Today’s Readings and Hymns: (Click on each blue arrow to expand/collapse each section.)
6When [the apostles] had come together, they asked [Jesus], “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward 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.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
1
Let God arise, and let God’s enemies be scattered;
let those who hate God flee.
2
As smoke is driven away, so you should drive them away;
as the wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3
But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;
let them also be merry and joyful.
4
Sing to God, sing praises to God’s name; exalt the one who rides the clouds;
I Am is that name, rejoice before God!
5
In your holy habitation, O God,
you are a father to orphans, defender of widows;
6
you give the solitary a home and bring forth prisoners into freedom;
but the rebels shall live in desert places.
7
O God, when you went forth before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,
8
the earth quaked, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai,
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9
You sent a bountiful rain, O God;
you restored your inheritance when it languished.
10
Your people found their home in it;
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.
32
Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth;
sing praises to the Lord.
33
You ride in the heavens, O God, in the ancient heavens;
you send forth your voice, your mighty voice.
34
Ascribe power to God,
whose majesty is over Israel; whose strength is in the skies.
35
How wonderful you are in your holy places, O God of Israel,
giving strength and power to your people! Blessed be God!
4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you.
5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
1After Jesus had spoken these words [to his disciples], he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, 2since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. 5So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.
6“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; 8for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne; hark, how the heav’nly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, and hail him as thy matchless king through all eternity.
Crown him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born, whose arm those crimson trophies won which now his brow adorn; fruit of the mystic rose, yet of that rose the stem, the root whence mercy ever flows, the babe of Bethlehem.
Crown him the Lord of love— behold his hands and side, rich wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified. No angels in the sky can fully bear that sight, but downward bend their burning eyes at mysteries so bright.
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.
Lord, you give the great commission: “Heal the sick and preach the word.” Lest the church neglect its mission, and the gospel go unheard, help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity:
Refrain With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us for the work of ministry.
Lord, you call us to your service: “In my name baptize and teach.” That the world may trust your promise, life abundant meant for each, give us all new fervor, draw us closer in community: Refrain
Lord, you make the common holy: “This my body, this my blood.” Let us all, for earth’s true glory, daily lift life heavenward, asking that the world around us share your children’s liberty: Refrain
Lord, you show us love’s true measure: “Father, what they do, forgive.” Yet we hoard as private treasure all that you so freely give. May your care and mercy lead us to a just society: Refrain
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north, but one community of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts ev’rywhere their high communion find; his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith, whate’er your race may be. All children of the living God are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north; all Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
Worship Leaders: Pastor Colleen Cox, Lynne Hammerschmidt
Music: Deb Jenks (organ and piano), Senior Choir
Additional Resources:
View and print the pre-reader’s version of this Sunday’s children’s bulletin: Pre-reader’s Version View and print the reader’s version of this Sunday’s children’s bulletin: Reader’s Version
The radio program Sing for Joy follows the weekly Sunday lectionary through music and reflection. To listen, click here: Sing for Joy. Program host Pastor Bruce Benson ties the biblical readings of the day with musical selections from a number of sources brought together by Dr. John Ferguson, retired professor of organ and church music. The program is produced by St. Olaf College.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE #A-730287 and CCLI licenses #21502973 and #21502966. All rights reserved.
