June 1 Virtual Worship
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Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Scripture Lesson
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:6-14
Sermon: Life in the Spirit, Getting Our Heads Out of the Clouds
Acts 1:6-14
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.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Key Idea of the Sermon
After forty days (a number of significance in the Biblical narrative, bringing to mind the forty years of wilderness wandering at the time of the Exodus, and Jesus’ forty days of testing in the wilderness) of resurrection appearances and additional instruction, Jesus returned to heaven. We might not blame the disciples for staring off into heaven after Jesus’ ascension. They must have been thinking, “What now!?” Thankfully, two messengers from God encouraged them to get back to the work of praying and preparing for the promised birth of the Spirit (Acts 1:4-5)
Questions for Reflection
With the momentous events of Jesus’ death and resurrection, you can see why the disciples wanted to know if this was the time for the hoped-for fulfillment of triumph for Divine peace and goodness. But some questions, at least for now, are not to be answered. What are the questions that elude you and that will be on your mind in God’s heaven?
• Stargazing can be inspiring, but the real work of disciples is on the earth. What are God’s messengers calling you to do right now and right where you are?
• How might prayer prepare you for your next chapter in discipleship? What is the first step you need to take in this new chapter?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Be inspired by the mystery of creation, then apply Divine beauty and wonder to the ordinary events of daily life. Elevate the mundane with an eye for mystery in the mission.
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
