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The Church of the Ascension
in the City of New York
12 West 11th Street, New York, NY 10011
212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | www.ascensionnyc.org
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Christmas Eve Service
Thursday, December 24
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Prelude Music - 6:30 p.m. |
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Please note that you will receive three (3) electronic bulletins this week, one for each or the services:
- Christmas Eve - Thursday
- Christmas Day - Friday
- First Sunday of Christmas (Lessons & Carols) - Sunday
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From your computer, laptop, pad, smart phone, or other device, click this link:
If you do not have a device with a camera, you can still join with your phone by dialing: 929-205-6099 and entering the Meeting ID: 931 301 9979.
All of our online services, with their links, can be found on our public calendar, and are listed below.
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Christmas Eve Prelude Music |
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Organ: Gloria in Excelsis Deo |
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Please join in the singing as you are able. |
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O Little Town of Bethlehem |
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arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams |
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O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth.
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above.
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love.
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How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given.
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell.
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.
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It Came Upon the Midnight Clear |
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It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth,
to touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.
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Yet with the woes of sin and strife
the world has suffered long;
beneath the heavenly hymn have rolled
two thousand years of wrong;
and warring humankind hears not
the tidings which they bring;
O hush the noise and cease your strife
and hear the angels sing!
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For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
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Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light |
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Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
And usher in the morning;
O shepherds, greet that glorious sight,
Our Lord, a crib adorning.
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This child, this little helpless boy,
Shall be our confidence and joy,
The power of Satan breaking,
Our peace eternal making.
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Infant Holy, Infant Lowly |
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arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams |
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Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall,
Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
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Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new,
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.
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Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the Feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gathering winter fuel.
Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.
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Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
When we bear them thither.
Page and monarch, forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude winds wild lament
And the bitter weather.
Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
I can go no longer.
Mark my footsteps, good my page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shall find the winters rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly.
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In his masters step he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye, who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.
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Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Sung by Barbara Rearick
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Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you be born in a manger.
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you were.
Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord
To take our sins away.
Our eyes were blind, we could not see
We didn't know who you were.
Long time ago
You were born
Born in a manger Lord
Sweet little Jesus boy.
The world treats you mean Lord
Treats me mean too.
But that's how things are down here.
We don't know who you are.
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You have told us how
We are trying.
Master you have shown us how
Even when you were dying.
Just seems like we can't do right.
Look how we treated you.
But please Sir forgive us Lord.
We didn't know it was you.
Sweet little Jesus boy
Born a long time ago.
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you were.
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Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
the stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
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The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
and stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.
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Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care
and fit us for heaven, to live with you there.
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The Snow Lay on the Ground |
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arr. Charles Winfred Douglas |
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The snow lay on the ground, the stars shone bright,
when Christ our Lord was born on Christmas night.
Venite adoremus Dominum.
Venite adoremus Dominum.
Refrain:
Venite adoremus Dominum.
Venite adoremus Dominum.
'Twas Mary, daughter pure of holy Anne,
that brought into this world the God made man.
She laid him in a stall at Bethlehem;
the ass and oxen shared the roof with them. (Refrain)
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Saint Joseph, too, was by to tend the child;
to guard him, and protect his mother mild;
the angels hovered round, and sang this song,
Venite adoremus Dominum. (Refrain)
And thus that manger poor became a throne;
for he whom Mary bore was God the Son.
O come, then, let us join the heavenly host;
to praise the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (Refrain)
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arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams |
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On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring:
News of great joy, news of great mirth
News of our merciful king's birth.
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When sin departs before thy grace,
Then life and health comes in its place.
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the new-born King.
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All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night
"Glory to God and peace to men,
Both now and for ever more. Amen!"
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God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen |
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God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born on upon this day,
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
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From God our heav’nly Father
A blessed angel came,
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
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Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy.
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The service begins with the sound of a bell.
Your microphone will be muted.
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Please join in the singing of the hymn. |
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#83 O come, all ye faithful (Adeste fideles)
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O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come, and behold him,
born the King of angels;
[Refrain]
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
God from God,
Light from Light eternal,
lo! he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
only-begotten
Son of God the Father;
[Refrain]
Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
glory to God,
glory in the highest;
[Refrain]
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See how the shepherds,
summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
we too will thither
bend our joyful footsteps;
[Refrain]
Child, for us sinners
poor and in the manger,
we would embrace thee, with love and awe;
who would not love thee,
loving us so dearly?
[Refrain]
Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing;
[Refrain]
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Acclamation
Presider Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
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O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. |
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Reader: James Amodeo
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
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Please join in the singing of the hymn. |
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#96 Angels we have heard on high (Gloria)
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Angels we have heard on high,
singing sweetly through the night,
and the mountains in reply
echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tidings did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
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Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
See him in a manger laid
whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while we raise our hearts in love.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
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Reader: Eve Beglarian
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
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The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke |
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In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
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The Rev. Elizabeth G. Maxwell |
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When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows
Upon a winter night,
Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose,
The King of Love and Light.
The angels sang, the shepherds sang,
The grateful earth rejoiced;
And at His blessed birth the stars
Their exultation voiced.
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
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Leader Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. We pray for Michael our Presiding Bishop, for Andrew, Allen and Mary our own Bishops.
Silence
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace, especially Donald our President and Joe our President-elect; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. We pray for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Uganda; for all laboring to end racism and white supremacy and establish racial justice in our country.
Silence
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Silence
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. We pray for all affected by COVID-19: for the frightened and the sick, for the dying and those who mourn; for all who have lost jobs and livelihood as a result of this pandemic; for all healthcare workers, especially Scarlett, Madonna, Trudie, Nancy, Anna, Sarah, Endine, Terese, and AJ, for all whose labor supports our common life; for those developing and distributing vaccines, for those charged with making decisions about public health and public policy
Silence
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially Robert, Ed, Janet, Ellen, Joseph, Brielle, Lucas, Holly, Allejandro and Jesus, Nancy, Barbara, Dorothy, Stewart, Patricia, Judith, Marco, Tina, Hannah, Jurek, Alice, Stacy and Jonathan, Michael, Francesca, Dan and family, Alyssa, Summer, David, Nancy, Jean and Ed, Phyllis, Steve, and Len; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Silence
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader We commend to your mercy all who have died, especially Adela Campos, Casey Goodson, Jr., and the more than 318,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19, as well as others around the world that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
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The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
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Please join in the singing of the hymn. |
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#111 Silent night, holy night (Stille Nacht)
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Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace.
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Silent night, holy night,
shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
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Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
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Please join in the singing of the hymn. |
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#87 Hark! the herald angels sing (Mendelssohn)
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Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
[Refrain]
Hark! the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn King!
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
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Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail the incarnate Deity.
Pleased as man with man to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
[Refrain]
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Risen with healing in his wings,
light and life to all he brings,
hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
[Refrain]
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The Christmas flowers are given in thanksgiving and loving memory by parishioners and friends for Church of the Ascension, in joy at the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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George Carr in loving memory of
Annabel Peterson Carr, Mary Sue Carr,
Walter Peterson Carr, Zack Carr III, Zack Carr, Jr., Henry Dantzler, J. D. Patton, Zula Mae Patton, Jenny M. Tates
John Grimes in loving memory of
Mary Evelyn Carter, Ava L. Gardner,
John A. & Inez G. Grimes, Harry L. Huff,
Melzer A. & Elizabeth R. Morgan
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The Rev. Elizabeth G. Maxwell in thanksgiving for
Mihret
David Lehmann & Kenneth May in thanksgiving for
John Lehmann Havercamp, Tamma Lehmann Havercamp,
Helen Elizabeth Willingham
In loving memory of
Evelyn Birch, Charles Clarkson, Carol Gregory, Ethel Heser, Christopher Linstrom, Dorothy May, Robert May, Salvatore May
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Pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite juice, grab a slice of banana bread, piece of fruit, or a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, and feel free to "hang out" with us online to chat! |
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Please check us out at ascensionnyc.org/give to find out how easy and secure it is. Click the envelope on the right to go the Ascension Website for more information and to give, whether a one-time donation, pledge payment, or make a new pledge.
Our parish can only continue its mission and ministry because of the generosity of parishioners, visitors, and friends of the parish and we are working hard to make our online giving as easy and seamless as possible.
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Ascension Gives - Each year, our budget includes support for ministries and organizations outside Ascension. This year, we are contributing to Episcopal Charities and the New York Haiti Project. We invite any of you who are considering your own charitable giving at the year's end to join us, as both are addressing unusual amounts of need this year. We also commend to you the work of our own Ascension Outreach food pantry, and of the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen in this season when so many of our neighbors are in need of food and care. There are so many organizations doing vital work. If you are able, please give as you feel moved; these are some of our favorites within the wider Episcopal Church. Click the links below to donate to one or more of these organizations:
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Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24
Christmas Eve Prelude Music, 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 p.m.
Phone Only: 929-205-6099; Meeting ID: 931 9301 9979
Christmas Day
Friday, December 25
Christmas Day Service, 11:00 a.m.
Phone Only: 929-205-6099; Meeting ID: 998 868 6806
First Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, December 27
Lessons and Carols, 11:00 a.m.
Second Sunday of Christmas
Sunday, January 3
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12th Night Celebration at
Church of the Ascension
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Please join us for a fun evening of song, conversation and storytelling! We’ll have a chance to show and tell about our Christmas celebrations, presents, foods and drinks!
Special appearances by our own Vin Knight, our tradition of performing The Twelve Days of Christmas, led by Mother Liz herself! This is not to be missed!
Come one, come all!
A fun time is sure to be had by all!
Voice only at
929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 964 8063 9721
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Sunday Meditation with Prayers & Music
is available on our
Facebook page:
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Stay Connected in Prayer.
Join us each weeknight at 5:30 for Evening Prayer & discussion. Click this link to join: ascensionnyc.org/eveningprayer. To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 770 597 201.
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For Your Daily Prayers - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) During this time of global crisis and personal anxiety, we offer you this prayer form to include in your daily prayers.
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Sunday Paper Junior - The lectionary, our yearly schedule of Bible readings, carries us through Jesus’s life and teachings. The Church of The Ascension subscribes to the Sunday Paper Junior and we offer it to you and your family as a fun, creative way to study the lessons each week. Click here to access this week's paper. Please feel free to print out the pages each week and use as you desire. Check out this section each week for the current Sunday Paper Junior!
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Open Church, Tuesdays & Fridays, Noon to 3. The church is open for private prayer and meditation. Attendance is limited to a maximum of 20 people at one time and all safety precautions (properly worn masks, physical distancing, hand sanitizing, and contact tracing) will be followed.
In-Person Midweek Eucharists Remain Suspended. In light of the rising infection rates in New York City, we continue to suspend our Wednesday evening in person Eucharists.We will revisit the question early in the new year.
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Beware of Fraudulent Emails Purporting to be from the Ascension clergy! Several people received scam emails today pretending to be from Fr. Ed, using a Gmail account under a user name that appears to be him. Click here to read more and learn what you can do.
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Thursday – December 24- Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve Prelude Music (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Service (Zoom) 7:00 p.m.
Friday – December 25- Christmas Day
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Christmas Day Service (Zoom) 11:00 a.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Parish Office Closed. There will be no open Church today.
Saturday – December 26
Rehearsal for Sunday Service (Zoom) 2:00 p.m.
Sunday – December 27- First Sunday after Christmas
Lessons and Carols
Church Service (Zoom) 11:00 a.m.
Ascension Forum (Zoom)
Monday – December 28
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – December 29
Open Church* (Church) 12 Noon - 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – December 30
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Thursday – December 31
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Friday – January 1
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Parish Office Closed. There will be no open Church today.
Saturday – January 2
Food Pantry (12 W 11th St) 8:30 a.m.
(Speak to Fr. Ed if you would like to volunteer or are in need)
Rehearsal for Sunday Service (Zoom) 2:00 p.m.
Sunday – January 3 - Second Sunday after Christmas
Church Service (Zoom) 11:00 a.m.
Ascension Forum (Zoom)
* Anyone entering the church must wear a mask, maintain appropriate physical distance, utilize the hand sanitizer stations, and provide contact tracing information. Anyone with a temperature of 99.9 or over will not be admitted and will be instructed to quarantine and contact their doctor.
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If you need information to connect to one of our Zoom events please call the church office at 212-254-8620 or email us at info@ascensionnyc.org
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212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | www.ascensionnyc.org
We are working from home, but we will respond to emails and phone calls
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