Hello, Reader!
This Sunday, we gather in the space between Christ's Ascension and Pentecost—a time of waiting, prayer, and trust in God's protection. Our readings show us how to live faithfully after Jesus has departed, even though the Spirit has not yet arrived.
Join us today for Mass with Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh!
FIRST READING – Acts 1:6–14 After the Ascension, the disciples return to Jerusalem and devote themselves to prayer. Before Jesus departs, he promises power from the Holy Spirit and commissions his followers as witnesses to the ends of the earth. Rather than scatter in despair, the apostles gather in an upper room, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, in faithful expectation.
PSALM 68:1–10, 33–36 A hymn to God's power and care for the vulnerable. God rides through the heavens, brings forth prisoners into freedom, and provides for the poor. The psalmist invites all to sing praise to the God who dwells in his holy habitation.
EPISTLE – 1 Peter 4:12–14; 5:6–11 Peter addresses a suffering community, reminding them that their trials are not strange but a sharing in Christ's sufferings. He calls them to humility and faith: cast all anxiety on God, for he cares for you. The God of all grace will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.
GOSPEL – John 17:1–11 In his deepest prayer, Jesus asks the Father to protect and unify his disciples, just as he and the Father are one. Eternal life is described as knowing God and Jesus Christ. Jesus fully reveals himself to his disciples and entrusts them into the Father's care.
We live in the in-between—Christ has ascended, the Spirit has not yet come, and we are called to wait in prayer, trusting that we are held within Jesus' own prayer and protected in God's name. We are not orphaned or abandoned but united as one in him.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Read the full readings and reflections
The podcast of today's service will be available later today on your favorite podcast platform, or you can listen here.
Don’t forget to review this week's announcements and the church calendar.
This week in your prayers, please include those on our prayer list to help strengthen our community.
If you need inspiration for prayer, consider the Book of Common Prayer or these prayers to guide your prayer journey.
Blessings, and have a great week!
