May Newsletter - Ascension and Pentecost

He is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

This month we see the end of the Easter season, and entering into the season of the Church which is the time after Pentecost. Before we leave Easter though, we see two more celebrations: The Ascension and the day of Pentecost. Each take place a specified number of days after Easter and continue the story after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Ascension

Ascension occurs 40 days after Easter, as witnessed by the Book of Acts chapter one. Because of this, the official date of occurrence is on a Thursday, but it is frequently observed on the following Sunday by the church. Jesus had spent these 40 days teaching his disciples about the kingdom of God before he left to be with his Father in heaven. The church continues to live in the teachings of Jesus Christ after his ascension.

Through this feast we are celebrating the day that Jesus ascended to sit on the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Jesus did not leave his disciples alone, he promised that he would give to them the power of the Holy Spirit. It is also promised by the angels that he will return again.

The theme hymn for Ascension, “Up through Endless Ranks of Angels” draws upon the exultation of Jesus Christ and his victory over death. The church does not need to be afraid because Jesus has restored life and intercedes for us before the Father. This shows the continuing results of Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday.

UP THROUGH ENDLESS RANKS OF ANGELS

Up through endless ranks of angels,  cries of triumph in his ears,  to his heavenly throne ascending,  having vanquished all their fears,  Christ looks down upon his faithful,  leaving them in happy tears. Death-destroying, life-restoring, proven equal to our need, now for us before the Father as our brother intercede: flesh that for our world was wounded, living, for the wounded plead.

Pentecost 

The title Pentecost comes from the Greek and refers to 50 days after Easter. Pentecost is the continuation of where Ascension left off in the reading of Acts. In the ascension reading Jesus tells his disciples, “for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with2 the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). There is little explanation what this will look like and the church is left unsure of where to go.

Now Pentecost itself dates before even before the time of Easter as it had been celebrated by the Jewish people as The Feast of Weeks, which was a harvest festival. Since it was a feast, it would have been common for people of all places to be out and about celebrating. The Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles and they were able to speak in many tongues, so that all were able to hear their preaching about the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This was the baptism of the Holy Spirit that had been promised to them by Jesus.

We use the color red for the day of Pentecost to symbolize the tongues of flame that rested upon the heads of the Apostles. The hymn, “Come, Holy Ghost, God And Lord” demonstrates the focus of this Sunday. We celebrate the work that the Holy Spirit does, which illumines our hearts to the Glory of our God and King.

COME, HOLY GHOST, GOD AND LORD

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord, With all your graces now outpoured. On each believer’s mind and heart; Your fervent love to them impart. Lord, by the brightness of your light In holy faith your Church untie; From every land and every tongue This to our praise, O Lord, Our God, be sung: Alleluia, alleluia!