Ascension Day Service

The Liturgy for our Ascension Day Service can be found below. We hope it will help you worship God with us on this special feast day in the Church. Normally, the priest says the words in normal type and we respond with the words in dark type.

God has gone up with a shout,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

The minister greets the people and introduces the service.

The Ascension Reading

At the end the reader says
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Collect

Let us pray that our risen and ascended Lord will lead us to eternal life.

Silence is kept.

Risen Christ,
you have raised our human nature to the throne of heaven:
help us to seek and serve you,
that we may join you at the Father’s side,
where you reign with the Spirit in glory,
now and for ever.
All   Amen.

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

The Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only 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.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.

He 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.

Prayers of Intercession

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer.

Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Peace

The minister introduces the peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.

We offer each other a sign of peace.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

The priest continues to praise God

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
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.

The priest recalls the Last Supper

Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.

The priest continues in prayer.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Looking for the coming of his kingdom,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven …

Breaking of the Bread

Lord, we died with you on the cross.
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.

Giving of Communion

I heard the voice of a great multitude crying, Alleluia.
The Lord our God has entered into his kingdom.
Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
Alleluia.

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits you have given me,
for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.
Amen.

Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

No responses are used at the end of the reading. Silence is kept.

Responsory

As we wait in silence,
make us ready for your coming Spirit.
As we listen to your word,
make us ready for your coming Spirit.
As we worship you in majesty,
make us ready for your coming Spirit.
As we long for your refreshing,
make us ready for your coming Spirit.
As we long for your renewing,
make us ready for your coming Spirit.
As we long for your equipping,
make us ready for your coming Spirit.
As we long for your empowering,
make us ready for your coming Spirit.

The Blessing

The Dismissal

Waiting expectantly for the promised Holy Spirit,
go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

(c) 2000 Archbishops Council