Worshipping at Home 29th May 2022
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Sunday after Ascension - 29th May 2022 

The First Hymn
Welcome!

Last Thursday was Ascension Day when we recalled Jesus returning to heaven, forty days after the Resurrection. And now we wait for Pentecost – the arrival of the Holy Spirit. In this ‘in between’ time we enjoy the significance of both these great Days – the human and the divine together as one. The gap has been closed between heaven and earth.


Psalm 1

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Acclamation

O Lord our God, 
how majestic is your name;
the earth is filled with your glory.
O Lord our God, 
you are robed in majesty;
you’ve set your glory 
above the heavens.
O Lord our God, 
you have established your throne.
You reign in righteousness 
and splendour.

The Collect Prayer

O God the King of glory, 
you have exalted your only Son 
Jesus Christ 
with great triumph 
to your kingdom in heaven: 
we beseech you, 
leave us not comfortless, 
but send your Holy Spirit 
to strengthen us and exalt us 
to the place where our Saviour 
Christ is gone before, 
who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and forever. Amen.

Sharing the Peace

We are the Family of God;
In the one Spirit we were all baptised
into one body.

Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life.

(At this point please think of others
and in your heart send them
the message: Peace be with you.)

Bible Reading

Mark 4:26-34 (Parables of the Kingdom, inspired by Nature.)

 

He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces corn – first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. As soon as the corn is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’

Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’



With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Thought for the Day

If you go to the Shrine of the Ascension in Walsingham, you will see two feet stuck to the ceiling. This very odd image reminds us of the day Jesus ascended into heaven. The actual Ascension event that took place on the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem must have been odd/amazing/exhilarating/like no other. In contrast to the spectacle, the themes of Ascensiontide are joyous and easy to understand. Jesus’ return to heaven completes the circle that started at his birth in Bethlehem. The main theme is reconciliation between heaven and earth, and between God and human beings. 

We also revel in the thoughts of Christ’s majesty as he is lauded as King of Kings. And as though all this weren’t enough, we also rejoice in the hope that one day we too will enter into the eternal splendour of heaven. Despite being intoxicated by this heady combination of grand themes, we throw into the mix thoughts of Rogation-tide when we pray for God’s blessing on the cycles of Nature that sustain us. What are the threads that hold all these thoughts together? First of all, there is the theme of harmony. We live in a world that is in harmony with all creation and its creator. 

There is nothing broken, nothing intrinsically wrong with the world that might prevent it from functioning properly. The second theme is Empowerment. Ascension-tide not only celebrates the harmony of all things, it is empowering because we are uplifted by a very positive view of what is possible. We are caught up in a ‘can do’ attitude towards all problems. This is because when we mingle with the great and the good it inspires us to greatness and goodness. So imagine the possibilities once we have walked the courts of heaven with Jesus! This is truly a time for us to say, ‘Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad’.

Let us Pray

Eternal God, we thank you for your light and your truth. We praise you for your fatherly care in creating a universe which proclaims your glory. Inspire us to worship you, the creator of all, and let your light shine upon our world. We thank you for the vastness of the universe and the mysteries of space. We pray for all scientists and astronomers who extend the boundaries of our knowledge. As we contemplate the wonder of the heavens, confirm us in the truth that every human being is known and loved by you. We thank you for the beauty of the earth, for the diversity of land and sea, for the resources of the earth. 

Give us the will to cherish this planet and to use its riches for the good and welfare of all. We thank you for the warmth of the sun, the light of the moon, the glory of the stars. We praise you for the formations of clouds, the radiance of dawn and sunset. Save us from wasting or abusing the energy on which all life depends. Open our eyes to behold your beauty, and our lips to praise your name. We pray for the human family. We exult in its diversity and giftedness, we repent of its sins, divisions and violence. By the power of your Spirit, restore your image within us, through Christ who came to remake us by his death and resurrection.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

(Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.)
The Blessing

Christ our King make you faithful and strong to do his will, that you may reign with him in glory; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.


Amen

 The Second Hymn

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Henley in Arden The incumbent/priest in charge John Ganjavi
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