Online Worship from Kintore for use at home. Seventh Sunday of Easter – Ascension Sunday
Welcome to our online Sunday worship service from Kintore. You are invited to participate in this service at home. There are written prayers for you to read, say out loud or share with your family, there are hymns and prayers you can listen to or sing along with, and there is a brief Sunday message from Neil that you can watch. These are all laid out below in an order of service for you to follow.
CALL – God calls us to worship
Glory to God in the highest.
Glory, glory, glory.
Glory to God the Father.
Glory, glory, glory.
Glory to Jesus the Son.
Glory, glory, glory.
Glory to the Holy Spirit.
Glory to God in the highest.
Amen.
APPROACH – We draw near to God
Opening Hymn: Alleluia, Alleluia, hearts to heaven and voices raise
Prayers of Approach and Confession
Lord of all glory, we come before you
seeking your wisdom,
that we may glorify you through our thinking;
seeking your love,
that we may glorify you through our emotions;
seeking your strength,
that we may glorify you at all times;
seeking your perseverance,
that we may glorify you in all places.
Show us how to live,
that our lives shine with your glory,
and those who encounter us may know you
and that you are at work in your world.
When our actions are not loving,
and we think of just ourselves –
your name is not glorified.
Forgive us, God of Glory.
When our words bring hurt to others
and we do not even notice –
your name is not glorified.
Forgive us, God of Glory.
When the way we live is selfish
and we find no time for you –
your name is not glorified.
Forgive us, God of Glory.
When we do not see you or reveal your love –
your name is not glorified.
Forgive us, God of Glory.
Forgive and renew us,
and let your glory be seen in our lives.
Amen.
Song: How Great is our God
THE WORD – God speaks to us
For the Children
Junior Asparagus is heading to bed. But before he falls asleep he thanks God for loving him.
God Loves Me
From the Bible
Acts 1:6-11
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.”
John 17:1-11
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all people,[a] to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6 “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8 for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
Message: What if we never go back?
COMMUNION – We respond to God’s Word
Song: Forever (We sing Hallelujah)
Prayers of Intercession
We bring before God our concerns for our world:
where there is war we pray for peace;
where there is sickness we pray for health;
where there is despair we pray for hope.
Cast all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you.
We pray that you would be active in health care:
in the work of doctors and dentists, psychiatrists and psychologists, nurses and administrators, pharmacists and researchers.
Cast all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you.
Guide our activity in the church:
may we find ways to grow;
may we always honour you;
may we serve our communities.
Cast all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you.
We hold in your love those whom we love:
those who are sick;
those who are sorrowful;
those who need guidance and direction.
Cast all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you.
Come to us, God of glory.
Hear us, heal us and shine through our lives.
Cast all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you.
Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
COMMISSION – God sends us into the world
Closing Hymn: Lo he comes with clouds descending
Benediction
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
the Love of God the Father
and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us and those whom we love
now and evermore.
Amen.