The Ascension Is Good News - The Ascension of Our Lord May 16, 2021 - King of Grace Lutheran ...
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The Ascension Is Good News
The Ascension of Our Lord
May 16, 2021KING OF GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | Golden Valley, Minnesota
Welcome to God’s divine service among his saints in his house this morning. If you
experience any kind of barrier to worship, please speak with an usher. There is a hearing
assistance system available, there are activity bags for children, and the service is
streamed live in the Fireside Room down the hall for small children.
Service of the Word
This week we are celebrating the festival of Ascension. Forty days after his resurrection, on a
Thursday, Jesus gathered his disciples on a hillside in Galilee. After final instructions, he left this
world with his visible presence and returned to his native heaven as victor. There, he rules as
King of heaven and earth. That’s good news for those who worry this world is falling apart
beyond repair.
HYMN Crown Him with Many Crowns | #55
1. Crown him with many crowns, 3. Crown him the Lord of Love.
The Lamb upon his throne; Behold his hands and side,
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns Rich wounds, yet visible above,
All music but its own. In beauty glorified.
Awake, my soul, and sing No angel in the sky
Of him who died for thee, Can fully bear that sight,
And hail him as thy matchless King But downward bends his wond’ring
Through all eternity. eye
At mysteries so bright.
2. Crown him the virgin’s son,
The God incarnate born, 4. Crown him the Lord of Life,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won Who triumphed o’er the grave
Which now his brow adorn; And rose victorious in the strife
Fruit of the mystic rose, For those he came to save.
As of that rose the stem; His glories now we sing
The root whence mercy ever flows, Who died and rose on high,
The Babe of Bethlehem. Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die.
Page 25. Crown him the Lord of Heav’n, As thrones before him fall;
Enthroned in worlds above, Crown him, ye kings, with many
Crown him the King to whom is giv’n crowns,
The wondrous name of Love. For he is King of all.
Crown him with many crowns
INVOCATION
P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God,
our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
C: O almighty God, merciful Father: I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess to you all my
sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended you and justly deserved your
temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them, and sincerely
repent of them, and I pray you—of your boundless mercy and for the sake of the
holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ—to
be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
P: I ask each of you, in the presence of God who searches the heart: Do you confess that
you have sinned, and do you repent of your sins?
C: I do.
P: Do you believe that Jesus Christ has redeemed you from all your sins, and do you
desire forgiveness in his name?
C: I do.
P: Upon this your confession, I announce the grace of God to all of you, and in the
place and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins, in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!
Amen.
Page 3HYMN On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build | #392
1. On Christ’s ascension I now build 3. O grant, dear Lord, this grace to
The hope of mine ascension; me,
This hope alone has ever stilled Recalling thine ascension,
All doubt and apprehension; That I may ever walk with thee,
For where the Head is, there full well Adorning thy redemption;
I know his members are to dwell And then, when all my days shall
When Christ shall come and call them. cease,
Let me depart in joy and peace
2. Since he returned to claim his throne, In answer to my pleading.
Great gifts for men obtaining,
My heart shall rest in him alone,
No other rest remaining;
For where my Treasure went before,
There all my thoughts shall ever soar
To still their deepest yearning.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Let us pray that Christ will rule over all: Thank you, eternal Father, that your Son
Jesus ascended to your right hand, to rule over all things as Lord. Keep your church
in the unity that the Spirit gives, and bring all creation to submit to Christ as Lord.
For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT READING Ephesians 1:15–23
God’s mighty power raised Christ from the dead and gave him authority to rule over all other
powers. Christ is the highest power in the universe, a position he uses for the good of his people.
15This is why, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for
all the saints, 16I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I
keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you
the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. 18I pray that the eyes of
your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called
you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, 19and just how
Page 4surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. 20It is as great as the working of his
mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and
seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule, authority, power,
and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the
one to come. 22God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over
everything for the church. 23The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills
everything in every way.
GOSPEL READING Luke 24:44–53
In this last teaching session with his disciples, Jesus told them God’s sweeping plan of
redemption, carried out over thousands of years, is complete. They are witnesses that his work is
finished, and so he can return to heaven.
44He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with
you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the
Prophets, and the Psalms.”
45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46He said to them, “This
is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the
third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all
nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49Look, I am
sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with
power from on high.”
50He led them out as far as the vicinity of Bethany. He lifted up his hands and
blessed them. 51And while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up
into heaven. 52So they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53They
were continually in the temple courts, praising and blessing God. Amen.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
P: Let us confess our holy faith in the words of the Nicene Creed:
C: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all
things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his
Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God,
begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things
Page 5were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and
was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made man; and was
crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; and the
third day he rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and
is seated at the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to
judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from
the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped
and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and
apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look
for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise | #388
1. Hail the day that sees him rise 4. See, he lifts his hands above;
To his throne above the skies! See, he shows the prints of love.
Christ, the Lamb for sinners giv’n, Hark! His gracious lips bestow
Reascends his native heav’n. Blessings on his church below.
2. There the glorious triumph waits: 5. Still for us he intercedes,
Lift your heads, eternal gates, His prevailing death he pleads,
He hath conquered death and sin; Near himself prepares our place,
Take the King of glory in! Harbinger of human race.
3. See, the heav’n its Lord receives, 6. There we shall with thee remain
Yet he loves the earth he leaves; Partners of thy endless reign,
Though returning to his throne, There thy face unclouded see,
Still he calls mankind his own. Find our heav’n of heav’ns in thee.
Page 6SERMON The Ascension Is Good News | Acts 1:1–11
Jesus’ ascension isn’t some weird extraterrestrial elevation or just that Jesus floated away. This is
enthronement language from Daniel chapter 7. What the disciples saw is connected to the Son of
Man coming on the clouds of heaven up into the presence of God to sit on his throne.
1I wrote my first book, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began doing and teaching
2until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to
the apostles he had chosen. 3After he had suffered, he presented himself alive to the
apostles with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days
and told them things about the kingdom of God.
4Once, when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not depart from
Jerusalem, but wait for what the Father promised, which you heard from me. 5For John
baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from
now.”
6So when they were together with him, they asked, “Lord, is this the time when you
are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has
set by his own authority. 8But 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.”
9After he said these things, he was taken up while they were watching, and a cloud
took him out of their sight. 10They were looking intently into the sky as he went away.
Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood beside them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken
up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into
heaven.”HYMN Create in Me
Service of the Sacrament
The consecrated bread and wine are also the true flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus, which
suffered for our sins, and which was raised to life again. The Supper is shared by members of our
doctrinal fellowship who declare agreement with all the teachings of our congregation.
P: Let us pray: It is truly, good, right, and beneficial that we should at all times and in
all places give thanks to you, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who ascended with his human nature into heaven that he
might make us partakers of his divine nature. Therefore with angels and archangels
and with all the company of heaven we praise and worship your glorious name,
forever praising you and saying:
Page 8HYMN Holy, Holy, Holy
LORD’S PRAYER
C: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Page 9CONSECRATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND RECEPTION P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying: “Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup after supper, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying: “Drink of it all of you; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” DISTRIBUTION HYMN Lamb of God Page 10
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing | #389
1. A hymn of glory let us sing! 5. O grant us thitherward to tend
New songs throughout the world And with unwearied hearts ascend,
shall ring: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Unto thy kingdom’s throne, where
Christ, by a road before untrod. thou,
Ascendeth to the throne of God. As is our faith, art seated now.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. The holy apostolic band 6. Be thou our Joy and strong
Upon the Mount of Olives stand. Defense,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Who art our future Recompense:
And with his followers they see Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus’ resplendent majesty. So shall the light that springs from
Alleluia! Alleluia! thee
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Be ours through all eternity.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. To whom the angels, drawing nigh, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
“Why stand and gaze upon the sky?”
Alleluia! Alleluia! 7. O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
“This is the Savior!” thus they say, All praise to thee let earth accord,
“This is his noble triumph-day.” Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Who art, while endless ages run,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! With Father and with Spirit One.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. “Again shall ye behold him so Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
As ye today have seen him go.”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
“In glorious pomp ascending high
Up to the portals of the sky.”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Page 11BLESSING P: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his precious blood, strengthen and preserve you in the true faith to everlasting life. Depart in peace. Amen. THANKSGIVING HYMN Simeon’s Song
PRAYER
P: Let us pray: O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in
loving kindness sent your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank you that on the
basis of his work you have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament. We ask you
not to abandon your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by your Holy
Spirit, so that we may be empowered constantly to serve you. We pray through Jesus
Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
true God, now and forever. Amen.
BENEDICTION
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be
gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Page 13Announcements
Send announcements to bulletin@kog-els.org.
BAPTISM
We welcome a new Christian into our family this morning through the waters of holy
Baptism. Nolan Nathan Carr was born on May 12th and is born again this morning.
Standing at the font with his parents, Travis and Natalie, are Adam and Lindsey Carr.
BAPTISM
Whitley Michael Browning was born on April 21 to Alex and Leigh and received at King
of Grace through the waters of holy Baptism at the Browning home on April 28. His
sponsors are Scott and Katie Roeber and Jennifer Browning. May the Lord bless and
keep Whitley!
VOTERS’ MEETING
Attend the spring voters’ meeting on Tuesday, 5/18 at 7:00 pm. We will approve the new
fiscal year budget, the new slate of nominations for boards and committees, and
requests for the use of unallocated funds for capital projects. A link for the Zoom
meeting will be on our homepage, .
RETIREMENT PARTY / SPRING FLING
Join us Sunday, 5/23 beginning at noon for a spring party honoring Pastor Ekhoff’s
retirement. A catered lunch will be provided and the Divers will entertain (a band from
our Bethany Lutheran College). Bring a blanket or chairs for the lawn.
VBS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteer to help with Vacation Bible School at King of Grace during the week of June
14–17 from 9:00–11:30 am. We need people to teach, distribute snacks, supervise kids, or
just hang out as a good adult role model. Sign up at or talk to
Pastor Wiechmann or Emily Shoop with questions.
WEST LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
Mark your calendars as online bidding opens next Thursday, May 20th for West
Lutheran's 2021 Fund-A -Need which will support our building and grounds needs!
Page 14See the link below for additional information. If you have any questions or need help in
the bidding process, please reach out to ngomke@westlutheran.net.
https://westlutheranhighschool.factsmgtadmin.com/form/JUHCYfJ6R
WISE PENNY VOTERS’ MEETING
RSVP to attend the Wise Penny Thrift Shoppe voters’ meeting on Saturday, 5/22 at
9:00 am in Delano to elect the members of the board. (763) 682-4178 or
. All members at King of Grace are eligible voters. In
2019, Wise Penny donated over $250,000 to West Lutheran High School, Christian Life
Ministries, and the Lutheran Institutional Ministerial Association.
ADOPT A GARDEN AT KING OF GRACE
Talk to Allen Labitzky if you can volunteer to take care of a certain section of the
gardens this year. Thanks to Vern Wolff, Chuck Thomforde, Mary Farquhar, the Voelker
family, the Ferkenstad family, Maggie Slaker, Beth Gauger, Karen Merseth, Sharon
Gieseke, Leah Wandersee, and the Woodington family for already adopting a section.
Special thanks to Allen & Becky Labitzky for loving this work at our church!
CAMP INDIANHEAD
Youth ages 11–17: register to attend Camp Indianhead this summer, July 11–16, in
Henning, MN. Cost is $300. Ask a pastor for registration forms.
CAMP INDIANHEAD COUNSELORS
Young men 18 years or older are needed to serve as counselors at Camp Indianhead.
They will be paid a $200 stipend plus gas reimbursement. Talk to a pastor for more info.
Altar flowers
Randy and Julie Voelker gave the altar flowers this week in grateful thanks for the
blessings of children and grandchildren and also in celebration of the marriage of their
daughter Katie to Ben Langworthy.
Attendance last week: 334 worshiped on Sunday and 24 worshiped on Monday.
Offerings last week:
Average Needed Per Sunday: $17,167 Average Needed Year to Date: $755,348
Received Last Week: $11,663 Received Year to Date: $791,473
Page 15Calendar
Today 9:30 am Bible study and Sunday school
Monday 6:30 pm Communion service
Tuesday 9:30 am Women’s Bible study
7:00 pm Women’s Bible study (online)
7:00 pm Voters’ meeting
Thursday 7:00 pm Choir rehearsal
Saturday 8:30 am Men’s Bible study
8:30 am Women’s coffee, crochet, and crafts
Sunday 8:15 & 10:45 am Worship service
9:30 am Bible study and Sunday school
Preacher.................. Rev. Aaron Ferkenstad | Organist................................ Karen Merseth
Preservice piano ................ Will Magnuson | Pianist (Monday) ............... Emily Bredeson
Ushers today.................................. Jim Ringen, Jim Cummings, Lon Rogness, Dustin Lange
Ushers next Sunday .....Butch Broberg, Ryan McDowell, Lon Rogness, Bill Wasmund
Video team today ............................................................................... Kirk and Tim Guillaume
Video team next Sunday .................................................................. Katherine Guillaume
Coffee clean-up today .........................................................................................Board of Youth
Coffee setup next Sunday ............................................................................. Altos & Basses
Coffee clean-up next Sunday ..................................................................Board of Trustees
Altar guild ............................................................................ Kathy Reason and Anne Bechtold
King of Grace Lutheran Church and School
Golden Valley, MN
6000 Duluth Street | 763-546-3131 | www.kingofgracelutheran.com
Member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Pastors: Aaron Ferkenstad and Ben Wiechmann | Principal: Allen Labitzky
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