This is part of the worship series, "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit”Series Introduction | Ascension Sunday | PentecostLove | Joy | Peace | Patience | Generosity & Kindness | Faithfulness | Gentleness | Self-Control | Communion LiturgyAlso in this year-long Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany | Lent and EasterKey Theme: Jesus is “the first fruits of those who have died” (1 Corinthians 15:20) and has ascended into heaven as fully God and fully man. That knowledge should give us hope, for we are united with Christ in his death, resurrection, and ascension. The Ascension is a part of the story of Jesus that doesn’t usually get as much attention as his birth or resurrection. But the ascension of Jesus into heaven offers us incredible hope, carrying us further up and further into the story of the redemption of all things.1 Corinthians 15:20 tells us that Christ was raised from the dead, “the first fruits of those who have died.” In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to offer the first and best portions of their harvest as an offering of thanksgiving and trust. This first and best offering symbolized and consecrated the entire harvest to come.When Paul writes that Christ is the first fruits of those who have died, he’s saying that Christ’s resurrection was a foretaste of the new life yet to come. For those who are in Christ, his resurrection is a pledge, a promise, of our own resurrection from the dead, of the life we have in Christ. We are the branches, abiding in the vine—the life that courses through the vine belongs to the branches, as well.And this resurrection isn’t just spiritual. God is not merely interested in our souls, but our bodies. Christ came into the world as fully God and fully man; Christ was raised from the dead as both a divine being who could walk through walls and a man with physical wounds; that same Christ ascended into heaven in his body. Jesus, fully man and fully God, stands at the right hand of the Father. So Jesus brings the stuff of earth into the glories of heaven. He intercedes on our behalf, he who knows the hairs on our heads and who hears the call of the whale from the depths. And Jesus brings the stuff of heaven to earth. He who reigns over all creation calls us to seek his kingdom in each corner we inhabit. How do we do this? By following his command to his followers before his ascension to go and proclaim the good news of God through all the earth—to bear good fruit. Service OutlineCall to Worship Leader:Let us give praise to the Lord our God,Who alone does wondrous things. All:Praise be to his glorious name forever! Leader:Christ, who was raised from the dead,has ascended into heaven, “the first fruits of those who have died.”—1 Corinthians 15:20 All:May the whole earth be filled with his glory!—Psalm 72:18–19, adapt. Opening Song“Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise” Wesley[Many churches have a children’s processional with palm branches on Palm Sunday, celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Consider extending that celebration into Ascension, inviting the children to process through the sanctuary during this opening song, waving banners and ribbons, as we declare Christ to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.]GreetingGrace to you and peace from him who isand who was and who is to comeand from the seven spirits who are before his throne,and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead,and the ruler of the kings of the earth.—Revelation 1:4–5 NRSVUESongs of Praise“Crown Him with Many Crowns” Bridges, Thring“King of Heaven” BalocheCall to ConfessionOn this day of celebration,when we proclaim the Lordship of Christ,we are confronted by the truth that our faith is often feeble,and our voices often frail. Our celebration does not carry into the rest of our lives.Let us confess our frailty before God,asking for God’s mercy and God’s help.Prayer of ConfessionKing of Kings,today we proclaim your reign over all creation,but tomorrow we will forget, and bow down to other powers and princes. Tempted by the promise of riches, prestige, and comfort, we close our eyes to inconvenient injustices, and keep quiet when we should be calling for those with power to seek shalom.Forgive our greed, and move our hands to work for your kingdom.SilenceLord of life,today we sing songs of your victory;tomorrow we will quiet our voices, lest we appear foolish and naive. You told us to go and make disciples of all nations, but we speak of our faith almost apologetically. Our fear of appearing judgmental and triumphalistic causes us to hold back when we could share the good news of your kingdom.Forgive our fear, and move our mouths to sing your praise.SilenceLord, of Love, today we cry out to you to intercede on our behalf, glad for our union with you;tomorrow we will grumble about the burden of caring for our neighbour, annoyed by our union with one another. We want to be autonomous and untethered, but you call us to love one another as you love us. Forgive our selfishness, and move our hearts to serve. SilenceLamb upon the throne,forgive us, and help us.May we seek first your kingdom.Amen. Assurance of Pardon & Response of PraiseThis saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance:Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.He who is the fullness of God, of life, of truth, of goodness,redeems us and sanctifies us, even when our sin feels too great.God alone has saved us; to him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.—1 Timothy 1:15–17, adapt.Song of Thanksgiving“Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” Robinson et al.Passing of the PeaceJesus said to his disciples, “Love each other as I have loved you.”Having been reconciled with God, let us reconcile with one another, passing the peace of Christ.Prayer for IlluminationScripture ReadingFirst Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20–26Psalm: Psalm 96Second Reading: John 15:1–8Sermon“The Vine and the Branches”Song of Response“Be Thou My Vision” Hull, ByrneCreed[The Ascension affirms that all people and all bodies, who are in Christ Jesus are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Consider showing this video from Faith Church in Indiana in which people of different abilities recite the Apostle’s Creed, before standing as a congregation to recite the creed together.]Prayers of the PeopleOffering, Offertory PrayerSong of Dedication“Hear the Call of the Kingdom” Townend and GettyBenedictionDoxologyTo [Jesus Christ], who loves usand freed us from our sins by his bloodand made us a kingdom,priests serving his God and Father,to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.Amen. —Revelation 1:5–6 NRSVUERevised Common LectionaryGospelYear B: Easter—Fifth Sunday of Easter
