Reformed Evangelical Synod of America

Posts Tagged ‘lydia’

As Paul carried his preaching out of Asia and into Europe during his second missionary journey, he began at the city of Philippi in Macedonia. His first European convert was a woman named Lydia, a merchant who dealt in purple-dyed goods. She and her household were baptized, and she invited Paul, with Luke and his other companions, to make her house their headquarters in Philippi.

Dorcas (or Tabitha in Aramaic) was a member of the early Christian community in Joppa, a seacoast town of Israel. She was noted for her acts of charity, in particular for making garments and giving them to needy widows. When she fell ill and died, Peter came to see her, and raised her to life.

Phoebe was a deaconess of the Church at Chenchreae, the eastern seaport of the city of Corinth. When Paul mentions her, she has left the vicinity of Corinth and is in Rome, so that Paul commends her to the Church there.

COLLECT
Almighty God, you inspired your servants Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe to uphold and sustain your Church by their loving and generous deeds. Give us the will to love you, open our hearts to hear you, and strengthen our hands to serve you in others for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

READINGS
Proverbs 31: 10-31
Psalm 33
Acts 9: 36-42 or Acts 16: 11-15, 40 or Romans 16: 1-2
Matthew 25: 1-13