This Sunday we come to the final scene of Luke’s Gospel. Jesus appears to the disciples, proves the reality of his resurrection, and opens their minds to understand the scriptures, saying…

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:46-49)

GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY for ALL THE PEOPLES! After blessing them, Jesus ascends into heaven with the promise that the Father would soon clothe them with power from on high to carry out this mission of mercy to the world.

“And they worshiped him… with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” (Luke 24:52-53)

And so Luke’s Gospel, part 1 ends with a “to be continued.” (We will return to part 2, the book of Acts in the Spring of 2024!)

This Sunday Randy Gruendyke will be preaching Luke 24:36-53 and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you take time to read this passage and pray for each as they prepare? And Romans 8:11 is a great prompt for us to pray for one another, who have now been clothed with power from on high.

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

May the Lord continue to give us this newness of life in increasing measure as we gather to encourage one another. See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!

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SONG OF THE WEEK

As We Leave This Place by Tommy Walker

As we leave this place
Fill us with Your love and grace
That we may be more like You
With every single step we take
As we’re on our way
May every thought and word we say
Be filled with beauty, hope, and faith
As we go out in Your name