Ascension Day

for 1 hour
St Mary the Virgin
Church Street Gamlingay Sandy, SG19 3JJ, United Kingdom

Ascension Celebration Readings & Prayers Ascension 13th May 2021
Ascension Day - Thursday 13th May
Opening Hymn ‘Alleluia, sing to Jesus’
Collects
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
or
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.
First Reading Acts 1.1-11
In the first book,Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After 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. 4While 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; 5for John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’
6 So when they had come together, they asked him,‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7He replied,‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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.’ 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They 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.’
Psalm 47
1 Clap your hands together, all you peoples; • O sing to God with shouts of joy. 2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared; •
he is the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued the peoples under us • and the nations under our feet.
4 He has chosen our heritage for us, • the pride of Jacob, whom he loves.
5 God has gone up with a merry noise, • the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
6 O sing praises to God, sing praises; • sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; • sing praises with all your skill.
8 God reigns over the nations; • God has taken his seat upon his holy throne. 9 The nobles of the peoples are gathered together • with the people of the God of Abraham. 10 For the powers of the earth belong to God • and he is very highly exalted.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever. Amen

Second Reading Ephesians 1.15-end
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this
reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I 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, 18so 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, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God 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, 21far 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. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Gospel (Gradual) Hymn ‘Rejoice the Lord is King’
Gospel Reading Luke 24.44-end
44 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.’ 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them,‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And 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.’
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Offertory Hymn ‘Praise my soul the King of Heaven’
Music at Communion
Post Communion Prayer
God our Father, you have raised our humanity in Christ and have fed us with the bread of heaven: mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings, we may set our hearts in the heavenly places; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Closing Hymn ‘To God be the Glory’
Reflection
Ascension marks a step change in relationship with Jesus for the first disciples, paving the way for spiritual connection with God’s power at work in the world - the Holy Spirit.We live in the in- between time, where the Kingdom of God is both ‘now’ and ‘not yet’ - the Spirit of God is so much needed among us, let us pray with Christians around the world ‘Thy/Your Kingdom Come’ with special immediacy in these days between Ascension and Pentecost. ‘Come Holy Spirit, you are welcome here’ is a dangerous, powerful, beautiful prayer, let us dare to mean it, with all the uncertainty as well as the comfort that may result.Amen!

View attachment

St Mary the Virgin

St. Mary the Virgin church building is open daily from 10:00a.m. until 5:00p.m. for private prayer, contemplation or to look around this beautiful old building. Please see the Weekly Newsletter under News and Events for details of services and any changes to these opening times.


The parish of Gamlingay with Hatley St. George and East Hatley safeguarding statement.

"The Parish is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Ely’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services."

gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image gallery image

Get in touch

Rev Hilary Young

The Rectory
Stocks Lane
Gamlingay
Sandy

SG19 3JP
Rector
01767650587
Nick Ingles - Treasurer
07828934003
What's on

Ascension Day

for 1 hour
St Mary the Virgin
Church Street Gamlingay Sandy, SG19 3JJ, United Kingdom

Ascension Celebration Readings & Prayers Ascension 13th May 2021
Ascension Day - Thursday 13th May
Opening Hymn ‘Alleluia, sing to Jesus’
Collects
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
or
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.
First Reading Acts 1.1-11
In the first book,Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After 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. 4While 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; 5for John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’
6 So when they had come together, they asked him,‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7He replied,‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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.’ 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up towards heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They 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.’
Psalm 47
1 Clap your hands together, all you peoples; • O sing to God with shouts of joy. 2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared; •
he is the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued the peoples under us • and the nations under our feet.
4 He has chosen our heritage for us, • the pride of Jacob, whom he loves.
5 God has gone up with a merry noise, • the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
6 O sing praises to God, sing praises; • sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth; • sing praises with all your skill.
8 God reigns over the nations; • God has taken his seat upon his holy throne. 9 The nobles of the peoples are gathered together • with the people of the God of Abraham. 10 For the powers of the earth belong to God • and he is very highly exalted.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit As it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever. Amen

Second Reading Ephesians 1.15-end
15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this
reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I 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, 18so 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, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God 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, 21far 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. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Gospel (Gradual) Hymn ‘Rejoice the Lord is King’
Gospel Reading Luke 24.44-end
44 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.’ 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them,‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And 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.’
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Offertory Hymn ‘Praise my soul the King of Heaven’
Music at Communion
Post Communion Prayer
God our Father, you have raised our humanity in Christ and have fed us with the bread of heaven: mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings, we may set our hearts in the heavenly places; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Closing Hymn ‘To God be the Glory’
Reflection
Ascension marks a step change in relationship with Jesus for the first disciples, paving the way for spiritual connection with God’s power at work in the world - the Holy Spirit.We live in the in- between time, where the Kingdom of God is both ‘now’ and ‘not yet’ - the Spirit of God is so much needed among us, let us pray with Christians around the world ‘Thy/Your Kingdom Come’ with special immediacy in these days between Ascension and Pentecost. ‘Come Holy Spirit, you are welcome here’ is a dangerous, powerful, beautiful prayer, let us dare to mean it, with all the uncertainty as well as the comfort that may result.Amen!

View attachment

Safeguarding

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 12/02/2024

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:

• Promoting a safer environment and culture.

• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.

• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.

• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

• Create a safe and caring place for all.

• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.

• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.

• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.

• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.

• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.

• Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

• Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.

• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or if necessary report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.

Parish Safeguarding Officer for Gamlingay and Hatley PCC (PSO)

Sandra Macrow tel. 07958 710703 E-mail [email protected]

or Rev. Hilary, Young, tel. 01767 650587, E-mail: [email protected]

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA)

Rebecca Boswell, tel. 01353652747, E-mail: [email protected]

Local Authority Services - Children 03450 455203, Adults - 03450 455202, Children and Adults out of hours 01733 234724

Other Helplines:

NSPCC 0808 800 5000: Childline 0800 1111: NAPAC 0808 801 0331: Samaritans 116 123 : Family Lives 0808 800 2222: National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247: Action On Elder Abuse 080 8808 8141: NSPCC 0808 800 5000: Stop It Now 0808 1000 900

Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger of significant or serious harm.

Full details of the Church of England's safeguarding policy statement can be found in "Promoting a safer church" available upon request from the PSO, Priest in charge or DSA.



________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________