May 18, 2023
ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

INTRODUCTION
In today's readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples were told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
by whose hand we are given new birth,
by whose speaking we are given new life.
Amen.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
we are welcomed, restored, and supported
as citizens of the new creation.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

Holy God,
holy and merciful,
holy and mighty,
you are the river of life,
you are the everlasting wellspring.

In mercy and might you have freed us from death
and raised us with Jesus, the firstborn of the dead.
In baptismal waters our old life is washed away,
and in them we are born anew.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister continues.
Glory to you for oceans and lakes,
for rivers and streams.
Honor to you for waters that wash us clean,
quench our thirst, and nurture both crops and creatures.
Praise to you for the life-giving water of baptism,
the outpouring of the Spirit of the new creation.

Wash away our sin and all that separates us from you.
Empower our witness to your resurrection.
Strengthen our resolve in seeking justice for all.

Satisfy the world's need through this living water.
Where drought dries the earth, bring refreshment.
Where despair prevails, grant hope.
Where chaos reigns, bring peace.
We ask this through Christ,
who with you and the Spirit reigns forever.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
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.

OR
Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Go and make disciples of all nations, | says the Lord;* I am with you always, to the end | of the age. Alleluia. (Matt. 28:19, 20)

READINGS AND PSALM
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
God has gone up with a shout. (Ps. 47:5)
Psalm 93 (Alternate)
Ever since the world began, your throne has been established. (Ps. 93:2)
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53

FIRST READING: Acts 1:1-11
Before he is lifted into heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the world, and that the disciples will be accompanied and empowered by the Holy Spirit. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts.

[Luke writes:] 1In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After 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. 4While 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; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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." 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They 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."

PSALM: Psalm 47
God has gone up with a shout. (Ps. 47:5)

1Clap your hands, | all you peoples;
	shout to God with a | joyful sound.
2For the LORD Most High is | to be feared:
	a great king over | all the earth,
3who subdues the | peoples under us,
	and the nations un- | der our feet;
4who chooses our inheri- | tance for us,
	the pride of Jacob, | whom God loves.   R
5God has gone up | with a shout,
	the LORD with the sound | of the ram's horn.
6Sing praises to | God, sing praises;
	sing praises to our | king, sing praises.   R
7For God is king of | all the earth;
	sing praises | with a song.
8God reigns o- | ver the nations;
	God is en- | throned on high.
9The nobles of the peoples have gathered as the people
of the | God of Abraham.
	The rulers of the earth belong to God, who is high- | ly exalted.   R

PSALM (ALTERNATE): Psalm 93
Ever since the world began, your throne has been established. (Ps. 93:2)

1The LORD is king, robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty and | armed with strength.
	The LORD has made the world so sure that it can- | not be moved.
2Ever since the world began, your throne has | been established;
	you are from | everlasting.   R
3The waters have lifted up, O LORD, the waters have lifted | up their voice;
	the waters have lifted up their | pounding waves.
4Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers | of the sea,
	mightier is the LORD who | dwells on high.
5Your testimonies are | very sure,
	and holiness befits your house, O LORD,
	forever and for- | evermore.   R

SECOND READING: Ephesians 1:15-23
The risen and exalted Christ reigns over the entire universe. The author of Ephesians prays that we are given the wisdom to know the power of the risen Christ and the empowering hope that the knowledge of this inheritance provides.

15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I 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, 18so 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, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God 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, 21far 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. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

GOSPEL: Luke 24:44-53
On the day of his ascension, Jesus leaves his disciples with a commission, a blessing, and a promise of the Holy Spirit.

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." 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And 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." 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
Ever-present God, root your church firmly in you. Let us neither become entranced staring up into the heavens, nor distraught by the suffering of the world. Teach us to see you in every face, every place, and every moment. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of the cosmos, you cradle creation in your loving arms and anoint it with signs of your presence. In the budding of flowers, the birth of a baby, and the formations of the land and sky, reveal your abundant life. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Eternal God, your reign is above us, around us, beneath us, and beside us. As you rule the cosmos with justice and mercy, pour out your Spirit upon those in authority, that they serve humbly and justly. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of companionship, provide clarity and direction for those experiencing life transitions—in births and deaths, new employment and new relationships, divorces and departures. We pray for those receiving new diagnoses or undergoing treatment for illness or injury (especially). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Immanent God, in you we live, move, and have our being. Draw us closer to you and clothe us in your power. Encourage those preparing for baptism, those affirming their baptism, and all who are assuming new roles in this congregation's ministries (especially). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of welcome, you call us to feast at your eternal banquet. We give thanks for those who came before us, (especially Erik, King of Sweden, and all) whose lives witnessed to your love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Rejoicing in the victory of Christ's resurrection, we lift our prayers and praise to you, almighty and eternal God; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
Generous God,
in this meal you offer your very self.
We give thanks for these gifts of the earth.
In the breaking of this bread
reveal to us the Risen One.
In the pouring of this wine
pour us out in service to the world;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come and know Christ,
broken and poured out for you.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Gracious God,
in you we live and move and have our being.
With your word and this meal of grace,
you have nourished our life together.
Strengthen us to show your love
and serve the world in Jesus' name.
Amen.

BLESSING
The God of all,
who raised + Jesus from the dead,
bless you by the power of the Holy Spirit
to live in the new creation.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Risen One.
Thanks be to God.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.