Ascension - May 24, 2020

"The Hope of Easter Remains with Strength Forever"

The entire order of service is found in this video. If you prefer, you may follow along below.

You may also view this service on our Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/LivingSaviorAsheville/

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Preparations for Worship:

• Worship actively! Whether you are by yourself or with others, read the parts of the service aloud (responses, lessons, and prayers). Try singing along with the hymns as well.
• This service is for children too. Help them participate. Ask those who have that ability to read a prayer or lesson aloud. Take a moment to describe what’s happening. Ask questions. Encourage little ones to draw what they are hearing while you all listen. Unlike our more typical Sunday worship at church, you can pause at any time for discussion.
• Pause for a moment of quiet meditation. Then pray:
  O Lord — my Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter — I come before you to hear your holy Word. Open my heart by your Holy Spirit that I may repent of my sins, believe in my risen Savior Jesus Christ, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear me for your mercy’s sake. Amen.

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SONG - “Across the Lands”

You’re the Word of God the Father

From before the world began.

Every star and every planet

Has been fashioned by your hand.

All creation holds together

By the power of your voice.

Let the skies declare your glory;

Let the land and seas rejoice.

Chorus:

You’re the Author of creation;

You’re the Lord of every man.

And your cry of love

Rings out ‘ across the lands.

Yet you left the gaze of angels;

Came to seek and save the lost,

And exchanged the joy of heaven

For the anguish of the cross.

With a prayer you fed the hungry;

With a word you calmed the sea;

Yet how silently you suffered

That the guilty may go free.

Chorus.

With a shout you rose victorious,

Wresting victory from the grave,

And ascended into heaven,

Leading captives in your way.

Now you stand before the Father,

Interceding for your own.

From each tribe and tongue and nation

You are leading sinners home.

Chorus.

 

INVOCATION & RESPONSES

In the name of the Father, and of the Son †, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

 

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

We are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

Christ died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves
but for him who died for them and was raised again. 
(2 Corinthians 5:14,15)

As we come into God’s presence, we confess that we have lived for ourselves even as we express our confidence in the gift of forgiveness from him who lived, died, and rose for us.

Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin.
For faithless worrying and selfish pride,
For sins of habit and sins of choice,
For the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do,
You should cast me away from your presence forever.
O Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Forgive me, for Jesus’ sake.

If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.   
(1 Corinthians 15:17,20)

After his resurrection, Christ commanded his church to proclaim the forgiveness of sins to all nations, promising them that their words were as certain as his. Therefore it is by Christ’s command and with his authority that I say to you: In the name of Jesus  your sins are forgiven.

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

God has ascended amid shouts of joy. 

Sing praises to God, sing praises.               
(Psalm 47:5,6)

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Lord Jesus, King of glory, on this day you ascended far above the heavens and at God’s right hand you rule the nations. Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that at your command and by your power we may be your witnesses in all the world; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

Amen.

 

EPISTLE LESSON - 1 Peter 5:6-11

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

 

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Luke 24:44-53

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

 

SONG - “All Is Well”

The sun beams on behind the clouds

And in the dark still grace abounds

All is well because of God’s great love

The road of disappointment runs

Where unseen mercies wait for us

And all is well because of God’s great love.

Chorus:

How brightly shines the love of the Father

In our Savior, Jesus Christ

With faithful hands

He fulfills every promise

He will never leave our side

He feels our weakness, knows our need

And for our good He intercedes

All is well because of God’s great love

Through every failure, every fear

The Lord of comfort draws us near

And all is well because of God’s great love.

Chorus.

His coming soon will fill the sky

And all that’s wrong will be made right

With newborn eyes we will behold

The glory of the risen Lord.

All will be well because of God’s great love

Yes, all is well because of God’s great love.

MESSAGE

 

CONFESSION OF FAITH - The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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. The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

   and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

OFFERING

Offerings may be given on-line at LSavior.org/Give, mailed to the church office, put into the offering plate if you come for private communion, or dropped off at the office during regular hours.

 

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Blessed Lord Jesus, in humility you served us even to death, redeeming us by your holy precious blood. With power you conquered sin and the grave. In glory you ascended to the right hand of the Father, where you reign over all as King of kings and Lord of lords. May your holy Word be for us a solid foundation. Direct our will to your purpose. Even when we must suffer for a little while, make us strong, firm, and steadfast in faith and hope.

God of all grace, guide those who govern our land. Help them see the sacred character of their responsibility as they serve you for the protection of the weak, for the relief of the oppressed, and for the defense of your precious gift of life. 

Ascended Savior and Lord of the Church, from your throne in heaven you send gifts to your church — pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, vicars, and many others — so that they might equip your people for works of service. We thank you for calling Thomas Welch to proclaim the gospel to your people here at Living Savior and to share in our mission to our community. Bless him, his wife Grace, and their family over these next couple months as they prepare to move here. Keep them safe. Fill them with joy as they anticipate this opportunity to glorify your name.

Lord God, you give to us gifts to heal and to bring relief from pain. Be with those who serve us in the medical field, who search for cures for our afflictions, who care for the sick, and who offer comfort for the dying. 

Special prayers & private petitions

All these things we pray, trusting that you will answer the prayers of your people and will provide us with grace sufficient for every need. It is with that same confidence that we pray the prayer you have taught us. 

 

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 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.

 

BLESSING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.    
(2 Corinthians 13:14)

Amen. 

 

SONG - “Immovable Our Hope Remains”

Immovable our hope remains

Though shifting sands before us lie

The One who washed away our stains

Shall bear us safely to the skies

The floods may rise, the winds may beat

Torrential rains descend

Yet God His own will not forget

He'll love and keep us till the end.

 

You'll love and keep us till the end

This is eternal life: to know

The living God and Christ, the Son

The Savior will not let us go

Until His saving work is done

Our debt was great, as was our need

But now the price is paid

Who can behold Immanuel bleed

And doubt His willingness to save?

We trust Your willingness to save.

 

The Lord acquits, who can condemn?

Though Satan's accusations fly

His pow'r can never reach our names

To blot them from the Book of Life

The Son has surely made us free

His Word forever stands

And all our joy is knowing we

Are graven on His wounded hands

We're graven on Your wounded hands.