PRELUDE

AS WE GATHER

As we celebrate our Lord’s ascension (officially on May 21), we might wonder why Jesus left His followers

alone. That’s at least what it might look like on the surface as we read today’s Reading from Acts. But nothing

could be further from the truth! Jesus doesn’t abandon us at His ascension. Rather, He is with us even today

by His Means of Grace. Jesus is truly present still today as we gather in His name for worship, become

connected to Him through Baptism, and receive Him in the Lord’s Supper. As He has promised, Jesus is with

us always, even to the end of the age!

We come together to worship our Lord.

OPENING HYMN “Come, Thou Almighty King” Hymn No. 905

INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP based on the Psalm 47:1

P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

P Clap your hands, all peoples!

C Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

P Christ is risen!

C Christ is ascended!

P He is ascended indeed! Alleluia!

C Amen and Amen.

Campus Lutheran Church

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Ascension

(Observed)

We ask forgiveness for the ways we have strayed from the Lord.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

P Today is a day of celebration, grief, and anticipation.

C We celebrate our Lord’s triumph and reign.

P We grieve that He is not physically present with us.

C We anticipate the coming of the promised Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

P And we celebrate that His promise to always be with us remains and will never fade away.

P Though Christ is ascended on high and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ruling and reigning

over all creation, there have been times when we have lived as though we rule and reign over our

own lives. We have lived as though Christ were too far away to matter. But our heavenly Father

invites us to return to Him, confess our sins, and receive His forgiveness.

(A brief silence is observed for personal reflection.)

C Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die and rise for you. Christ is ascended, and all things

are under His feet, including sin, death, and the devil. On account of Christ’s saving work and by His

authority, I therefore assure you of the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and of

the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen.

God speaks to us through His Word and we respond in word and song.

KYRIE—II “Lord, Have Mercy” Hymn No. 944

PRAYER OF THE DAY

P The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

P Let us pray. Almighty God,

C as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also

ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and

the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” Hymn No. 549, Stanzas 1-3

FIRST READING—Acts 1:1-11 (The ascending Lord's final blessing)

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was

taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his

suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to

them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating

with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised,

which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized

with the Holy Spirit." 6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore

the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his

own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9After he said this, he was taken up

before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10They were looking intently up into the sky as he

was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do

you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back

in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (NIV)

A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON—Ephesians 1:15-23 (The ascended Lord's great power)

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16I have not

stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus

Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he

has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us

who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised

him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority,

power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (NIV)

A This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

HYMN “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” Hymn No. 549, Stanzas 4-7

HOLY GOSPEL P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 24th chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord.

Luke 24:44-53 (The ascended Lord's parting instructions)

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written

about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could

understand the Scriptures.46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the

dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all

nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my

Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50 When he

had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing

them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem

with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (NIV)

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third

day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven. And sits at the right hand of God, the

Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life + everlasting. Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY “On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build” Hymn No. 492

SERMON “As You Go...” Acts 1:6-11

Pastor Kent Pierce

We give of ourselves to the Lord in return for what the Lord has given to us.

OFFERTORY “Create in Me” Hymn No. 956

WE WORSHIP GOD WITH OUR OFFERING

As we give our offerings today, we glorify our risen and living God who showers us with love, mercy and grace. Your gifts for mission and ministry are used to proclaim that God promises forgiveness of sins and a new beginning in Jesus Christ for us, and for all people in our community, the nation, and the world.

During this time when we are not gathering in person, you can give your offerings in several ways: • Give online www.campuslutheran.org/give • Text-to-Give Text the number (844) 209-5793 or visit the church website for instructions. • Mail to: Campus Lutheran Church, 304 S. College Ave., Columbia, MO 65201

Thank you for your generosity!

We come to the Lord in prayer.

OFFERING PRAYER

P We pray: God of every good gift, C bless these offerings that they might propel Your church into the work of Your Kingdom in the world.

Multiply their use and allow them to become a living sign of hope to everyone they touch. Grow joy

and thankfulness in our hearts and make us better stewards of all that You have given to us as Your

people. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

P Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

After each petition… P Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer.

P Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who taught us to pray…

THE LORD'S PRAYER (spoken by all) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

We receive the Lord’s blessing as we prepare to go forth to live for Him.

BENEDICTION

P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.

C Amen.

SENDING HYMN “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus” Hymn No. 821

POSTLUDE

Join us for Adult Bible Class today at 1:00 p.m.

Please visit: www.campuslutheran.org/online for the Zoom Bible Class link.