This Week at Ascension + May 12, 2021
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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Wednesday, May 12
Wednesday in the Sixth Week of Easter
6:30 p.m. Live-streamed Mass
St. Paul Preaching in the Areopagus, Maria Fortuny, ca. 1855-1866
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Thursday, May 13
The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ
7:00 p.m. Live-streamed Mass
Fr. Shane Patrick Gormley, guest preacher.
Image: The Ascension of Christ,
from a Medieval Armenian illuminated Gospel, Walters Museum, Baltimore
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Sunday, May 16
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
10:00 a.m. Live-streamed Mass
Following the mass (about 11:15 a.m.)
Image: Christ in Majesty, in an Initial 'A', from an Aniphonary ca. 1405
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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.
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“God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
\- Ephesians 1:20-23
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Dear people of Ascension,
Nearly every artwork I know that depicts the Ascension of Christ, in any medium from any age, shows a perspective from the earth, looking heavenward. Among my favorites are those in which only the feet of Jesus may be seen as he rises into the clouds.
It only dawned on me in the past few days that very few Ascension artworks suggest the perspective of Jesus, rising, approaching heaven, perhaps looking down a final time. What might he have seen on the faces of those he’d called friends? What would he have seen on your face or mine had we been there? Were there remaining vestiges of his fully human self, in those moments of ascent, that experienced fully human emotions? If so, what were they?
Among other things, the Ascension gives us a chance to get perspective, a larger perspective, whether by gazing heavenward or rising above the ordinary and mundane. I wonder what your greater perspective, or mine, may be this time around.
The perspectives I will offer in the section immediately following this message are of an arguably tiny order. They are details pertaining to our Ascension festal mass, to be celebrated tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. Whether in person or from afar, I hope you may be able to join us. And I pray that, transcending the smaller matters, you and I may be blessed in our Ascension celebration with perspectives that may sustain our faith and draw us closer to the One who ascended from among us to reign in love and justice over all things.
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As much as I regret that Bishop-elect Paula Clark will not be with us (and the liturgy will not include the rites proper to acknowledging and welcoming the bishop), I’m delighted that Fr. Shane Patrick Gormley has agreed to join us as guest preacher.
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As with recent Sunday masses, the liturgy will include organ, recorded choir repertoire and one live cantor or two.
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The mass will include in-person worship by pre-registration. As of this writing, nine spots remain. The mass will also be live-streamed. See the links elsewhere in this newsletter for registration and/or for links to the live-stream.
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A reception in Michael Hall will follow the mass, for all wish to take part and willing to respect COVID safety protocols. Food and drink will be provided and served in ways conforming to appropriate safety measures.
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As with other evening and special occasion liturgies, a security guard will be present before, during and after the liturgy. Please ask if you wish for help with any matter related to your personal safety or the safety of others.
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Update on Pandemic Protocols
New guidance with regard to pandemic safety measures was issued by the Diocese of Chicago this past Friday, May 7. You may read the material by clicking here. In the coming week I hope to take counsel with our own parochial task force (mainly clergy, staff and wardens) to consider what changes we should make for the good of all in light of continuing changes. Any available conclusions will be shared in next week's newsletter or as soon as possible thereafter. Meanwhile, I welcome your related questions or suggestions.
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The Rev. Dr. Robert Petite's Sermon for the Sixth Sunday of Easter may be read here.
A wonderful article from Church Times (In Praise of Evensong - more than an act of personal devotion) which Fr. Petite shared with some of us at Ascension, may be read here.
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Organ Repertoire for May 13, 2021
The Feast of the Ascension
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ORGAN
L'Ascension, op 56, no. 23
Charles Arnould Tournemire (1870-1939)
Hymn At the Offertory 214 LLANFAIR (descant: DW)
ORGAN
Toccata e fuga improvvisata on Llanfair
David White (b.1959)
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Organ Repertoire for May 16, 2021
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
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ORGAN
Sacred Dances for Organ
Margaret Vardell Sandresky (b. 1921)
I. Processional
II. Lifting Holy Hands Above
III. Here in Loving Reverence Bow
Hymn at the Offertory
307 BRYN CALFARIA
ORGAN
Sacred Dances for Organ
Margaret Vardell Sandresky
V. Dance Before the Ark of the Lord
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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!
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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
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Forward Day by Day
Copies of the May-June-July 2021 Forward Day by Day: Daily Devotions for Disciples are now available by emailing the parish office. We have both regular and large print editions while supplies last.
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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. |
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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.
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Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
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Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
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Weekly Ascension Schedule
For connections:
except for Morning Prayer,
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
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Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ... |
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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!
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For our prayers: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, David Byerly, Steven Wallis, Sarah Ponder, Taffy Wehe, Carnola Malone, Marvin Files, Amy Peterson, Stephanie, Gwen Clark-Mason,
Barbara Wischmeier, The Rev. Canon Paula Clark
Birthdays: Claudia Vargas, 5/9; Jenna Jones, 5/10; Ellen Janis Anfossi, 5/13
Requiescat in pace:
Rodney Carl Pribbanow, 5/10/1990; Alfred “Jackie” Sawyer, 5/10/1996;
Essie Echols, 5/10/2016; Gail De Priest, 5/11/2013; Suzanne Elizabeth Mauntel, 5/12/2014
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.
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The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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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
Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes.
The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.
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