17 May 2026
The Ascension of Our Lord
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Lutheran Service Book Divine Service Setting Three
Stand
469 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today LSB 469
1 “Christ
the Lord is ris’n today!”
Saints
on earth and angels say;
Raise your
joys and triumphs high;
Sing, ye
heav’ns, and earth, reply.
2 Love’s
redeeming work is done,
Fought the
fight, the battle won;
Lo! Our Sun’s
eclipse is o’er;
Lo! He sets in
blood no more.
3 Vain
the
stone, the watch, the seal;
Christ
hath burst the gates of hell.
Death in
vain forbids His rise;
Christ has
opened paradise.
4 Lives
again
our glorious King!
Where, O
death, is now thy sting?
Once He died
our souls to save;
Where thy victory,
O grave?
5 Soar
we
now where Christ has led;
Foll’wing
our exalted Head.
Made like Him, like
Him we rise;
Ours the cross, the
grave, the skies.
6 Hail
the
Lord of earth and heav’n!
Praise
to Thee by both be giv’n!
Thee
we greet triumphant now:
Hail, the
resurrection, Thou!
Text:
Charles
Wesley, 1707–88, alt.
Text:
Public domain
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
Invocation
P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
Exhortation LSB 184
P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
P Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C who made heaven and earth.
P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Confession of Sins LSB 184
P O almighty God, merciful Father,
C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
Absolution LSB 185
P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
Kyrie LSB 186
C Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 187
P Glory be to God on high:
C and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee,
we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory.
O Lord God, heav’nly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
P Let us pray.
Almighty God, as Your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend in heart and mind and continually dwell there with Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Sit
Old Testament Reading Acts 1:1–11
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Psalm Psalm 47
Clap
your hands, all peoples!
Shout to
God with loud songs of joy!
For
the Lord,
the Most High, is to be feared,
a
great king over all the earth.
He
subdued peoples under us,
and
nations under our feet.
He chose
our heritage for us,
the pride of
Jacob whom he loves.
God
has gone up with a shout,
the Lord
with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing
praises to God, sing praises!
Sing
praises to our King, sing praises!
For
God is the King of all the earth;
sing
praises with a psalm!
God
reigns over the nations;
God sits
on his holy throne.
The princes of
the peoples gather as the people of the God of
Abraham.
For the shields of the
earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
Epistle Ephesians 1:15–23
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 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 one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Stand
Alleluia LSB 190
C Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Holy Gospel Luke 24:44–53
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty-fourth chapter.
C Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Then [Jesus] said to them, “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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
Apostles’ Creed
C I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life T everlasting. Amen.
Sit
525 Crown Him with Many Crowns LSB 525
1 Crown
Him
with many crowns,
The Lamb
upon His throne;
Hark how the heav’nly
anthem
drowns
All music but its
own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee,
And
hail Him as thy matchless king
Through
all eternity.
2 Crown
Him
the virgin’s Son,
The
God incarnate born,
Whose arm those
crimson trophies won
Which now His
brow adorn:
Fruit of the mystic rose,
Yet of that rose the stem,
The
root whence mercy ever flows,
The
babe of Bethlehem.
3 Crown
Him
the Lord of love.
Behold His
hands and side,
Rich wounds, yet
visible above,
In beauty
glorified.
No angels in the sky
Can fully bear that sight,
But
downward bend their wond’ring
eyes
At mysteries so bright.
4 Crown
Him
the Lord of life,
Who
triumphed o’er the grave
And
rose victorious in the strife
For
those He came to save.
His glories now
we sing,
Who died and rose on
high,
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die.
5 Crown
Him
the Lord of heav’n,
Enthroned
in worlds above,
Crown Him the king to
whom is giv’n
The wondrous name
of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns
As thrones before Him fall;
Crown
Him, ye kings, with many crowns,
For
He is king of all.
Text
(sts.
1–3, 5): Matthew Bridges,
1800–94,
alt.; (st. 4): Godfrey Thring, 1823–1903
Text:
Public domain
Sermon - Pastor Bill Willson
Offering
The Organist plays as the offerings are being collected.
Stand as the ushers bring forth the offering.
Offertory LSB 192
C Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.
Prayers
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For release and preservation, that He who reigns over the nations would subdue all spiritual enemies under our feet, giving us a share in the victory Christ has won for us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, over which Christ is head, that God would give pastors wisdom to hold fast to the message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins; and that He would open the ears of all who hear to rejoice in the fullness of Him who fills all in all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our homes, that the God who established Jesus at His right hand would give Him as companion and consolation for those who live alone, strengthen the love of husbands and wives, and bless parents and children as they gather around His Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the rulers, authorities, powers and dominions of this world, that mindful of Christ who reigns far above them, they might govern with wisdom and integrity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and everyone in any kind of need [especially _____________]; for patience and healing according to God’s will; and for those who mourn, [especially _____________,] let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pure hearts that worthily receive the body and blood of Christ for our forgiveness, life and salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
Preface LSB 194
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
P Lift up your hearts.
C We lift them up unto the Lord.
P Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
C It is meet and right so to do.
Proper Preface
P It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who after His resurrection appeared openly to all His disciples and in their sight was taken up into heaven that He might make us partakers of His divine life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
Sanctus LSB 195
C Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
heav’n and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
The Words of Our Lord
P On the night, in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying, take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same also, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, this cup is the New Testament in my blood, shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Pax Domini LSB 197
P The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C Amen.
Agnus Dei 198
C O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen.
Sit
Distribution
The pastor and those who assist him receive the body and blood of Christ first and then distribute them to those who come to receive, saying:
Take, eat; this is the true body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, given into death for your sins.
Amen.
Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.
Amen.
The Dismissal
In dismissing the communicants, the following is said:
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart T in peace.
C Amen.
Stand
Nunc Dimittis LSB 199
C Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word,
for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Thanksgiving 200
P O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,
C and His mercy endureth forever.
Post-Communion Collect
P We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Salutation LSB 201
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
Benedicamus 202
P Bless we the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Benediction LSB 202
P The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and T give you peace.
C Amen, amen, amen.
917 Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise LSB 917
1 Savior,
again
to Thy dear name we raise
With
one accord our parting hymn of praise;
Once
more we bless Thee ere our worship cease,
Then,
lowly bending, wait Thy word of peace.
2 Grant
us
Thy peace upon our homeward way;
With
Thee began, with Thee shall end, the day.
Guard
Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
That
in this house have called upon Thy name.
3 Grant
us
Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;
Turn
Thou for us its darkness into light.
From
harm and danger keep Thy children free;
For
dark and light are both alike to Thee.
4 Grant
us
Thy peace throughout our earthly life,
Our
balm in sorrow and our stay in strife;
Then,
when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,
Call
us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.
Text:
John
Ellerton, 1826–93
Text: Public
domain
CLOSING RESPONSE
P Go in Peace! Serve the Lord!
C Praise be to God!
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2026 Concordia Publishing House.