A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

In the first book, Theophanus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up.

After giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them

during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

While meeting with them, he enjoyed them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father about which you have heard me to speak, for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

When they had gathered together, they asked them, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He answered them.

It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the father has established by his own

authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my

witness in Jerusalem throughout Judea and and Samaria, into the ends of

the earth.

When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him

from their sight.

While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white

garments stood beside them.

They said, men of gallery, why are you

standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will

return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven. The word of the Lord.

Thanks to be God.

Please turn the page 164, your breaking back on.

Our response will be, God mounts his throne, a shout of joy, a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts the throne, we shall to joy, a blare of the trumpets for the Lord.

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