Today Is: Ascension Day

Collect for: Ascension Day
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

1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, 'which,' He said, 'you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' 7 And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm
Psalm 47

1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! 2 For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.
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

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Officiant: The Word of the Lord.
The People: Thanks be to God.

Gospel
Luke 24:45-53

Introduction to the Gospel:
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

Prayers of the People for: Ascension Day

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