Ascension Sunday
Sunday, May 24, 2020
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ANTE-COMMUNION WITH Spiritual Communion
Please stand.
OPENING HYMN: America
My country, ' tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside let freedom ring!
My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills, like that above.
Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
Our fathers' God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light;
Protect us by thy might, great God, our King.
WELCOME
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
All hail the power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all! bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all!
Crown him ye martyrs of our God, who from his altar call: praise him whose way of pain ye trod,
and crown him Lord of all! praise him whose way of pain ye trod, and crown him Lord of all!
Hail him, the Heir of David's line, whom David Lord did call, the God incarnate, Man divine,
and crown him Lord of all! the God incarnate, man divine, and crown him Lord of all!
THE WORD OF GOD (Please stand.)
Celebrant: Alleluia, Christ is risen.
People: The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: 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.
THE SUMMARY OF THE LAW
Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy.
GLORIA (Spoken)
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven: May our hearts and minds also there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LESSONS OF THE DAY
A reading from Acts 1:1-11
1In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 110:1-5
1 The Lord said unto my Lord, “Sit at my right hand,*
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
2 The Lord shall send the scepter of your power out of Zion: * “Rule in the midst of your enemies.”
3 In the day of your power the people, in holy raiment, shall offer you freewill offerings; *
from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth belongs to you.
4 The Lord has sworn and will not recant: *
You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
5 The Lord at your right hand *
shall smite kings in the day of his wrath.
A reading from Ephesians 1:15-23
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[a] toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that 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 rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
SEQUENCE HYMN Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks to the Risen Lord
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the king of creation.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.
Spread the good news o’er all the earth: Jesus has died and has risen.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.
We have been crucified with Christ. Now we shall live for ever.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.
Come, let us praise the living God, joyfully sing to our Savior.
Alleluia, alleluia! Give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! Give praise to his Name.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to LUKE
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
THE GOSPEL Luke 24:44-53
44 Then he 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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for[a] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Reader: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON The Rev. Ronald J. Baillie, Rector
THE NICENE CREED
All stand to recite the Nicene Creed, the Celebrant first saying:
Let us confess our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed:
(Celebrant and People)
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven:
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Please stand or kneel.)
Let us pray for the Church and for the world, saying, “hear our prayer.”
For the peace of the whole world, and for the well-being and unity of the people of God.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For the Primates of the Worldwide Anglican Communion; the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and Caroline; Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, Foley Beach and Allison; our Bishop, James Hobby and Shari; for all clergy and other ministers, especially our Rector, Father Ron and Sue; our Associate Rector, Father Chris and Katherine; our assisting clergy, Fr. Terry and Mary Anne; all missionaries, especially The Rev. Alison Barfoot, in Uganda; Trinity Anglican Church, Washington; The International Anglican Diocese; Advance Community Church; and for all the clergy and people of our Diocese and Congregation.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For all those who proclaim the Gospel at home and abroad; for all who teach and disciple others; and for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their faith.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; and give them courage to face the perils that beset them; and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your love.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For our nation, for those in authority, and for all in public service especially, our Congress, Supreme Court and our President, Donald Trump.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For all affected by the coronavirus. For those suffering with symptoms, whether hospitalized or at home; for those who have died, provide rest for their souls and comfort for their families as they grieve. Protect and secure all health care workers and those who provide essential services, as well as those who have lost jobs and those discouraged and depressed from isolation and loneliness. Help and guide those seeking to discover a vaccine. Heal us.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For all those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity especially…
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For all those who have departed this life in the certain hope of the resurrection, especially...
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
We thank you for all the blessings of this life…
(The people are invited to share their thanksgivings aloud)
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
That the negotiations with the Episcopal Diocese regarding this property be fruitful and that your will be done.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For our vestry, especially our wardens, Dave and Jeremy, that as your appointed leaders they may faithfully serve you and this church.
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially…
(The people may share their petitions silently or aloud)
Reader: Risen Lord,
People: hear our prayer.
The Celebrant concludes with this or some other appropriate Collect.
Heavenly Father, grant these our prayers for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE PEACE
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Send your greetings of peace to: peace@SaintThomasAnglican.org
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Celebrant continues
Hear what St. Paul says: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we can ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Celebrant then says:
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
Celebrant and People together pray
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE AGNUS DEI
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.
THE ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Celebrant may say the following invitation
The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart, because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:8-9
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
Let us pray.
The family prays together, or, if possible, each individual prays silently in their heart.
Dear Jesus,
I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to possess you within my soul,
and since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart.
I unite myself to you, together with all your faithful people,
gathered around every altar of your Church,
and I embrace you with all the affections of my soul.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Silence is kept. Each member of the family may silently read and reflect on this prayer or otherwise meditate on Christ’s spiritual presence.
REFLECTION HYMN Bless the Lord
Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God's holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.
THE ANIMA CHRISTI
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People together say or sing the following:
Soul of Christ, be my salvation,
Body of Christ, my consecration;
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins;
Water from Christ’s side, wash my stains;
Passion of Christ, my comfort be;
O good Jesus, listen to me;
Within your wounds I long to hide,
Ne’er to be parted from your side.
O guard me when the foe assails me,
Guide me when my feet shall fail me;
Bid me come to you above,
With all your saints to sing your love,
Now and forever. Amen.
EASTER BLESSING (A Kenyan Blessing)
The people accompany the first three responses with a sweep of the arm towards the cross behind the Holy Table, and their final response with a sweep towards heaven.
Celebrant: All our problems,
People: We send to the cross of Christ.
Celebrant: All our difficulties,
People: We send to the cross of Christ.
Celebrant: All the devil's works,
People: We send to the cross of Christ.
Celebrant: All our hopes.
People: We set on the risen Christ.
Celebrant: Christ the Sun of Righteousness Shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path: And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you, always. Amen.
RECESSIONAL HYMN I Am the Bread of Life
I am the Bread of life, they who come to me shall not hunger, they who believe in me shall not thirst.
No one can come to me unless the Father draw them.
And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world,
And they who eat of this bread, they shall live for ever, they shall live for ever.
And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink of His blood,
You shall not have life within you, you shall not have life within you.
And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
I am the Resurrection, I am the Life, they who believe in me
Even if they die, they shall live for ever.
And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
Yes Lord, we believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God
Who has come into the world.
And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up, and I will raise them up on the last day.
DISMISSAL
Celebrant: ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
Let us go forth in to the world, rejoicing in the power of the risen Christ.
People: Thanks be to God. ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!