Lessons You can read the scripture for December 4, 2016 here. Audio I’m unendingly amazed at the ways in which the Holy Spirit moves in the world. She’s been at it a long, long time. I say “she”, in part, because Judaism has a long history of recognizing “Wisdom” as both feminine and co-eternal with God. But the gender assignment is not the point.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The theme on the third Sunday in Advent, December 11, will be Ministering with Refugees in Baghdad. Last fall, Ascension joined several other parishes in the Diocese of New York in helping to build a community center in a refugee camp in Baghdad, Iraq. This ecumenical work is sponsored in part by the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf in the Episcopal Province
What are we celebrating in our observance of the Reign of Christ? The very words suggest magnificence and great power – the grandeur of a king whose rule exceeds all others.
Then why this gospel text?
These last few moments of Jesus’ life seem, at first, to run counter to all we might value in the world, let alone a royal ruling over it all.
To be with Jesus in this moment on the cross – as we celebrate his reign – invites us to consider the ways use of the language of royalty and ruling risks missing the whole point of the gospels, because of the way “king” or “ruler” might connote a fixed sense of order, rather than a dynamic sense of God’s action on earth.
Dialogue on Race and Religion: The Church and Immigration, will take place on Monday, December 5, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Cathedral House dining room. The Episcopal Diocese of New York is hosting a discussion about how churches and individuals can help the most vulnerable immigrants in our society, including refugees and asylum seekers. Ravi Ragbir, Executive Director of New Sanctuary Coalition of New York
The theme for the Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 3, 2016 is Baking Bread and Waiting for God. We will meet from 10am until 3pm. Co-led by Fr. Ed and Valerie Coates (Ascension Chorister and bread baking expert), the group will explore our relationship with the Divine in this season of waiting, hope and expectation, while making bread as both a metaphor and
Lessons You can read the scripture for November 13, 2016 here. Audio The Church of the Ascension, NYC A Sermon Preached by the Rev. Elizabeth G. Maxwell November 13, 2016 Luke 21: 5-19 Let us pray. O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance
Lessons You can read the scripture for November 6, 2016 here. Audio The structure of today’s gospel passage is four blessings contrasted with four woes, all of which serve the purpose of encouraging believers to “look heavenward” during trial and tribulations. What does it mean to look heavenward? And, if we’re able to discern such meaning, what good does it do? So many of
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
What would it take for me – or for you, for that matter – to find, deep inside, the kind of humility expressed by the tax collector in today’s gospel story? Is some kind of major upset required? Sometimes, if I’ve made a big mistake, I find myself somehow seeing more clearly how much I need God’s grace and forgiveness. Sometimes surviving a trauma, or even a grave disappointment of some kind, can draw us into a state of such vulnerability we cannot help but feel a need, deep in our souls, for mercy from God…