Ascension Day 2020
This page contains all of the resources for our act of worship for Ascension Day, Thursday 21st May 2020. Had the service been at its normal time, we would have been joining together at 10am, but please follow in your own time. Our use of common resources means that, though we are separated, we can nonetheless worship together.
I have put the whole service in one long video. I hope this is helpful. The order of service is also given below.
Sentence of Scripture
Jesus said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
(Matthew 28:18-20)
Prayer of Preparation
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hymn
Collect for Ascension Day
Risen Christ,
you have raised our human nature
to the throne of heaven:
help us to seek and serve you,
that we may join you at the Father’s side,
where you reign with the Spirit in glory,
now and for ever.
Amen
Prayers of Penitence
Since we have a great high priest
who has passed into the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us draw near with a true heart,
in full assurance of faith,
and make our confession to our heavenly Father.
Lord our God,
in our sin we have avoided your call.
Our love for you is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes away early.
Have mercy on us;
deliver us from judgement;
bind up our wounds and revive us;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(cf. Hosea 6)
Almighty God,
who in Jesus Christ has given us
a kingdom that cannot be destroyed,
forgive us our sins,
open our eyes to God’s truth,
strengthen us to do God’s will
and give us the joy of his kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
First Bible Reading
Acts 1:1-11 Text / or hear the whole chapter
Hymn
Second Bible Reading
Luke 24:44-53 Text or hear whole chapter
Creed
Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Though he was divine,
he did not cling to equality with God,
but made himself nothing.
Taking the form of a slave,
he was born in human likeness.
He humbled himself
and was obedient to death,
even the death of the cross.
Therefore God has raised him on high,
and given him the name above every name:
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
(cf. Philippians 2.6-11)
Sermon
Prayers
Please pray in your own words…
For the church:
That we would serve faithfully and worship wholeheartedly.
For the world:
That the virus spread would remain under control.
For our communities:
For all who feel cut off or fearful. For those who are helping them.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 for ever.
Amen.
Hymn
Blessing
Christ, our ascended king,
pour upon you the abundance of his gifts,
and bring you to reign with him in glory
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be with you always.
Amen
Epilogue
A new tune for the great hymn “And can it be” – as sung in Hunsdon Church.
Some material in this service is from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England (2000) and is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council. cf. www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship