We've Come Today, Seeking Jesus-21st Century Worship Resources for Ascension Day, Year B

Gathering Call
Leader: We've come here today, seeking Jesus.
But he is not here.
He has risen from the dead,
and walked among his followers,
giving them hope just one more time.

People: But Jesus' body left them again.

Leader: We can no longer touch the hem of his garment.

People:
(Sung or spoken: United Methodist Hymnal, 130, "God Will Take Care of You")
Be not dismayed what'er betide,
God will take care of us,
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of us.

Leader:
In Jesus' place is Holy Spirit Power.
God did not leave us alone.
God sent us a Savior.
Now God sends us an
Advocate, Counselor, Companion: The Holy Spirit.
Hallelujah!

Morning Prayer
Good morning, Holy Spirit. We greet you Holy Spirit.
You, whose essence is God's Way.
You, who can accomplish in us the mind of Christ.
Lead us, guide us this day.
For if you lead us, we will not stray. Amen. Opening Hymn: "Lead Me, Guide Me" (African American Heritage Hymnal, 475)

Ascension Day Litany
Leader:
When life gets us down, as it sometimes will,
we cannot rely on our own strength or understanding.
When the mighty seem oh so strong,
and the meek seem to be losing the race,
we cannot give up or give in.
We must look to the One who gave us Jesus Christ,
and be assured help is on the way!

People: In the meantime, in between time, we wait.

Leader:
Wait on the Spirit Power to be revealed within.
By that power, we can do great things!
Wait on the Spirit Power to invade this land, arresting evil and liberating good.
By that power the Devil will be crushed and God's people will have the victory.

People: In the meantime, in between time, we wait.

Leader:
That Holy Ghost power will come.
That Holy Ghost power has come.
That Holy Ghost power will move within us again.

People: In the meantime, in between time, we wait.

Leader:
May the Spirit of the Great "I Am" empower you.
May the Spirit of "The Bright and Morning Star" shine through despair.
May the Spirit of the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah roar across God's land,
Causing us to sing and shout the victory on earth and in heaven.

People: In the meantime, in between time, God is still on the throne, so we wait.

All: Let the church say "Amen!"
"Amen!"

Hymn: "When We All Get to Heaven," 701, United Methodist Hymnal

Children's Time
Teacher: Who has ever flown a kite? Raise your hand.
(Several children raise their hands. Leo, a hand puppet, also raises his hand.)

Teacher: Will one of you tell us about a time when you flew a kite?
(Several of the children speak, then Leo whispers in the ear of the teacher.)

Teacher: Leo says once he was flying a kite on a real windy day, and the kite just kept going up and up and Up and UP. It went up so high he could not get it down. He tried and tried and tried. Finally, he had to call his mother to help him. They took turns winding the string back onto the spool and slowly bringing the kite back down.

Teacher: Have any of you had to get help to do something?
(Let the children speak.)

Teacher: Let's read our Scripture for today.
(Scripture is typed out in bold, large letters on a sheet of paper. Select a reader.)
Jesus said to them, "when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power and you will be witnesses for meto the ends of the earth." After saying this, Jesus was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight." (Acts 1: 7-9)

Teacher: Since Easter, we have talked about Jesus living, even after those who disagreed with him killed him. Jesus came back so that people could see that God could even bring people back from the dead. God can do anything!

Teacher: Jesus was God's gift to us. This Sunday we remember that he left the earth again to go to live with God in heaven.

Teacher: In the Bible verses we read, Jesus was saying goodbye to his disciples. But he didn't want them to be afraid again. He told them that God was going to give them another gift. That gift would be just like him, only Spirit without a body. The gift is called the Holy Spirit. God gives you that gift. I have that gift. We all have that gift.

Teacher: The Holy Spirit is the help we need when we can't do things by ourselves, like when Leo's mother helps him bring his kite back down out of the sky, or when your family helps you feel better when you are very sick. The Holy Spirit helps us in all sorts of ways and is even able to help mean people act nice! So remember, when you want to do what you know God wants you to do and when you need help, the Holy Spirit can help you.

Teacher: Let's stand and join hands so that we can pray. Will you repeat after me? Let's pray.

Dear God, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the Holy Spirit. We need your Spirit to help us be strong. We need your Spirit to help us love. Amen.
Dismissal with Blessing Pastor: Thanks be to God, whose power working in us makes us able to do exceedingly more than we can ask, or even imagine! To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3: 20-21)

Postlude: "On Eagle's Wings, " 143, United Methodist Hymnal

Sherrie Dobbs Johnson is the pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, NY.

21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources: "WWorship Resources for Ascension Sunday, Year B," Copyright 2006 Sherrie Dobbs Johnson. All Rights Reserved. Posted with permission on the Discipleship Ministries Worship website: www.umcworship.org.