Ascension Day
Knowing the amount of emphasis many churches have on the End Times, the book of Revelation, and that whole genre, I’m genuinely surprised that there are very few (if any) Protestant (especially Evangelical) churches that recognize Ascension Day as part of their calendars. It seems like it would tie into the anticipation of Christ’s return as King of Kings quite nicely.
So – for a project in one of my classes, I’m designing a service for Ascension Day. Yes, this is similar to the baptism project I did earlier (I got an A – thanks for all the help!), but I don’t anticipate as much Catholic and Orthodox “flavor” as with the baptism. Of course, their worship services are the only ones I’ve been able to find reference to, so I’m sure there will be some influence from them – just not as much as the baptism service.
So again I ask you O Reader of MattDanTodd Land, if you were designing a worship service focusing on the ascension of Jesus into heaven, what would it look like?
Any songs you can think of that would tie in? What about movie clips, dramas, or artwork?
definitely Jesus coming back down and saying “I forgot to tell you…”
Newsboys has a song about second coming, something about “When he comes back again.” Focuses on keeping our passion warm. (When you come back again/will you get me something from the fridge/I heard that the end is near/but I just got comfortable here.)
That would be awesome!
Here’s what a guy on a Myspace group suggested…
I think there should be a rock concert. At the finale, Jesus performs a 10 minute guitar solo as he is raised above the crowd. Fog machines fill the building and the crowd chants “JESUS! JESUS! JESUS!” for about 5 minutes hoping for a kick ass encore. The fog clears, Jesus is gone, but one of the band members informs the audience that “Jesus will be back some day… for the Second Coming World Tour!!! Until then keep rockin!!!”
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
rock on.
That song might work. The only one I can come up with so far is Rich Mullins “That Where I am, There you may also be.”
I guess it could begin with the hymn with the chorus that says “Up from the grave he arose…With a mighty triumph o’er his foes.” I know it’s more of an Easter song, but it fits with the victory associated with ascension, too.