Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ
Chicago Folk Service
Ascension of our Lord
Graduation Sunday
May 29, 2022, 10:30 am
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
901 East Stroop Road
Kettering, OH 45429-4688
(937) 298-0136
Introduction
In today’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples are told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.
Your Promise Has Shipped
Most of us are familiar with order fulfillment: our menu selection is fulfilled by the kitchen at the restaurant; our online purchase is fulfilled by the warehouse and shipped to our home; our prescription is fulfilled by the pharmacist, who asks if we have any questions about the medi- cation. Unfortunately, we are also familiar with the failures of fulfillment: the food items in the takeout bag are wrong; the goods delivered to our door are damaged; our order is unexpect- edly canceled or changed.
Today’s gospel passage is not about order fulfillment, but promise fulfillment. Jesus opens the minds of the disciples to see how the events of his death and resurrection are connected to the promises of God as found in Moses, the prophets, and the psalms. God’s promises have been consistent all the way along, and God keeps those promises.
Jesus identifies the disciples as witnesses, not just of events, but of the fulfillment of God’s promises. He then adds to the promise: they are to remain in the city until power from on high comes to them. After blessing them, Jesus ascends into heaven. The promise continues and the witness grows.
Sometimes the promises of new life in Jesus can feel far off. Our experiences of failed fulfill- ment can lower our expectations, even of what God is able to do in our lives. Certainly the disciples had their moments of doubt and struggle, times when their hope in God was disap- pointed. The gift of witness was not given to individuals but to the community, that the whole might carry along the parts.
After the ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem and worshiped Jesus. Their response to God’s fulfilled promises was to witness and worship. Today we gather to worship the God who fulfills promises. From that worship we go out to witness to what God is still doing to bring life into the world.
PRELUDE – “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
he has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword:
his truth is marching on.
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
he is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat.
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me.
As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,
while God is marching on.
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
Glory, glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
CENTERING SONG – “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant”
Will you let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant, too.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREETING
The Lord be with you.
And with you too.
ACT OF RECONCILIATION
Dear members of God’s family, branded in baptism and united in Christ, let us come together honestly to tell God that we have not lived as we could and ask him to forgive us:
Our Father, we have not fulfilled the hope in which you created us. We repent and ask your mercy that our sin be forgiven and our guilt removed. Help us to learn from scripture and from one another your will for our lives, so that with your help we can claim the inheritance of unlimited freedom which you have willed to us through your Son. You came to our world in Jesus. Come now to us.
God our Father does care about us. He sent his son Jesus Christ to us, and for us Jesus gave his life. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. Old things have passed away and all things are new. And all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and who has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation.
Let us pray.
(A silence is kept for individual prayer.)
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Almighty God,
your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
ENTRANCE SONG – “Rejoice, for Christ Is King!”
Rejoice, for Christ is king!
Your Lord and king adore;
rejoice, give thanks, and sing,
and triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Our Savior Jesus reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail;
he rules o’er earth and heav’n;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
He sits at God’s right hand
till all his foes submit
and bow to his command
and fall beneath his feet:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
DEACON’S PRAYER
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the peace that is from above and for our resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the people of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
For this holy place and for those who in faith, devotion, and fear of God offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
Help, save, strengthen and defend us, O God, by your grace.
Amen, amen.
SONG OF PRAISE
Glory be to God on high,
praise to you most Holy!
O Lord God, Heav’nly King
God the Father Almighty!
O Lord God, Lamb of God,
Only Son of the Father:
Christ who takes away our sin,
have mercy upon us.
For you only Lord, O Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
are most high in the glory
of God the Father.
Glory be to God on high! Amen.
FIRST READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Acts 1:1-11
Before he is lifted into heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the world. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts.
A reading from the book of Acts.
[Luke writes:] In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instruc- tions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 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.”
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT Ephesians 1:15-23
The risen and exalted Christ reigns over the entire universe. The author of Ephesians prays that we are given the wisdom to know the power of the risen Christ and the empowering hope that the knowledge of this inheritance provides.
A reading from the book of Ephesians.
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. I pray 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 know 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.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
AL-LE-LU-LE, ALLELUIA
Refrain:
Sing praise to the Lord, all the earth!
Allelule, Aleluia!
Play music tp praise his name!
Allelule, Alleluia!
- Our passover lamb is Christ, who banished the Angel of Death. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- Our God made the earth for good, and one day we all will rejoice. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- We sing to the glory of the Lord, who set us free from our sins. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- To Christ our heavenly king, give thanks for everything. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- He came to show us how to live in the here and now. (Congregation sing refrain.)
- He suffered and died for us, and one day he shall return. (Congregation sing refrain.)
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL LUKE 24:44-53
On the day of his ascension, Jesus leaves his disciples with a commission, a blessing, and a promise of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the eleven and those with them,] “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
YOUTH MESSAGE
SERMON
PRAYER FOR GRADUATES
CREED
We all believe in one true God,
Maker of earth and heaven,
the Father who to us in love,
hath the name of children given.
He in soul and body feeds us.
All we need his hand provides us,
through all snares and perils leads us,
sees no harm betides us.
He cares for us by day and night,
all things are governed by his might.
And we believe in Jesus Christ,
his Son our Lord and savior,
who with the Father equal might,
hath pow’r and glory forever.
Born of Mary, virgin MOther,
by the working of the Spirit,
he became our elder brother,
that heav’n we might inherit.
Was crucified by sinners all,
and raised by God to life again.
And we in the Holy Ghost believe,
who Grace and comfort giveth,
and with the Father and the Son
in eternal glory liveth.
Who all Christian people even
keeps in unity of Spirit,
Sins are truly forgiven through the
Blest Redeemer’s merit.
All flesh shall rise again and
we shall live with God eternally.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Set free from captivity to sin and death, we pray to the God of resurrection for the church, people in need, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
Each intercession concludes:
God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
In your mercy, O God, respond to these prayers, and renew us by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
CREATE IN ME
Create in me a clean heart, O, God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your spirit free.
Creare in me a clean heart, O, God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
OFFERING PRAYER
Jesus, Bread of life,
you have set this table with your very self, and called us to the feast of plenty. Gather what has been sown among us, and strengthen us in this meal. Make us to be what we receive here, your body for the life of the world. Amen.
THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And with you too.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Give thanks to the Lord.
It is good and right to do.
It is truly right and proper at all times and places to give our thanks to you, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Ever living God. Therefore, with angels and archangels and all the company of heav’n, we laud and magnify your glorious name evermore praising you and saying:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts.
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Glory be to you, O Lord most high.
Blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
blest is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosannah in the highest!
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Father, you are holy indeed: all your actions show your mercy and love. You made us in your image and set us over your creation. Even when we had fallen under the spell of sin, you did not abandon us but offered a covenant of blessing for all people. You rescued your chosen people, Israel, as a sign of the great deliverance to come. You sent prophets to prepare the way.
And when the time had come, you sent your Son; born of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. In word and wonder he proclaimed your kingdom and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life. For us he was lifted up on the cross that we might know the power of his resurrection.
And that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him, he promised his Holy Spirit to those who believe to comfort and guide us and make us children of you, his Father.
Father, through him and in his name we ask you, fill us with his Holy Spirit so that, until he comes again, we may remember him as he commanded us:
At supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took some bread in his hands, and after giving thanks to you he broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat. This is my body which is given for you.”
When the meal was ended, he took a cup of wine, and after giving thanks he gave it
to them and said, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it. This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for all people so that sins might be forgiven. Do this to remember me, for I will not drink the fruit of the vine again until the day I drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God.”
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done,
Hallowed be thy Name.
On Earth as it is in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Hallowed be thy Name.
And forgive us our trespasses,
Hallowed be thy Name.
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Lead us not into temptation,
Hallowed be thy Name.
But deliver us from evil,
Hallowed be thy Name.
For thine is the kingdom and the power,
Hallowed be thy Name.
And the glory forever and ever,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Amen, amen, it shall be so,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Amen, amen, it shall be so,
Hallowed be thy Name.
When we eat this bread we share the body of Christ. (breaking the bread)
When we drink this cup we share the blood of Christ. (lifting the cup)
SHARING THE MEAL
LAMB OF GOD
Christ, O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, give us your peace.
COMMUNION HYMN – “In Christ There Is No East or West”
In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one community of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts ev’rywhere
their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate’er your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
(after all have received bread and wine)
The Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his Grace.
Amen.
SEND US FORTH IN PEACE
Lord, we have your peace.
Lord, we have your peace.
Lord, we have your peace.
Just as you said we have heard it,
Just as you lived we have felt it.
Lord we have your peace.
Sustain us in your peace, O Lord,
as go to our se’rate worlds.
Keep this peace with us as we try
to love in our troubled worlds.
Send us forth in peace.
Send us forth in peace to be a light
to show your beauty forever.
BLESSING
The Lord be with you.
And with you too.
Bless we the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you.
And give you peace,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
DISMISSAL SONG – “Mighty to Save”
Everyone needs compassion,
Love that’s never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour,
The hope of nations.
Saviour, he can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as you find me,
All my fears and failures.
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in.
Now I surrender.
Saviour, he can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
Shine your light, and let the whole world see.
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King:
Jesus.
Shine your light and let the whole world see.
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King.
Saviour, he can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
Saviour, he can move the mountains.
My God is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
Shine your light, and let the whole world see.
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King:
Jesus.
Shine your light and let the whole world see.
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King.
DISMISSAL
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Go in peace. Tell what God has done.
Created, saved and gifted by God, we seek, serve and share Jesus Christ.
Alleluia! Thanks be to God.
“W + 2” = Worship Plus Two
Make a commitment to not only worship each week but also try to find a way to serve in the congregation and seek out a way to serve our community.
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD
Upcoming Commemorations
Jiri Tranovský, hymnwriter, died 1637
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Tranovský is considered to be the father of Slovak hymnody as well as an important reformer of the Slavic church. He translated the Augsburg Confession (the basis of Lutheran teachings) and published a collection of Slovak hymns.
Visit of Mary to Elizabeth
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
This festival marks the occasion when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth who was herself pregnant with John. Elizabeth pronounced Mary “blessed among women,” and Mary responded with the song called the Magnificat.
Justin, martyr at Rome, died around 165
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Born of pagan parents, Justin was influenced by an elderly Christian in Ephesus. He became a teacher of philosophy and the Christian faith. Jailed for practicing an unauthorized religion, he refused to renounce his faith and was beheaded.
The Martyrs of Uganda, died 1886
Friday, June 3, 2022
On June 3, 1886, thirty-two young men were burned to death for refusing to renounce Christianity. The confident manner in which these Christians went to their deaths contributed to a much stronger Christian presence in Uganda.
John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, died 1963
Friday, June 3, 2022
When elected pope, the former Angelo Roncalli was expected to be a short-term caretaker. He showed great spirit, though, and convened the Second Vatican Council which helped bring great changes to Roman Catholic and other churches.
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22920.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.