Grace Lutheran Church 208 1st Street S.W. P.O. Box 522 Tripoli, Iowa 50676 (319) 882-3579

The northwest window in the sanctuary at Grace Lutheran Church is a picture of Jesus standing in the midst of clouds. It takes several seconds to figure out what the picture is, and then one begins to figure out what it means. 

Why is Jesus standing in the midst of clouds, erect and bold as a king, arms upraised in blessing? Perhaps the answer is found in Luke 24:50-53, where the Bible tells us how Jesus ascended (returned) to heaven in the very action of blessing His disciples. 

Ascension Day is one of the signals that the Easter season is coming to an end. Too often, because this festival of the church year falls on a week day, it is ignored in our churches. Ascension Day, however, remembers the last day on earth of our Savior. Just as Jesus was brought to this life by the miracle of the Holy Spirit at Christmas, Jesus leaves this earth by the miracle of ascension into heaven after promising you and me the same powerful Holy Spirit in our lives. 

As we Christians live out our years in this age of the Holy Spirit, let us worship the ascended King in all His glory.