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May 14, 2026
See TodayAscension Day
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Acts 1:1–11 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 47 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Epistle
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Eph. 1:15–23 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Luke 24:44–53 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Ascension Day
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Ascended Lord Jesus Is with Us Always in His Church on Earth
After He rose from the dead, the Lord Jesus presented Himself alive to the apostles, “appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). When He ascended to the right hand of the Father, He did not orphan His Church, but He fills all things in heaven and on earth and gives gifts to His disciples. Even now, through His Church, He continues “to do and teach” (Acts 1:1), preaching “repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 24:47) even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Though the cloud hid Jesus from the sight of His disciples then, and He remains hidden from sight even now, He remains with His people through His Gospel and Sacraments. He comes to us by the Word of His apostles, by the promise of His Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit, whom He pours out upon “the church, which is his body” (Eph. 1:22–23). In this holy Christian Church, we bless God and worship Christ with joy, for in His Church He blesses us with forgiveness, lifts us up in His hands and seats us with Himself “in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:20).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for May 14, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God, King over all the earth, reigning over the nations from on Your holy throne: Graciously receive our prayers and praises. Subdue the devil, the world and our sinful flesh under the feet of Your people, that we may share in the victory Christ has won for us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You have put all things under Jesus’ feet and given Him as head to the Church. Have mercy on the congregations where You gather Your people. Give pastors wisdom and insight to hold fast to the message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Open the ears of all who hear, that we may rejoice to be Christ’s Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Father of glory, You raised Your only begotten Son from the dead and established Him at Your right hand so that we might be part of Your household forever. Bless our homes as we await our day of resurrection. Be the companion and consolation of those who live in solitude. Strengthen husbands and wives, that their love would exemplify the love between Christ and His Church. Bless parents and children as they gather around Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You have raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. Guide all such authorities on earth, that they may govern wisely, operate with integrity and maintain peace after Your good pleasure. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, give patience and endurance to all who are sick or in any need, [especially _____________,] and heal them according to Your will. Give comfort and hope to all who mourn [especially _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord of hosts, You have instituted and given Your Sacrament for the faithful to receive the very body and blood of Your Son for their forgiveness, life and salvation. Grant us all pure hearts to receive this gift worthily. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for May 14, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For release and preservation, that He who reigns over the nations would subdue all spiritual enemies under our feet, giving us a share in the victory Christ has won for us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the Church, over which Christ is head, that God would give pastors wisdom to hold fast to the message of repentance and the forgiveness of sins; and that He would open the ears of all who hear to rejoice in the fullness of Him who fills all in all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For our homes, that the God who established Jesus at His right hand would give Him as companion and consolation for those who live alone, strengthen the love of husbands and wives, and bless parents and children as they gather around His Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the rulers, authorities, powers and dominions of this world, that mindful of Christ who reigns far above them, they might govern with wisdom and integrity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and everyone in any kind of need [especially _____________]; for patience and healing according to God’s will; and for those who mourn, [especially _____________,] let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pure hearts that worthily receive the body and blood of Christ for our forgiveness, life and salvation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
O Lord, heavenly Father, we gratefully remember the sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Rejoicing in His victorious resurrection from the dead, we draw strength from His ascension before You, where He ever stands for us as our own High Priest. Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — Series A 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 491 Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for The Ascension of Our Lord (One-Year) and Ascension Day (Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 494 See, the Lord Ascends in Triumph
- Distribution LSB 492 On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build
- Distribution LSB 532 The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns
- Closing LSB 493 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.