ASCENSION DAY YEAR C
The reading from Acts must be used in the Revised Common Lectionary. Church of England provision allows Daniel 7.9-14 as an alternative First Reading, in which case Acts 1.1-11, rather than Ephesians 1.15-23, must be used as the Second Reading.


FIRST READING (Alternative readings)

Either Acts 1.1-11

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning
2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 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;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?'
7 He replied, 'It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
8 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.'
9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
11 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.'

Or Daniel 7.9-14 (Church Of England alternative)
If this is used, the reading from Acts (above) MUST be used as the Second Reading.

A reading from the book of Daniel.
9 As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened.
11 I watched then because of the noise of the arrogant words that the horn was speaking. And as I watched, the beast was put to death, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.
12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
13 As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him.
14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

PSALM

Either Psalm 47

RR God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.

1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.
2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared; he is the great king over all the earth. RR
3 He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. RR
5 God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the ram's-horn.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our king, sing praises. RR
7 For God is king of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne. RR
9 The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
10 The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted. RR

Or Psalm 93

RR The Lord is king and has girded himself with strength.

1 The Lord is king; he has put on splendid apparel; the Lord has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength.
2 He has made the whole world so sure that it cannot be moved; RR
3 Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; you are from everlasting.
4 The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted up their voice; the waters have lifted up their pounding waves. RR
5 Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.
6 Your testimonies are very sure, and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore. RR


SECOND READING (Alternative readings)

Either Ephesians 1.15-23

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason
16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.
17 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,
18 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,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
20 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,
21 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.
22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Or If the Old Testament reading has been used as the first reading.

Acts 1.1-11

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning
2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 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;
5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?'
7 He replied, 'It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
8 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.'
9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
11 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.'


GOSPEL Luke 24.44-53

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
44 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.'
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
46 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,
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 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.'
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them.
51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy;
53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Reuben Condie Reuben Condie