[RCL] Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 “Ascension” is one of those many “church words” that may not have much, if any meaning, to those outside the church. In fact, the ascension of Christ and Ascension Day itself may seem like an obscure event or day even to church members….

[RCL] Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 In early 2011 there were billboards plastered across the nation warning of Judgment Day on May 21, 2011, with the words, “The Bible guarantees it.” This was the day that had been predicted as Christ’s second coming by Pastor Harold Camping of Family…

[RCL] Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 When the God of heaven chose also to dwell on earth, the Word became flesh. From there the Word went around preaching and teaching. It was baptized, crucified, and buried. It rose again, walked to Emmaus, appeared to the disciples, and even ate…

RCL: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 “Who are we going to be after this?” Let us imagine the disciples, gazing up into heaven, witnessing yet another miracle, and wondering that exact thing — the same thing that we now wonder about the end of the pandemic. They, like we,…

[RCL]: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 Six Sundays have passed now since we heard that Jesus was raised from the dead. We have heard many stories this Easter season of how Jesus appeared to his disciples: Mary Magdalene found his tomb empty that Sunday morning after the Passover, and…

O King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, Who did ascend in triumph above all the heavens, leave us not orphaned, but send upon us the Spirit of Truth, promised by the Father. Today our Easter celebrations take a dramatic turn. Today we recognize the otherworldly departure and absence of our Lord, as we remember his…

Today’s first reading and gospel form an unusual pair.  They both come from the two-volume work attributed to Luke the Evangelist.  One is from the end of the first volume, the book we call the Gospel according to Luke.  The other is from the start of the second volume, the book we call the Acts of the Apostles….

Crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. All in a little over forty days. From sadness to guilt, to hopelessness, to fear, to doubt, to hopefulness, the feelings of the disciples have been a roller coaster. Jesus has told the disciples that he had to suffer, but would be raised in three days. Did they believe him? No!…