Ascension Sunday Liturgy, Songs, and Prayers
May 16, Ascension
Resurrection: Middle English, from Old French, from late Latin resurrectio (n- from the verb resurgere ‘rise again’ (in Christian belief) Christ's rising from the dead.
Instrumental prelude -Each week we take a few moments for silent prayer and reflection during the instrumental prelude. We invite you to join us in quiet prayer; to enter this place with quietness and trust before the Lord.
CALL TO WORSHIP (standing together)
Hallelujah, for the love that saves me.
THE ACCLAMATION(standing together)
God has gone up with a shout;
The Lord with the sound of a trumpet. (Psalm 47.5)
THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, for forty days we have been celebrating with joyful hearts the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, his bursting from the tomb and his defeat of the power of sin and death. He appeared to his disciples many times and told them about the kingdom of God.
Today we recall how he left this earth and returned to his Father, ascending into heaven to take his throne over all dominions and powers.
THE COLLECT OF THE ASCENSION (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE LESSON (Please be seated)
A reading from the account of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts1: 1-11):
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 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.”
The Word of the Lord,
Thanks be to God.
SUNG WORSHIP (standing together)
King of My Heart
Verse 1
Let the King of my heart, be the mountain where I run
The fountain I drink from, oh He is my song
Let the King of my heart, be the shadow where I hide
The ransom for my life, oh He is my Song
CHORUS
You are good, good, oh, oh
You are good, good, oh, oh
Verse 2
Let the King of my heart, be the wind inside my sails
The anchor in the waves, oh He is my song
Let the King of my heart, be the fire inside my veins
The echo of my days, oh He is my song
Bridge
You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down
You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down
CHORUS
You are good, good, oh, oh
You are good, good, oh, oh
SUNG WORSHIP continues(standing together)
Exalt the Lord
Exalt the Lord our God
And worship at His feet
For He is holy
For the Lord our God, He is holy
THE GOSPEL (standing together)
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John ( John 17: 1-11)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
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.
Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 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. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 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."
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE MESSAGE Mother Wendy Dixon
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(kneeling as you’re able, or seated)
Celebrant: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have exalted your Son Christ Jesus to your right hand, and made him the head over all things for his body the Church: hear us as we pray for the Church throughout the world. Let us join our prayers with those of our Savior Christ, seeking the Father’s blessing and the gifts of the Spirit.
Intercessor:
Jesus Christ, great high priest,
living for ever to intercede for us,
pray for the Church, your body in the world ...
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, king of righteousness,
enthroned at the right hand of the majesty on high,
pray for the world, and make it subject to your gentle rule ...
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, Son of Man,
drawing humanity into the life of God,
pray for your brothers and sisters in need, distress or sorrow ...
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, pioneer of our salvation,
bringing us to glory through your death and resurrection, surround with your saints and angels those who have died trusting your promises ...
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, Lord over all things,
ascended far above the heavens and filling the universe,
pray for us who receive the gifts you give us for work in your service ...
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ,
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at your feet; for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE NICENE CREED (standing together)
Let’s stand together and confess our faith using the words of the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION
Let’s confess our sins and those things that prevent our being filled with love for God and our neighbors:
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.
Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who in his great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to him, † have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE PEACE (standing together)
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And with your spirit.
(Let’s greet one another with a sign of peace)
Announcements and Upcoming Events -
more details on our Events Page
Ascension, by Ivanka Demchuk
ARDF - Anglican Relief and Development Fund Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Libya, Flood Relief, Hurricane Relief, California Wildfires, and so many more need our assistance throughout the world
News:
Hope Continues, Pass it On
Check out our news page!
Summer by the Sea FAQs
Teens and More!
The story of Acts, even after Jesus' ascension, is about what Jesus continued to do and teach. And the way he did it and taught it was - through his followers.
-N.T. Wright
Note, though, something else of great significance about the whole Christian theology of resurrection, ascension, second coming, and hope. This theology was born out of confrontation with the political authorities, out of the conviction that Jesus was already the true Lord of the world who would one day be manifested as such. The rapture theology avoids this confrontation because it suggests that Christians will miraculously be removed from this wicked world. Perhaps that is why such theology is often Gnostic [read: does not deal with the realities of life] in its tendency towards a private dualistic spirituality and towards a political laissez-faire quietism
-N.T. Wright
SUNG WORSHIP / OFFERING
We worship together with our hearts in song and in giving.
The opportunity to worship through giving is available online here.
There is also a giving area near the welcome table; look for the box shaped like a church
King of Glory
Lift up your gaze be lifted up
Tell everyone how great the love
The love come down from heaven's gate
To kiss the earth with hope and grace
chorus:
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty
vs.2
Lift up your hands be lifted up
Let the redeemed declare the love
We bow down at heaven's gate
To kiss the feet of hope and grace
chorus:
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty
Bridge:
There is one God He is Holy
There is one Lord over everything
There is one King He is Jesus
King of glory strong and mighty
You are the King of Glory
The Lord, strong and mighty
You are the King of Glory
The Lord, strong and mighty
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
All things come from you, O Lord,
And of your own have we given you.
THE SURSUM CORDA (standing together)
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who after his most glorious resurrection appeared to his Apostles, and in their sight ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us; that where he is, there we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
THE SANCTUS
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
(kneeling as you’re able or sitting)
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and when we had sinned against you and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent your only Son Jesus Christ into the world for our salvation. By the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary he became flesh and dwelt among us. In obedience to your will, he stretched out his arms upon the Cross and offered himself once for all, that by his suffering and death we might be saved. By his resurrection he broke the bonds of death, trampling Hell and Satan under his feet. As our great high priest, he ascended to your right hand in glory, that we might come with confidence before the throne of grace.
On the night that he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Therefore, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, and we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Word and Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Sanctify us also, that we may worthily receive this holy Sacrament, and be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us and we in him. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us with all your saints into the joy of your heavenly kingdom, where we shall see our Lord face to face.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: by him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
your Name be hallowed,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
as in heaven, also on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Matthew 6:9–13)
THE FRACTION
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia!
THE MINISTRATION OF COMMUNION
The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
(for those with us online)
Lord Jesus, truly present in the Holy Sacrament: come spiritually into my heart and give me yourself, for I love you above all else, and I desire to be united with you within my soul.
Amen.
SUNG WORSHIP
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon the throne.
Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as the matchless king,
through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save.
His glories now we sing
who died, and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.
Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side.
Rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified.
No angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bend their burning eyes
at mysteries so bright.
Crown Him the Lord of heaven,
Enthroned in worlds above;
Crown Him the King to whom is given
The wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns
As thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns
For He is King of all.
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER (standing together)
God our Father, you have raised our humanity in Christ and have fed us with the bread of heaven: we thank you, that you have fed us in this sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all peoples.
Amen.
A READING (standing together)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (1.12,13a,14)
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
THE FINAL BLESSING
God the Father,
who has given to his Son the name above every name, strengthen you to proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord.
Amen.
God the Son,
who is our great high priest passed into the heavens, plead for you at the right hand of the Father.
Amen.
God the Holy Spirit,
who pours out his abundant gifts upon the Church, make you faithful servants of Christ our King.
Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Alleluia, alleluia.
Waiting expectantly for the promised Holy Spirit, go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
SUNG WORSHIP
Crown Him the Lord of heaven,
Enthroned in worlds above;
Crown Him the King to whom is given
The wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns
As thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns
For He is King of all.
May the Peace of God be with you today
”I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
-Jesus
*Personal and Confidential Prayer is available after the service at the back of the chapel, look for the team with the “prayer” signs.
Cn Timothy Clayton, lead pastor
Mtr Wendy Dixon, clergy
Mtr Jen Keifer, clergy
Michael Pritzl, sung worship leader
Christian Erickson, keyboards, vocals
Ian Clayton, production, guitar
Jennifer Mahnke, vocals,
Juniper Mahnke, vocals
Luke Redington, vocals
Liffy Keifer, percussion
Psalm 139 (alleluia for the love that saves me), written by Michael Pritzl
King of My Heart, written by Sarah and John Mark McMillan
King of Glory, written by Chris Tomlin
Exalt the Lord, written by Cindy Rethmeier
Crown Him With Many Crowns written by Matthew Bridges
And Godfrey Thring to the tune of Diademata
Doxology, written in 1674 by Thomas Ken
”Trinity” and “Ascension” artwork by Ukrainian Icon Artist Ivanka Demchuk
Today’s liturgy is based on the Book of Common Prayer, 2019, the Renewed Ancient Eucharistic Rite, p. 123-138, with additions from the Church of England’s Times and Seasons liturgical supplements for Easter.
sung worship during Easter Tide:
Psalm 139 (alleluia for the love that saves me), written by Michael Pritzl
The Easter Song, written by Annie Herring
Death in his Grave, written by John Mark McMillan
Mighty to save, written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan
All Hail King Jesus, written by Jeremy Riddle, Steffany Dawn Gretzinger, Ran Matthew Jackson, Peter Benjamin Mattis
40, written by Paul David Hewson / Adam Clayton / Larry Mullen / Dave Evans
Doxology, written by Thomas Ken in 1674
Goodness of God, written by Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Edward Martin Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson
Holy Holy Holy, written by the Anglican bishop Reginald Heber to the tune of Nicaea by John Bacchus Dykes
To the Lamb, To the King, written by Michael J Pritzl
Fairest Lord Jesus, The tune, originally a Silesian folk song, and the German text were printed together for the first time in 1842 by Hoffmann von Fallersleben and Richter under the name Schönster Herr Jesu (Most beautiful Lord Jesus)
I Exalt Thee, written by Pete Sanchez
‘Tis the Old Ship of Zion, African American Spiritual written by African American slave M. J. Cartwright sometime around 1889 (exact date not known), played to a tune written by Daniel B. Towner
Lord, Rescue Me, written by Michael J Pritzl
Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord), African American spiritual likely composed by enslaved African Americans in the 19th century. In 1940, it was included in the Episcopal Church hymnal, making it the first spiritual to be included in any major American hymnal
Fairest Lord Jesus, The tune, originally a Silesian folk song, and the German text were printed together for the first time in 1842 by Hoffmann von Fallersleben and Richter under the name Schönster Herr Jesu (Most beautiful Lord Jesus)
This is My Father’s World, Lyrics by Maltbie Babcock 1901; Tune: "Terra Beata" arranged by Franklin Sheppard 1915
Psalm 98, Psalm 23, Psalm 66, Psalm 33 various translations poetically adapted.
Today’s liturgy is based on the Book of Common Prayer, 2019, the Renewed Ancient Eucharistic Rite, p. 123-138, with additions from the Church of England’s Times and Seasons
other songs:
Phos Hilaron (O Gracious Light), text written anonymously in Greek dating back to the 3rd century. A clear reference to the Light of Christ and the early Christian idea of becoming illuminated. As adapted by Michael J Pritzl, composed by Michael J Pritzl
Prayer of St Patrick, written by St. Patrick as adapted by the Keble Choir College, Oxford
Good to Me, written by Craig Musseau
Exalt the Lord, written by Cindy Rethmeier
Goodness of God, written by Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Edward Martin Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson
All Creatures of Our God and King, written by St. Francis of Assisi 1225 based on Psalm 148, translated by William Henry Draper a priest in the Church of England set to the tune of "Lasst uns erfreuen", a German Easter hymn published by Friedrich Spee in 1623 in his book Auserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesäng
Alleluia for the Love that Saves Me (psalm 139), written by Michael J Pritzl
Goodness of God written by Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Edward Martin Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson
Lord, Le Your Glory Fall and King of Glory, written by Matt Redman
Today’s liturgy is based on the Book of Common Prayer, 2019, the Renewed Ancient Eucharistic Rite, and the Church of England’s Times and Seasons liturgical supplement for Epiphany.
*Eucharist Adoration moment:
This is an adaptation of a spiritual practice known as Eucharistic Adoration, normally practiced in the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and in some Anglican expressions.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We all live on Indigenous land. We would like to acknowledge the Massachusett Tribe: the tribe of Indigenous peoples from whom the Colony, Province, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts have taken their name. We would like to pay our respect to the ancestral bloodline of the Massachusett Tribe and their descendants who still inhabit historical Massachusett Tribe territories to this day.
We are grateful to Thomas Green, VP of the Massachusett Tribe, for providing this paragraph. https://massachusetttribe.org/the-tribe
mer·cy
/ˈmərsē/
noun: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
