We have reached the week before Pentecost – the 7th Sunday of Easter (Ascension).

In the virtual service for 24 May 2020, you’ll find 4 readings, some prayers, a musical choice and Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon, based on Ephesians 1: 15-23.

Call to Worship

Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory. Psalm 24:9-10

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Almighty God, we draw near in worship this morning reminded of your greatness and glory, your sovereign power and eternal purpose, all expressed so wonderfully in Jesus Christ, our Lord, Risen and Ascended.

We thank you for the wonder of Ascension, that marvellous yet mysterious moment in the life of the Apostles which left them gazing heavenwards in confusion yet departing in joy.

We thank you for the way that it brought the earthly ministry of Jesus to a fitting conclusion; signifying his oneness with you, and demonstrating your final seal of approval on all that he had done.

We thank you that through his Ascension Jesus is now set free to be Lord of all: no longer bound to a particular place or time, but with us always – able to reach even to the ends of the earth. We thank you that through his departing Jesus prepared for his coming again: through his Spirit, his Church, and his coming again in glory.

Gracious God, forgive us for so often failing to grasp the wonder of Ascension, for living each day as though it had never been. Forgive the smallness of our vision, the narrowness of our outlook, the weakness of our love, the nervousness of our witness, our repeated failure to recognise the fullness of your revelation in Christ.

Give us a deeper sense of wonder, a stronger faith, and a greater understanding of all you have done, that by faith we may live each day to his glory and honour.
Amen.

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Welcome to the virtual service for the 6th Sunday of Easter (17 May 2020).

Rev. Geoff McKee’s sermon is below in audio format. It is based on John 14:15-21 in which Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to his disciples.

We set out all four Scriptures for this week from the Lectionary, including the passage from John’s gospel. You’ll also find the prayers and a choice of music at the end.

The following is taken from the Church of Scotland website for this week.

“In the days following the first Easter Sunday, the disciples of Jesus would have gone through any number of different reactions, from uncertainty and anxiety to joy and celebration, through incomprehension and fear to recognition and hope. If the Cross had robbed them of his presence, the Resurrection has restored his presence. Surely Jesus will continue to be with them always?”

“The Gospel of John (14: 1-21) portrays the disciples wrestling with the dawning reality that Jesus will not continue to be physically present to them. It would seem that they are again to be left bereft and ‘orphaned’. Uncertainty and anxiety threaten once more. In response, Jesus speaks into their incomprehension and fear with the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus reassures them that they are not alone and that his spiritual presence will be renewed in this world through the Spirit. Jesus, through the Spirit, continues with us always as the assurance of God’s love for us.”

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