Restore The Kingdom?
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series V, Cycle B
Call To Worship
The disciples were not the only ones to ask Christ when the kingdom would be restored. Whenever you and I feel desperate, we ask the bottom-line question, "When, God?" When will people ever live together peaceably? When, God, will human misery around the world ever diminish? Not how, but when, God?
Collect
The strength of your power, O Spirit God, comes to us in ways we cannot fathom. What we do know is you will not leave us empty-handed. For this we are grateful. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
In a waiting time before a Pentecost in our lives we, like the disciples at the ascension of Christ, feel ill-equipped to manage alone in a broken world. Help us, O sustaining God, to hear Jesus' words that your realm offers a new way of meeting life. Help us to hear his promise that you will send what we need for empowerment. Amen.
34B Hymns
"The Voice Of God Is Calling" Tune: MEIRIONYDID
"Behold A Broken World" Tune: MARSH CHAPEL
"For The Healing Of The Nations" Tune: CWM RHONDDA
Ascension Of Our Lord
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme: Called To Hope
Call To Worship
God calls us from despair into a powerful hope which the eternal presence of Jesus Christ undergirds. Our task is to discern how this hope to which God calls us will shape itself. Come, let us worship the God of hope.
Collect
We trust you, O God, to bring a sturdiness and a steadiness to our plans. Grant us a spirit of wisdom as you reveal your hope for our world. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
We want to repair what is broken immediately, O God. We forget that the unfolding of your plan for us takes time. Help us to be patient and discerning as we shape this hope into a form that will make a difference. Through the Spirit of Christ. Amen.
34B Hymns
"My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less" Tune: MELITA or SOLID ROCK
"Open My Eyes" Tune: OPEN MY EYES
"All My Hope [On God Is][Is Firmly] Founded" Tune: MICHAEL
Ascension Of Our Lord
Gospel: Luke 24:44-53
Theme: Thus It Is Written
Call To Worship
When we preface our words with "Thus it is written," we assert a connection with a strength and a base from the past. Thus it is written: What is happening now is grounded in something that has gone before. Thus it is written: As today's events unfold, they illuminate what first puzzled us. So it was at the time of ascension that Jesus drew to the attention of his disciples the writings of earlier scripture with these words: "Thus it is written."
Collect
We come to you, O God, carrying the puzzles of our lives and of the world around us, trusting that you will open us to see how everything fits together. For the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Sometimes, God, when we experience acute isolation, we overlook elements of history that would help us gain perspective and find a fuller sense of meaning. Challenge us to view and treasure our lives as part of your greater plan. In the name of Christ. Amen.
34B Hymns
"We've A Story To Tell To The Nations" Tune: MESSAGE
"Great Is [Thy][Your] Faithfulness" Tune: FAITHFULNESS
"Glorious Things Of [Thee][You] Are Spoken" Tune: AUSTRIAN HYMN
The disciples were not the only ones to ask Christ when the kingdom would be restored. Whenever you and I feel desperate, we ask the bottom-line question, "When, God?" When will people ever live together peaceably? When, God, will human misery around the world ever diminish? Not how, but when, God?
Collect
The strength of your power, O Spirit God, comes to us in ways we cannot fathom. What we do know is you will not leave us empty-handed. For this we are grateful. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
In a waiting time before a Pentecost in our lives we, like the disciples at the ascension of Christ, feel ill-equipped to manage alone in a broken world. Help us, O sustaining God, to hear Jesus' words that your realm offers a new way of meeting life. Help us to hear his promise that you will send what we need for empowerment. Amen.
34B Hymns
"The Voice Of God Is Calling" Tune: MEIRIONYDID
"Behold A Broken World" Tune: MARSH CHAPEL
"For The Healing Of The Nations" Tune: CWM RHONDDA
Ascension Of Our Lord
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme: Called To Hope
Call To Worship
God calls us from despair into a powerful hope which the eternal presence of Jesus Christ undergirds. Our task is to discern how this hope to which God calls us will shape itself. Come, let us worship the God of hope.
Collect
We trust you, O God, to bring a sturdiness and a steadiness to our plans. Grant us a spirit of wisdom as you reveal your hope for our world. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
We want to repair what is broken immediately, O God. We forget that the unfolding of your plan for us takes time. Help us to be patient and discerning as we shape this hope into a form that will make a difference. Through the Spirit of Christ. Amen.
34B Hymns
"My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less" Tune: MELITA or SOLID ROCK
"Open My Eyes" Tune: OPEN MY EYES
"All My Hope [On God Is][Is Firmly] Founded" Tune: MICHAEL
Ascension Of Our Lord
Gospel: Luke 24:44-53
Theme: Thus It Is Written
Call To Worship
When we preface our words with "Thus it is written," we assert a connection with a strength and a base from the past. Thus it is written: What is happening now is grounded in something that has gone before. Thus it is written: As today's events unfold, they illuminate what first puzzled us. So it was at the time of ascension that Jesus drew to the attention of his disciples the writings of earlier scripture with these words: "Thus it is written."
Collect
We come to you, O God, carrying the puzzles of our lives and of the world around us, trusting that you will open us to see how everything fits together. For the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Sometimes, God, when we experience acute isolation, we overlook elements of history that would help us gain perspective and find a fuller sense of meaning. Challenge us to view and treasure our lives as part of your greater plan. In the name of Christ. Amen.
34B Hymns
"We've A Story To Tell To The Nations" Tune: MESSAGE
"Great Is [Thy][Your] Faithfulness" Tune: FAITHFULNESS
"Glorious Things Of [Thee][You] Are Spoken" Tune: AUSTRIAN HYMN
