Ascension Day

Find out more about Ascension Day

Readings

Acts 1: 1-11
Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24: 44-53

Hymn suggestions

A number of hymns appropriate for Ascension Day lead with the image of Jesus high above us, sat on a throne. They emphasise the idea of sovereignty and regal authority. The contemporary hymn writer Brian Wren observes that “portraits of Christ at God’s right hand in heaven may now suggest remoteness, but [they] intend to show Christ’s universal presence reaching all”.

There are several such hymns in the “Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest and King” section of Singing the Faith (#317 – 340) e.g.

At the name of Jesus (StF 317)
Jesus shall reign where’er the sun (StF 328)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! (StF 335)

Similarly, see:

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (StF 568) esp. v2 & 4
All hail the power of Jesu's name (StF 342)
Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia! (StF 300)

Brian Wren’s hymn Christ is alive! Let Christians sing (StF 297) reminds us that the Easter event, and all that followed from it, is not simply a “glorious event long ago, far away, and high above”. Verse 2 reads:

Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing here and now,
and touching every place and time.

Another of his early hymns, “Jesus is with God, endlessly alive”, also reinterprets the familiar imagery. It was first published in Praising a Mystery (1986), available from Stainer & Bell. The hymn’s other verses begin: “Jesus is with God where the victims cry…” and “Jesus stands with God by an open door, calling us to pray and follow…”

Also see Fred Kaan’s “A hymn for Ascension – quote, unquote” (permission also through Stainer & Bell):

Although God has left us,
he leaves us not alone…
Christ is alive and present
and makes us all akin.

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (above) includes the supplication: “Intercessor, friend of sinners, earth’s Redeemer, plead for me” (v3). The prayer is picked up in a very different style in the Taizé song, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (StF 777).

Come O Lord, give us your Spirit (StF 759), another short song, suggests the next stage of the discipleship journey – towards Pentecost and the sharing of Jesus’ Good News. Which, of course, is something to celebrate – so why not celebrate? If you can get hold of God Welcomes All, the 2024 supplement to Church Hymnary 4, then consider "Clap your hands, all you nations", a paraphrase of Psalm 47 by Greg Scheer. Or, in Singing the Faith, turn to Amen siakudumisa! ("Amen. Praise the name of the Lord!") (StF 770).