The Ascension of Our Lord
Prelude
“Patriotic Spectacular”
Matthew Lawson, trombone
The Gathering
Easter Acclamation
P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Confession and Forgiveness
Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom 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 Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Please kneel or sit as you are able. Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
P: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith.
C: Amen.
P: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
C: His mercy endures forever.
Please stand as you are able.
Entrance Hymn #158 (green hymnal)
“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” v. 1-2, 4
1 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of ev’ry nation
has redeemed us by his blood.”
2 Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us;
faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him
when the forty days were o’er,
shall our hearts forget his promise:
“I am with you evermore”?
4 Alleluia! King eternal,
Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth your footstool, heav’n your throne.
As within the veil you entered,
robed in flesh, our great high priest,
here on earth both priest and victim
in the eucharistic feast.
Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 57)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Hymn of Praise
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 58)
P: 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.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
Almighty God, your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord, your servant Chet as he reads to us the holy word. May our hearts burn within us as you open to us the scriptures; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Please be seated.
First Lesson: Acts 1:1-11
Luke writes: 1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 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. 4 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; 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, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set 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, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 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.”
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Hymn #522 (green hymnal)
“Come, Thou Almighty King”
1 Come, thou almighty King,
help us thy name to sing;
help us to praise;
Father all-glorious,
o’er all victorious,
come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
2 Come, thou incarnate Word,
gird on thy mighty sword;
our prayer attend.
Come and thy people bless,
and give thy word success,
and let thy righteousness
on us descend.
3 Come, holy Comforter,
thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour!
Thou, who almighty art,
now rule in ev’ry heart,
and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of pow’r.
4 To thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be
hence evermore!
Thy sov’reign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore.
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work 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 age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Gospel Acclamation
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 62)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel: Luke 24:44-53
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 63)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 24th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
44 Jesus said to the eleven and those with 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.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 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, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 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.”
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation.
Hymn of the Day #157 (green hymnal)
“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing!” v. 1-4, 7
1 A hymn of glory let us sing!
New hymns throughout the world shall ring:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod,
ascends unto the throne of God.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 The holy apostolic band
upon the Mount of Olives stand.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
And with his faithful foll’wers see
their Lord ascend in majesty.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3 To whom shining angels cry,
“Why stand and gaze upon the sky?”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
“This is the Savior!” thus they say,
“this is his glorious triumph day!”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 “You see him now, ascending high
up to the portals of the sky.”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
“Hereafter Jesus you shall see
returning in great majesty.”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
7 O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
all praise to you let earth accord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
You are, while endless ages run,
with Father and with Spirit one.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Thanksgiving for Service of Sunday School and Youth Leaders
P: A reading from the Gospel of Matthew: “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”
Dear Sisters and Brothers, we wish to give thanks for your service at the end of our Sunday School year. When we began Sunday School last fall, you promised to seek to teach the Word of God faithfully, to love your students and co-workers, and to fulfill your responsibilities to the best of your ability in Jesus’ name.
We are gathered together to give thanks to God for you because you have kept your promises and God has provided abundantly for the spiritual growth of our children and youth through your service.
For your willingness to serve,
For your passion for the ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church,
And for your dedication to the Gospel,
C: We give thanks.
A gift of gratitude is given.
P: Now during the season of summer, we encourage you to take Sabbath—to rest in God’s arms, and we encourage you to continue to receive and to share God’s gifts among us, united together in the body of Christ and the mission we share.
Let us pray. O God of wisdom, in your goodness you provide faithful teachers who feed your children every Word that comes from your mouth. Thank you for these, your servants, who have enriched this congregation and generously shared their gifts with us in the spirit of love. Now bless and preserve them at this time of transition, and give them a clear vision of that to which you are now calling them. Send your blessing on all of these, your servants. Grant them rest, rejuvenate their souls, and make us all ready to live the gospel, eager to do your will, and courageous enough to know and to love your Truth, Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
The Apostles’ Creed
Please stand as you are able.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The ministers and congregation may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Invitation to Offering
Offertory
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Matthew Lawson, trombone
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Meal
The Great Thanksgiving
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 68)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord; who, after his resurrection, appeared openly to his disciples and, in their sight, was taken up into heaven, that he might make us partakers of his divine nature. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 68)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea.
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness
to the land of milk and honey.
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
P: O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence.
C: Come, Holy Spirit.
P: Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.
C: Come, Holy Spirit.
P: With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever.
C: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to 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,
forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P: The risen Christ invites us to this table. Drink, eat, and be raised from the dead.
Please be seated.
Agnus Dei
LBW Setting I
(green hymnal, p. 72)
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 peace.
Communion
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Hymn
“Praise, Praise! You Are My Rock” v. 4-6
4 Praise, praise! You are my rock.
You host the table set.
We break the bread, we drink the cup;
we know whom we have met, have met.
Praise, praise! O God, you are my rock.
5 Praise, praise! You are my rock.
The Easter grave is sealed;
you roll the stone–you, God alone–
then sin and death are healed, are healed.
Praise, praise! O God, you are my rock.
6 Praise, praise! You are my rock.
You stood high on a hill.
A holy cloud: you are on high.
Be still, my heart, be still, be still.
Praise, praise! O God, you are my rock.
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Post-Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray.
Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
C: Amen.
The Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Please stand as you are able.
Blessing
P: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #142 (green hymnal)
“Hail Thee, Festival Day!” v. 1-3
Refrain
Hail thee, festival day! Blest day to be hallowed forever;
day when our risen Lord rose in the heavens to reign.
1 He who was nailed to the cross is ruler and Lord of all people.
All things created on earth sing to the glory of God: Refrain
2 Daily the loveliness grows, adorned with the glory of blossom;
heaven her gates unbars, flinging her increase of light: Refrain
3 God the Almighty, the Lord, the ruler of earth and the heavens,
guard us from harm without; cleanse us from evil within: Refrain
Easter Dismissal
A: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
A: Go in the peace of the risen Christ. Alleluia!
C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude
“You’re a Grand Old Flag”
Matthew Lawson, trombone
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director **away
Kate Wollenburg, Organist **away
Melinda Boyd, Guest Organist
Addy Kruse, Hymn Leader
Matthew Lawson, Trombone Soloist
John Cathcart, Assisting Minister
Chet Laine, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, May 22: The Ascension of our Lord
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Council Elections
Monday, May 23
**Epistle articles deadline**
Tuesday, May 24
5 pm Baccalaureate service setup
7:30 pm RHS Baccalaureate Service
Thursday, May 26
10:30 am Bible study
6 pm BSA troop meeting
Saturday, May 28
1 pm Fellowship hall reserved
Sunday, May 29: The Seventh Sunday of Easter
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Fellowship hall reserved
Monday, May 30
Memorial Day
7:30 am Float decoration
8 am Parade walkers/riders meet at church
Thursday, June 2
10:30 am Bible study
Copyright Notices
Come, Thou Almighty King: Setting copyright 1972 The Westminster Press.
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing!: Tr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Praise, Praise! You Are My Rock: Text by Herbert F. Brokering and music by Rusty Edwards © 1999 Augsburg Fortress.
Hail Thee, Festival Day!: Tr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.