W/C 9th May

This week's Bible reading is Acts 9:32-43

Peter in Lydda and Joppa

Peter was traveling through all the areas around Jerusalem, and he stopped to visit the believers who lived in Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to get out of bed for the past eight years. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” He stood up immediately. All the people living in Lydda and on the plain of Sharon saw him, and they decided to follow the Lord.

In the city of Joppa there was a follower of Jesus named Tabitha. Her Greek name, Dorcas, means “a deer.” She was always doing good things for people and giving money to those in need. While Peter was in Lydda, Tabitha became sick and died. They washed her body and put it in an upstairs room. The followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, which was not far away. So they sent two men, who begged him, “Hurry, please come quickly!”

Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. All the widows stood around him. They were crying and showing him the coats and other clothes that Tabitha had made during her time with them. Peter sent all the people out of the room. He knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to Tabitha’s body and said, “Tabitha, stand up!” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the believers and the widows into the room. He showed them Tabitha; she was alive!

People everywhere in Joppa learned about this, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for many days at the home of a man named Simon, who was a leatherworker.

Our collective worship

Based on the story we thought about acts of kindness people and charities have carried out. We thought about acts of kindness we could carry out and linked this to our school value of community. 

Prayer for the week

Dear Lord,

We thank you for people like Dorcas who show your love to people in need. Help us to think how many things others do for us - cook our food, buy and wash our clothes, care for us and love us. Help us also to think of ways in which we can help others - so that others can see the love of Christ in us. we pray especially today for the relief agencies working to help children and adults in need all over the world. Help us to help them.

Amen