Seventh Sunday of Easter/ Ascension of Our Lord 5/17
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
MAY 17, 2026
IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S!
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THE ENTRANCE RITE
PRELUDE (8:00) Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious Setting: Donald Busarow
(10:30) Pauline Bell Ringers Thine is the Glory Setting: Sondra K Tucker
WELCOME
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
ENTRANCE HYMN Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious LSB 495
1 Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
See the Man of Sorrows now!
From the fight returned victorious,
Ev’ry knee to Him shall bow.
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the victor’s brow.
Crowns become the victor’s brow.
2 Crown the Savior! Angels, crown Him!
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
On the seat of pow’r enthrone Him
While the vault of heaven rings.
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown the Savior King of kings.
Crown the Savior King of kings.
3 Sinners in derision crowned Him,
Mocking thus the Savior’s claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him,
Own His title, praise His name.
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Spread abroad the victor’s fame.
Spread abroad the victor’s fame.
4 Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
Oh, what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB 151
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE LSB 152
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE – “This is the Feast” LSB 155
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. O King of glory, Lord of hosts,
uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) 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.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
8:00 PSALM 47 (Sung responsively)
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!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
10:30 ANTHEM Jubilation Choir God Has Gone Up One and All Rejoice 223
Refrain
God has gone up with a shout of rejoicing:
He has ascended in glory!
O clap your hands, clap your hands all you people:
He has ascended in glory!
1 Great is the Lord and how great is His kingdom,
Rooted in heaven and earth.
Ruler on high over all of the nations,
Lord over all of the world. Refrain
2 All of the nations assemble before Him:
All of the rich and the poor.
All of the servants rejoice in His justice,
Singing His praise evermore. Refrain
3 Praise to our Lord, O sing praise to our Savior,
Praise to our God and our King!
Worthy the Lamb who was slain and is risen:
Glory and honor to Him. Refrain
SECOND LESSON 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.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
10:30 Seraphim Choir Night Has Gone One and All Rejoice 213
1 Night has gone, and dawn has come!
Sing alleluia, amen.
Alleluia, amen.
2 Death is dead and life is ours!
Sing alleluia, amen.
Alleluia, amen.
3 Christ arose, and we will rise!
Sing alleluia, amen.
Alleluia, amen.
ALLELUIA VERSE (Stand) LSB 156
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL John 17:1-11
The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 17th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON (Be seated)
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) Up through Endless Ranks of Angels LSB 491
1 Up through endless ranks of angels,
Cries of triumph in His ears,
To His heav’nly throne ascending,
Having vanquished all their fears,
Christ looks down upon His faithful,
Leaving them in happy tears.
2 Death-destroying, life-restoring,
Proven equal to our need,
Now for us before the Father
As our brother intercede;
Flesh that for our world was wounded,
Living, for the wounded plead!
3 To our lives of wanton wand’ring
Send Your Spirit, promised guide;
Through our lives of fear and failure
With Your pow’r and love abide;
Welcome us, as You were welcomed,
To an endless Eastertide.
4 Alleluia, alleluia!
Oh, to breathe the Spirit’s grace!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Oh, to see the Father’s face!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Oh, to feel the Son’s embrace!
NICENE CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life ✠ of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God, King over all the earth, reigning over the nations from Your holy throne: Graciously receive our prayers and praises for the victory Christ has won for us over the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. Keep us joyfully in this faith all our days, and subdue all that would lead us from it, that we may share in the fullness of Christ’s victory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You have put all things under Jesus’ feet and given Him as head to the Church. Bless the congregations where You gather Your people. Give wisdom and insight to our pastors and leaders that they may hold fast to the message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. And open the ears of all of us who hear, that we may rejoice to be Christ’s Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of glory, You sent your Son to the cross, raised Him from the dead, and established Him at Your right hand so that we might be part of Your household forever. Bless our homes as we await our day of resurrection. Be the companion and consolation of those who live in solitude. Strengthen husbands and wives, that their love would exemplify the love between Christ and His Church. And bless parents and children as they gather around Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, just as You have seated Christ at Your right hand in the heavenly places to rule above all authority and power and dominion, so also guide all such authorities on earth that they may govern wisely, operate with integrity, and maintain peace after Your good pleasure. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, give patience and endurance to all who are sick or in any need, especially those on our prayer list and those we name in our hearts at this time… Heal them according to Your will, and give comfort and hope to all who mourn. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of hosts, You have instituted and given Your Sacrament for the faithful to receive the very body and blood of Your Son for their forgiveness, life and salvation. Grant us pure hearts to receive this gift worthily. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
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.
Help us by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and strengthen our hearts by Your Word, that our enemy may not prevail over us but that we may evermore abide in Your grace and be preserved unto everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT
OFFERTORY LSB 159
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?
I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
PREFACE LSB 160
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, 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, out of love for His fallen creation, humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death, even death upon a cross. Risen from the dead, He has freed us from eternal death and given us life everlasting. 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 161
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING LSB 161
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.
Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, 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. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My ✠ body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My ✠ blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
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.
PAX DOMINI LSB 163
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 163
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
THE COMMUNION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior LSB 640
1 Thee we adore, O hidden Savior, Thee,
Who in Thy Sacrament art pleased to be;
Both flesh and spirit in Thy presence fail,
Yet here Thy presence we devoutly hail.
2 In this memorial of Thy death, O Lord,
Thou dost Thy body and Thy blood afford:
Oh, may our souls forever feed on Thee,
And Thou, O Christ, forever precious be.
3 Thou, like the pelican to feed her brood,
Didst pierce Thyself to give us living food;
Thy blood, O Lord, one drop has pow’r to win
Forgiveness for our world and all its sin.
4 Fountain of goodness, Jesus, Lord and God:
Cleanse us, unclean, with Thy most cleansing blood;
Increase our faith and love, that we may know
The hope and peace which from Thy presence flow.
5 O Christ, whom now beneath a veil we see,
May what we thirst for soon our portion be:
To gaze on Thee unveiled and see Thy face,
The vision of Thy glory, and Thy grace.
Amen.
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing LSB 493
1 A hymn of glory let us sing!
New hymns throughout the world shall ring:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Christ, by a road before untrod,
Ascends unto the throne of God.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand.
Alleluia, alleluia!
And with His faithful foll’wers see
Their Lord ascend in majesty.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3 To them the shining angels cry,
“Why stand and gaze upon the sky?”
Alleluia, alleluia!
“This is the Savior,” thus they say;
“This is His glorious triumph day!”
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4 “You see Him now, ascending high
Up to the portals of the sky.”
Alleluia, alleluia!
“Hereafter Jesus you shall see
Returning in great majesty.”
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5 Be now our joy on earth, O Lord,
And be our future great reward.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Then, throned with You forever, we
Shall praise Your name eternally.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
6 O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
All praise to You let earth accord:
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are, while endless ages run,
With Father and with Spirit one.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
PRAYER (Stand)
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN Lead on, O King Eternal LBW 495
1 Lead on, O King eternal!
The day of march has come;
Hence-forth in fields of conquest
Your tents will be our home.
Through days of preparation
Your grace has made us strong;
And now, O King eternal,
We lift our battle song.
2 Lead on, O King eternal,
Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
And holiness shall whisper
The sweet amen of peace;
For not with swords loud clashing,
Nor roll of stirring drums,
But deeds of love and mercy
The heav’nly kingdom comes.
3 Lead on, O King eternal:
We follow, not with fears,
For gladness breaks like morning
Where’er your face appears.
Your cross is lifted o’er us;
We journey in its light;
The crown awaits the conquest;
Lead on, O God of might!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Lead On, O King Eternal Setting: John Ferguson
ALTAR FLOWERS Celebrating Freddy’s first birthday! Happy birthday Mr. Bug!
By Holly and Aaron Siebrass
FELLOWSHIP – Board of Youth
Those serving:
Sunday, 8:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Kim Follin
Comm. assist: Jim Easterly
Reader: Kim Follin
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Aaron Siebrass
Comm. assist: Jill Hecht
Reader: Dale Rogers
Acolyte: Joshua Wang
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, 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.
495 Look, Ye Saints, the Sight Is Glorious Text: Thomas Kelly, 1769–1855 Tune: William Owen, 1813–93 Text and tune: Public domain
491 Up through Endless Ranks of Angels Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008 Tune: Henry V. Gerike, 1948–2025 Text: © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 1973 Henry V. Gerike. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
640 Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior Text: Thomas Aquinas, c. 1225–1274; (sts. 1–2, 4–5): tr. James R. Woodford, 1820–85, alt.; (sts. 2–3): tr. Stephen P. Starke, 1955 Tune: Processionale, 1697, Paris, mode V Text (sts. 2–3): © 1998 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Text (sts. 1, 4–5) and tune: Public domain
493 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing Text: Bede, 673–735; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978, alt. Tune: Geistliche Kirchengesäng, 1623, Köln Text: © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
495 LBW Lead On, O King Eternal Author: Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1862-1917 Tune: LANCASHIRE Composer: Henry T. Smart Text and Tune Public Domain
223 God Has Gone Up Text: David Lee, b. 1956 Tune: David Lee, b. 1956 Text and tune: © 1996 David Lee. Used by permission: OAR Hymn License no. 110005326
213 Easter Canon Text: Lisa M. Clark, b. 1982 Tune: David von Kampen, b. 1986 Text: © 2020 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: OAR Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 2020 David von Kampen. Used by permission: OAR Hymn License no. 110005326
