Forty days after celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord, near the conclusion of the season of Easter, we commemorate the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into heaven. On this day, we give thanks for Christ’s. sovereign rule over all creation, as well as his priestly for us at the throne of God’s mercy. We proclaim with joy that Jesus is already Lord of heaven and earth and head of the Church, and watch with longing for the day when he will come again in the glory of God’s new creation.
CALL TO WORSHIP
During our call to worship, each speaker will say, “Lift up your hearts.” Respond with Michael by saying, “We lift them to the Lord.”
opening hymn
Prayer of Confession
Offer this prayer aloud.
Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from death to life and crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him, or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We have failed to give Christ all glory and honor.
After a moment of silence, offer this sung confession:
Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.
We pray knowing that you, the God of all grace, call us to eternal glory in Jesus Christ. You restore, support, and strengthen us. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Amen.
Circle Time
Lisa tells the Ascension story for the whole family to hear.
THE WORD
Acts 1:1-11
Theophilus, the first scroll I wrote concerned everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning, right up to the day when he was taken up into heaven. Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me: John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”
Solo
Lara Moons sings “Only Trust Him.” Some of the lyrics are shared in the song for your reflection.
Affirmation of Faith
We affirm our faith today using the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Welcome & Prayers of the People
SENDING & Minute for Mission
We end our service being sent by our friends in the Transylvania Presbytery, the presbytery made up of congregations and ministers in the Lexington area. They remind us of the importance to love our neighbors. One way to do that is, for those who are able, to wear masks in public. If you would like to make masks for the hospital, medical offices and hospice visitors within the Atrium Hospital service area, read more at this link: https://www.fpcmiddletown.com/news/masks
Benediction
And now as members of Christ’s church: Be of good courage. Hold fast to that which is good. Render no one evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Heal the afflicted. Honor all people. Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Amen.
Postlude & Offering
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