May 17 | The Sunday after the Ascension of Our Lord

As we enter the final week of the fifty days of Easter, we engage a potentially unsettling Bible story: Jesus ascends into heaven forty days after his resurrection from the dead. Yet, his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus. On this Ascension celebration, one of the major feasts of the Church, we find Christ’s presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. From that feast we go to live abundantly, to commit to acts of service and care, and to love freely. This Easter faith is active and real. We long for the Spirit to invigorate God’s mission in us. Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! We welcome Leigh Northcutt-Benson, president of the congregation, as our preacher this Sunday.