Sunday, May 21, 2023
LOVELY LANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
7th SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
ASCENSION/HERITAGE SUNDAY IN THE UMC
MAY 21, 2023
10:15 A.M.
Organ Prelude
Welcome and Announcements Rev. Debbie Scott
Choral Introit “See, the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph” (Roentgen)
See, the conqueror mounts in triumph,
See the King in royal state
Riding on the clouds, his chariot,
To His heavenly palace gate.
Hark! The choirs of angel voices
Joyful alleluias sing
And the portals high are lifted
To receive their heavenly King.
Call to Worship
On this Heritage Sunday, we gather to remember who we are.
We are the story of God’s grace in this place.
From Aldersgate Street to St. Paul Street, God’s grace flows among us, guiding us to notice and participate in God’s unfolding story of love in our midst.
We are the story of God’s grace in this place.
We have seen troubles, conflict, and fear within and outside these walls, yet God remains as our faithful guide.
We are the story of God’s grace in this place.
We have been part of spreading God’s love in this community, rejoicing when we witness lives transformed, families nurtured, and neighbors caring for one another.
We are the story of God’s grace in this place.
Today may we celebrate all that God has done and continues to do in our midst as we remember and renew our commitment to take part in God’s story in this place.
We joyfully answer the call to live out God’s story of grace in this place! Amen.
Opening Hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” UMH 545 Vs.1, 2, & 4
1. The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
2. Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
4. Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Epistle Lesson Acts 1:1-11 Good News Translation
Dear Theophilus: In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven. Before he was taken up, he gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles. 3 For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. 4 And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. 5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?” 7 Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. 8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After saying this, he was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They still had their eyes fixed on the sky as he went away, when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them 11 and said, “Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.”
The Word of God…..THANKS BE TO GOD
Call to Confession (Leader)
We know what we should do, yet don’t. We know the words people need to hear, but utter the ones that hurt them. Yet, we also know that if we confess our failings to God, we will receive forgiveness and hope. Please join me as we pray together, saying,
Prayer of Confession
God of glory: we are so busy watching the skies for signs of your presence that we forget to look around to see those we can serve in your name. We are so intent on finding just the right way to tell off someone, that we forget the words of reconciliation you have taught to us. We are so convinced we can figure out your schedule that we forget to open ourselves to the presence of your Spirit within us.
Mighty source of our lives, forgive us for all that we have done to others. Fill us with the wisdom to resist evil in our lives and strengthen us in that faith which is given to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Assurance of Pardon
Beloved, do not be surprised. Our God is gracious to all, restoring us to new life.
This is the good news which is for us, and for everyone we will meet in the days to come. Thanks be to God. We are forgiven.
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Choral Response “Cares Chorus” TFWS 2215
I cast all my cares upon You
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet
And any time I don’t know just what to do,
I will cast all my cares upon You.
Gospel Lesson Luke 24:44-53 Good News Translation 44 Then he said to them, “These are the very things I told you about while I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and the Psalms had to come true.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later, 47 and in his name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And I myself will send upon you what my Father has promised. But you must wait in the city until the power from above comes down upon you.” 50 Then he led them out of the city as far as Bethany, where he raised his hands and blessed them. 51 As he was blessing them, he departed from them and was taken up into heaven. 52 They worshiped him and went back into Jerusalem, filled with great joy, 53 and spent all their time in the Temple giving thanks to God.
The Word of God for the people of God….Thanks be to God
Sermon “Taken Up to Heaven” Rev. Debbie Scott
Invitation to Offering
Offertory “Crown Him!” (McDonald)
Behold the Cross. Behold the Lamb.
Behold the Sacrifice of God’s Salvation Plan.
The Son of God, He came, sin of man to claim.
Crown Him! Savior, Lord, Most Holy.
Crown Him! Christ, the Lord of all.
Rejoice, the King! Rejoice, the Savior!
Sing high the praise of God in Christ, Jesus, the Son,
Whose death on Calvary was victory!
Crown Him! Savior, Lord, Most Holy.
Crown Him! Christ, the Lord of all.
Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to the King!
Offering Prayer (All)
Loving God, you pour out your grace upon us without reservation; help us to be as gracious and generous with our gifts and resources, so others might know you hope, your healing, your presence in their lives. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Closing Hymn “O Christ, When You Ascended” Tune UMH 303 Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gilette
1. O Christ, when you ascended, you took your rightful throne;
Your time on earth had ended — yet we weren’t left alone.
You reign o’er earth and heaven; your Spirit guides our way.
Your prayers uphold your people; you lead your church each day.
3. We’re tempted. Lord, to leave you in stories nicely told;
Sometimes we don’t believe you and say your ways are old.
Sometimes we feel so lonely and live in doubt and fear —
But your ascension means, Lord, you’re present with us here.
4. It’s often quite a challenge to follow in your Way;
We’re easily distracted! It’s hard, Lord, to obey.
Sometimes we give you Sundays — an hour, maybe two —
But your ascension means, Lord, all life belongs to you.
Benediction
Gracious God, you met John Wesley’s uncertainty with divine assurance,
You called him to declare your salvation in the fields, streets, and prisons where people were desperate for good news.
Inspire us today to carry the stories of all you have done among us beyond the doors of this building,
That we may grow as your church in the world, a living temple that brings your love and grace to the corners of our communities that most need your good news. Amen.
Choral Benediction “All His Work Has Ended” (Havergal)
All His work has ended;
Joyfully we sing.
Jesus has ascended;
Glory to our King!
Ringing the Bicentennial Bell
Organ Postlude
Social Networks:
