Seventh Sunday of Easter (The Ascension) – 10:00
St. Paul’s Parish, Charlottetown, PEI
Preludes:
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
May God’s Grace and peace be with you.
May God fill our hearts with joy.
to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray,
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of his peace, and bring the whole of creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So when they 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 toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward 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."
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God
Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared; he is the great king over all the earth.
God has gone up with a shout.
He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet. He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
God has gone up with a shout.
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the ram's-horn. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our king, sing praises.
God has gone up with a shout.
For God is king of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill. God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
God has gone up with a shout.
The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted.
God has gone up with a shout.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us declare our faith in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he was buried; he was raised to life on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
afterwards he appeared to his followers,
and to all the apostles: this we have received,
and this we believe. Amen. cf 1 Corinthians 15.3-7
Risen and ascended Christ, you surround us with witnesses and send us your Holy Spirit who opens our minds to understand your teaching. Bless us with such grace that our lives may become a blessing for the world now, in the age to come, and in our prayers, as we say: hear our prayer.
Hear our prayer.
For this parish of St. Paul’s, that we may be transformed by the living Christ, and be instruments of healing and forgiveness for those who are hurting. Make us and all your people receptive to the gifts he pours upon us, that we may use them to your glory, and the building up of the body of Christ. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For all mothers, in thanksgiving for those who gave birth, and all those who have been like a mother to us, that you will bless and strengthen them, and inspire us to greater love by the example of their leadership, intelligence, patience and wisdom. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For a renewed stewardship of the whole creation, that you will guide us to effectively care for the Earth, and preserve its beauty and resources and balance. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For peace in all the troubled areas of the world, that Christ's victory over death may bring an end to war, genocide, and the inhumane treatment of people. Grant that we may know even in this time the things that make for peace, and may strive for the reconciliation of all people in his kingdom of justice and love. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, may Christ who has borne our infirmities strengthen and heal them, that they may find grace to help in time of need, and rejoice in his salvation. We remember those we know who are ill at home or in the hospital:
-
and those we may name out loud or in our hearts:
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…that they may find healing in the name of the Risen and ascended Christ. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
For those who have died in your peace, remembering especially,
…that by the resurrection of Jesus, they may rejoice forever with the Living One. And we pray for all who mourn. God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Creator of the universe, you made the world in beauty, and restore all things in glory through the victory of Jesus Christ. We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed, the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace, to the glory of your name. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray,
Eternal God, our Saviour Jesus Christ has promised to be with us until the end of time. Accept all we offer you this day, and renew us in his transfigured life; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
we remember his death,
we proclaim his resurrection,
we await his coming in glory;
and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Now we are raised to new life.
We were buried in your tomb.
Now we share in your resurrection.
Live in us, that we may live in you.
The gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God you take away the sin of the world
grant us your peace.
PB 146 Father, Make Us One
PB 146 Father, Make Us One (repeated)
Let us pray,
Eternal Giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom. Confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God
from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
May God,
who in Christ gives us a spring of water welling up to eternal life,
bring the world alive with the love of the risen Christ.
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
527 How Firm a Foundation
rejoicing in the power of the risen and ascended Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
