He Ascended Into Heaven
Pastor: Jesus Christ has come into heaven, and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him.
Congregation: Since we have a Great High Priest who has gone into heaven— Jesus, the Son of God—let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Let us praise his holy name!
Crier: [from balcony or back of sanctuary]
Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!
Choir: [spoken, from a single voice, add voices for a crescendo to ff]
Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength, be to our God forevermore!
Bells and Choir: Alleluia, Amen! Alleluia! [sung]
Hymn: "Crown Him with Many Crowns"
[PH 151, PsH 410, RL 600, TH 295]
Praise for His Ascension
Pastor: Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Congregation: Just and true are your ways, King of the Ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name?
Crier: All the angels worship you, O Christ!
Congregation: All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Pastor: Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both great and small!
Congregation: Alleluia! For our Lord God almighty reigns! Let us rejoice and be glad, and give him glory!
Bells and Choir: Alleluia, Amen! Alleluia! [sung]
Hymn: "Rejoice, the Lord Is King"
[PH 155, PsH 408, RL 596, TH 309]
His Ascension, Our Blessing
Pastor: The wedding of the Lamb has come, and the bride has made herself ready. For the Lamb is on the throne and will be her shepherd, and will lead her to springs of living water.
Congregation: Our citizenship is in heaven; we eagerly await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring all things under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like his glorious body.
All: For to us is given to wear fine linen, bright and clean. For the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.
Crier: The Spirit and the Bride say "Come." And let him who hears say "Come."
Pastor: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!
Bells and Choir: Alleluia, Amen! Alleluia! [sung]
Doxology: last verse of "Hail to the Lord's Anointed"
[PsH 72, RL 232,TH 311]
This litany was prepared by Agnes Be Boer, bell choir director at Second Christian Reformed Church in Grand Haven, Michigan, and choir director at Second Christian Reformed Church in Allendale, Michigan. The litany is based on the following Scripture references: 1 Peter 3:22, Hebrews 1:6, Hebrews 4:14, Philippians 3:21, Revelation 7:10,12,17, Revelation 15:3, and Revelation 19:5-9,17.
The hymns in this litany were selected from the most recent editions of the following hymnals: The Presbyterian Hymnal (PH), Psalter Hymnal (PsH), Rejoice in the Lord (RL), and Trinity Hymnal (TH).
This service is available on computer disk. See p. 48 for more information.