The Ascension of Our Lord
May 13/16, 2010

With thanks to page sponsor:
In honor of the graduating class,
faculty and staff of
Methodist Theological School in Ohio
(0910)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources:

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 47:2-9

Ephesians 1:15-23
Roman Catholic reading: Ephesians 1:17-23

Luke 24:44-53
Roman Catholic reading, Year A: Matthew 28:16-20
Roman Catholic reading, Year B: Mark 16:15-20
Roman Catholic reading, Year C: Luke 24:46-53
 

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Year A, Year B, Year C.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: BCP / RCL.
  • Lutheran RCL CEV readings - .doc files. Lutheran Bible Ministries.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Resurrection
    • Ascension
  • Movies Linked at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Resurrection
    • Ascension
• Special Day Resources:
  • Resources for Ascension at Bass Mitchell's Special Days and Services site.
  • The Ascension - a promise of great things to come, John S. McClure, Presbyterians Today, 2002.
  • "Ascension" and "Feast of the Ascension" from (the 1913 edition of) The Catholic Encyclopedia.
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Easter 7 / Ascension, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • "Why Are You Looking Up?" Ken Carter, Blogging toward Sunday, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
  • SAMUEL, Ascension Day, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Preaching Helps (Ascension Day ABC). Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "Salvation: 7th Sunday of Eastertide (Ascension Sunday)," Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • Sermon Starters, Easter, 2009, Donna Schaper, United Methodist Church Circuit Rider.
  • "Get Lost," Lane Denson III, Out of Nowhere, 2009.
  • "What Happened at the Ascension?" Ann Fontaine, Episcopal Cafe, 2009.
  • "The Ascension - A Promise of Great Things To Come," Presbyterians Today, 2002.
  • "God Loves the Physical Stuff of Life," Norman Kansfield, Deborah Appler, Miguel De La Torre, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2009. (LGBT perspective)
  • Ascension/Easter 7: A Blessing at Bethany, Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, 2008.
  • "Ascension Politics," Debra Den Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
  • Rumors, for May 24, 2009, Ralph Milton, "Sermon helps for preachers with a sense of humor."
  • "The Ascending of Jesus," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Lectionary Notes, Ascension, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • Lectionary Haikus: Ascension, Among the Hills.
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Ascension, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "The Church on Fire: Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle A, Acts," Living the Word by Katherine Grieb, Sojourners Online, May-June, 1999.
  • Lectionary Study, Ascension B, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation, 2009.
  • Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.
  • Bible Study - Ascension - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
  • SAMUEL at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ascension, 2010 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
• Lists of recommended articles available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Acts 1:1-11
  • Psalm 47 / Psalm 93
  • Ephesians 1:15-23
  • Luke 24:44-53
• Sermons:
  • Selected Sermon, Ascension Day, Steve Kelsey, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2009.
  • "Watching and Waiting: A Meditation for Ascension Day," the Rev. Marilyn E. Thornton, 21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources, The United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down," the Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, Day 1, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Ascension Day B, by the Rev. J. Barrington Bates, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2006.
  • "The End and the Beginning," Ascension Day - 25 May 2006, Hubert Beck, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Footprints on the Earth," the Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, Day 1, 2005.
  • "More Questions than Answers," Ascension - 5 May 2005, Luke Bouman, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "A Mission Accomplished; A Mission to Accomplish," Ascension, 20 May 2004, Walter W. Harms, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Somebody Prayed for Me," The Reverend Jonathan Holston (United Methodist), Day 1, 2004.
  • "Just Where Did Jesus Go?" Dianne Bergant, CSA, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2003.
  • "Power Source," the Rev. Dr. Catherine Taylor, Day 1, 2003.
  • "Gifts for Mission," John R. Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2000.
• A list of links to on-line Bibles and general Bible study resources.
• A list of links to scholarly and preaching discussion groups and their homepages. 
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

• Resources and Images on The Text This Week's Easter Resources page.
• Lent and Easter links at Rev. Richard J. Fairchild's A Holy Easter.
• Complete Liturgies (includes prayers & hymns):
  • Worship Planning Helps (Easter 7B/Ascension Day, 2009): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Worship Resources, Easter 7 / Ascension Sunday, 2009, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ascension, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • A Festival Eucharist on the Ascension of Our Lord, Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Ascension, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • "Celebrating Jesus' Ascension," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2009.
  • Liturgies and Worship Resources for Ascension, Sacredise.
  • Liturgy Alive, Ascension, Claretian Publications, Inc., Philippines.
  • "Making Disciples," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Sunday by Sunday: Ascension Day. Liturgy Planner from the Royal School of Church Music.
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc.:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Lector's Notes, Ascension, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Outside the Box, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker.
  • Prayers of the People - Ascension, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Ascension Day / Ascension Sunday, 2009, the Marilyn E. Thornton, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Prayer of the Church, Ascension, 2007, Let Us Pray, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 7C/Ascension. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Prayers for Ascension, Sacredise.
  • Offertory Prayers for May, 2009, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Worship Resources, Ascension & Pentecost, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 7 / Ascension, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Year A, Year B, Year C, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics and Bulletin Materials:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Hermanoleon Clipart, Ascension. Free clipart, backgrounds, slides, etc.
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Year A, Year B, Year C, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art Images: Ascension, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Ascension at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings: Year B Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Commercial Site: Films for Ascension, The Work of the People.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Ascension. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
  • SAMUEL, Ascension Day, 2009, at ucc.org: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Image of Sky, Sacredise.
  • Lectionary Haikus: Ascension, Among the Hills.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Ascension, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services.
  • "A Bittersweet Departure," reflection by Dorette Saunders, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
  • Ascension/Easter 7: A Blessing at Bethany, Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, 2006.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Ascension Day, 2009, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
• Music and Hymns:
  • Lectionary Hymns, Ascension, 2009, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Lectionary Hymns, Ascension, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
  • "Have Pity on Your Children, Lord," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
  • "The Lord Reigns," Barry Marshall, Sacredise.
  • "O Christ, When You Ascended," Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2007, LANCASHIRE.
  • "O for A Faith that May Inspire," hymn for Ascension Sunday by Marilyn Thornton, music: Old Hundredth. United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Ascension, CanticaNova Publications. 
  • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
  • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
  • The Psalmistry: All Psalms Music: original Christian sheet music, lyrics, guitar chords, midi, mp3 files for all 150 Psalms. See Terms of Use.
  • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
  • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
  • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Ascension, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Choral Anthem Project, Ascension B, National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 7 / Ascension, 2009. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
• For Children:
  • "Bumper Stickers," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ascension, 2010 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Ascension, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • Talks to Children, Ascension. Object lessons by Rev Donald McCorkindale, Church of Scotland, et al.
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Ascension. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
• Drama:
  • "Ascension?" Michael English, Milton Parish Church Drama Resources.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.