Anglican Diocese of Toronto
155 Markham Road, Scarborough, ON M1M 3A1, (416) 261-4169
Self-guided worship: May 24th (Ascension/Easter VII)
Details for May 24th Ante-communion service (Ascension/Easter VII)
All hymns are from Common Praise (CP) unless otherwise indicated, and all hymn videos are courtesy of our organist Sam Tak Ho. We also thank all our readers (Carole Mallett) and Monica Francis for reading the Prayers of the People. A big thank you to Pastor Pam, Rev. Roy Shepherd and Deacon Jacquie for officiating the service.
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Please download or print the Word document OR use the text on this page to follow along with the service.
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A special sonnet written by Fr. Malcolm Guite, for Ascension Day.
We saw his light break through the cloud of glory
Whilst we were rooted still in time and place
As earth became a part of Heaven’s story
And heaven opened to his human face.
We saw him go and yet we were not parted
He took us with him to the heart of things
The heart that broke for all the broken-hearted
Is whole and Heaven-centred now, and sings,
Sings in the strength that rises out of weakness,
Sings through the clouds that veil him from our sight,
Whilst we our selves become his clouds of witness
And sing the waning darkness into light,
His light in us, and ours in him concealed,
Which all creation waits to see revealed.
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Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, to the close of the age.
Matthew 28:19, 20
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Opening Message & Verse: (Rev. Roy Shepherd)
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Opening Hymn: Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise, CP 247
Hail the day that sees him rise, alleluia!
To his throne above the skies, alleluia!
Christ the Lamb for sinners given, alleluia!
Enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!
There for him high triumph waits; alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates; alleluia!
He has conquered death and sin; alleluia!
Take the King of glory in. Alleluia!
See! He lifts his hands above, alleluia!
See! He shows the prints of love; alleluia!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow, alleluia!
Blessings on his church below. Alleluia!
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Collect: (Rev. Roy Shepherd)
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Celebrant
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
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People
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
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Celebrant
May his grace and peace be with you.
People
May he fill our hearts with joy.
Celebrant
Almighty God,
All
to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Celebrant Glory to God in the highest,
All
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Collect
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord. Keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of his peace, and bring the whole of creation to worship at his feet, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: (Carole Mallett)
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Press the play button to start the audio recording (make sure your volume is turned on!).
Acts 1:1-11
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In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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Psalm 47 (Brian Carr)
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God has gone up with a shout.
Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.
For the Lord Most High is to be feared; he is the great king over all the earth.
He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the ram's-horn.
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our king, sing praises.
For God is king of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted.
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A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians: (R. Luther)
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Press the play button to start the audio recording (make sure your volume is turned on!).
Ephesians 1:15-23
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
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The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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Hymn: At the Name of Jesus, CP 375
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow
Every tongue confess him King of glory now;
Tis his Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
Name him, Christians, name him, with love as strong as death,
But with awe and wonder, and with bated breath;
He is God the Saviour, he is Christ the Lord,
Ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.
Christians, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With his Father’s glory, with his angel train;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow
And our hearts confess him King of glory now.
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Gospel: Luke 24:36-53 (Read by Rev. Canon Jacquie Boutheon)
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Press the play button to start the audio recording (make sure your volume is turned on!).
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Deacon The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
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Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
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Deacon The Gospel of Christ.
People Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Sermon: Rev. Roy Shepherd
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Note: If the audio and video are not in sync, try forwarding/rewinding the video by clicking and dragging the progress bar.
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Hymn: He Lives, LEVAS 42
Printed text for this hymn is provided by Christian Corporate Licensing International, under CCLI License #11017184, CCLI Song# 17597. Words and Music: by Alfred Henry Ackley, in Public Domain.
I serve a risen Saviour
He’s in the world today.
I know that he is living
Whatever they may say.
I see his hand of mercy
I hear his voice of cheer
And just the time I need him
He is always near.
Refrain:
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today,
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives,
Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know he lives.
He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me
I see his loving care.
And though my heart grows weary
I never will despair.
I know that he is leading
Through all the stormy blast
The day of his appearing will come at last.
(Refrain)
Rejoice, rejoice O Christian
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal Hallelujahs
To Jesus the King.
The hope of all who seek him
The help of all who find
None other is so loving
So good and kind.
(Refrain)
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Apostles' Creed: (Rev. Roy Shepherd)
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Celebrant
Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say,
All
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
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Prayers of the People: (Monica Francis)
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Press the play button to start the audio recording (make sure your volume is turned on!).
As we wait for the coming of the Spirit, let us pray that we may be faithful to our call to be signs of God's love to all the world, saying: Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the Church, remembering especially our bishops, Justin, Linda, Andrew and Kevin, our priest and pastor Pam, our Assistant Roy, our Deacon Jacquie, and for all the holy people of God, both those who are free to worship you openly and those who dare not, and that all who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. We pray to you Lord, Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.
For this parish family, as we worship together in new ways, that the gift of the Spirit will inspire us to be signs of God's abiding presence in our world in spite of the current restrictions. We pray to you Lord, Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.
For our community, especially in these stressful times of pandemic; may our eyes be opened to truly see you in our neighbours and our ears opened to hear the cries of those in need. We pray to you Lord, Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are unable to join our worship today; for the sick and those who have requested special prayers (SILENCE) that God will heal them in body, mind, and spirit, so that all may live and celebrate God’s gift of life. We pray to you Lord, Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have recently died, remembering especially those who have died in the pandemic, that their families may be upheld in their grief. We pray to you Lord, Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.
For all front-line workers who strive to care for those affected by COVID-19, often at risk to themselves; for their families in their concerns; for scientists seeking an antidote or vaccine; for leaders who must make often difficult decisions in order to protect their people. We pray to you Lord, Alleluia! Lord, hear our prayer.
Be with us all Lord in all our daily struggles as we seek to follow you. Be with us all Lord in our periods of doubt and despair; and in our times of happiness, health and loving; keep us in the love of Christ and bring us to the vision of his glory in the heavens where he lives and reigns with you Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for evermore. Amen.
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Confession & Absolution, Peace, Closing Quotation & Prayer, Benediction: (Rev. Pam Trondson)
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Celebrant
Dear friends in Christ,
God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy;
he welcomes sinners and invites them to his table.
Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Silence is kept.
Celebrant
Most merciful God,
All
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us,
that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Celebrant
Almighty God have mercy upon you,
pardon and deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People
Amen.
Celebrant
And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
All
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 Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
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Doxology:
Celebrant Glory to God,
All:
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
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Closing Prayer
Eternal Giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom. Confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
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Closing Hymn: You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord, CP 531
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in his shadow for life;
Say to the Lord: “My refuge,
My rock in whom I trust!”
Refrain:
And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of his hand.
Snares of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under his wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
(refrain)
For to his angels he’s given a command
To guard you in all of your ways;
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
(refrain)
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The Blessing - Canada
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Copyright © 2004 by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduced under license from ABC Publishing, Anglican Book Centre, a ministry of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, from Anglican Liturgical Library. Further copying is prohibited.
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