This Week at Ascension + August 31, 2022

"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96

Wednesday, August 31

Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, 651


Evening Prayer at 6:00 p.m. via ZOOM


In-person and Live-streamed Said Mass at 6:30 p.m.

Unction will be offered for those who desire it.


VIA YOUTUBE or FACEBOOK LIVE


Sunday, September 4, 2022

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Proper 18C


8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer via ZOOM


9:00 a.m. In-person Sung Mass

with Organ and Hymns


11:00 a.m. In-person & Live-streamed

Solemn High Mass


Click to join us VIA YOUTUBE or VIA FACEBOOK LIVE


The 11 a.m. Order of Worship may be found here.


Image: Orthodox Icon, Saints following in the wake of the Cross...

"Let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

From the Interim Rector

Wednesday Commemorations


Recently, I was asked how we decide who to commemorate at Wednesday evening mass. I thought I’d share the answer with everyone.


The short answer is, “We follow the calendar.”


In the BCP, we have a section that begins on page fifteen called “The Calendar of the Church Year”. There are paragraphs that delineate the Principal Feasts, Sundays, Holy Days, and Days of Special Devotion. Beginning on page nineteen, there is a page for each month of the year. The Major Feasts are listed in boldface type, the Lesser Feasts in normal type. What you’ll find there for lesser feasts is the calendar as it existed in 1979. Since then, alterations have been made to the calendar by the General Convention. I don’t know when the first edition of Lesser Feasts and Fasts was published. I do know that, until the 2022 General Convention, the “official” edition was dated 2006. We now have an official calendar that will be documented in Lesser Feasts and Fasts - 2022


The calendar hasn’t really been static since then. There are other Lesser Feasts and Fasts editions, as well as a couple of other collections: A Great Cloud of Witnesses, and Holy Women, Holy Men. None of these ever rose to the level of adoption by the General Convention. There are a whole bunch of reasons why it never happened that I won’t go into here. It’s been a long time coming and I’m excited to be able to use it.

So, on any given Wednesday, there may or may not be anyone on the calendar. In that case it is a “feria”, and we’ll typically use the lessons from Sunday, a daily mass, or move the feast from a preceding day of the week.


The “why” question didn’t get asked, but I’ll answer anyway. Besides being exposed to some of the history of the Church, I think we can learn from these saints' lives and experiences to form and inform our lives. Whether the saint is from the first century or the twentieth century, there is much they can teach us about righteousness and service to Our Lord.


—Fr. Heard

Fall Programs at Ascension


While the parish has been experiencing its typical summer down time, I’ve been busy planning for our fall together. As I begin to embark on my second year with you all (hard to believe!), I’ve been focusing on providing monthly opportunities for spiritual formation and for Christian education each month during our program year as well as chances for fellowship and fun. I’m delighted to share with you all what we have planned for September:


Church music of the Elizabethan Era to the Commonwealth with David Schrader

Tuesdays, Sept. 6, 13, 10

on ZOOM at 7 p.m.

  • September 6thWe’ll explore the pre-Reformation rite before the Henrician reforms of the 1530's and 1540's. We’ll examine the works of Thomas Tallis whose remarkable career lasted through four monarchs. What was the role of music in the church during the pre-Henrician times? How did it differ from music for the court of Edward VI? Why did the music of John Merbeck change so radically during the reign of Edward VI?
  • September 13th—Music during the reign of Elizabeth I (1559-1603) The Act of Uniformity produced an uneasy but stable peace. We’ll focus on William Byrd as he composed music for both the Latin and English rite. We'll hear keyboard music from the period, especially from a collection of pieces compiled by an English recusant Catholic, Francis Tregian. We'll also explore the music of Orlando Gibbons, who died the same year as James I (1625).
  • September 20th—The last session will focus on the gradual erosion of the reign of Charles I (1625-1649), his tastes, and the complete dissolution of the Anglican Church and its music under the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, and then the restoration of 1661, when Anglican worship was restored. We'll discuss the music and esthetic of Charles II and the musicians who served him, including Pelham Humphrey, and Henry Purcell.


Bible Study

Fridays beginning Sept 9

On Zoom at 10 a.m.

In September we will study the Book of Revelation in collaboration with a group from St. Chrysostom’s.


Life of the Beloved Half-Day Retreat

Saturday, September 24

8 a.m. to noon

Inspired by Henri Nouwen’s important text, we’ll reflect on how we are each God’s beloved and how to live with this knowledge.


In October, we’ll do pet blessings in honor of St. Francis on Saturday, October 9 and provide hospitality and blessings to runners and spectators of the Chicago Marathon the next morning. We have also been invited by Church of the Atonement to participate in a half-day retreat on Anglo Catholicism currently planned for Saturday, October 15. In November, we’ll spend a few weeks talking about death, and specifically our own and how to prepare ourselves and our loved ones for it both spiritually and practically.


More details will follow on all of the above events and opportunities as we move into fall. I look forward to continuing to grow in faith with you.


Mtr. Murphy-Gill

Consecration of the 13th Bishop of Chicago


17 September 2022 is still a few weeks away, but the consecration of our next Bishop Diocesan is eagerly anticipated. We have a delegation of folks from Church of the Ascension to participate in this important event in the life of our diocese. Led by Mtr. Meghan Murphy-Gill, our list will include: 

  • Sean Hansen
  • Avril Hector
  • Lynette Hector
  • Ken Kelling
  • George Dante Pineda
  • Chris Raymond
  • Dan Stell


Andrew Smith will be waiting in the wings in the event that someone needs to drop out.


Please keep our delegation, our bishop-elect, our diocese, and The Episcopal Church in your prayers.


Delegates to Diocesan Convention


The Vestry will elect delegates to our diocesan convention at it’s September meeting. If you are interested in being considered to serve the parish in this important ministry, please contact one of the Vestry or one of the clergy and make your interest known.


Communion in Both Kinds


For Wednesday evening and red-letter day services, the chalice has been shared with those present. There has been no guidance at a diocesan level for a couple of months and it is reported that there are other parishes that are and have been receiving in both kinds for some time. With Bishop Martins’ encouragement, Fr. Heard elected to make communion in both kinds available to the parish last Sunday.


Following the distinctly Anglican maxim, “All may, some should, none must”, choosing to receive the chalice is an individual decision. Should you choose not to receive, please cross your arms on your chest and remain in place until the minister has offered the words of reception, “The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.” This is the custom for those in recovery, that the chalice has been offered, and they elect not to receive.



If you have questions or concerns, please speak with Fr. Heard.

Ascension Heritage Conversations


The interim and transition work in a parish begins with an exploration of the history and heritage of the institution. We are the culmination of our beginning and the development of the culture that has brought us from that first Sunday of 1857 to who and where we are today. Our beginning was rocky, and beset with difficulties as well as triumphs. Through the years, the events in the life of Ascension have formed us, and at the same time, burdened us with recollections of the difficult times.

Beginning in September, we’ll combine the 9 o’clock coffee hour with a time to talk through what’s happened in the past and think about how it shapes us today. In Saint Michael Hall, with folks from the 11 o’clock, I invite you to come, learn, and share in exploring our history. We’ll start on 4 September with an introduction and overview. We’ll take the 11th off, as I will be out-of-town, and resume on the 18th and 25th. I hope our time together will be a spark for more conversations as we think about who we, as the people of Ascension, are called to be and do for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.


Fr. Heard

The Church of the Ascension has been invited to participate once again in Open House Chicago. This event, Saturday October 15 and Sunday October 16, is sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center. It’s a free festival that offers access to hundreds of sites across Chicago.


In 2019, in our first experience with Open House Chicago, we had 500 visitors. We provided explanatory signs throughout the church, a timeline exhibit in St Michael Hall and pictures from our archives. We also offered cookies. There were several pipe organ demonstrations and the opportunity to listen to a choir rehearsal.


This is an invitation to parishioners who would like to participate in this year’s Open House Chicago at Ascension. Volunteers mainly direct visitors and answer questions. Please contact Cynthia Perrizo at cperrizo@ascensionchicago.org or Jay Jacot at jayjacot@gmail.com if you have questions and/or would like to volunteer.

Prayer Requests

Do you have a need for special prayer in your life? Whether your prayer needs are because you have an upcoming surgery, an ill family member, or you’re just feeling particularly lonely lately, Fr. Heard and Mtr. Murphy-Gill would like to know.

We’ve created a way for letting us know about your requests for prayers in a way we hope makes it easy for you to reach out, though you can always call the church or reach out to one of the priests personally. 

Organ and Choral Repertoire for September 4, 2022

ORGAN

Fantasia BWV 542 [1719/20]

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

 

At the Entrance Procession

10 KEDRON

 

At the Offertory

512 MENDON

 

At the Communion

635 WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT

 

At the Retiring Procession

675 BOURBON

 

ORGAN

Pièce d'Orgue BWV 572 [ca. 1708/12]

Johann Sebastian Bach


Mass setting

Congregational: White/Powell


Offertory Motet

Alessandro Costantini (c. 1581-1657) Confitemini Domino


Communion Motet

Antonio Bergamo (18th century)

Tantum ergo


Gregorian Propers from

Graduale Romanum

 



Between Masses, please don’t forget that The Choir of the Ascension has recorded upwards of 60 tracks that you can listen to anywhere you have an internet connection. They can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/choir-of-the-ascension

Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
Participate in Ascension masses at our YouTube Channel. (Look for other connections options soon.)
Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799

Weekly Ascension Schedule

For connections:
via Zoom (click here)

SUNDAYS
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom
9:00 a.m. In-person Sung Mass
11:00 a.m. In-person and Live-Streamed Solemn High Mass

MONDAY-FRIDAY
7:30 A.M. Morning Prayer via FACEBOOK LIVE
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom

WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Said Mass
THE PARISH PRAYER LIST

For our prayers: Sean Hansen, Burton Nelson, Winslow, Pablo Illás, Victor Fernandez,

LaVerne Saunders, Beth Hall, Sue Lenz, Brenda Martins, Lee Gould, Gertrude Isaac,

Marty Stenson, Paula Clark, Bishop-elect, Bobby Morton, pastor

 

Birthdays: Matt Keller, 8/29; Robert Paul Wallace, 8/31/2011; Daniel Vargas, 8/31/2005;

Eric Magnuson, 9/1; Dennis Wentz, 9/1

 

Requiescat in pace: Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, 8/24/2022; Olga Jonasson, 8/31/2006; Harry William Knitter, 9/1/2011; Nancy Tate Rahm, 9/3/2017

 

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.



The Rev. Thomas Heard, Interim Rector

theard@ascensionchicago.org


The Rev. Meghan Murphy-Gill, Curate

mmurphygill@ascensionchicago.org

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Vestry of Church of the Ascension

Ken Kelling, Sr. Warden; LaVerne Rollé Saunders, Jr. Warden;

Ian Barillas-McEntee, Jim Lo Bello, Ken Cozette, Marlea Edinger, Sean Hansen, George Pineda, Joshua Simpson, Sam Sommers, Clerk, Enrique Vilaseco


Susan Schlough, Treasurer

Finance@ascensionchicago.org


Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office

Office@ascensionchicago.org

 

Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes.

The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.