Seventh Sunday of Easter 2026: May 17

Alleluia! On May 17, 2026, we will celebrate the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2026 with Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh. We find ourselves in the sacred space between Christ’s Ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We come together to hear about how the disciples waited in prayer for God’s promise, how Christ’s exaltation provides strength to all who believe, and how Christ intercedes for his followers in unity and love.

Join us for worship in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person, via Live Stream, Video Replay, or Podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2026!

We understand that you may not always be able to attend in person; that’s why we offer several virtual options.

Livestream/Playback

Join us live at 8:50 AM for the organ prelude, followed by the service at 9 AM. After the livestream ends, you can watch the video replay anytime.

Podcast

Did you know that we are available on all major platforms? Our podcast covers everything from the opening hymn to the sharing of the peace.

The Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2026

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2026

First Lesson: Acts 1:6–14

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Psalm 68:1–10, 33–36

The Epistle: 1 Peter 4:12–14, 5:6–11

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel: John 17:1–11

1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

6 “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

Reflection on the Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2026

Waiting for the Promise of the Father

First Lesson – Acts 1:6–14

The Ascension has just taken place. The disciples, having witnessed Jesus being lifted into heaven and disappearing from their sight, are left with a profound question: What comes next? They ask Jesus if this is the time when he will restore the kingdom to Israel—a question deeply rooted in centuries of Jewish hope for political and national restoration.

Jesus does not answer their question directly. Instead, he redirects their focus by saying, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.” However, he gives them a promise: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The promise is not about restoring political power, but rather about spiritual power—specifically, the power of the Holy Spirit. This power will enable the disciples to be witnesses, not just in Jerusalem and the surrounding regions, but to the very ends of the earth. They are instructed not to abandon their position of looking upward but to wait for the gift that the Father has promised. Their mission is to serve as witnesses; the Holy Spirit will be the source of their power and authority.

The text describes the Ascension, in which Jesus is lifted up and a cloud takes Him out of the disciples’ sight. Two men in white robes appear and encourage the disciples, assuring them that Jesus will return in the same way they saw Him ascend into heaven. This promise signifies that they will not be abandoned, but rather that He will come back.

With a promise in mind, the disciples returned to Jerusalem. They gathered in the upper room where they were staying. The individuals present included Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. Also, there were some women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as His brothers. This gathering represented the early Christian community, united in prayer as they awaited the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The scene is one of anticipation and obedience. The disciples have been instructed to wait for the promise of the Father. They have returned to Jerusalem and devoted themselves to prayer. Their task now is not to take action, but to wait in faith for the gift that will empower them to bear witness to the entire world.

Psalm 68:1–10, 33–36

This is a psalm of divine power and victory. It opens with the words, “Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered,” echoing the ancient prayer recited when the Ark of the Covenant was carried into battle. The righteous are exhorted to be glad and rejoice; the wicked shall perish at God’s presence like wax melting before fire.

The psalmist calls all people to sing praises to God and to exalt him who rides upon the heavens. God’s Name is YAHWEH, the covenant name of Israel’s God. But this God’s dominion extends beyond Israel: he is “Father of orphans, defender of widows”—a God of care and protection for the most vulnerable. He gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom.

The psalm recounts God’s mighty acts on behalf of Israel. When God led the people through the wilderness, the earth shook, and rain poured from the skies at His presence. He sent a gracious rain upon their inheritance, refreshing the weary land. God’s people found their home in the land, and in His goodness, provision was made for the poor.

The latter part of the psalm (verses 33–36) shifts to a cosmic perspective. God rides in the heavens, referred to as “the ancient heavens,” and sends forth His voice with great power. All kingdoms of the earth are called to sing praises to the Lord. God’s majesty reigns over Israel, and His strength is evident in the skies. How wonderful is God in His holy places! He, the God of Israel, gives strength and power to His people. The psalm concludes with a blessing: “Blessed be God!”

This psalm reflects the narrative of the Ascension: Christ, much like the God of Sinai, is lifted up to the heavens. He rides through the ancient skies and sends forth His voice with great power. He is the one who provides strength and power to His people.

The Epistle – 1 Peter 4:12–14, 5:6–11

Peter speaks to believers who are facing persecution for their faith. He begins with a statement that challenges worldly expectations: “Beloved, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is happening among you to test you, as if something strange were occurring.” Suffering is not unusual for Christians; rather, it is to be anticipated as a test of faith.

Peter presents a thought-provoking idea: “Rejoice to the extent that you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.” The suffering that believers experience is not pointless affliction; rather, it is an engagement in Christ’s passion. When Christ’s glory is revealed in the future, those who have endured suffering alongside him will also share in his joy.

Peter makes a remarkable statement: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.” Those who are persecuted for their faith are considered blessed because the Spirit of God resides within them. While the person who insults them fails to recognize any spiritual reality, the believer experiences the glory of God resting upon them.

Peter offers practical advice for persecuted believers. They should humble themselves under God’s mighty hand so that they may be exalted at the appropriate time. All anxiety should be cast upon God, “because he cares for you.” This message brings comfort to believers: they are not abandoned in their suffering; God cares for them deeply.

Peter emphasizes the need for spiritual vigilance: “Discipline yourselves and stay alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Living the Christian life requires active resistance to evil and strong faith. However, believers are not alone in this struggle; “You know that your brothers and sisters around the world are facing the same kinds of suffering.”

Peter concludes with a message of ultimate assurance. After believers have endured suffering for a little while, “the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” The focus shifts from the current struggles to God’s work of restoration. While suffering is temporary, God’s restorative work is everlasting. To God be the power forever and ever. Amen.

The Gospel – John 17:1–11

This passage is from Christ’s High Priestly Prayer, spoken in the Upper Room just before his Passion. Jesus looks up to heaven and addresses God the Father, saying, “Father, the hour has come.” This moment marks the beginning of his glorification—his death, resurrection, and exaltation.

Jesus prays for the Father to glorify him so that he can glorify the Father in return. This glorification is reciprocal: the Son’s exaltation reveals the character and power of the Father. Jesus explains the reason for this mutual glorification: he has been given authority over all people in order to grant eternal life to those whom the Father has entrusted to him. Eternal life is defined as knowing God: “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Jesus reflects on his work on Earth, saying, “I glorified you on Earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.” His life, death, and resurrection fulfill the Father’s purpose. Now, he requests the Father to glorify him with the glory he had before the world was created. This request represents a return to his pre-incarnate state, but now as the incarnate Son who has completed the work of redemption.

Jesus then shifts his attention to the disciples. He has revealed the Father’s name to them, and they have kept His word. They now understand that everything Jesus has given them comes from the Father. The words that the Father gave to Jesus have been passed on to His disciples, who have received them. They recognize that Jesus came from the Father and that the Father sent Him.

Jesus’s prayer for his disciples is truly remarkable: “I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours.” The disciples belong to the Father, and the Father has entrusted them to the Son. Everything that belongs to the Son also belongs to the Father, and vice versa. The disciples have been glorified in Christ.

The prayer expresses Christ’s impending departure: “Now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.” Even as He leaves them, He continues to intercede on their behalf. His final request is vital: “Holy Father, protect them by the name you have given me, so that they may be one, just as we are one.” The unity of believers—their togetherness in faith and love—matters greatly to the risen Christ. This unity not only reflects the bond between the Father and the Son but also serves as the means by which the world comes to believe.

Seventh Sunday of Easter 2026 Reflection Wrap-Up

The readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter depict the Church in the transitional period between Christ’s Ascension and Pentecost. The disciples have witnessed the Ascension and heard the promise that the Holy Spirit will come. However, they are not immobilized by uncertainty or fear. Instead, they return to Jerusalem and dedicate themselves to prayer.

The Ascension is not an abandonment. Christ has ascended to the right hand of the Father, where he reigns in glory and power. The psalmist invites all kingdoms to sing praises to the God who rides in the heavens and gives strength and power to his people. This is Christ exalted—our Lord and Savior seated at the right hand of God.

For believers who endure suffering and persecution, Peter assures them that the Spirit of glory is with them. Their suffering holds meaning; it signifies a participation in Christ’s passion. Furthermore, the God of all grace will restore, support, strengthen, and establish them.

Christ’s High Priestly Prayer reveals the Savior’s heart for his disciples. He prays for their unity, their protection, their knowledge of the Father, and their glory in him. He intercedes for them before the throne of the Father, asking that they be one as he and the Father are one. This unity is not merely organizational or institutional; it is a unity rooted in shared knowledge of God and shared participation in Christ’s redemptive work.

As we find ourselves between Ascension and Pentecost, we wait alongside the early disciples for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We reflect on Christ’s exaltation and His ongoing intercession on our behalf. We rejoice in our suffering, knowing that the Spirit of glory rests upon us. Furthermore, we strive for the unity that Christ prayed for—a unity that reveals to the world the Father’s love and the redemptive power of the Son.

Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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