Worship for 24th May 2020

by Andy Cokayne 24 May 2020

Today is the 6th Sunday after Easter, and Ascension Sunday. 

Our first hymn is 'Crown him with many crowns'

Prayer : Adoration, Confession, Intercession, and the Lord's Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, in you we see awesome power.
You triumph over death and bring forth new life.
You stand over all earthly powers.
You are the head of the church.
Yet, we often fail to acknowledge this power in our lives.
We see violence in the world.
We see injustice in our communities.
We see hunger and need among our neighbors.
We see longing for something more.
We see failures and faults in our lives.
In all these things, we feel powerless.
Forgive our hesitance to call upon you.
Forgive our propensity to rely upon ourselves.
Forgive our reluctance to acknowledge your power.
Speak your words of power again.
May your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.

Jesus Christ, great high priest, living for ever to intercede for us,  pray for the Church, your broken body in the world  Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, king of righteousness, enthroned at the right hand of the majesty on high, pray for the world, and make it subject to your gentle rule. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, Son of Man, drawing humanity into the life of God, pray for your brothers and sisters in need, distress or sorrow. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, pioneer of our salvation, bringing us to glory through your death and resurrection, surround with your saints and angels those who have died trusting your promises. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, Lord over all things, ascended far above the heavens and filling the universe, pray for us who receive the gifts you give us for work in your service. Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.
Jesus Christ, keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at your feet; for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Our second hymn is 'These are the days of Elijah' 

"What are you doing?" How many times have we had that said to us? And I wonder what our response has been. I can remember some years ago, a friend and I had been working on our old house in Grasmere Crescent, Sinfin. He was about to go, but we couldn't open the carport gate, the lock was stuck. I undid the screws, that held the lock to the gate, and removed the lock. I  tried to tap the back, to remove the plate holding the mechanism in place. "What are you doing?" came his question, with some urgency, if not panic. But it was too late. The plate, mechanism, and all, came apart and landed at my feet. It was a further hour before it was all back together, suitably lubricated, and back in place, and with some understandable exasperation, he finally left.                     

After Jesus had ascended to heaven, the disciples stood intently looking up into the sky, when two angels challenged them, "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking in to the sky?" in other words "What are you doing?"

Jesus had met and talked with his disciples, several times over the 40 days since he had risen from the dead, they had shared meals with him. They must have wondered, what next! Jesus then gives them an instruction, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised." (v 4), then a promise "in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit". (v 5), then a commission "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." (v 8).             

Jesus had told them what to do, wait in Jerusalem; given them a promise, you will receive power; and given them a commission, you will be my witnesses, so what were they doing just standing there looking in to the sky? What are you doing? The two angels had to challenge them. But note, that once challenged they followed Jesus words and went back to Jerusalem (v 12). They all joined together constantly in prayer (v 14).              

As the angels told the disciples that day on the Mount of Olives, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back." But in the mean time we should not stand about discussing times and dates of his return, or wasting our time, because there is work to be done. It is our job to share the gospel so that others will be able to share in Gods great blessings, just as the disciples were nudged into doing.                        

So the question comes to each of us, " What are we doing?". Have we waited on God? Then pray. Have we received His power? Then pray. Have we received his commission, whatever he wants us to do? Then pray. To go to Jerusalem would not have been easy, Jesus had just died there. To go to Samaria would not have been easy, they were sworn enemies. To go to the ends of the earth, would not have been easy, it was the great unknown. Nevertheless they went.

What are we doing? Then seek our Fathers guidance, Pray, and remain Alert to hear his response.  

Hymn : Our final hymn is 'The Lion and the Lamb'
 

We are united with other churches throughout the country as we share together in the 'The UK Blessing'.