ASCENSION DAY
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids -- Series C
First Lesson: Acts 1:1-11
Theme: The Ascension of Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
When Jesus had completed his earthly ministry, he was taken up to heaven as the disciples watched.
People:
He had come as God made flesh; after fulfilling his ministry, he returned to his heavenly home.
Pastor:
He did not return without first commissioning his disciples to be witnesses.
People:
We are his witnesses today, telling the story of his love and redemption for all mankind.
Collect
Heavenly Father, whose only Son came into our world to give his life for our redemption, and then returned to his eternal home: Move us by your Spirit to bear witness to that redemptive love, and the new life which that love creates, that every person in the world may hear the story of Jesus, the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, we praise you for the gift of your Son who lived, died, arose from the grave, and ascended into heaven! Forgive us for the inadequate witness we have given to such a wonderful message of salvation. Loosen our tongues to express our faith with convincing words of hope for the whole human race. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"
"Crown Him with Many Crowns"
"I Love to Tell the Story"
"Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious"
"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
No. 107 - ASCENSION DAY
(Or the Sunday Nearest)
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme: Christ is sovereign ruler of all
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Christ has been honored with a name above all names, and authority above all authority!
People:
God has placed all things under his feet and has made him head over the Church.
Pastor:
The Church is the fulness of Christ, a visible expression of his redemptive sovereignty.
People:
All honor and praise be to Christ our King who rules in our hearts, building us into his living church!
Collect
Father almighty, who has enthroned your Son with glory and power, and has made him the head of the church: Grant us submissive hearts to his sovereign rule, that we may experience his fulness in the fellowship of the Church. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are a part of your church, O God, and believe Christ is the head of your church. But subconsciously we excuse ourselves from his sovereign rule, keeping ourselves from the fulness which he bestows upon the church. Forgive us for our passive reaction to Christ's authority over all of life. Give us obedient hearts to enthrone him in our lives as our King of glory who sits at your right hand. We pray in his name. Amen.
Hymns
"All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine"
"Crown Him With Many Crowns"
"Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned"
"Take the Name of Jesus with You"
"The Church's One Foundation"
No. 108 - ASCENSION DAY
(Or the Sunday Nearest)
Gospel:
Luke 24:44-53
Theme: The Ascension of Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Jesus' post-resurrection appearances with his disciples concluded with the crowning experience of his ascension into heaven.
People:
That departing must have blessed their hearts to overflowing.
Pastor:
They were filled with joy, expectant of the Holy Spirit that would come upon them to give them power to do their Lord's work.
People:
That same Spirit gives us joy and power to minister in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God the Father!
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son ascended into heaven, filling the hearts of his disciples with your spirit: Fill our hearts with joy as we look forward to the power which you give through your Spirit, that we may give thanks to you and share your healing love. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Father, we would crown your Son with many crowns, and call him King of Kings; but the joy which that expresses is too superficial. Too soon we lose our zeal, because our motivation does not come from your Spirit. Forgive us for walking way from the blessings your Son has given, without the power of your Spirit to lead us on. Grant us that power, that our joy may be genuine, producing honest worship. In our Savior's name, we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Crown Him With Many Crowns"
"Look, Ye Saints! The Sight is Glorious"
"Rejoice, The Lord Is King"
Theme: The Ascension of Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
When Jesus had completed his earthly ministry, he was taken up to heaven as the disciples watched.
People:
He had come as God made flesh; after fulfilling his ministry, he returned to his heavenly home.
Pastor:
He did not return without first commissioning his disciples to be witnesses.
People:
We are his witnesses today, telling the story of his love and redemption for all mankind.
Collect
Heavenly Father, whose only Son came into our world to give his life for our redemption, and then returned to his eternal home: Move us by your Spirit to bear witness to that redemptive love, and the new life which that love creates, that every person in the world may hear the story of Jesus, the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Eternal God, we praise you for the gift of your Son who lived, died, arose from the grave, and ascended into heaven! Forgive us for the inadequate witness we have given to such a wonderful message of salvation. Loosen our tongues to express our faith with convincing words of hope for the whole human race. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"
"Crown Him with Many Crowns"
"I Love to Tell the Story"
"Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious"
"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
No. 107 - ASCENSION DAY
(Or the Sunday Nearest)
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme: Christ is sovereign ruler of all
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Christ has been honored with a name above all names, and authority above all authority!
People:
God has placed all things under his feet and has made him head over the Church.
Pastor:
The Church is the fulness of Christ, a visible expression of his redemptive sovereignty.
People:
All honor and praise be to Christ our King who rules in our hearts, building us into his living church!
Collect
Father almighty, who has enthroned your Son with glory and power, and has made him the head of the church: Grant us submissive hearts to his sovereign rule, that we may experience his fulness in the fellowship of the Church. In his name we pray. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
We are a part of your church, O God, and believe Christ is the head of your church. But subconsciously we excuse ourselves from his sovereign rule, keeping ourselves from the fulness which he bestows upon the church. Forgive us for our passive reaction to Christ's authority over all of life. Give us obedient hearts to enthrone him in our lives as our King of glory who sits at your right hand. We pray in his name. Amen.
Hymns
"All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine"
"Crown Him With Many Crowns"
"Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned"
"Take the Name of Jesus with You"
"The Church's One Foundation"
No. 108 - ASCENSION DAY
(Or the Sunday Nearest)
Gospel:
Luke 24:44-53
Theme: The Ascension of Jesus
Call to Worship
Pastor:
Jesus' post-resurrection appearances with his disciples concluded with the crowning experience of his ascension into heaven.
People:
That departing must have blessed their hearts to overflowing.
Pastor:
They were filled with joy, expectant of the Holy Spirit that would come upon them to give them power to do their Lord's work.
People:
That same Spirit gives us joy and power to minister in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God the Father!
Collect
Almighty God, whose Son ascended into heaven, filling the hearts of his disciples with your spirit: Fill our hearts with joy as we look forward to the power which you give through your Spirit, that we may give thanks to you and share your healing love. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Father, we would crown your Son with many crowns, and call him King of Kings; but the joy which that expresses is too superficial. Too soon we lose our zeal, because our motivation does not come from your Spirit. Forgive us for walking way from the blessings your Son has given, without the power of your Spirit to lead us on. Grant us that power, that our joy may be genuine, producing honest worship. In our Savior's name, we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Crown Him With Many Crowns"
"Look, Ye Saints! The Sight is Glorious"
"Rejoice, The Lord Is King"
