May 21, 2020 - CHRIST ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SO WILL YOU

Day 142 - (Today’s Bible readings: ASCENSION DAY - Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53)

CHRIST ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SO WILL YOU

50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53 ESV) 

Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord. The Ascension is crucial to the Christian faith.

●  The promise of Acts 1 is this: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,         will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

ARE YOU READY? (REPENT AND BELIEVE!)

●  What is Jesus doing now? 
    “Who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

The hymn writer helps us understand even more about this blessed account:

1. On Christ’s ascension I now build 
The hope of my ascension:
This hope alone has always stilled
All doubt and apprehension;
For where the Head is, there as well 
I know His members are to dwell
When Christ will come and call them.

2. Since Christ returned to claim His throne,
Great gifts for me obtaining,
My heart will rest in Him alone,
No other rest remaining;
For where my treasure went before,
There all my thoughts will ever soar
To still their deepest yearning.

3. O grant, dear Lord, this grace to me,
Recalling Your ascension,
That I may serve You faithfully
In thanks for my redemption;
And then, when all my days will cease,
Let me depart in joy and peace
In answer to my pleading.
(On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build, Lutheran Service Book, CPH 2006, #492)

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your ascension and Your assurance that I will also ascend to the glories of heaven and spend eternity with You. Please help me to daily repent of my sins and believe in Your sacrifice for the remission of those sins.  Amen.   

Link to St. Paul’s 9 am online Sunday Worship Service:
https://zoom.us/j/177003912

Parking Lot Worship Service with Holy Communion 10:30 am

Youtube link to all previously recorded services:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNFbkeFTQAhiGc7bafdvlPkfwnuiDfTQ9

Link to Wednesday Online Bible Study 7 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85832224078

Pastor David Paape 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2020 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!