The Gospel of Luke is all about the birth, life, teaching, preaching, healing, death, and resurrection of Christ. The book of Acts is all about the apostles- Peter, Paul, James, John, the birth of the church, and the spread of Christianity to the ends of the earth. The story of the ascension of Jesus is the bridge that links these two stories together. As Jesus was lifted up in the clouds, the disciples were staring toward heaven. Eventually, the disciples do stop looking into heaven and go to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them so that they may be witnesses of Christ to the world. The focus of the sermon will be on the story of the ascension. Jesus left one place so that he could be everywhere. A new reality now exists for the disciples and for us, a reality of waiting, prayer, and power. The function of the sermon will be to encourage and help us to live in this in-between time after Christ ascended and before he returns again.

The following licenses apply to our worship services throughout the year:

CCLI Church Copyright License 1975561, Size C

CCLI Streaming License CSPL170027, Size C

CCLI SongSelect Premium

OneLicense Annual License w/Podcasting, Category D

References for our May 17 services:

“A Song to the Lamb”

(“Splendor and Honor”)

Composition by Calvin Hampton

“Go to the World!”

Text: Sylvia G. Dunstan, 1955–1993

Tune: SINE NOMINE