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.
New Testament
Acts 1:1-11
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
47
*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
New Testament
Ephesians 1:15-23
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Luke 24:45-53
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from Luke's Gospel chapter 24, beginning at verse 45.
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, 'Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.' 50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
After the Gospel reading, the deacon elevates the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Christ.
Prayers of the People
Brothers and sisters, our hope is in the Risen Lord, and now that He has ascended to the Father's right hand to intercede on our behalf, let us bring our needs before Him.
That the Church will boldly proclaim the Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord and His coming again.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That nations will acknowledge that all power and authority belongs to and comes from God.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ will increase our awareness of the dignity of every human life, created to worship Him and to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That our minds will be enlightened to understand and our hearts softened to obey all that God has commanded us through the Scriptures.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That missionaries and all those who minister in Third World countries will have their needs met and the needs of the people they serve provided for.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That God will pour out upon His people a spirit of praise and thanksgiving.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
For our own special intentions. (Pause)
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God of Glory, as we celebrate this day when Your Son Jesus was exalted to the highest place, hear our prayer and give us the grace to always proclaim Him as Lord of all, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.