23. Year A - Seventh Sunday of Easter

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23. Year A - Seventh Sunday of Easter

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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

- - -

 

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

*

for the ministry of word and sacrament

*

for all involved in Bible translation

*

for literacy workers, enabling people to read the word

*

for Christian publishing, television and radio

*

for those who are doubting, fearful, weak-willed, or guilt-ridden

*

for those who care for the very old and the very young

 

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

Since Christ has gone to heaven, his home* G3

107

Lo, God to heaven ascendeth G4

108

The Lord ascendeth up on high G3

109

Draw us to Thee* G5

110

Conquering Prince and King of glory

111

Hail the day that sees Him rise G5

112

Hail, Thou once despised Jesus G3

113

Crown Him with many crowns G5

114

See, the Conqueror mounts in triumph G4

115

Rejoice, the Lord is King!

169

The head that once was crowned with thorns G5

219

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun G3

771

Hallelujah! sing to Jesus G3

782

At the name of Jesus G7

AT

26

He is Lord

73

Where two or three are gathered

146

They knew who he was

161

Majesty

163

Hymn of glory

165

He is the King of kings

166

Clap your hands all you people

177

Love one another

217

Shine, Jesus, shine

226

All is nearness

252

He is exalted

257

Jesus is living

370

You are glorious

TIS

207

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun

216

Rejoice, the Lord is King

228

Crown him with many crowns

231

At the name of Jesus

369

Hail the day that sees him rise

371

God is gone up on high

373

Hail, our once despised Jesus

378

The head that once was crowned with thorns

419

Like the murmur of the dove's song

517

Hallelujah! sing to Jesus

520

Lord, enthroned in your heavenly splendour

675

Lord, the light of your love is shining

 

Second reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

LHS

147

O Morning Star so bright and fair* G3

156

Jesus our Saviour, of true joy the giver* G3

195

A mighty fortress is our God* G3

308

‘Come unto me, ye weary’* G6

352

Fight the good fight with all thy might* G4

361

Let us ever walk with Jesus* G5

384

Who trusts in God, a strong abode G9

392

How firm a foundation G6

407

If thou but suffer God to guide thee* G6

417

Submissive to Thy will* G6

426

What a friend we have in Jesus G, STJ 26

443

Through all the changing scenes of life G7

479

Jesus, my Redeemer, lives* G5

790

O Lord of light, who made the stars

862

As we step from the edge of morning GS

865

God will take care of us all through the day G6

873

Safe in the shadow of the Lord

AT

101

As we step from the edge of morning

185

Jesus, Son of God and man

281

Nothing in all creation

339

In you, O Lord, I find refuge

384

If we will trust in God to guide us

408

May the Lord bless you today

490

When human voices cannot sing

496

Don't be afraid

TIS

103

A mighty fortress is our God

112

Through all the changing scenes of life

127

Holy God, we praise your name (esp v 5)

146

God, who made the earth

198

I greet you my Redeemer sure, who lives

199

Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star

208

Jesus has come, and brings joy as our Saviour

366

Jesus, my Redeemer, lives

444

Dear Shepherd of your people, hear

478

I bind unto myself today

554

If we will trust in God to guide us

578

How firm a foundation, you people of God

590

What a friend we have in Jesus

594

Fight the good fight with all thy might

644

Safe in the shadow of the Lord

 

Gospel: John 17:1-11

LHS

21

Of the Father’s love begotten (vv 1,4,5) G7

116

Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove* G9

117

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire

185

Sun of righteousness divine* G3

186

I love Thy kingdom, Lord G4

193

Jesus, with Thy church abide* G9

197

Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy word* G5

199

Christ, Thou strong guardian, e'er Thy church defending* G9

228

Lord Jesus Christ, the cause is thine* G3

239

Son of God, eternal Saviour G4

800

May we be one

803

Peace with the Father

AT

172

May we be one

244

We have seen the Word of life

250

Glorify your name

265

Take us now, we are yours (suitable for offering song)

370

You are glorious

TIS

127

Holy God, we praise your name

290

Of the Father's love begotten (vv 1,4)

396

Come, Holy Spirit, our souls inspire

436

Lord, keep us steadfast in your word

466

Peace with the Father, peace with Christ his Son

551

O stay with us, Lord Jesus

606

Son of God, eternal Saviour

 

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).