Ascension Day 2020

happy ascension day!

Ascension Day should be a huge festival, perhaps the biggest of all! Here are some resources to help you celebrate this day and grow in your understanding. Let’s begin with a hymn based on Philippians 2 - every knee shall bow before Jesus who, having ascended into heaven, sits on the throne of the universe.

so why is the ascension so important?

This article, by Ian Paul on his excellent blog, will help you understand. Along the way he shows you that references to “the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven” refer to Jesus entering heaven as our exalted Saviour. Read it here: www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/why-is-the-ascension-the-most-important-part-of-jesus-ministry/

Can you imagine the praise and wonder in heaven as the Son of God returned, mission complete? Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:1-11 show us Jesus’ ascension from the perspective of the disciples. Psalm 24 gives us heaven’s perspective! Here is a superb way to sing this Psalm.

This earth belongs to God,
the world, its wealth, and all its people;
he formed the waters wide
and fashioned every sea and shore.

Who may go up the hill of the Lord
and stand in the place of holiness?
Only the one whose heart is pure,
whose hands and lips are clean.

2. Lift high your heads, you gates;
rise up, you everlasting doors,
as here now the King of glory
enters into full command.

Who is the King, this King of glory,
where is the throne he comes to claim?
Christ is the King, the Lord of glory,
fresh from his victory.

let’s go deeper… (or should that be higher?)

Here are three options for you: something to watch, something to listen to, something to read.

(1) A sermon by Paul Blackham on Leviticus 16: click on this link.
Particularly good if you’ve been taking part in the Bible studies.

(2) An article to read: Seven things to like about the ascension.

(3) A sermon to watch: Tom Parsons on the Ascension. One of many good sermons at www.thesermon.co.uk which was set up by the late Richard Bewes.

Afterwards, sing one of the best hymns about Jesus our Ascended High Priest:

time to pray

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

A Prayer from the BCP

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Another Collect from the BCP

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell; who liveth and reigneth with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer from the South Indian Church

O God, whose blessed Son, our great high priest, has entered once for all into the Holy Place and ever liveth to intercede on our behalf: grant that we, sanctified by the offering of his body may draw near with full assurance of faith by the way which he has dedicated for us and evermore serve thee, the living God; through the same thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Pray for Five

Jesus has ascended to heaven as our victorious King of Glory. This is the basis for The Great Commission:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

During “Thy Kingdom Come” (10 days from now to Pentecost) you are encouraged to pray for five people who are not Christians, asking God to open their eyes to see the wonder of Jesus. Fi suggested we write their names on some paper stuck on or next to a bathroom mirror. Twice a day, when brushing your teeth, use your dentist-recommended-3-minutes to pray for these people.

The Prayer for “Thy Kingdom Come” which begins today

Almighty God, your ascended Son has sent us into the world to preach the good news of your kingdom: inspire us with your Spirit and fill our hearts with the fire of your love, that all who hear your Word may be drawn to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

When you are finished praying, join in with the final hymn - worshipping the Lamb upon his throne.

and finally…

If you are having a “Traditional” Ascension Day Curry, send a photo to Tim or post it on Facebook and tag Tim and/or St George’s Church!

For even more Ascension Day material, and to see where I found most of the above resources, click here to see an Ascension Day page on Glen Scrivener’s brilliant-but-inactive blog.