phoeni'cia and Sama'ria, reporting the conversion of the Gentiles,
and they gave great joy to all the brethren.
4
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the
apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with
them.
5
But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose
up, and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge
them to keep the law of Moses."
6
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this
matter.
PSALM: Psalms 122: 1 - 5
1 I
was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the
LORD!"
2
Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3
Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,
4
to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for
Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5
There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of
David.
GOSPEL: John 15: 1 - 8
1
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2
Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every
branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3
You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you.
4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in
me.
5 I
am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him,
he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6
If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and
withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and
burned.
7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will,
and it shall be done for you.
8
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so
prove to be my disciples.
