The Ascension of the Lord Sunday Prayer Guide (non-video home liturgy)
by Worship Team
The Ascension of the Lord Prayer Guide - May 24 This guide is offered for your prayer and reflection. The following does not take the place of, nor necessarily follow the structure of the Mass. Please click on the italicized colored links to listen to audio files of music corresponding to this prayer service.
We will also be posting a video recording of Mass at St. Richard at about 5pm on Saturday, May 23 at www.strichards.com/at-home. While looking intently into the sky during the ascension of Christ, the Apostles were still unsure of what was ahead for them. Jesus assures them that the Holy Spirit will guide and lead them as his witnesses to the ends of the Earth. As his disciples, we share in this mission, emboldened by the knowledge that he is always with us and confident that he will come again.
SIGN OF THE CROSS
SONG: Here I Am, Lord Vs. 1: I the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Refrain: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.
Vs. 3: I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts are satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? (Refrain)
OPENING PRAYER Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen
SCRIPTURE (Please note that, due to copyright licensing, scripture texts are not able to be reprinted. Click on the scripture reference below, which will take you to the USCCB site) FIRST READING: Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17
PSALM 47:God Mounts His Throne Refrain: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy, O sing your praises to the Lord! Vs. 1:All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God in gladness, The Lord we must fear, king of all the earth. (Refrain) Vs. 2: God goes up to shouts of joy, sound the trumpet blast. Sing praise to our God, praise unto our king! (Refrain) Vs. 3: God is king of all the earth, sing with all your skill To the king of all nations, God enthroned on high!(Refrain) SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3: 15-18
MEDITATION:We Are Many Parts Refrain: We are many parts, we are all one body, And the gifts we have, we are given to share. May the Spirit of love make us one indeed; One, the love that we share, One, our hope in despair, One, the cross that we bear.
Vs. 1: God of all, we look to you, we would be your servants true, Let us be your love to all the world. (Refrain) Vs. 2: So my pain is pain for you, in your joy is my joy, too; All is brought together in the Lord. (Refrain) Vs. 3: All you seekers, great and small, seek the greatest gift of all; If you love, then you will know the Lord. (Refrain)
UNIVERSAL PRAYER 1. For the holy church of God: may the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen us to live the gospel values, and teach all nations by our word and witness. Let us pray to the Lord. 2. For leaders of communities and governments: may they lead with wisdomand reverence, compassion and justice. Let us pray to the Lord. 3. For the poor, the sick, the suffering, and those in need: may they know, in our outreach to them, the hope which God gives. Let us pray to the Lord. 4. For courage and strength for those who work for unity within the human family in the face of division, hopelessness and despair. Let us pray to the Lord. 5. For perseverance and health for all who work tirelessly on the behalf of others due to the coronavirus. Let us pray to the Lord. 6. For members of our families and faith communities who are alone or in need of our prayers (pause to remember your intentions). Let us pray to the Lord. 7. We remember all who have died (lift up those who have died), and for those who mourn their loss. Let us pray to the Lord.
LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER FOR PEACE Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path You have laid out for me. I trust your love God, and know that you will heal this stress. Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night, may hope rise against anxiety and worry. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING May God bless our days and our deeds with peace, in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SONG: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne. Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone. Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood: “Jesus out of ev’ry nation has redeemed us by his blood.”
Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now; Alleluia! He is near us; Faith believes, nor questions how, Though the cloud from sight received him When the forty days were o’er, Shall our hearts forget his promise? “I am with you evermore.”
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