Seventh Sunday of Easter/Ascension
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
In today’s readings, the risen Christ ascends into Heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the Earth. The disciples are told to not gaze up into Heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We also long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.
FIRST READING: Acts 1: 1-11
Before he is lifted into Heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the World. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts.
PSALM: Psalm 47
SECOND READING: Ephesians 1: 15-23
The risen and exalted Christ reigns over the entire universe. The author of Ephesians prays that we would be given the wisdom to comprehend this and display it through love toward others.
GOSPEL: Luke 24: 44-53
On the day of his ascension, Jesus leaves his disciples with a commission, a blessing, and a promise of the Holy Spirit.
Announcements!
PENTECOST
Next Sunday is Pentecost. We will be doing RED paraments and wearing Red. Maybe we will have a few red snacks after church as well.
5TH SUNDAY, MAY 30th
May 30th, we will be providing breakfast for First English. We will probably be packaging the breakfasts for distribution on the 29th so that Jon can deliver them to First English. The sign-up sheet will be out in a week or so. If you would like to be included but do not feel comfortable coming out, let me know what you will provide and I will be happy to pick up your contribution. I will publish our wish list when it is available. Please mark your calendars for this special day.
GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS.
ELCA Global Mission
More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, here's the latest update on ELCA missionaries and how they're at work around the World.
When the pandemic first swept the World, the ELCA asked mission personnel to come back to the United States for a period. Since then, almost all missionaries have been able to return to their countries of service.
A year later, many ELCA members have asked, “Are missionaries still serving internationally?” The answer is: Yes! The ELCA continues to send missionaries into the World to serve alongside our companions and partners in ministry, based on their needs and requests.
Currently, more than 110 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America missionary households are serving in 45 countries, including three new missionaries sent in 2020 and open positions being interviewed for in 2021.
Our missionaries serve in a variety of roles, working alongside our companions to proclaim the Gospel, raise up leaders, care for those in need, and help ELCA members develop relationships with our siblings in Christ around the World.
As we as a global community continue to respond to the lasting impacts of COVID-19, the rise of variants, and uncertainty surrounding vaccine rollout, the Young Adults in Global Mission program had to cancel its second year of service in a row. This has resulted in the service of all YAGM country coordinators ending in March of this year. We give thanks for the service and pastoral presence of the YAGM country coordinator team. We continue to monitor the situation and plan to resume the program in 2022.
In engaging God’s reconciling mission through accompaniment, we work to equip ourselves and our companions for our call to share the good news and to serve our neighbors.
There will always be very real challenges. But God invites us to the table, and then sends us out with our companions to share and to serve. When we tire, our companions hold us up; when our faith is weak, our companions remind us of what we have seen and shared together.
In turn we hold the faith for them. God created humans for relationships for this purpose. Together, we can continue to live out God’s reconciling love.
If you’re sensing a call to global service, consider applying for an open position.
PRAYERS
Please keep these people in your prayers: Michael Koch, Wesley and JoAnne Porter, and all those who are suffering from COVID-19. Please remember all of our shut ins and sick. (Also, pray for the families and caretakers of those on the prayer list.)
FUNDS FOR ZION
Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!
You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.
