37B - Ascension Day — 39B - Day of Pentecost
See also my post from 2012, 2018, 2021, 2024
(Ascension Sunday)
PSALM 1
Happy is the person who does not follow the advice of the wicked
nor take the way of sinners,
nor sit amongst the scornful.
His or her delight is in the teaching of the LORD,
meditating on it day and night
Such a person is like a single tree,
planted in the midst of a vast irrigation system;
it bears fruit in its right time,
and its leaves never wither.
And their every endeavour is successful.
This is not how it is for the wicked;
rather, they are like chaff which the wind scatters.
And so, the wicked shall not stand in the judgement (place),
nor the sinners in the assembly of the godly;
for the LORD embraces the way of the godly person,
but the way of the wicked shall pass away.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (From Psalm 1)
Merciful God,
creator of all that is, seen and unseen,
our delight is in your word
and we have a deep sense of your presence
when we allow it to fill our lives night and day,
but there are times when we listen to the advice
of those who rebel against you,
times when we can be found with those who scorn.
We experience your blessings
like a tree that is planted beside a never-failing stream,
but there are times when we do not bear the fruits of your abundance.
Steadfast and loving God,
renew us by your nurture and blessing,
so that we may prosper in your ways.
Embrace us,
so that the ways of the wicked pass from us. Amen.
Psalm 1
The person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of the scoffers
is blessed;
such a person experiences delight in the teaching of the LORD,
musing on it, day and night.
They are like a single tree, planted in the midst of a vast irrigation system;
it bears fruit in its right time,
and its leaves never wither.
And his or her every endeavour is successful.
This is not how it is for the wicked;
rather, they are like chaff which the wind scatters.
And so, the wicked shall not stand in the judgement (place),
nor the sinners in the assembly of the godly;
for the LORD cares about the way of the godly person,
but the way of the wicked shall pass away.
REFLECTING ON PSALM 1
Meditating day and night on your instruction, O Lord
I find delight and a sense of completeness,
of satisfaction, after a meal with friends.
There is no joy in the shallow and momentary pleasures
of those who sneer at the misfortune of others,
or scoff and babble in idle chatter,
and disregard the lovingkindness of your ways, O LORD.
To sit under your word, O LORD,
is like being lifted out of the parched soil of my old life,
and replanted in rich soil beside everflowing streams of plentiful, cool water.
It seems that I continue to bear the abundant fruit of your presence
in my life,
and there is fresh growth within me
— like a tree which is always sprouting new leaves —
which rouses delight, even amazement, in others.
There were times when it was not so;
I felt disconnected, chaff-like, blown about by fickle winds.
But the persistent blowing of your Spirit, gracious LORD,
has brought me to new life
under your watching and caring,
within the great congregation of your faithful people.
A CREATIVE MOMENT – Psalm 1
This might lend itself to dramatic mime by a group as the psalm is being read by one voice.
Also, click here for some ideas for worship in Lent and Easter gleaned from the pages of “On the Move” (now out of print) originally published by the Joint Board of Christian Education, Melbourne, Australia.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(A prayer to gather the spoken and silent concerns/joys/thanks expressed by the congregation and lead into a more structured Intercession with connection to the lections for the day. Sometimes this prayer will borrow lightly from other sources e.g. Uniting in Worship 2 or publications of the Iona Community.)
God of all grace,
in you is hope which has endured
throughout every age.
In that hope we remember before you now
those we have named on our lips
and in the silence of our hearts.
Help us bring consolation to those known to us,
return to our memory those whom we have forgotten
and be present to those who have no-one
that they may have life …
(The Prayers of the People continue)
Looking for contemporary music and song resources?
Try David MacGregor’s Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening’s Sing the Psalms
| EASTER 7 – YEAR B |
|
| All hail the power of Jesus’ name | TIS 224 |
| Blessed be the everlasting God | TIS 114 |
| Crown him with many crowns | TIS 228 |
| Father, Lord of all Creation | TIS 631 |
| Filled with the Spirit’s power, with one accord | TIS 411 |
| Happy are they who walk in God’s wise ways | TIS 1 |
| In the presence of your people | TIS 727 |
| Jesus shall reign where’er the sun | TIS 207 |
| Jesus, lover of my soul | TIS 211 |
| May the grace of Christ our Saviour | TIS 777 |
| O Spirit of the living God | TIS 405 |
| Pour out thy Spirit from on high | TIS 451 |
| Praise, my soul, the king of heaven; | TIS 134 |
| Son of God, eternal Saviour | TIS 606 |
| Ye gates lift up your heads | TIS 12 |
| Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 |
|
| Holy Spirit, go before us | TIS 420 |
| O for a heart to praise my God | TIS 568 |
| Spread, O spread, almighty word | TIS 450 |
| Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands | TIS 496 |
| Psalm 1 | |
| Blessed are those whose way is blameless | TIS 75 |
| Happy are they who walk in God’s wise ways | TIS 1 |
| l John 5:9-13 |
|
| Firmly I believe and truly | TIS 140 |
| In great thanksgiving | TIS 632 |
| Now is eternal life | TIS 385 |
| Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast | TIS 502 |
| This is the truth we hold | TIS 469 |
| To Christ, the Prince of peace | TIS 335 |
| John 17:6-19 |
|
| Lord, keep us steadfast in your word | TIS 436 |
| Now is eternal life | TIS 385 |
| O love how deep, how broad, how high! | TIS 194 |
| Praise for the Spirit of God | TIS 423 |
| Son of God, eternal Saviour | TIS 606 |
| We are your people, | TIS 468 |