By the Rev. Micah Krey
Revised Common Lectionary reflection for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A
May 17, 2026
Key Verse: “They devoted themselves to prayer.” — Acts 1:14
The Seventh Sunday of Easter places us in an in-between moment. Ascension has just occurred, Pentecost has not yet arrived, and the disciples are left waiting. It is a space filled with uncertainty, anticipation, and vulnerability. And it is precisely here that a powerful stewardship theme emerges: how do we steward the in-between?
In Acts 1:6–14, the disciples are still trying to make sense of what comes next. They ask Jesus if this is the moment when everything will be restored. Instead of offering a clear timeline, Jesus redirects them: the focus is not on knowing, but on being. They are called to witness, to trust, and, perhaps most importantly in this moment, to wait together. So they return to Jerusalem and devote themselves to prayer.
This is not passive waiting. It is active, communal, intentional. The disciples are stewarding their time not by rushing ahead or grasping for control, but by grounding themselves in prayer and presence with one another. In a culture that prizes productivity and immediate results, this kind of waiting can feel uncomfortable. Yet it is deeply faithful. Stewardship here looks like resisting the urge to fill every gap and instead trusting that God is still at work, even in the pause.
John 17 deepens this perspective. Jesus’ prayer for the disciples reveals a profound truth: they are already entrusted with something sacred. “All mine are yours, and yours are mine.” Before they go out into the world, before they fully understand their mission, they are already given into God’s care and into one another’s care. Their unity, their relationships, their shared life, are all gifts to be stewarded.
This challenges a common assumption about stewardship. Often, we think of it as managing what we have once things are clear and established. But these readings suggest otherwise. Stewardship is just as vital in moments of uncertainty. It is about how we hold space, how we remain connected, how we trust in God’s presence when the next step is not yet visible.
The letter of 1 Peter speaks into this reality as well, encouraging believers to remain steadfast even amid difficulty. Faithfulness is not dependent on ideal circumstances. It is cultivated over time, through humility, trust, and the willingness to keep showing up.
For the church today, this is a timely word. Congregations often find themselves in seasons of transition, discernment, or ambiguity. The temptation is to rush toward solutions or cling to familiar patterns. But these texts invite a different approach: to see the in-between not as a problem to solve, but as a space to steward.
What if we viewed waiting as a spiritual practice? What if we understood prayer, community, and presence as meaningful forms of stewardship? In these moments, God is forming something within us. Shaping our trust, deepening our relationships, and preparing us for what comes next.
Stewarding the in-between means trusting that God’s work is not paused simply because we are unsure. It means believing that even in waiting, something sacred is unfolding.
In Worship
Worship can reflect the theme of waiting with intention rather than urgency. Consider incorporating moments of silence or extended prayer to embody the disciples’ posture in Acts. Instead of filling every space, allow the congregation to experience stillness as a form of trust.
Music can support this theme with hymns like “Wait for the Lord” (which does not only have to be an Advent hymn), “My Lord, What a Morning,” or “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” Prayers of intercession might name places of uncertainty (in the world, the community, and personal lives) while asking for patience and trust.
A simple ritual could involve inviting worshippers to write down something they are waiting for or discerning, placing it in a shared basket or at the altar. This act symbolizes entrusting the unknown to God while holding it in community. The focus is not on resolving the waiting, but honoring it as sacred space where God is present and active.
Worship with Youth
Youth are deeply familiar with waiting. Waiting for answers, for clarity, for what comes next in life. This can be a powerful entry point into the theme. Begin with questions like: “What’s something you’re waiting for right now?” or “How does it feel when you don’t know what’s next?”
Explore Acts 1 by highlighting that even the disciples didn’t have everything figured out. Instead of rushing ahead, they stayed together and prayed. Invite youth to consider what it means to “wait well.” What practices help them stay grounded when life feels uncertain?
An activity could be creating a “waiting map.” Have youth write or draw different areas of their lives where they feel in-between. Then, around those, add ways they can stay connected to God and others (prayer, conversation, acts of kindness, rest). This helps reframe waiting not as wasted time, but as a meaningful part of their faith journey and stewardship of their lives.
Worship with Children
Children know how hard it is to wait, especially when they’re excited or when something big is happening. You might begin with a simple question: “Have you ever heard the saying, ‘A watched pot never boils’?” Ask what it feels like to wait while staring at something, like the clock or the oven. It can feel like forever!
Then ask: “What happens when you go play or do something else while you’re waiting?” Often, time feels like it moves faster.
Connect this to the disciples in Acts. They were waiting for what Jesus promised, but they didn’t just sit and stare at the sky. They prayed, spent time together, and trusted God was at work.
You could demonstrate this by setting a small timer. First, have the children watch it for a few seconds, then reset it and invite them to say a simple prayer together or greet one another while it runs. When the timer goes off, reflect on how it felt different.
Remind them: when we’re waiting, Jesus shows us what to focus on: prayer, love, and being together. God is with us, even while we wait.
Here are previous reflections for Easter 7A:
2023 – Riding above the clouds in order to be down low
2020 – Tag, you’re it!
2017 – Exponentially one in Christ
2014 – Wrapped in prayer
2011 – The Unlikely Power of Humility
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