The Lord’s Day | May 24th, 2020 | ||||||
Ten-Fifteen A. M. | |||||||
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ASCENSION SUNDAY | |||||||
Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, | |||||||
“Peace be with you.” | |||||||
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CELEBRATING IN OUR GREETING | |||||||
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| Prelude | ||||||
| Welcome to Worshipers | ||||||
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| Responsive Call to Worship | based on the poem by Christopher Villiers | |||||
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| Leader: Christ rises from the earth; His risen body above the sun ascended. | ||||||
| People: The time on earth has ended; we stand gazing into the empty skies. | ||||||
| Leader: We are commissioned to go and preach the gospel in every nation, | ||||||
| People: Making disciples in hostile and strange lands and cultures. | ||||||
| Leader: We must rise up from our fears and hesitations, | ||||||
| People: To be our Savior’s hands and feet and voice. | ||||||
| Leader: We shall not be lonely, for the Spirit nears, | ||||||
| People: Breathing divine energy into us to be passed on to others. | ||||||
| Leader: The debris of the crucifixion clears and fears of the resurrection subside; | ||||||
| People: It is time to build up Christ’s body now that He is ascended. | ||||||
| Leader: Jesus greets us this morning, He who conquered death and who has risen to the place of honor and glory. | ||||||
| People: At the right hand of the Most High God Jesus is now our heavenly Priest who intercedes for us. | ||||||
| Leader: Jesus has ascended amid shouts of joy and the sounding of trumpets. | ||||||
| People: Sing praises to our King above all kings. Jesus is our Savior! Jesus is Lord! | ||||||
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| A Hymn of Celebration – “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” | Dix-Beethoven | |||||
| Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, His the scepter, His the throne; | ||||||
| Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone. | ||||||
| Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood, | ||||||
| “Jesus, out of every nation, has redeemed us by His blood.” | ||||||
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| Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now; | ||||||
| Alleluia! Christ is near us, faith believes, nor questions how; | ||||||
| Though the cloud from sight received Him when the forty days were o’er, | ||||||
| Shall our hearts forget His promise, “I am with you evermore.” | ||||||
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| Alleluia! Bread of Heaven, Christ on earth our food and stay; | ||||||
| Alleluia! Here the sinful rest in You from day to day; | ||||||
| Intercessor, friend of sinners, earth’s redeemer, plead for me, | ||||||
| Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across the crystal sea. | ||||||
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| The Exchange of Christ’s Peace | ||||||
| The Children’s Message | ||||||
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CELEBRATING IN OUR PRAYERS AND PROCLAMATION | |||||||
| Special Music – “In the Presence of Jehovah” | Davis | |||||
| Doris Pearce, Soloist | ||||||
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| The Morning Prayer | ||||||
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| Scripture Readings with Responses |
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| The Old Testament Lesson | ||||||
| Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. | ||||||
| People: And may the Lord add His richest blessing to the reading of the Holy Word. | ||||||
| The New Testament Lesson | ||||||
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| Leader: This is the word of God for the people of God. | ||||||
| People: Thanks be to God! | ||||||
| The Gospel Reading | ||||||
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| Leader: The Gospel of the Lord. | ||||||
| People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ! | ||||||
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| The Doxology |
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| Praise God from whom all blessings flow! | ||||||
| Praise Him all creatures here below! | ||||||
| Praise Him above ye heavenly host! | ||||||
| Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen! | ||||||
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| Sermon – “Spiritual Forces in the Heavenly Places” | ||||||
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| Invitation to Discipleship | ||||||
| Hymn of Commitment – “The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns” | Kelly | |||||
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| The head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now; | ||||||
| A royal diadem adorns the mighty victor’s brow. | ||||||
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| The highest place that heaven affords is His, is His by right, | ||||||
| The King of kings and Lord of lords, and heaven’s eternal light. | ||||||
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| The joy of all who dwell above, the joy of all below, | ||||||
| To whom He manifests His love and grants His name to know. | ||||||
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| The cross He bore is life and health, though shame and death to Him; | ||||||
| His people’s hope, His people’s wealth, their everlasting theme. | ||||||
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| Closing Words | ||||||
| Benediction | ||||||
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| Choral Benediction – “Beautiful Savior” | ||||||
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| Beautiful Savior, Lord of all nations, Son of God and Son of Man! | ||||||
| Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be Thine! | ||||||
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| Postlude | ||||||