Pastor’s Note: Jesus’ Ascension and Pentecost
By Rev Anthony Loh
Give Thanks
April was an event-filled month. During the Holy Week, we observed Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter – remembering Jesus’ last days with His disciples, His death and resurrection.
In the month, we were also kept busy with the Enrolment Service of the Boys’ Brigade 28th Company from Yuhua Secondary School and Shuqun Primary School on 16th April, followed by the Enrolment Service of the Girls’ Brigade 51st Company from Shuqun Primary School on 30th April. It was our pleasure to welcome the principals and teachers from the schools, and also the parents of the boys and girls joining us on the special occasions.
April was also exciting, as we welcomed 18 brothers and sisters to the big JCC family through baptism and transfers.
Everything good is because of God’s grace and favour. We give thanks to God who is always leading us through Jesus Christ.
Important Dates in May
In May, we have two key dates to mark on our calendar. On 18th May 2023, we commemorate the Ascension of Jesus to Heaven and on 28th May 2023 (Pentecost Sunday), we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Jerusalem church on the first Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection.
The Ascension
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The Ascension is clearly expressed in the Apostles’ Creed in the article that says, “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”
What is the significance of the Ascension? Let’s look at what happened before and after:
Before the Ascension, Jesus said to His disciples, ““Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mk 16:15)
“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.” (Mk 16:19)
“Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mk 16:20)
Therefore, when we commemorate the Ascension, we recall the Great Commission that the Lord gave His disciples, and we learn to emulate the disciples’ obedience. The Ascension reminds us that we need to go out and preach the gospel everywhere.
Pentecost Sunday
On Maundy Thursday (at the Last Supper) Jesus let on that He would be leaving His disciples. However, He gave them a clear promise that He would send them the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17) They were to wait in Jerusalem for the fulfillment of this promise. (Acts 1:4)
So, as promised, when the disciples were gathered in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after Jesus’ Ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon them as a “power from on high” and transformed the fearful disciples into fearless witnesses. (Acts 2)
“The Holy Spirit took that motley collection of disciples who had followed Jesus for as long as three years and turned them into a unified body. It is the Holy Spirit, sent to us at Pentecost, that draws us into the body of Christ.” – Ed Jarett in Christianity.com
We too can avail ourselves of the Holy Spirit empowerment to transform our life and witnessing – working as ONE in the body of Christ. (1 Cor 6:19)
Jesus will Return Again
During the Ascension of Jesus, the angels (‘two men dressed in white’) attested that this same Jesus who has been taken into heaven will come back in the same way. (Acts 1:10-11)
When He returns to establish His reign, no one can miss Him. (Rev 1:7)
Will we be ready to meet Him like the five wise virgins? (Mt 25:1-13)
Here is the prayer focus for the month of May.
a) Revival of JCC
– The Holy Spirit to guide the leadership of JCC to advance in the Lord’s service.
– Boldness for the Care Group Leaders and the Core Team in tending to the life, growth and health of the cell group ministry.
– Empowerment for every JCCian to live the Spirit-filled life.
– Goshen Initiative to make a deeper impact on the community.
b) AGM 2023
– Praise God for His blessings in 2022 and pray for His continuing divine direction for 2023.
– May God’s will be manifested in the election of the new Council. May the Councilmen be blessed to serve with wisdom and boldness for the advancement of His Kingdom.
c) David & Goliath Preschool (DGP)
– Enable and empower the principal and teachers to continue their progress in reaching out to the children and parents with Christian love.
– Pray for the provision of new staff to meet DGP’s growing needs. Pray that God will send the right people who feel His calling to join the DGP as teachers and volunteer assistants.
d) JCC Retreat 2023
– Wisdom for the retreat speaker, Mr. Yap KM, to minister strongly to the retreat participants.
– A God-seeking heart in every retreat participant.
– Lives to be transformed.
– Strengthening the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph 4:3)
Responses