Ascension Sunday

Scriptures and Hymns - May 24

Ascension Sunday

Processional Hymn 19

1 Hail the Day that sees Him rise, Alleluia!
To His throne beyond our skies. Alleluia!
Glory to the conquering King, Alleluia!
Glory let creation sing, Alleluia!

2 There for Him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates. Alleluia!
He hath vanquished death and sin, Alleluia!
Take the King of glory in, Alleluia!

3 Lo, the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
Yet He loves the earth He leaves. Alleluia!
Though returning to His throne, Alleluia!
Still He calls mankind His own. Alleluia!

4 Now he lifts His Hands above, Alleluia!
Flooding Heaven and earth with love, Alleluia!
He, ascending, doth bestow, Alleluia!
Blessings on His Church below, Alleluia!

5 Though He gains that wondrous height, Alleluia!
Far above our earthly sight, Alleluia!
Still within that Church He lives, Alleluia!
Sacramental strength he gives, Alleluia!

6 Soon our Lord will come again, Alleluia!
Ever in our hearts to reign, Alleluia!
Quickly come, All-glorious King, Alleluia!
Thus thy loving servants sing, Alleluia!

7 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him all ye heavenly Host, Alleluia!
Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! Amen

The Collect

    O GOD, the King of glory, we pray thee that, as thine alone-born Son our dear Lord Christ hath ascended into the heavens, we may also in heart and mind thither ascend and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, throughout all ages of ages. Amen.

The Epistle

    The portion of scripture appointed for the epistle is taken from the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, beginning at the fifth verse.

    JESUS said unto his apostles: John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. And ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up and a cloud, received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The Gospel

   The holy gospel is taken from the twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel according to St Luke, beginning at the forty-ninth verse.

   BEHOLD, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Offertory Hymn 30

1 O EVERLASTING Light,
Giver of dawn and day,
Dispeller of the ancient night
In which creation lay;

2 O Everlasting Health,
From Whom all healing springs,
Our Bliss, our Treasure, and our Wealth,
To Thee, our spirit clings!

3 O Everlasting Truth,
Truest of all that's true,
Sure Guide of erring age and youth,
Lead us, and teach us too.

4 O Everlasting Strength,
Uphold us in the way;
Bring us, in spite of foes, at length
To joy, and light, and day.

5 O Everlasting Love,
Wellspring of cheer and peace;
Pour down Thy fullness from above,
Bid doubt and trouble cease. Amen

Recessional Hymn 28

1 Crown him with many crowns,
Our Christ upon His throne.
Let all the nations worship Him,
His praise let all intone,
Loud let His glory ring,
Ruler of earth and sea;
We hail Him as our radiant King
Through all eternity.

2 Crown him the Lord of love;
The God Incarnate born,
The Life outpouring from above,
That in us life may dawn.
Fruit of the mystic Rose
As of that Rose the Stem;
The Root whence beauty ever flows,
The Babe of Bethlehem.

3 Crown Him the Lord of peace,
Whose power a sceptre sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease,
And all be joy and praise:
His reign shall know no end,
And round His sacred Feet
Fair flowers of Paradise extend
Their fragrance ever sweet.

4 Crown him the Lord of life,
Who triumphed o'er the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save.
His glories now we sing
Who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
And lives that death may die.

5 Crown him the Lord of might,
The King of Kings alone,
Maker of all, serene and bright
On His eternal throne;
On the broad sea of light
whose everlasting waves
Reflect His throne – the Infinite,
Who lives and loves and saves.

6 Crown him the Lord of years,
the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres,
Ineffably Sublime.
Hail, mighty Victor, hail!
All life comes forth from Thee;
Thy praise shall never, never fail
Throughout eternity. Amen.