What is Ascension Day?
We had Resurrection Day to celebrate. Have you wondered about Ascension Day? Which day do we mark that event? This year it is May 18th! Have you been aware of it? Although Jesus was raised from the dead, His ministry on the earth didn’t end.
The following 6 points highlight the significant of the ascension:
1. Jesus continues to work after His ascension.
Jesus works from heaven through His people by the Holy Spirit to achieve God’s purposes.
2. The ascended Lord Jesus enlists the Holy Spirit to assist His people.
Before His ascension, Jesus told His followers,
3. Jesus’s ascension is His return to His Father.
Before/after His death and Resurrection, Jesus proclaims that His Father sent Him, and Jesus must go back to His Father:
4. Jesus’s ascension is His heavenly “inauguration” as King.
At Jesus’s ascension He became as the genuine King of the world. Based on the Apostles’ Creed, He “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”
Jesus’s kingdom cannot be terminated. According to (Revelation 3:21), Jesus conquered and seated down with His Father on His throne, where He receives praise forever (Revelation 5:6-13). Therefore, God’s kingdom has been inaugurated through the enthronement of Jesus, who now sits on heaven’s throne.
5. The ascended Lord Jesus is our heavenly mediator.
Jesus assumes the role as the unique mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). His death and resurrection confirm our forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation with God (Roman 4:25-5:1).
6. The ascended Lord Jesus will come back as King and Judge.
In Acts 1:11, two angels explain to the disciples, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Jesus’s heavenly reign will one day be fully recognized on earth (Revelation 11:15; 19:10-16; 22:3). Likewise, we ask for when we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) Upon His return, the Lord Jesus will provide divine judgment.
~~ Pastor Andy
We had Resurrection Day to celebrate. Have you wondered about Ascension Day? Which day do we mark that event? This year it is May 18th! Have you been aware of it? Although Jesus was raised from the dead, His ministry on the earth didn’t end.
The following 6 points highlight the significant of the ascension:
1. Jesus continues to work after His ascension.
Jesus works from heaven through His people by the Holy Spirit to achieve God’s purposes.
2. The ascended Lord Jesus enlists the Holy Spirit to assist His people.
Before His ascension, Jesus told His followers,
- “I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
3. Jesus’s ascension is His return to His Father.
Before/after His death and Resurrection, Jesus proclaims that His Father sent Him, and Jesus must go back to His Father:
- “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” (John 16:28)
- I am returning to my Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17)
4. Jesus’s ascension is His heavenly “inauguration” as King.
At Jesus’s ascension He became as the genuine King of the world. Based on the Apostles’ Creed, He “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.”
Jesus’s kingdom cannot be terminated. According to (Revelation 3:21), Jesus conquered and seated down with His Father on His throne, where He receives praise forever (Revelation 5:6-13). Therefore, God’s kingdom has been inaugurated through the enthronement of Jesus, who now sits on heaven’s throne.
5. The ascended Lord Jesus is our heavenly mediator.
Jesus assumes the role as the unique mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). His death and resurrection confirm our forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation with God (Roman 4:25-5:1).
6. The ascended Lord Jesus will come back as King and Judge.
In Acts 1:11, two angels explain to the disciples, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Jesus’s heavenly reign will one day be fully recognized on earth (Revelation 11:15; 19:10-16; 22:3). Likewise, we ask for when we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) Upon His return, the Lord Jesus will provide divine judgment.
~~ Pastor Andy
Lt Col. Hal Moore Do you recall a movie called, “We Were Soldiers” about a devout Christian?
Here is the real devout Christian solider Lt Col. Hal Moore, pictured here. While being severely outnumbered by 7-1, he led his unit to win the first battle in the Vietnam War, but lost some of his troops. He lost 79 men; 120 were wounded, while 600 Viet Cong soldiers were annihilated. In battle, and at other tough times, he called on God to help him, to protect him and his men, and to help him accomplish the mission. He even encouraged his troops to honor God. Veterans, thanks for serving the country. Pray for the lost ones.
Prayer for Honor
God of Heaven’s Armies, as I ponder about the fallen soldiers, my heart breaks for their loved ones. Honor them today with my prayer. Thank You for their sacrifice and I pray that their life termination will not be in vain. Amen.
~~ Pastor Andy
Here is the real devout Christian solider Lt Col. Hal Moore, pictured here. While being severely outnumbered by 7-1, he led his unit to win the first battle in the Vietnam War, but lost some of his troops. He lost 79 men; 120 were wounded, while 600 Viet Cong soldiers were annihilated. In battle, and at other tough times, he called on God to help him, to protect him and his men, and to help him accomplish the mission. He even encouraged his troops to honor God. Veterans, thanks for serving the country. Pray for the lost ones.
Prayer for Honor
God of Heaven’s Armies, as I ponder about the fallen soldiers, my heart breaks for their loved ones. Honor them today with my prayer. Thank You for their sacrifice and I pray that their life termination will not be in vain. Amen.
~~ Pastor Andy
One step forward, two steps back
In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Maryland prison system closed all facilities to outside visitors, and suspend all programs and all religious services where inmates routinely gathered.
In May 2022 the prison system began to ease up on restrictions and we were finally able to resume our weekly Bible study with our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing brothers in prison. Then the Delta variant hit, and our programs were cancelled again.
By January 2023 Delta had faded and we were allowed back in. After barely a month, our programs were suspended again as the institution responded to an urgent facility maintenance concern.
Three months later, we have now received word that the maintenance problem has been sufficiently repaired to allow us back in for Bible study. If all goes well, we will have made our first return visit by the time you receive this issue of the Mustard Seed.
During these long and frequent delays, prison rules prevented us from having any direct contact with the men in our program. No phone or VP calls; no letters; no personal visits. The Mustard Seed has been the only way we have to let them know that they haven’t been forgotten.
These frequent stops-and-starts have discouraged several men in prison from attending worship and Bible study. Those who have remained faithful are praying that their friends will respond to the Holy Spirit’s “poke” to return to fellowship and renew their faith.
Please join them in that prayer.
~~ Pastor Ron
In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Maryland prison system closed all facilities to outside visitors, and suspend all programs and all religious services where inmates routinely gathered.
In May 2022 the prison system began to ease up on restrictions and we were finally able to resume our weekly Bible study with our Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing brothers in prison. Then the Delta variant hit, and our programs were cancelled again.
By January 2023 Delta had faded and we were allowed back in. After barely a month, our programs were suspended again as the institution responded to an urgent facility maintenance concern.
Three months later, we have now received word that the maintenance problem has been sufficiently repaired to allow us back in for Bible study. If all goes well, we will have made our first return visit by the time you receive this issue of the Mustard Seed.
During these long and frequent delays, prison rules prevented us from having any direct contact with the men in our program. No phone or VP calls; no letters; no personal visits. The Mustard Seed has been the only way we have to let them know that they haven’t been forgotten.
These frequent stops-and-starts have discouraged several men in prison from attending worship and Bible study. Those who have remained faithful are praying that their friends will respond to the Holy Spirit’s “poke” to return to fellowship and renew their faith.
Please join them in that prayer.
~~ Pastor Ron
Remember those who are in prison
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
Reprinted from May 2014 Mustard Seed
MAY
With wide verdure the wide overspread,
And trees adorned with blossoms,
The paths of May slow to tread,
And forests of perfume.
~~ Farmer’s Almanac ~~
MAY
With wide verdure the wide overspread,
And trees adorned with blossoms,
The paths of May slow to tread,
And forests of perfume.
~~ Farmer’s Almanac ~~
I’m “borrowing” this poem by Frank Crane and using it with a few adjustments to use as a tribute to honor our mothers:
Because you care, each task will be much lighter,
Each burden so much easier to bear;
And each new morning’s outlook better, brighter,
And each new day more blest because you care
Because you care, each task will be much lighter,
Each burden so much easier to bear;
And each new morning’s outlook better, brighter,
And each new day more blest because you care
For unswerving patience and unchanging
tenderness, the love of a true mother stands
next to the love of our Father in Heaven.
~~ Heart’s Blessings
tenderness, the love of a true mother stands
next to the love of our Father in Heaven.
~~ Heart’s Blessings
Because you care, each joy will seem completer,
Each treasure doubly dear and true and rare;
And in my heart I’ll always find it sweeter
To want the higher things, because you care.
A true mother’s love and care becomes more precious as she and we age. (On Mother’s Day, look to your mother with much appreciation!)
All that I am, my mother made me. ~~ John Quincy Adams
Each treasure doubly dear and true and rare;
And in my heart I’ll always find it sweeter
To want the higher things, because you care.
A true mother’s love and care becomes more precious as she and we age. (On Mother’s Day, look to your mother with much appreciation!)
All that I am, my mother made me. ~~ John Quincy Adams
Someone Has Always Been There!
America’s Greatest Strength – Its People
By Alice L. Hagemeyer
America’s Greatest Strength – Its People
By Alice L. Hagemeyer
Laurent Clerc Since I moved to Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, MD, last February 22, 2023, I have met many new neighbors – Deaf and Hearing alike – who are interested in my story about the first Deaf hero in America. And his name was Laurent Clerc. They were even more surprised that Laurent Clerc was also the first Deaf hero of ALL hearing Americans.
Did you know that America was about to celebrate its 41st anniversary as an independent nation, when the first public school for the Deaf opened on April 15, 1817? The first of its kind ever!
Years later, two famous hearing educators, Horace Mann and Samuel Gridley Howe got the idea from this Deaf school about using public funds to build the school for the hearing (normal) and for the blind respectively.
This Deaf school was co-founded by Thomas H. Gallaudet (Hearing) and Laurent Clerc (Deaf), the two first visionary leaders in American Deaf Education.
The rest is history!
The Riderwood Deaf Community (RDC)
RDC was founded in 2018 by the late Agnes Dunn Sutcliffe. As of today (April 2023), we have eleven signing members. Five deaf members attended State Deaf Schools in the 20th century - Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. One deaf member attended a public school in Hong Kong and never learned ASL until after she entered Gallaudet. Five are hearing with Deaf hearts.
Deaf Annual Events:
The opening of the first public school for the Deaf: April 15, 1817. We just celebrated its 206th anniversary.
We plan to celebrate three international days:
All three will be proclaimed by the general assembly of the United Nations this year as well as by the president of the US and other countries.
Deaf Celebrities
The Riderwood Deaf Community (RDC) is interested in honoring the Deaf in Elder Culture by acknowledging books, artworks, and/or participatory activities at events by the Deaf in Heritage Culture, e.g. deaf club, deaf theatre, deaf church, and others. We need help from the Maryland Association of the Deaf, an affiliate of the NAD (charities); Maryland School for the Deaf, a member of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf or CEASD (education) and the MD Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a member of the National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing or NASADHH (government).
Organizations Serving the Deaf (OSD) in Maryland may wish to acknowledge notable people of past generations for giving back to Maryland and America over the years.
If you are interested to recommend names of future deaf celebrities for 2023 or 2024 to the RDC, please ask for more information via email – [email protected].
If you are interested to share stories for children and adults alike to celebrate another example of America’s greatest strength – its people, please let FOLDA know. www.foldadeaf.net.
Did you know that America was about to celebrate its 41st anniversary as an independent nation, when the first public school for the Deaf opened on April 15, 1817? The first of its kind ever!
Years later, two famous hearing educators, Horace Mann and Samuel Gridley Howe got the idea from this Deaf school about using public funds to build the school for the hearing (normal) and for the blind respectively.
This Deaf school was co-founded by Thomas H. Gallaudet (Hearing) and Laurent Clerc (Deaf), the two first visionary leaders in American Deaf Education.
The rest is history!
The Riderwood Deaf Community (RDC)
RDC was founded in 2018 by the late Agnes Dunn Sutcliffe. As of today (April 2023), we have eleven signing members. Five deaf members attended State Deaf Schools in the 20th century - Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. One deaf member attended a public school in Hong Kong and never learned ASL until after she entered Gallaudet. Five are hearing with Deaf hearts.
Deaf Annual Events:
The opening of the first public school for the Deaf: April 15, 1817. We just celebrated its 206th anniversary.
We plan to celebrate three international days:
- September 23, 2023 – Sign Languages (est. 2017) as a part of the International Deaf Week, the last week of September (est.1958).
- December 3, 2023 – People with Disabilities (est. 1992) and
- December 10, 2003 - Human Rights (est. 1948).
All three will be proclaimed by the general assembly of the United Nations this year as well as by the president of the US and other countries.
Deaf Celebrities
The Riderwood Deaf Community (RDC) is interested in honoring the Deaf in Elder Culture by acknowledging books, artworks, and/or participatory activities at events by the Deaf in Heritage Culture, e.g. deaf club, deaf theatre, deaf church, and others. We need help from the Maryland Association of the Deaf, an affiliate of the NAD (charities); Maryland School for the Deaf, a member of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf or CEASD (education) and the MD Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a member of the National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing or NASADHH (government).
Organizations Serving the Deaf (OSD) in Maryland may wish to acknowledge notable people of past generations for giving back to Maryland and America over the years.
If you are interested to recommend names of future deaf celebrities for 2023 or 2024 to the RDC, please ask for more information via email – [email protected].
If you are interested to share stories for children and adults alike to celebrate another example of America’s greatest strength – its people, please let FOLDA know. www.foldadeaf.net.
