Ascension Day is one of the seven principal feasts of the Church Year. It is always on a Thursday, the 40th day of Easter. If your church has a regularly scheduled mid-week meeting (e.g., a Wednesday small group), consider having a Thursday Ascension Day service instead. White, the color of Easter, continues to be used (e.g., a white overlay on the communion table, pulpit, and lectern, and white banners on the walls). The following liturgy is adapted from the Book of Common Prayer.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN While the Ministers enter and the candles on the communion table are lit, a fitting hymn such as “Come, People of the Risen King” may be sung.
ACCLAMATION The first words spoken are the acclamation.
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
CALL TO WORSHIP Then, the Minister greets the people and issues a call to worship. For example,
Happy Ascension Day, brothers and sisters! It is good for us to be together on this fortieth day of Easter to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord. This feast day has a long history in the church. In the fourth century, Saint Augustine suggested that it went back to the apostles themselves, and he spoke as if it was the universal observance of the Church long before his time. Whatever the case, it is very fitting that we should set aside times to remember the wonderful works of God, and the ascension of our Lord is truly wonderful! Thomas Oden calls it “the climactic event of salvation history,” and Patrick Schreiner writes that in one sense, “the ascension was the goal of the incarnation.” In the Eastern church, this day is sometimes simply called “The Salvation.” So join in the feast, brothers and sisters. Listen carefully to the Word of the Lord. Call upon his name. Sing with a loud voice. And as Charles Wesley so beautifully wrote in his hymn for Ascension Day,
Hail the day that sees him rise,
Ravished from our wishful eyes!
Christ, awhile to mortals given,
Re-ascends his native heaven.
There the pompous triumph waits:
Lift your heads, eternal gates;
Wide unfold the radiant scene;
Take the King of glory in!
Circled round with angels powers,
Their triumphant Lord and ours;
Conqueror over death and sin—
Take the king of glory in!
Him though highest heaven receives,
Still he loves the earth he leaves;
Though returning to his throne,
Still he calls mankind his own.
See, he lifts his hands above!
See, he shows his prints of love!
Hark, his gracious lips bestow
Blessings on his Church below!
Savior parted from our sight,
High above yon azure height,
Grant our hearts may thither rise,
Following thee beyond the skies.
ALL: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER (COLLECT)
Let us pray.
Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above the heavens that he might fill all things. 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 the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Let’s listen attentively as we let God’s Word be the first word that we hear.
FIRST READING A layperson reads the first passage from the lectern Bible.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1, beginning at verse 1:
[Acts 1:1–11]
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 47 may be sung from the Seedbed Metrical Psalter to the tune of “Hosanna Loud Hosanna” (see the embedded video at the end). If the Psalm is read, no introduction is given, and the Gloria Patri is said after the Psalm. Alternatively Psalm 93 may be used.
The appointed Psalm for the Feast of the Ascension is Psalm 47, which celebrates that “God has gone up with a shout.” Verse 7 tells us that because “God is the King of all the earth,” we should “sing praises with a psalm!” Ephesians 5:18 instructs the New Testament church to “be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms,” and Colossians 3:16 likewise exhorts us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms.” This evening, let’s rejoice that God is King of all the earth by singing Psalm 47 to the tune of “Hosanna Loud Hosanna.”
1 O clap your hands, you nations all, and shout with joyful mirth!
2 How awesome is the Lord Most High, great King o’er all the earth!
3 He brought down nations under us, and peoples ’neath our feet.
4 He chose inheritance for us; His love did Jacob meet.
5 God has ascended with a shout—the Lord with trumpet sound.
6 Sing praise to God, sing to our King; sing praises long and loud.
7 For God is King of all the earth—sing with a psalm of praise.
8 God reigns o’er nations; He sits on His holy throne always.
9 The nobles of the people come, they gather in the land,
Assembling as the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of all the earth belong to God alone,
He is exalted greatly as He reigns upon His throne!
SECOND READING
A reading from Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, Chapter 1, beginning at verse 15:
[Ephesians 1:15–23 is read]
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN A fitting hymn such as “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” may be sung.
GOSPEL READING A Minister reads the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke, Chapter 24, beginning at verse 44:
[Luke 24:44–53 is read]
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
HYMN A hymn such as “Crown Him with Many Crowns” may be sung.
CATECHISM QUESTION Question 34 of the catechism may be said responsively.
Brothers and sisters, we have heard the Word of the Lord. Now, let us answer this question:
Why did Christ ascend into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father?
With the same body in which he was raised, Christ ascended to sit and reign as Lord of heaven and earth, intercede as our Advocate before the Father, and build his Church through his Spirit until he returns to judge all people on the last day.
THE SERMON The Minister expounds one or more of the Scripture lessons, and may draw from the catechism question. Recommended length: 1200–1500 words.
THE NICENE CREED Alternatively, the Apostles’ Creed may be said.
Let us confess our faith with a loud voice in the words of the Nicene Creed:
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
- For the glory of our victorious and exalted Savior (Php. 2:9–11; Eph. 1:20–21)
- For kings, rulers, and all peoples to bow to Jesus as Lord (Ps. 2:10–12)
- For forgiveness through his heavenly intercession (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25)
- For a heavenly mindset (Col. 3:1–2; Heb. 12:2)
- For boldness to witness in the King’s authority (Mt. 28:18–20; Mk. 16:19–20)
- For empowerment by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Jn. 16:7)
- For his return from heaven (Acts 1:11; Jn. 14:3)
THE INVITATION
As Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, brought bread and wine to eat with Abraham, so Christ, our ascended Priest-King, invites us to feast at his Table, and so anticipate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. If you truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from this point forward in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and lament our many sins, which we have, from time to time, most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We earnestly repent, and are sincerely sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with sincere repentance and true faith. Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Our Savior speaks comforting words to all who truly turn to him: “Come unto me, all you that are burdened and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, “That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins.
THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our God.
It is fitting and right to do so.
It is very fitting, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, through your dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who after his glorious resurrection appeared to all his apostles, and in their sight ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us; that where he is, there we might also ascend, and reign with him in glory. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.
HYMN A fitting hymn such as “Arise, My Soul, Arise” or “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise” may be sung.
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION The congregation may be reminded to keep their eyes open for this prayer, which contains the words of institution that must never be omitted. All say the memorial acclamation (“Christ has died…”).
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.
So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
THE MINISTRATION The Minister may then say,
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then immediately deliver it to the people, saying,
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was given for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.]
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.]
Or, the Minister may say,
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
If the consecrated bread or wine is consumed before all have communed, the Minister consecrates more, repeating the Prayer of Consecration. When all have communed, the Minister covers what remains of the consecrated elements with a fair linen cloth.
COLLECT
Almighty God, grant that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray.
Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
DOXOLOGY
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” is sung.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
THE BLESSING & SENDING
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord and exalt his name among the nations.
Thanks be to God.