Order of Service – Sunday 24 May 2020 – EASTER 7 – ASCENSION
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CALL TO WORSHIP
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High, to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
For You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. (Psalm 92:1-4)
HYMN: 147 “To God Be The Glory”
PSALTER READING Psalm 47 (Pages 559-560)
PRAYER
We come to celebrate Christ’s ascension, our Father. We remember that His physical removal from earth made possible the coming of the Holy Spirit who is our companion at all times and in all places. We glorify God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God, in three manifestations. Therefore, we thank You, God, that You are ever-present and ever blessing us. In Christ’s name. Amen.
CONVOCATION
In every beginning, in every moment, God may surprise us with new possibilities, new courage and wisdom and new dimensions of faith.
This is our God, Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit.
Let us be the people of God this day.
HYMN: 517 “Hallelujah! Sing to Jesus”
PRAYER OF CONFESSION – We Are Human
O God, we are Your very human people and we confess that we do not always expect to be challenged by Your creativity, or Your prophetic word. We often think and act as though we know the future; we know what is expected of us and do what we always do.
Forgive us if we have lost the dream of Your life. Bring to us Your surprising grace, Jesus Christ. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
The rock of God’s faithfulness never fails us, the forgiveness of Jesus Christ comes in grace upon grace and the Holy Spirit will lift up our life.
Let us choose to live abundantly! Amen.
HYMN: “In His Time”
TIME TO PRAY
In silence offer your prayers in the name of Jesus our Lord
Let’s remember that Jesus prayed for us and still He intercedes for us.
SONG: 703 “As the Deer Pants for the Water”
INTERCESSION
Loving God, take all that we do and give to it the grandeur of Your will, the wonder of Christ’s abundant life and the truth and power of Your Holy Spirit.
Carry our life into the world which You so love, that we may be part of the bringing in Your reign, witnesses to Your justice and peace and friends to all who long for love. This we pray in Your name. Amen.
A LITANY FOR ASCENSION DAY
Based on Texts from J. S. Bach's Cantana "Gott fahret auf mit Jauchzen" By David J. Diephouse
Our God goes up with shouts of joy!
Our Lord ascends to the sound of trumpets!
Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
Sing praises, sing praises to our King!
The Almighty rides in triumph.
The Almighty leads captivity captive.
Who shouts for joy? Who blows the trumpet?
The hosts of heaven sing the honour of his name;
they praise Him with an endless alleluia.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
Sing praises, sing praises to our King!
The Lord has brought down death itself.
The Lord has wiped away the stain of sin.
The Lord has trodden the winepress of suffering; He has paid the price to rescue the lost.
Now he returns to His throne of glory; the hour has come to reclaim His crown.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
Sing praises, sing praises to our King!
Jesus Christ, the Prince of Life, now reigns in heaven with the Father.
Jesus Christ, the Prince of Life, now rules in the congregation of the righteous.
Ascended Lord, how can we honour You enough?
Ascended Lord, how can we rightly praise the victory You have won?
Prepare us for that welcome day when we shall behold You in all Your majesty.
Prepare us for that welcome day when we shall stand before You and rejoice forever.
Sing praises to our God, sing praises!
Sing praises, sing praises to our King!
HYMN: 447 “Lord Your Almighty Word”
BIBLE READINGS –
Luke 24:44-53 (Page 1048)
Acts 1:1-11 (Page 1077)
Ephesians 1:15-23 (Page1156)
MESSAGE: “Ascension” Krikor Youmshajekian
OFFERING – Give generously for God’s glory.
HYMN: 371 “God is Gone Up on High”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION
May the Holy God guide us in the pathways of truth,
Christ Jesus gather us into a loving community as His Body
and the Spirit inspire us and call us on into joy.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us, now and forever. Amen.
To contact Krikor call 0418 417 411
Church Website: http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au
Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740