Dear People of Ascension, Often around this point in Lent I send out a letter reminding you of our Holy Week and Easter services at Ascension and urging you to participate as you are able. I often talk about how sharing liturgically in these central stories of our faith can deepen our personal experience of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This year, it feels as
March 19, 2020 Dear People of Ascension, Earlier this week, the clergy received a letter from Bishop Dietsche suspending all public worship for 8 weeks, until the middle of May. This follows the best wisdom of the CDC and is reflected in many other policies now in place in New York as we seek to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19. As difficult as
Welcome to the Church of the Ascension Youtube channel! We are happy to share our first online Sunday morning service! It’s now posted on Youtube at https://youtu.be/FVplPtroJB8 and on the parish Facebook page. If you view on Facebook, please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments online. Reminder, this is a good time to listen to sermons on past Sundays. Sermons since February
Dear People of Ascension, Events around the COVID-19 pandemic continue to unfold rapidly. I have made the difficult decision to cancel all our in person worship services this Sunday. All public worship and events will be cancelled until further notice. I apologize for any confusion caused by this change of plans, given my letter to you yesterday. The rapid changes in the public health
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
“To enter Advent, we must leave fear for faith.” Sam Portaro Dear parishioners and friends, Have you ever noticed how often in the stories and scriptures of Advent and Christmas we are told not to be afraid? Isaiah brings comfort and courage to a people languishing in exile. Mary hears “don’t be afraid” as she ponders a “yes” to God that will turn her