This Week at Ascension + March 2, 2022
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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Ash Wednesday + March 2nd
In-person Said Masses with Imposition of Ashes at 7:30 a.m. & Noon
In-person and Live-streamed Choral High Mass
with Imposition of Ashes at 6:30 p.m.
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Sunday, March 6, 2022
The First Sunday in Lent
9:00 a.m. In-person Sung Mass
with Organ and Hymns
11:00 a.m. In-person &
Live-streamed
Solemn High Mass
Image: The Temptation of Christ by the Devil
Christoffel Jegher (1596-1652) after Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) Art Institute of Chicago
IN THE AFTERNOON
Organ Recital by David White, 3:30 p.m.
Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
From Nymphéas, op. 54 [1959]
Rays of Sun, Nocturne, Dawn
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Partite diverse sopra il corale O Gott, du Frommer Gott BWV 767
Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, 4:00 p.m.
George Dyson (1883-1964) Evening Service in C minor
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In the past couple weeks, Gary Alexander and I have been discussing how the timing of Fr. Raymond’s retirement could be a holy invitation for our parish community to enter into Lent with hearts open for discernment. Gary has written a wonderful reflection that I think shows his gift for pastoral thinking in addition to his skills as a communicator, tech minister, and liturgical minister. His letter follows.
–Mtr Murphy-Gill
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Holy Coincidence
I’m grateful that, as a parish, we were able to celebrate Fr. Raymond’s tenure as our rector and to mark his retirement. At the same time, I am reminded that goodbyes often include feelings of loss and grief. And that is certainly the case with the departure of a priest who has generously blessed us with his great pastoral and administrative gifts, his faith, fine preaching, humor, and compassion.
In the life of a parish, the departure of a rector requires us to enter into a period of discernment as to how we will live out our future witness to the Good News as Church of the Ascension. How fitting it seems, then, that this next chapter coincides with the beginning of Lent. Indeed it seems a great gift to see our parochial discernment as interwoven with this holy season. Lent is, after all, a time of taking stock, of deepening our understanding of our gifts and responsibilities, and of listening. It’s also a time when we are exhorted to acknowledge our faults, our prejudices, our blindness. It’s a time of noting temptation—what are the dazzling objects that are distracting us from living more fully into our life in Christ? What patterns of behavior might we need to break? What types of reconciliation do we need to effect? But there is more to Lent than just discipline and hair shirts. Like Jesus in the wilderness, we must allow ourselves to be ministered to—by the sacraments and beauty of our liturgies and by the fellowship and companionship with our fellow parishioners.
I suspect that with this period of parochial discernment as with Lent itself, the more deeply and prayerfully we commit to it, the more open we become to resurrection with all of its joys and (sometimes surprising) revelations. How grateful I am that we, individually and as a parish, are being invited in the name of the church (as the Ash Wednesday liturgy puts it) to this dual season of self-examination, prayer, and reconciliation in preparation for our new life in the Risen Christ.
–Gary Alexander
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We need your help!
It is the parishioners who make a parish a vibrant and spiritual home. If you’ve had a nagging feeling about what we should be doing at Ascension or have some ideas about what we could use more (or less) of, our time of transition together is a chance to get involved. Please see below for committees in need of members:
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Rector Search Committee. If you’re interested in serving on the committee that will lead the congregation through this important search, please contact Sr. Warden Ken Kelling or Jr. Warden LaVerne Saunders. Please note that while the invitation to express interest is open to anyone, not all who are interested may be able to serve.
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Finance Committee. Chaired by Treasurer Susan Schlough, this group reviews big-picture parish finances, advises the Vestry on significant decisions or developments and works with the Treasurer to prepare annual operating budgets. Contact the Wardens or Treasurer.
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Outreach Mission. Take part in evaluating and leading new outreach mission endeavors in our neighborhood and beyond. Contact Mother Murphy-Gill.
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Buildings & Grounds. Keeping up with our buildings and gardens takes a team. If you have an eye for assessing and prioritizing needs, please contact Cheryl Peterson.
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Hospitality. Calling all who love to throw a good party, whether big or small. We need hosts for coffee hour and assistance with receptions on holy days or for special events. Contact Vestry member Seán Hansen.
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Diocesan Convention Delegates. Consider Diocesan Convention as an Annual Meeting, but for the whole Diocese of Chicago. Each parish sends three lay representatives (ours are appointed by the Vestry) who will vote on behalf of the parish. If you’re interested in representing Ascension at a 1- or 2-day meeting in November, please contact the Wardens.
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Stewardship. Do you have secret fundraising skills that helped you keep a nonprofit afloat in your work life? Or are you a creative person with a few ideas about getting people excited to give? We could use your help with our annual stewardship appeal. Contact the Wardens.
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Food Pantry this Saturday
Come fill grocery bags with pantry goods and personal items for our neighbors this Saturday. This is a wonderful opportunity for service and fellowship. If you’re looking for a way to engage in the work of the Gospel this Lent, please join us. Plus, Mtr Murphy-Gill makes a good strong pot of coffee.
We’ll gather in St. Michael Hall at 9:30 a.m. and distribute grocery bags until around noon. Stay for as long as you’re able, but we need the most help between 9:30 and 11 am.
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Dear people of Ascension,
Though compelled to try, my wife Brooke and I are already aware that this offering of thanks will fall far short of the gratitude we felt on Sunday and continue to feel:
- For all who took part in Sunday’s mass and farewell reception — a lovely, lively, meaningful mix of Ascension regulars, newcomers, guests, parish clergy, staff and musicians, a new security officer on his first day, and six of our own immediate and extended family members.
- For a remarkably full church, Bishop Martins’ role in the leave-taking rite, the ‘spiritual’ at the Offertory, the smoky Te Deum at the Blessing.
- For all who prepared and acquired or prepared foods for the over-the-top reception, the musician’s offering there, the thoughtful and generous gifts, no long speeches, and those who stayed well into the afternoon to clean up.
- For — as we experienced it — the extraordinarily meaningful and fitting acknowledgement of and conclusion to our more than six years of shared life, faith and ministry.
Thank you and bless you.
Patrick +
Note: The Rt. Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen, the Assisting Bishop of Chicago, addressed a letter to Fr. Raymond and the People of the Ascension on the occasion of his retirement. That letter may be read here.
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Relaxed Pandemic Guidance
Effective through March, Ascension will return to the more relaxed pandemic guidance that we enjoyed prior to Advent 2021. Think of it as a mixed bag of bad news and good news (mostly good!). Some highlights:
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All in the pews are asked to remain masked.
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Choir members, most or all of whom are being tested several times per week, will be 'mask optional' while singing and otherwise masked.
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The Celebrant, Preacher and Lectors are mask-optional while reading or chanting but should otherwise remain masked.
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Some social distancing measures for the Solemn High Mass will be relaxed, notably the Gospel procession will return to the nave aisle in the midst of the People; the ushers will bring forward the gifts of bread and wine at the Offertory.
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Coffee hour fellowship may be resumed, subject to coordination and willing volunteers. Stay tuned.
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Registration in the narthex will continue through March as will the restrictions on sharing the chalice, and ...
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All measures will be reconsidered again for services in April. Thanks to all for patience, timely questions and constructive suggestions.
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Faith Formation and Prayer Opportunities in Lent |
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Mondays - Lenten Lunches at Noon via Zoom
Join Mtr. Murphy-Gill every Monday at noon during Lent for conversation and reflection on preparing for Holy Week. We’ll be using the book Holy Solitude as our guide. There are still a few copies available at the church for $6.
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Fridays - Stations of the Cross at Noon
Come pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday at noon in the church. David White will accompany on the organ. If you’d like to be a lay officiant or assist, please reach out to our verger MB Hwang.
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Mtr. Meghan Murphy-Gill's sermon for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany may be read here.
Fr. Patrick Raymond's sermon for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany may be read here.
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Organ and Choral Repertoire for March 6, 2022 |
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ORGAN
Pari Intervallo [1976]
Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)
At the Entrance Procession
The Great Litany
At the Offertory
BOURBON
At the Communion
ERHALT UNS, HERR (9am)
CANTICUM PAIDE (11am)
At the Retiring Procession
AUS DER TIEFE RUFE ICH (11am)
ORGAN
Trivium [1976]
Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)
Missa syllabica (rev. 1996)
Orlande de Lassus (c. 1532-1594)
Scapulis suis
Kathryn Rose (b. 1980)
Angelis suis (2018)
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Between Masses, please don’t forget that The Choir of the Ascension has recorded upwards of 60 tracks that you can listen to anywhere you have an internet connection. They can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/choir-of-the-ascension
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Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
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Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
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Weekly Ascension Schedule
For connections:
SUNDAYS
9:00 a.m. In-person Sung Mass
11:00 a.m. In-person and Live-Streamed Solemn High Mass
MONDAY-FRIDAY
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Said Mass
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Please give generously as you are able.
Treasurer Susan Schlough has asked me to remind you of Ascension's ongoing expenses at this time. To the extent that you are able, payment on your pledges or the offering of Holy Day or other special gifts will be greatly appreciated. You may still write a check and mail it to the church, or online payment is possible through the buttons at various places on our website. Thank you!
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For our prayers: The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Taffy Wehe, Beth Hall, Sue Lenz, Ben, David D. Jones, Gina, Tom Baer, Edward Minieka, Brenda Martins, Claire Green, Carey Weiss, Annie Picard
Birthdays: MB Hwang, 3/3; Benjamin Rivera, 3/5
Anniversaries: Mtr. Meghan Murphy-Gill, 2/27, Ordination to Transitional Diaconate
Requiescat in pace: James C. Krulish, 2/27/2008, Richard Wolfe, Larry Kimmel, Heather Downs
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them;
May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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The Rev. Meghan Murphy-Gill, Curate
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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Vestry of Church of the Ascension
Ken Kelling, Sr. Warden; LaVerne Rollé Saunders, Jr. Warden;
Ian Barillas-McEntee, Jim Lo Bello, Ken Cozette, Marlea Edinger, Sean Hansen, George Pineda, Joshua Simpson, Sam Sommers, Enrique Vilaseco, Vestry
Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes.
The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.
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