When Jesus ascended into heaven, He didn't leave us empty-handed. In fact, Luke 24 reveals a beautiful detail: as Jesus was being taken up into the clouds, His hands were raised in the middle of blessing His disciples. Because His physical ascension was not the end of His work, those nail-scarred hands remain extended over us today. This Sunday, we will explore how the ascended Christ continues to pour out His life, forgiveness, and salvation through the Holy Spirit and the tangible gifts of the Sacraments. Beneath His ongoing blessing, our posture changes from grief to great joy.
As we look at "Jesus’ hands and ours," we will also look honestly at our own expressions of worship. Just like a public display of affection for a spouse, our outward worship—whether through singing, praying, or even lifting our hands—is a beautiful, scriptural response to the intimate love of God. We come to the altar as both sinners and saints, sometimes struggling to feel the joy of the Gospel. Yet, we worship freely because Christ’s holy hands have cleansed our sin-stained hands, freeing us to praise Him without fear or reservation.
Service times:
- Live on YouTube
- In person worship
Order of service:
Readings:
- Reflection on God's Forgiveness is from Isaiah 44:21-23
- Psalm reading is from Psalm 47
- Acts reading is from Acts 1:1–11
- New Testament reading is from Ephesians 1:15–23
- Holy Gospel is from Luke 24:44–53
Songs and Hymns:
- Crown Him with Many Crowns
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Text by Matthew Bridges (sts. 1-3, 5) and Godfrey Thring (sts. 4)
Tune by George J. Elvey
Public domain - Christ High-Ascended, Now in Glory Seated
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Text: Timothy Dudley-Smith, 1926–2024, © 1984 Hope Publishing Co., used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220
Tune: Antiphoner, 1746, Poitiers, public domain - I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever
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Martin Smith
© 1994 Curious? Music UK
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - Keep the Feast
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Ben Shive, Skye Peterson
© 2024 Getty Music Publishing (BMI), Beehive Hymns (BMI)
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
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Text: Charles Wesley
Tune: Carl G. Glaser
Public domain - You Who Are Thirsty
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Text and Tune: Barbara Ross
© 1992 BBR (Barbara Ross) Music.
Used with permission: CCLI license #20286740 - Brothers and Sisters in Christ
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Text: Terry K. Dittmer
Text: © 1983 Terry K. Dittmer. Used by permission: Terry K. Dittmer
Liturgies:
- Gloria in Excelsis
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Sanctus
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
- Agnus Dei
- Text: Stephen P. Starke
Announcements:
- Sunday, May 17:
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- Worship Service (Rev. Tony Boos): 9 AM to 10:15 AM
- Reception for Graduating High School Seniors: 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM
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Immediately following worship service.
- Sunday School: 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
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Downstaris..
- Adult Bible Study: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
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Downstairs.
- Discovering Christianity Class: 10:45 AM
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Downstairs.
- Wednesday, May 20:
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- Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
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Downstairs.
- Thursday, May 21:
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- AA Meeting: 6:30 PM
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Downstairs.
- Saturday, May 23:
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- Women’s Bible Study: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
- AA Meeting: 1:30 PM
- Justification (Ep143)
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Justification is one of the most important words in the Bible because it’s one of the most important aspects of humanity. The quest to find a reason for one’s existence – in other words, “to justify” oneself – is irresistible. On this episode of Cravings Answers, Cravings God, Chuck and Aaron talk about what justification is and how we can truly be justified.
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