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Delco Conference Ascension Woship Service, May 18, 2023 Part 1
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Thursday, May 18, 2023
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Service of Holy Communion 
May 18, 2023 
 
 
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY 
In today’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven, and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witness throughout the earth. The disciples are told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11). We find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission. 
 
 
WELCOME 
 
PRELUDE 
 Deo Dicamus Gratias    Victor C. Johnson 

______________________________________________________ 
 
GATHERING 
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. 
______________________________________________________ 
 
 
CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS 
In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 
Amen. 
  
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 
  
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. 
  
Most merciful God, 
we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free our-selves. 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 neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. 
  
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and or-dained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I  
therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 
Amen. 

 GATHERING HYMN 

THE APOSTOLIC GREETING 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the com-munion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 
And also with you. 
 
Canticle of Praise 
 
PRAYER OF THE DAY 
Let us pray. 
Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 
Amen. 
  
____________________________________________________________ 
THE WORD 
God speaks to us through command and promise. 
______________________________________________________ 
 
Acts 1:1-11 
Before he is lifted into heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the world. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts. 
  
[Luke writes:] 1In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that  
Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After 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. 4While 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; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 
 6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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.”  
9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They 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. 
 
Psalm 47 
God has gone up with a shout. (Ps. 47:5) 
  
 1Clap your hands, all you peoples; 
  shout to God with a joyful sound. 
 2For the Lord Most High is to be feared: 
  a great king over all the earth, 
 3who subdues the peoples under us, 
  and the nations under our feet; 
 4who chooses our inheritance for us, 
  the pride of Jacob, whom God loves.  
 5God has gone up with a shout, 
  the Lord with the sound of the ram’s horn. 
 6Sing praises to God, sing praises; 
  sing praises to our king, sing praises.  
 7For God is king of all the earth; 
  sing praises with a song. 
 8God reigns over the nations; 
  God is enthroned on high. 
 9The nobles of the peoples have gathered as the people of the God of Abraham. 
  The rulers of the earth belong to God, who is highly exalted.  
 

Ephesians 1:15-23 
The risen and exalted Christ reigns over the entire universe. The author of Ephesians prays that we are given the wisdom to know the power of the ris-en Christ and the empowering hope that the knowledge of this inheritance provides. 
  
15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I 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, 18so 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, 19and what is the immeasurable  
greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God 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, 21far 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. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 
  
The Word of the Lord. 
Thanks be to God. 
 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 
 
Luke 24:44-53 
On the day of his ascension, Jesus leaves his disciples with a commission, a blessing, and a promise of the Holy Spirit. 
 
The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the 24th chapter. 
Glory to you, O Lord. 
  
44[Jesus said to the eleven and those with 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.”45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messi-ah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And 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.” 

 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continual-ly in the temple blessing God. 
 
The Gospel of the Lord 
Praise to you, O Christ. 
 
  
SERMON      The Rev. Bryan Penman 
 
HYMN OF THE DAY  
 
NICENE CREED 
Let us profess our faith with the words of the Nicene Creed. 
We believe in one God, 
the Father, the Almighty, 
maker of heaven and earth, 
of all that is, seen and unseen. 
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 
the only Son of God, 
eternally begotten of the Father, 
God from God, Light from Light, 
true God from true God, 
begotten, not made, 
of one Being with the Father; 
through him all things were made. 
For us and for our salvation 
he came down from heaven, 
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary 
and became truly human. 
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; 
he suffered death and was buried. 
On the third day he rose again 
in accordance with the scriptures; 
he ascended into heaven 
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the   dead, 
and his kingdom will have no end. 
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, 
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, 
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, 
who has spoken through the prophets. 
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. 
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 
We look for the resurrection of the dead, 
and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH 
Set free from captivity to sin and death, we pray to the God of resur-rection for the church, people in need, and all of creation. 
A brief silence 
  
Holy One, ruler of heaven and earth, wash us in your Holy Spirit and make us witnesses to your resurrected life in this community. Let our fellowship be a sign to others of the presence of Christ. God, in your mercy, 
hear our prayer. 
  
Through thundering, mighty waters reveal your creative power at work in creation. Cleanse the air, land, and waters with the move-ment of your Spirit and the participation of your people. God, in your mercy, 
hear our prayer. 
  
In faithful and diverse worship, turn all people toward you and your loving will for humankind. Bridge differences among traditions and across faiths. Unite us in mission for the sake of a world in need. God, in your mercy, 
hear our prayer. 
  
In the suffering and death of Jesus, draw near to those who suffer and for whom death approaches. Hold them in the palm of your lov-ing hand and give them rest. God, in your mercy, 
hear our prayer. 
  
Inspire us through the music, dance, and other arts ministries of this congregation. With clapping, shouting, singing, playing, and moving, let our bodies bear witness to the joy you alone can give. God, in your mercy, 
hear our prayer. 
  

Rouse us to remember the faithful witness of the saints who have gone before us. By their lives and the life and death of Jesus, en-lighten our hearts, give us hope, and lead us in wisdom. God, in your mercy, 
hear our prayer. 
  
In your mercy, O God, respond to these prayers, and renew us by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 
Amen. 
 
PEACE OF CHRIST 
The Peace of Christ be with you all.  
And also with you.  
 
Let us share a sign of peace with one another, as you feel  
comfortable. 
 
OFFERING ANTHEM 
 This is the Day the Lord Has Made   Mark Hayes    
 As a response to God’s goodness and grace, Christians offer their gifts and tithes, and indeed their very lives to God.  In doing so, they support the life and ministry of the Church in our local community and around the world. Tonight’s offerings will be split between Lutheran World Relief’s aid efforts in Ukraine, Sudan, and Turkey. Checks can be written out to “Delaware Conference,” with “LWR” in the memo line, or donations can be given directly on give.lwr.org. 
    
OFFERTORY PRAYER 
Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 
Amen. 

______________________________________________________ 
 
MEAL 
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ. 
______________________________________________________ 
  
GREAT THANKSGIVING  
The Lord be with you. 
And also with you. 
Open your hearts. 
We open them to the Lord. 
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 
It is right to give our thanks and praise.  
 
PREFACE  
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merci-ful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ; who, enthroned forever at your right hand, intercedes for us as our great high priest. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 
  
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER 
Blessed are you, O God of the universe. 
Your mercy is everlasting 
and your faithfulness endures from age to age. 
  
Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth. 
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood. 
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea. 
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness 
to the land of milk and honey. 
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one. 
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ. 
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations. 
  
 

In the night in which he was betrayed, 
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; 
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: 
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. 
Do this for the remembrance of me. 
  
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, 
and gave it for all to drink, saying: 
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, 
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. 
Do this for the remembrance of me. 
  
With this bread and cup 
we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life 
as we proclaim the mystery of faith: 
Christ has died. 
Christ is risen. 
Christ will come again. 
  
O God of resurrection and new life: 
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us 
and on these gifts of bread and wine. 
Bless this feast. 
Grace our table with your presence. 
Come, Holy Spirit. 
  
Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. 
Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. 
Breathe new life into us. 
Send us forth, 
burning with justice, peace, and love. 
Come, Holy Spirit. 
  
With your holy ones of all times and places, 
with the earth and all its creatures, 
with sun and moon and stars, 
we praise you, O God, 
blessed and holy Trinity, 
now and forever. 
Amen. 
 
THE LORD’S PRAYER  
Lord, keep us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: 
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, and the power, and the glory, 
 forever and ever. Amen. 
 
LAMB OF GOD 
  
 
INVITATION TO COMMUNION 
Come to God’s table. There is a place for you and enough for all. 
Thanks be to God! 
 
COMMUNION SONGS   
 Heart of Worship      Matt Redman 
 God of Wonders      Steve Hindalong & Marc Byrd 
 
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER 
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.  
Amen. 
 

Let us pray. 
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strength-en us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 
 
_________________________________________       __________ 
 
SENDING 
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. 
____________________________________________________________ 
 
BLESSING  
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 
Amen. 
 
SENDING HYMN   
 
DISMISSAL 
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. 
Thanks be to God! 
 
POSTLUDE 
 I Will Rise Up      Chris Tomlin 
 
 
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22549.   New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.  Onelicense.net # A-709383 ; or CCLI License # 2855745 www.ocotillopub.org 
 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION 
The Rev. Bryan Penman, Preacher 
Bryan is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in        Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary), where he graduated in 2012 with his Master’s of Divinity Degree with a concentration in Metro Urban ministry. Bryan completed his undergraduate studies at a Lutheran school, Lenoir-Rhyne University. Additionally, Bryan holds a certificate in youth and family ministry from The                   Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. Bryan is a lifelong   Lutheran and grew up at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Stafford, VA, which is part of the Virginia Synod. After graduating from college he spent several years as a retail manager before going to work with his mother in her real estate business. It was from there that Bryan sensed a call to ministry and decided to enter seminary in 2008.  Bryan is passionate about ministry and teaching a new      generation of church into what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Bryan and his partner Matt live in Conshohocken with their adopted child. 
 

CONFERENCE CONGREGATIONS 
Christ, Upper Darby 
Faith-Immanuel, Lansdowne 
Grace, Broomall 
Grace, Drexel Hill 
Holy Spirit, Secane 
Holy Trinity, Narberth 
Holy Trinity, Wallingford 
Immanuel, Norwood 
Reformation, Media 
Spirit & Truth Worship Center, Yeadon 
St. John, Folcroft 
St. John-Tinicum, Essington  
St. Mark, Clifton Heights 
St. Matthew, Springfield 
St. Matthew, Woodlyn 
St. Paul, Ardmore 
St. Paul, Lansdowne 
St. Timothy, Aston 
Temple, Havertown  
Trinity, Havertown  
 
 
CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE TEAM 
Rev. Jennifer Casey, Dean (Holy Trinity, Wallingford) 
Karl McClellan, Chair (Immanuel, Norwood) 
Natalie Berry, Secretary (St. Matthew, Springfield) 
Lisa Fortwangler, Treasurer (St. John, Folcroft) 
Rev. Dr. Sarah Anderson-Rajarigam, Communications (Grace, Drexel Hill) 
Kathleen Michael, Conference Dues (Holy Trinity, Wallingford) 
Lois Johnston (Christ, Upper Darby) 
Rev. Marie Sager (St. Timothy, Aston) 
Rev. Rachel Scheible (Holy Spirit, Secane) 
Rev. Daniel Smith (Holy Trinity, Narberth) 

 
THANK YOU to St. Timothy, Aston and Pr. Marie Sager for hosting our worship, and to each of you for worshiping with us this evening!  
 
DONATIONS to Lutheran World Relief can be sent online via this link: give.lwr.org. If you would prefer to write a check, they can be written out to “Delaware Conference,” with “LWR” in the memo line. 
 
SAVE THE DATE for our annual Conference Assembly: October 23 at 7:00, at St. Matthew in Springfield.