The Feast of the Ascension - Evensong

Thursday, May 14, was the Feast of the Ascension, where the apostles gazed towards the heavens as Jesus ascended before their very eyes. For forty days after His resurrection, Jesus had appeared to his followers, reminding them that the power of the Holy Spirit would guide them as they bore witness to His Good News to the ends of the earth. On this 40th day, Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God.

Emmanuel Opelika hosted a glorious Evensong service to commemorate the Feast of the Ascension. As a reminder, “Evensong is a musical form of evening prayer, most familiar in the Anglican and Episcopal traditions. It’s typically held in cathedrals, collegiate chapels, and parish churches, often at the close of the day. Unlike many other church services, much of Evensong is sung by a choir, accompanied by an organ, with the congregation usually participating through silent reflection or by joining in a few responses and hymns. The primary purpose of Evensong is to offer thanks for the day that is past, to seek spiritual peace for the evening ahead, and to provide attendees with a space for contemplation through beautiful music and scripture.” (Epiphany, Seattle)

Choir members from Emmanuel, St. Dunstan’s, and Holy Trinity blended their heavenly voices to lead the congregation in song and prayer. Readings from the Book of Acts and the Gospel of Luke retold the story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven.

Bishop-Elect Richard Lawson offered a simple, yet profound message, acknowledging the mystery of Christ’s ascension. Bishop-Elect Richard affirmed that Jesus is both HERE and THERE, at once in our very being and beyond what we could ever hope or imagine. Jesus is with us and with God.

As we contemplate the mystery and meaning of Christ’s ascension, let us pray:

O Lord, you who rise like fire into the heavens, rise in our hearts this day, we pray, so that we might enthrone you here on earth and welcome your rule in all that we do and say this day. We pray this in the name of Jesus, The One who, in leaving the few behind, draws ever nearer to all. Amen. (Prayers for the Pilgrimage, p. 65)

Eastertide Blessings,

Judy Q+