This week, the rector reflects on grace and shares a poem by Denise Levertov to expand our imagination about what grace might be. Also: the parish’s Lenten book study continues (Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginners Guide to Holy Week, by Amy-Jill Levine) and there is one slot remaining for the March 28 house eucharist, plus much more going on as we approach Holy Week!
This week, the rector gives an update on the Fifth Avenue bell tower restoration: “This coming Monday, March 13, scaffolding will begin to go up in our front garden, and if permit filing and other preparations go as planned, actual construction work will begin about two weeks later.” Also: the clergy will offer prayers for healing, laying on of hands and anointing to all who desire them as part of Sunday’s 11 am Eucharist.
The rector writes: “I am deeply grateful that we are able to journey through Lent together in person this year. Although much of our Lenten observance often focuses on individual practices (and fruitfully so), we are also invited to communal disciplines and learning — to be renewed as a body. It is a gift to share our Lenten journey in all these ways, and we grow as a parish as we walk with one another in this season of repentance, reflection and renewal.”
Things certainly don’t slow down around here for Lent — in fact, they tend to pick up: the Lenten devotional; house Eucharists; a special book study; a “Lent Quiet Morning” at the church with the Rev. Micah Bucey of Judson Memorial; a special day of service for Haiti at Bon Samaritan in the Bronx…. Check out our newsletter and see what speaks to you for your journey toward the Easter Resurrection.
Join us in person for the Ash Wednesday liturgy at 8 am, noon, or, with full choir, at 7 pm. Ashes will also be imposed at the front gate throughout the day from 9 am to 6 pm. To watch the 7 pm service online, go to ascensionnyc.org/webcasts.
This week, in anticipation of Ash Wednesday, the rector writes: “This week’s e-news offers a robust list of Lenten possibilities at our parish: study, worship, community, prayer and service. Please peruse them and see what calls to you this year. It’s a joy to be able to return to some of the Lenten practices that have meant a lot to us as a community in the past, while also exploring new ones.” Nevertheless, on this last Sunday of Epiphany, the music will be transporting (Grand Dialogue in C, Marchand; O for a closer walk, Stanford; Exsultate Justi, Viadana; Horn Pipe from Water Music, Handel), befitting our Gospel lesson: Matthew’s recounting of the Transfiguration.
This week: The rector describes the spirit and energy of last weekend’s vestry retreat, and says: “May we all dare to offer our gifts, no matter how small they seem, for the nourishment of our community and the life of the world.” Also this week: News about upcoming events in our parish and the diocese, as well as parishioner Barbara Matovu’s contribution to this year’s Queens Short Play Festival in a few weeks!
This week: The rector shares a poem reflecting on part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as relayed in Matthew: “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
This Sunday, following the 11 am service, Ascension will hold its annual meeting. All are welcome to attend, whether or not you’re a pledging member of the parish. For this special Sunday, we will have three very significant pieces. Starting at 10:45 am, the Prelude will be perhaps the greatest masterpiece of César Franck, his Choral in E Major. The Offertory Anthem will be the highly dramatic and inspiring “In the Year that King Uzziah Died” by David McK. Williams. And the Postlude will be Bach’s formidable “We all Believe in One God.”
This week: The rector explores the Epiphany theme of vocations and what God may be calling us to do. Also: links to ballots will be emailed this week to pledging members to vote in the vestry and warden elections, which take place online in advance of next Sunday’s (in-person) Annual Meeting.