Liturgy and Prayers - Thursday, 18 May 2023 – The Ascension of our Lord, Year A.

Liturgy in one document: Liturgy in One Document, Ascension

Opening sentence

God raised Christ from the dead, Alleluia!
and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. Alleluia!
(Eph 1:20 NRSV)

OR
When Christ ascended on high,
he made captivity itself a captive.
He ascended higher than the heavens,
in order to fill the whole universe. (Eph 4:8a,10b composite)

LORD, HAVE MERCY
For variations to the ‘Lord, have mercy’, see the document ‘Easter season’ (under ‘Liturgy’, ‘Lord, have mercy’ and under ‘Hymns and songs’ ‘Lord, have mercy’), in the ‘General and seasonal’ folder, or use the following for Ascension (based on the German).

Let us call on the Lord, to whom we belong through our baptism.
Lord Jesus Christ, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to you:
Lord, have mercy.
The power of your peace embraces the whole universe:
Christ, have mercy.
You are with us to the close of the age:
Lord, have mercy.

Prayer of the day - (Collect):

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.

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.

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.

New

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia.
(Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again;
death no longer has any power over him.
Alleluia.)
(Jesus said:) ‘Go and make disciples of all nations;
and I am with you always, to the end of the age.’
(Matt 28:19,20 NRSV alt)
Alleluia.

Prayer after the Gospel

This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ (, raised to live forever).
Lord Jesus Christ,
thank you for fulfilling the Scriptures and returning to the Father.
Fill us with the joy of your continual presence.
Amen.

Offering Prayer

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.

Prayer of the Church

OR Ascension Day Litany

Prayer points

Prayer Points – Lutheran Church of Australia (lca.org.au)

Additional Prayer Points

LCA International Mission

Services with Holy Communion:

Preface

It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
After his resurrection he appeared openly to his disciples,
and before their very eyes was taken up into heaven,
so that by your grace we may share in his divine nature.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:

Communion Invitation

Jesus says: ‘When I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to me.’
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

Prayer after Communion

The third prayer of the day (as listed above) may be used at this point. It may be modified as follows:
Eternal Father,
your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven,
to rule over all things as Lord.
As we have eaten of the one bread,
and drunk from the one cup,
keep your church in the unity
that the Spirit gives,
and bring all creation
to worship at the feet of Christ.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Dismissal

BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) Christ our exalted king
pour on you his abundant gifts
and bring you to reign with him in glory; . . .

DISMISSAL
Go in peace, to witness in the power of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

OR In the name of Christ. Amen.