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
The LORD has ascended into heaven; Let all His creation serve Him.
3 He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet. 4 He will choose our inheritance for us, The excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah
The LORD has ascended into heaven; Let all His creation serve Him.
5 God has gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
The LORD has ascended into heaven; Let all His creation serve Him.
7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
The LORD has ascended into heaven; Let all His creation serve Him.
9 The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
The LORD has ascended into heaven; Let all His creation serve Him.
*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, Christ has entered not into a sanctuary made of hands but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Therefore, let us bring our needs into His presence.
That the Church will boldly preach the message of repentance for the remission of sins.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That nations will acknowledge Jesus as King over all the earth.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Ascension will remind all who are without hope that there is an advocate, the Lord Jesus Christ, interceding for us at the right hand of God the Father.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That barren couples desiring to start a family will be blessed with children.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will submit to the Holy Spirit that His purposes may be done on earth.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That where men and women are ravaged by war, drought, famine or natural disaster, that God will bless them with peace, prosperity, abundance and necessary assistance.
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