An Ascension Celebration
/By Pastor Matt Clark
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.” Acts 1:8-9
The action in this reading from Acts 1 takes place at Jesus’ ascension. Sadly, Ascension Day has been called the “forgotten festival” by some. Jesus’ ascension up into His Father’s presence forty days after Easter is often overlooked, and few congregations hold worship services to celebrate this event.
But there was recently much celebrating on Ascension Day at Ascension Lutheran Church in St. Louis! There, a special Ascension service was held, sponsored by three St. Louis congregations: Ascension, St. Johns, and Timothy. The service was held outdoors, under the same sky into which Jesus ascended.
What made this service truly special was the baptisms of twelve Nepalese new Americans and the confirmations of 14 Nepalese new Americans. The baptisms and confirmations were administered by Pastor Matt Clark with Pastors Michael Tanney, Bill Wilson, and Chris Agne assisting. Nepali Evangelist Gagan Gurung translated the rites of Baptism and Confirmation into Nepali. In partnership with CFNA, these new Americans have found a home at Ascension and a home in the family of God as baptized brothers and sisters in Christ.
On Ascension Day 2015, it was moving to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ being spread “to the ends of the earth,” right here in St. Louis!
Special thanks for photos provided by Sarah Gibbs! Click HERE for more wonderful photos!
Rev. Allan buckman standing to the left of gagan gurung, who serves as the nepali ministry facilitator. with them are some of those who were baptized and/or confirmed on ascension day. the others were baptized and/or confirmed previously, and all have been recipients of services provided by CFNA.
