You can watch the service here.
If you are watching our live stream this morning, you are invited to find a candle, so that we can all light candles at the same time.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Acts 1:11)
Why do you look up toward heaven?
Christ has risen; Christ will come again.
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray: O God, your Son, Jesus prayed for his disciples and sent them into the world to proclaim the coming of your kingdom. By your Holy Spirit, hold the church in unity, and keep it faithful to your Word, so that, breaking bred together, we may be one with Christ in faith and love and service, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO THANKSGIVING
In the season of Easter, we use this time to offer our thanks to God, rather than our confessions, because Christ has died for our sins and has risen to give us new life.
Please join me in the prayer of thanksgiving, followed by a silent personal prayer.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Eternal God, we praise you that your glory has dawned on us, and brought us into this Day of Resurrection. We rejoice that the grave could not hold your Son, and that he has conquered death, risen to rule over all powers of this earth. We praise you that he summons us into new life, to follow him with joy and gladness. By your Spirit, lift us from doubt and despair, and set our feet in Christ’s holy way, that our lives may be signs of his life, and all we have may show forth his love. Praise, glory, and thanksgiving to you, our God, forever and ever. Amen.
Moment of silent prayer–people of God, what are you thankful for this week?
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Let us pray: God, we cast our anxieties on you, knowing that you care for us. Send your Spirit to open our hearts, settle our minds, and grant us discernment. May your living Word come alive in us. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 1:6-14
So when the apostles had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’
He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
HYMN He Is King of Kings
Refrain:
He is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.
O he is King of kings;
he is Lord of lords,
Jesus Christ, the first and last,
no one works like him.
1 He built his throne up in the air;
no one works like him;
and called his saints from everywhere;
no one works like him. [Refrain]
2 He pitched his tents on Canaan ground;
no one works like him;
and broke oppressive kingdoms down;
no one works like him. [Refrain]
3 I know that my Redeemer lives;
no one works like him;
and by his love sweet blessing gives;
no one works like him. [Refrain]
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING
JOHN 17:1-11
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.’
Consider:
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What do you think it would have been like, watching Jesus ascend into Heaven?
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How do you think his friends felt once he had disappeared from sight?
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Would the world look different if he had stayed longer?
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What is your prayer for the Holy Spirit?
You can listen to Pastor Leia’s sermon, “The Hour Has Come,” here.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (JILL DUFFIELD)
Loving God, knowing that Christ prays for us, we join our hearts and voices in his prayers for the world. We come before you seeking to ask the right questions, discern your answers and do your will. We cast our anxieties on you, knowing you care for us.
Merciful God, knowing that our ways our not your ways, we humble ourselves and ask for your guidance. As we struggle with how to navigate these turbulent and frightening times, we pray that you would help us to make choices that glorify you and demonstrate our love for our neighbors. Help us to look to the interest of others as we begin to venture from our homes again. Do not let us be a stumbling block to the well-being of the vulnerable and weaker among us.
Gracious God, knowing that you refuse to leave us alone, that you run out to meet us when we make the slightest turn toward you, that you rejoice whenever a lost one is found, we pray for those in greatest need of your strength and courage. Comfort those who mourn. Bind up the brokenhearted. Feed the hungry. Set the captives free. Enliven us with the Spirit so that we may be the light and salt we are called to be in your world.
Almighty God, knowing that you can do abundantly more than we can ever hope our imagine, we are bold to ask you to for the desires of our hearts. You know our deepest needs before we even name them. You send your Son that we might have abundant life and our joy might be complete. Resting in your promises, we set aside our worry and open our mouths in praise. Help us to give thanks in all circumstances, confidence that you hold us in the palm of your hand and will never let us go.
Generous God, knowing that there is no end to your goodness, we pray to do your will, no matter where it takes us or what it requires of us. You give us the power of the Holy Spirit to be your witnesses to the ends of the earth. Free us from whatever prevents us from being welcoming, generous and loving. Make us one in our service to our Savior Jesus Christ, who taught us to say when we pray:
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN Come, Christians, Join to Sing
1 Come, Christians, join to sing:
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King:
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
before his throne rejoice;
praise is his gracious choice:
Alleluia! Amen!
2 Come, lift your hearts on high:
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky:
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend;
to us he’ll condescend;
his love shall never end:
Alleluia! Amen!
3 Praise yet our Christ again:
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain:
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore
his goodness we’ll adore,
singing forevermore:
Alleluia! Amen!
INVITATION TO OFFERING
What could we return to God for the gift of eternal life? What can we render to the Lord for the gift of salvation? What would be pleasing to our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer? We offer nothing less than ourselves even as we return to God a portion of what God has entrusted to us. Freely we have received, freely let us give.
MORNING OFFERING
If you are able to, please consider mailing your offerings to the church (210 Smith Street). Alternatively, there is a link at the top of this page that will take you directly to a secure page where you can make a one-time donation. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community during this difficult time.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Let us pray: Gracious God, often our anxieties and fear overwhelm our desire to trust you. We give in to worry and suppress the Spirit’s urging to be generous and open-hearted. But this morning, in faith, we offer you these resources, knowing you will take them, bless them, multiply them and use them to meet the world’s needs. May this offering help ease the pain of those wondering if there really is enough for everyone. We thank you for the ability to participate in your life-giving work. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (The Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day, he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God’s countenance be lifted upon you and give you peace.
Christ has ascended, but has not left us as orphans—
even now we are waiting to feel
the heat of the Holy Spirit dancing over our heads.
God has seen us through times of emptiness before,
and God will see us through again.
From wherever you are, serve the Lord: Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
If you are using this page to follow along with today’s worship service while it is being live streamed, please join us for virtual coffee hour! Turn on your video camera and join us after the benediction with this link. You could also join over the telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting code 146 874 134, followed by the password 075003.