May 16, 2010 The Seventh Sunday after Easter: Ascension Sunday

God's reign is already present on our earth in mystery. When the Lord comes, it will be brought to perfection. That is the hope that inspires Christians. We know that every effort to better society, especially when injustice and sin are so ingrained, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us.
-- Archbishop Oscar Romero(from a homily given on March 24, 1980)
Prelude 
Words of Gathering
Call to Worship
         Leader:  Do you have any wild hopes, or tame ones for that matter?
                           The possibility of acorns becoming towering oaks,
                           Or caterpillars blossoming into butterflies,
                           Or that dawn will chase away midnight fears?
                           Wild hopes!

         People:  That all creation will learn the dance of joy,
                           That all humanity might taste the wine of peace,
                           That our loving God will become transparent through love.

         All:              Recast the earth, O Lord,
                           And move our hearts with wild hopes.
(From Resurrection to Pentecost by Robert F. Morneau)
Hymn
Hymn
Reading: Hope by Vaclav Havel (2003)
Offering        

HEARING THE WORD
Scripture: Acts 1:1-11
A Time for All God's Children
Scripture: Luke 24:44-53
Message
Response:
         Leader:  Today and tomorrow,
                           Lo, I am with you always.
         ALL:              WHEN WE TRY TO DO YOUR WILL,
         Leader:  I am with you always.
         ALL:              WHEN WE GO WHERE WE DO NOT KNOW,
         Leader:  I am with you always.
         ALL:              WHEN WE MEET ONE WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE,
         Leader:  I am with you always.
         ALL:              WHERE FAITH ENDS AND DOUBT BEGINS,
         Leader:  I am with you always.
         ALL:              AND SHOULD WE FORGET YOU…
         Leader;  I am with you always.
         ALL:              TODAY AND TOMORROW, YOU ARE WITH US ALWAYS
                           TO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN.
Hymn

Responses and Time of Sharing
Hymn
Sending: A poem by Denise Leverto