Daily Lectionary Readings for April 28, 2025

Daily Lectionary Readings (Two-Year Cycle)

Daily Lectionary Readings for April 28, 2025 By Daily Lectionary Readings, Monday, April 28, 2025 12:00 AM Morning Psalm 97 1   The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice;           let the many coastlands be glad! 2   Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;           righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3   Fire goes before him,           and consumes his adversaries on every side. 4   His lightnings light up the world;           the earth sees and trembles. 5   The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,           before the Lord of all the earth. 6   The heavens proclaim his righteousness;           and all the peoples behold his glory. 7   All worshipers of images are put to shame,           those who make their boast in worthless idols;           all gods bow down before him. 8   Zion hears and is glad,           and the towns of Judah rejoice,           because of your judgments, O God. 9   For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;           you are exalted far above all gods. 10  The LORD loves those who hate evil;           he guards the lives of his faithful;           he rescues them from the hand of the wicked. 11  Light dawns for the righteous,           and joy for the upright in heart. 12  Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,           and give thanks to his holy name! Morning Psalm 145 1   I will extol you, my God and King,           and bless your name forever and ever. 2   Every day I will bless you,           and praise your name forever and ever. 3   Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;           his greatness is unsearchable. 4   One generation shall laud your works to another,           and shall declare your mighty acts. 5   On the glorious splendor of your majesty,           and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 6   The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,           and I will declare your greatness. 7   They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,           and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 8   The Lord is gracious and merciful,           slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9   The Lord is good to all,           and his compassion is over all that he has made. 10  All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,           and all your faithful shall bless you. 11  They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,           and tell of your power, 12  to make known to all people your mighty deeds,           and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,           and your dominion endures throughout all generations.      The Lord is faithful in all his words,           and gracious in all his deeds. 14  The Lord upholds all who are falling,           and raises up all who are bowed down. 15  The eyes of all look to you,           and you give them their food in due season. 16  You open your hand,           satisfying the desire of every living thing. 17  The Lord is just in all his ways,           and kind in all his doings. 18  The Lord is near to all who call on him,           to all who call on him in truth. 19  He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;           he also hears their cry, and saves them. 20  The Lord watches over all who love him,           but all the wicked he will destroy. 21  My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,           and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever. First Reading Daniel 1:1-21 1In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels of the house of God. These he brought to the land of Shinar, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his gods. 3Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, 4young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king’s court. 6Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, from the tribe of Judah. 7The palace master gave them other names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. 8But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. 9Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. 10The palace master said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king.” 11Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe.” 14So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. 15At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. 16So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams. 18At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, 19and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king’s court. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus. Second Reading 1 John 1:1-10 1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — 2this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — 3we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Gospel Reading John 17:1-11 1After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. 6“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” Evening Psalm 124 1   If it had not been the LORD who was on our side           — let Israel now say — 2   if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,           when our enemies attacked us, 3   then they would have swallowed us up alive,           when their anger was kindled against us; 4   then the flood would have swept us away,           the torrent would have gone over us; 5   then over us would have gone           the raging waters. 6   Blessed be the LORD,           who has not given us           as prey to their teeth. 7   We have escaped like a bird           from the snare of the fowlers;      the snare is broken,           and we have escaped. 8   Our help is in the name of the LORD,           who made heaven and earth. Evening Psalm 115 1   Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,           for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 2   Why should the nations say,           “Where is their God?” 3   Our God is in the heavens;           he does whatever he pleases. 4   Their idols are silver and gold,           the work of human hands. 5   They have mouths, but do not speak;           eyes, but do not see. 6   They have ears, but do not hear;           noses, but do not smell. 7   They have hands, but do not feel;           feet, but do not walk;           they make no sound in their throats. 8   Those who make them are like them;           so are all who trust in them. 9   O Israel, trust in the LORD!           He is their help and their shield. 10  O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!           He is their help and their shield. 11  You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!           He is their help and their shield. 12  The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us;           he will bless the house of Israel;           he will bless the house of Aaron; 13  he will bless those who fear the LORD,           both small and great. 14  May the LORD give you increase,           both you and your children. 15  May you be blessed by the LORD,           who made heaven and earth. 16  The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,           but the earth he has given to human beings. 17  The dead do not praise the LORD,           nor do any that go down into silence. 18  But we will bless the LORD           from this time on and forevermore.      Praise the LORD! 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Gun Violence Prevention April News -May 15 Training

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Gun Violence Prevention News for Congregations - April 2025 Welcome, New Readers!  After the shooting at Florida State University, we take courage from the clear call from Pope Francis: "It’s time to say, ‘Enough!’ to the indiscriminate trafficking of guns. Let us all strive to ensure that such tragedies can never happen again.”  --Pope Francis after the Uvalde, TX School Shooting, 2022 While federal Gun Violence Prevention programs are being dismantled, grassroots America marches on. Saving lives is a long journey. No going back. Guns to Gardens Fort Worth-Tarrant County processed on April 11 with an empty red casket to remember lives stolen by gun violence on almost every block in the 76104 neighborhood, which has the lowest life expectancy of any zip code in Texas. Singing, praying and blowing the shofar, the march ended at the New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church for a "Blessing of the Chop Saw" for future Guns to Gardens events. See below, chop saw on altar. That night a 2-year-old was killed in Fort Worth by an unsecured firearm. See Media coverage HERE. See message from Rev. Kyev Tatum HERE. Photos by Madison Hogan HERE. New Partnership on Protecting Children from Gun Violence: The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness has a new partnership with BeSMART. Please join in the first Zoom event to learn how you and your church can promote secure firearm storage: MAY 15 7:30 ET on Zoom Secure Gun Storage Training with Temple Hiatt Temple Hiatt is a mother, a veteran and a gun violence survivor. She leads BeSMART training throughout Iowa, where she is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City.  Register for May 15 HERE. Link works best from laptops. Resources for Protecting Children: Download a free new brochure to print out for congregations HERE. Watch for news about Action Circles for Protecting Children coming soon. Sparking Peace is a new children's book from our friends at RAWtools by Hannah Rose Martin and Teresa Kim Pecinovsky for ages 5-9. Sparking Peace provides a springboard to discuss gun violence and trauma with children in a safe way that highlights help rather than harm. The picture book helps children learn about conflict while also carefully addressing gun violence and peacemaking. Illustrated by Gabhor Utomo. Learn more HERE. Register Now! James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage Sept. 24- 27, 2025 Massanetta Springs Conference Center, Harrisonburg, VA Build Skills, Courage & Friends for Gun Violence Prevention The Atwood Institute is a game-changing, ecumenical project of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship to equip and encourage clergy and lay leaders for gun violence prevention ministry with congregations. 2025 Leadership Includes: Rev. Sharon Risher, Author of For Such a Time as This - Hope and Forgiveness after the Charleston Massacre; Faculty from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center for Gun Violence Solutions; Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Director of the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness in Washington DC; RAWtools South with hand-ons Guns to Gardens Training and more. Hold your space! Learn More HERE The Atwood Institute honors the legacy of Rev. Jim Atwood, Christian prophet of gun violence prevention. Plan now to attend the Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage in 2025. Bring a Team! Scholarships Available You Gotta See This! Michigan Guns to Gardens on The Daily Show HERE. In South Bend, Indiana, First Presbyterian Church, United Presbyterian Church of Cassopolis and 19 other groups dismantled 25 guns on March 22. Congratulations! See media clip HERE. See a report from the churches HERE. Take Direct Action to Reduce Gun Suicide, Gun Theft, Unintentional and Mass Shootings Guns to Gardens Learn how to Transform Unwanted Guns into Garden Tools and Art Summer Action Circles July 10 - Aug. 14 Register HERE for Noon ET Register HERE for 7:30 PM ET Action Circles are Thursdays on Zoom Noon ET or 7:30 pm ET 1 Hour Per Week & 1 Hour of Preparation Planning a Guns to Gardens event soon? How about during June, Gun Violence Prevention Month? Please let us know HERE. Wear Orange June 6-8 See wearorange.org T-Shirts Guns to Gardens T-shirts and sweatshirts with the Guns to Gardens logo on the front and Isaiah 2:4 on the back. Order for your church volunteers for gun violence prevention events or as a gift. Order HERE Support PPF's Gun Violence Prevention Ministry We need support from churches, individuals and presbyteries to do this work. Gifts of all amounts are needed. Gifts are tax-deductible.  Give HERE or Mail checks to: "Presbyterian Peace Fellowship" att: Gun Violence Prevention 17 Cricketown Rd. Stony Point, NY 10980 Thank you. GIVE HERE! presbypeacefellowship.org/gun-violence-prevention  Rev. Margery Rossi, Minister for Gun Violence Prevention margery@presbypeacefellowship.org Rev. Jan Orr-Harter, Editor & Moderator, Gun Violence Prevention Working Group gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org Presbyterian Peace Fellowship