THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + December 30, 2020
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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A special thanks to all who 'showed up' for Christmas masses, to all who shared in leading worship (including Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer), to those who contributed to Christmas flowers and the small crew that beautifully adorned the altar and creche, to our Organist, Choirmaster and choir members, to our acolytes, thurifers, lectors, intercessors and sacristan, to our assisting clergy, to those who kept vigil in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Christmas Eve, to our verger and her technical assistant, to coffee hour hosts and raconteurs, and to any and all others, unnamed here, whose gifts, intentions, faith and/or sense of humor contributed to meaningful and beautiful (even if not in-person) Christmas worship and fellowship.
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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.
(See the Rector's message below.)
Image: Aus den Tauern, color woodcut, Josef Stoitzner, c. 1915
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Sunday, January 3
The Second Sunday after Christmas Day
9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. - Live-Streamed Mass with carol(s), organ, and choir motet
11:05 a.m. - Virtual Coffee Hour
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Masses, Daily Offices & Fellowship remain online/virtual only, until further notice. Connection information and links are below.
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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Butter, Sugar and a Tablespoon of Grief
“The holidays are a time of grief for many people, when losses bubble up and balk at the meager attempts we make at cheer. I’ve never gotten it before. In this, the year of no gathering, those who are long lost or suddenly missing seem to have shown up early.” Jenn Shapland, New York Times
Dear people of Ascension,
Both the title of this message and the quote above are borrowed from a New York Times Christmas Day feature. The quote includes one of the article’s most emblematic lines: “I’ve never gotten it before.”
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What Jenn Shapland had never gotten before this year is the dividing line that forms during the holidays between the jolly and the melancholy. The line is often invisible because, for myriad reasons, the melancholy ‒ as well as the grieving, the depressed and the lonely ‒ often play along or go into hiding. Jenn Shapland explains that she got it this year largely due to the pandemic. Whether stricken or untouched by the coronavirus itself, few have been spared adverse impacts, whether physical, mental, emotional, financial, social or spiritual.
In this context I’ve grieved and felt helpless about the suspension of our usual Saturday morning mass for healing. The congregation is rarely large, but I and others are regularly blessed by the purer intentions, the serene atmosphere and the gift of praying, with more time and focus, for personal concerns.
When I first envisioned the mass to be offered this evening, it was with particular concern for those who, during the holidays, are more inclined to climb the walls (or slump in a dark corner) than deck the halls. The tone and substance of the service will, however, mainly rely on the familiar order of worship from our healing mass. We will offer all that can reasonably be offered virtually.
Pending a show of interest by those who take part this evening ‒ whether jolly or melancholy ‒ we may want to reestablish a more frequent healing mass, perhaps at least monthly. I’ll be grateful for your responses, by phone or email, or by your lingering for a conversation with me following the mass tonight.
Fr. Patrick Raymond, Rector
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2020 Annual Meeting set for January 31, details to follow
Our annual meeting will no doubt be virtual this year. More information will be provided as decisions about time and venue are made and connections known in weeks to come. Meanwhile ... If you wish to submit a 2020 year-in-review for a particular ministry, please send it to Br. Nathanael Rahm in the parish office by Friday, January 15. In case you're curious, the year in the headline above is correct. We hold the annual meeting in January, in large part to review the ministries and financial health of the parish for the prior year.
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Deacon George Arceneaux's first Dalmatic! Not sure if the photo is from Christmas Eve or Christmas Day -- it's all a blur now.
Yes, we will continue to use the high altar throughout the 12 Days of Christmas and for the Feast of Epiphany, speaking of which ...
Yes, we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, a solemn mass (pending arrangements for incense) with choral/solo music, chanted Propers and organ. Wednesday, January 6, 6:30 p.m., preceded by Evening Prayer at 6:00 p.m.
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Christmas Poinsettia Contributions
Anonymous gifts
In thanksgiving for the blessings of family and friends by Jay and Cheryl Peterson
In memory of my parents by Jim Lenz
In memory of Robert White, Louise Kellogg White, Joseph R. DuciBella, The Rev. Gary P. Fertig, The Rev. Kurt Olson, The Rev. James H. Dunkerley by David White and John West
In thanksgiving for our family members living still and in memory of those in heaven by Ted and LaVerne Saunders
In memory of Helen M. & James L. Cook, Jr., Constance C. & Roger Wilder by Judith Cook
In memory of Kathy Rzany, Marianne Boe, Stephen, Bernard & Mary Schram, and Thaddeus & Cecelia Kowalski by Timothy and Mary Jane Kowalski
In memory of Mary Lou Devens, Maria Devens by Robert Devens
In thanksgiving for Eliot, Owen and Grace, and for the people of Church of the Ascension by Father Patrick and Mrs. Brooke Raymond
In memory of Leroy & Argusta Woods, Doris & Curly, Louise & Teresa, Nelson & Babby, James & Rabert, my parents and siblings by Ruby Woods
In memory of Susanne Poilevey, Jean-Claude Poilevey, Laurie Harris by Henri Poilevey
In thanksgiving by Father Robert Petite
In memory of C. Jeriel Howard, Boley & Frances Tracz by Richard Francis Tracz
In honor of the parish geek squad by Edward Minieka
In memory of Harry and Lucille Berger; John Mulcare; Charles and Marian Oldham; Mother Mary Margaret,OSA, and Sr. Barbara, OSA; and Robina Johnson by James Berger
In memory of M. E. and Anna Mae Drury; Jane Drury; John Mulcare; Bishop James W. Montgomery; Rev. Edwin A. Norris, Jr.; Rev. James Dunkerley; Donald Schmidt; and Professor William Porter by James Drury
In memory of Everett Weber, Lena Weber by Elizabeth Weber
In thanksgiving for and in memory of The Rev. John Henry and Mrs. Gertrude FitzGerald by Braham Bassford
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Organ Repertoire for Sunday, Jan. 3
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ORGAN
Fantasia on Greensleeves [1934]
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
At the Offertory
Hymn 105 GOD REST YOU, MERRY
ORGAN
Carillon du Château de Longpont [1913]
Louis-Jules Vierne (1870-1937)
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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, 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, Paula Budzban
Birthdays:
Ned Hedley, 12/27; Fletcher Glen Hedley, 12/31
In thanksgiving:
For the election of The Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark as the XIII Bishop of Chicago
Requiescat in pace:
Stacey Elizabeth High, 12/31/2001
Meri Hirata, 1/2/2000
Audrey Upmeyer, sister of Jim Lenz, 12/22/2020
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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The mention of melancholy in my message today brought to mind the beautiful and meaningful though melancholy text (and tune, in my hearing of it) of Hymn #112 from our Hymnal 1982. The 'snow on snow, snow on snow' line from the first verse also connects as we experience our first genuine snows of this winter.
- Fr. Raymond
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In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God incarnate, Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a wise man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him--give my heart.
Image: Winter Woods I, Laura Wilder
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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