Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. The Ascension of our Lord could also be observed on this day. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
- Altar colour: White
- Bible readings:
FIRST READING Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 Matthias chosen to replace Judas
PSALM Psalm 1*For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING 1 John 5:9-13 God’s testimony about his Son
GOSPEL John 17:6-19 Jesus prays for his disciples
The Ascension of our Lord
FIRST READING: Acts 1:1-11 Jesus’ ascension, promise and commission
PSALM: Psalm 47 OR 93 *For musical settings of these Psalms, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING: Ephesians 1:15-23 Christ is the supreme Lord over all things
GOSPEL: Luke 24:44-53 Jesus commissions and blesses the disciples
- Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on gospel : Pr David Christian
Based on Psalm 1: edited for lay reading sermon – psalm 1 – year b – easter 7
Based on Ascension readings: Pr Heath Pukallus ; Pr Vince Gerhardy
- Orders of service:
Easter Sunday Word & Prayer ( pdf / doc / ppt )
Service of the Word (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Morning Praise (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
Traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
grant that we may always have a will devoted to you,
and serve you as our king with a pure heart;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, modernised traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
help us always
willingly to serve you as our king,
with a pure heart.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new (revised alternative)
(Let us pray for the unity of the Holy Spirit. [silence)]
Holy Father,
your Son prayed for his disciples
that they would be one,
as you and he are one.
Keep your whole church harmoniously together
in faith and love,
united by the one Spirit.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.Ascension Day
Traditional
Almighty God,
grant that we who believe
in the ascension of your Son, our Lord,
into heaven
may also there ascend in heart and mind,
and dwell with him forever;
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, modernised traditional
Almighty God,
we believe in your Son, our Lord,
who ascended into heaven.
Lead us also to ascend there in heart and mind,
and take us to live with him forever.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new (revised alternative)
(Let us pray that Christ will rule over all. [silence])
Thank you, eternal Father,
that your Son Jesus ascended to your right hand,
to rule over all things as Lord.
Keep your church in the unity
that the Spirit gives,
and bring all creation
to submit to Christ as Lord.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
- Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church – Easter 7B , Ascension Day Litany
- Offering Prayer:
God of comfort,
your Son prayed for his followers in the world,
that they might be one.
Use us and what you have given us
to serve you and one another.
Amen.Ascension Day
Living God, your Son Jesus Christ
at his ascension gave gifts to his church.
Lead us, as members of his body on earth,
to use the gifts we have received
to do your will.
Amen. - Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to download the text file) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Acts 1:15-17,21-26
LHS
339 Praise to Thee and adoration* G4
AT
207 The Call
TIS
609 May the mind of Christ my SaviourSecond reading: 1 John 5:9-13
LHS
179 Christ alone is our salvation * G3
748 When Christ our Lord to Jordan came* G7
763 Now is eternal life (alt tune 176, G9)
AT
244 We have seen the Word of life
TIS
335 To Christ, the Prince of peace
385 Now is eternal life
632 In great thanksgivingGospel: John 17:6-19
LHS
169 The head that once was crowned with thorns G5
181 Abide, O dearest Jesus* G5
193 Jesus, with Thy Church abide* G9
197 Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy word* G5
199 Christ, Thou strong guardian* G9
260 Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide* G3
385 With all my heart I love Thee, Lord* G7
411 If God be my defender* G3
531 O Christ, who art the light and day
823 Your strong word broke through the darkness (esp v 3) G5
845 Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands G5 (post-communion)
AT
93 Pass my love around
185 Jesus, Son of God and man
244 We have seen the Word of life
TIS
378 The head that once was crowned with thorns
436 Lord, keep us steadfast in your word
496 Strengthen for service Lord, the hands
551 O stay with us, Lord JesusAscension Day
First reading: Acts 1:1-11
LHS
90 Christ the Lord is risen again G8
106-115, esp:
106 Since Christ is gone to heaven, His home* G3
111 Hail the day that sees Him rise G5
112 Hail, Thou once despised Jesus G3
113 Crown Him with many crowns G5
114 See the Conqueror mounts in triumph G4
115 Rejoice, the Lord is King
285 To Thy most holy supper, Lord * G5
761 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing G3
771 Hallelujah! sing to Jesus G3
782 At the name of Jesus G7
788 Lord, who left the highest heaven G8
843 Saviour, to the Father’s side (holy communion)
AT
26 He is Lord
161 Majesty
162 King of kings and Lord of lords
163 Hymn of glory
166 Clap your hands, all you people
226 All is nearness
252 He is exalted
257 Jesus is living
370 You are glorious
TIS
185 Alleluia (v 5)
192 Christ is the world’s redeemer
216 Rejoice, the Lord is King
228 Crown him with many crowns
231 At the name of Jesus
365 Christ the Lord is risen again
369 Hail the day that sees him rise
373 Hail, our once despised Jesus
387 Christ is alive! Let Christians sing
415 Praise the Spirit in creation
517 Hallelujah! sing to Jesus
520 Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour (holy communion)Second reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
In addition to those suggested for the first reading:
LHS
169 The head that once was crowned with thorns G5
528 Christ, whose glory fills the skies G5
AT
-
TIS
212 Christ, whose glory fills the skies
224 All hail the power of Jesus’ name
237 Hail Redeemer! King divine
371 God is gone up on high
378 The head that once was crowned with thorns
685 Lord, I come to you (The power of your love)Gospel: Luke 24:44-53
In addition to those suggested for the first reading:
LHS
219 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun G3
221 Spread, O spread, thou mighty Word* G5
AT
103 Send your servant down the road
576 Bless us Lord (benediction)
TIS
207 Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
404 Lord God, the Spirit blest
450 Spread, O spread, almighty wordPSALM 1
The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 1 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune Ellers (LH 514). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.Happy are they whose love is in God’s law,
those who do not walk in ungodly ways,
those who don’t stand among the sinful crowd,
those who refuse to sit with those who scoff.They meditate on God’s law day and night.
They are like trees that grow beside a stream;
they will bear fruit at every harvest time,
they will not die, but thrive in all they do.But the ungodly – they are not like this!
They are like chaff that scatters in the wind.
They cannot stand before the Lord their judge
in the assembly of God’s righteous ones.All those will perish who walk in the path
of the ungodly, following their way.
But the Lord knows the way of all his saints,
who love his law and live in righteousness.PSALM 47
The song ‘Clap your hands’, by Jimmy Owens (ATA 166), is based on Psalm 47:1.The following metrical version of Psalm 47 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune Aus meines Herzens Grunde (LH 107). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
O clap your hands, all peoples
and shout to God with joy.
The Lord Most High is awesome,
the King of all the earth.
He gives us victory,
and puts us over nations.
He chose a good land for us,
for Jacob, whom he loves.See now, our God ascending
upon his throne with shouts!
See how our Lord arises
to heaven with trumpet blast!
Sing praises to our God.
Sing praises, O sing praises,
to God, the king of nations,
sing praises with a psalm.Our God rules over nations
upon his holy throne.
The leaders of the peoples,
now gather all around,
with all God’s holy saints
who own the God of Abram.
Their forces are surrendered,
and God is Lord of all.
Music Resources Vol. 3- Psalm settings : Psalm 1 p1 , Psalm 1 p2 , Psalm 1 p3 , Psalm 1 p4 , Psalm 47 p82 , Psalm 47 p83 , Psalm 47 p84 , Psalm 93 p154 , Psalm 93 p155
