WORSHIP RESOURCES
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Ascension of the Lord
Luke 24:44-53 (A,B,C)
You Are Witnesses
Additional Scriptures
Psalm 47; Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23; Doctrine and Covenants 161:3c
Prelude
Welcome
Gathering Hymn
“As We Gather” Sing twice. CCS 73
OR “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” CCS 623
OR “Jesus, We Are Here/Jesu Tawa Pano” CCS 71 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Time of Sharing and Caring
Share announcements, celebrations, prayer concerns. End with a pastoral prayer appropriate to the sharing.
Gathering Words
Ask someone who is energetic and enthusiastic to lead this Psalm. Do the reading several times, getting louder each time. Consider asking everyone to respond to the leader with the “God is in the house!” phrase.
Everybody here, clap your hands!
God is in the house!
Everybody here, shout your praise to God!
God is in the house!
Everybody here, sing praise to God!
God is in the house! —Psalm 47, adapted
Hymn of Rejoicing
“Dios está aquí/God Is Here Today” Sing twice. CCS 150
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
OR “All Creation Sings God’s Music” CCS 110
OR “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing/Jésus, je voudrais te chanter” CCS 556/557
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Prayer of Praise
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:44-53
Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn
“I Danced in the Morning” CCS 23
OR “O Risen Christ, Still Wounded” CCS 41
Scripture Exploration
Based on Luke 24:44-53
What Would It Be Like?
In pairs or small groups, consider what it would be like to have Jesus “open the scriptures” for you. In essence, what would it be like to be in a Bible study session with Jesus? What might his teaching style be like? Why do you think Jesus considered this an important part of his interchange with these disciples?
Prayer for Peace
Light the peace candle.
Read “Lord, Make Us Instruments,” (Finish with “Amen.”) CCS 364
Sung Refrain of Peace
“Lord, Make Us Instruments” CCS 364
Sing the refrain one time.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture Reading: Luke 22:7-39
Communion Message
Based on the meaning of this sacrament.
Hymn of Preparation
“As We Gather at Your Table” CCS 523
OR “I Come with Joy, a Child of God” CCS 533
Invitation to Communion
All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a
sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others might have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
Log in to Our Ministry Tools and search for Guidelines Lord’s Supper. If you have not used this library of resources, go to CofChrist.org/our-ministry-tools.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Invitation to the Offering
If Jesus was giving directions to his disciples today, they might sound something like this: “You will be my witnesses to (your hometown), to all of (your country), to (your continent), and to the ends of the Earth.” One way we become Christ’s witnesses is through our giving today. Some of our gifts will help people in Jesus’s name locally through oblation. Some funds will reach into our country through national charities. Some gifts will reach far into our continent and the world in the name of Jesus through our support of international charities. I invite you to give generously and joyfully as you fulfill Christ’s call to be his witnesses to (your town, your country, your continent), and to all the world.
As we open our hearts to courageously and generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion in the world. On this Sunday as we share in the sacraments, our offerings are dedicated to Abolishing Poverty and Ending Needless Suffering. This is how God’s generous compassion grows more visible in tangible ways.
If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).
Blessing of Oblation, Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Offering Prayer
Bless these gifts, O Lord of all,
that we might worship you with great joy
and serve your people with great love.
In Christ’s name. Amen.
—Based on Luke 24
Receiving of Oblation, Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Prayer of Blessing
Ask an evangelist to offer a prayer of blessing over the congregation.
Closing Hymn
“I Love to Tell the Story” CCS 370
“I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” CCS 581
“Somos el cuerpo de Cristo/We Are the Body of Christ” CCS 337
Sending Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 161:3c
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year C—Letters
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Ascension of the Lord
Luke 24:44-53 (A,B,C)
Exploring the Scripture
Today’s passage is part of the longer account in Luke 24 that includes the empty tomb and the encounter of two disciples with Christ on the road to Emmaus. These stories are in harmony with Luke’s entire message that Jesus has come to bring restoration to Israel. In other words, Jesus’ mission is fulfilling God’s promise.
Specifically, the text encompasses Christ’s appearance in Jerusalem and includes Christ’s blessing and his ascension. Consistent with author’s purpose, verses 44–53 provide continuity between the past and present, then move toward the future. In verse 44 Jesus refers the disciples to the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms. Jesus stresses this link with the past. God was involved from the beginning. God is faithful and engaged in history.
People in modern cultures have a tendency to discount the past. But it is important to recognize that tradition and history have much to contribute. The Holy Spirit has encountered many who have gone before us. We are not the first to be blessed by God. We would do well to listen to their stories and testimonies about their encounters with the Divine.
In verse 45 Jesus opens their minds. In the following verses the disciples witness where God is moving at their particular moment in history. He describes divine events they witnessed. It is a reality for them. They know it as truth. Now, Christ has their attention. He challenges them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sin to all.
As disciples, we, too, need to be aware of where God is moving today. When we allow God’s grace to enter our lives, transformation occurs. When we worship, pray, study, hear the Word, and share in the sacraments, God appears and blesses. We are called to share that good news with the world.
Then, in the text, Jesus brings the future into the story. Jesus tells the disciples he is sending what God has promised. He directs them to stay in Jerusalem until they have power from on high. The power they will receive is not theirs. Rather, it is God’s power. It is a gift. This power will come from the Divine. Because they are to wait for it, they have a heightened sense of expectancy and excitement. Something is going to happen. How will the power be revealed?
In verses 50–53, Jesus leads his followers to Bethany and blesses them before he ascends. The Greek word the author uses for bless means “to speak well of.” So, in this text Jesus speaks well of them and praises them. He is asking God to help them gain peace, well-being, and wholeness. We, too, receive Christ’s blessing. As disciples, we are called to share that blessing with others. There are many among us who need blessing. We are to “speak well of” them and ask God’s Spirit to give them peace and wholeness.
In the text, after being blessed, the disciples worship Jesus. They return to Jerusalem with great joy and continually “speak well of” God (vv. 52–53). Our families, congregations, and faith community should also be continually full of joy and praise. Today we speak “well of God” because of our experience that God’s unbound- ed love and unconditional grace embraces all.
Central Ideas
- Jesus came to fulfill everything written about him in the Law of Moses, the prophets, and in the psalms.
- The power we receive is from God. It is a divine gift to be used for God’s purposes. It is not power to use for our own benefit.
- We are called to be witnesses—proclaimers of repentance and forgiveness of sins—to all nations. Christ’s mission is our mission.
Questions for the Speaker
- How do the traditions of your congregation reflect God’s presence? (past)
- When has your “mind been opened to scripture”? (present)
- Have you ever felt expectant to receive from God? (future)
- What are some ways you and your congregation witness of and proclaim the Risen Christ?
- How would you explain the ascension of Jesus to a new disciple?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year C, Letters
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Ascension of the Lord
Ephesians 1:15–23 NRSVue
Gathering
Welcome
Ascension Day is when Jesus hikes with his disciples to a mountaintop. There, he blesses them and tells of the coming Holy Spirit before he ascends into heaven.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
Bless us with peace, O Lord, that we may bless others.
Bless us with strength that we may care for those who suffer weakness.
Bless us with courage to see beyond our comfort.
Bless us with persistence in the cause of justice.
Bless us with compassion that we may see generosity as a means of transformation, not obligation.
Bless us with wisdom to know there are more questions than answers.
Bless us with an awareness of your Spirit breathing in and with us.
Bless us with peace, that we may bless others. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Contemplative Reading
Read the following aloud:
For Ascension Day our spiritual practice is contemplative reading. This poem was written by Teresa de Avila in the 1500s.
Listen as I read the poem aloud. Allow words, phrases, and images to come into your mind and rest in you. After a brief pause, I will read the poem a second time. As I read, listen for inspiration within you and how you sense God speaking to you this day.
Read aloud:
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
—Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)
Pause.
Read the poem a second time. Invite group members to respond to the following questions:
1. What words, phrases, or images came to mind?
2. How do you feel the Spirit inspiring you to action through this poem?
Sharing Around the Table
Ephesians 1:15–23 NRSVue
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers, 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, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may perceive what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God 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, far 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. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Modern Biblical scholars have determined that Paul was the undisputed author of seven letters of the New Testament (Romans, First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, First Thessalonians, and Philemon). Though Ephesians begins with a similar greeting, indicating that it was written by Paul, there are major differences in style, vocabulary and theology that reject it as an authentic Pauline letter.
A style example is that Paul’s undisputed letters are comprised of short sentences, yet in its original Greek, verses 15–23 are written as one long sentence instead of the three as shown in this translation. For vocabulary, 116 words appear in Ephesians (https://ehrmanblog.org/did-paul-write-pauls-letter-to-the-ephesians/) that do not appear in the other letters.
Regarding theology, Paul’s letters depict the resurrection of believers as something that will happen in the future, yet Ephesians indicates that believers already are seated with Jesus. Perhaps Ephesians was written by a disciple of Paul, or someone who carried on his work after Paul’s death. The oldest manuscripts of Ephesians are not addressed to those in Ephesus, so it likely is not a letter to a specific church, but a general letter to all young churches. There also are no personal details about people or events, as in Paul’s other letters.
From Acts, we know that Paul traveled to Asia Minor to bring a message of Jesus to Jews and Gentiles. This letter is inclusive of the Gentile community, though Gentiles did not grow up with Jewish traditions. It welcomes Gentiles as equals into the body of Christ, that all may receive God’s Spirit.
In today’s lesson, the writer, who has heard of the community’s faith and love, asks for a spirit of wisdom, revelation, and enlightenment for all church members, not just leaders. The letter also reminds the community to have hope and to be aware of the good that can be done through the immeasurable and surprising power of God.
Furthermore, according to the author’s theology, the universe ultimately will be a united body and become “the church,” not a single congregation or a single denomination, with Jesus as the head. And the love of God will prevail.
Questions
1. In Community of Christ, we are encouraged to be a prophetic people. How does today’s scripture similarly encourage people? For whom is the spirit of wisdom and revelation intended?
2. This passage encourages us to go beyond relying on ourselves toward depending on the immeasurable power of God. What spiritual practices can help us discover this power of God?
3. Is your opinion of this letter changed by the fact that it likely was written by one of Paul’s students?
Sending
Generosity Statement
Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.
—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.
This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:
God of wisdom and love, may the gifts we share be in response to the generous gifts you have given us. May our monetary offerings be received in love and used with wisdom. Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
Community of Christ Sings 29, “Hope of the World”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Thoughts for Children
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
—1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSVue
Communion Statement
All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (choose from below options):
· 516, “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”
· 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together”
· 523, “As We Gather at Your Table”
· 526, “Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?”
· 528, “Eat This Bread”
· 532, “We Meet as Friends at Table”
Thoughts for Children
Materials:
- two wastepaper baskets
On Ascension Sunday we remember that after Jesus was finished teaching the disciples in person, he returned to God’s presence and no longer was on Earth as a human.
Though the disciples could not see Jesus, they were promised a comforting presence would be sent to be with them. This presence is what we call the Holy Spirit.
We also promise that we will show God’s love to our friends, family, people we meet, and to Earth. We do this by being kind, compassionate to others, and by caring for Earth.
· Ask the children to share about a time when they were kind to someone else.
· Ask the children to share about a time when they helped someone.
· Ask the children to share about a way they can care for Earth.
Say: One way we can be in healthy relationship with Earth is to recycle.
Ask the children to help everyone present remember to recycle cans and bottles in one basket, and paper in the other.
Thank the children for participating.
Adapted from Community of Christ Children’s Focus Moments