Monthly Archives: June 2016

A message from our Pastor

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Ascensions parish website. We have tabs for general parish information (including links to our weekly bulletin, The Dome), for our Ascension school and pre-school, and for our parish Religious Education program. It is also possible to follow a link here to arrange for automatic Stewardship offerings and other giving opportunities.

Situated just north of the Eisenhower expressway in a neighborhood setting, Ascension is the spiritual home for both young and old- new families, families with children, singles, and seniors. Our large Catholic school draws from Oak Park and its surrounding communities. We offer many programs and activities, and are especially noted for our commitment to issues of peace and justice. Our music program is highly developed and attracts scores of people who participate in our various choirs. Our staff is available to help, and contact information for staff members is available through this site.

Worship on Sunday is the time that our welcoming and diverse community comes together to hear and reflect upon the Word of God, and to enter into Christs saving sacrifice through the Eucharist. If this virtual visit to the parish is your first time with us, I hope that you will be drawn to a more personal visit some Sunday. If you are a parishioner who arrived here looking forinformation that is important to you, I hope that you will find navigation easy so that you can find what you came looking for.

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Welcome to our Parish! | Ascension Catholic Church

Ascension is a conscious choice to engage in Evolution.

Ascension is not about leaving the planet, getting rescued by off-world ETsor flying up into heaven. It is not about watching the Shift unfold online, or waiting for the external world to provide evidence of inner change. Ascension is a conscious choice to engage in evolution.

I teach the Christic path of Ascension which leads to embodiment of the Solar Cosmic Christ; a template for the Solar logos in form. Everything from Universes, Galaxies, Solar Systems, Gaia (Earth) and HUman formare based on this model/template/logos of Source (God/Creator) beingness.The Solar Cosmic Christ is not a man, it is a force which reflects pure Source consciousness, and re-unifies the lower consciousness with its multidimensional Self, and ultimately with Source. I have written extensively about the Christ (Krysthl or Crytalline) consciousness on this site. HUman DNA holds the possibility to fully embody the Christed state of beingness; it is my act of Divine Service to teach this path during the dimensional shift upon Gaia.

When consciously activated, the Ascension process affects every aspect, level and layer of a persons beingness. The physical, emotional, mental, egoic and spiritual structures undergo acute transformation, evolving to meet the demands of a higher level of consciousness.

The Awakening Phenomenon is one of the more impressive effects of the Shift. Amidst the external changes political, social, financial, spiritual, solar and planetary people encounter profound internal change due to the ascending frequencies. This heightened awareness returns wisdom, knowledge and a connection to divine aspects of the Self which had been dormant for thousands of years.

Planetary Ascension is a change in frequency

Dimensions are based on vibration. Each dimension has a range of frequencies which create the reality or experience within that dimension. Anything living on a planet must resonate with the vibrational level of that planet (or higher) or it cannot exist in that reality. As the frequency of the Earth changes, everything on her surface is affected by this increase in frequency.

Ascension Guidance for activation, integration and acceleration

Integration is vital to achieving a permanent state of higher consciousness. In the Ascension process, it is essential to clear and retrain the lower emotional, egoic and mental constructs which block higher states of consciousness. This frees the true Self to do what it came here to do; awaken and embody a unique expression of Source.

Reliance on external modalities, channels and old paradigm New Age methods has limited the awakening process for quite a few people. Many are now ready to take on the task of Self-empowerment, REactivate their Divine HUman state and achieve Crystalline consciousness.

Incredible possibilities for Earth and HUmanity

The Shift, jump time, evolutionary upgrades in consciousness and the ascension process have been discussed for years in spiritual circles, and for millennia in ancient cultures. Waves of unique cosmic energy have been surging through our galaxy for decades, and the window of amplification has arrived.

It isnt the end of the world. It is the beginning of a new paradigm, and big change is typically rough. The Shift is a shift in consciousness; a dramatic change in the parameters by which we experience reality. The physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and dimensional changes which are occurring here have never been experienced before. It is a fantastic time to be here and experience evolution first-hand.

How do I ascend? Wont it happen to me anyway?

Each dimension has a range of frequencies which create the structure for experiencing a certain kind of reality. Third dimensional reality is the lowest density (frequency) which a human expression of consciousness may experience. There are many side effects of the old 3D reality, including the illusion of linear time, the inability to perceive higher dimensions, and spiritual amnesia where the memory of past lives, experiences in other dimensions, and connection to the rest of the Universe is forgotten. All of that is changing during the Shift. This is why the phenomenon of awakening is so widespread; we are waking up from the amnesia of 3D and reconnecting with higher dimensional consciousness.

Apocalypse and the planet

Anything which desires to experience life on a planet must resonate with the vibrational level of that planet in order to exist within the parameters of that reality. The frequency of the Earth has been increasing, and continues to rise, which means everything in, on and around her surface is affected. Higher frequency always overpowers the lower vibrations.

As the parameters for 4D reality dissolve, the planet supports the experience of a higher dimension. This change in dimensional structure is becoming very apparent to the awakened. Apocalypse means lifting of the veil the unveiling of higher dimensions which were once hidden by the density of 3D reality.

The HUman Ascension process

HUmans are unique; our DNA hold the codes for all life in this Universe, an expression of Creator consciousness embodied (Creator-in-carnate) in HUman (God-man) expression. Your primary responsibility in this game of amnesia is to wake up and remember who you are as a divine HUman. The Ascension process is the transformation of the physical body, light body and the consciousness which animates it, in order to hold a higher vibrational state. Your higher self is merging with your lower dimensional self after a very long separation in the 3D experience.

In order for your body to be capable of holding that higher frequency, it must transform into a crystalline-based cellular structure. DNA which has been dormant must be activated. Our consciousness must be expanded beyond the boundaries of habitual 3D/4D existence. It is physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually challenging, and it is quite amazing. Medical impossibilities are popping up all over the globe. Not everyone has chosen to awaken in this lifetime, nor do they have to awaken. There are many factors involved in experiencing the Ascension process, and we are all here to play out the Shift in our own way.

The changes will affect your lifestream

Severe weather and climate change are imminent due to the drastic reduction of the magnetosphere and magnetic shifts in the Earth itself. Global warming is simply an affect of the collapse of the astral planes of consciousness as we go through the Shift. There is less protection between us and the Sun, and that is fine.

Gaia is a very patient conscious entity with a long and diverse history. It is her destiny to become a Spiritual Sun; a more Solar beingness to host a collective of Solar Cosmic Christed HUmans.This window of evolution coincides with many galactic alignments, some of which only occur in million and billion year cycles. Galactic cycles are very long, and the experiences of other off-world races, systems and galaxies depend upon the raising of Earths frequency. Its a bit like being the weakest link other games cannot be played until this density is upgraded.

Gaiais constantly balancing magnetics as 3D dissolves from the collective reality. The doom timeline a complete destruction of everything on her surface has been eliminated thanks to the amount of awakened consciousness on the planet. She is heavily influenced by the collective consciousness, and millions have been connecting with her to smooth the transition during the Shift.

It is a process which requires participation.

The dimensional split between a 3D/4D version of Earth and an ascending 5D version (the New Earth) began in August of 2011. Our planet ascended to 5D on December 12, 2012. This means a platform for the new experience of the return to the true HUman genome is provided. Kindwhile, HUmanity is able to merge with their 5D and above aspects, while the veils are down, and bring Heaven (5D+) to Earth, merging these realities. Lower vibrational systems, programs, entities and belief systems dissolve in the New Light sometimes with ease, sometimes with resistance.Eventually, the lower 4D expression of Earth will drop out of existence.

We now have a holographic platform for a 4D experience as the collective awakens. Many are choosing to fully embody a 5D consciousness of Unconditional Love right here in this reality, as an act of Divine service to raise the collective vibration into peace, harmony and compassion. Some are choosing to embody a Christed Consciousness, which enables a conscious connection to 5D 12D expressions of the Self. We do not know how long the 4D platform will be available. Whether it is 2 years or 200 years does not matter, the inevitable Shift is well underway.

Evolution is evolution; the entire planet and all of her residents are experiencing the Shift, regardless of their awareness of it. Ascension is a conscious process which requires a choice to engage with the unknown, in order to experience something brand new. It is a remarkable, challenging and rewarding process which frees the Self from perceived limitations.

Open up to all that you truly are, beloved. For clarity on the Ascension process and the how-to embody your unique expression of the Christed state, participate in theAscension Path online training.

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What is Ascension | Sandra Walter - Creative Evolution

Jun 29, 2016 17:29

LABADIEVILLE A 2-year-old wearing only diapers was found standing alone Tuesday in the middle of a state highway in Assumption Parish after leaving a home without being noticed, sheriffs deputies said. After finding the child in the care of adults who spotted the child in the highway, deputies arrested Ivone Pina, 41, 118 Continue reading

by David J. Mitchell| dmitchell@theadvocate.com

Assumption Parish emergency officials on Wednesday eliminated all mandatory evacuation orders for the community and swamp around the Bayou Corne sinkhole but have not given the full all-clear nearly four years after it appeared. The move is the latest, most significant dialing back of parish evacuation orders around the 34-acre lake-like hole in the swamp and Continue reading

David J. Mitchell| dmitchell@theadvocate.com

GONZALES The City Council awarded a $53,000 contract to a retired city recreation director this week to maintain the fields of Gonzales parks as part of a broader reorganization of its building and grounds program. Gonzales officials said the change is coming with the acquisition last year of the old Ascension College property between Continue reading

Volunteer Ascension is collecting school supplies and uniforms this summer as part of the agencys efforts to ensure area children are prepared for the upcoming school year. The nonprofit agency is collecting new and used school uniforms at Keans in Prairieville, SACS Western Store, Dutchs Cleaners, LeJeunes Cleaners and The Uniform Post. Volunteer Ascensions 19th Continue reading

Darlene Denstorff| ddenstorff@theadvocate.com

Renovations in Crescent Park have forced Donaldsonville officials to change its annual Independence Day celebration. Instead of celebrating the holiday on July 3 as in past years, the citys celebration, now called Balloons & Boom, is expanding to two days and starts on Friday. Thing kick off at 6 p.m. Friday at the South Louisiana Fairgrounds Continue reading

Country music stars, rides, vendors, a car show and more will be featured at the 2016 Cajun Country Jam on Friday and Saturday at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Performers include Clay Walker, Joe Diffie, Lorrie Morgan, Jamie ONeal and Andy Griggs, Chad Brock, Louisianas LeRoux, Rockin Dopsie Jr., The Gillis Silo Continue reading

Lyle Johnson

Special to The Advocate

The St. Amant Lady Gators that finished as quarterfinalists in the state playoffs had three players selected for the Louisiana Sports Writers Associations Class 5A all-state teams. Infielder Kourtney Gremillion, a Louisiana-Lafayette signee, was chosen. Gremillion batted .610 for the season and added 13 home runs and 62 RBIs. Continue reading

The winners were recently announced in the LSU Agricultural Centers Ascension Parish Home Vegetable Garden Contest. Five adults and three 4-H youth participated in the contest, horticulture agent Craig Roussel said. This year, the group added a school garden category in conjunction with the Greauxing Gardens school garden grant from PCS Nitrogen for 14 primary Continue reading

Join the fight against cystic fibrosis with the 19th annual Price LeBlanc Toyota and Nissan Swamp Pop Music Festival, set for July 15-16 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Centers Trademart building. The musical lineup on July 15 includes Kenny Fife & Bac Trac at 6 p.m., followed by Warren Storm Willie T and Cypress with Tommy McLain, and wraps Continue reading

Leadership Ascension, a program of the Ascension Chamber of Commerce, graduated its 21st Leadership Ascension class on June 14 at the Clarion Inn and Conference Center in Gonzales. The 35 participants worked in teams during the 10-month program to research and implement projects for the Ascension community. Projects included the Enough is Enough campaign educating Continue reading

Ascension Parish residents interested in becoming a Master Gardener can apply for the Ascension Master Gardener Class of 2016. The program is offered by the LSU Agricultural Center and is designed to recruit and train volunteers to help meet the educational needs of home gardeners. Classes will be taught from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays Continue reading

Discounted registration for the Gonzales Soccer Club is available throughout July. Sign up online at gonzales soccerclub.com. Walk-in registration also is available from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. July 30 at Gonzales City Hall. Programs include: 3-YEAR-OLD LITTLE KICKERS: An introduction to the basics of soccer with activities to develop and strengthen Continue reading

Prairieville Primary School students shared their talents during performances at the schools Talent Spectacular this spring. Talents included singing, dancing, gymnastics, karate, guitar, piano and saxophone. Sound and light technicians were fifth-graders Christian Bock and Logan LaBorde. Backstage assistants were Zachary Chasion, Emily Dedon, Angelique Deville, Emily Diaz, Nathan Farmer, David Jimson, David Lloyd, Continue reading

Capital Area Human Services has launched the redesigned realhelpbr.com, a website detailing the organizations services and supports for residents with mental health, substance abuse or developmental disability challenges. Our decision to redesign our website reflects our commitment to improve service accessibility in our region, said Executive Director Jan Kasofsky. We are ensuring that Continue reading

Three Ascension Parish residents were honored May 23 during Our Lady of the Lake Colleges commencement exercises in Baton Rouge. The graduates were among the 190 Our Lady of the Lake College students conferred masters, bachelors or associate degrees during the colleges commencement ceremony at the Baton Rouge River Center Arena. Rachel St. Germain, of Continue reading

Gonzales Middle Schools Bulldog cheerleading squad participated in UCAs Going for the Gold Cheer Camp, held June 4-7. The camp was attended by more than 600 cheerleaders and focused on improving cheer technique, boosting school spirit, team building and leadership, a news release said. The Bulldogs took home four blue ribbons, one red ribbon and the Continue reading

St. Amant Middle School celebrated its second annual Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports programs Splash Day on May 24. Splash Day is a celebratory event organized to commend the students of St. Amant Middle School who meet a set behavior criteria for the last nine-week grading period of the school year, a news release said. Members Continue reading

Gonzales resident Shirley Bourque was honored with the proclamation of June 16 as Shirley Bourque Day in Ascension Parish. Parish President Kenny Matassa read the proclamation aloud during the Parish Council meeting in Gonzales. Matassa presented the proclamation to Bourque and named her honorary parish president for the day. Bourques five children, including Gonzales City Councilman Continue reading

Elizabeth Lynn Sharon, of Prairieville, graduated from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, on May 13. Sharon received a bachelor of science degree in medical diagnostic imaging. Continue reading

The 12-year-old-and-under Ascension All Stars won the Cal Ripken District 2 Tournament held recently at Stevens Park in Gonzales. Brennan Hunt was chosen most valuable player of the tournament, a news release said. The team defeated Baton Rouge in round one, giving up three runs in four innings for a 5-3 win. The All Continue reading

The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, along with Ascension Parishs Health Unit, will distribute food in Donaldsonville on July 12 and Gonzales on July 13. Distribution will be from 8 a.m. to noon July 12 at the Lemman Center, 1100 Clay St., Donaldsonville, and from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. July 13 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Continue reading

The Ascension Advocate this week includes photos from local civic, community and school groups and highlights recent events around Ascension Parish. Continue reading

DISNEY PIXAR CARS END OF SUMMER PARTY: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Ascension Parish Library, Dutchtown. LOSS AND GRIEF SUPPORT MEETING: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., St. Elizabeth Hospital, Sister Vernola conference room, 1125 W. La. 30, Gonzales. MAKE AND TAKE CRAFT: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Continue reading

The Ascension animal shelter, CARAs House, 9894 Airline Highway in Sorrento, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday (closed from noon to 1 p.m. daily for lunch). It is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday for adoptions only. The fees are $100 for dogs Continue reading

Cabbage and beef casserole, carrots, whole-wheat bread, chocolate oatmeal bar PILATES: 8:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m., Gonzales Senior Center PIYO: 9 a.m., Donaldsonville Senior Center BINGO: 10 a.m., Donaldsonville. Sponsor is Canon Hospice ZUMBA GOLD: 10:30 a.m., Gonzales CAJUN NEEDLERS: 12:30 p.m., Gonzales July Fourth Continue reading

The following people were booked into the Ascension Parish prison from June 16-23. ALMOND, KRISTI M.: 43, 37311 New River Canal Road, Geismar, illegal use of controlled dangerous substances in the presence of minors, prohibited acts/drug paraphernalia, possession of heroin. ANNY, RANDY J.: 51, 8168 Everette St., Sorrento, malfeasance in office, prohibited splitting Continue reading

ST. AMANT A motorcyclist was killed early Monday on La. 429 in Ascension Parish when he drove off the road and struck a utility pole, Louisiana State Police said. Jim Thoman, 55, had been riding his 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle along La. 429 in St. Amant when he drove off the Continue reading

GONZALES Ascension Parish sheriffs deputies and the Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office are investigating why a car stolen from a neighborhood south of Gonzales was found burned this week behind the Mississippi River levee in Iberville Parish. Sheriffs deputies provided surveillance video Friday of a man walking into a nearby convenience store who Continue reading

BAYOU LOURSE An Assumption Parish man admitted to touching a 6-year-old inappropriately and was arrested this week after an informant had warned authorities the girl was being molested by him, parish sheriffs deputies said Friday. Tommy E. Lishman, 47, told Assumption deputies he inappropriately touched the girl on more than one occasion at Continue reading

GONZALES Former Ascension Parish Council Chairman Pat Bell, described as a friend to all, died Wednesday night, parish officials said Thursday. Bell, 68, who was serving on the Pontchartrain Levee District Board at the time of his death, was on the Parish Council from 2008 to 2012 and elected chairman all four years. Continue reading

PALO ALTO Down a state highway just west of Bayou Lafourche where rows of live oaks arch over the road, contractors were installing upgrades Wednesday that Ascension Parish officials hope will prevent the brain-eating amoeba from reoccurring in their public water system to the north. Parish officials are installing a chlorine injection system Continue reading

GONZALES With a new help wanted ad for the Ascension Parish public schools superintendent published in local and area newspapers late last week, the School Board is looking at possibly hiring its next superintendent Aug. 9, the second day of the new school year. But the board has reserved the right Continue reading

GONZALES With the Ascension Parish school districts first senior class in its early college program set to graduate in May, the School Board will be considering a new policy that addresses how valedictorians and salutatorians will be selected. The Early College Option program at River Parishes Community College lets public high school students Continue reading

Darlene Denstorff| ddenstorff@theadvocate.com

Just weeks after returning from a trip to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sister city or twinning relationship with the residents of Meylan, France, Karen Hatcher has turned her attention to planning to greet the French visitors next year. Thats how its been for 30 years, Hatcher said. The Gonzales Committee on Cultural Affairs, of which Continue reading

Repticon slithers into the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The reptile expo features plenty of exotic animals, vendors and activities. One-day admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Two-day tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for ages 5 Continue reading

Lyle Johnson

Special to The Advocate

St. Amant pitcher Blayne Enlow has been selected to bring his pitching skills to the USA Baseball 18U Tournament of Stars that will be held in Cary, North Carolina. The USA Baseball Tournament of Stars, presented by Major League Baseball, is made up of 108 of the nations best ballplayers who are considered for the 18-year-old-and-under Continue reading

Prairieville Primary School students raised $17,475.25 for the American Heart Association during the 2015-16 school year, beating the previous years total by $3,600.25. The money goes toward research into new procedures to help heart patients, a news release said Olivia Dellorfano raised the most money in the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser in honor of Continue reading

Girl Scouts from Geismar and Gonzales have earned the highest awards for their scout level by completing a series of leadership challenges in preparation for their final community or take action project. The Bronze Award is for Girl Scout Juniors in fourth- and fifth-grade. Girl Scout Cadettes in sixth- through eighth-grade are eligible for the Silver Continue reading

The St. Amant Gator Football Camps kicked off a summer of football with its inaugural session June 6-9 for first- through eighth-graders. Coaches and varsity players facilitated two sessions a day of skills camp for local youths. Campers participated in a variety of activities and drills and also discussed positive character traits and team mentality. Continue reading

Five East Ascension High School students attended the Louisiana FFA Convention June 6-10 in Monroe. The students were accompanied by teachers Kiesha Nall and Kolby Gilbert. The students showcased their talents in teaching others how to be servant leaders by planning service projects and picking up litter around Monroe. The East Ascension FFA club Continue reading

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Thomas Melancon, of Convent, was promoted to second class petty officer in June. He has been in the Navy for seven years and serves as Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Dam Necks CD01 Computer Work Center supervisor in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Melancon is a 2009 graduate of Lutcher High School. His Continue reading

Waguespack Insurance played DMC for the Gonzales Machine Pitch Championship on June 13 at Bergeron and Gaudin Memorial Park in Gonzales. Waguespack was the visiting team and got off to a fast start in the first inning, a news release said. The scoring started when Gavin Higgins hit a triple to score Zach Continue reading

The St. Amant High School Class of 1991 is holding a reunion at 6 p.m. July 9 at 14666 Bayou Terrace, St. Amant. Organizers are inviting teachers, coaches and staffers who were part of the classmates journey to graduation, a news release said. Educators can attend for free and no ticket is required. Class Continue reading

Gonzales High Schools Class of 1966, the last to graduate from the school, gathered for its 50th class reunion May 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Gonzales. The evening began with a social, followed by a dinner including jambalaya by classmate Mike Anderson, covered dishes, finger foods and desserts, all prepared by the classmates. Continue reading

Thirty-seven boys and girls from Geismar Caring Parents 19th summer camp recently participated in the Klub K.I.D. camp presented by historian and multi-instrumentalist Bill Summers. The children received lessons on drums, music producing and how to make shakerays. Summers talked about the history of music in the slave culture in Louisiana. The three-day camp Continue reading

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Ascension News, Sports and Entertainment | The Advocate

Large enough to provide a first rate education. Small enough to know you by name.

Ascension is a school replete with opportunities and poised to take advantage of them as we embrace 21st century educational ideologies. Our small class sizes allow for greater depth of teaching, a more individualized approach, greater ease in differentiation and the unique opportunity to build deeper relationships with students and parents, which allows a firm understanding of each students inimitable learning profile.

Our sound financial planning and dedicated community have made it possible to be the only school in Kentucky to offer our students 1:1 iPads in Kindergarten through 8th grade. This gives each student and teacher the ability to learn and teach on a tailor made basis while keeping us on the cutting edge.

Beyond technology, we will continue to encourage each students creativity through music, art, drama and play as we recognize that each student has talents in diverse areas.

As we celebrate our 50th year as a parish/school we invite our students,alumni, friends, parishioners and current/former faculty and staff to join us at the many events we have planned throughout the year in celebration of our rich history and exciting future. We do everything at Ascension through our faith, community, giftedness, opportunity and excellence.

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Home - Ascension School

This page is about the Feast of the Ascension. For the event that it celebrates, see Ascension of Jesus.

Ascension is a Christian holiday. The word "ascension" means "going up". According to the story told in the Bible, Jesus ascended (went up) to heaven with his apostles. The holiday is celebrated forty days after his resurrection. The story tells that Jesus' body went to heaven, and that in heaven he sits at the right-hand side of God the Father.

Ascension Day is officially celebrated on a Thursday. However, not all countries hold the feast on this day. It is one of the ecumenical feasts. All Christians celebrate this feast, much like Easter and Pentecost. It is a very important feast in the calendar of the Christian Church.

In some countries (at least in Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (since the 1930s), Haiti, Iceland, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Namibia, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Vanuatu) it is a public holiday; Germany also holds its Father's day on the same date.

The Eastern Orthodox Church calculates the date of Easter differently, so the Eastern Orthodox celebration of Ascension will usually be after the western observance (either one week, or four weeks, or five weeks later; but occasionally on the same day). The earliest possible date for the feast is May 13 (of the western calendar), and the latest possible date is June 16. Some of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, however, observe Ascension on the same date as the Western Churches.[1]

The feast is observed with an all-night vigil.

The Epistle to the Romans is a book from the Bible which was written about the year 56 or 57.[2] In it, Paul describes Christ as in heaven and in the abyss.[3] This seems to be the earliest Christian reference to Jesus in heaven.

One of the most important texts about the Ascension is in the Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11. According to the two-source hypothesis it is also the earliest.[4] There Jesus is taken up bodily into heaven forty days after his resurrection. The text says that the apostles saw this happening. Before going into heaven, Jesus gave a speech called the Great Commission, in which he said that he would return. In the Gospel of Luke, the Ascension[5] takes place on Easter Sunday evening.[6] The Gospel of John (c. 90-100)[7] talks about Jesus returning to the Father.[8] In 1 Peter (c. 90-110),[7] Jesus has ascended to heaven and is at God's right side.[9] Ephesians (c. 90-100)[7] refers to Jesus ascending higher than all the heavens.[10] First Timothy (c. 90-140)[7] describes Jesus as taken up in glory.[11] The traditional ending in the Book of Mark (see Mark 16) includes a short version of what Luke had said about the resurrection. It describes Jesus as being taken up into heaven and sitting at God's right hand.[12] The way that Christ's Ascension is described is similar to the general description of his welcome in heaven, a description that comes from Hebrew scripture.[13] The picture of Jesus rising bodily into the heavens fits in with the old traditional idea that heaven was above the earth.[14]

There are texts that are not in the Bible that also speak about ascension, for example Pistis Sophia. In his text Against Heresies, Irenaeus tells about the Gnostic view that the Ascension happened eighteen months after the Resurrection.[15] The apocryphal text known as the Apocryphon of James describes the teachings of Jesus to James and Peter 550 days after the resurrection, but before the ascension. This text suggests an even longer period. The recently discovered Nag Hammadi Gospel of Thomas, like the canonical Gospel of Matthew, does not mention the Ascension.

The feast of the Ascension has been celebrated for many centuries. Although we do not have anything in writing about it before the beginning of the fifth century, St. Augustine says that it is of Apostolic origin, and he speaks of it in a way that shows that all Christians celebrated it long before his time (he lived from 354-430).

Christ's ascension is mentioned in the original Nicene Creed. This text has been important to Christians ever since it was made in 325. It is included in the Mass. It is also mentioned in the Apostles' Creed. It is important for Christian belief because it shows that Jesus' humanity was taken into Heaven.[13]Ascension Day is one of the chief feasts of the Christian year.[13] There is plenty of evidence that shows that the feast dates back at least to the later 300s.[13]

The canonical story of Jesus ascending bodily into the clouds is different from the gnostic tradition, by which Jesus was said to transcend the bodily world and return to his home in the spirit world. It also contrasts with Docetic beliefs, by which matter is basically evil and Jesus was said to have been pure spirit.

Scholars of the historical Jesus think that New Testament accounts of Jesus' resurrection were stories that were invented by the apostolic-era Christian community.[6] Some describe the Ascension as a convenient way to disagree with ongoing appearance claims in the Christian community.[6]

Originally posted here:

Ascension - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CRAFT COFFEE

We Source Our Beans Directly and Roast In-House to Deliver the Highest Quality Coffee

We Design Our Cafs to Feel Like Our Home, And Hopefully Your Home Too

Second Ascension Location Now Open at Crescent Court In Uptown! Come See us - lots of parking underneath!

A Portion Of Every Sale Supports Our Partnerships And Farmer Training In Coffee Producing Countries Recovering From Crisis

Come Visit Our Training Lab To Learn More About The Coffees We Roast & How To Brew Them At Home

Westarted Ascension with a vision to elevate the American caf experience: from nourishment to FLAVOR EXPLORATION, from information to EDUCATION, from crowds to COMMUNITY, from service to HOSPITALITY.

Pursuing this vision has required commitment to the DEVELOPMENT of every local community, individual and product we touch and inspired investment in the development of international communities in crisis that we otherwise would not. Development, thus, has become the underlying vision and goal of Ascension. ELEVATION OF THE CAF EXPERIENCE is just our outcome and we hope to do it exceptionally well.

So welcome to our kitchen, welcome to our classroom. Welcome to our journey, and in some ways, our destination. Welcome to our HOME.

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Coffee & Wine Bar | Ascension Coffee Roasters Dallas, Texas

ASCENSION

a-sen'-shun:

Most modern Lives of Christ commence at Bethlehem and end with the Ascension, but Christ's life began earlier and continued later. The Ascension is not only a great fact of the New Testament, but a great factor in the life of Christ and Christians, and no complete view of Jesus Christ is possible unless the Ascension its consequences are included. It is the consummation of His redemptive work. The Christ of the Gospels is the Christ of history, the Christ of the past, but the full New Testament picture of Christ is that of a living Christ, the Christ of heaven, the Christ of experience, the Christ of the present and the future. The New Testament passages referring to the Ascension need close study and their teaching careful observation.

I. In the Gospels.

1. Anticipations:

The Ascension is alluded to in several passages in the Gospels in the course of our Lord's earthly ministry (Luke 9:31,51; John 6:62; 7:33; 12:32; 14:12,28; 16:5,10,17,28; 20:17). These passages show that the event was constantly in view, and anticipated by our Lord. The Ascension is also clearly implied in the allusions to His coming to earth on clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30; 26:64).

2. Records:

If with most modern scholars we regard Mark's Gospel as ending with 16:8, it will be seen to stop short at the resurrection, though the present ending speaks of Christ being received up into heaven, of His sitting at the right hand of God, and of His working with the disciples as they went preaching the word (Mark 16:19,20). In any case this is a bare summary only. The close of the Third Gospel includes an evident reference to the fact of the Ascension (Luke 24:28-53), even if the last six words of Luke 24:51, "and was carried up into heaven" are not authentic. No difficulty need be felt at the omission of the Fourth Gospel to refer to the fact of the Ascension, though it was universally accepted at the time the apostle wrote (John 20:17). As Dr. Hort has pointed out, "The Ascension did not lie within the proper scope of the Gospels .... its true place was at the head of the Ac of the Apostles" (quoted Swete, The Ascended Christ, 2).

II. In the Acts.

1. Record:

The story in Acts 1:6-12 is clear. Jesus Christ was on the Mount of Olives. There had been conversation between Him and His disciples, and in the course of it He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9). His body was uplifted till it disappeared, and while they continued to gaze up they saw two men who assured them that He would come back exactly as He had gone up. The three Greek words rendered "taken up" (eperthe) (Acts 1:9); "went" (poreuomenou) (Acts 1:10); "received up" (analemphtheis) (Acts 1:11); deserve careful notice. This account must either be attributed to invention, or to the testimony of an eye-witness. But Luke's historicity now seems abundantly proved.

2. References:

The Ascension is mentioned or implied in several passages in Acts 2:33; 3:21; 7:55; 9:3-5; 22:6-8; 26:13-15. All these passages assert the present life and activity of Jesus Christ in heaven.

III. In the Pauline Epistles.

1. Romans:

In Romans 8:34 the apostle states four facts connected with Christ Jesus:

His death; His resurrection; His session at God's right hand; His intercession. The last two are clearly the culminating points of a series of redemptive acts.

2. Ephesians:

While for its purpose Romans necessarily lays stress on the Resurrection, Ephesians has as part of its special aim an emphasis on the Ascension. In 1:20 God's work wrought in Christ is shown to have gone much farther than the Resurrection, and to have "made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places," thereby constituting Him the supreme authority over all things, and especially Head of the church (1:20-23). This idea concerning Christ is followed in 2:6 by the association of believers with Christ "in the heavenly places," and the teaching finds its completest expression in 4:8-11, where the Ascension is connected with the gift of the heavenly Christ as the crowning feature of His work. Nothing is more striking than the complementary teaching of Romans and Ephesians respectively in their emphasis on the Resurrection and Ascension.

3. Philippians:

In Philippians 2:6-11 the exaltation of Christ is shown to follow His deep humiliation. He who humbled Himself is exalted to the place of supreme authority. In 3:20 Christians are taught that their commonwealth is in heaven, "whence also we wait for a Saviour."

4. Thessalonians:

The emphasis placed on the second advent of Christ in 1Th is an assumption of the fact of the Ascension. Christians are waiting for God's Son from heaven (1:10) who is to "descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God" (4:16).

5. Timothy:

The only allusion to the Ascension in the Pastoral Epistles is found in the closing statement of what seems to be an early Christian song in 1Timothy 3:16. He who was "manifested in the flesh .... received up in glory."

IV. In Hebrews.

In Hebrews there is more recorded about the Ascension and its consequences than in any other part of the New Testament. The facts of the Ascension and Session are first of all stated (1:3) with all that this implies of definite position and authority (1:4-13). Christians are regarded as contemplating Jesus as the Divine Man in heaven (2:9), though the meaning of the phrase, "crowned with glory and honor" is variously interpreted, some thinking that it refers to the result and outcome of His death, others thinking that He was "crowned for death" in the event of the Transfiguration (Matheson in Bruce, Hebrews, 83). Jesus Christ is described as "a great High Priest, who hath passed through the heavens" (4:14), as a Forerunner who is entered within the veil for us, and as a High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek (6:20). As such He "abideth for ever," and "ever liveth to make intercession" (7:24,25). The chief point of the epistle itself is said to be "such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (8:1), and His position there implies that He has obtained eternal redemption for His people and is appearing before God on their behalf (9:12,24). This session at God's right hand is also said to be with a view to His return to earth when His enemies will have become His footstool (10:12,13), and one of the last exhortations bids believers to look unto Jesus as the Author and Perfecter of faith who has "sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (12:2).

V. In the Petrine Epistles.

The only reference to the Ascension is in 1Peter 3:22, where Christ's exaltation after His sufferings is set forth as the pattern and guarantee of Christian glorification after endurance of persecution.

VI. In the Johannine Writings.

1. Epistles:

Nothing is recorded of the actual Ascension, but 1John 2:1 says that "we have an Advocate with the Father." The word "Advocate" is the same as "Comforter" in John 14:16, where it is used of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the Comforter "in relation to the Father," and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter dwelling in the soul.

2. Apocalypse:

All the references in the Apocalypse either teach or imply the living Christ who is in heaven, as active in His church and as coming again (Revelation 1:7,13; 5:5-13; 6:9-17; 14:1-5).

VII. Summary of New Testament Teaching.

1. The Fact:

The New Testament calls attention to the fact of Ascension and the fact of the Session at God's right hand. Three words are used in the Greek in connection with the Ascension:

anabainein (ascendere), "to go up"; analambanesthai (adsumi), "to be taken up"; poreuesthai "to go." The Session is connected with Psalms 110, and this Old Testament passage finds frequent reference or allusion in all parts of the New Testament. But it is used especially in He in connection with Christ's priesthood, and with His position of authority and honor at God's right hand (Swete, The Ascended Christ, 10-15). But the New Testament emphasizes the fact of Christ's exaltation rather than the mode, the latter being quite secondary. Yet the acceptance of the fact must be carefully noticed, for it is impossible to question that this is the belief of all the New Testament writers. They base their teaching on the fact and do not rest content with the moral or theological aspects of the Ascension apart from the historic reality. The Ascension is regarded as the point of contact between the Christ of the gospels and of the epistles. The gift of the Spirit is said to have come from the ascended Christ. The Ascension is the culminating point of Christ's glorification after His Resurrection, and is regarded as necessary for His heavenly exaltation. The Ascension was proved and demanded by the Resurrection, though there was no need to preach it as part of the evangelistic message. Like the Virgin birth, the Ascension involves doctrine for Christians rather than non-Christians. It is the culmination of the Incarnation, the reward of Christ's redemptive work, and the entrance upon a wider sphere of work in His glorified condition, as the Lord and Priest of His church (John 7:39; 16:7).

2. The Message:

We may summarize what the New Testament tells us of our Lord's present life in heaven by observing carefully what is recorded in the various passages of the New Testament. He ascended into heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9); He is seated on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12); He bestowed the gift of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 4:9,33); He added disciples to the church (Acts 2:47); He worked with the disciples as they went forth preaching the gospel (Mark 16:20); He healed the impotent man (Acts 3:16); He stood to receive the first martyr (Acts 7:56); He appeared to Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:5); He makes intercession for His people (Romans 8:26; Hebrews 7:25); He is able to succor the tempted (Hebrews 2:18); He is able to sympathize (Hebrews 4:15); He is able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25); He lives forever (Hebrews 7:24; Revelation 1:18); He is our Great High Priest (Hebrews 7:26; 8:1; 10:21); He possesses an intransmissible or inviolable priesthood (Hebrews 7:24); He appears in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:24); He is our Advocate with the father (1John 2:1); He is waiting until all opposition to Him is overcome (Hebrews 10:13). This includes all the teaching of the New Testament concerning our Lord's present life in heaven.

VIII. Problems.

There are two questions usually associated with the Ascension which need our attention.

1. Relation to the Laws of Nature:

There is no greater difficulty in connection with the Ascension than with the Resurrection, or the Incarnation. Of our Lord's resurrection body we know nothing. All we can say is that it was different from the body laid in the tomb and yet essentially the same; the same and yet essentially different. The Ascension was the natural close of Our Lord's earthly life, and as such, is inseparable from the Resurrection. Whatever, therefore, may be said of the Resurrection in regard to the laws of nature applies equally to the Ascension.

2. Localization of the Spiritual World:

The record in Ac is sometimes objected to because it seems to imply the localization of heaven above the earth. But is not this taking the narrative in too absolutely bald and literal a sense? Heaven is at once a place and a state, and as personality necessarily implies locality, some place for our Lord's Divine, yet human person is essential. To speak of heaven as "above" may be only symbolical, but the ideas of fact and locality must be carefully adhered to. And yet it is not merely local, and "we have to think less of a transition from one locality than of a transition from one condition to another. .... the real meaning of the ascension is that .... our Lord withdrew from a world of limitations" to that higher existence where God is (Milligan, Ascension and Heavenly Priesthood, 26). It matters not that our conception today of the physical universe is different from that of New Testament times. We still speak of the sun setting and rising, though strictly these are not true. The details of the Ascension are really unimportant. Christ disappeared from view, and no question need be raised either of distance or direction. We accept the fact without any scientific explanation. It was a change of conditions and mode of existence; the essential fact is that He departed and disappeared. Even Keim admits that "the ascension of Jesus follows from all the facts of His career" (quoted, Milligan, 13), and Weiss is equally clear that the Ascension is as certain as the Resurrection, and stands and fails therewith (Milligan, 14).

IX. Its Relation to Christ Himself.

The Ascension was the exaltation and glory of Jesus Christ after His work was accomplished (Philippians 2:9). He had a threefold glory:

(1) as the Son of God before the Incarnation (John 17:5);

(2) as God manifest in the flesh (John 1:14);

(3) as the exalted Son of God after the Resurrection and Ascension (Luke 24:26; 1Peter 1:21).

The Ascension meant very much to Christ Himself, and no study of subject must overlook this aspect of New Testament teaching. His exaltation to the right hand of meant

(1) the proof of victory (Ephesians 4:8);

(2) the position of honor (Psalms 110:1);

(3) the place of power (Acts 2:33);

(4) the place of happiness (Psalms 26:11);

(5) the place of rest ("seated");

(6) the place of permanence ("for ever").

X. Its Teaching for Christians.

The importance of the Ascension for Christians lies mainly in the fact that it was the introduction to our Lord's present life in heaven which means so much in the believer's life. The spiritual value of the Ascension lies, not in Christ's physical remoteness, but in His spiritual nearness. He is free from earthly limitations, and His life above is the promise and guarantee of ours. "Because I live ye shall live also."

1. Redemption Accomplished:

The Ascension and Session are regarded as the culminating point of Christ's redemptive work (Hebrews 8:1), and at the same time the demonstration of the sufficiency of His righteousness on man's behalf. For sinful humanity to reach heaven two essential features were necessary:

(a) the removal of sin (negative); and

(b) the presence of righteousness (positive).

The Resurrection demonstrated the sufficiency of the atonement for the former, and the Ascension demonstrated the sufficiency of righteousness for the latter. The Spirit of God was to convict the world of "righteousness" "because I go to the Father" (John 16:10). In accord with this we find that in the Epistle to the He every reference to our Lord's atonement is in the past, implying completeness and perfection, "once for all."

2. High Priesthood:

This is the peculiar and special message of He. Priesthood finds its essential features in the representation of man to God, involving access into the Divine presence (Hebrews 5:1). It means drawing near and dwelling near to God. In He, Aaron is used as typical of the work, and Melchizedek as typical of the person of the priest; and the two acts mainly emphasized are the offering in death and the entrance into heaven. Christ is both priest and priestly victim. He offered propitiation and then entered into heaven, not "with," but "through" His own blood (Hebrews 9:12), and as High Priest, at once human and Divine, He is able to sympathize (Hebrews 4:15); able to succor (Hebrews 2:18); and able to save (Hebrews 7:25). See CHRIST AS KING, PRIEST, PROPHET.

3. Lordship:

The Ascension constituted Christ as Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 4:10,15; Colossians 2:19). This Headship teaches that He is the Lord and Life of the church. He is never spoken of as King in relation to His Body, the Church, only as Head and Lord. The fact that He is at the right hand of God suggests in the symbolical statement that He is not yet properly King on His own throne, as He will be hereafter as "King of the Jews," and "King of Kings."

4. Intercession:

In several New Testament passages this is regarded as the crowning point of our Lord's work in heaven (Romans 8:33,34). He is the perfect Mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6); our Advocate with the Father (1John 2:1). His very presence at God's right hand pleads on behalf of His people. There is no presentation, or representation, or pleading, of Himself, for His intercession is never associated with any such relation to the sacrifice of Calvary. Nor is there any hint in the New Testament of a relation between the Eucharist and His life and work in heaven. This view popularized by the late Dr. William Milligan (The Ascension, etc., 266), and endorsed from other standpoints in certain aspects of Anglican teaching (Swete, The Ascended Christ, 46), does not find any support in the New Testament. As Westcott says, "The modern conception of Christ, pleading in heaven His passion, `offering His blood,' on behalf of man, has no foundation in this epistle" (Hebrews, 230). And Hort similarly remarks, "The words, `Still .... His prevailing death He pleads' have no apostolic warrant, and cannot even be reconciled with apostolic doctrine" (Life and Letters, II, 213). our Lord's intercession is He says as in what He is. He pleads by His presence on His Father's throne, and he is able to save to the uttermost through His intercession, because of His perpetual life and His inviolable, undelegated, intransmissible priesthood (Hebrews 7:24,25).

5. The Gift of the Spirit:

There is an intimate and essential connection between the Ascension of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given to Christ as the acknowledgment and reward of His work done, and having received this "Promise of the Father" He bestowed Him upon His people (Acts 2:33). By means of the Spirit the twofold work is done, of convincing sinners (John 16:9), and of edifying believers (John 14:12; see also John 14:25,26; 16:14,15).

6. Presence:

It is in connection with the Ascension and our Lord's life in heaven that we understand the force of such a passage as "Lo, I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20). "He ever liveth" is the supreme inspiration of the individual Christian and of the whole church. All through the New Testament from the time of the Ascension onward, the one assurance is that Christ is living; and in His life we live, hold fellowship with God, receive grace for daily living and rejoice in victory over sin, sorrow and death.

7. Expectation:

Our Lord's life in heaven looks forward to a consummation. He is "expecting till his enemies be made his footstool" (Hebrews 10:13 the King James Version). He is described as our Forerunner (Hebrews 6:18), and His presence above is the assurance that His people will share His life hereafter. But His Ascension is also associated with His coming again (Philippians 3:20,21; 1Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28). At this coming there will be the resurrection of dead saints, and the transformation of living ones (1Thessalonians 4:16,17), to be followed by the Divine tribunal with Christ as Judge (Romans 2:16; 2Timothy 4:1,8). To His own people this coming will bring joy, satisfaction and glory (Acts 3:21; Romans 8:19); to His enemies defeat and condemnation (1Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 2:8; 10:13).

Reviewing all the teaching of our Lord's present life in heaven, appearing. on our behalf, interceding by His presence, bestowing the Holy Spirit, governing and guiding the church, sympathizing, helping and saving His people, we are called upon to up "lift our hearts," for it is in occupation with the living that we find the secret of peace, the assurance of access, and the guaranty of our permanent relation to God. Indeed, we are clearly taught in He that it is in fellowship with the present life of Christ in heaven that Christians realize the difference between spiritual immaturity and maturity (Hebrews 6:1; 10:1), and it is the purpose of this epistle to emphasize this truth above all others. Christianity is "the religion of free access to God," and in proportion as we realize, in union with Christ in heaven, this privilege of drawing near and keeping near, we shall find in the attitude of "lift up your hearts" the essential features of a strong, vigorous, growing, joyous Christian life.

_LITERATURE._

Milligan, Ascension and Heavenly Priesthood of our Lord; Swete, The Appearances of the Risen Lord; The Ascended Christ; Lacey, The Historic Christ; Lives of Christ, by Neander, B. Weiss, Edersheim, Farrar, Geikie, Gilbert; Fairbairn, Studies in the Life of Christ; Knowling, Witness of the Epistles; Bernard in The Expositor T, 1900-1901, 152-55; Bruce in The Expositor. Greek Test, I; Swete, Apostles' Creed; Westcott, Historic Faith, chapter vi; Revelation of the Risen Lord, chapters x, xi; Epesians to Hebrews; article "Ascension" in Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (five volumes); Paget, Studies in the Christian Character, sermons xxi, xxii; Findlay, Things Above; article. "Priest" in Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (five volumes) (in New Testament), "Hebrews"; Davidson, Hebrews, special note on "Priesthood of Christ"; Dimock, Our One Priest on High; The Christian Doctrine of Sacerdotium; Perowne, Our High Priest in Heaven; Rotherham, Studies in He; Soames, The Priesthood of the New Covenant; Hubert Brooke, The Great High Priest; H. W. Williams, The Priesthood of Christ; J. S. Candlish, The Christian Salvation (1899), 6; G. Milligan, The Theol. of Ep. to Heb (1899), 111; R. C. Moberly, Ministerial Priesthood (1897); A. S. Peake, "Hebrews" in Century Bible; Beyschlag, New Testament Theol., II, 315; article "Ascension" in Hastings, Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels; article "Assumption and Ascension" in HDRE; article "Ascension" in JE; Charles, The Book of Enoch; The Slavonic Secrets of En; The Book of Jub; The Apocalypse of Bar; The Ascension Isaiah.; Assumption of Moses; M. R. James, "Testament of Abraham" TS, II, 2, 1892; Martensen, Christian Dogmatics.

W. H. Griffith Thomas

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Ascension - Definition and Meaning, Bible Dictionary