This Week at Ascension + March 17, 2021

"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
Our Final Lenten program opportunities

Today, Wednesday, March 17, at Noon Via ZOOM
How do you create? And why?
In conversation with Beth Hall and Fr. Raymond
(may include live demo, if we can pull it off ...)

Sunday, March 21, 11:30 a.m. Via ZOOM
Atonement
In conversation with Noah Riggenbach

or see the additional information below.

Mass for March 17, Wednesday in the
Fourth Week of Lent

6:30 p.m. Live-Streamed Mass


Image: The Trinity and All the Saints, from the Book of Hours of Etienne Chevalier, Jean Foucalt, ca. 1452
Sunday, March 21
The Fifth Sunday in Lent

9:30 a.m.
Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. - In-Person &
Live-Streamed Mass with organ, hymn improvisation and
choir motet


11:15 a.m. - Virtual Coffee (1/4) Hour
11:30 Lenten Program



Image: Wheat Field Under Storm Clouds, Vincent Van Gogh, 1890, private collection

Note: After clicking on the link, you will be able to see how many spots, if any, are still available for a particular mass.

When you register online, you will be sent an email confirming your online registration. This same link will also have a
blue CANCEL THIS RESERVATION tab.
Mass for Wednesday March 24,
The Eve of the Annunciation

6:30 p.m. In-person & Live-Streamed Mass



The Order of Worship for the Annunciation Mass will be available next Wednesday.

Image: The Annunciation rosary window at Church of the Ascension
Please note: if you have not yet taken part in an in-person mass, please click here to see some basic information that you will want to know before registering, upon arrival and during and after the mass.

From the Rector
Registering for Holy Week & Easter
Dear people of Ascension,
 
"How will people register for Holy week and Easter services?"

"When will we make registration available?"

"Will the system be as fair as possible?"

If questions like this had been raised at a Holy Week planning meeting in any prior year, I'd have asked what on earth you were talking about. And in any prior year I would not be addressing questions like these in a pastoral letter during Lent. But this isn't like any prior year. And these questions arguably have pastoral dimensions now.
Below are answers, as reached by the six or seven of us who met yesterday (via Zoom). We also addressed dozens of other matters in hopes of preparing for and offering the safest and most edifying Holy Week and Easter liturgies possible for all.

A complete schedule of services for Holy Week and Easter is also found below. Please note two rites that I failed to include in the schedule shared last week. 1. A service of Tenebrae will be Zoomed following the 6:30 p.m. mass for Wednesday in Holy Week, March 31. 2. We will have a Watch at the Altar of Repose following the Liturgy of Maundy Thursday, April 1.

Thank you for your prayers and presence, whether in-person or virtual.

Important Mass Registration Dates for Holy Week & Easter 2021

March 17: Register today to attend mass this coming Sunday, March 21, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, at 10:00 a.m.

March 17: Register today to attend the Mass of the Annunciation, Wednesday, March 24, 6:30 p.m.

March 17: Be informed today about upcoming registration dates for ALL Holy Week and Easter liturgies.

March 24: Registration for ALL of the following Holy Week and Easter liturgies will begin with the sending of the newsletter next Wednesday, March 24 (at around 2:00 p.m.)

  • Palm Sunday (March 28)

  • Maundy Thursday (April 1)

  • Good Friday (April 2)

  • The Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter (April 3)

  • Easter Day I - at 9:00 a.m., April 4. (same mass, same music as the 11:00 a.m. mass)
Easter Day II - at 11:00 a.m., April 4. (same mass, same music as the 9:00 a.m. mass)
requiescat in pace, Ethel Martin
July 14, 1936 - March 8, 2021
Requiem Mass, Tuesday, March 23, 1:00 p.m.
followed by interment in the Ascension columbarium

Longtime Ascension parishioner Ethel Martin died in the early evening on Monday, March 8. She had been in declining health and last joined us at Ascension on a Sunday in 2019 when her son Ricardo Avila served as a lector for a Sunday Solemn High Mass. The photo is believed to be from Ethel's high school graduation. She went on to long career as a public school teacher and earned her Masters in Education, a lifelong dream, from Chicago State University when she was in her 70s. Those wishing to convey sympathy or otherwise be in touch with Ethel's son Ricardo 'Ricky' Avila are asked to contact the parish office or the rector.

Holy Week and Easter Liturgies will take place according to the schedule and participation options below. Please double-check information, including changes, that may be conveyed in future communications.

The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
March 28
Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Liturgy of Palm Sunday, 10:00 a.m.
via YouTube/Facebook and in-person
(registration to begin March 24).

Wednesday in Holy Week, March 31
Morning Prayer, 8:00 a.m. via Facebook Live
Evening Prayer, 6:30 p.m. via YouTube/Facebook
Tenebrae, 7:15 p.m. via Zoom

Maundy Thursday, April 1
Morning Prayer, 8:00 a.m. via Facebook Live

Evening Prayer, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Liturgy of Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
via YouTube/Facebook and in-person (registration to begin March 24).

Watch at the Altar of Repose, in-person following the Liturgy. No pre-registration, but those who take part will be asked to provide name and contact information.

Good Friday, April 2

Stations of the Cross, Noon
(further information will be provided in the April 24 newsletter)

Evening Prayer, 6:30 p.m.
The Liturgy of Good Friday, 7:00 p.m.
via YouTube/Facebook and in-person (registration to begin March 24).

Saturday, April 3

Holy Saturday Liturgy, 10:00 a.m., in the Our Lady of Victory garden,
in person only, no pre-registration required, but masks will be required.

Evening Prayer, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The Great Vigil and First Mass of Easter, 8:00 p.m.
via YouTube/Facebook and in-person (registration to begin March 24).

Sunday, April 4
The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ: Easter Day

Morning Prayer, 8:30 a.m. via Zoom

Mass of the Resurrection, 9:00 a.m.
Same mass, same music as the 11:00 a.m. mass.
In-person only, pre-registration required.

Mass of the Resurrection, 11:00 a.m.
Same mass, same music as the 9:00 a.m. mass.
via YouTube/Facebook and in-person (registration to begin March 24).
Connections updates . . .
We've continue to receive positive feedback and helpful observations regarding our new technology and live-streaming via Ascension's YouTube channel (click here). We continue to use Zoom and/or Facebook Live for the Daily Offices (see the schedule later in this newsletter). Look for more updates in the weeks to come -- for now, we are mainly focusing on week-to-week improvements and employing the technology for our Holy Week and Easter liturgies.
Our Lenten Program continues ...
  • All programs are via the Ascension meeting place on Zoom.
  • Four programs are 'coffee hour conversations' on the four Sundays in March.
  • One program will take place on a Wednesday evening - March 10.
  • One program will take place on a Wednesday at Noon - March 17.
  • Keep an eye on the newsletter for any changes.

Descriptions of the programs for Wednesday, March 10, and for this coming Sunday, March 14, are included below, as are the titles and presenters' names for remaining programs. To view a one-page document with descriptions of all programs, click here.
Wednesday, March 17, Noon
How do YOU create? And why? 
Beth Hall and Father Patrick Raymond
(Image to the right Beth with husband Samuel Sommers.)
 

Sunday, March 21, 11:30 a.m.
Atonement in conversation with Noah Riggenbach
Atonement is not a word we regularly use, though it lies at the heart of our Christian faith, addressing what we believe about our reconciliation to God through Christ’s sacrificial suffering and death. No surprise–there are differing theologies of Atonement. Noah Riggenbach will introduce the subject generally and then do a deeper dive into the Atonement theology of St. Gregory of Nyssa, a 4th century bishop.  
The Stations of the Cross rite with mezzo-soprano Cassidy Smith and Organist David White that was recorded in Lent 2020 may be viewed and prayed here. Regrettably, for a number of reasons, we cannot presently share the traditional Lenten Friday evening Stations of the Cross and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament here at the church in person.
Organ Repertoire for Sunday, March 21
ORGAN
Suite évocatrice pour Grand Orgue
Charles Arnould Tournemir
(1870-1939)
  I. Grave;  II. Tierce et Taille et Chromhorne
  IV. Jeu Doux et Voix Humai


At the Communion
Organ Improvisation on
THE THIRD TUNE


There is no closing organ voluntary  


About our 2021 Repertoire
As I develop a long-range plan for repertoire each year, I choose a theme or area of emphasis, often complete works or a complete large-scale work by one composer. During 2021, organ music by women composers and African-American composers is being and will be featured in voluntaries and recitals throughout the year. There are some little-known gems waiting to be discovered, as well as music by major composers, with whom works for the organ are not generally associated. Enjoy!
Choir of the Ascension:
Now on Soundcloud!
Please visit SoundCloud and listen to our playlist! There are currently 40 tracks, and several more will be added each month.

Benjamin Rivera, Choirmaster
Other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, visits to Ascension are presently to be avoided. Any (other) visit should be arranged in advance with Br. Nathanael Rahm. Thank you for your understanding.
Due to COVID-19, Church of the Ascension’s Treasurer and Bookkeeper are limiting the amount of time they spend working in the parish offices. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 4-6 weeks. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org. 
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)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).

SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour

MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom

WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ...
For the Novice, Newbie, or tech-challenged: It may be easier than you know. We've simplified instructions on the sheet that you can view by clicking here. Please know that you can block your camera (and don't need one to start with), and you could join our Scripture study or Virtual Coffee Hour, for instance, without having to say a word. Give it a try.
Please give generously as you are able.
Treasurer Susan Schlough has asked me to remind you of Ascension's ongoing expenses at this time. To the extent that you are able, payment on your pledges or the offering of Holy Day or other special gifts will be greatly appreciated. You may still write a check and mail it to the church, or online payment is possible through the buttons at various places on our website. Thank you!
THE PARISH PRAYER LIST
For our prayers: For our prayers: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Dean Pineda, David Byerly,
Bonnie Joseph, Steven Wallis, Sarah Ponder, Paula Budzban, Taffy Wehe, Neil, Carnola Malone, Rocky Ermilio, Catriana Patriarcha, Charley Taylor, Richard Laibly, Faith Perrizo, Lauren
 
Birthdays:
Jim Redden, 3/23; Robert Temple, 3/25; Susanne Lenz, 3/26

Anniversaries:
Andrew & Allison Wallace, marriage, 3/25/2006;
Rod & Adriana Luery, marriage, 3/26/2007
 
Requiescat in pace:
Ethel Martin, mother of Ricardo Avila
Diane Burnett, 3/12/2021; George C. Giles, Jr., 3/21/2014; Douglas Alan Poe, 3/25/1998; Oscar Patrick, 3/27/2004



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. Patrick Raymond, Rector

Susan Schlough, Treasurer

Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
Vestry of Church of the Ascension
Cheryl Peterson, Sr. Warden; Kenneth Kelling, Jr. Warden; Kelly Colomberti, Marilyn Evans, Lynette Hector,
Jim Lo Bello, George Pineda, David Reeves, Samuel Sommers, Enrique Vilaseco, Amber Zelazny