Welcome to this Service of Worship from Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church
Ascension Sunday - 8 May 2022 at 10.45am
At His Ascension our Lord entered
heaven, and He keeps the door open
for humanity to enter.
Oswald Chambers
WELCOME TO MAYFIELD SALISBURY PARISH CHURCH
This congregation is part of the Church of Scotland:
we are Reformed in our understanding of Christian faith,
Presbyterian in how we form our community, and a
member of the worldwide family of the Christian Church.
Whether you are in regular attendance at worship or this
is one of your first visits, you are very welcome as part of
this community and today’s service of worship. God bless
you. If you would like to keep in touch, please complete
the Connection Card on the back page of the printed
order or email
AS A DIVERSE PEOPLE, THE CHURCH GATHERS
TO WORSHIP ALMIGHTY GOD
Organ Voluntary
Welcome & Church News
The Grace
Preparatory Silence for Worship
Introit - Above all praise and majesty
Words and music by
Felix Mendelssohn (1809 to 1847)
Above all praise and majesty,
Lord thou reignest evermore. Halleluiah
Call to Worship
One: We bring our hopes and dreams.
All: We bring our faith and praise.
One: We bring our joys and celebrations.
All: We bring our sorrows and struggles.
One: We bring to this time of worship
all things that make our lives real and meaningful.
All: That they might be blessed by You, Lord God,
together with our sisters and brothers.
Hymn 200 - Christ is made the sure foundation
(t. Westminster Abbey)
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and corner-stone,
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the Church in one,
holy Zion's help for ever,
and her confidence alone.
To this temple, where we call you,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today:
with your constant loving-kindness,
hear your servants as they pray,
and your fullest benediction
shed within its walls always.
Here bestow on all your servants
what they ask of you to gain,
what they gain from you for ever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in your glory
evermore with you to reign.
Praise and honour to the Father,
praise and honour to the Son,
praise and honour to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One,
One in might and One in glory
while unending ages run.
7th or 8th century -
translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866)
Prayer of Approach, Confession and The 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Ascension Day – said by all
Risen Christ, you have raised our human nature to the
throne of heaven: help us to seek and serve you, that we
may join you at the Father’s side, where you reign with
the Spirit in glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Hymn 446 - Lift up your hearts, believers!
(t. St Theodulph)
Lift up your hearts, believers!
This is the holy day
when Jesus, our Redeemer,
completes salvation's way.
The forty days are over,
and clouds shine high and bright
as Christ, the overcomer,
is lifted from our sight.
Lift up your hearts, believers!
Ye gates, lift up your heads!
though minds be full of wonder,
though souls be filled with dread.
The Spirit has been promised,
and, though we are alone,
we wait until the moment
when fire and wind are known.
Lift up your hearts, believers!
And do not be downcast,
for Jesus, our Redeemer,
receives the crown at last.
The thorns of crucifixion
are changed to stars of light,
and Christ, the Lord of glory,
is named as God's delight.
Lift up your hearts, believers!
This is the holy day
when Jesus, our Redeemer,
completes salvation's way.
Author unknown
Reading Acts 1:1 - 11
Read by Janice Lamond
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
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 over the course of 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 baptised
with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days
from now.’
The Ascension of Jesus
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.’
Anthem - God is gone up with a merry noise
Words: from Psalm 47
Music: William Croft (1678 to 1727)
God is gone up with a merry noise: and the Lord with the sound
of the trumpet. O sing praises, sing praises unto our God: O
sing praises, sing praises unto our King. For God is the King of
all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
Reading Ephesians 1:15 - 23
Read by Janice Lamond
Paul’s Prayer
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.
Hymn 470 - Jesus Shall Reign Where E’er the Sun
(t. Warrington)
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
does its successive journeys run;
his Kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
People and realms of every tongue
declare his love in sweetest song;
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where Jesus reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blessed.
Let every creature rise and bring
the highest honours to our King;
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud Amen.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Sermon – Ascension
Reuben Addis
Hymn 457 - All hail the power of Jesus' Name!
(t. Diadem)
All hail the power of Jesus' Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Crown him, you martyrs of your God,
who from his altar call;
praise him whose path of pain you trod,
and crown him Lord of all.
Let every tongue and every tribe,
responsive to the call,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
Oh, that with yonder sacred throng,
we at his feet may fall;
join in the everlasting song,
and crown him Lord of all!
Edward Perronet (1726-1792)
Prayer for Others
Hymn 449 - Rejoice! the Lord is King
(t. Darwall’s 148th)
Rejoice! the Lord is King,
your Lord and King adore.
Mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice; again I say: Rejoice!
Jesus the Saviour reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above:
His kingdom cannot fail;
he rules both earth and heaven;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given:
He sits at God's right hand
till all his foes submit,
and bow to his command,
and fall before his feet:
Rejoice in glorious hope,
for Christ, the Judge, shall come,
and take his servants up
to their eternal home:
We then shall hear the archangel's voice;
the trump of God shall sound: Rejoice!
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Closing Responses - Based on Acts 1
One: As People of God, we are sent out:
All: in the power of the Holy Spirit,
to be God’s witnesses;
One: As People of God, we are sent out:
All: to live out the Good News with everyone we meet,
One: As People of God, we are sent out:
All: to share the love that God has shared
with us in Jesus Christ.
One: So we go from here in the power and strength of God:
All: to be living witnesses to all we have seen and experienced.
Benediction
Threefold Amen
Organ Voluntary
THIS MORNING’S CHOIR MUSIC
The introit is the third of six motets opus 79 by Mendelssohn, written for
different seasons of the Christian year. “Above all praise” is set for
Ascension. It was originally set in eight parts but has been arranged for four
voice parts. Though short and foursquare, it has considerable majesty and
dignity. The anthem is by William Croft who was in his later years organist
at Westminster Abbey and is best known for his “Funeral Sentences”
performed at most state funerals. The lively anthem, to a Psalm text usually
set for Ascension, has a separate treatment for each verse. The first verse, is
for four voices in a fugal form. The second part sets the middle verse for
six part solo voices antiphonally, in a dance like triple time. The third part
employs the full chorus, again in a fugal form.
NEWS AND INTIMATIONS
OFFERINGS The Kirk Session wishes to express its continuing gratitude to
those who support the Church's work through their offerings. Covid
restrictions have prevented circulation of the ‘plate’ during services but
those who would have wished to use it may make use of the bowls marked
‘Plate Collection’ situated in the vestibule and halls entrance, at the close of
the service . Regular and one-off donations are possible online at
www.give.net/20311853 Or please contact our Freewill Offerings Treasurer,
Hugh Somerville on 0131 466 2446 or
OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea will be served in the Bill McDonald Hall at
the close of the service. Everyone is very welcome.
PASTORAL CARE If you would like to have a regular home visit or
telephone call from one of our pastoral care team, please contact me and I
will arrange that for you. If you would like to be held in prayer, or would
like us to pray for someone you know, please make your request to Kay. If
you would like to participate in our confidential prayer chain praying for
these requests, please get in touch; prayer chain emails are sent out once a
week. You can email Kay on 07587 043 191 or
FUNERAL AND MEMORIALS
• A service of thanksgiving for the life of Morley Sewell will take place at
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church on Tuesday 31 May from 2.00pm.
• A funeral and thanksgiving service for Norah MacFarlane will take
place at Mortonhall Crematorium Pentland Chapel, on Wednesday 8 June
from 11.30am.
• A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Kenneth Palmer will take place
at Mayfield Salisbury Church on Wednesday 15 June from 2.00pm
MIDWEEK PRAYERS You are most welcome to attend a time of peace,
prayer and reflection in the church sanctuary, this Tuesday at 10.00am.
YOUTH UPDATE
Youth Worship Sunday 29 May (7.00pm): We will be
meeting in the Bill McDonald Hall for a night of praise, prayer and
reflection. All ages invited!
NO Youth Group Sunday 5 June - a reminder that the Youth Weekend Away
is taking place from 3-5 June, so there will be NO Youth Group on 5 June.
Youth Group volunteers for the 2022-23 school year wanted! Are you
interested in helping young people grow in their faith? Do you like to lead
discussions, prepare food, play games or get crafty? Do you have 1-2 hours
to spare each month? Mayfield Salisbury runs a Youth Group on Sunday
evenings for ages P6-S1 and S2-S6. We are looking for volunteers who
would be interested in becoming a part of the team and helping to nurture
the faith of our young people! Volunteers would be helping our youth
leader run each session with a variety of activities, including sport, games,
craft, discussion, etc. To find out more about this opportunity and to ask
any questions, Hillary will be holding two informal meetings over coffee
following the 930am service on 12 June, and the 1030am service on 26
June. Please contact our Youth Worker, Hillary Leslie at
must be 18 or older; PVG recruitment and training required, and will be
undertaken over the summer holidays.
CHRISTIAN AID DONATIONS A huge thank-you to everyone who
contributed during Christian Aid Week. Mayfield Salisbury has raised a
magnificent total of £4,929.55, including £538 from the marmalade sale.
Your gifts will help resilient women like Janet and Jessica, whose stories we
heard during our Christian Aid service, to cope with the devastating effects
of the climate crisis. If you’d still like to give, it’s not too late! Please place
your contribution in a Christian Aid envelope on the collection plate at the
front entrance - envelopes will be available at both entrances on Sunday
morning. Thank you all! - The Christian Aid Group
SCOTTISH CHAMBER CHOIR CONCERTS Rosslyn Chapel Sat 4 June 7.30pm
and Limekilns Parish Church Sat 11 June 7.30pm. This choir, which numbers
several of our Chamber Group singers among its members, is presenting
two of the greatest sacred choral works from different periods of the
English tradition. The first is William Byrd's beautiful "Mass for Four voices"
from the Tudor period, and the second is Hubert Parry's wonderful and
inspiring "songs of Farewell" written on 1916 concluding with a magnificent
setting of Psalm 39. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk
CHAMBER GROUP SOPRANO LOUISE CUNNINGHAM will be singing the
role of Adele in Tayside Opera’s upcoming production of Strauss’s classic
operetta Die Fledermaus. Perhaps you fancy a day trip to Angus, or have
friends in the area who might enjoy the show.
• Saturday 4 June at Brechin City Hall
• Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 June at The Space, Dundee & Angus College
All performances are at 7.30pm and tickets are available at
www.ticketsource.co.uk
Copyright Notices Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard
Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by
permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church holds a CCLI Streaming License: #88916
Some images from Pixabay under licence.
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of service for next week: Thursday at 6.00pm.
Next Grapevine: Friday 24 June at 6.00pm.
***
Welcome!
We are glad to see you worship with us today
and hope to see you again soon.
We would love to get to know you better!
If you like, please send an email to:
With your name, email address
We have several lists/ Let us know if you would like to receive:
1 - A phone call/email from the Minister/ Pastoral Assistant
2- Information on house groups and ways of getting involved
3- Weekly news emails
4- Monthly parish magazines
www.mayfieldsalisbury.org
Scottish Charity Number SC000785
www.give.net/20311853