7M4J

Ascension Thursday

(21^st may 2009)

“…from the cross

to the grave,

from the grave

to the sky,

Lord I lift your name

on high…”

THE 7 STEPS

SILENCE

WORSHIP

SCRIPTURE READING

MEDITATION

BY HEART

INTERCESSION
COVENANT PRAYER

SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 1:6-11

“…Now having met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth’.

As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’

Meditation: Try to answer as many questions as possible

1. What were the disciples preoccupied when they saw Jesus? What does restoring the kingdom to Israel mean?

2. What was Jesus preoccupied with? Who will be coming to the disciples? Is this the first time Jesus mentioned the Holy Spirit? If not, when did Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit to his disciples?

3. What is going to happen to his disciples? Who will they become?

4. When Jesus finished speaking, what happened? Who were the 2 men in white standing near them? What did they tell the disciples? Where did Jesus go to? Is Jesus coming back?

By Heart: Reflect on this in light of your daily life situation

Ascension is about endings and beginnings. On the day of his ascension, Jesus’ personal ministry on earth ended, but the work of his disciples begins…as soon as they receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them. The time of preparation for his apostles is over. The time for their ministry and witnessing starts. Jesus won’t be going with them. He has returned to heaven. But he did not leave them helpless for he sends them the Holy Spirit to be with them.

- Where is Jesus sending you to witness to him?

- What fears do we have when you are speaking to friends and families about Jesus?

- How does one witness with the power of the Holy Spirit?

Thus, with the early disciples, we pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit that as Jesus ascends into heaven, the Holy Spirit may descend upon us.

“Come Holy Spirit, We Need You. Come Sweet Spirit, We Pray.

Come With Your Strength And Your Power. Come In Your Own Gentle Way.”

Intercessions:

1. That those who lead the church may rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide and strength their life and ministry

2. That the helpless and abandoned may receive the love and care they need to carry on in their lives.

3. That the sick and dying may find peace and endurance in their suffering by surrendering their lives into God’s hands.

4. That all of us may answer God’s call to witness to the ends of the earth by lives for faithful and generous service

5. That young people may accept the challenge of living holy and pure lives.

Covenant Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, by your suffering, death and resurrection, you give us new life: a life filled with joy and purpose; a life only you can give it, for you are the source of life. Guide us on our pilgrimage of life, that following you faithfully as your disciples, we may witness boldly to the world, your love and truth. Enlighten our minds and hearts that your Word which we read and meditated may take roots in our lives. Help us not to fall into sin and if we do fall due to our human weakness, bring us back to you for you are the way, the truth and the life. We also pray for all our brothers and sisters, wherever they are, who are committed to this prayer, that their faith may be strengthened, their hope assured and their love fulfilled. In your name we humbly pray. Amen