The Gathering

Our worship begins at the sound of the bell, please stand as this acclamation is said.

God has gone up with a shout,

the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

Psalm 47.5

The introit hymn is sung.

Alleluia, sing to Jesus,
His the sceptre, his the throne;
Alleluia, his the triumph,
His the victory alone:
Hark, the songs of peaceful Sion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
Jesus, out of ev’ry nation,
Hath redeemed us by his blood.

Alleluia, not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia, he is near us,
Faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received him
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise,
‘I am with you evermore’?

Alleluia, bread of angels,
Thou on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia, here the sinful
Flee to thee from day to day;
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
Earth’s redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia, King eternal,
Thee the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluia, born of Mary,
Earth thy footstool, heav’n thy throne;
Thou within the veil hast entered
Robed in flesh, our great High Priest;
Thou on earth both priest and victim
In the Eucharistic Feast.

Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898)
Music: Rowland Huw Pritchard (1811-1887)
arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Hymn Tune: HYFRYDOL

The Greeting

The bishop greets the people.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.
Amen.

There is one body and one spirit.

There is one hope to which we were called;

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

one God and Father of all.

Peace be with you

and also with you.

Words of Welcome

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
for forty days we have been celebrating with joyful hearts
the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,
his bursting from the tomb
and his defeat of the power of sin and death.
He appeared to his disciples many times
and told them about the kingdom of God.
As Christ’s body in this parish we live this resurrection
through our lives of faith, proclaiming in word and deed
his victory over sin and death.
We give thanks for the signs of growth in our midst
and together renew our commitment to Christ
remembering how on this day he left this earth
and returned to his Father,
ascending into heaven to take his throne
over all dominions and powers.
Trusting in his reign over all creation,
and submitting to his kingly yet loving rule,
let us hear the story of his parting.

The Ascension Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

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 baptised with water, but you will be baptised 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

Alleluia. Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Seeing we have a great high priest
who has passed through the heaven,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us offer him the praise worthy of his name.

Gloria in Excelsis

Glory to God in the highest,
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.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray that our risen and ascended Lord will lead us to eternal life’.

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Please sit.

The Liturgy of the Word

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.

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.

Ephesians 1.15-end

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. During the hymn a procession will make its way to the centre of the nave from where the Gospel for the day is read. To symbolise our desire to turn to Christ in our daily lives, at the end of the hymn we remain standing and turn to face the place where the Gospel is proclaimed.

Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King,
Lord of heav’n, 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!
Pow’r and majesty concealing
By your humble birth:
Yours the glory and the crown,
The high renown, the eternal name.

Suff’ring servant, scorned, ill-treated,
Victim crucified!
Death is through the cross defeated,
Sinners justified:
Yours the glory and the crown,
The high renown, the eternal name.

Priestly King, enthroned for ever
High in heav’n above!
Sin and death and hell shall never
Stifle hymns of love:
Yours the glory and the crown,
The high renown, the eternal name.

So, our hearts and voices raising
Through the ages long,
Ceaselessly upon you gazing,
This shall be our song:
Yours the glory and the crown,
The high renown, the eternal name.

Words: Michael Saward (1932-2015)
Music: John Barnard (b. 1948)
Hymn Tune: GUITING POWER

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to the disciples, “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 worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Luke 24.44-end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

Confirmation

On this day when we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord
Jesus Christ, we give thanks for all that we have done in his
name this last year especially how we have deepened and grown
in love for Christ and each other.

We pray especially for those you have brought to confirmation.

Silence is kept.

Presentation of the Candidates

The bishop addresses the candidates for confirmation.

Have you been baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?

I have.

The Decision

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin
and rising to new life with him.

Therefore I ask:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

I reject them.

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

I renounce them.

Do you repent of the sins that separate us
from God and neighbour?

I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

I turn to Christ.

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

I submit to Christ.

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?

I come to Christ.

Profession of faith

Brothers and sisters,
I ask you to profess together with these candidates
the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

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.

Silence is kept and the ‘Veni, Creator Spiritus’ is sung by the choir.

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.

Thy blessèd unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love;
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soilèd face
With the abundance of thy grace:
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of Both, to be but One.
That through the ages all along
This may be our endless song.

‘Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit’
Amen.

The bishop stands before those who are to be confirmed and says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Who has made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Now and for ever. Amen.

He extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says:

Almighty and ever-living God,
you have given these your servants new birth
in baptism by water and the Spirit,
and have forgiven them all their sins.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
The Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
The Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord.

Amen.

The bishop addresses each candidate by name.

Name, God has called you by name and made you his own.

He then lays his hand on the head of each, saying:

Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

He then anoints each candidate with the oil of Chrism saying:

Be sealed with the gift of the Spirit.

The bishop invites the congregation to pray for all those on whom hands have been laid

Defend, O Lord,
these your servants with your heavenly grace,
that they may continue yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more
until they come to your everlasting kingdom.

Amen.

The Prayers of Intercession

Those who have been confirmed lead us in our prayers. Please kneel or sit.

The risen Christ is here in the midst of us.
We bring our prayers to him as Lord of the Church.
For the Church universal
of which these buildings are a visible symbol.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For this congregation,
as we remember your promise
that when two or three are gathered in your name
you are there in the midst of them.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For this place, that we may be still and know that you are God,
Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the fulfilling of our desires and petitions
as you see best for us.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For your blessings in the past and for a vision for the future,
Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.
For the gift of your Holy Spirit and new life in baptism.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For the pardon of our sins when we fall short of your glory.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For a foretaste of your eternal kingdom
in the sacrament of the eucharist.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For the blessing of our vows
and the crowning of our years with your goodness.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For the faith of those who have gone before us
and for the grace to persevere like them.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For the benefactors of this place who have died
in the peace of Christ and are at rest.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

For a sense of our fellowship with Blessèd Mary
our patron and all your saints.

Lord, receive our thanks and prayer.

O God from living stones
you prepare an everlasting dwelling-place for your majesty.
Grant that in the power of the Holy Spirit,
those who serve you here may always be kept
within your presence.
This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Please stand with the president.

The Peace

Jesus says: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
If you love me, rejoice because I am going to the Father’. Alleluia.

John 14.27, 2

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

This is usually a handshake shared with those near you.

Preparation of the Table

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

A hymn is sung.

Lord, enthroned in heav’nly splendour,
First begotten from the dead,
Thou alone, our strong defender,
Liftest up thy people’s head.
Alleluia, alleluia,
Jesu, true and living bread.

Here our humblest homage pay we,
Here in loving rev’rence bow;
Here for faith’s discernment pray we,
Lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia, alleluia,
Thou art here, we ask not how.

Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
As of old in Bethlehem,
Here as there thine angels hail thee,
Branch and Flow’r of Jesse’s Stem.
Alleluia, alleluia,
We in worship join with them.

Paschal Lamb, thine off’ring, finished
Once for all when thou wast slain,
In its fullness undiminished
Shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia, alleluia,
Cleansing souls from ev’ry stain.

Life-imparting heav’nly manna,
Stricken rock with streaming side,
Heav’n and earth with loud hosanna
Worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia, alleluia,
Ris’n, ascended, glorified!

Words: George Hugh Bourne (1840-1925)
Music: George Clement Martin (1844-1916)
Hymn Tune: SAINT HELEN

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Lord Jesus,
you nourish us at the table of your word
and the table of your sacrament;
as we feed on you, the bread of life,
may we daily grow into your likeness.

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer (G)

Please kneel or sit.

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, Lord God,
our light and our salvation;
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the beginning you have created all things
and all your works echo the silent music of your praise.
In the fullness of time you made us in your image,
the crown of all creation.

You give us breath and speech, that with angels and archangels
and all the powers of heaven
we may find a voice to sing your praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

How wonderful the work of your hands, O Lord.
As a mother tenderly gathers her children,
you embraced a people as your own.
When they turned away and rebelled
your love remained steadfast.
From them you raised up Jesus our Saviour, born of Mary,
to be the living bread,
in whom all our hungers are satisfied.
He offered his life for sinners,
and with a love stronger than death
he opened wide his arms on the cross.

On the night before he died,
he came to supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he gave you thanks.
He broke it and gave it to them, saying:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.

At the end of supper, taking the cup of wine,
he gave you thanks, and said:
Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.

Father, we plead with confidence
his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross;
we remember his dying and rising in glory,
and we rejoice that he intercedes for us at your right hand.
Pour out your Holy Spirit as we bring before you
these gifts of your creation;
may they be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
As we eat and drink these holy things in your presence,
form us in the likeness of Christ,
and build us into a living temple to your glory.
Remember, Lord, those who have confirmed
the promises of their baptism this night.
That within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people
they may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit
until they come to the inheritance of your saints in glory.

Bring us at the last with Blessèd Mary and all the saints
to the vision of that eternal splendour
for which you have created us;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
by whom, with whom, and in whom,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,
we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

Silence is kept.

The Lord’s Prayer

Looking for the coming of his kingdom,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

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.

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

Lord, we died with you on the cross.

Now we are raised to new life.

We were buried in your tomb.
Now we share in your resurrection.

Live in us, that we may live in you.

The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken for distribution.

Jesus, Lamb of God,
have mercy on us.

Jesus, bearer of our sins,
have mercy on us.

Jesus, redeemer of the world,
grant us peace.

Invitation to Communion

I heard the voice of a great multitude crying, Alleluia.
The Lord our God has entered into his kingdom.

Blessed are those who are called
to the supper of the Lamb. Alleluia.

The president and people receive communion. All baptised Christians are welcome to receive the sacrament. Please follow the guidance offered by the stewards.

If you are not baptised, or would prefer to not receive, then do still come forward for a blessing bringing this book with you so the president knows your intention.

The sacrament is available in both kinds, however if you wish to only receive the bread please do so and then return to your place. Receiving in one kind is still considered to be full communion by the Church of England. Please do not dip bread in the wine (sometimes called ‘intincting’).

To the words “The Body/Blood of Christ” the communicant replies “Amen”.

For those at home it might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution.

Abide with us Lord, throughout this day.
Abide with us in our journeying, and in our homes.
Abide with us in our seeking and in our longings.
Abide with us now and to eternity,
Jesus, risen Lord,
who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit
in glory for ever. Amen.

Choir Anthem

‘Rejoice, the Lord is King!’

Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore;
Mortals give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

Jesus the Saviour reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When he had purged our stains,
He took his seat above.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

His kingdom cannot fail;
He rules o’er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv’n.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

He sits at God’s right hand
Till all his foes submit,
And bow to his command,
And fall beneath his feet.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Music: Malcolm Archer (b. 1952)

The following communion hymn may be sung during the distribution as time allows. Please remain seated.

The Lord is ris’n indeed:
Now is his work performed;
Now is the mighty captive freed,
And death’s strong castle stormed.

The Lord is ris’n indeed:
Then hell has lost his prey;
With him is ris’n the ransomed seed
To reign in endless day.

The Lord is ris’n indeed:
He lives, to die no more;
He lives, the sinner’s cause to plead,
Whose curse and shame he bore.

The Lord is ris’n indeed:
Attending angels, hear!
Up to the courts of heav’n with speed
The joyful tidings bear.

Then take your golden lyres
And strike each cheerful chord;
Join, all ye bright celestial choirs,
To sing our risen Lord.

Words: Thomas Kelly (1769-1855)
Music: melody from Johannes Leisentritt’s
‘Catholicum Hymnologium Germanicum’, Cologne (1584)
adapted by William Henry Havergal (1793-1870)
Hymn Tune: NARENZA

The Post Communion Prayer

Please stand with the president who introduces a time of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

God our Father,
you have raised our humanity in Christ
and have fed us with the bread of heaven:
mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings,

we may set our hearts in the heavenly places;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A hymn is sung.

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
To his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners giv’n, Alleluia!
Enters now the highest heav’n. Alleluia!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
Lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
He hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
Take the King of Glory in! Alleluia!

Lo, the heav’n its Lord receives, Alleluia!
Yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
Though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
Calls the human race his own. Alleluia!

Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
His prevailing death he pleads; Alleluia!
Near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
He the first-fruits of our race. 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!

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-1788),
Thomas Cotterill (1779-1823) and others, alt.
Music: Robert Williams (1781-1821)
Hymn Tune: LLANFAIR

The Dismissal

The Blessing

Christ whose glory is in the heavens,
fill this house and illuminate your hearts;
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

The Dismissal

Waiting expectantly for the promised Holy Spirit,
go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.