While I have observed many Ascension Days in my life, I honestly don’t think that I’ve ever preached on Ascension Day. Being a lover of liturgical history, it was rather fun boning up on some of the church customs around the feast day. Traditionally, it was on Ascension Day that there was a blessing of the first fruits — usually grapes and beans. In
The celebration continues for our new ministry with The Reverend Elizabeth G. Maxwell, installed as the twelfth Rector of The Church of the Ascension. On the evening of May 13, 2015, hundreds gathered in the church for her installation by the The Rt. Rev. Andrew M.L. Dietsche, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The procession included the vestry, search committee, church staff,
Tai Chi classes will be held Thursdays at noon, beginning May 7, in the Parish Hall (12 W. Eleventh Street). Classes are instructed by Dan Baum of Eastern Village Arts; cost is $25 for one class or $75 per month. Call the parish office (212-254-8620) if you are interested or just come to a class on Thursday.
We are very glad to learn from our Assistant Sexton, Dawa Sherpa, that his family in Nepal are all OK after the devastating earthquake that has left more than 5,000 dead and hundreds of thousands displaced. Please remember the injured, the lost and frightened, the dead and all offering aid in your prayers. If you would like to donate to relief for Nepal, one
We are studying the Parables of Jesus, using the following text: Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Amy-Jill Levine. Please join us! In order to have a better idea of space needs, please let Fr. Ed know if you are planning to attend. You can email him directly or call the church office at 212-254-8620.
TONIGHT at 7pm. You are invited to attend the Celebration of New Ministry and Installation of the Twelfth Rector, The Reverend Elizabeth G. Maxwell at 7pm, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. Reception following in the Parish Hall. Visiting Clergy please vest in festive stoles. Enter the church on Fifth Avenue at 10th Street.
We are delighted to welcome Meredith Kadet, Program Director of Episcopal Charities, as our guest preacher at both the 9 and 11 a.m. services this Episcopal Charities Sunday. Meredith is a graduate of Union Theological Seminary, and a member of St. Michael’s Church on the Upper West Side. Prior to seminary she served in a variety of fundraising and development roles in the international
“Hope.” There’s that word again; it must be important. I’m thinking in fact that hope is at the very foundation of what it means to be in relationship with God. We can’t prove God exists, so we have faith in God — faith that includes doubt. Faith plus doubt equals hope. And when I think of hope, believe it or not, I actually often think of the Hebrew Bible. The story of salvation in Jewish Scripture is incredibly rich and vibrant with bright colorful imagery and poetry with drama and intensity. The stories themselves not only reflect God’s movement through vast oceanic expanses of feeling that undergird the behavior of individuals, tribes, and nations; these stories reach into our very core places.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Music for The Great Vigil of Easter with the Ascension Choir, Dr. Dennis Keene, Choirmaster and Organist, and The Manton Memorial Organ. Anthem (Sung in Latin) Vidi aquam Gregorian Chant Offertory Anthem Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) Communion Anthem Woman, Why Do You Weep? (1978) Bruce Adolphe Postlude Offerte du Veme ton: Vive le Roi! André Raison (ca. 1640-1719) Music