Today is the 40th day after the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter. Tonight, we have the opportunity to mark this day and celebrate what used to be one of the major festivals in the church - our Lord's Ascension to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
Jesus' Ascension into heaven used to be for me merely an historical fact, a part of salvation's story, something I would regularly confess in the second article of The Apostles' Creed: "... was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead."
That changed when I was attending Concordia College in Ann Arbor (1974-1978). For many there the Ascension worship service couldn't have been bigger. Why? Because anyone that was involved with music at the college was bused to Frankenmuth (well over 120 people) where we were fed at Zehnder's (real food, really good food) and then participated in, and 'performed' in a service at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church. The Ascension services there were glorious ... music filled, worshipful, celebratory, Word proclaiming and Christ honoring.
Those services made a lasting impression.
Tonight, we will have such a service at Our Savior Lutheran Church. I am grateful for our Minister of Music, John Horak, who has put together a celbration of music ... with all of our adult choirs, contemporary groups, children's choirs, school bands, and handbell and chime choirs from our church and school participating in this great festival worship service.
The brief message (homily) tonight will answer the question, "What's the Big Deal about Christ's Ascension?" ... and share a few of the reasons, in God's plan of salvation, as to why Christ's Ascension is so important.
I hope you can join us tonight. Whether you can or not ... it would be great to have you comment on your Ascension memories, or on what Jesus' Ascenion means for you, for the church, for the world?
I look forward to your comments. A blessed Ascension to you all.
PM
