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Ascension Day happens forty days after Jesus' resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday and always falls on a Thursday. The name 'ascension' comes from the stories in the Bible in Mark's Gospel and Luke's Gospel that tell of Jesus ascending (rising up) to heaven. The Church Colour for Ascension is white (or gold).
What happens at St James's
At St James's we now celebrate with a Deanery Ascension Day Service with a combined Deanery Choir singing. This is held at St James's Church at 8pm.
Background
After Jesus' resurrection he appeared to Mary Magdalene first of all. She went and told the disciples he was alive but they did not believe her. Later he appeared to two of them but still they did not believe it. Then, when the eleven disciples were having a meal, he appeared to them all and reproached them for not believing he was raised from the dead. During the forty days which followed the first Easter, Jesus kept appearing to his followers.
Ascension Day marks the last appearance of Jesus to the disciples when they were walking on the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. Jesus came to say goodbye and told them to return to Jerusalem and wait for God to send them the Holy Spirit which would help them to spread the word about Jesus.
Mark's Gospel then relates that he said to them: "Go forth to every part of the world, and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. Those who believe it and receive baptism will find salvation; those who do not believe will be condemned. Faith will bring with it these miracles: believers will cast out devils in my name and speak in strange tongues; if they handle snakes or drink any deadly poison, they will come to no harm; and the sick on whom they lay their hands will recover."
And so after talking with eleven of his Apostles, Jesus was taken up into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father.
Find out more
Ascension Day (service booklet)
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