We have begun annual ecumenical Ascension Day services in the city of Georgetown, Ontario. So often Ascension Day is either ignored or moved to the following Sunday because it is so difficult to get people to come out for a midweek service. We have found that making it into an ecumenical service has revitalized our Ascension Day service. The Roman Catholics were amazed by the singing. The Christian Reformed people were impressed by the Roman Catholic choir and church building! All together approximately 325 attended. Scripture readings followed the Revised Common Lectionary; Psalm 47 was read and sung responsorially.
Chorale Prelude
"Laudate Dominum"
"I Will Sing, I Will Sing"
Words of Welcome: Introduction
Greeting
Hymn
"Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise" Wesley
We Remember the Birth of Our Lord
Remembering the promise
to reconcile the world to himself,
God joined our humanity in Jesus Christ—
the eternal Word made flesh.
He is the long-awaited Messiah,
one with us
and one with God,
fully human and fully divine,
conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
—Our World Belongs to God, para 23, © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission.
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
—Apostles' Creed, translation © 1988, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
Hymn
"Of the Father's Love Begotten" Predentius, trans. Neale, Baker
We Remember the Passion of Our Lord
![JESUS MAFA. The Ascension, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48398 [retrieved May 1, 2026]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).](/sites/default/files/2026-05/Mafa011-medium.jpg)
from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48398 [retrieved May 1, 2026]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).
As the second Adam,
Jesus chose the path we had rejected.
In his baptism and temptations,
teaching and miracles,
battles with demons
and friendships with sinners,
Jesus lived a full and righteous human life before us.
As God’s true Son,
he lovingly obeyed the Father
and made present in deed and word
the coming rule of God.
Standing in our place,
Jesus suffered during his years on earth,
especially in the tortures of the cross.
He carried God's judgment on our sin—
his sacrifice removed our guilt.
—Our World Belongs to God, para 24, 25a © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
—Apostles' Creed, translation © 1988, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
Hymn
"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" Watts
JESUS MAFA | The Ascension
"This painting of the ascension is one of sixty scenes from the gospels prepared as teaching aids for those bringing the gospel to different African countries. Each scene was enacted by village Christians among the Mafa people in North Cameroon and photographed while the artist made sketches of the very smallest details in the actors' motions and gestures.
We Remember the Resurrection of Our Lord
God raised [Christ] from the dead:
[Jesus] walked out of the grave,
conqueror of sin and death—
Lord of Life!
We are set right with God,
given new life,
and called to walk with him
in freedom from sin's dominion.
—Our World Belongs to God, para 25b, © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
—Apostles' Creed, translation © 1988, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
Hymn
"Sing, Choirs of New Jerusalem" Fulbert of Chartres, trans. Campbell
We Remember the Ascension of Our Lord
Jesus ascended in triumph,
raising our humanity to the heavenly throne.
All authority, glory, and sovereign power
are given to him.
There he hears our prayers
and pleads our cause before the Father.
Blessed are all
who take refuge in him.
—Our World Belongs to God, para 27, © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.
—Apostles' Creed, translation © 1988, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
Hymn
"Rejoice, the Lord Is King" Wesley
We Hear the Word of the Lord
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
[Find a refrain celebrating Christ's resurrection or choose a small portion of a hymn your congregation knows.]
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
Sermon
We Respond to the Word of the Lord
Hymn
"He Is Lord" Author unclear, possibly Vest or Frey
Directives for Living: Ephesians 4:1-16
Prayers
Offering
Choral anthem: "Come to Me" Joncas
We Conclude the Worship of Our Ascended Lord
Benediction
Hymn
"Crown Him with Many Crowns" Bridges, Thring
Revised Common Lectionary:
Year A, B, C, Ascension Day
