Lectionary Readings
Acts 1:1–11
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven.
Psalm 47
Clap, shout, and sing with joy: the Lord reigns over all the earth.
or Psalm 93
The Lord reigns in majesty, high above the mighty waters.
Ephesians 1:15–23
Christ is seated at God’s right hand, above every earthly power.
Luke 24:44–53
Jesus interprets the Scriptures, then he is carried up into heaven.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with loud songs of joy.
For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome,
a great ruler over all the earth.
God chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom God loves.
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our ruler, sing praises!
For God is the ruler of all the earth;
let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
Emmanuel, God with us,
though you are the creator of the universe,
you chose to dwell among us.
In human flesh,
you made yourself known to us
and revealed your great love.
We praise you, gracious God,
for your love revealed in Christ Jesus.
We give thanks for your continued presence
in our daily lives,
for you are always guiding our hearts toward you.
As we follow,
may others also see your love. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving for Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Creator God,
you drew out life-giving water from a desert rock.
We give you thanks for the water of baptism.
In being joined with Christ,
we die to what destroys
and are raised to new life with Christ.
As streams rush into rivers,
may our lives flow into yours,
joining your creative work for a world in need.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
We behold the life of Jesus among us
and the radiance of the Christ above us;
and we are aware of the sin within us.
Let us turn to God in prayer,
seeking mercy and forgiveness.
God of all time and space,
we confess our failure to use well
our time and our space.
We give our hearts to trivial matters.
We struggle to separate truth from clutter.
We neglect the needs of the neighbors
you direct us to love.
We exploit the world you have made
and have failed to care for your creation.
Forgive us.
Reshape our priorities and guide our efforts
that we may live our days to your glory.
Lifting water from the font:
Our risen Lord abounds in love.
God’s mercy resounds through the heavens.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, Living Word,
as you revealed yourself to Mary
that Easter morning,
so reveal yourself to us.
By the power of your Spirit,
give each of us faith,
that hearing your Word
we, too, may proclaim,
“I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Testimony for the church
from Jesus, the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation 22:13–14
After the readings:
These words are trustworthy and true.
Thanks be to God.
Revelation 21:5
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might be to our God
forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 7:12
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
New life in Christ takes shape in a community
in which people know
that God loves and accepts them
in spite of what they are.
They therefore accept themselves
and love others,
knowing that no one has any ground
on which to stand,
except God’s grace.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.22
Prayers of Intercession
Rejoicing in God’s promise of new creation,
let us pray to the Maker of heaven and earth,
saying: God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Keep us ever faithful in our worship and service,
bearing witness to what Christ has done among us
and to the hope of his coming in glory to reign.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Let your majesty shine; let your mercy rain down.
Humble the leaders of the nations;
teach them to serve with justice and peace.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Encourage those who watch and wait for justice.
Empower them with the gifts of your Spirit
to live, even now, in the light of your holy realm.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Put your heavenly, healing power to work
in the lives of all who are suffering or sick.
Fill them with the fullness of life you offer.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, keep us working and praying
for the coming of your holy realm of peace,
when we will share abundant life with you;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
As God gave us Christ,
the firstfruit of creation,
let us humbly offer
the substance of our lives
in thanksgiving to our God.
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Eternal God, take and use these gifts
for your purpose in the world—
giving food to the hungry,
hope to the despairing,
and new life to the dead.
Teach us to live each day for you,
so that future generations
will know your goodness
and praise your glory;
in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 22:25–31
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You are robed in majesty and glory,
girded in mercy and strength.
You established the world—
the heavens, the earth, the seas.
From age to age you reign;
from everlasting you are God.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Jesus came to fulfill the law,
the prophets, and the psalms.
After he rose from the dead,
he ascended to heaven to reign.
With joy we worship him
and bless your name.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation
(e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Give us your Spirit of wisdom
and enlighten the eyes of our hearts
so that we may know the hope
to which you have called us
and proclaim the good news
of Christ’s coming realm.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
At your table, Giving God,
we have been fed;
our thirsty spirits have been quenched.
We give you thanks
for this taste of your kingdom meal
when wolf and lamb will feed together
and peace will reign
on your holy mountain;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The blessing of the eternal, triune God—
Alpha and Omega,
first and last,
beginning and end—
be with you all. Alleluia!
Revelation 22:13
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Revelation 22:20
The Ascension
Albrecht Dürer
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
-
Open the Eyes of My Heart (AEG) OPEN THE EYES GTG 452
-
Crown Him with Many Crowns (AEG) DIADEMATA GTG 268, PH 151
-
Let the Whole Creation Cry (AEG) SALZBURG GTG 679, PH 256
WORD
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A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing! (AG) DEO GRACIAS GTG 258, PH 141
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At the Name of Jesus (E) KING’S WESTON GTG 264, PH 148
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Our God Is an Awesome God (AEG) AWESOME GOD GTG 616, STF 2040
EUCHARIST
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Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (AEG) HYFRYDOL GTG 260, PH 144
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Let Us Break Bread Together (AEG) LET US BREAK BREAD GTG 525, PH 513
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This Is the Feast of Victory (AEG) FESTIVAL CANTICLE GTG 513, PH 594
SENDING
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He Is King of Kings (E) HE IS KING GTG 273, PH 153
-
You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (E) PICARDY GTG 274, STF 2102
-
God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me (AG) GREEN TYLER GTG 543
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 47
Metrical
-
Peoples, Clap Your Hands! [GENEVAN 47]; GTG 261, PH 194
-
Nations, Clap Your Hands [GENEVAN 47]; PAS 47E, LUYH 216
-
Clap Your Hands, O Faithful People! [NETTLETON]; PAS 47A
-
Clap Your Hands, All You Nations [Yoruba]; PAS 47D
Responsorial
-
God Has Gone Up; PAS 47B
-
Clap Your Hands, All You Nations; PAS 47F
Psalm 93
Metrical
-
God, You Rule with Royal Bearing (God, Our Lord, a King Remaining) [BRYN CALFARIA, YISRAEL V’ORAITA]; GTG 272, PH 213, PP 170 (with refrain)
-
The Lord Almighty Reigns [ST. BRIDE]; GTG 271
-
Robed in Majesty [SALZBURG]; PAS 93A, LUYH 546
-
The Lord Our God Rules over All; [CMD]; SGP 135
Responsorial
-
The Lord Is King; PSA 87
-
Ever Since the World Began; PAS 93B
Organ Music
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“Chorale Prelude on DIADEMATA,” Chris Kovarik, SMP (M)
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“BRYN CALFARIA,” Augsburg Organ Library: Summer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, AF (MA)
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“CORONATION,” Augsburg Organ Library: Autumn, Jean Langlais, AF (MA)
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“DUKE STREET,” Grace Will Lead Me Home, Kevin Hildebrand, CON (E)
Piano Music
-
“Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise,” LLANFAIR, Cross to Crown, Olivia Cresswell, SM (M)
-
“Look, Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious,” BRYN CALFARIA, Morning Has Broken, Penny Rodriguez, LOR (MA)
-
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” CORONATION, The Hymn Collection, Phillip Keveren, HAL (ME)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” arr. Michael Burkhardt, MSM, SATB, org, opt brass, opt timp, opt cong (ME)
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“A Gaelic Easter Celebration,” Patti Drennan, LOR, 2 pt mx, keybd, opt fl, opt hd (E)
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“Look Away to the Skies,” arr. Joel Raney, SHAW, SATB, pno, opt fl (ME)
Art
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Psalm 93, Bernard C. Winter, 2017 (VCS)
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Ascension, Wayne Forte, 2016 (EYE)
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Ascension, Roger Kemp, 1960 (VCS)
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Mysteries of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ (detail), Antoni Campi, 1569 (VDL)
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Ascension, stained glass, Church of St. Elthedreda (VDL)
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Psalm 93, Bernard C. Winter, 2017 (VCS)
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The Ascension, Albrecht Dürer (PD) (MET)
