The Ascension of Our Lord
Readings
Hymns
- 491 Up through Endless Ranks of Angels
- 493 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
- 489 Hail Thee, Festival Day
- 492 On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build
- 680 Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise
- 537 Beautiful Savior
- 821 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
Order of Service: Divine Service, Setting Three
Jesus Is Ascended, but Not Absent
On the fortieth day after His resurrection, our Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father. But although Jesus is hidden from your eyes, He is not absent from you. For He now fills all things in heaven and on earth. He continues “to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1), preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins through those sent in His name (Mark 16:14–20; Luke 24:44–53), giving you His true body and blood in the Supper. Jesus is your great Elijah who pours out on you a double portion of His Spirit in the Word and the Sacraments (2 Kings 2:5–15). He is Lord over all things for the sake of the Church. He whom heaven cannot contain has raised your human nature to share fully in the glory of God. You who believe and are baptized into Christ’s body are already sitting in the heavenly places; for you are in Him who is at the Father’s right hand. When He comes again in the clouds on the Last Day, you also will appear with Him in glory.