WCC News: Dr Jean-Daniel Plüss: Who are we to stand in God’s way?

Approaching Pentecost, let us be open to God’s work in our lives in unexpected ways and ask ourselves: are there boundaries of faith in our life that God invites us to reconsider? Dr Jean-Daniel Plüss of the Christian Unity Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship encouraged all to consider this question.  Dr Jean-Daniel Plüss, president of the Global Christian Forum Foundation in Switzerland and member of the Christian Unity Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship during the prayer service at the Ecumenical centre in Geneva. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 27 April 2026 The World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to invite leadership and representatives of the various Christian world communions that work closely with the WCC to take part in its Monday morning prayers. This week’s reflection was shared by Plüss, president of the Global Christian Forum Foundation in Switzerland and member of the Christian Unity Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship. He reflected on Acts 11:1-18 as an account of another conversion in the life of apostle Peter. “This is an account of an ecumenical conversion,” said Plüss. Peter was encouraged when he realized that God was working in others in the same way as he had experienced: “Who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” “Let this be an encouragement in our lives and work when we discover the Holy Spirit’s work in other Christians, in other churches, in other human beings,” said Plüss. “The Holy Spirit is just as much at work in the other person than in you: Let us be open to God’s move in unexpected ways: in our lives, in our work, in the life of the church.” As we anticipate the celebration of Pentecost, let us pray that the Spirit of Pentecost can work in and through us in new ways, encouraged Plüss during the prayer service. Following the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, the WCC invites all to pray this week for the churches and people of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Learn more about the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for April 26, 2026

Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Three-Year Cycle)

Lectionary Readings for Sunday, April 26, 2026

First Reading Acts 2:42-47 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Psalm Psalm 23:1-6 1   The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2        He makes me lie down in green pastures;      he leads me beside still waters; 3        he restores my soul.      He leads me in right paths           for his name’s sake. 4   Even though I walk through the darkest valley,           I fear no evil;      for you are with me;           your rod and your staff —           they comfort me. 5   You prepare a table before me           in the presence of my enemies;      you anoint my head with oil;           my cup overflows. 6   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me           all the days of my life,      and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord           my whole life long. Second Reading 1 Peter 2:19-25 19For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22   “He committed no sin,           and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. Gospel John 10:1-10 1“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, April 19, 2026

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: On Sunday, April 19, we started a new sermon series entitled  The Good News of Resurrection: An Exploration of 1 Corinthians 15 . During thi...

Sunday's Message - The Foundation of the Resurrection (15:1-11)

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message - The Foundation of the Resurrect...: On Sunday, April 19, we started a new sermon series entitled  The Good News of Resurrection: An Exploration of 1 Corinthians 15 . During thi...

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, April 27 and Sunday, May 3, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, April 27, 2026 - That those in the entertainment industry recognize any negative influences within their media creations.
• Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - That World Vision be able to address real human need around the world.
• Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - That those in the media and government would report facts accurately and without any bias.
• Thursday, April 30, 2026 - That young people are able to grow into their potential.
• Friday, May 1, 2026 - That the people of Ukraine be protected.
• Saturday, May 2, 2026 - That all racial divisions be healed.
• Sunday, May 3, 2026 - That police officers show strength and compassion when enforcing the law.

WCC News: WCC remembers 111th anniversary of Armenian Genocide, lifts prayers for healing

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, joined Armenians around the world, and especially the Armenian Apostolic Church, in solemn remembrance and prayer. Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. Photo: David Ghahramanyan 23 April 2026 "We mourn the lives lost, the communities destroyed, and the enduring pain carried across generations,” said Pillay. “This commemoration is not only an act of memory, but also a call to conscience, reminding the global community of the urgent responsibility to uphold human dignity, truth, and justice.” Pillay also recalled with deep concern the forced displacement and suffering of Armenians from Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, which resulted in the mass exodus of an entire population from their ancestral homeland. “The World Council of Churches stands in solidarity with all those affected, lifting prayers for healing, protection, and the restoration of rights and dignity,” said Pillay. “At the same time, we welcome ongoing efforts toward dialogue and peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan.” Pillay emphasized that a just and lasting peace must be grounded in full respect for international law, including the right of displaced people to return safely and with dignity, the protection of religious and cultural heritage, and the safeguarding of fundamental human rights. “We also call for the release of all remaining prisoners held in Azerbaijan,” he said. “Peace must be built on justice, truth, and accountability to be sustainable.” Pillay reaffirmed the WCC’s commitment to walk alongside the Armenian people and its member church, bearing witness to their suffering and hope. "We pray for reconciliation, for truth to prevail, and for a future where such tragedies are never repeated,” he concluded. In remembrance and hope: WCC statement on the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Looking into the lectionary - What should the church say?

Acts 7:55-60; John 14:1-4 Fifth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2026 “While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died” (Acts 7:59–60). Christians herald Stephen as the “first martyr,” stoned, according to Luke (the author of Acts), by a Jewish mob after proclaiming the good news of Jesus to them. Stephen models the peaceful endurance that later becomes characteristic of Christian martyrdom tales. He kneels and prays to Jesus in the midst of murderous violence aimed at him. His prayer for forgiveness for those persecuting him in 7:60 intentionally echoes Luke’s portrayal of Jesus dying on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Acts’ portrayal of Stephen epitomizes the ideal of Christian forgiveness: radically praying for those who persecute them (see also Matthew 5:44). Stephen’s death sets the stage for future Christians to piously claim benevolence in the face of what they call unjust suffering. Told this way, the story sounds nice. The problem is that the story is false. Acts scholars generally acknowledge that this book is a work of fiction. Furman University professor of religion Shelly A. Matthews calls Stephen the “perfect martyr” for Luke’s theo-political agenda, which shifts the blame for Jesus’s death off Rome and onto Jewish people. In his Gospel, Luke cannot deny Rome’s culpability for Jesus’s crucifixion, a historical fact that was well-established for his audience. The figure of Stephen, an apostle without a reputation, provides Luke the ideal canvas to present Jesus’s followers as compassionately self-controlled in the face of a violent Jewish mob enacting an extrajudicial killing. Luke misrepresents Jewish culpability. He creates both Stephen’s reputation as a forgiving martyr and a reputation of Judaism as intolerantly violent. Luke’s rhetorical fiction contributes to centuries of Christian anti-Judaism that persists today.... Thank you to this week's writer, Jimmy Hoke. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Want the worship resources for April 26, 2026? You can find them here.

Order of worship — May 3, 2026 by Jimmy Hoke   Dismissed mission co-workers, denominational officials draft new theology of mission by Eric Ledermann Polyamory, church policy and the limits of regulation by April Stace The church cannot be silent — but what should it say? by Harriet Riley

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