Happy Wedding, Eileen!

Beacon Hill's secretary Eileen is getting married today!  Please be praying for good weather, no problems, and God's blessing on the union.

WEEKLY COMIC: Technology vs Law

DID YOU KNOW: What is "Ascension Day"?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

What is "Ascension Day" and why were some Christians celebrating on May 29?

The Bible is not generally very precise about the days on which things happened (with exceptions like Passover, Good Friday, and Easter.)  But the Church has chosen dates on which to remember the significant events of church history, even if they're not Biblical.  May 9th of this year was "Ascension Day" (or Analepsis by the Orthodox Churches) - the day to remember Jesus's ascension into heaven after his resurrection.

The Feast of the Ascension, also known as Ascension Thursday, Holy Thursday (only by some denominations; not to be confused with Thursday of Holy Week), or Ascension Day, commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is one of the ecumenical feasts (i.e., universally celebrated) of Christian churches, ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter, and Pentecost. In the Roman Catholic church it is also known as the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter (following the count given in Acts 1:3), although some Roman Catholic provinces have moved the observance to the following Sunday.

So why didn't our church have a "feast" on this day?  (I know some of you were feeling extra hungry!) Because many Protestant - and especially Evangelical - churches choose to only celebrate the major, Biblical, holidays.  We go back only to the Bible.

That being said, if you want to celebrate, some churches celebrate as late as June 3!  Traditionally, it is commemorated by an All-Night Vigil (i.e. stay up late praying and singing hymns) followed by Communion, then various traditional actions like marking the boundaries of a church's influence, and then finally with a meal.  Enjoy!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Cresskill 2013 Quiz Meet

Taking this week for a quick flashback to the Quiz Meet that kicked off last season in Cresskill, NJ.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Waterfall

DID YOU KNOW: What are the names of God?

"DID YOU KNOW?" will be a summer series where we review issues of the Bible and the Christian faith of special interest. If you have a suggestion/question that you'd like addressed in a "DID YOU KNOW?" segment, please e-mail the coaches.

What names does God have in the Bible?

Names are very important things in scripture.  God gave new names to many of His chosen people, to signify the change in their status or identity. Abram ("high father") became Abraham ("father of many nations").  Jacob ("deceiver") becomes Israel ("wrestles with God").  A name isn't just an equivalent for "that guy", but rather defines who we are.

So what names does scripture give for God?  You may be surprised just how many names He has!

• Advocate - 1 John 2:1 

• Almighty - Revelation 1:8 

• Alpha - Revelation 1:8 

• Amen - Revelation 3:14 

• Angel of the Lord - Genesis 16:7 

• Anointed One - Psalm 2:2 

• Apostle - Hebrews 3:1 

• Author and Perfecter of our Faith - Hebrews 12:2 

• Beginning - Revelation 21:6 

• Bishop of Souls - 1 Peter 2:25 

• Branch - Zechariah 3:8 

• Bread of Life - John 6:35,48 

• Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15 

• Carpenter - Mark 6:3 

• Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4 

• The Christ - Matthew 1:16 

• Comforter - Jeremiah 8:18 

• Consolation of Israel - Luke 2:25 

• Cornerstone - Ephesians 2:20 

• Dayspring - Luke 1:78 

• Day Star - 2 Peter 1:19 

• Deliverer - Romans 11:26 

• Desire of Nations - Haggai 2:7 

• Emmanuel - Matthew 1:23 

• End - Revelation 21:6 

• Everlasting Father - Isaiah 9:6 

• Faithful and True Witness - Revelation 3:14 

• First Fruits - 1 Corinthians 15:23 

• Foundation - Isaiah 28:16 

• Fountain - Zechariah 13:1 

• Friend of Sinners - Matthew 11:19 

• Gate for the Sheep - John 10:7 

• Gift of God - 2 Corinthians 9:15 

• God - John 1:1 

• Glory of God - Isaiah 60:1 

• Good Shepherd - John 10:11 

• Governor - Matthew 2:6 

• Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20 

• Guide - Psalm 48:14

And many more.  Click thru the link for the full list!

HUMOR: Pray for the Food

Not mine.  From here.

Young Ernie and his family were invited to have Sunday lunch at his grandmother's house in Monkey's Eyebrow, Arizona. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served.  When Ernie received his plate he started eating straight away.

'Ernie, wait until we say grace,' demanded his father.

'I don't have to,' the five year old replied.

'Of course you do, Ernest,' his mother insisted rather forcefully. 'We always say a prayer before eating at our house.'

'That's at our house,' Ernie explained, 'but this is Grandma's house, and she 
knows how to cook.'