Worship for the Sunday after Ascension – 24th May

Preparing for worship – if possible, beginning at 10am
You’ll need a table, set with a piece of bread and a glass of wine or juice.
A cross.
A candle, lit on the table.

It is a great joy to share together in celebrating the good news of Jesus’ mighty resurrection and glorious ascension into heaven, as we look towards the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost.

Alleluia! Christ has ascended to the right hand of the Father
All authority is given to him. Alleluia!

Though each in our homes, we are together with all our sisters and brothers in the faith,
as we worship and give thanks. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Be with us Lord, as we gather in your name;
direct our thoughts, teach us to pray;
lift up our hearts to worship you
in spirit and in truth,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We say the Song of St Anselm printed on the front of the pewsheet

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE
After a moment of quiet reflection, we confess our sins to God with this prayer;

Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father,
but our world is full of fear and injustice.
Lord, have mercy

Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division,
but we have not lived together in unity.
Christ, have mercy

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd leading us to abundant life,
but we fail to live as your people.
Lord, have mercy

THE ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
May Almighty God have mercy on us, deliver us from all evil and keep us in eternal life. Amen

We say the Gloria, in the traditional words, or sing it in the Peruvian Gloria version below

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Or sing:

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to the Father.
To him be glory forever,
Alleluia, amen (x3)

Glory to God, glory to God, Son of the Father.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to the Spirit.

THE COLLECT and the two readings for today are printed on the pewsheet

The first scripture reading. Ezekiel 36.24-28

At the end, there may be a short period of silence followed by this response:

For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

HYMN (said or sung)

1 Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne beyond the skies. Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven. Alleluia!

2 There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates. Alleluia!
He has conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in. Alleluia!

3 Highest heaven its Lord receives; Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves. Alleluia!
Though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls us all his own. Alleluia!

4 Still for us he intercedes; Alleluia!
his atoning death he pleads, Alleluia!
near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
he the firstfruits of our race. Alleluia!

5 Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!

THE GOSPEL John 17.1-11

The Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end

for the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

REFLECTION (on the website, attached to the email, or printed for you at the end of these sheets)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Jesus, our exalted Lord, you have been given all authority in heaven and earth.
Pray for us at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus Christ, great high priest, living for ever to intercede for us:
we pray for your Church, your broken body in the world …
Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, King of righteousness, enthroned at the right hand of the majesty on high:
we pray for the world, make it subject to your gentle rule …
Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, Son of man, drawing humanity into the life of God:
we pray for your brothers and sisters in need, distress or sorrow …
Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, pioneer of our salvation, bringing us to your glory through your death and resurrection:
we pray for all who are dying, that they may trust in your promises …
Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, Lord of all things, ascended far above the heavens and filling the universe:
we pray for ourselves and all who receive your gifts for work in your service …
Lord, graciously hear us.

Jesus Christ, first-fruits of the new creation, keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace, until you bring the whole created order to worship at your feet;
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

THE PEACE

Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
If you love me, rejoice because I am going to the Father’.

Alleluia! The peace of our risen, ascended Lord be always with you.
and with all our sisters and brothers, near and far. Alleluia!

We share a sign of peace with all people of faith throughout the world, by clasping our hands together and bowing our heads saying the word “Shalom”, peace.

HYMN

Lord we lift your name on high,
Lord we love to sing your praises.
I’m so glad you’re in my life,
I’m so glad you came to save us.

You came from heaven to earth to show the way
from the earth to the cross, our debt to pay;
from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord we lift your name up high.

SHARING THE FEAST

Gracious God, we welcome your presence with us. May the table at which we share, nourish our bodies, hearts and minds, and may our spirits be refreshed.  As we live in the light of your presence, with us now and at all times and places. Amen.

Blessed be God, by whose grace creation is renewed,
by whose love heaven is opened, by whose mercy we offer our sacrifice of praise.
Blessed be God for ever.

Take and eat a piece of the bread. If you are with another, give the bread to each other. As you give and receive the bread, say this prayer:

As we break this bread, and as we share it, we thank you, God, that you give us this day our daily bread.
For the food which delights and nourishes us and for the companionship that sustains us as your people.

Drink a sip of the wine or juice. If you are with another, give the wine to each other. As you give and receive the wine, say this prayer:

We thank you for drink to quench our thirst and for the Living Water with which you surprise and enrich and transform our lives.
We give thanks for this feast at which all can share, though separated now. A foretaste of the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.

HYMN (said or sung)

1 At the name of Jesus ev’ry knee shall bow,
ev’ry tongue confess him King of glory now.
‘Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning was the mighty Word

.
2 At his voice creation sprang at once to sight,
all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
all the heav’nly orders in their great array.

3 Humbled for a season to receive a name
from the lips of sinners unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious, when from death he passed.

4 Bore it up triumphant with its human light
Through all ranks of creature to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast,
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

5 In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true;
crown him as your Captain in temptation’s hour:
let his will enfold you in its light and pow’r.

6 Surely, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father’s glory, with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.

 

PRAYER
Lord Jesus our Saviour,
in your glorious ascension
you have raised our humanity to the heights of your throne,
and have fed us with the bread of heaven:
mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings,
we may set our hearts and mind on the things that are above;
where you dwell with the Father and the Spirit,
one God, through all eternity. Amen.

BLESSING
Jesus, Bread of Life, bless all that we offer in your name:
Our prayers and our giving, our action and our concern
As your love has held us
we rest in you
As your love has called us
we look ahead with courage
As your love has blessed us
we go forward in hope

DISMISSAL
May Christ triumphant, reigning at God’s right hand, fill us with the joy of his presence.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, and in the good news of his victory.
Thanks be to God, Alleluia!

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