W/C 23rd May

This week's Bible reading is Acts 1:1-11

Luke Writes Another Book

Dear Theophilus,

The first book I wrote was about everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day he was carried up into heaven. Before he went, he talked to the apostles he had chosen. With the help of the Holy Spirit, he told them what they should do. This was after his death, but he showed them that he was alive, proving it to them in many ways. The apostles saw Jesus many times during the 40 days after he was raised from death. He spoke to them about God’s kingdom. One time when Jesus was eating with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, “Wait here until you receive what the Father promised to send. Remember, I told you about it before. John baptized people with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Is Carried Up Into Heaven

The apostles were all together. They asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time for you to give the people of Israel their kingdom again?”

Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only one who has the authority to decide dates and times. They are not for you to know. But the Holy Spirit will come on you and give you power. You will be my witnesses. You will tell people everywhere about me—in Jerusalem, in the rest of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.”

After Jesus said this, he was lifted up into the sky. While they were watching, he went into a cloud, and they could not see him. They were staring into the sky where he had gone. Suddenly two men wearing white clothes were standing beside them. They said, “Men from Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? You saw Jesus carried away from you into heaven. He will come back in the same way you saw him go.”

Our collective worship

We recapped the Easter story and thought about Ascension day. 

We used a heart shaped helium balloon to represent Jesus rising to Heaven and we considered what Heaven means to us. 

Christians believe that Jesus is stronger than death because he came back to life and you can't get more powerful than that!

Christians also believe that Jesus is still alive in heaven and that they can speak to him through prayer. 

Prayer for the week

Dear God,
we thank you that you are always with us.
When we see the sun in the sky,
we remember you are there.
When we feel the rain on our faces,
we remember you are there.
When we watch the birds flying,
we remember you are there,
When we sing and pray together,
we remember you are there.
When it is dark and we feel alone,
help us to remember you are there.
Amen.