The Church's mission in time and space
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series II
Exegetical note: With this beginning to what is, in effect, his Volume Two, Luke epitomizes his Gospel and lays the foundation for his recounting of the Apostles' Acts. The point of the inquiry and ensuing dialogue and angelic exhortation is to point to the future mission of the Church and, beyond that, to the return of Jesus. But the phrase "to the end of the earth" (v. 8) suggests that Luke now sees the delay of the parousia as a fact of life, giving the church plenty of time - and space - for mission.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 47)
Leader:
Let all the people of the earth clap their hands!
People:
LET ALL THE WORLD SHOUT AND SING!
Leader:
For the most high God is wondrous to behold!
People:
OUR MOST HOLY GOD RULES THE EARTH!
Collect
Exalted God, you received the ascended Jesus in heavenly places when his work on earth was done. Help us now to receive the Spirit he promised and sent: that, while we yet await the final coming of the Christ, we may use the time and space that you have given us to carry your Word to the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Dearest God, we confess with shame how much we waste the opportunies that you have given us between the comings of the Christ, and how lightly we have taken what should have been an urgent mission on behalf of you, your Word, and your coming Reign. Forgive us, we pray, and empower and enthuse us with your Spirit to carry the gospel to every corner and nation of the earth. In his name we pray. Amen
Ascension Day
(or the Sunday nearest)
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme:
The immeasurable greatness of God's power
Exegetical note: Sandwiched (or perhaps "buried") in the hopelessly rambling prayer contained here (in a single sentence with a barrage of genitives!) is the assertion of "the immeasurable greatness" of God's power in believers, as evidenced in the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, with whom and through whom God has shared that "greatness of power," to the benefit of the Church, Christ's body.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 47)
Leader:
Let us sing praises to God!
People:
LET US SING PRAISES TO THE ONE WHO REIGNS OVER ALL CREATION!
Leader:
For God rules the earth!
People:
AND ALL NATIONS BOW BEFORE THE ONE EXALTED GOD!
Collect
Most mighty God, you raised Jesus and lifted him to your right hand. Keep us ever mindful of your consummate power over the world; that, as your Church and the Christ's body, we may become a redemptive force in mission to the world and formidable opponents of all the forces of death and destruction that threaten its people. In the exalted Christ's name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Glorious God, we admit how often we forget your awesome power over the world, which you shared first with Christ Jesus, and then with us through the Holy Spirit; and we acknowledge how weak and powerless we feel in the face of the sin in ourselves and the evil in the world as a result. Forgive us, O God, and impress us again with your limitless strength as well as the boundless capabilities that we would have, if only we opened ourselves to you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Ascension Day
(or the Sunday nearest)
Gospel:
Luke 24:46-53
Theme:
Waiting on the supporting Spirit
Exegetical note: Luke's version of Jesus' ascension is not as detailed as his one in Acts 1, but gives pretty much the same picture. Jesus sets before the disciples a formidable task: to preach repentance and forgiveness to the world. But, instead of sending them out immediately, he instructs them to return to Jerusalem to await the divine power (identified in Acts as none other than the Spirit) that will support their efforts.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate a great moment in the Church's life!
People:
FOR IT IS ASCENSION DAY, WHEN JESUS LEFT HIS DISCIPLES COMMISSIONED AS APOSTLES TO THE WORLD!
Leader:
His instructions to them are also ours to follow: to build the Reign of God!
People:
LET US AWAIT THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD!
Collect
Almighty God, you instructed the first apostles through the ascending Christ to prepare for their mission by awaiting the Spirit. Help us to heed that advice as well: that, properly reinforced from above, we may do your will and work with the efficiency and effectiveness that only your divine energy can insure. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of relentless grace, we confess our tendency to do your work, if at all, precipitously and under our own steam, rather than after being spiritually empowered by you; and we admit that our efforts are usually weak and our results often poor. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us to long for and wait upon your Holy Spirit, which alone can make us effective in ministry for you, your Christ, and your coming Reign. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 47)
Leader:
Let all the people of the earth clap their hands!
People:
LET ALL THE WORLD SHOUT AND SING!
Leader:
For the most high God is wondrous to behold!
People:
OUR MOST HOLY GOD RULES THE EARTH!
Collect
Exalted God, you received the ascended Jesus in heavenly places when his work on earth was done. Help us now to receive the Spirit he promised and sent: that, while we yet await the final coming of the Christ, we may use the time and space that you have given us to carry your Word to the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Dearest God, we confess with shame how much we waste the opportunies that you have given us between the comings of the Christ, and how lightly we have taken what should have been an urgent mission on behalf of you, your Word, and your coming Reign. Forgive us, we pray, and empower and enthuse us with your Spirit to carry the gospel to every corner and nation of the earth. In his name we pray. Amen
Ascension Day
(or the Sunday nearest)
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
Theme:
The immeasurable greatness of God's power
Exegetical note: Sandwiched (or perhaps "buried") in the hopelessly rambling prayer contained here (in a single sentence with a barrage of genitives!) is the assertion of "the immeasurable greatness" of God's power in believers, as evidenced in the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus, with whom and through whom God has shared that "greatness of power," to the benefit of the Church, Christ's body.
Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 47)
Leader:
Let us sing praises to God!
People:
LET US SING PRAISES TO THE ONE WHO REIGNS OVER ALL CREATION!
Leader:
For God rules the earth!
People:
AND ALL NATIONS BOW BEFORE THE ONE EXALTED GOD!
Collect
Most mighty God, you raised Jesus and lifted him to your right hand. Keep us ever mindful of your consummate power over the world; that, as your Church and the Christ's body, we may become a redemptive force in mission to the world and formidable opponents of all the forces of death and destruction that threaten its people. In the exalted Christ's name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
Glorious God, we admit how often we forget your awesome power over the world, which you shared first with Christ Jesus, and then with us through the Holy Spirit; and we acknowledge how weak and powerless we feel in the face of the sin in ourselves and the evil in the world as a result. Forgive us, O God, and impress us again with your limitless strength as well as the boundless capabilities that we would have, if only we opened ourselves to you. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
Ascension Day
(or the Sunday nearest)
Gospel:
Luke 24:46-53
Theme:
Waiting on the supporting Spirit
Exegetical note: Luke's version of Jesus' ascension is not as detailed as his one in Acts 1, but gives pretty much the same picture. Jesus sets before the disciples a formidable task: to preach repentance and forgiveness to the world. But, instead of sending them out immediately, he instructs them to return to Jerusalem to await the divine power (identified in Acts as none other than the Spirit) that will support their efforts.
Call to Worship
Leader:
Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate a great moment in the Church's life!
People:
FOR IT IS ASCENSION DAY, WHEN JESUS LEFT HIS DISCIPLES COMMISSIONED AS APOSTLES TO THE WORLD!
Leader:
His instructions to them are also ours to follow: to build the Reign of God!
People:
LET US AWAIT THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD!
Collect
Almighty God, you instructed the first apostles through the ascending Christ to prepare for their mission by awaiting the Spirit. Help us to heed that advice as well: that, properly reinforced from above, we may do your will and work with the efficiency and effectiveness that only your divine energy can insure. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Prayer of Confession
God of relentless grace, we confess our tendency to do your work, if at all, precipitously and under our own steam, rather than after being spiritually empowered by you; and we admit that our efforts are usually weak and our results often poor. Forgive us, we pray, and teach us to long for and wait upon your Holy Spirit, which alone can make us effective in ministry for you, your Christ, and your coming Reign. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen
