So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11)

The picture above is of the Ascension of Jesus. It is in the final conversation Jesus has with his disciples that he informs that that they are to be his witnesses. It would be their job to tell others about him. When they seem enamored with the sight of Jesus ascending before them the angels remind them not to be distracted by looking at the heavens – Christ would be returning to earth. The disciples were to pay attention to the world around them and engage it on behalf of Jesus.

Our commitment as baptized people is to share the good news of God in Christ for we trust that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus graciously bring life and love to all who believe. Because faith has brought us new life, we know the value of that faith and answer the call to share the good news with others. We hope that the Holy Spirit will work through our witness and bring faith to others too.

When Redeemer’s founders were establishing this congregation a hundred years ago, they adopted a statement of purpose that said they were to be about “Our Fathers’ Faith in Our Children’s Language.” As people of mostly German heritage, it was their desire to not be an ethnic clique on the edge of a growing new world, but to be a relevant and powerful ministry at the center of people’s lives. The people who formed this ministry, many of whom had grown up and been catechized in German, would do ministry in English since that was the language of their children. They were more than caretakers of the past – they were shapers of the faith of the future. And they wanted the next generation to believe the good news!

Redeemer’s roots are grounded in the charge of Jesus in the scripture above, “You shall be my witnesses…” One of the central reasons the church exists is to take the faith of those within its walls and proclaim it to others, both close at hand and “to the ends of the earth.” In the world in which we live, more and more people are disconnected from the faith and need to hear grace proclaimed in winsome and invitational ways. God’s call and desire is to use each of us to proclaim the good news – in ways big and small – that they may know of the gracious and loving God who has claimed us in Christ.

By your word, eternal God, your creation sprang forth, and we were given the breath of life.  By your word, eternal God, death is overcome, Christ is raised from the tomb, and we are given new life in the power of your Spirit.  May we boldly proclaim this good news in our words and our deeds, rejoicing always in your powerful presence, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.  Amen – ELW p. 75