Ascension Of Our Lord
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series V, Cycle A
First Lesson: Acts 1:1-11
Theme: Sonlight
Call To Worship
Leader: We have only begun to recognize God as Creator and Sustainer. We have only started to grasp the strength of the Holy Spirit. Come, let us explore the light of the Son.
People: At ascension, we sense Christ's reality beyond historical boundaries. God has not moved out of our grasp but has expanded to include everyone's reach. Amen.
Collect
Like the disciples at Christ's ascension, O God, we fear that you are beyond us. Each time we release ideas too small to contain you, we also step into new territory. As Christ raised his hands in blessing to receive whatever was coming, so we pray to know a similar openness of spirit and attitude. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Instead of shrugging shoulders in confusion, let us lift up our arms in expectant blessing. We ask for the courage to greet continual changes in life with an acceptance that transcends resignation and with a sense of adventure that overrides apprehension. Amen.
34A Hymns
"All Creatures Of Our God And King" Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN
"O Grant Us Light" Tune: HESPERUS OR "Let There Be Light, Lord God Of Hosts" Tune: ELTON or PENTECOST
"All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name" Tune: CORONATION or MILES LANE
Ascension Of Our Lord
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme: Spirit Of Wisdom And Revelation
Call To Worship
Ascension is a time for giving encouragement. Christ had shown himself to the disciples after the resurrection. The finality of witnessing his rising out of sight required great faith from the disciples. For us, ascension is a time of piecing together our quilt of faith.
Collect
We remember in prayer all who try to make sense out of the events from Easter to Pentecost. Help us to grow in faith. Help us, through the Holy Spirit, to thrive with wisdom and understanding. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Help us to remember, O God, that faith is a lifelong process. Our faith matures as we practice having hope. Our faith increases as we come to know you with the eyes of our heart enlightened by the working of your power. Through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
34A Hymns
"At The Name Of Jesus" Tune: KING'S WESTON
"We Live By Faith And Not By Sight" Tune: DUNLAP'S CREEK
"Praise To The Lord, The Almighty" or "Sing Praise To God" Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN
Ascension Of Our Lord
Gospel: Luke 24:44-53
Theme: Huddle
Call To Worship
There is a time to rush out and spread the news. There is a time to huddle. Before blessing the disciples prior to his ascension, Jesus instructed them to stay in the city until they received God's power. Our time together in worship is a time to huddle, to conference and to consult, and to prepare for the next action of faith.
Collect
As you opened the minds of the disciples to understand the scriptures, open our minds, O God, to receive insight and understanding before jumping into action without the guidance of the Spirit. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Teach us to have patience with the process of huddling, O God. Strengthen us to wait before going out to serve you ill-equipped or single-handed. Nurture a sense of sustaining community within our congregation. Through your Spirit. Amen.
34A Hymns
"Christ Is The World's Light" Tune: CHRISTE SANCTORUM OR "Christ Is The World's True Light" Tune: O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT
"Surely Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow You" Tune: SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY
"Jesus Shall Reign" Tune: DUKE STREET
Theme: Sonlight
Call To Worship
Leader: We have only begun to recognize God as Creator and Sustainer. We have only started to grasp the strength of the Holy Spirit. Come, let us explore the light of the Son.
People: At ascension, we sense Christ's reality beyond historical boundaries. God has not moved out of our grasp but has expanded to include everyone's reach. Amen.
Collect
Like the disciples at Christ's ascension, O God, we fear that you are beyond us. Each time we release ideas too small to contain you, we also step into new territory. As Christ raised his hands in blessing to receive whatever was coming, so we pray to know a similar openness of spirit and attitude. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Instead of shrugging shoulders in confusion, let us lift up our arms in expectant blessing. We ask for the courage to greet continual changes in life with an acceptance that transcends resignation and with a sense of adventure that overrides apprehension. Amen.
34A Hymns
"All Creatures Of Our God And King" Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN
"O Grant Us Light" Tune: HESPERUS OR "Let There Be Light, Lord God Of Hosts" Tune: ELTON or PENTECOST
"All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name" Tune: CORONATION or MILES LANE
Ascension Of Our Lord
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme: Spirit Of Wisdom And Revelation
Call To Worship
Ascension is a time for giving encouragement. Christ had shown himself to the disciples after the resurrection. The finality of witnessing his rising out of sight required great faith from the disciples. For us, ascension is a time of piecing together our quilt of faith.
Collect
We remember in prayer all who try to make sense out of the events from Easter to Pentecost. Help us to grow in faith. Help us, through the Holy Spirit, to thrive with wisdom and understanding. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Help us to remember, O God, that faith is a lifelong process. Our faith matures as we practice having hope. Our faith increases as we come to know you with the eyes of our heart enlightened by the working of your power. Through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
34A Hymns
"At The Name Of Jesus" Tune: KING'S WESTON
"We Live By Faith And Not By Sight" Tune: DUNLAP'S CREEK
"Praise To The Lord, The Almighty" or "Sing Praise To God" Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN
Ascension Of Our Lord
Gospel: Luke 24:44-53
Theme: Huddle
Call To Worship
There is a time to rush out and spread the news. There is a time to huddle. Before blessing the disciples prior to his ascension, Jesus instructed them to stay in the city until they received God's power. Our time together in worship is a time to huddle, to conference and to consult, and to prepare for the next action of faith.
Collect
As you opened the minds of the disciples to understand the scriptures, open our minds, O God, to receive insight and understanding before jumping into action without the guidance of the Spirit. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Teach us to have patience with the process of huddling, O God. Strengthen us to wait before going out to serve you ill-equipped or single-handed. Nurture a sense of sustaining community within our congregation. Through your Spirit. Amen.
34A Hymns
"Christ Is The World's Light" Tune: CHRISTE SANCTORUM OR "Christ Is The World's True Light" Tune: O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT
"Surely Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow You" Tune: SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY
"Jesus Shall Reign" Tune: DUKE STREET
