Bulletin – Sunday, May 21, 2023 – Seventh Sunday of Easter / Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Sunday, May 21, 2023
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle

We light this candle as a symbol of the light of Christ, which cannot be held back by distance, which shines in each one of us, no matter where we are.

Call to Worship

One:   A new day has begun.
All:      Hope triumphs!

One:   A fresh start is given.
All:      Faith triumphs!

One:   Today you have the opportunity to do something creative.
All:      Hope triumphs!

One:   Christ is coming into your life in a new way.
All:      Faith triumphs!

One:   Come, let us worship God, who is asking us into life in a new way, a way that transcends death, a way of hope and faith.
All:      Love triumphs! Let us worship Christ, who overcame death to give us new life!

Hymn – “Come and Find the Quiet Centre”

Come and find the quiet centre in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.

Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, face to face,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.

In the spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain,
Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:
There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Too often, God, we are hesitant in our proclamation; seeking safe and suitable opportunities to speak of our faith. We are half-hearted in our service; reluctant to stand our from the crowd or to attract criticism.

Too often, God, we live as if dependent totally on our own resources; relying on our perceived skills and modest insights. We look to the clouds for our inspiration, in the vain hope of finding you there.

Forgive the poverty of our efforts and the frailty of our faith, and open wide our hearts and minds to the presence of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Hymn – “The Church is Wherever God’s People”

The church is wherever God’s people are praising,
Singing God’s goodness for joy on this day.
The church is wherever disciples of Jesus
Remember his story and walk in his way.

The church is wherever God’s people are helping,
Caring for neighbours in sickness and need.
The church is wherever God’s people are sharing
The words of the Bible in gift and in deed.

The Word

Scripture Reading:           Acts 1:1-11

¹ In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach 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.”

Scripture Reading:           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, 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^[c] 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.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Hymn – “O Christ, When You Ascended”

O Christ, when you ascended, you took your rightful throne;
Your time on earth had ended—yet we weren’t left alone.
You reign o’er earth and heaven; your Spirit guides our way.
Your prayers uphold your people; you lead your church each day.

We look at earthly rulers and see what they command:
We note their years of power, the borders of their land,
Yet, Lord, you are not bounded by things like time and space;
Your reign is never-ending, you rule in every place.

We’re tempted, Lord, to leave you in stories nicely told;
Sometimes we don’t believe you and say your ways are old.
Somethings we feel so lonely and live in doubt and fear—
But your ascension means, Lord, you’re present with us here.

It’s often quite a challenge to follow in your Way;
We’re easily distracted! It’s hard, Lord, to obey.
Sometimes we give you Sundays—an hour, maybe two—
But your ascension means, Lord, all life belongs to you.

One day, O Lord, we’ll know you, as we are fully known;
One day this world of sinners will bow before your throne.
One day, God’s whole creation will sing and praise your name;
On earth as now in heaven, we’ll celebrate your reign.

Meditation – “Sleep in Heavenly Peace”

Anthem – “As We Come Together”

As we come together to worship Christ the Lord,
Let us now join hand in hand with hearts in one accord.
Let us lift one mighty voice and sing to Him our praise.
Let us come together and glorify His name.

For we are His children, surrounded by His love,
Filled with His goodness and grace from above.
United in His Spirit, following His truth.
Let the whole world hear it. Lord, we worship You.

Faith is strengthened as we find the riches in His word,
Sharing burdens, sharing joys in things we’ve seen and heard.
Feeling deep within our hearts the peace that God can give.
Going forth, renewed we serve; our lives we give to Him.

For we are His children, surrounded by His love,
Filled with His goodness and grace from above.
United in His Spirit, following His truth.
Let the whole world hear it. Lord, we worship You.
Lord, we worship You.

Offering / Response – “What Can I Do?”

What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

The Response

Prayers of the People

One:   You are free, Lord, your ascension has set you free: free from the constraints of human existence, outside the limitations of time and space; free to be here with us now, in our worship and our time together; and free to be with us always; for in your freedom you have bound yourself to us with a promise.

One:   We pray, Lord, for those who need to feel you close, who need the assurance of your love, the encouragement of your Spirit.

One:   We pray for those who are persecuted, who are discriminated against, who are mocked because of their faith or race or colour.

One:   We pray for those we are imprisoned, who are tortured, who are exiled, because they have fought, struggled and spoken out for the rights of their people.

One:   We pray for those who are destitute, who are hungry, who are refugees, because of the selfishness and apathy of the world.

One:   We pray for those who are filled with guilt, who are broken-hearted, who are perplexed, because a relationship has gone wrong.

One:   We pray for those who are feeling fed up, who are in discomfort, who are afraid, because they are ill in body, mind, or spirit.

One:   We pray for those who are numbed, who are angry, who are desolate, because they have been bereaved.

One:   We pray for those caught up in war, and violence, and hatred; especially the innocent victims of these evils.

One:   We pray at this time of financial turmoil, for those who have lost jobs, those who struggle to pay bills, and those who have the power to affect positive change.

One:   We pray for those in our community, who ask for your gentle touch and care…

One:   Be with us all, Lord: in all our daily struggles as we seek to follow you. Be with us all, Lord: in our periods of doubt and despair; and in our times of happiness, health, and loving. Be with us all, Lord, until that time when in your Kingdom of Love our joy will know no end. Amen.

Hymn – “Take My Life and Let It Be”

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, all for thee;
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be swift and purposeful for thee.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee;
Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love: and I will pour at thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.

Benediction

Go out into the world, and in your words and in your lives bear witness to the Christ who has ascended to be everywhere present. And as you come to know him, may God give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, may Christ Jesus lift up his hands and bless you, and may the Spirit open to you all the riches of Christ’s inheritance. We go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen.

Response

Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen!
Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen!