United Benefice of St.Mary, Higham Ferrers, and St. John, Chelveston
The United Benefice of
St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers
with St John the Baptist, Chelveston-cum-Caldecott
Sunday 1st June
Sunday after Ascension
HYMN
Ascended Christ, who gained the glory that we sing,
anointed and ordained our prophet, priest, and king:
by many tongues the church displays
your power and praise in all her songs.
No titles, thrones, or powers can ever rival yours;
no passing mood of ours can turn aside your laws:
you reign above each other name
of worth or fame, the Lord of love.
Now from the Father's side you make your people new;
since for our sins you died our lives belong to you:
from our distress you set us free
for purity and holiness.
You call us to belong within one body here;
in weakness we are strong and all your gifts we share:
in you alone we are complete
and at your feet with joy bow down.
All strength is in your hand, all power to you is given;
all wisdom to command in earth and hell and heaven:
beyond all words creation sings
the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Christopher Idle/Jubilate Hymns Ltd
Father Paul welcomes you to this podcast service Meeting Point for Ascension-tide
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
While he was with them, Jesus 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 towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards 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.’ Acts 1.4-11
HYMN
Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
Glorious to his native skies; Alleluia!
Christ, awhile to mortals given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!
There the glorious triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
Christ hath vanquished death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!
See, the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls mankind his own. Alleluia!
Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!
There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia!
Partners in thy endless reign; Alleluia!
There thy face unclouded see, Alleluia!
Find our heaven of heavens in thee. Alleluia!
Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788), Thomas Cotterill (1779-1823) & Others
Music: Melody thought to be by Robert Williams (1782-1818)
Meditation -
Describing the indescribable – Jesus is “lifted up”
Final prayer and blessing
HYMN
Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King!
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
hear us as we sing:
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name.
Word incarnate, truth revealing
Son of Man on earth
Power and majesty concealing
By your humble birth
Yours the glory ….
Priestly king, enthroned for ever
high in heaven above!
sin and death and hell shall never
stifle hymns of love:
Yours the glory...
So, our hearts and voices raising
through the ages long,
ceaselessly upon you gazing,
this shall be our song:
Yours the glory...
Michael Saward (1932 - 2015)
Tune – John Barnard Jubilate Group
Material used in this service is copyright of its respective rights owners. Music and hymn words are reproduced under ONE LICENSE number A-633137, Church Copyright License 2148907 and Music Reproduction License 2216255. Material in this order of service is taken from Common Worship, copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006 and is used here with permission. www.commonworship.com.
images by permission of www.christart.com