THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentence and prayer:

In celebrating the Ascension of Jesus – we remember His sending out of the disciples, His promise to remain with us until the end of time, and His promise to send the Holy Spirit to be with us and in us.
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Almighty God, make our hearts dance with joy and thanksgiving; for in the ascension of Christ, Your Son, our human nature is raised above the heavens, and where Christ, the head, has gone before in glory we, his body, are called in hope. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 1:1-11 (NLT)

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 (NLT)

For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet.
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Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm.
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God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne. The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere.

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A Reading from the Letters: Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT)

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you.

I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called — his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else — not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him — but some of them doubted! Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Intercessions:

Christ ascended into heaven, not to abandon us but to be our hope and to prepare a place for us in eternity. Filled with this certain hope and confident of His love and mercy, we offer these prayers on behalf of His people:

+ For church leaders who have been entrusted with the Word of God – that they may proclaim it without hesitation or fear…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For Christian missionaries, particularly those living in regions of war and devastation — that God’s Spirit may give them fresh enthusiasm…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For Christ’s disciples living in a Culture of Death – that we may be effective witnesses to the Gospel of Life which has been entrusted to us…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For the sick and those who suffer in any way – that they may be consoled by the Holy Spirit and strengthened by the love and presence of others…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For all who are unemployed and seeking work — that they may receive support, and find the work they need to live in dignity…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For all of us on our journey of faith — that Christ may sustain us and keep our minds and hearts fixed on heaven…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For family members who have strayed away from Christ – that our example of godliness may bring them back quickly…. Lord, hear our prayer.

+ For all who have died – that they may have eternal rest, and that we may always thank the Lord for their lives…. Lord, hear our prayer.

God most high, King of all the earth, You care for all You have made: hear these prayers we make in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Spiritual Song “Hear Us From Heaven”

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen