Dear Saints and Friends of Grace & Trinity,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
SUNDAY
Yesterday was the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord. There we see our Lord crowned and seated at the right hand of the Father. That does NOT mean, however, that He’s now located somewhere away or apart from us. The right hand of the Father is the power of God. So now, Jesus—with both flesh and divinity—is with us always, always at work forgiving our sin, comforting us in our weakness, and drawing us into His immortality. It’s His ascension that gives us the confidence to call upon Him now, trusting that He will hear us, be gracious to us, and answer us.
[Another somewhat nerdy language excursion through the Introit’s Antiphon…read at your own risk!]
That “hear, be gracious, and answer” is what Exaudi Sunday is all about. I’ve found much joy in looking into these Introit antiphons, from which the Sundays after Easter get their names. Exaudi, the Sunday between the Ascension and Pentecost, is Latin for “to hear plainly, favorably, or listen.” Interestingly, Psalm 27:7 [Ps 26 in the Vulgate and the Septuagint] uses both audi and exaudi. Our antiphon seems to conflate the two. The Greek uses eisakouo for both words. Best is the Hebrew, which has shema at first and ’ana second. So, the Hebrew begins with a call to God to hear and it ends with a call to answer. Only faith connects the hearing to the doing. Faith trusts that God will be who He has promised to be. The other word that creeps in Ps 27 in Hebrew is chaneni, “be gracious to me,” which in Latin is miserere mei and in Greek it’s eleieson me.
So, Ps 27:7 marks our Sunday between the Ascension and Pentecost by the faith that cries out to God, looks to Him to be gracious (and merciful), and trusts that He will answer. Our Collect of the Day captures that posture of holding God to His word: “leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father.” The Old Testament reading from Ezekiel (36:22-28) promises this new Spirit that He will put within us, vindicating His holy name. 1 Peter 4:7-14 talks about this Spirit of glory and of God that rests upon you, giving you to share both in the sufferings of Christ as well as His glory. And finally, in today’s Gospel Jesus promises to send the Helper (Paraclete), the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father. With Christ ascended at the right hand of the Father, we rejoice in the Holy Spirit who always preaches Christ to us and for our salvation.
Bible Study will be at Trinity at 9:30am. Join us!
For those not yet comfortable to join us in person, here’s the bulletin for Sunday to follow along with at home. Please remember to give your offering to the Lord for the service of the Church, either by mailing a check or donating through our PayPal account (Grace, Trinity). I know this is a difficult financial time for many, so if you need assistance, please let us know! We are so thankful for the continued generosity shown to both congregations during this time. Also, here’s the news/notes, and the congregation at prayer for Sunday. If you’ve missed any of the services and don’t have FB, please see my YouTube channel.
Coming up…
- Today:
- Private Absolution is offered every Friday from 4-5pm at Trinity
- Sunday:
- 8am Divine Service at Grace
- 9:30am Bible Study at Trinity
- 11am Divine Service at Trinity (w/Live-Stream on FB)
- 3:30pm Grace Elders’ Meeting at Grace
- Monday – Friday:
- 9am Matins at Grace (w/Live-Stream on Grace’s FB page)
- Tuesday:
- 7-8:30pm “Final Tuesday Marriage & Family Class” at Trinity.
- Wednesday:
- 9:30am Bible Study, Grace
- 11am Divine Service, Grace
- 5:15pm Youth Catechesis, Trinity **last one!
- 7pm Evening Prayer (w/Live-Stream on Trinity’s FB page)
- Immediately following the Service, we’ll have the Confirmation examination for Gabe Araiza—please join us!
- Thursday:
- 5pm Reformation Festival Planning Mtg. at Immanuel
- 7:30pm Hall of Men at the Ladder
- Friday:
- 4-5pm Private Absolution at Trinity
- 5:30pm Araiza Wedding Rehearsal
- Saturday:
- 10am Pentecost Vigil Divine Service at Trinity with Confirmation of Gabe Araiza
- 3pm Carlos Araiza and Tiffany Payne Wedding at Trinity
Other things…
- Consider attending the EDI Seminar, “Hope in the Age of Anxiety.” This seminar is limited to 12 participants in person. However, a donation of $25 or more will give you digital access to the material and a live-feed of the conversation. Join us June 5-6 for this opportunity. Donate here.
- Pentecost Sunday, the 31st, we’ll have our monthly Elders’ Book Study (which, as you know, is open to all) at 3:30pm at Grace. We’re reading our way through Martin Luther’s Freedom of a Christian. Last month’s attempt via Zoom was less than fulfilling. Let’s redeem that this time around as we meet in person.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
Many blessings and much joy to you all in Christ our life,
-Pastor