VERSION: 29 April 2002
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A
In 2002: 12 May
In 2005: 8 May
In 2008: 4 May
In 2011: 5 Jun
In 2014: 1 Jun
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Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Easter season' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
LITURGY
SENTENCE
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.
This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, Alleluia,
and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Alleluia!
(John 17:3 NRSV)
OR
Jesus said: 'The heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit, Alleluia,
to those who ask him!' Alleluia! (Luke 11:13 NRSV alt)
OR, use one of the standard Easter Sentences in the document 'Easter season', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
grant that we may always have a will devoted to you,
and serve you as our king with a pure heart;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, modernised traditional
Almighty and eternal God,
help us always
willingly to serve you as our king,
with a pure heart.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
OR, new (revised alternative)
(Let us pray for the unity of the Holy Spirit. [silence)]
Holy Father,
your Son prayed for his disciples
that they would be one,
as you and he are one.
Keep your whole church harmoniously together
in faith and love,
united by the one Spirit.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
FIRST READING
Acts 1:6-14 Waiting in prayer for the Spirit
(Begin: 'When the apostles met together with Jesus,Ö')
PSALM
Psalm 68:1-10,32-35
Antiphon:
Sing to God, sing praises to his name; (lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds.) (Ps 68:4ab NRSV)
SECOND READING
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Suffering as a Christian
ALLELUIA VERSE
Alleluia.
(Since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again;
death no longer has any power over him.
Alleluia.)
Jesus said: 'When I go, you will not be left all alone.
I will come back to you.' (John 14:18 TEV)
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
John 17:1-11 Jesus prays for his disciples in the world
PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ (, raised to live forever).
Lord Jesus, thank you for making the Father known to us.
May we and all believers be one,
as you and the Father are one.
Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of comfort,
your Son prayed for his followers in the world,
that they might be one.
Use us and what you have given us
to serve you and one another.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
As we wait with longing for the gift of the Spirit of God, let us pray that God would make himself known to the world through the good news of his Son, Jesus Christ.
The regular response, OR:
Lord, make yourself known to us,
that we may be one.
Suggested intercessions
*
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for the ministry of word and sacrament
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*
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for all involved in Bible translation
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*
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for literacy workers, enabling people to read the word
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*
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for Christian publishing, television and radio
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*
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for those who are doubting, fearful, weak-willed, or guilt-ridden
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*
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for those who care for the very old and the very young
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Concluding prayer
Lord our God, you have brought the good news of Jesus Christ to us through your Spirit-filled messengers. Move us, by your Spirit, to bring the good news to those with whom we live. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL PREFACE
The preface for the days between Ascension and Pentecost is the preface for the Ascension.
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
After his resurrection he appeared openly to his disciples,
and before their very eyes was taken up into heaven,
so that by your grace we may share in his divine nature.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:
COMMUNION INVITATION
Jesus says: 'When I am lifted up from the earth,
I will draw everyone to me.'
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
For a post-communion prayer, see the document 'Easter season', under 'Prayer after communion', in the 'General and seasonal' folder. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.
Holy Father,
your Son prayed for his disciples
that they would be one,
as you and he are one.
As we have eaten of the one bread,
and drunk from the one cup,
keep your whole church harmoniously together
in faith and love,
united by the one Spirit.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
(May) Christ our exalted king
pour on you his abundant gifts
and bring you to reign with him in glory; . . .
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for you.
Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.
HYMNS AND SONGS
FOR THE READINGS
Please note: * = Modernised version available
G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .
GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Acts 1:6-14
LHS
106
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Since Christ has gone to heaven, his home* G3
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107
|
Lo, God to heaven ascendeth G4
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108
|
The Lord ascendeth up on high G3
|
110
|
Conquering Prince and King of glory
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111
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Hail the day that sees Him rise G5
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112
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Hail, Thou once despised Jesus G3
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113
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Crown Him with many crowns G5
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114
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See, the Conqueror mounts in triumph G4
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115
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Rejoice, the Lord is King!
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169
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The head that once was crowned with thorns G5
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219
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Jesus shall reign where’er the sun G3
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771
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Hallelujah! sing to Jesus G3
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782
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At the name of Jesus G7
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AT
73
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Where two or three are gathered
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165
|
He is the King of kings
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166
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Clap your hands all you people
|
TIS
207
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Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
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216
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Rejoice, the Lord is King
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228
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Crown him with many crowns
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369
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Hail the day that sees him rise
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371
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God is gone up on high
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373
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Hail, our once despised Jesus
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378
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The head that once was crowned with thorns
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419
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Like the murmur of the dove's song
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517
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Hallelujah! sing to Jesus
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520
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Lord, enthroned in your heavenly splendour
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675
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Lord, the light of your love is shining
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Second reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
LHS
147
|
O Morning Star so bright and fair* G3
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156
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Jesus our Saviour, of true joy the giver* G3
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195
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A mighty fortress is our God* G3
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308
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‘Come unto me, ye weary’* G6
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352
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Fight the good fight with all thy might* G4
|
361
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Let us ever walk with Jesus* G5
|
384
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Who trusts in God, a strong abode G9
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392
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How firm a foundation G6
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407
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If thou but suffer God to guide thee* G6
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417
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Submissive to Thy will* G6
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426
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What a friend we have in Jesus G, STJ 26
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443
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Through all the changing scenes of life G7
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479
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Jesus, my Redeemer, lives* G5
|
790
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O Lord of light, who made the stars
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862
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As we step from the edge of morning GS
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865
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God will take care of us all through the day G6
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873
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Safe in the shadow of the Lord
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AT
101
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As we step from the edge of morning
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185
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Jesus, Son of God and man
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281
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Nothing in all creation
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339
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In you, O Lord, I find refuge
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384
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If we will trust in God to guide us
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408
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May the Lord bless you today
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490
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When human voices cannot sing
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TIS
103
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A mighty fortress is our God
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112
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Through all the changing scenes of life
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127
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Holy God, we praise your name (esp v 5)
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146
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God, who made the earth
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198
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I greet you my Redeemer sure, who lives
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199
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Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star
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208
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Jesus has come, and brings joy as our Saviour
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366
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Jesus, my Redeemer, lives
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444
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Dear Shepherd of your people, hear
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478
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I bind unto myself today
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554
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If we will trust in God to guide us
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578
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How firm a foundation, you people of God
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590
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What a friend we have in Jesus
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594
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Fight the good fight with all thy might
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644
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Safe in the shadow of the Lord
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Gospel: John 17:1-11
LHS
21
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Of the Father’s love begotten (vv 1,4,5) G7
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116
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Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove* G9
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117
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Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
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185
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Sun of righteousness divine* G3
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186
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I love Thy kingdom, Lord G4
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193
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Jesus, with Thy church abide* G9
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197
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Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy word* G5
|
199
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Christ, Thou strong guardian, e'er Thy church defending* G9
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228
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Lord Jesus Christ, the cause is thine* G3
|
239
|
Son of God, eternal Saviour G4
|
803
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Peace with the Father
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AT
244
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We have seen the Word of life
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265
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Take us now, we are yours (suitable for offering song)
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TIS
127
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Holy God, we praise your name
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290
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Of the Father's love begotten (vv 1,4)
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396
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Come, Holy Spirit, our souls inspire
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436
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Lord, keep us steadfast in your word
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466
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Peace with the Father, peace with Christ his Son
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551
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O stay with us, Lord Jesus
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606
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Son of God, eternal Saviour
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PSALM 68:1-10,32-35
For musical settings of Psalm 68:1-10,32-35, see Music Package 2. A setting of Psalm 68:3-6a,9-10 is given in TIS, no. 38, The just shall rejoice at the presence of God.
NOTES ON THE READINGS
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.
ACTS 1:6-14: Pious Jews knew the often repeated theme of Old Testament prophecy that Israel would one day be restored to be at the centre of a world-wide kingdom of God. The question the eleven asked Jesus as to the timing of this was answered by Jesus with the direction to await the promised coming of the Holy Spirit. Then they would take the gospel out into all the world. After the visible ascension of the Lord they returned to Jerusalem to await his promise in constant prayer.
1 PETER 4:12-14; 5:6-11: The Christians to whom Peter was writing were experiencing a 'fiery ordeal' of reactive persecution to their active Christian testimony and witness. He comforts them with the truth that the 'glory' (the presence of God among the Old Testament Israelites) would follow their suffering not only when Christ returned, but would be made clear by the witness of the Holy Spirit amid their present trouble. God's care would most assuredly follow upon their trust. Resistance to the wiles and traps of the devil would be followed by restoration and strengthening by the hand of God himself.
JOHN 17:1-11: This high-priestly prayer of our Lord reflects his certain knowledge of his Father's will. The Father was glorified in Christ's incarnation, his earthly ministry, his death and resurrection. His work on this earth is now complete, in which the Father has been glorified. He asks for glorification in his return to the presence of the Father as it always was in eternity. The words of Jesus, both which he taught to his disciples and which they in turn will teach, will make the name of the Father known. In this prayer Jesus prays that they we may be protected and also that they may be one.
VISUAL
VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the gospel could be accompanied by a picture of Jesus praying, eg like the illustration in the TEV Bible for John 17:1.
ASCENSION BANNER
If a banner has been used for the Ascension, continue to display it this Sunday.
DRAMA
'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.
DRAMATISING THE READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the first reading could be read by three readers: narrator, Jesus, angel.
CHILDREN
TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN
Using a picture of Jesus praying, talk about how Jesus prays for us.
OR
Talk about the Lord's Prayer. It is a prayer that Jesus used to pray to his Father. It is a prayer that we also pray to our Father. So when we pray, we are not praying alone, but we are praying with Jesus, and Jesus is praying for us.
'COME AND SEE JESUS'
The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.
The story for the Seventh Sunday of Easter year A is: Jesus is taken to heaven (Acts 1:3–14; Luke 24:44-53) (to be found in both the original edition and the RCL edition in Series A for 7 Easter).
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