THE FIRST LESSON Acts 1:1-11
THE SECOND LESSON Luke 24:44-53
SERMON "Resurrection Life: Being Witnesses and Blessings"
Worship Notes
Welcome to worship at Westminster on this Seventh Sunday of Easter, also called Ascension Sunday, in which we celebrate the ascension of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ascension Day actually occurs 40 days after Easter (May 13). However, like Westminster, other reformed congregations choose to observe ascension on the Sunday which follows Ascension Day, which is also the last Sunday in the liturgical season of Eastertide. Next Sunday (May 23) we begin the season Pentecost. The liturgical color for Eastertide is white.
On Ascension Sunday, we reflect on the beliefs we profess in the Nicene Creed and the Apostle's Creed, that Jesus not only rose again from the dead, but also "ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty." The music and liturgy through which we worship today is chosen to express this belief in the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ. Many of the hymns used in worship this morning use language that associates Christ as "king." For example, our gathering hymn proclaims that we "crown [Christ] Lord of all," while through the text of the sending hymn "crown him with many crowns." These references to Christ as King help remind us that Christ was both fully human and fully God
The central text for this morning is Luke's account of the ascension; both in Acts and the gospel. Our liturgy reflects his call to be messengers of the good news of God's love and forgiveness in the world and to all nations.
