Inspired by Doug and Rev. Jane Porter's liturgy, "Lifted Up to Power and Glory" found on this website, the worship committee at Grace Christian Reformed Church, in Chatham, Ontario, collaborated with their Sunday School to create a video for their Ascension Day service. Tuck this idea away for next year's Ascension Day or any time you have a narrative scripture reading.
The liturgy, adapted for younger readers, is found below. The final video can be viewed at youtu.be/DrHfSedLF2c.
Lifted Up to Glory and Power for Four Readers
1: The evangelist Luke wrote concerning the days of Christ after his resurrection:
3: On one occasion, while [Jesus] was eating with [the apostles], he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.
4: “This is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5)
2: I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams
and your young men shall see visions.
I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy mountain.
And Jerusalem shall be holy. (Joel 2:28-32)
3: So when [the apostles] had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”
4: He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8)
2: Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God. (Psalm 98:1-3)
3: Then [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. As they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Luke 24:50-51)
1: God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. Christ is seated far above all rulers and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. (Ephesians 1:20-21)
By Doug and Rev. Jane Porter, adapted by Matt Weverink © 2005, Reformed Worship, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike.
Thanks to Ryan Van Eijkern for working with the preschool-grade 5 students to create the Ascension art, Stephanie DeVito, who coached the readers and created the video, and of course a huge thanks to the artists and readers for sharing their gifts and leading God's people in worship.