Acts 1:6-14 When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?" 7"The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know. 8But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9It was not long after he said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud. 10As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. 11They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!" 12The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem. 13Then they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here is the list of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. (NLT) Psalm 68:1-10 , 33-35 L. Arise, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives. C. Drive them off like smoke blown by the wind. Melt them like wax in fire. L. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God. C. But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. L. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to God and to his name! C. Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. L. His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence! C. Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy. L. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. C. But for rebels, there is only famine and distress. L. O God, when you led your people from Egypt, when you marched through the wilderness, C. the earth trembled, and the heavens poured rain before you, the God of Sinai, L. before God, the God of Israel. C. You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary Promised Land. L. There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, C. O God, you provided for your needy people. L. Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens, his mighty voice thundering from the sky. C. Tell everyone about God's power. L. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens. C. God is awesome in his sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. (NLT) The second lesson 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11 Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13Instead, be very glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world. 14Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you. 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you. 7Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. 8Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. 9Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11All power is his forever and ever. Amen. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson John 17:1-11 1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-- the name you gave me-- so that they may be one as we are one. (NIV)