Not to abandon us, but to be our hope

 Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give You thanks.

Today the Lord Jesus, the King of glory,
the Conqueror of sin and death,
ascended to heaven while the angels sang His praises.

Christ, the Mediator between God and man,
Judge of the world, and Lord of all,
has passed beyond our sight,
not to abandon us but to be our hope.
Christ is the beginning, the head of the Church;
Where He has gone, we hope to follow.

The joy of the resurrection and ascension renews the whole world,
while the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...