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Sample Liturgy for the Seventh Sunday of Easter (Sunday After the Ascension/Before Pentecost)

This liturgy is under development.

On the Liturgy

Artwork for Bulletins/Slideshows

The Liturgy

For prelude, selections from the Easter Playlist may be played.

THE PROCESSIONAL

  • Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious (274)

THE ACCLAMATION

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

CALL TO WORSHIP

Good morning, brothers and sisters, and grace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

This morning is a special Sunday in the Church year as we are in the period of time between Christ’s ascension into heaven and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ten days later. It was during this time that the disciples devoted themselves to prayer and waiting for Christ to send the promised Spirit from the Father.

Let us pray.

OPENING PRAYER

THE GLORIA PATRI

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

CATECHISM QUESTION

The Minister may ask the question and all may say the answer together.

Q. 34. 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.

HYMN OF PRAISE

Dignus es: A Song to the Lamb (Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, 14), adapted below, may be used instead of the Gloria in Excelsis.

O Lord our God, splendor and honor and kingly power are yours by right, for you created everything that is, and by your will they were created and have their being. And they are yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, for with your blood you have redeemed for God, from every family, language, people, and nation, a kingdom of priests to serve our God. And so, to him who sits upon the throne, and to Christ the Lamb, be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, forever and for evermore. Amen.

A fitting hymn may also be sung.

  • Before the Throne of God Above

PRAYER BEFORE THE LESSONS

As we prepare for God to speak to us through his Word, let us pray.

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

FIRST READING: ACTS 1:6–14

A reading from the Book of Acts, Chapter 1, at the 6th verse.

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

THE GRADUAL: PSALM 68:1–10, 32–35

God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him! 2 As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God! 3 But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy! 4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! 5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. 6 God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7 O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, 8 the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. 9 Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished; 10 your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy. … 32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, 33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. 35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!

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.

HYMN

  • Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (290) — can also be sung to the tune St. Agnes (Jesus the Very Thought of Thee)
  • Or, Spirit of Faith, Come Down (289) — sing to the tune Diademata (Crown Him with Many Crowns)

SECOND READING: 1 PETER 4:12–14, 5:6–11

A reading from the First Letter of Peter, Chapter 4, at the 12th verse:

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. … 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

HYMN

  • Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart (294)
  • Spirit of the Living God (299)

THE GOSPEL READING: JOHN 17:1–11

Please stand for the reading of the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John, Chapter 17, at the first verse:

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. 6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

THE SERMON

THE CREED

Let us confess our faith 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.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE INVITATION

Brothers and sisters, we have heard the Word of the Lord: Christ our Passover is alive from the dead. Now, the Lord invites all who have answered his call to repent and be baptized to share in the Paschal feast. Let us confess our sin, and cleanse out the old leaven, that we may be a new lump, as we really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. 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.

THE COMFORTING WORDS AND THE PEACE

Hear the good news: Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. In him we are forgiven and set free. Hallelujah!

Peace be with you.
And also with you.

THE OFFERTORY

THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, it is very fitting, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you. But chiefly we are bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, for he is the very Paschal Lamb which was offered for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death, he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again, he has restored to us everlasting life.

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you, and saying,
All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.

SONG

  • Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest — “Praise be to thee, Father and Son, And Holy Spirit, with them one; And may the Son on us bestow The gifts that from the Spirit flow; The gifts that from the Spirit flow.”

THE PRAYER OF CONSECRATION

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.

CHORUS

  • The Mystery of Faith

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

THE MINISTRATION

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world.
Have mercy on us, and grant us your peace.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then invite the people to come forward to partake. When delivering the bread to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you.
  • The body of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The body of Christ; take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you.
  • The body of Christ; feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
  • The body of Christ, the bread of heaven.

When delivering the cup to each person, one of the following may be said:

  • The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you.
  • The blood of Christ, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life.
  • The blood of Christ; drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.
  • The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.

During the distribution, a fitting song may be played.

  • Holy Spirit Living, Breath of God — “Bring the presence of the risen Lord to renew my heart and make me whole”

THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER

Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favor, so that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE DOXOLOGY

Then is sung,

Praise God from whom all blessings flowPraise him all creatures here belowPraise him above, you heavenly hostPraise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE BLESSING AND SENDING

May the God and Father who raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead fill you with new and living hope through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Go and tell the world that Christ is risen!
Thanks be to God!

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