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Ascension of Jesus, The

Description

Here are worship resources that celebrate the ascension of Jesus Christ.

Scripture

Acts 1:6-11
Psalm 47
Psalm 93
Luke 24:50-53

Prayers

Psalm 93: Opening Prayer

God, You reign!
Robed in majesty and armed with strength,
You hold our world and our lives securely.

Your throne has stood for all eternity.
From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

Even when the waters rise up —
when surging seas threaten to overwhelm us,
and pounding waves crash around us —
we know that You are mightier,
You are more powerful than the threats we face.

Holy God,
Your decrees are firm and unshakeable
and will last forevermore.

~ Christine Longhurst

Prayer of Petition

Risen and ascended Lord Jesus,
When we are numbed by the suffering of the world,
Take us back to the deep truth
Of your power and glory,
Of your invincible Kingdom,
Of your promise of reconciliation.
In the knowledge of this truth,
Help us to bring our gaze to earth
And find the strength to go into the world,
to do your will on earth as in heaven.
To build the kingdom of God
On earth as it is in heaven.

~ from the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website.
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Prayer of Confession

Too often, Lord God,
we are hesitant in our proclamation;
seeking safe and suitable opportunities to speak of our faith.

Too often, Lord God,
we are half-hearted in our service;
reluctant to stand out from the crowd or to attract criticism.

Too often, Lord God,
we live as if dependent wholly on our own resources;
relying on our perceived skills and modest insights.

Too often, Lord God,
we look to the clouds for our inspiration,
in the vain hope of finding you there.

Forgive the poverty of our efforts and the frailty of our faith
and open wide our hearts and minds to the immanent presence
of our Risen, Living and Ascended Lord Jesus Christ .
In his name we pray and say together:
“Our Father …”

~ written by Rev. Malcolm Macdougall, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.
http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/

Spoken Resources

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 47)

Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For God has ascended with shouts of triumph,
and trumpet fanfare!
Our God is exalted on high,
Sovereign over all the nations,
and Lord of our lives.
Let’s worship together.

~ Christine Longhurst

Parting Words (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight
and the sin that clings so closely,
and let us run with perseverance
the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith,
who for the sake of the joy that was set before
him endured the cross,
disregarding its shame,
and has taken his seat
at the right hand of the throne of God.

~ from Jesus Enthroned on High, posted on the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website.
http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/jesus-enthroned-on-high-weekday-worship/

Benediction (based on Psalm 93)

As you go from this place, remember this:
Our God reigns!
He is robed with majesty and armed with strength.
His kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting.
He holds our world and our lives securely.
So do not be afraid,
but go from here with confidence,
knowing that the God who goes with you
is greater and more powerful
than anything else you will face this week.

~ Christine Longhurst

Songs

Traditional Hymn: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus

Worship Together #387

Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne.
Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by His blood.

Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! He is near us, faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received Him when the forty days were o’er
Shall our hearts forget His promise, “I am with you evermore”?

Alleluia! bread of angels, Thou on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful flee to Thee from day to day:
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, Earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea.

~ William Dix

Contemporary Hymn: Christ the Eternal Lord

Christ the eternal Lord
whose promise here we claim,
whose gifts of grace are freely poured
on all who name your Name;
with thankfulness and praise
we stand before your throne,
intent to serve you all our days
and make your glory known.

Christ the unchanging Word
to every passing age,
whose timeless teachings still are heard
set forth on Scripture's page;
transform our thought and mind,
enlighten all who read,
within your word by faith to find
the bread of life indeed.

Christ the redeeming Son
who shares our human birth,
and by his death salvation won
for every child of earth;
inspire our hearts, we pray,
to tell your love abroad,
that all may honour Christ today
and follow him as Lord.

Christ the unfading light
of everlasting day,
our morning star in splendour bright,
the Life, the Truth, the Way;
that light of truth you give
to servants as to friends,
your way to walk, your life to live,
till earth's brief journey ends.

Christ the ascended King
exalted high above,
whose praise unending ages sing,
whom yet unseen we love;
when mortal life is past
your voice from heaven's throne
shall call your children home at last
to know as we are known.

Tune suggestions:
DIADEMATA (“Crown Him with many crowns”)

Contemporary Song: At Your Name

At Your name
The mountains shake and crumble
At Your name
The oceans roar and tumble
At Your name angels will bow
The earth will rejoice
Your people cry out

Lord of all the earth we shout Your name
Shout Your name
Filling up the skies with endless praise
Endless praise
Yahweh Yahweh
We love to shout Your name oh Lord

At Your name
The morning breaks in glory
At Your name
Creation sings Your story
At Your name angels will bow
The earth will rejoice
Your people cry out

There is no one like our God
We will praise You praise You
There's no one like our God
We will sing we will sing
There is no one like our God
We will praise You praise You
There's no one like our God
We will sing

~ Phil Wickham, Tim Hughes. Copyright © 2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.), Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). CCLI Song # 5942543. If you use this song in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.

Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBYD5pgTBwU

Contemporary Song: Ancient of Days

Blessing and honor glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From ev'ry nation all of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days

Ev'ry tongue in heaven and earth
Shall declare Your glory
Ev'ry knee shall bow
At Your throne in worship
You will be exalted O God
And Your kingdom shall not pass away
O Ancient of Days

Your kingdom shall reign
Over all the earth
Sing unto the Ancient of Days
For none can compare
To Your matchless worth
Sing unto the Ancient of Days

~ Gary Sadler, Jamie Harvill. Copyright © 1991 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing). CCLI Song #798108. If you use this song in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.

Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM2EjnauKlY

Images

~ Ascension, by Jesus Mafa. http://www.jesusmafa.com/?lang=en

Additional Resources

Ascension Reflection: Acts 1:6-11
http://re-worship.blogspot.ca/2013/04/ascension-reflection-acts-16-11.html

Monologue: The Ascension of Jesus
http://re-worship.blogspot.ca/2013/04/monologue-ascension-of-jesus.html

Notes

This worship resource was created/compiled by Christine Longhurst. You are welcome to use it free of charge, and where appropriate, please note the source. If you are printing any of the resources for distribution, please print the source as well. The content of the worship resource does not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, which oversees the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies. For more worship resources by Christine Longhurst, see http://www.re-worship.blogspot.ca or http://www.faithmatters.ca.

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