Dear People of Ascension,

In these glorious spring days, the dawn chorus gets going early! Against all odds, or with surfeit of joy, or both- what is the song you have to offer the world?

Liz

Some people presume to be hopeful

when there is no evidence for hope,

to be happy when there is no cause.

Let me say now, I’m with them.

In deep darkness on a cold twig

in a dangerous world, one first

little fluff lets out a peep, a warble,

a song—and in a little while, behold:

the first glimmer comes, then a glow

filters through the misty trees,

then the bold sun rises, then

everyone starts bustling about.

And that first crazy optimist, can we

forgive her for thinking, dawn by dawn,

“Hey, I made that happen!

And oh, life is so fine.”

         - Kim Stafford

Click this link for this Sunday's bulletin & hymns.

In addition to being in-person in the church, we are happy to provide two additional ways you can watch our services online and participate in the worship:

How to Add Prayer Requests Online for Sunday Service - Go to Ascensionnyc.org/Prayers and type in your prayer request. Be sure to add them before the end of the sermon.

Please join us for coffee hour in in the front garden (weather permitting.)

If you watched us via Zoom, then just remain online (or grab a cup of coffee first!) If you watched via the webcast, grab that coffee and click the Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday link.

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Our cameras and sound go live anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes before the service. Please be aware that sounds and conversations are picked up and broadcast during the pre-service time.

Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Sirkka Kyle or contact the church office (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620

Masks must be worn at all times while indoors

Vaccination is strongly encouraged.

Our Racial Justice Discussion group is postponed until Wednesday, May 25; 6:30 p.m. We will be reading Part 2, of Fortune, by Lisa Sharon Harper, starting on page 95 to 162.

We will welcome our friend Fr. Sam Owen, Priest in Charge of the Haitian Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, as our guest preacher this Sunday, May 15. As always, he will share news of the New York Haiti Project in a forum after the service. The situation in Haiti is difficult at this time, and Sam asked Fr. Phanord of St. Luke's in Martel what we in New York could do for their community. Fr. Phanord asked first for our prayers, and then for help purchasing equipment to help their music program. As Sam said, in times of crisis, music is more important than ever, and he wondered whether we at Ascension might be especially moved to help with this need.

The goal is to raise $3,850 to purchase a piano, speakers, a mixer, generator and batteries. At our April meeting Ascension's vestry designated $1500 towards music for Martel, with the hope that our congregation might be able to match it. If you would like to help, you can do so through abundant giving (be sure to designate "NY Haiti Project") or through a check to the Ascension with "NY Haiti Project" in the memo line. Many thanks for your generosity!

Ascension Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Haiti Project

Time: May 15, 2022 01:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Meeting ID: 880 4561 8782

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Last year Voices began a new series of innovative concerts called Voices of the New. The first project was Hai-Ting Chinn’s spectacular Astronautica. The second concert of this series is taking place this coming Tuesday at Roulette, a fabulous venue in Brooklyn – easily accessible by subway. The project this year is again totally unlike anything we have done before. We have commissioned composer Will Healey to write us a piece (called Orbits) for members of Voices of Ascension and his instrumental ensemble ShoutHouse. The result will be a fantastic fusion of classical, blues, jazz and hip-hop. (Can you believe a Voices concert with a rapper?!!) I can hardly wait and hope to see many of you there. For information and tickets go to www.voicesofascension.org.

May 22: Save the Date to Celebrate Sirkka- We are sad that our dear Sirkka Kyle is moving to Vermont to live with her daughter Meg! On Sunday, May 22 we will gather after the 11 am service to wish her Godspeed, and celebrate her 68 years at Ascension, her myriad contributions to this community and our abiding affection across miles and years. Please plan to join us, and if you would like to contribute to the festivities, please speak with David Cholcher or Matt Vermedahl.

Each year at Pentecost various parishioners join in the reading for the Acts passage with languages they know. Would you like to help the clergy coordinate this? Do you speak another language that you’d like to share in this service? Please contact the church office if you would like to assist at info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620.

Our Pantry Needs Volunteers - Since March 2020 our pantry program has enjoyed the robust participation of highly committed volunteers. And while we anticipate this will remain the case to great extent, it happens that on Saturday May 21, 2022 – schedules being what they are – a critical mass of our regulars is unable to be with us due to work and play. Could you spare a couple of hours that morning? We begin at 8am and work until around 9:45am. Please consider joining us. It’s a very enjoyable and fulfilling time of service and fellowship. If you are feeling moved to join us, or have any questions, please let Fr. Ed know. (fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org)

Many thanks! May is AAPI month and our service population is majority Asian immigrant! What a great way to show solidarity!

Helping Ukraine - Here are two ways you can help with the crisis in Ukraine:

New! Electronic Credit Card Receipts - Do you pay your pledge with your credit card? If so, you will now be receiving a receipt from the bookkeeper via email or text message on your phone. This is not spam or phishing. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 212-254-8620

The news has reported heightened security alerts for possible computer hacks from Russia. For your personal systems and accounts, the absolute best protection falls to you. Here are some excellent ways you can secure your systems:

If you received a phishing message, do not reply, just delete it or move it to your spam folder.

How to recognize Phishing –The first thing you’ll notice is that it doesn’t “sound” like the person you know. Their phrasing and choice of words are just a little “off”. Second, if you look closely at the sender’s actual email address or phone number it will be something strange and will not be any contact information you know for this person. What to do? The most important thing is do not reply. The best thing to do is to delete it or move it to your junk/spam folder. If you receive a Phishing text or email feel free to let the parish administrator know (212-254-8620 or apjones@ascensionnyc.org). Check out bit.ly/2TJwAYx for more tips.

Monday Evening Lectionary Bible Study -- Join us Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. This is an opportunity to read and discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday. If you are interested in joining, please contact Sibyl Piccone.

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Church & Online)

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m. If interested, please contact Sibyl Piccone

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

EfM (Zoom) 6:00 pm

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Vestry Meeting (Zoom) 6:45 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Food Pantry (12 W 11th St) 8:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Church & Online)

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

The Church of the Ascension -- Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street

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