Notable Feast Days this Week

May 7 - John of Beverly, Bishop of York, 721
May 8 - Patriarch Job (Lutheran)
May 9 - Gregory of Nazianzus (Anglican, Western)
May 10 - Ascension Day (Western)
May 11 - Mayeul, Abbot of Cluny, 994 
May 12 - Rictrude, Abbess of Flanders, 688
May 13 - Ascension Day (Canada, Roman Catholic)​
May 13 - Euthymius, Abbot of Mt. Athos, 1028
May 14 - St. Matthias, Apostle (Roman Catholic)


Revised Common Lectionary

Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15-23
John 24:44-53

Daily Readings (RCL)
Liturgical Color - White
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----------- Ascension Sunday ----------- May 13, 2018 (Year B)
Christ Ascended and Sends His Spirit to Empower the Church

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 24:44-53).  
The Ascension of Our Lord
May 10th (Western Calendar) and May 17th (Eastern Calendar)
 
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives with his disciples and ascended (was received) into heaven before their eyes (Acts 1:1-12). The Worship Sourcebook says, "Christ’s ascension means that in heaven there is one who, knowing first-hand the experience of suffering and temptation, prays for us and perfects our prayers. The ascension is a witness and guarantee of our own bodily resurrection, as well as an invitation for us to set our hearts and minds 'on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God' (Col. 3:1-2) to rule over all things in heaven and throughout the universe (Eph. 1:10, 20-23)." The "Session of Christ" as the risen and ascended Lord assures us of his authority and secures the benefits of this reality for all of Jesus' disciples throughout history.

As theologian NT Wright put it, “The point of the ascension is not that Jesus is going a long way away, but that he is being elevated to the true Lord of the world.” The ascension of Christ is the necessary prelude to Pentecost, “Ascension doesn’t mean absence, it means sovereignty, exercised through the Spirit.”
Psalm of the Week
Scripture Readings
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet...
 
The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity...
 
Audio
Psalm 47, Psalm 93, Acts 1, 
Ephesians 1, Luke 24
 
Acts 1:1-11
Jesus sends the apostles

Ephesians 1:15-23
The risen and ascended Christ

Luke 24:44-53
The ascension of Jesus
 

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year
Chronological
Ascension Resources

Video
Articles and Quotes
Art and Poetry
Music
Practicing Prayer
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. -The Book of Common Prayer
Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)
Morning Prayer (View and Download)
Further Prayer Resources

Morning and Evening Prayer (Church of England-Protestant)
Liturgy of the Hours and Sung Breviary (Roman Catholic)
Sung Morning Prayer by Calvin Peters (Eastern Orthodox)
Audio Prayer Meditation (Pray as You Go)
Psalm Spotify Playlists
Singing Psalms and Hymns
Hymn suggestions for the Ascension (Year B) from Hymnary.org 

Hymns related to Psalm 47 from Hymnary.com

Hymns related to Psalm 93 from Hymnary.com

Mightier (Psalm 93) | by Aaron Strumpel | Leadsheet

Psalm 47 (O For a Shout of Sacred Joy) | Words by Isaac Watts / Music by Luke Hyder | Leadsheet

See the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph | Traditional Hymn | Chord Chart (Tune: Ode to Joy) | Leadsheet (Tune: Come Thou Fount)

Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies | Words by Charles Wesley / Music by Luke Morton |Leadsheet 

God Ascended | Easy SATB choral piece by Sarah Majorins, works well as a prelude, offertory, or communion reflection | Full Score

Psalm 47 | Metrical Options 

Psalm 93 | Metrical Options

Psalm 47 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet

Psalm 93 Refrain | from The Emergent Psalter | Leadsheet
 
Ancient Commentary on Luke 24:44-53
"Who was carried up to heaven? The Lord Christ was...The Word did not depart from the Father. He both came to us and did not forsake the Father. He both took flesh in the womb and continued to govern the universe. What was lifted up into heaven, if not what had been taken from earth? That is to say, the very flesh, the very body, about which he was speaking when he said to the disciples, “Feel, and see that a spirit does not have bones and flesh, as you can see that I have.” Let us believe this, brothers and sisters, and if we have difficulty in meeting the arguments of the philosophers, let us hold on to what was demonstrated in the Lord’s case without any difficulty of faith. Let them chatter, but let us believe." -Augustine
Music for Listening
Ascension Art 
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