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The Ascension of Our Lord
June 2/5, 2011

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Image: Jan Richardson

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)
  • Facebook Page: The Text This Week, lectionary discussion & suggested articles on Facebook.
  • Homiletical Commentary on non-Gospel texts, Susan K. Hedahl, Gettysburg Lutheran THeological Seminary, Proclamation and Celebration, 2012.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Easter 7/Ascension, 2011. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. Español.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Left Behind for Good!" David Lose, WorkingPreacher, 2011.
  • The Painted Prayerbook, "Blessing in the Leaving," Jan Richardson, 2011. Use of images.
  • Game plan -- Exegesis/Commentary for the Ascension based on Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:15-23 and Acts 1:1-11, and Psalm 47  by Wayne Brouwer and Schuyler Rhodes from Emphasis.
  • What the Tide Brings In, Ann Fontaine, 2011.
  • "Gospel Sequel," Doug Lee, The Ekklesia Project, 2011.
  • "Progressive Christianity on Ascension Sunday," Carl Gregg, Patheos, 2011.
  • "Defenders of the Poor," John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2011.
  • "We Will Never Be without Him,", Alyce McKenzie, Patheos, 2011.
  • Grounded and Rooted in Love, Ascension, Matt & Laura Norvell, 2011.
  • Exegesis, The Pastoral Preaching Web Site, 2011. Sponsored by the Athenaeum, Mount St. Mary's Seminary.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, Something Strange Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2011.
  • "Going Up?" Bruce Epperly, Patheos, 2011.
  • "Strive to Improve," Larry Patten, 2011.
  • John Shearman's Lectionary, Ascension, 2011, Post-Modern Sermon and Bible Study Resource, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Easter 7/Ascension, 2010, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • "Up, up and INSIDE!" Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2010.
  • Ascension Politics, Debra Dean Murphy, Intersections, 2010.
  • Jesus Prays That They Might Be One, Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Law, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
  • Daily Reflection, Ascension of the Lord, Eileen Burke-Sullivan, Creighton University, 2010.
  • "Why Are You Looking Up?" Ken Carter, Blogging toward Sunday, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2009.
  • "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.
  • "Ascension Politics," Debra Den Murphy, The Ekklesia Project, 2009.
  • "The Source of Hope," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2010.
  • Lectionary Notes, Ascension, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • 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.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Ascension, 2011- exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Acts 1:1-11
  • Psalm 47 / Psalm 93
  • Ephesians 1:15-23
  • Luke 24:44-53
• Sermons:
  • The Reign Of Christ In A Complicated World -- Sermon for the Ascension based on Ephesians 1:15-22 (and Acts 1:6-11)  by Kenneth Cauthen. Now What? -- sermon for the Ascension on Luke 24:44-53    by Frank G. Honeycutt. Witnesses To The Whole World -- Sermon for the Ascension based on Acts 1:1-11    by Richard E. Gribble from SermonStudio.
    
  • Sermons that Work, Ascension Day, by Stephen P. Hagerty, ECUSA, 2011.
  • Sermons that Work, Ascension Sunday, the Rev. Frank Logue, ECUSA, 2010.
  • "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down," the Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, Day 1, 2008.
  • "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 7/Ascension, 2010): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Ascension C, 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.
  • Worship Resources, Ascension, 2011, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Worship Resources, Easter 7/Ascension, 2011 Mindi Welton-Mitchell, Rev-o-lution.
  • Miriam's Tambourine Worship Resources, Memphis Theological School, 2011.
  • Connectedness -- Worship resource based on Luke 24:44-53, Ephesians 1:17-23, and Psalm 47 by John H. Will from SermonStudio
  • 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, 2010.
  • Liturgies and Worship Resources: Year A, 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.
  • Prayers for Ascension, A Prayer for Ascension Day, Sacredise.
  • Worship Resources, Ascension & Pentecost, John van de Laar, Sacredise.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Year A, Year B, Year C, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • The Timeless Psalms: Psalm 47 and 93, (Ascension Day A), Joan Stott, prayers and meditations based on lectionary Psalms, 2011.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Easter 7, 2011. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. Español.
  • Ascension Resources Suzanne Guthrie, Soulwork toward Sunday: At the Edge of the Enclosure, prayers and meditations, 2011.
• 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.
  • Image of Sky, Sacredise.
  • Lectionary Introductions (background & context), Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • CHURCH PowerPoint, Rev. Dorothy Okray. Free PowerPoint slides for Worship Services, ChurchGalleries.com.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Ascension, 2011, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • Miriam's Tambourine Worship Resources, Memphis Theological School, 2011.
• Music and Hymns:
  • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Ascension/Ascensiontide, 2011, annotated suggestions from Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
  • Lectionary Hymns, Easter 7/Ascension, 2010, 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.
  • I Believe (The Apostles' Creed) AUSTRIAN HYMN (8.7.8.7 D) (Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken)
  • "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, 2011. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University. Español.
• 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, 2011- exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Hope ... riches... greatness -- Children's sermon for the Ascension based on Ephesians 1:15-23 from CSSPlus (Children's Sermon Service...Plus)
  • 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.