The May issue of The Lutheran Witness will examine the Ascension of our Lord. As part of this issue, we are asking the pastors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to submit Ascension Day sermons to be published in the May 2022 issue.
Submissions need to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Text: Mark 16:14–20
- Word count: 800–1000 words
- Quotations from the ESV.
- Submit by March 8.
Ideally, pastors will submit sermons they have already preached or are preparing to preach. Please keep in mind, all articles are edited for clarity, style and length; a doctrinal review board will also evaluate manuscripts for theological content. When possible and appropriate, we will send edited drafts to authors for review prior to publication, though we will have the final word on all editorial changes.
Submit your sermons on The Lutheran Witness website (witness.lcms.org/contribute) on or before March 8th.
LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
While the traditional text may be in Mark, there’s three better texts: Rev.5 (chapter) which is a heavenly view of the Ascension; Ephesians 1:15-21, and Ephesians 4: 1-7. Any one of these will suffice as an Ascension Day sermon. 800 words is not sufficient to declare Law and Gospel and what the Ascension means for us.
I certainly agree that 800 words is simply not enough; however, there’s also the basic limitation of pages. We only have so many …
That is the WRONG TEXT. That text is for the Feast of Mark the Evangelist. The text for the Feast of the Ascension is Luke 24:44–53. Please explain.
Delwyn,
Thank you for commenting. Traditionally, the text selected for Ascension day was Mark 16:14–20. You will see it in the historic lectionary.
RSA