All Saints KingstonSunday for Ascension - 24th May 2020 (streamed service from the Church)

Please see the notices at the end

A Hymn is played

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia! glorious to his native skies; Alleluia! Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia! enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia! lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia! he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia! take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia! far above the starry height, Alleluia! grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia! seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!

There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia! partners of thy eternal reign, Alleluia! there thy face forever see, Alleluia! find our heaven of heavens in thee, Alleluia!

In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.Amen. The Lord be with you. and also with you. Almighty God,to whom all hearts are open,all desires known,and from whom no secrets are hidden:cleanse the thoughts of our heartsby the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,and worthily magnify your holy name;through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The minister invites everyone to recall their shortcomings. After a few moments we say together the prayer of confession.

Most merciful God,Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,we confess that we have sinnedin thought, word and deed.We have not loved you with our whole heart.We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.In your mercyforgive what we have been,help us to amend what we are,and direct what we shall be;that we may do justly,love mercy,and walk humbly with you, our God.Amen.

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and de-liver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen. Lord have mercy.

The GloriaGlory be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen

The CollectO God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not

comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

The New Testament reading - Acts 1:1-11In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the begin-ning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 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; 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, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my wit-nesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to-ward 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.”

A responsorial psalm - Psalm 65 (Daniel Justin setting)

R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.Cry out with joy to God, all the earth;     O sing to the glory of his name.O render him glorious praise.     Say to God, “How awesome your deeds!“Before you all the earth shall bow down,     shall sing to you, sing to your name!”Come and see the works of God:     awesome his deeds among the children of men.He turned the sea into dry land;     they passed through the river on foot.Let our joy, then, be in him;     he rules forever by his might.Come and hear, all who fear God;     I will tell what he did for my soul.Blest be God, who did not reject my prayer,

     nor withhold from me his merciful love.

The Gospel is announcedA reading from the Holy Gospel according to LukeAll Glory to you, O Lord.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.Luke 24:44-end

At the end of the reading:This is the Gospel of the Lord.All Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon by the Revd Jonathan Wilkes

The Anthem: Omnes Gentes Plaudite by Christopher Tye

Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus: jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis.Quoniam Dominus excelsus terribilis: Rex magnus super omnem terram.Subjecit populos nobis: et gentes sub pedibus nostris.Elegit nobis hereditatem suam: speciem Jacob, quam dilexit.Ascendit Deus in jubilo: et Dominus in voce tubae.Psallite Deo nostro, psallite: psallite Regi nostro, psallite.Quoniam Rex omnis terrae Deus: psallite sapienter.Regnabit Deus super gentes: Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.Principes populorum congregati sunt cum Deo Abraham:quoniam dei fortes terrae vehmenter elevati sunt.

O clap your hands together all ye people: O sing unto God with a voice of melody.For the Lord is high, and to be feared: he is the great King above all the earth.He hath subdued the people under us: and the nations under our feet.He hath chosen his inheritence for us: the excellency of Jacob, which he loved.God is gone up with a merry noise: and the Lord with the sound of the trump.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.God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy seat.The princes of the people are gathered together with the God of Abraham:for the mighty ones of the earth are highly exalted.Psalm 47 vv. 1–9

Intercessions

During the prayers this response may be used:

Lord, in your mercyhear our prayer

and at the end:

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Peace:The peace of the Lord be always with you.And also with youLet us offer one another a sign of peace.

Holy CommunionYours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendour, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.All things come from you, and of your own do we give you.The Lord is here.His Spirit is with us.Lift up your hearts.We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give thanks and praise.

The priest says the first part of the eucharistic prayer and then we say:

Holy, holy, holy,God of power and might,Heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest!Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest!

We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith:All Christ has died:

Christ is risen:Christ will come again.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with St John the Evangelist, St John the Baptist and all the saints to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever.All Amen.

Sit or kneel for 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 trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The priest breaks the consecrated bread with the words:We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.Though we are many, we are one body,because we all share in one bread.

Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the worldHave mercy on usLamb of God who takes away the sin of the worldHave mercy on usLamb of God who takes away the sin of the worldGrant us peace

Draw near with faith. Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Eat and drink in remembrance that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

We say together the prayer of Spiritual Reception:Come Lord Jesus, dwell in me and send your Holy Spirit that I may be filled with your presence. As the hem of your garment, touched in faith, healed the woman in the gospel, so may I be healed. Although I cannot receive you in the sacrament I can, through this offering of my prayer, receive you in my heart; grant this for Christ’s sake. Amen.

The priest prays the post communion prayer: Eternal God, giver of love and power, your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world to preach the gospel of his kingdom: confirm us in this mission, and help us to live the good news we proclaim; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Then we say together:Father of all,we give you thanks and praise,that when we were still far offyou met us in your Son and brought us home.Dying and living, he declared your love,gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life;we who drink his cup bring life to others;we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,so we and all your children shall be free,and the whole earth live to praise your name;through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing after which the minister says: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.In the name of Christ. Amen

A hymn is played

The Lord ascendeth up on high,Loud anthems round him swelling;The Lord hath triumphed gloriously,In power and might excelling:Hell and the grave are captive led;Lo, he returns, our glorious Head,To his eternal dwelling.

The heavens with joy receive their Lord;O day of exultation!By saints, by angel-hosts adored

For his so great salvation:O earth, adore thy glorious King,His rising, his ascension singWith grateful adoration.

By saints in earth and saints in heaven,With songs for ever blended,All praise to Christ our King be given,Who hath to heaven ascended:To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,The God of heaven's resplendent host,In bright array extended.

NoticesAs lock down eases - the “next” normal: VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDWhen the church is allowed to open for private prayer we are envisaging the need for a large number of volunteers to help staff the building (to keep it safe and offer a warm welcome to any visitors). We don’t know when this will be yet but wanted to ask you to do 2 things: think about whether you might be able to give us some time to help with this yourself and spread the word to friends and neighbours to ask them if they might be able to do so also.

Location for our servicesPlease do let Jonathan know if you have strong views about where our services should continue from.

Christian Aid fund-raising in Kingston in May: Walk for a Whole WorldJonathan and his five other Kingston clergy colleagues are doing well on the challenge they have been set to, collectively, walk 1.8million steps in May. This past week will have seen 1.5million steps completed! They are asking all of us (and those whom we can reach) to donate to Christian Aid to help disadvan-taged communities across the world protect themselves from the virus. Our fundraising has also been going well, and the generosity of our donors has impelled us to raise our sights to try to collect even more. Thank you, if you have already donated; if not, there is still a chance to do so through our JustGiv-ing page (www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kingston-caw2020). Please continue

to share our page Facebook.com/WalkforaWholeWorld with your friends on so-cial media. Both these links can keep you updated on our campaign. Or use the text in the attached file as the basis for a personal email to friends or a message to your local WhatsApp group. Please display our poster (attached) where you can. We are now (Wednesday) three-quarters of the way towards our up-graded Kingston target of £15,000.If you normally give cash or a cheque (payable to Christian Aid) at this time of year, you may want to continue doing so, as it avoids the small charge which JustGiving makes on all transactions. To Gift Aid your donation, please print out the Gift Aid form attached, complete it and include it with your cash or cheque. You can pop your envelope through the letterbox at the All Saints Office, at one of the addresses listed below, or put it in the regular post. (Money would best be taken to one of the addresses below.) If you like, put a note in to say who it is from. The following addresses can accept donations:

Rev Jonathan Wilkes15 Woodbines AvenueKingston upon Thames KT1 2AZ 

Keith Long6 Chestnut AvenueKingston upon Thames KT2 5AP 

Ian Williamson12 Norbiton AvenueKingston upon Thames KT1 3QS

Thank you.

Workshop meet up with Quiz!!Today at 11am. Just email Jonathan (jonathan@allsaintskingston.co.uk) if you’d like to join in.

A new DONATE function on our websiteWe have the facility now to give directly to All Saints via our website. Just visit the Home page and press the DONATE button which will also allow you to Gift Aid you donation. For those not giving directly by standing order and would like

to start, or anyone wishing to make a direct donation in place of the collection plate, our bank details are:Account Name: All Saints Church FundSort Code: 40-26-12Account Number: 80100447and if you’d like us to claim gift aid on these regular donations please let  Alas-tair Deller, our Treasurer, know at treasurer@allsaintskingston.co.uk.

Midweek Holy Communion - Wednesday at 12 noonContinue on our Youtube channel.

Food and help for those in needWimbledon football club are collecting food from supermarkets to make up boxes of supplies for those in need, as well as offering help collecting prescriptions etc. If you know of anyone who might be in need of this they can be contacted on: Phone: 020 3301 4511 (9am-6pm) or email DLA@afcwimbledonfoundation.org.uk or Twitter @Donslocalaction or Instagram: @donslocalactiongroup

Come for coffee!!Let’s not let a bit of social distancing get in the way of a good coffee morning so we’re having at least one a week virtually on Zoom (video conferencing). If you have a computer with a camera attached or integrated (or a Kindle Fire) then it should be possible. Email jennifer.pearce2010@gmail.com if you’d like to be part of it.

Film clubMeeting by zoom to compare notes on the first film - Ivan’s Childhood

Di- rected by Andrei Tarkovsky 1962 - on

Wednes-day 10 June at 7pm. All

Tarkovsky’s films are available online from different vendors and on DVD and Blu-ray. Con-tact Jeremy (jeremyjeffreys@blueyonder.co.uk) if you’d like to join in.