Closer & Closer Sermon Series

April 19-May 17
 

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Series Description:

Throughout the season of Easter, we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead. But Jesus is not a ghost. Jesus returns in the flesh to be close once again with his friends and bring them closer to him and to one another. Throughout the season, we have people coming together to respond to the amazing news that Christ is risen. Before Jesus’ first disciples were the heroic saints of the church, they were everyday people like you and me, who gathered to celebrate the good news of the Lord's resurrection.
 

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​​​Sunday, May 17th: 8:45am/11:15am

 

Sermon:​ Closer Still

Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan​​​​

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Synopsis:

Sometimes, we don’t want to be “close” to Jesus. Sometimes, we want to sit back and watch Jesus and others do the work of rebuilding the world, of restoring peace, mercy and justice in a broken world – like watching a magic show from the back of the room, stepping deeper into the shadows when the magician calls for volunteers. Or, like surprised disciples gathering up baskets of bread and fish leftovers after the miracle of feeding thousands with a few scraps. Jesus has entrusted the loaves and fishes to us now, and Holy Spirit to make it possible.​​

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Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 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; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 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." 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards 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."