This was planned as a joint community worship service bringing together four congregations and their unique offerings. The introit was sung by members of a community choir, the other choral pieces by a mass choir comprised of members of all the congregations, the two trumpeters came from yet another community organization, and a 3rd-5th grade children from the congregations sang during the offering. It truly was a festive event as together we worshiped our ascended Lord.
We Gather to Worship
Prelude
"Jesus Shall Reign" Watts
Introit
"Lift Up Your Heads" Handel
The Greeting
People of God, the Lord of glory,
Jesus Christ, sends his greeting to you.
And his greeting is this:
Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
through the working of the Holy Spirit.
This is the greeting of Christ,
who arose from the grave.
He died and rose
that we might have eternal life.
All thanks be to him!
This same Christ has ascended to the Father.
He ascended that we might experience
God's presence and power.
All praise be to him!
The Scripture: Acts 1:1-11
Response
We Hear the Word of the Lord
The Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 47
Response
"Psalm 47/Nations, Clap Your Hands" Psalter Hymnal, 1987
The New Testament Lesson: Luke 24:28-50
Response
"Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise" Wesley
The Sermon: "Ascension: The Temple Fulfilled"
We Respond in Praise, Prayer, and Service
Hymn
"Crown Him with Many Crowns" Bridges
[Hymn concertato by Walter Pelz for choir, organ, and trumpets. Augsburg 11-9093.]
The Confession
People of God,
Let us believe in our heart and confess with our mouths
that which concerns the ascension of Christ.
What do we mean by saying, "He ascended into heaven?"
That Christ,
while his disciples watched,
was lifted up from the earth to heaven
and will be there for our good
until he comes again
to judge the living and the dead.
How does Christ's ascension to heaven benefit us?
First, he pleads our cause
in heaven
in the presence of his Father.
Second, we have our own flesh in heaven
a guarantee that Christ our head
will take us, his members, to himself in heaven.
Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth
as a further guarantee.
By the Spirit's power
we make a goal of our lives,
not earthly things, but the things
above where Christ is,
sitting at God's right hand.
—Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 18, Translation © 2011, Faith Alive Christian Resources. Used by permission
Pastoral Prayer
Offering
Offertory:
"The King of Glory Comes" Jabusch
Hymn:
"At the Name of Jesus" Noel
[Setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams (with trumpets playing the descant along with the sopranos). Oxford 40.100.]
We Go Out to Serve God
Benediction
He who testifies to these things says,
"Surely I am coming soon."
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus
be with all the saints.
AMEN!
Postlude
Crown Him with Many Crowns Bridges, Thring arr. by Young
Revised Common Lectionary:
Year A, B, C, Ascension Day
