Author: websexton

This week: The first Palm Sunday in three years for which we are able to gather in person*! We begin with a joyous procession with palms around the block to Sixth Avenue and back (weather permitting), celebrating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Yet soon thereafter, we hear the dramatic reading of Christ’s Passion (his last hours before his death) and find ourselves shouting: “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Thus once again, we enter into the devotion and drama of Holy Week. Please join us — in person or online — as we observe the triumph, communion, betrayal, death and ultimate resurrection of Jesus in this most holy week of the church year.

This week: information for the Fifth Sunday in Lent and news about upcoming changes to our administration of Communion to take place on Palm Sunday. Plus: the schedule of worship services for Holy Week and Easter, and a number of other ways to participate in the life of our parish, diocese, city and the world.

This week: the rector reflects on our historic congregational ministry as the Church of the Open Door: “This Lent, why not reflect intentionally on how you can welcome visitors and newcomers to Ascension, and try to deepen your own practice of hospitality?”
 
If you’re joining online, our Sunday activities:

• Worship at 11 a.m.
  (You’ll also want the 11 a.m. bulletin and hymn sheet.)
• “Coffee hour” following the service
• The Lenten Forum exploring images and poetry based on today’s scripture lessons

In this week’s newsletter, the rector announces some changes to our in-person worship practices in light of the recent decline in COVID-19 cases for our area.
 
Also: Mother Posey’s sermon at 9 a.m. (in-person*) and 11 a.m. (in-person* and online) will make reference to a photograph, which you can view online here.

The rector writes: “I learned that this late winter/early spring flower is called a Lenten Rose. It is hardy and easy to grow, and blooms precisely at this time of year — a harbinger of hope as we begin a season of self-examination, penitence, healing and renewal.”
 
Begin that season with us in worship on Sunday, in person* at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., or online at 11 a.m. via our webcasts channel or as part of our Zoom community. Also this week: the Women’s Spirituality Group meets via Zoom on Thursday, and the diaconal ordination of our own Stacey Carpenter will take place on Saturday at the cathedral.

We invite you, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God’s holy Word.
 
Join us Ash Wednesday in person at 8 a.m., noon, and 7 p.m. (Anyone entering the church must wear a mask and maintain appropriate physical distance.) Or watch the 7 p.m. service online: join fellow worshipers via Zoom or on our webcast channel, using this worship bulletin.