Worship Service - Sunday May 24, 2020

Ascension Sunday

The videos for this worship service are posted on our Church’s youtube channel as a playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKBiEVOXnXWzYm9ehJ38BS1fl9gbn4T2K

1) Welcome and Prayer

Click on the youtube link below to hear the words of welcome and the opening prayer

Good morning and welcome to our time of worship. At this time, it is challenging to be a worshipping community during this time of physical distancing. But even though we feel apart, the one Lord Jesus gathers us together, along with all his people, into one body. We are still bound together in the Lord. Thanks be to God!

On this Ascension Sunday, hear the words of Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Let’s Pray

O God of earth and sky,
as Jesus came among us in Bethlehem to raise us up to heaven,
so today we recall his departing from us at Jerusalem to be in all places.
Though he is hidden from our sight,
enable us to abide in him
by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit,
until his mercy and grace fill your whole creation. Amen.

 

2) Musical Call to Worship: He is Exalted

Click on the link below and sing along for a musical call to worship.

 

3) Praise Songs

Click on the links below for the youtube videos of this morning’s praise songs

“Crown Him with Many Crowns”

“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”

 

4) Song of Confession and Assurance: “Change My Heart, Oh God”

Click the link below to hear this song of confession. Let this be your prayer to God.

 

5) Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 47

Someone in your group can read this passage.

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.

2For the Lord Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.

3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.

4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.

5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.

7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.

8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.

9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,

for the kings[c] of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.

 

6) Prayers of the People

Click on the link below to hear the morning prayer.

Gracious God, you desire unity for your people in the world, and unity between heaven and earth. We thank you for drawing us together as a community of faith, united in your love even in times when it is hard to gather. Equip us to witness to your promise of resurrection and new life as we serve you in the world. Hear us as we pray for your world.

God, we worry about the way things are going. Daily life has been uprooted by the pandemic, and also by war and environmental devastation. Send your Spirit of healing and reconciliation to lead people to peace with justice. Heal the earth and bring hope for renewed relationships. Help us learn from this anxious time how you invite us to live in balance with each other and with your whole creation.

God, we are concerned about all the divisions we see around us, many laid bare in responses to the pandemic. Communities are torn apart by suspicion and discrimination. People are judged severely by race and ethnic origin. Send your Spirit of healing and reconciliation to open hearts filled with prejudice, and ease the lives suffering its effects. Heal the hurt and bring hope for lasting unity.

God, we feel sadness for those whose lives are marked by isolation and fear, by grief or despair, effects deepened by the times of physical distancing. Send your Spirit of healing and reconciliation to draw the lonely into friendships, and as society begins to reopen, create a true sense of belonging for each one. Heal any burden of grief and bring hope through your eternal friendship.

God, we are hopeful for the church because it belongs to you. Send your Spirit to guide our witness in the world. Teach us how to share our experience of your love and invite others to join the journey toward healing and reconciliation.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Risen and Ascended Lord, Amen.

 

7) Reflection Hymn: We are One in the Spirit

Listen to this reflective song before we listen to the Gospel lesson. Click the link below for the youtube video, which has the words and the music.

 

8) Gospel Lesson: Luke 24:44-53

Click the link below and watch the dramatized reading of the Gospel lesson.

 

9) Message: The Challenge of Waiting

Click on the link to hear the sermon. A copy of the sermon is also attached at the bottom of the page.

Prayer after Message

Gracious God,
Your salvation plan is so perfect and wonderful.
Give us courage and patience to wait unswervingly.
Give us hope and peace to faithfully prepare for your coming.
Enable us to always live in the post-resurrection joy.
Equip us to serve others as we wait.
Empower us to invite others into your kingdom.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Amen

 

10) Musical Response: For I Building a People of Power

Click on the link below for the youtube video.

 

11) Blessing

Click the link below to hear the words of blessing

Jesus led his disciples out to Bethany and he lifted his hands and blessed them.

Receive the blessing of the Lord
May the image of his hands lifted over you give you encouragement and strength
May the voice of our risen Lord bring you comfort, hope and challenge,
May his constant presence grant you the grace to live faithfully and wait patiently,

The blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you now and forever. Amen.

 

12) A Video For the Kids

Here’s a video that explains Ascension Sunday to the kids.

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Downloads

Sermon

Worship Service – May 24, 2020