Eastertide Devotions
The Acts of the Apostles

The joyful mystery of Easter is so great it cannot be contained in a single day.  Therefore, the Church’s celebration of Easter lasts for 50 days, culminating in the Feast of Pentecost.  During the 50 days of Easter, it is the tradition of the Church to read aloud the Acts of the Apostles.  This Eastertide, we invite you to join members of St. Mark’s as we enter into this ancient practice together, reading a short portion of Acts each day for 50 days. 

Create your "Eastertide Wreath"

If you enjoy the tradition of an Advent Wreath to help mark the days of Advent in preparation for Christmas, we invite you to create an “Eastertide Wreath” to help mark the days of Easter in preparation for Pentecost. 

A simple tray with 8 tealight candles can provide a visual focus for your daily devotions in Eastertide. (Rainbow colored candles or votive holders can add a level of beauty and meaning to your Eastertide Wreath, but they are not strictly necessary.  Plain white candles will do just fine.) ​

Song

The following song may help you prepare for each day's reading. "Maranatha" is an ancient Aramaic word and Christian prayer meaning "Come Lord!"

Come now Spirit!  Maranatha!
Ven Espiritu!  Maranatha!

Daily Readings

 On the calendar below, you can click the Scripture Passage to read the scripture text yourself, or click the VIDEO LINK to listen to members of St. Mark's read the scriptures aloud.  The videos are short, most can be viewed in under 5 minutes.  The longest video is 12 minutes long.  We encourage you to set aside 15 minutes each day in Eastertide--alone with a journal, or together with members of your family or friends--to listen to the Spirit speaking to you through the scriptures.  

After reading or listening to each daily portion of scripture, ask:

What word, phrase, image, action, or character caught your attention?
What questions do you have?
What do you notice?
What do you wonder?
What part of this reading is especially for you? 

EASTER--Week 1 (CLEAR) Light Center Candle 
Light the central clear votive candle each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  
 
1) SUNDAY, EASTER DAY!!!!: Acts 1:1-11.  (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
2) MONDAY: Acts 1:12-26. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
3) TUESDAY: Acts 2:1-13. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
4) WEDNESDAY: Acts 2:14-36. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
5) THURSDAY: Acts 2:37-47. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
6) FRIDAY: Acts 3:1-26. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
7) SATURDAY: Acts 4:1-22. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
 
EASTER--Week 2 (WHITE) Light Center Candle  + 1
Light the clear votive &  the white votive each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  
 
8) SUNDAY:  Acts 4:23-31. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
9) MONDAY: Acts 4:32-37. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
10) TUESDAY: Acts 5:1-11. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
11) WEDNESDAY: Acts 5:12-26.(click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
12) THURSDAY: Acts 5:27-42. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
13) FRIDAY: Acts 6:1-7. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
14) SATURDAY,: Acts 6:8-15.(click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
 
EASTER--Week 3 (PURPLE) Light Center Candle  + 2
Light the clear votive, the white votive &  the purple votive, each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  
 
15) SUNDAY: Acts 7:1-60. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
16) MONDAY: Acts 8:1-8. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
17) TUESDAY: Acts 8:9-25. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
18) WEDNESDAY: Acts 8:26-40. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
19) THURSDAY: Acts 9:1-31. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
20) FRIDAY: Acts 9:32-43. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
21) SATURDAY:Acts 10:1-16. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
 
EASTER--Week 4 (DARK BLUE) Light Center Candle  + 3
Light the clear votive, the white votive, the purple votive &  the dark blue votive each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  
 
22) SUNDAY: Acts 10:17-33. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
23) MONDAY: Acts 10:34-48. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
24) TUESDAY: Acts 11:1-18. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
25) WEDNESDAY: Acts 11:19-30. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
26) THURSDAY: Acts 12:1-19. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
27) FRIDAY: Acts 12:20-25. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
28) SATURDAY:Acts 13:1-12. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
 
EASTER--Week 5 (LIGHT BLUE) Light Center Candle + 4
Light the clear votive, the white votive, the purple votive, the dark blue votive & the light blue votive each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  
 
29) SUNDAY: Acts 13:13-52. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
30) MONDAY: Acts 14:1-20. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
31) TUESDAY: Acts 14:21-28. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
32) WEDNESDAY: Acts 15:1-21. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
33) THURSDAY: Acts 15:22-35. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
34) FRIDAY: Acts 15:36-41. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
35) SATURDAY: Acts 16:1-15. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
 
EASTER--Week 6 (GREEN) Light Center Candle  + 5
Light the clear votive, the white votive, the purple votive, the dark blue votive, the light blue votive &  the green votive each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  
 
36) SUNDAY: Acts 16:16-40. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
37) MONDAY: Acts 17:1-9. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
38) TUESDAY: Acts 17:10-34. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
39) WEDNESDAY: Acts 18:1-28.  (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
40) THURSDAY, ASCENSION DAY!!!!:  Acts 19—20:16. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
41) FRIDAY: Acts 20:17-38. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
42) SATURDAY: Acts 21:1-26 (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
 
EASTER--Week 7 (ORANGE) Light Center Candle + 6
Light the clear votive, the white votive, the purple votive, the dark blue votive, the light blue votive, the green votive & the orange votive, each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  
 
43) SUNDAY:Acts 21:27—22:29. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
44) MONDAY: Acts 22:30—23:11. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
45) TUESDAY: Acts 23:12-35. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
46) WEDNESDAY: Acts 24:1-27. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
47) THURSDAY: Acts 25:1-22. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
48) FRIDAY: Acts 25:23—26:32. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
49) SATURDAY: Acts 27:1-12. (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)
 
SEASON OF PENTECOST (RED) All Candles
Light the clear votive, the white votive, the purple votive, the dark blue votive, the light blue votive, the green votive, the orange votive &  the red votive each day as you pray and read/listen to the daily bible reading.  

50) SUNDAY, Pentecost!!!!! : Acts 27:13—28:44 (click this VIDEO LINK to listen)