Resources For Ascension Day
Ascension Day is the fortieth day after Easter. On this day, the church recalls the ascension of Christ into heaven and celebrates his rule over all Creation. The following information provides a helpful start for local congregations that want to revive the observance of this day.
Originally the Ascension was celebrated with Pentecost as a unitive festival. Their evolution into two different festivals took place during the end of the fourth century. The date for the Ascension is always forty days after Easter, following the tradition of Acts 1:3: "appearing to them during forty days and speaking of the kingdom of God." It has never been a day of great ceremony, even though it is a day of celebration. The impact the celebration of Ascension is to make on us is announced in the words of the preface prayer. "O Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that we might fill all things: mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abideth with his church on earth, even unto the end of the ages." The same theme is captured in the texts for the day from Acts 1:1–11, Ephesians 1:15–23, and either Luke 24:49–53 or Mark 16:9–15, 19–20. If a congregation desires to celebrate the Eucharist, use the Eucharist suggested for the Sundays of Easter and add music and hymns of the Ascension theme. Other ascension hymns include "Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise," "See the Conquering Mounts in Triumph," "Hail the Festival Day," and "Rejoice, the Lord of Life Ascends." SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE 1 Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:14, 16) 2 Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, to the end of time. (Matt. 28:19a, 20b) Alleluia! 3 Why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11) Alleluia! PRAYER OF THE DAY 1 God of majesty, you led the Messiah through suffering into risen life, and took him up to the glory of heaven. Clothe us with the power promised from on high, and send us forth to the ends of the earth as heralds of repentance and witnesses of Jesus Christ, firstborn from the dead, who lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. 2 Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace; bring all creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 3 Eternal God, by raising Jesus from the dead you proclaimed his victory, and by his ascension, you declared him Lord of all. Lift up our hearts to heaven where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. LITANY FOR ASCENSION Arise, O Lord, in your strength. We will praise you for your glory! Let us pray with joy to Christ at the right hand of God, saying: You are the king of glory! You have raised the weakness of our flesh. Heal us from our sins, and restore to us the full dignity of life. You are the king of glory! May our faith lead us to the Father as we follow the road you trod. You are the king of glory! You have promised to draw all people to yourself; let no one of us be separate from your body. You are the king of glory! Grant that by our longing we may join you in your kingdom where your humanity and ours is glorified. You are the king of glory! You are true God, and you will be our judge, so lead us to contemplate your tender mercy. You are the king of glory! (After a brief silence, the leader concludes the litany:) O King of glory and Lord of hosts, who ascended triumphantly above the heavens, do not abandon us, but send us the promised one, the Spirit of truth. Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. PRAYER OF CONFESSION Almighty God, you have raised Jesus from death to life, and crowned him Lord of all. We confess that we have not bowed before him, or acknowledged his rule in our lives. We have gone along with the ways of the world, and failed to give him glory. Forgive us, and raise us from sin, that we may be your faithful people, obeying the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, who rules the world and is head of the church, his body.