May 29, 2022 Worship Services "Ascended For Our Mission"
by Pastor Kolleen Klemmedson
If you read today's message, we'd love to hear from you. Your email will not be shared and you will not be contacted unless you request more information.
May 29, 2022
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Celebration of the Ascension
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.
· Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
· masks are required by those not vaccinated as well as social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards. An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship in Calvin Hall
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett, Jo Lefleur, Dr Dyke, Harlan Marx ,Lois Seger, Jon Ryner, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, Werner & Kelly Families, Avis Severson (Kolleen’s Mom), Ukraine, Arlene Pawlik, Angela and Tristan, Jake Pinkston, and Karla Singer (Rich Lewis Niece)
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 47, select verses
1 O clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy!
2 For the Lord Most High excites terror, awe, and dread;
He is a great King over all the earth.
5 God has ascended amid shouting,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
*GATHERING PRAYER (from the Book of Common Worship)
Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*HYMN All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! #142
CONFESSION (from the Book of Common Worship)
Let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, casting all our anxiety on the Lord, who cares for us. (1 Pet. 5:6–7)
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from death to life, and crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him, or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We have gone along with the ways of the world, and failed to give him glory. Forgive us, and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE (from the Book of Common Worship)
The God of all grace, who calls us to eternal glory in Jesus Christ, will restore, support, and strengthen us. (1 Pet. 5:10)
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
*SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
PASSING THE PEACE (facing those across the aisle from you)
Left: May the peace of Christ be with you.
Right: And also with you. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Left: And also with you.
INTERLUDE
Word
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24:44-53, CEB
44 Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.” 50 He led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. 51 As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. 53 And they were continuously in the temple praising God.
LESSON FROM ACTS Acts 1:1-11, GNT
Dear Theophilus:
In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven noticed before. However, reading does not always include understanding.
There are many ways to study the Bible and get more out of what you read. You can listen to sermons or lecture series. You can join a study group. You can research in commentaries, dictionaries, or encyclopedias as well as reading study books. Many possibilities are available not only in person, but online, in books, in videos, and in audio versions. Several of the studies we have used in the past are available in our church library including both books and some excellent DVDs. One more vital ingredient to the study of scripture is where you should actually begin, and that is to ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. Whatever resources you use for study, you will get more out of them with the Holy Spirit’s assistance.
This brings us to point #2. The Holy Spirit was not only promised to the disciples long ago. It is a promise Jesus continues to fulfill in our lifetime as well. We recognize this promise liturgically at every baptism, confirmation, and ordination as we invite the Holy Spirit not only to be present on that special occasion, but also to be actively involved in that person’s life and leadership. You cannot fulfill your mission without the power of the Holy Spirit.
So what about the mission? The mission of the church expressed by Luke is really no different from how Matthew tells it at the end of his gospel, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus’ commanded. It ends with the promise to always be with us. (Matthew 28:19-20) This is also what Luke shared. The promise of the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ promise to be with us. Jesus and the Spirit are not two separate entities. They are two facets of our mysterious triune God.
The mission is to go into all the world sharing what we believe about Christ. Again, this happens in multiple ways. I think of the many translations of the Bible into various languages of the world and even various versions in English helping more people hear or read the stories of our faith in a way that they can begin to understand.
I think of apostles, then and now, as missionaries. To be an apostle means to be sent out. The first apostles were sent throughout the Middle East, into Europe, and even as far as India. Ever since there have been men and women willing to go far from home to reach out to others in the name of Christ. Some have done this with integrity and respect for the children of God they meet in other parts of the world. Some, unfortunately, are an embarrassment as they have used violent means rather than sharing the love of God. Whether in Scandinavia or the Crusades, conversion at sword point was wrong. Again the mistreatment of indigenous peoples, whether an aspect of colonization or acculturation of children in boarding schools was wrong. In such cases, I think human agendas got in the way of living as Christ taught and lived.
The best way to teach others about Jesus is by example of how we each live our own lives before the world. For some that extends around the world when we travel or have friends or family in other parts of the world. But I also think of something my evangelism professor said. In our times, the world is right outside the door. So, when you step outside, consider that the Jesus someone else will meet today, is found in how you behave before their eyes. This is a whole other layer to what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Finally, Jesus gave the disciples a blessing before he disappeared from their sight. Blessings have been a significant part of commissioning from Old Testament times to now. I think of the blessings that got twisted on Isaac’s deathbed or the blessings Jacob spoke to each of his sons when his time came. Jesus offered his blessing to the disciples. Paul wrote blessings into his letters. We preachers speak a blessing to congregations at the end of each worship service. Blessings and commissioning are part of baptism, confirmation, weddings, and ordinations. But we can ask for God’s blessing at any time. An individual blessing is often accompanied by laying hands on the person’s head, or at the end of the service I lift my hands offering that blessing to all of you at once. The purpose of the blessing is asking God to equip you through the Holy Spirit for your life and mission in the days to come.
You could ask me what your mission is. Each of us are given assignments that suit how God created us, what gifts the Spirit has given us, the things we have experienced thus far in life, our interests and skills and passions. While your mission will have something in common collectively with the mission of the church in the world, your personal mission will be different from the person sitting near you right now and might be different from what it was at another stage of your life. But if you sincerely ask God, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to you from moment to moment as God calls you to speak or act on God’s behalf. To be ready for your mission, cultivate your relationship with God and be open to where the Spirit will lead you. Always pray for the right words or direction and trust the Spirit to supply them.
In our crazy world where even people who sincerely think they are serving God have done things that others would find atrocious, it is important to have discernment as we follow Christ. So, as we consider our call to any particular mission, we should ask if it follows the principles Jesus taught. Is it what Jesus would do? If it involves judging others, revenge, or violence it is not of Christ. It is more likely of Christ if it includes forgiveness, standing up for those on the margins of society, or honoring God by caring for God’s children and God’s creation. Your measure for discernment will be Jesus’ own words and example as recorded in the gospels.
We have many reasons to shudder at the condition of our world. From pandemic to formula shortages, from the invasion of the Ukraine or the mistreatment of Uighurs and pressure on Taiwan elsewhere to racial profiling and mass shootings here at home. Every part of our world is struggling to find health and safety and justice and peace.
What is the church’s mission in the midst of all of this? I think it must be to reach out with compassion and kindness to those who are hurting. It must be to share our resources until everyone’s needs are met. It must be to stand up for justice for those society has pushed aside. It must be to say “Enough!” to prejudice and violence. It must be to turn away from the greed or lust or anger that fuels atrocities. It must be to listen to one another’s pain. It must be to refrain from judging others until we have reformed ourselves. It must be to think globally rather than seeing only our own turf. It must be to remember that our God is the God of us all.
I will fully admit these are some of my own thoughts and beliefs, but they are based on what I read in scripture. I’m not asking you to adopt my ideas, but to study scripture and pray for the Spirit’s discernment, to come to an understanding of the Church’s mission on your own. This is what every part of the church must do from global assembly down to individual sessions and the equivalent structures in every faith tradition just as you must discern your personal mission within it all.
I’m leaving you with some heavy thoughts today. Remember what I said about a life of faith last week. Ask Karla for a copy if you weren’t here. Ponder how you live your faith in the world and what mission God has given you as part of that. Ponder the larger mission of the church and pray for it. Come next week as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit that makes it possible for us to fulfill that mission. We encourage you to wear red as part of that celebration, but I especially encourage you to be praying for the Holy Spirit to revive the church helping us to be the hands and feet and voice of Christ throughout the world. There is much work to do. Let us prepare ourselves for the mission to which God has called us.
*HYMN Arise, Your Light Has Come #411
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERING OUR LIVES
God of all mercy and grace, you gave your life for our sake. You rose that we might have new life. You ascended that we might begin our mission filled with the Spirit you promised to send us. We reaffirm not only our faith but also our determination to offer our lives in gratitude and service to you. Amen.
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #592
*AFFIRMATION Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) p. 14
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks #106
*Sending Forth
*CHARGE & BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Celebration of the Ascension
Gathering
MUSICAL OFFERING
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Let me remind you quickly of our protocols for everyone’s safety.
· Attendance was taken by Ushers as you entered.
· masks are required by those not vaccinated as well as social distancing
· Offerings may be placed in the plate by the doors.
· Please write your prayer request on the Yellow cards. An usher will pick them up during the 1st hymn.
· Please join us after service for fellowship in Calvin Hall
PRAYER REQUESTS
Gary Iverson, Bob Bock, Joan Boyd, Wanda Hirl, Marilyn Neymeyer, Joan Pinkston, Maxine Wagner, Annette Conzett, Jo Lefleur, Dr Dyke, Harlan Marx ,Lois Seger, Jon Ryner, Abagail Niles, Helanah Niles, Werner & Kelly Families, Avis Severson (Kolleen’s Mom), Ukraine, Arlene Pawlik, Angela and Tristan, Jake Pinkston, and Karla Singer (Rich Lewis Niece)
PRELUDE
*CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 47, select verses
1 O clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy!
2 For the Lord Most High excites terror, awe, and dread;
He is a great King over all the earth.
5 God has ascended amid shouting,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
*GATHERING PRAYER (from the Book of Common Worship)
Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*HYMN All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name! #142
CONFESSION (from the Book of Common Worship)
Let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, casting all our anxiety on the Lord, who cares for us. (1 Pet. 5:6–7)
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from death to life, and crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him, or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We have gone along with the ways of the world, and failed to give him glory. Forgive us, and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.
*WORDS OF ASSURANCE (from the Book of Common Worship)
The God of all grace, who calls us to eternal glory in Jesus Christ, will restore, support, and strengthen us. (1 Pet. 5:10)
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
*SONG OF PRAISE Gloria Patri #579
PASSING THE PEACE (facing those across the aisle from you)
Left: May the peace of Christ be with you.
Right: And also with you. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Left: And also with you.
INTERLUDE
Word
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 24:44-53, CEB
44 Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.” 50 He led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. 51 As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. 53 And they were continuously in the temple praising God.
LESSON FROM ACTS Acts 1:1-11, GNT
Dear Theophilus:
In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven noticed before. However, reading does not always include understanding.
There are many ways to study the Bible and get more out of what you read. You can listen to sermons or lecture series. You can join a study group. You can research in commentaries, dictionaries, or encyclopedias as well as reading study books. Many possibilities are available not only in person, but online, in books, in videos, and in audio versions. Several of the studies we have used in the past are available in our church library including both books and some excellent DVDs. One more vital ingredient to the study of scripture is where you should actually begin, and that is to ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher. Whatever resources you use for study, you will get more out of them with the Holy Spirit’s assistance.
This brings us to point #2. The Holy Spirit was not only promised to the disciples long ago. It is a promise Jesus continues to fulfill in our lifetime as well. We recognize this promise liturgically at every baptism, confirmation, and ordination as we invite the Holy Spirit not only to be present on that special occasion, but also to be actively involved in that person’s life and leadership. You cannot fulfill your mission without the power of the Holy Spirit.
So what about the mission? The mission of the church expressed by Luke is really no different from how Matthew tells it at the end of his gospel, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus’ commanded. It ends with the promise to always be with us. (Matthew 28:19-20) This is also what Luke shared. The promise of the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ promise to be with us. Jesus and the Spirit are not two separate entities. They are two facets of our mysterious triune God.
The mission is to go into all the world sharing what we believe about Christ. Again, this happens in multiple ways. I think of the many translations of the Bible into various languages of the world and even various versions in English helping more people hear or read the stories of our faith in a way that they can begin to understand.
I think of apostles, then and now, as missionaries. To be an apostle means to be sent out. The first apostles were sent throughout the Middle East, into Europe, and even as far as India. Ever since there have been men and women willing to go far from home to reach out to others in the name of Christ. Some have done this with integrity and respect for the children of God they meet in other parts of the world. Some, unfortunately, are an embarrassment as they have used violent means rather than sharing the love of God. Whether in Scandinavia or the Crusades, conversion at sword point was wrong. Again the mistreatment of indigenous peoples, whether an aspect of colonization or acculturation of children in boarding schools was wrong. In such cases, I think human agendas got in the way of living as Christ taught and lived.
The best way to teach others about Jesus is by example of how we each live our own lives before the world. For some that extends around the world when we travel or have friends or family in other parts of the world. But I also think of something my evangelism professor said. In our times, the world is right outside the door. So, when you step outside, consider that the Jesus someone else will meet today, is found in how you behave before their eyes. This is a whole other layer to what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Finally, Jesus gave the disciples a blessing before he disappeared from their sight. Blessings have been a significant part of commissioning from Old Testament times to now. I think of the blessings that got twisted on Isaac’s deathbed or the blessings Jacob spoke to each of his sons when his time came. Jesus offered his blessing to the disciples. Paul wrote blessings into his letters. We preachers speak a blessing to congregations at the end of each worship service. Blessings and commissioning are part of baptism, confirmation, weddings, and ordinations. But we can ask for God’s blessing at any time. An individual blessing is often accompanied by laying hands on the person’s head, or at the end of the service I lift my hands offering that blessing to all of you at once. The purpose of the blessing is asking God to equip you through the Holy Spirit for your life and mission in the days to come.
You could ask me what your mission is. Each of us are given assignments that suit how God created us, what gifts the Spirit has given us, the things we have experienced thus far in life, our interests and skills and passions. While your mission will have something in common collectively with the mission of the church in the world, your personal mission will be different from the person sitting near you right now and might be different from what it was at another stage of your life. But if you sincerely ask God, the Holy Spirit will reveal it to you from moment to moment as God calls you to speak or act on God’s behalf. To be ready for your mission, cultivate your relationship with God and be open to where the Spirit will lead you. Always pray for the right words or direction and trust the Spirit to supply them.
In our crazy world where even people who sincerely think they are serving God have done things that others would find atrocious, it is important to have discernment as we follow Christ. So, as we consider our call to any particular mission, we should ask if it follows the principles Jesus taught. Is it what Jesus would do? If it involves judging others, revenge, or violence it is not of Christ. It is more likely of Christ if it includes forgiveness, standing up for those on the margins of society, or honoring God by caring for God’s children and God’s creation. Your measure for discernment will be Jesus’ own words and example as recorded in the gospels.
We have many reasons to shudder at the condition of our world. From pandemic to formula shortages, from the invasion of the Ukraine or the mistreatment of Uighurs and pressure on Taiwan elsewhere to racial profiling and mass shootings here at home. Every part of our world is struggling to find health and safety and justice and peace.
What is the church’s mission in the midst of all of this? I think it must be to reach out with compassion and kindness to those who are hurting. It must be to share our resources until everyone’s needs are met. It must be to stand up for justice for those society has pushed aside. It must be to say “Enough!” to prejudice and violence. It must be to turn away from the greed or lust or anger that fuels atrocities. It must be to listen to one another’s pain. It must be to refrain from judging others until we have reformed ourselves. It must be to think globally rather than seeing only our own turf. It must be to remember that our God is the God of us all.
I will fully admit these are some of my own thoughts and beliefs, but they are based on what I read in scripture. I’m not asking you to adopt my ideas, but to study scripture and pray for the Spirit’s discernment, to come to an understanding of the Church’s mission on your own. This is what every part of the church must do from global assembly down to individual sessions and the equivalent structures in every faith tradition just as you must discern your personal mission within it all.
I’m leaving you with some heavy thoughts today. Remember what I said about a life of faith last week. Ask Karla for a copy if you weren’t here. Ponder how you live your faith in the world and what mission God has given you as part of that. Ponder the larger mission of the church and pray for it. Come next week as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit that makes it possible for us to fulfill that mission. We encourage you to wear red as part of that celebration, but I especially encourage you to be praying for the Holy Spirit to revive the church helping us to be the hands and feet and voice of Christ throughout the world. There is much work to do. Let us prepare ourselves for the mission to which God has called us.
*HYMN Arise, Your Light Has Come #411
PASTORAL PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERING OUR LIVES
God of all mercy and grace, you gave your life for our sake. You rose that we might have new life. You ascended that we might begin our mission filled with the Spirit you promised to send us. We reaffirm not only our faith but also our determination to offer our lives in gratitude and service to you. Amen.
*DOXOLOGY Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #592
*AFFIRMATION Apostle’s Creed (Ecumenical) p. 14
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again.
He ascended into heaven
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks #106
*Sending Forth
*CHARGE & BLESSING
*POSTLUDE
* Sections of the service preceded with * are times to stand if you are able to do so.
Bold text is to be read together aloud as a congregation.