Tag Archives: Ascension

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Seventh Sunday of Easter 2020 (Year A)

The Ascended Christ Sends His Spirit and Makes us One

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower his followers until his return (Acts 1:6-14). This promise gives us the strength to pray and follow God, even in the midst of suffering and anxiety. These things may last for a little while, but we are encouraged to stand firm knowing that Christ himself has prayed for us (1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11). Though orphans, he has promised us a home (Psalm 68: 1-10; 32-35). He has granted us eternal life and the fellowship of other believers, even while we wait (John 17:1-11).

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Seventh Sunday of Easter / Ascension Day 2019 (YEAR C)

Life Through Jesus

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail for casting out unclean spirits in the name of Jesus. In their suffering, they exhibited joy and trusted God. God saved them. As a result, the jailer and his household believed in Jesus and were baptized (Acts 16:16-34). We can rejoice because this same God, revealed through Jesus, is above all other gods (Psalm 97). He will come again in power and offers life to all that come to him (Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21). Until that time, Jesus desires his children to walk together in unity and love (John 17:20-26). 

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Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Ascension Sunday 2018

Liturgy Letter Newsletter- Ascension Sunday 2018 (Year B)

Christ Ascended 

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus appeared to his disciples and promised to send the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-11). We rejoice in the majesty of the ascended Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father (Psalm 47 and Psalm 93). His rule transcends time and earthly kingdoms. The Church has inherited the hope manifested in the resurrection and ascension of Christ (Ephesians 1-15-23). We are to praise God until Christ returns again, proclaiming repentance and the forgiveness of sins to all nations (Luke 24).
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Ascension of Christ

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Seventh Sunday in Easter 2017 (Year A)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – 7th Sunday in Easter 2017 (Year A)

The Ascended Christ Sends His Spirit and Makes us One 

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower his followers until his return (Acts 1:6-14). This promise gives us the strength to pray and follow God, even in the midst of suffering and anxiety. These things may last for a little while, but we are encouraged to stand firm knowing that Christ himself has prayed for us (1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11). Though orphans, he has promised us a home (Psalm 68: 1-10; 32-35). He has granted us eternal life and the fellowship of other believers, even while we wait (John 17:1-11).

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“Ascension Day” by Christina Rossetti

ASCENSION DAY

By Christina Rossetti

“A Cloud received Him out of their sight.”

When Christ went up to Heaven the Apostles stayed
Gazing at Heaven with souls and wills on fire,
Their hearts on flight along the track He made,
Winged by desire.

Their silence spake: “Lord, why not follow Thee?
Home is not home without Thy Blessed Face,
Life is not life. Remember, Lord, and see,
Look back, embrace.

“Earth is one desert waste of banishment,
Life is one long-drawn anguish of decay.
Where Thou wert wont to go we also went:
Why not today?”

Nevertheless a cloud cut off their gaze:
They tarry to build up Jerusalem,
Watching for Him, while thro’ the appointed days
He watches them.

They do His Will, and doing it rejoice,
Patiently glad to spend and to be spent:
Still He speaks to them, still they hear His Voice
And are content.

For as a cloud received Him from their sight,
So with a cloud will He return ere long:
Therefore they stand on guard by day, by night,
Strenuous and strong.

They do, they dare, they beyond seven times seven
Forgive, they cry God’s mighty word aloud:
Yet sometimes haply lift tired eyes to Heaven–
“Is that His cloud?”

Liturgy Letter Newsletter (Seventh Sunday of Easter 2016)

The Liturgy Letter – 7th Sunday of Easter 2016

Jesus calls us to love one another (John 17:20-26). Just as he cared for Paul and Silas in jail (Acts 16:16-34), so he will release us from our imprisonment of sin. The heavens proclaim his power and glory (Psalm 97). Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21)!

 –Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional