It is About Perception and Leadership: A Response to Leon Fontaine

It is About Perception and Leadership: A Response to Leon Fontaine

Things between Springs Church and the faith community of Winnipeg have gotten heated once again.

On Friday, May 21, Springs Church social media posted pictures of their College graduation ceremony that clearly shows students and teachers alike not distancing and not wearing masks. The images have since been removed from their social media pages but, as it is said, once something is on the internet, it never really goes away.

The pictures were met with outrage from all areas of the online community. Faith communities, especially, were calling for the leadership of Springs Church to repent and apologize for the blatant disregard for the public health policies put into place to protect Manitobans from the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

When the media was looking for comment from Springs Church, there was no response to their calls. Leon Fontaine, pastor, finally did address the backlash from the public, claiming that the graduation ceremony was order-compliant. However, his explanation does nothing to clear up the issue. Instead, it seems to muddy the lines even more.

Claim 1 – Educational Institutions can provide in-person occupancy of 50% capacity not exceeding 25.

While this is indeed a public health regulation, a graduation ceremony would not count as a period of classroom instruction.

Claim 2 – Where possible, two meters of distance must be kept between all persons.

The pictures on social media clearly show that no effort was being made to maintain such distancing rules.

Claim 3 – No masks are required during classes throughout the year because of cohort groups.

The education minister put rules in place that made wearing masks in school and on school property mandatory for grade 4 and up. There were no exceptions for cohorts being able to go mask-free while together. Creating cohorts was how Manitoba Health was able to control contact tracing and minimizing who had to isolate if positive COVID cases were discovered in the schools.

Fontaine’s response to the public outcry is that Spring Church, School, and College were following all protocols set out by the government. However, there were definitely some lines that were toed all the in the name of having the right to worship under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

While other graduates are sadly getting nothing but signs in their lawns, degree certificates sent in the mail, and no ceremony of any kind, Springs insists that they are following protocol when there is photographic proof that they were doing the exact opposite.

Why does Springs Church and all of its affiliates feel like they should have the right to be treated differently than every other school and faith community in the city, in the province?

The thing about social media is that the message is only as clear as the picture. What was seen was a graduating class getting to celebrate while others shut themselves into their homes. And the message from the College’s leader was to muddy the perspective and insist no rules were broken.

It has been a very hard year for everyone. We are all getting tired of lockdowns and rules and being told what we are and are not allowed to do. The key to getting through this, though, is to follow direction.

As Christians, our number one rule is to love the neighbour. How does finding ways to dodge the law answer that call?

I implore Pastor Leon Fontaine and the leadership of Springs Church to lead by example. Be the ones to lead the charge against breaking rules and finding loopholes. Admit that you have erred and do the work of repentance.

Embracing Our Differences

Day of Pentecost

**Please note this service is based on the format of the Anglican Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from the Book of Alternative Services (BAS) and the hymns from the Book of Common Praise (BCP). Other hymns and prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.

**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.

**This is for personal use at home as the church is unable to gather in our houses of worship but together we can worship in our own homes.

Opening Prayer

O God of eternal light, heaven and earth are the work of your hands, and all creation sings your praise and beauty. As in the beginning, by your Spirit, you gave life and order to all that is, so by the same Spirit redeem us and all things. Amen.

Opening Hymn – O God, the Holy Ghost (BCP #254)

            Listen Here

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

May his grace and peace be with you.

May he fill our hearts with joy.

 

Collect for Purity

            Listen Here

The Gloria

            Listen Here

Collect of the Day

Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal, keep us in the unity of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Readings

A reading from the Book of Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

    and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

        and they shall prophesy.

And I will show portents in the heaven above

    and signs on the earth below,

        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood,

        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be the God.

Psalm 104:25-35

            Listen Here

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans 8:22-27

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gradual Hymn – Spirit of the Living God (BCP #647)

            Listen Here

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.

But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you about them.

I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The Gospel of Christ.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Sermon

Guest Preacher - Joan Merton

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer.  Amen

I have had the privilege of attending a virtual evening prayer service, Monday to Friday, led by the priests and congregation of St. Benedict’s Table in Winnipeg.  Often the priest, Jamie Howison will read passages from books written by Biblical Scholars and many of these passages are awesome!  Today I have chosen to read a poem by Malcolm Guite and I believe it is very appropriate for today’s readings.  

”Today we feel the wind beneath our wings

Today the hidden fountain flows and plays

Today the church draws breath at last and sings

As every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.

This is the feast of fire, air, and water

Poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.

The earth herself awakens to her maker

And is translated out of death to birth.

The right words come today in their right order

And every word spells freedom and release

Today the gospel crosses every border

All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace

Today the lost are found in His translation.

Whose mother-tongue is Love, in every nation”

Dictionary.com defines Pentecost as “a Christian festival celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles; also known as Whitsunday.”  For the Christian church it is a time of not only being uprooted but deeply grounded as well.  In order to experience Pentecost we must be able to search for change and allow ourselves to be changed.  We need to search our souls and hearts looking for things that need to be changed.  

In the text from John Jesus tells his disciples that he will not be with them much longer.  I imagine the disciples are as perplexed as I am by his farewell speech.  It appears that none of the disciples ask Him where he is going and He really doesn’t give them an answer just that an Advocate will come who will take care of them.  John 15:13 tells us, “He will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”  

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?  In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” (Acts 1-12)

Acts 2:1-21 describes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.  This scene in Acts is often admired for its vision of unity.  Perhaps we may benefit from taking a fresh look at what this vision of unity entails.  The disciples have been instructed to remain in Jerusalem and they do as they are instructed.  It is “Pentecost” an agricultural festival that also goes on commemorate the giving of the Law but it is unsure if this is the case when Acts was written.  Just as the Sinai covenant was a foundational event for the people of Israel, so also is this Pentecost a foundational moment in the formation of the church. 

Since this festival in Jerusalem brings people from many other areas to participate in the festival the author of Acts is able to highlight the effects of the Holy Spirit in spreading the Gospel with very little difficulty.  The ability of the disciples to speak in different languages Joel says, “proclaims that, whereas formerly granted to individual prophets and kings, God’s Spirit will now pour out onto “all flesh,” regardless of gender (sons/daughters), age (young men/old men), or social status (male/female slaves) (Acts 2:17-18). 

Every time I read this passage I try to imagine what it would have been like to be present in that moment with the wind rushing through the house, tongues of fire descending on each disciple and each speaking in a different language.  It would have been an awesome sight!  Unlike the Tower of Babel story the languages they were speaking were intelligible and familiar to all standing in the crowd.  Thinking about the tongues of fire makes me think about one of my favourite flowers, Celosia, and if we were actually in church this morning I would be displaying a picture of this beautiful plant.  It has long stems with beautiful flame like red, orange and yellow flowers that blow gracefully in the wind but stand strong against even the strongest wind, yet another one of God’s gracious gifts to us.  

I read an interesting commentary by Gilberto Ruiz and his closing paragraph really made me think.  I quote, “Calls for unity have always been strong.  In thinking with this passage for the purposes of sermon preparation, perhaps we can ask what unity means for the church.  Does Acts’ famous Pentecost scene call us to imagine a unity that is monolingual and univocal, a church with only one language and one voice?  Or, as Barreto suggests, can we strive for unity without erasing difference, but rather affirming it?  Is the Spirit found in a church where all members look, think, and act alike, or in a church that works together and takes difference as a starting point for manifesting the Spirit?

I believe that we have to strive for unity without erasing difference and even encouraging it.  I definitely don’t believe that the Spirit is found only in a church where all members look, think and act alike!  We need to strive for a universal church where all are welcome and have a voice even if we are not always in agreement with that voice.  We must remember we are all God’s children!

Amen 

Affirmation of Faith

Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God,

the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

 

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again

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 the life everlasting. Amen.

 

The Prayers of the People

In the peace of the risen Christ let us offer our prayers to the Lord, saying: Hear us Lord, Alleluia!

The Spirit of peace has been breathed on the church. May the church inspire peace throughout the world.

And to this let us say:

Hear us Lord, Alleluia!

Our land has completed the Passover from winter into spring. May the earth be restored to the freshness of creation.

And to this let us say:

Hear us Lord, Alleluia!

The Lord has appeared on Sinai amid fire and wind. May all peoples, Jew and Gentile together, climb the holy mountain and see the face of God.

And to this let us say:

Hear us Lord, Alleluia!

The confusion of Babel has been undone with the gifts of Pentecost. May our community mature in wisdom as we come to understand the language of the Spirit.

And to this let us say:

Hear us Lord, Alleluia!

Our week of weeks is accomplished. Our Fifty Days are complete. May all of us, both the living and the dead, be raised into the splendor of endless Easter. May we hold before God’s life all in need.

And to this let us say:

Hear us Lord, Alleluia!

Please take time to offer your own intercessions or to pray in silence.

Creator God, our Lenten ashes have become life-giving fire. We are whole and new again. Help us, like the disciples in Jerusalem, to spill out into the streets to proclaim your wonderful words. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Intercessions for the Christian People)

Confession and Absolution

Dear friends in Christ,

God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy;

God welcomes sinners and invites them to the table.

Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.

 

Most merciful God,

We confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us and forgive us,

that we may delight in your will,

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your name. Amen.

As we speak the truth of our lives, God who is faithful and just, restores us and brings us home again and again.

Almighty God have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in eternal life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Offertory Hymn – Breathe on Me, Breath of God (BCP #649)

            Listen Here

Prayer over the Gifts

**Although not physically at our church buildings to share our offering together I would encourage you to set your offering of money aside so that it can be dropped off or placed in the church once services resume, to mail your offering to the church, or to make donations online. Please remember ministry is still taking place.

Let us pray.

Giver of life, receive all we offer you this day. Let the Spirit you bestow on your Church continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. We ask this is the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

This service was created for live worship on Zoom. For those worshiping on your own, you may either read the Eucharistic prayer, or skip ahead to the Lord's Prayer and then the Doxology.

Eucharistic Prayer 2

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

We give you thanks and praise, almighty God,

through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,

our Saviour and Redeemer.

He is your living Word

through whom you have created all things.

 

By the power of the Holy Spirit

he took flesh of the Virgin Mary

and shared our human nature.

He lived and died as one of us,

to reconcile us to you,

the God and Father of all.

 

In fulfilment of your will

he stretched out his hands in suffering,

to bring release to those who place their hope in you;

and so he won for you a holy people.

 

He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows,

and to give up his life on the cross,

that he might shatter the chains of evil and death,

and banish the darkness of sin and despair.

By his resurrection he brings us into the light of your presence.

 

Now with all creation we raise our voices

to proclaim the glory of your name.

 

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

 

Blessed are they who come in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

 

Holy and gracious God,

accept our praise,

through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;

who on the night he was handed over

to suffering and death,

took bread and gave you thanks,

saying, “Take, and eat:

this is my body which is broken for you.”

 

In the same way he took the cup,

saying, “This is my blood which is shed for you.

When you do this, you do it in memory of me.”

 

Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection,

we offer you this bread and this cup,

giving thanks that you have made us worthy

to stand in your presence and serve you.

 

We ask you to send your Holy Spirit

upon the offering of your holy Church.

Gather into one

all who share in these sacred mysteries,

filling them with the Holy Spirit

and confirming their faith in the truth,

that together we may praise you

and give you glory

through your Servant, Jesus Christ.

 

All glory and honour are yours,

Father and Son,

with the Holy Spirit

in the holy Church,

now and for ever.

Amen.

And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us,

we are bold to pray,

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever. Amen.

 

Breaking of the Bread

This is the body of Christ.

Behold what you are.

Become what you receive.

Amen.

 

Communion

This is the table of Christ. It is made ready for those who love him, and for those who want to love him more. Come, whether you have much faith or little, have tried to follow, or are afraid that you have failed. Come. Because it is Christ's will that those who want to meet him, might meet him here.

These are the gifts of God for the People of God.

Thanks be to God.

Share in the Eucharist

Prayer After Communion

As we have feasted around the table, let us pray.

O God, may we who have received this Eucharist live in the unity of your Holy Spirit, that we may show forth his gifts to all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Doxology

As a congregation, we declare our doxology, as we say together,

Glory to God,

whose power, working in us,

can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine.

Glory to God from generation to generation,

in the Church and in Christ Jesus,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

 

Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sanctifier be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Closing Hymn – Holy Spirit Come with Power (BCP #643)

            Listen Here

Dismissal

Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

A Review of the Book "A Kind of Solitude" by Jamie Howison

Title: A Kind of Solitude
Author: Jamie Howison
Publisher: Resource Publications
Year: 2021
77 pages

(A revised version of this review will be published in the June 2021 issue of Rupert's Land News.)

Grief is a powerful emotion, especially when it comes from a sudden event. When one can prepare, grief is still strong but seems sometimes to be more easily managed. Think about having a loved one die of a heart attack in their forties. Now think of a loved one who dies from years of painful illness or peacefully in their nineties. Grief still exists, but it is different in each of those situations. One can be prepared for, the other not so much. Everyone experiences and deals with their grief differently, and the loss being grieved isn’t always due to a death.

Marriages break down all the time, sadly, but for the most part, both people can usually see it coming. Fights. Distancing. Separation. Divorce. In the end, there is no surprise. But sometimes, that isn’t the case at all.

When Jamie Howison’s marriage broke down after eighteen years, it “came to an abrupt end, something I had not seen coming.” (Howison, Jamie. A Kind of Solitude. Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2021, p. ix) He fell into a deep grief that threatened to drag him down until a friend urged him to seek out spiritual direction. By providence, a letter arrived the day of that conversation from a friend of Jamie’s, Father Gary Thorne, who was, at the time, the Chaplain at the University of King’s College in Halifax.

“A Kind of Solitude” is Jamie’s telling of the five weeks he spent at King’s College five months after the end of his marriage, attempting to rediscover himself and find healing for his broken heart and broken soul.

During his time at King’s College, Jamie spent the majority of his time in solitude, sometimes reading, sometimes journaling, sometimes walking the streets around King’s or pacing the floor of his residence room, but also praying and writing an icon under the tutelage of one of the students. As well, Jamie went to the Chapel for the multitude of services that were available, had conversations with Father Gary, went on a retreat, and spent time with family. It was quite the structured five weeks, designed by Father Gary specifically aimed to help Jamie in the best possible way.

Many personal demons are battled through these chapters – anger, resentment, bitterness, hurt, fear – demons that many of us have likely experienced during times of deep grief. Jamie acknowledges that not everyone can have the time and opportunity that he did to address those demons, but is extremely grateful that he had that privilege because by the end of it, he “began to be free” (p. 72).

Jamie’s description of his thoughts and feelings written in “A Kind of Solitude”, not only throughout those five weeks but also during the time leading up to his departure for King’s College, is wrought with emotion. Reading his words, I felt the pain in Jamie’s heart and the darkness overcoming his soul. I could sense the despair that he was experiencing over the ending of his marriage, but I could also sense the light increasing as I travelled through those five weeks with Jamie.

In the final pages, tears flowed as I read about Jamie’s final days at King’s College, especially when Father Thorne says, “this is a community that always has room for the broken-hearted” (p. 70). It was then that I felt the shift in Jamie’s soul, and knew that he would come out of this experience ready to face what was next.

Jamie Howison was one of my first mentors as I journeyed the path to priesthood. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to read his book because it has acted as part of his mentorship. I have some work of my own to do about past events in my life that I have been too scared to address. Reading Jamie’s story has shown me that allowing myself to grieve those events may weaken me at first but, in the end, I will be stronger for it.

Gone But Not Really

Ascension Sunday

**Please note this service is based on the format of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW). Hymns and other prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.

**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.

**This is for personal use at home as the church is unable to gather in our houses of worship but together we can worship in our own homes.

Introduction to the Day

In today’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples are told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus; we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

who forgives all our sin,

whose mercy endures forever.

Amen.

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Most merciful God,

we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.

Amen.

Gathering Song – Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (ELW #392)

            Listen Here

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

Canticle of Praise

           Listen Here

Prayer of the Day

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Almighty God, your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Readings

A reading from the Book of Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 47

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A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 1:15-23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message

The Story of Jesus Going to Heaven

For 40 days after he came back to life, Jesus came and talked to his friends. One day he was with them on the Mount of Olives. He knew that it was time for him to go back to Heaven.

So, he told his friends that he was giving them a gift, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. When you receive this power, you will tell people about me.”

He wanted them to tell people about his love. He told them to go to Jerusalem, then to Judea and Samaria, and then the whole world!

As soon as he finished speaking, Jesus began to rise up into the air. His followers watched as a cloud came down and covered him.

They kept looking up at the sky even though they could no longer see Jesus.

Suddenly, two angels in shining white clothes were standing nearby. “Why are you men standing here looking at the sky?” they asked. “You saw Jesus go to Heaven. Don’t worry. He will come back someday the same way he left.”

Then the men went back to the city.

Did you know that Jesus going up to Heaven in a cloud is called the Ascension? The Bible tells us that he will come back to earth in a cloud to get his followers and take us to Heaven to be with him forever.

What do you think we should do while we are waiting?

Should we sit around looking at the sky like the men in the story were?

Or should we go out and tell people about Jesus by acting and treating people with love the way Jesus did during his time on earth?

Let us pray.

Almighty God, when we remember what you said and did, we know you were showing us how good the world could be. Give us the courage and wisdom to follow you. Amen.

Gospel Acclamation

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The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 24:44-53

Glory to you, O Lord.

Then he 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 of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what God promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God. 

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

May only truth be spoken and only truth received. Amen.

Malcolm Guite is a poet-priest who travels England and North America giving lectures, concerts, and poetry readings. He wrote this poem about the Ascension of Christ:

We saw his light break through the cloud of glory

Whilst we were rooted still in time and place

As earth became a part of Heaven’s story

And heaven opened to his human face.

We saw him go and yet we were not parted

He took us with him to the heart of things

The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted

Is whole and Heaven-centred now, and sings,

Sings in the strength that rises out of weakness,

Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight,

Whilst we our selves become his clouds of witness

And sing the waning darkness into light,

His light in us, and ours in him concealed,

Which all creation waits to see revealed.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He "presented Himself alive" to the women near the tomb per Matthew, to His disciples as per Luke, and to more than 500 others as per Paul. In the days following His resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples about the kingdom of God.

Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus and His disciples went to Mount Olive, near Jerusalem, close to the place where he had withdrawn to pray before the Passion in order to remain in deep union with God.

There, Jesus promised His followers that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, and He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come. Then Jesus blessed them, and as He gave the blessing, He began to ascend into heaven. This is the account of Jesus' ascension that is found in today’s readings of Luke and Acts.

It is plain from Scripture that Jesus' ascension was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and visibly, observed by many intent onlookers. As the disciples strained to catch a last glimpse of Jesus, a cloud hid Him from their view, and two angels appeared and promised Christ's return "in just the same way that you have watched Him go".

The Ascension of Jesus Christ is meaningful for several reasons:

1)     It signaled the end of His earthly ministry. God had lovingly sent Jesus into the world at Bethlehem, and now the Son was returning to God at Bethany. The period of human limitation was at an end.

2)     It signified success in His earthly work. All that He had come to do, He had accomplished. 

3)     It marked the return of His heavenly glory. Jesus' glory had been veiled during His sojourn on earth, with one brief exception at the Transfiguration. 

4)     It symbolized His exaltation by God. The One with whom God is well pleased was received up in honor and given a name above all names. 

5)     It allowed Him to prepare a place for us. Christ opened the path to us. He is like a roped guide climbing a mountain who, on reaching the summit, pulls us up to him and leads us to God. 

6)     It indicated the beginning of His new work as High Priest and Mediator of the New Covenant. 

7)     It set the pattern for His return. When Jesus comes to set up the Kingdom, He will return just as He left - literally, bodily, and visibly in the clouds.

Currently, the Lord Jesus is in heaven. In the Creed we say that Jesus “is seated at the right hand of the Father” - a position of honor and authority. Christ is the Head of the Church, the giver of spiritual gifts.

As Pope Francis so beautifully stated, the Ascension does not point to Jesus’ absence, but tells us that he is alive in our midst in a new way. He is no longer in a specific place in the world as he was before the Ascension.

It is a paradox. In one sense Christ leaves us and is taken away into Heaven, but in another sense he is given to us and to the world in a new and more universal way. His humanity is taken into heaven so our humanity belongs there too, and is in a sense already there with him.

Jesus is now in the presence of God, present in every space and time, close to each one of us. In our life we are never alone: we have this Advocate who awaits us, who defends us. We are never alone: the Crucified and Risen Lord guides us.

Isn’t it a wonderful thing, to know that we have an advocate who will always defend us, who defends us from ourselves and from our sins?

Do not be afraid to turn to him and ask forgiveness, to ask for a blessing, to ask for mercy.

At the same time, do not be afraid to leave things in God’s hands. Jesus was carried into heaven. This isn’t an action that Jesus does to himself. Rather, it was something that God did to him and for him, for the disciples, and for us.

Jesus is being lifted into heaven at the same moment that he is blessing the disciples. He chose to leave it to them. The same ones who were capable in one breath of inspired declarations of faith and in the next breath bumbling it so badly that Jesus calls one of them Satan.

Jesus chose to trust his mission to these disciples – just as he chooses us: This church that is capable of great acts of faith in one moment and then bumbling it badly in the next. Jesus trusts us with his mission.

It’s two thousand years later and we haven’t destroyed the church yet. And we won’t. We might change it, but we will never destroy it.

Because God is God and we are not. We are trusted with a part of the mission but it is God who gives us God’s blessing and power from on high. It is enough for us to bless God in return through the way we live our lives.

The gospel doesn’t end with tears, or a final embrace. There is no crash, bang, whollop.  It ends in a blessing, the ceaseless blessing of Christ.

Regardless of whatever is going on in our lives, it is good to know that we are always in a state of blessedness.

I want to leave you today with a second reading of the sonnet by Malcolm Guite:

We saw his light break through the cloud of glory

Whilst we were rooted still in time and place

As earth became a part of Heaven’s story

And heaven opened to his human face.

We saw him go and yet we were not parted

He took us with him to the heart of things

The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted

Is whole and Heaven-centred now, and sings,

Sings in the strength that rises out of weakness,

Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight,

Whilst we our selves become his clouds of witness

And sing the waning darkness into light,

His light in us, and ours in him concealed,

             Which all creation waits to see revealed. 

Hymn of the Day – Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song (ELW #808)

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Creed

Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say the Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Prayers of Intercession

Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.

Silence

You call the whole church on earth to worship and bless you. Empower your church to bear joyful witness to your love made known in Jesus Christ.

Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You have fashioned a habitat for all your creatures and you fill the earth with your glory. Give rain where it is needed and rescue those inundated by floods. Mend what we have torn in the fabric of creation and replenish and nourish your world. Remind those who may have forgotten how to care for your creation, especially how to show love for one another.

Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

In the majesty of your love, you rule the world with justice and mercy. Give those in authority the spirit of your love, so that all who are hungry and poor receive food and resources, and all people flourish and live in peace. Protect those who experience hate and violence, and guide them to places of safety.

Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You heal those who are sick and bind up the broken-hearted. Attend to the cares and needs of the hurting and hopeless in our congregation, community, workplaces, schools, and families. We give you now the names known to us who are in need of your healing and acknowledge those known only to you. May they feel your presence during a time of great need.

Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

You have gathered us in this congregation, enlightened our hearts, and given us a share of the immeasurable greatness of your power. Help us love one another, be reconciled where we are divided, and share the riches of your grace with our neighbors.

Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

Please take time to offer your own intercessions or to pray in silence.

In raising Christ from the dead, you put your great power to work in the world. Raise us and all who have died in the faith with Christ. We remember saints in our lives and in our community. Thank you for their gifts among us.

Hear us, O God.

Your mercy is great.

In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Peace

The peace of Christ be with you always.

And also with you.

Hymn of Thanksgiving – Lord, You Give the Great Commission (ELW #579)

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**Although not physically at our church buildings to share our offering together I would encourage you to set your offering of money aside so that it can be dropped off or placed in the church once services resume, to mail your offering to the church, or to make donations online. Please remember ministry is still taking place.

Thanksgiving for the Word

Let us pray.

O God of justice and love, we give thanks to you that you illumine our way through life with the words of your Son. Give us the light we need, awaken us to the needs of others, and at the end bring all the world to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever.

Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.

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;

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

 

Blessing

May our glorious God grant you a spirit of wisdom to know and to love the risen Lord Jesus.

The God of life, Creator, ☩ Redeemer, and Sanctifier, bless you now and forever.

Amen.

Sending Song – Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing (ELW #389)

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Dismissal

Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!