Collect for the day
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
The Readings
EPISTLE READING: A READING FROM THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER 1 VERSES 4 – 11
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 period 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 towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards 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.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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The Gospel Reading
HEAR THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE CHAPTER 24 VERSES 44 – 53
Glory to you O Lord
Then he said to 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 worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you O Christ.
Intercessions
Please remember in your prayers, all those of our community who are unwell, or who have asked for our prayers.
Please remember in your prayers, those who have died recently,
and whose anniversary falls at this time and those who still mourn their passing.
Final Prayer
God our Father, you have raised our humanity in Christ and have fed us with the bread of heaven: mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings, we may set our hearts in the heavenly places; through
Jesus Christ our Lord Amen n.
Welcome to all our visitors today
During the service we will be offering the Common Cup. If you wish to take the communion wine please pass to the left of the altar after receiving the Communion wafer and then leave to return to your seat on that side of the church. Please do not dip the Communion Wafer in the cup of wine. The cup is for sharing only. If you do not feel comfortable sharing the Common Cup please pass to the right hand side of the altar and return to your seat on that side of the church