Dear People of Ascension,

I commend to you the meditation for the 6th week of Easter from our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Dietsche, which you can listen to here. It's really a meditation about the Ascension and the ten days between Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, so it has special resonance for us at the Church of the Ascension. It's a reflection on such Ascensiontide themes as the space between what has been and what will be, waiting and living with not knowing, and the dawning realization that, despite our grief, we cannot and in fact do not want to return to what was before. That sounds remarkably timely, doesn't it?

Bishop Dietsche articulates some things that I have been pondering as well, about which I would love to hear your thoughts. What has been uniquely challenging for you in this time of pandemic and pause? What have been the unexpected gifts, if any? What about our worship and community life in this time should we take with us into the future as we return, eventually and gradually, to meeting in person? What are you grieving, and how must we be faithful to our grief? Every pandemic, every crisis, changes ​what comes after it. How are we being changed by what we have lived through? What are we urgently called to change, in our personal lives and relationships, our church, our city, our world?

Most important, how and where is God calling you- calling us, the Church of the Ascension- to share Christ's love in the power of the Spirit? What will our mission be in the time ahead?

Let us ponder these questions in prayer, and in conversation together. May we know the comfort, strength and guidance of our God, who has promised to be with us always.

Peace,

Liz
How to Join the Service
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The Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 24, 2020; 11:00 a.m.

All gather online


The service begins with the sound of a bell
and your microphones will be muted.

Introit
Gregorian Chant

Welcome
Hymn
#215 - In Babilone ; See the Conqueror mounts in triumph
Please join in the singing of the hymn.
See the Conqueror mounts in triumph;
see the King in royal state,
riding on the clouds, his chariot,
to his heavenly palace gate!
Hark! the choirs of angel voices
joyful alleluias sing,
and the portals high are lifted
to receive their heavenly King.

He who on the cross did suffer,
he who from the grave arose,
he has vanquished sin and Satan;
he by death has spoiled his foes.
While he lifts his hands in blessing,
he is parted from his friends;
while their eager eyes behold him,
he upon the clouds ascends.
Thou hast raised our human nature
on the clouds to God’s right hand:
there we sit in heavenly places,
there with thee in glory stand.
Jesus reigns, adored by angels;
Man with God is on the throne;
mighty Lord, in thine ascension,
we by faith behold our own.
Easter Acclamation

Presider Alleluia. Christ is Risen
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Collect of the Day

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Reader - Rusty Moore

When the apostles had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36 (St. Helena Psalter)

Arise, O God, and let your enemies be scattered; *
let those who hate you flee before you.
Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; *
as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at your presence, O God.
But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before you; *
let them also be merry and joyful.
We sing praises to your holy Name;
we exalt the One who rides upon the heavens; *
yours is the Name in which we rejoice!
Guardian of orphans, defender of widows, *
God, in your holy habitation!
You give the solitary a home and bring forth prisoners into freedom, *
but the rebels shall live in dry places.
O God, when you went forth before your people, *
when you marched through the wilderness,
The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, *
at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary.
Your people found their home in it; *
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.
Sing to God, O nations of the earth; *
sing praises to our God,
Who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens, *
who sends forth a voice, a mighty voice.
Ascribe power to God, *
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose strength is in the skies.
How wonderful are you in your holy places; *
you give strength and power to your people;
blessed be God!

Reader - John Scott

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ
According to John


Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
Sermon
The Rev. Deacon Meredith Ward
Anthem
O Sing Joyfully
Adrian Batten (1591 – 1637)
The Prayers of the People - Form IV

Please send your own prayers through the chat function on Zoom, and the leader will read them at the end of the intercessions.

Deacon or other leader

Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
We pray for Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Andrew, Allen and Mary, our bishops, and for all people of faith in this community, especially the Church of the Ascension. 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.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

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

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

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.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray especially for Robert, Ed, Janet, Mary and Tom, Ellen, Joseph, Brielle, Lucas, Holly, Allejandro and Jesus, Jorge, Nancy, Barbara, Dorothy, Stewart, Amy, Patricia, Judith, Marco, Tina, Hannah, Jurek, Michael, Alice, Stacey, Michael, Jonathan, Erika, Robert, Raffaele, Norma, David and family, Camden, Lisa, Annabelle, Bob, and all affected by the floods in Michigan.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We pray for all affected by COVID-19: for the frightened and the sick, for the dying and those who mourn. We pray for all who have lost jobs and livelihood as a result of this pandemic. We pray for all healthcare workers, especially Scarlett, Madonna, Trudie, Nancy, Anna, Sarah, Endine, and Terese, for all whose labor supports our common life, for those developing treatment and a vaccine, and for those charged with making decisions about public health and public policy.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, especially James Hubbard, Craig Daniel, Robert Paul Hill, Jane and Herb Boutot, Donald L. Cholcher, Jerry Rice, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, William Henry Marquess, Amy Spencer, Byrd Turner, Arthur B Whitcomb, Jane Ingenito, and Andrew Slaby, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.

We offer you our other prayers, and our thanksgivings for all the blessings of this life.
Prayers received on Zoom chat are read by the intercessor.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

The presider adds a concluding Collect.
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.
Announcements
Easter Blessing

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Hymn
#221 - Gonfalon Royal ; O Lord Most High, eternal King
(To see a PDF of this hymn, click here.)
Please join in the singing of the hymn.
O Lord Most High, eternal King,
by thee redeemed thy praise we sing.
The bonds of death are burst by thee,
and grace has won the victory.

Ascending to the Father’s throne
thou claim’st the kingdom as thine own;
and angels wonder when they see
how changed is our humanity.
Be thou our joy, O Mighty Lord,
as thou wilt be our great reward;
let all our glory be in thee
both now and through eternity.

O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
all praise to thee let earth accord,
who art, while endless ages run,
with Father and with Spirit, One.
Easter Dismissal

The people respond
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Coffee Hour

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! This Sunday we will experiment with small groups (in Zoom breakout rooms) to allow us more substantive conversation. We'll explain how to do this after the service on Sunday!
We offer you this form for your prayers in this time of global crisis and personal anxiety, adapted from the Prayers of the People used at Washington Cathedral on Sunday, March 15, the first Sunday after our church suspended in person services.
Announcements
Meditation for the 6th Week of Easter by the Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, Bishop of New York.

Click here to hear the Bishop's meditation, and to see all 17 recent videos by our Bishops.
Presiding Bishop will preach at ecumenical memorial service on May 24 for COVID-19 victims. Bishop Michael Curry will offer a brief sermon for a virtual memorial service for the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic hosted by the National Council of Churches on May 24 at 6 p.m. Eastern time. Click here for more information at The Episcopal News Service.
Sunday Meditation with Prayers & Music is available on our Facebook page: facebook.com/ascensionnyc
Stay Connected in Prayer. Join us each weeknight at 5:30 for Evening Prayer and discussion. To join , follow this link: https://zoom.us/j/770597201 . To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 770 597 201.
Zoom Wizards Needed! We need to build a guild of people who can moderate our Sunday services. John Thompson has been doing this work for eight weeks, and has done a phenomenal job; it's time for others to step forward and share the ministry. It involves acting as "host" in the Zoom meetings that are our Sunday services: muting and unmuting participants, sharing slides and one's screen, and trouble-shooting any difficulties that arise. We are looking for folks who are comfortable with Zoom and technology in general, and able to commit to brief Saturday afternoon rehearsals as well as Sunday mornings. John is able to help you learn what you need to know, and offer some support as you begin. He assures me that it is easier than it sounds! You just need reliable technology and attention to detail. If you would like to help us in this vital way, please contact Mother Liz at egmaxwell@ascensionnyc.org. Everlasting gratitude!
Rector's Discretionary Fund - How to give in honor of Mother Liz's fifth anniversary as Rector. You can make your donations in one of the following ways:
  • By check mailed to Church of Ascension, 12 West 11th Street, NY NY 10011. On the memo line clearly write "Mtr Liz Discretionary Fund"
  • For credit card or wire transfer donations please email the church's part-time book keeper, Laurie Ross, at email: laurie@ascensionnyc.org. OR call the parish office: 212-254-8620.
Theological Reflection - Click here to access Deacon Meredith Ward's slide presentation on Theological Reflection.
Ongoing Financial Support - During this time of suspended social gatherings, we are having to be a bit creative. Since we aren’t able to pass around the offering plate at a Zoom service, here are some ways you can continue to give :
  • Mail your gift to Church or the Ascension, 12 West 11th St., NYC, NY 10011
  • Contact our bookkeeper (bookkeeper@ascensionnyc.org) to set up a one-time or recurring gift via credit card.
  • Set up a wire transfer from your bank (ACH)
Give while shopping - We all seem to be relying on online shopping more and more these days. The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the nonprofit you choose. Even these small sums can add up for us. Click here to find out how.
This Week At Ascension
Sunday – May 24
Church Service ( Zoom); 11:00 a.m.
Ascension Forum (Zoom); following the 11:00 service
Meditation with Prayers and Music ( Available on our Facebook page)

Monday – May 25
Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday – May 26
Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.
EFM (Zoom); 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday – May 27
Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Thursday – May 28
Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Friday – May 29
Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Saturday – May 30
Rehearsal for Sunday Service (Zoom) 2:00 p.m.

Sunday – May 31
Church Service ( Zoom); 11:00 a.m.
Ascension Forum (Zoom); following the 11:00 service
Meditation with Prayers and Music ( Available on our Facebook page)


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
Contact Us
The Church of the Ascension -- Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street
212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | www.ascensionnyc.org
We are working from home, but we will respond to emails and phone calls