Worship Notes and Bulletin for Sunday, May 25, 2014

Today we celebrate the Ascension of Christ to His place of glory and power and the right hand of the Father. In many ways, the Ascension and Pentecost (in two weeks) are the completion of the work of the cross, redemption and the Season of Easter. The death of death and the conquering of sin is sealed in the resurrection and finished in the position of authority that Christ has.  The sermon this morning comes from Luke’s account of the ascension.We begin with singing Verse 7 from Crown Him with Many Crowns who is enthroned in worlds above. The Call to Worship from Psalm 115 for to His name alone belongs glory. We continue by singing All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. Before the Throne of God Above sings of the work of Christ as our mediator with God.

The New Testament Reading from Colossians 1 reminds us of the glory of the ascended Christ by whom all things were created and hold together and He is the head of the Church. The Prayer of Confession confronts our hearts desire to supplant the rule of Christ by looking to our own interests and acting as if we were equal with God.

Our next hymn, Psalm 9: O Lord Most High, focuses on the exalted nature of who God is. The Profession from God’s Word from Ephesians 4 reassures us of the authority of Christ as the ascended Lord. The Hymns of Communion include Sing to Jesus—that talks of the ascension as an example of the exaltation of Christ—and Our Hope is Built on Nothing Less reminding us that true hope for our life and for the Church is found only in Christ.

The final hymn, O Christ, Our Hope, sings of the work of Christ in the death and resurrection as well as the ascension.

http://www.cornerstonepresfranklin.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Cornerstone-Bulletin-05.25.14.pdf