Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

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

"Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble."

-John Lewis

Dear People of Ascension,

This morning, Thursday, was the day of the funeral of Congressman John Lewis, whose long and good life was dedicated to justice, freedom, civil rights and building Beloved community. Like so many others, since he died on July 17 I have reflected on the great debt we owe to him: for his courage, his perseverance, his commitment to a vision of this country that is better than it has yet been. I have been touched by the many images his whimsy, humility, and sheer joy in a life well and fully lived. I have grieved, but prayed for him with much gratitude.

I was especially moved that he had left us with a last message, which appeared as an Opinion piece in the NY Times today. What must it be like, knowing one is about to die, to write such an encouraging, heartfelt word to the world, and especially to young people? He shares his story, he passes his mantle, and most of all, he believes that everyone can make a difference, and is called to do so. He, and all our saints and ancestors, have gone on, but they are still with us. And perhaps the message is that everyone of us, no matter how ordinary and inadequate we may feel, can and must, as he says, "answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe." He concludes, "walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide."

You can read the entire essay here. May these powerful words, and John Lewis's witness and example, empower our own "good trouble" in these days and all our days.

Blessings,

Liz

How to Join the Service

From your computer, laptop, pad, smart phone, or other device, click this link:

https://zoom.us/j/322793633

If you do not have a device with a camera, you can still join with your phone by dialing the following number and enter the meeting ID: 929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 322 793 633

All of our online services, with their links, can be found on our public calendar, and are listed below.

Click this link to read up on some best practices for Zoom meetings.

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship Service

August 2, 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

#380 From all that dwell below the skies ( Old 100th )

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

From all that dwell below the skies

let the Creator’s praise arise!

Let the Redeemer’s Name be sung

through every land, by every tongue!

Eternal are thy mercies, Lord,

and truth eternal is thy word:

thy praise shall sound from shore to shore

till suns shall rise and set no more.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

praise him, all creatures here below;

praise him above, ye heavenly host:

praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Acclamation

Presider Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1st Reading - Genesis 32:22-31

Reader: Elizabeth Adams

The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Psalm 17:1-7,16 (St. Helena Psalter)

Hear my plea of innocence, O God;

give heed to my cry; *

listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.

Let my vindication come forth from your presence; *

let your eyes be fixed on justice.

Weigh my heart, summon me by night, *

melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.

I give no offense with my mouth as others do; *

I have heeded the words of your lips.

My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; *

in your paths my feet shall not stumble.

I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; *

incline your ear to me and hear my words.

Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, *

O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand

from those who rise up against them.

But at my vindication I shall see your face; *

when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

2nd Reading - Romans 9:1-5

Reader: June Fait

I am speaking the truth in Christ-- I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit-- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew

Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Sermon

The Rev. Meredith Ward, Deacon

Anthem

And I Saw a New Heaven

Edgar Bainton (1880-1956)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth;

For the first heaven and first earth had passed away,

And there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city,

New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven,

Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;

And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying:

'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,

And he will dwell with them and they shall be his people;

And God himself shall be with them and be their God;

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,

And there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying,

Neither shall there be any more pain,

For the former things are passed away.'

Revelation 21: 1–4

Prayers of the People - New Zealand Prayer Book, Second Form

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

God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us when we pray to you in faith with thanksgiving.

We pray for one another, for our families and friends, through whom we learn to love and to be loved. Thank you for all who care for us. Give us grace to serve Christ by serving our neighbors and our community, loving others as he loves us.

Silence

We thank you for the unfailing love you hold out to everyone in Jesus Christ. Comfort and heal those in sorrow, need, sickness or any other trouble, especially Robert, Ed, Janet, Mary and Tom, Ellen, Joseph, Brielle, Lucas, Holly, Allejandro and Jesus, Jorge, Nancy, Barbara, Dorothy, Stewart, Patricia, Judith, Marco, Tina, Hannah, Jurek, Alice, Stacy and Jonathan, Michael, Lisa, Peter, Daniel, Kelly, Kathy, and Alfred. Give them courage and hope in their distress, and bless those who minister to them.

Silence

We remember with gratitude your many gifts to us in creation and the rich heritage of this land. Help us and people everywhere to share with justice and peace the resources of the earth. We pray for all laboring to end racism and white supremacy and establish racial justice in our country. Give wisdom to those in authority among us and to all leaders of the nations.

Silence

We pray for your Church throughout the world, thanking you for all who serve Christ and his kingdom. By your Spirit strengthen your people for their work and witness in the world. Unite us in your truth and love, that we who confess your name may also reflect your glory.

Silence

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, sometimes at the risk of their own lives; for those developing treatment and a vaccine, and for those charged with making decisions about public health and public policy and for all who are reopening, that they may care for one another in wisdom and safety.

Silence

We remember with thanksgiving all who have died in Christ and those whose faith is known to you alone, especially Pat Landis, Margaret Holton, C.T. Vivian, and John Lewis. We rejoice at the faithful witness of your saints in every age, praying that we may enter with them into the unending joy of your heavenly kingdom.

Silence

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.

Silence

Merciful God, you look with compassion on all who turn to you. Hear the prayers of your people.

The priest adds a concluding collect.

Confession and Absolution

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

Blessing

Hymn

#638 Come, O thou Traveler unknown ( Vernon )

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

Come, O thou Traveler unknown,

whom still I hold, but cannot see;

my company before is gone,

and I am left alone with thee.

With thee all night I mean to stay,

and wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell thee who I am,

my misery or sin declare;

thyself hast called me by my name,

look on thy hands, and read it there.

But who, I ask thee, who art thou?

Tell me thy name, and tell me now.

Yield to me now, for I am weak

but confident in self-despair;

speak to my heart, in blessings speak,

be conquered by my instant prayer.

Speak, or thou never hence shalt move,

and tell me, if thy name is Love.

’Tis Love, ’tis Love! Thou diedst for me!

I hear thy whisper in my heart:

the morning breaks, the shadows flee.

Pure Universal Love thou art;

thy mercies never shall remove,

thy nature and thy name is Love.

Dismissal

The people respond

Thanks be to God.

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!

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.

Please support your parish!

Go to ascensionnyc.org/give to give online

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.

(If you experience any issues with Abundant Giving, please email us at websexton@ascensionnyc.org)

Announcements

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. Click here to join. To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 770 597 201.

Did you take our online survey about reopening?

As city and state officials make important decisions regarding COVID-19 related policies, the Church of the Ascension has formed a Reopening Committee to develop a plan to create safe in-church options for parishioners. We plan to continue online worship services via Zoom for the foreseeable future, but we want to understand parishioners' thoughts about possible in-church options that may be offered in the coming months. To help the committee facilitate the planning process, we are asking you to complete an online survey that will help us understand your thoughts about in-church worship modifications and how those modifications would impact your decision to participate.

Click here to access the online survey

(https://forms.gle/6CQQiL72NPc5KUhH6)

We value your input as we develop a plan that will work best for Ascension and in ways that will ensure the health and safety of all who wish to return to in-person services.

Please answer this questionnaire by Monday, August 3rd, to ensure that your preferences will be considered in the plan.

Ordination Gift for Meredith Ward- God willing, our beloved Deacon Meredith Ward will be ordained to the priesthood on September 19, 2020. It has been a special joy to experience her ministry among us during this time of online worship! As her sponsoring parish, we would like to give her the priestly vestments for this occasion (and beyond): a white chasuble and stole. If you would like to contribute to this gift, please do so either online via ascensionnyc.org/ordinationgift, or send a check to the Church of the Ascension with "Meredith ordination gift" in the memo line (address it to Mother Liz's attention at the church office). Thank you!

Help for job seekers available- Long-time choir member Deb Feldman is cofounder at Gray Scalable, an HR and Recruiting consultancy to tech startups, based in Flatiron. Deb is offering job search advice and interview practice for Ascension parishioners who have been furloughed or laid off as a result of Covid-19. This is offered remotely via Zoom and free of charge - however, spots are limited, and offered on a first come, first served basis. Please email debsoprano@gmail.com if you're interested.

Racial Justice Book Group: How to be an Anti-Racist , by Ibram X. Kendi- For the rest of the summer, we at Ascensio n will join others in the Diocese of New York in reading and discussing How to be an Anti-Racist . The book is widely available. Our next meeting will be at 6:30 on Thursday, August 13, and we ask that you come having read chapters 10-14. Our last meeting will be Thursday, August 27. Please join us via Zoom (meeting id: 931 1415 0722) as we continue the urgent and holy work of learning about racism and white supremacy, and how each of us is called to work for racial justice. Questions? Please speak to the clergy.

A letter to Episcopalians from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings. The linked letter invites everyone in The Episcopal Church to participate in a survey about sexual misconduct in the denomination. You can read the letter here . Follow this link to the survey . The deadline has been extended.

Subscribe to the AscensionNYC podcast and have our weekly sermons delivered to the device of your choice! While we have been posting recordings of sermons preached at Ascension services since February 2015, many have asked how they can listen to them on the go. Now you can subscribe to the AscensionNYC podcast to have the latest sermons and other audio content from the Church of the Ascension automatically downloaded to your phone, tablet or computer. Follow this link

to choose how you'd like to receive AscensionNYC in the podcast app you use; we’re being added to more and more directories each week!

You can also go to our website to listen to recent sermons by clicking here or going to our website.

Letter from our Bishop!

" The Beloved Community Faces White Supremacy"

From Your Vestry

Click here to read notes from the most recent Vestry meeting.

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 – August 2

Church Service ( Zoom); 11:00 a.m.

Coffee Hour and Chat (Zoom); following the 11:00 service

Meditation with Prayers and Music ( Available on our Facebook page)

Monday – August 3