August 1 2021
ACTS: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Get Ready and Wait
ACTS 1: 6-14 NRSV
Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-CroucH
scripture
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 toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 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.
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 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. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Call to worship
Why are we looking up to heaven?
Christ has come; Christ has risen; Christ will come again.
In Christ, we have the promise of new life now and eternal life to come.
In Christ, we join our hearts to worship God, who prepares us to enter the reign of God.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION & PARDON
Jesus said, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Holy One has set.”
Yet we keep searching for signs and omens, trying to predict the future instead of living fully each day.
Jesus said, “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Yet we are more concerned with following the proper procedures, than with opening our hearts to those around us.
Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”
Forgive us, Holy One, when we try to shape the world according to our desires, instead of asking for the power to do your will.
pardon
The Holy One enlightens the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know the hope to which we are called.
In the name of Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Christ, you are forgiven. Glory to God.