The Feast of the Ascension
Ascension Day
Ascension Day is the celebration of Jesus' ascension into heaven, witnessed by the apostles.
It is kept on the 40th day after Easter. Ascension Day has been celebrated by christians around the world since the 300 A.D.
The significance of the ascension is that on top of the Mount of Olives, just outside of Jerusalem, Christ's human and risen body is taken up into heaven.
Opening Prayer:
Let us begin our liturgy this morning, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Almighty God,
today we celebrate that day when Jesus
was lifted up to heaven
as his disciples watched and witnessed.
May we be your disciples and witnesses today
As we prepare our lives with you in heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Scripture Reading: Acts 1:3-11 (Adaptation)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Jesus showed himself alive to the apostles after his crucifixion, death and resurrection. For forty days he continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God.
When he was with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. Jesus said, ‘John baptised with water but, not many days from now, you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’
As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.
They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, 'Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.'
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Praying for others….
Teacher: Today we also celebrate in a spirit of thanksgiving
Mary, Help of Christians,
who is Patroness of Australia,
in which we bring these special prayers to God.
Reader 1: We pray for Pope Francis, Bishop Vincent and Fr Greg,
May they continue to bless us with strong leadership,
Especially at this time of sickness across the world.
May they receive our respect and affection,
and be kept in good health in these difficult times.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer
Reader 2: May those who are experiencing trouble in their lives at this time,
be brave, and know that Christ has conquered the world.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer
Reader 3: May each one of us, when we feel alone,
take heart from the word of Jesus,
who has told us that the Father is always with us.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer
Reader 4: May people across all of Australia move towards Christian unity,
And help to reconcile, with Mary Help of Christians,
the relationships between all cultures,
Especially as we commemorate National Sorry Day tomorrow.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer
Reader 5: We pray for all those who have passed away,
Those in our own families,
And those around the world.
May they be with Jesus in Heaven.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer
Teacher: Lastly does anyone have any special intentions
in which they would like us to pray for? (pause, possibly prompt or allow time to write.)
For all of these prayers let us petition Mary, Help of Christians as we say.
Hail Mary full of grace….
OR
Teacher: Let us offer all these prayers to God as we sing together...
Closing Prayer:
Almighty God,
Help us be better disciples,
People who lead with their Head, Heart and Hands.
Fill us with kindness and love
in which to do your work here on earth.
We ask this in the name of the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Amen.