May 20, 2012 Ascension Sunday
Texts: Acts 1:1-11 & John 17:6-19
Title: “Why Ascension Matters”
Focus: The return of Christ to the right hand of God marks the completion of his work. It sets the stage for God’s next step in bringing salvation to the world, which is the sending of the Holy Spirit. The completion of Christ’s work makes the Holy Spirit’s sending possible. Christ’s ascension clears a way to God for those who are in Christ.
Function: We celebrate what Christ has done. He has made a way back to God for creation, and we anticipate the sending of the one who will connect us to Christ, so that we can follow that way.
Pentecost: “In a New Day, We Witness in the Power of the Light’s Spirit”
May 27, 2012 Pentecost Sunday
Texts: Acts 2:1-21
Title: “Holy Spirit Power”
Focus: The Holy Spirit empowers the disciples to speak and act in ways that they are not able to on their own. What is the power of the Holy Spirit that enlivens the disciples? How do we tap into that power in the pattern of the first Pentecost? What does history show us for interpreting this text and its message to us today.
Function: Our hope is to understand the power offered by God in the Holy Spirit and in understanding that power learning how to access this power in our lives. We have great power available to us, if we only choose to embrace it. So often, we do not embrace it looking for other power.
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