Jesus taken up into Heaven

On the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Sunday closest to Ascension Day, Christians celebrate Jesus being taken up into Heaven.

Ascension is traditionally commemorated on the sixth Thursday after Easter Sunday, the fortieth day from Easter day.

The main Bible reading for today comes from the beginning of the Book of Acts, where Luke continues his Gospel (“my former book”) account and Verses 1-11 of Chapter 1 are titled as per the title of today’s web page.

Below, you will find also the video recording of the service conducted by Rev. Geoff McKee at St James’ Church on 16 May 2021, including other Bible readings, prayers and the Ascension-themed sermon.

By way of further reading, if you wish, Geoff refers in his sermon to a 2016 article by Alan Seale – The Liminal Space – Embracing the Mystery and Power of Transition from What Has Been to What Will Be.

Main reading for today

Acts 1:1-11 (New International Version)
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Service from St James’ Church – 16 May 2021

Landing in a liminal space from time to time is essential for our own transformation and evolution. Although it may not be obvious at first, the liminal space has an agenda for us. And that agenda is usually about letting something dissolve so that we can then discover the next iteration of our lives that is waiting for us.
alan seale