Alleluia! Christ is risen!

I am still reveling from our perfect weather parking lot Easter festival just six weeks ago. So much joy! I love that we are ‘loud and proud’ with our alleluias in worship at Prince of Peace and I look forward to this coming Sunday, the Seventh (and last) Sunday of Easter. Yes, every Sunday is a resurrection celebration, but most likely with fewer alleluias.

Before Sunday gets here the Church commemorates the Ascension of our risen Lord Jesus. It is always 40 days after the Resurrection of our Lord, therefore always on a Thursday. Increasingly the Festival Day is included in the Seventh Sunday of Easter worship. We’ll do that! You know the story because it is part of our confessional creeds. Christ, in the presence of his followers, bodily ascends into heaven, and we believe sits at the right of God the Father. Luke thought that was so important that he told it at the end of his Gospel account and also at the beginning of his account of the Acts of the Apostles. It is important so we’ll hear both this Sunday. And, of course, let a few more alleluias ascend to God also!

Luke describes what the disciples saw, namely, Jesus lifting up before their eyes until they could no longer see him. Think slow motion rocket launch. My hunch is that Jesus could still see them. Think of those glimpses from space shuttle windows back at the earth. The view from the right hand of God must be cosmic, beyond even global. That is a comforting thought given the hurt and pain of this whole planet. Jesus has the whole world in his loving gaze.

What a perfect reminder as we enter the building this weekend! Our Global Mission Ministry is hosting a 2021 World Tour this weekend before and after worship.

There will be a table for each of our twelve ministry partners around the world. Each table will be hosted by a Prince of Peace member. Everyone attending will be given a passport booklet with information about each partner ministry which includes a section to get your passport stamped at each table. Why, yes, those who get all twelve stamps in their passport will get a little treat too! While supplies last. The booths will stay up for a week or so, but the ‘tour’ is this weekend only! I hope you can be there too.

This event kicks off our funding effort for our global partners this year. Alas, no Closet Cause again this year, but our global partnerships continue. If you have ever wanted to bring real hope to hurting sisters and brothers, I know you will be inspired by this year’s tour. God is doing some amazing things in this world, and we are incredibly blessed to be part of it. When you see what God is doing through these partners, and what a difference they are making and what a witness it is, I pray a spirit of generosity overflows within us.

See you on the tour this Sunday!

Pastor Jim Wilson