THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + December 16, 2020 |
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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For those still unaware ... the Rev. Canon Paula Clark was elected XIII Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago on the fourth ballot at a special electing convention this past Saturday. An introduction to Bishop-elect Clark and a summary of the electing convention proceedings may be found on a page of the Diocese of Chicago website here.
Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our bishops, and other clergy, and upon the congregations committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace: and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen. Book of Common Prayer, p. 817
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This evening,
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Advent Feria
Evening Prayer - 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass: - 6:30 p.m.
Image: John the Baptist in prison
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Sunday, December 20
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday Morning Schedule
with links for virtual worship
Virtual Worship & Fellowship
9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. - Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. - Virtual Coffee Hour
ALL VIA ZOOM
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Image: detail from the 1925 Annunciation window at Church of the Ascension. |
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O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, p. 257
Dear people of Ascension,
Our mass last Wednesday commemorated the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And Mary is always featured in the appointed Gospel passages for the upcoming Fourth Sunday of Advent. Some related and timely information and reflections may be worth sharing with you here.
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Anne is the name traditionally ascribed to the mother of Mary. The Order of St. Anne, here at Ascension since 1925, is named for her. Mother Judith Marie, OSA, annually circulates a Christmas Letter. This year, she’s asked me to share it with you here in the parish newsletter. Meaningfully recalling the August 2020 death of Sr. Barbara Louise, OSA, Mother notes the questions that arise now that she alone remains. Please join me in prayers for wisdom and clarity ‒ for Mother Judith Marie and for all others who support and take part in the Order of St. Anne.
Meanwhile, Julie Kimani, a faithful soul and several-year resident of the Convent of St. Anne, recently shared with me a meaningful seasonal reflection that begins with childhood memories in Kenya. Julie welcomed me to share it with you, as I’ve done in today’s Last Word. I do hope you’ll read it.
I also recently heard from parishioner and former Warden Chris Raymond. He responded to an errant remark I’d made at the start of the mass last Wednesday, suggesting that few Anglican liturgical calendars commemorate the Conception of Mary. Chris set me straight, graciously and interestingly so, and he's welcomed me to share the fruits of his detailed investigation, which you may read here.
Moving from the arm’s length to the personal, may I wonder about your familial origins, traditions and questions? By whatever promptings these may arise for you in this season, as they do for so many of us, I pray you may seek and find deeper faith, peace and gratitude.
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“Sister Barbara Louise was looking forward to attend the Church of the Ascension when it would reopen; but to her great surprise she entered into the Church Triumphant before the Church reopened here on earth. This will be the first Advent and Christmas without her presence in the convent in the nearly forty-five years since she dedicated her life to Christ.”
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“At this junction, as only one Sister is left at the Convent of St. Anne here in Chicago, people may have questions about the future of the convent. The answer is, ‘I do not know; but the one thing that is certain is that the Lord God knows.’"
From Mother Judith Marie’s 2020 Christmas Letter
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Masses, Daily Offices & Fellowship remain online/virtual only, until further notice.
Thank you for keeping up-to-date with changes that may arise and that will be shared through our parish newsletter and website.
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Christmas Masses & Music
Christmas Eve, December 24
3:30 p.m. Musical offering, including
carols, vocal solos and organ.
4:00 p.m. Mass with carols, organ, and
choir motet.
5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. The Sacrament will be exposed and, with the crèche, will be available for devotional viewing via Facebook Live and/or YouTube (pending technology arrangements).
10:00 p.m. Compline
Christmas Day, December 25
9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Mass with carols, organ,
choir motet, schola
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
Sunday, December 27, Christmas I
Sunday, January 3, Christmas II
9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Mass with carol(s), organ, and
choir motet.
11:05 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
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Wednesday, December 30
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
6:30 p.m. Praying in the Wilderness: A Mass for Healing.
Biddings, Scriptures, poetry and prayers in the Liturgy of the Word for this mass are selected to acknowledge and edify the grieving, the discouraged and those for whom, for whatever reason, the ‘holiday season’ may be difficult.
Plans for Holy Name Day, January 1, and the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, will be shared in the newsletter and on our website when available.
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My Rector's Advent-Christmas letter was mailed to all on our Ascension mailing list last Thursday and may also be viewed here.
A seasonal booklet with the Advent 'O Antiphons,' accompanying poetry and an additional greeting was included with my letter. The booklet may be viewed here.
Yes! Of course you can donate to our Advent greening and Christmas flowers! Just click here to do so online at our website.
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The 2021 Ascension
Churchman's Ordo Kalendar has arrived!
It includes dates of Major Feasts, commemorations from the Episcopal Church's 2018 Lesser Feasts and Fasts and other commemorations common to Anglo-Catholic parishes. (YES! The December 8 Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is included!)
We'd love to mail you your own copy for $8.00, to cover the cost of printing and postage.
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The December meeting of the Vestry will be held via Zoom tomorrow evening, Thursday, December 17, beginning at 7:00 p.m. All meetings of the Vestry are open to all. The agenda may be viewed here.
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Organ Repertoire for Sunday, Dec. 20 |
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ORGAN
Versets pour la Sainte Vierge
Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
I. The King sitteth at his Table
X. My Soul doth Magnify the Lord
Hymn at the Offertory
265 GABRIEL'S MESSAGE
ORGAN
Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
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Choir of the Ascension:
Now on Soundcloud!
Please visit our Ascension SoundCloud! There you will find recordings made by our choir, including one motet for every Sunday and all three choral works included in our Advent Lessons & Carols service. We hope that these offerings minister to you during this time of the choir’s—and currently the parishioners’—physical absence from the church.
Benjamin Rivera, Choirmaster
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Reminder: All In-Person Worship and Gatherings at Ascension (and at all parishes in the Diocese of Chicago) were suspended again as of Monday, November 16.
Our Interim Sunday and Weekday Worship Schedule and Connections are as follows:
All masses live-streamed from the church.
Sundays
9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer—Zoom
11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour—Zoom
Weekday Mass: Wednesday Evenings
Daily Offices continue as before:
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday—Zoom
Special/Upcoming
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
Feast of Epiphany, January 6
More information will be provided as these dates and opportunities near.
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Other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, visits to Ascension are presently to be avoided. Any (other) visit should be arranged in advance with Br. Nathanael Rahm. Thank you for your understanding. |
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Due to COVID-19, Church of the Ascension’s Treasurer and Bookkeeper are limiting the amount of time they spend working in the parish offices. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 4-6 weeks. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org.
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Ascension Connections
Below
(with your click and God's help)
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Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
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Weekly Ascension Schedule
For connections:
except for Morning Prayer,
SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
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Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ... |
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Please give generously as you are able.
Treasurer Susan Schlough has asked me to remind you of Ascension's ongoing expenses at this time. To the extent that you are able, payment on your pledges or the offering of Holy Day or other special gifts will be greatly appreciated. You may still write a check and mail it to the church, or online payment is possible through the buttons at various places on our website. Thank you!
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For our prayers: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Dean Pineda, Charlene MacDougal, Marty Stenson, David Byerly, Bonnie Joseph, Catriana Patriarca, Robert Devens, Richard Laibly, Nicholas Carl, Sara, the Howard family, John, Owen Raymond, Diane Burnett, Sandra, Rhea, Doreen Rao, Steven Wallis, Fr. Lawrence Larson, Michael, Donna, Sarah Ponder, Cheryl, Emily
In thanksgiving:
For the election of The Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark as the XIII Bishop of Chicago
Birthdays and an Anniversary:
Florence Clanton Jones, 12/13; Susan Schlough, 12/14; Alban Mark Galliher, 12/15
Fr. Gary Lawler, Anniversary of Priesthood, 12/17/1989
Requiescat in pace:
James Ronald Clark, 12/18/1988
Erik C. Muñoz, 12/18/2007
Irene Thompson Malick 12/19/2011
Tom Piwko, husband of Anna Marie. Tom died of COVID-19 in Dallas, TX 12/5/2020
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them;
May their souls and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
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Julie Kimani, for several years a resident of the St. Anne's Convent, takes part from time to time in masses and other Ascension parish gatherings. She helped with hospitality, for instance, at our January 2020 annual meeting, as the photo here shows. Julie recently shared with me the personal seasonal reflection below. I'm grateful that she's welcomed me to share it with you.
- Fr. Raymond
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Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another." - John 13:32 (New International Version)
Advent is a season that is all about hope. A season of love, light, laughter, giving, receiving, joy, the list is endless. I remember as a child in Kenya, when it was March, I could not wait until December came. The festivities, the family gatherings, the lavish feasts (with a main dish of grilled goat) and the Christmas cake… oh that Christmas cake! Cakes differ and I am going to tell you about mine. It was a rum, brown sugar and dried fruit-soaked cake topped with royal icing, what a treat!
For many this is the most important season of the year. Our Savior is born, it is through him that we are and will be forever living. Advent is about the eternal love of our Father and as Christians that means some serious business. Quenching the fire of hatred with unconditional love is what this is all about. God loves us unconditionally and forgives unconditionally and we are reminded at this time to do the same. Love your enemies as well, not that is not an easy thing to do, but remember this is a command from God and not a request. Love is big, it is so big it has the power to alleviate all suffering. So this Christmas, walk the talk, the talk of love.
Prayer: Lord, in everything we do guide us. Our trust is in you. Amen.
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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