Opening Prayer
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our
Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all
things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he
abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in
glory everlasting. Amen. (BCP 226)
Luke 24:44-53
Then he said, “When I was with you
before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets
and in the Psalms must all come true.” Then he opened their minds to understand
these many Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the
Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With
my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in
Jerusalem: `There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’ You are
witnesses of all these things.
“And now I will send the Holy
Spirit, just as my Father promised.
But stay here in the city until the
Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and
lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he
left them and was taken up to heaven. They worshiped him and then returned to
Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the
Temple, praising God. NLT
He rises, and they worship him. He
rises, and they are filled with great joy. His ascension is his coronation. The
universe stares in amazement as he takes his throne; the angels peer to look
into these things, for our humanity is taken into the Godhead. And all we can
do, in the midst of such wonder, is spend all our time in praising God. CC
GOD is gone up on high
With a Triumphant Noise,
The Clarions of the Sky
Proclaim th’ Angelic Joys!
Join all on Earth, rejoice, and
sing,
Glory ascribe to Glory’s King.
GOD in the Flesh below,
For us He reigns above:
Let all the Nations know
Our JESU’s Conquering Love!
Join all on Earth, rejoice and
sing,
Glory ascribe to Glory’s King.
All Power to our great LORD
Is by His Father given,
By Angel-Hosts ador’d
He reigns supreme in Heaven:
Join all on Earth, rejoice, and
sing,
Glory ascribe to Glory’s King.
High on his Holy Seat
He bears the righteous Sway,
His foes beneath his Feet
Shall sink, and die away:
Join all on Earth, rejoice, and
sing,
Glory ascribe to Glory’s King.
His Foes and ours are One,
Satan, the World, and Sin;
But He shall tread them down,
And bring His Kingdom in:
Join all on Earth, rejoice, and
sing,
Glory ascribe to Glory’s King.
Till all the Earth renewed
In Righteousness Divine
With all the Hosts of GOD
In one great Chorus join,
Join all on Earth, rejoice, and
sing,
Glory ascribe to Glory’s King.
—Charles
Wesley, Hymns for Ascension-Day #2
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