That day a bitter persecution started against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled to the country districts of Judaea and Samaria.

There were some devout people, however, who buried Stephen and made great mourning for him.

Saul then worked for the total destruction of the Church; he went from house to house arresting both men and women and sending them to prison.

Those who had escaped went from place to place preaching the Good News. One of them was Philip who went to a Samaritan town and proclaimed the Christ to them. The people united in welcoming the message Philip preached, either because they had heard of the miracles he worked or because they saw them for themselves. There were, for example, unclean spirits that came shrieking out of many who were possessed, and several paralytics and cripples were cured. As a result there was great rejoicing in that town.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Cry out with joy to God all the earth,
  O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise.
  Say to God: ‘How tremendous your deeds!

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Because of the greatness of your strength
  your enemies cringe before you.
Before you all the earth shall bow;
  shall sing to you, sing to your name!’

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Come and see the works of God,
  tremendous his deeds among men.
He turned the sea into dry land,
  they passed through the river dry-shod.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Let our joy then be in him;
  he rules for ever by his might.
His eyes keep watch over the nations:
  let rebels not rise against him.

Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.

Alleluia, alleluia!
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, s
ays the Lord,
I know them and they follow me.
Alleluia!