So they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles
-and to the fellowship
and to the breaking of bread
-and to the prayers.
Fear was coming upon every soul,
both many wonders, and also signs
were done
through the apostles.
And all those who had come to believe
were together
and held everything in common.
And they were selling property and possessions
and distributing them to everyone
as anyone had need.
Every day
they devoted themselves to meeting
in the temple courts
and
breaking bread from house to house
sharing in food
with glad and generous hearts
praising God
and having the good will of the whole people
And the Lord was adding
to those being saved daily
to their group.
Eternal Light, shine into our hearts,
Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil,
Eternal Power, be our support,
Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance,
Eternal Pity, have mercy upon us;
that with all our heart and mind
and soul and strength we may seek thy face
and be brought by thine infinite mercy
to thy holy presence;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Alcuin (735-804)