First Lesson: Acts 1:1-11

Theme: The ascension of the master means the activation of his disciples

Exegetical note
Luke begins his second volume, and thus his account of the second phase of the Gospel, with his version of the ascension of Jesus. The author’s intention here - with the disciples’ question, Jesus’ answer, and the angels’ closing exhortation - is to change the church’s perspective from one of hope for eschatological finality and heavenly bliss to one of missionary zeal and earthly activity.

Call to Worship
Leader: We celebrate today a great event: the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven.
People: IN THAT GREAT EVENT, HE IS EXALTED AND WE ARE INSPIRED.
Leader: Our temptation is that of the witnesses to that event: to wish for this to be the end, and to long to join Christ i…