Children’s liturgy – The Ascension of the Lord – Sunday 17 May 2015
Preparing the worship space
Colour: White
Song suggestions: Majesty, worship his Majesty, (477, Celebration Hymnal for Everyone)
Thine be the glory (728, Celebration Hymnal for Everyone)
Welcome: Today we hear how Jesus told his disciples to go out into the world sharing the good news. Then Jesus was taken to heaven to be with God. We are also called to share the good news of Jesus, let’s think a bit about how we can do that today.
Opening prayer: Christ Jesus, you sent out your disciples to spread your word. Encourage us also to go out and share your good news with others through our words and our actions. Amen.
First reading (optional): Acts 1:1-11
Psalm: Ps 46:2-3, 6-9 r. 6
Gospel acclamation: Everyone stands and sings the acclamation together. Suggestions include: ‘Halle, halle, halle’ (Caribbean) from ‘Sing With the World’, Alison Adam & John Bell; ‘Alleluia’ (Zimbabwe), Abraham Maraire Publications, WCC & GIA; ‘Celtic Alleluia’ (traditional); ‘Alleluia! Raise the Gospel’ from ‘Go Before Us’, Bernadette Farrell, OCP Publications.
Gospel: Mark 16:15-20
Gospel reflection: What do you remember from the reading you heard today?
Jesus told his disciples to go and show everyone that they believe in him and tell the good news to everybody in the world. What do you think this good news is?
Jesus’ good news is that although he died on the cross, he is risen again. He is the Son of God and he want us all to love one another as he loves us.
We all like to hear good news. What was the last thing you heard that made you happy? Why did it make you happy?
How do you feel when you get to tell your family and friends good news that you know will make them happy?
Jesus was then taken to heaven to sit at God’s right hand. Although it was sad for his followers that Jesus wasn’t with them anymore, they knew he was still looking after them. Even though they could no longer see him, Jesus was still with his disciples. Jesus was now working through his disciples, as they carried out his good work.
And Jesus is still with us too. How do you think that we can show that Jesus is still with us?
Ngoun Phalla lives in Cambodia. She has had some very sad and difficult times in her life. Yet despite this, Phalla still lives to help other people.
“Help starts with love,” she told us, “it’s as simple as that.” Now Phalla, helped by CAFOD, looks after children whose parents have died and who have nowhere else to go.
Phalla has five children living with her at the moment; and she wants to be able to give them a good start to life.
Phalla is spreading good news through her actions and care for others. She provides a safe and caring home for children who have nobody else to look after them.
We can also spread good news by always treating others with love and respect. And we can try to make the world a better and fairer place for all people to live in.
How will you spread the good news of Jesus and show others that he is still with us over the coming week?
Intercessions : You may want to ask the children to offer their own prayers or you can use the suggestions below.
We know that Jesus is still with us in all that we do. Let us think about this as we pray…..
We pray for the Church throughout the world: that it may continue to be good news to people who are poor throughout the world. Lord, hear us…
We pray for the work of CAFOD: that it may continue to work among those who are poor, bringing hope for a future free from poverty. Lord, hear us…
We pray for our friends, family and parish: that we may be inspired to respect and care for others in our world. Lord, hear us….
Closing prayer: God of light and life, we know that your Son Jesus is with us always. May we show your love and care for others in all that we do so that we may spread your good news. Amen.
Activity suggestions:
Ask the children to colour in the accompanying illustration. Ask them to write or draw on the back how they will respect and care for others in the coming week, so that all people will know that Jesus is still with us.
Ask the children to go home and share all that they have heard and thought about today. Ask them to do one thing over the coming week to be the good news that Jesus wants us to be.