"
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
." - Psalm 96
|
|
THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + JULY 22, 2020
|
|
The Feast of
Saint Mary Magdalene
Wednesday in the Seventh Week
after Pentecost
(Proper 11)
This evening, July 22
Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m.
* note the new starting time *
Low Mass, 6:30 p.m.
Via Zoom, connect below
|
|
|
|
8th Sunday after Pentecost
July 26
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
10:15 a.m.
Conversations with
Noah Riggenbach
(
see below
)
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
ALL VIA ZOOM
(See connection information below.)
|
|
Brödbak
(Baking bread), 1917,
Sam Uhrdin (1886-1964)
|
|
"
The more time we spend scrolling, the more we find ... dangers, the more we get sucked into them, the more anxious we get ... Now you look around yourself, and everything feels gloomy, everything makes you anxious. So you go back to look for more.
.."
Dr. Amelia Aldao, clinical psychologist
“
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
."
St. Paul, Letter to the Philippians
Dear people of Ascension,
Before heading out on a walk for my health’s sake, I grab my phone to check the weather. My news app is open…
An hour later, maybe more, I don’t know, I’m still on the couch, deep into pandemic horrors, when up comes the probable extinction of polar bears, then RBG’s cancer, and Rush Limbaugh’s cancer. QAnon believes the two are connected? Wait! Did I actually see that somewhere? Where can I look?
The walk isn’t happening. Ice cream is. And more scrolling and clicking.
No explanation was needed when I first heard the word
doomscrolling
on a radio program a few days ago. Our unchecked screen-time. Our clicking to, and filling ourselves with, ever more apocalyptic images, dramas and rants.
But this is not new. Our devices have only exponentially increased the prevalence and frequency of impulses native to many of us. We binge on stimulation that arguably makes us spiritually sick.
Our Christian tradition has always had and continues to offer antidotes. Daily devotions can get us to or keep us in the arms of God. From there the world’s troubles are no less real or painful or troubling but are put in a bigger, and more ultimately optimistic, perspective.
No less important is fellowship, an old-fashioned word, but try it sometime, or try it again. Try more genuinely connecting with others who share faith, questions and service… and yes, also foibles, fears and doomscrolling.
|
|
|
|
May all of us, including those prone to doomscrolling, cling to God: in prayer, in our best fellowship one with another, and in our will to serve in faith, hope and love.
Patrick +
|
|
One Last Conversation about Theology - For Now
with Noah Riggenbach, Sunday at 10:15 a.m.
Those who took part on the past two Sundays enjoyed a lively and thoughtful conversation, with good participation and questioning by all. Each unit is independent of the others, and all are welcome. Please join us via Zoom at 10:15 a.m. Sunday.
|
|
July 26 -
Being Christ's voice and hands in the world
. Noah will revisit questions he posed in our first gathering on July 5. How do we better connect our theology (ortho-
doxy, the doctrines we share) with the actual practices of our faith (ortho-
praxy). What conclusions might we reach with regard to our witness together as a parish in response to present troubles, concerns and questions?
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Updates
Our task force members (clergy, staff, others) are continuing to move forward, though cautiously, toward resuming in-person worship. This past week:
- Carol Noren drafted an impressive, detailed and appropriate checklist for those who will be willing to serve on a cleaning team before or after masses.
- Brother Nathanael and I are nearly ready to hit the 'Order' button for some wall-mounted and free-standing no-touch hand sanitizer dispensers.
- I and others continue to gather, monitor and evaluate information on diverse matters such as: technology we may wish to acquire to continue live-streaming even after in-person worship resumes, a consultant to advise on said technologies, studies on infection risks resulting from singing ... and rising infections in Illinois.
|
|
These and other forward steps notwithstanding, I and others are less confident than we recently were about resuming in-person worship by mid-August. I will do my best to keep you posted. Meanwhile, I welcome your questions about the challenges we are facing or how you may be able to help, and I thank you for your patience and prayers.
|
|
In addition to other developments mentioned above, we received a donation of a lovely antique oak table for use in the narthex. It will help direct folks entering the church up the south aisle and provide distancing between usher(s)/greeter(s) and those entering the church. Please join me in thanking Facebook Marketplace seller Adam Wilk for agreeing to donate the table and Marlea Edinger for agreeing to give the table a good cleaning and polish.
|
|
|
|
Vestry Headlines!
I wish I had some--headlines. In fact, I do! But I'm already past our usual newsletter 'send' deadline, and some of the important matters considered by the Vestry at its July 18 meeting require more clarification before I can confidently share them with any accuracy. I will tell you, however, that the photo to the left is of George Arceneaux, to be ordained Deacon this Saturday at the Church of St. Paul and the Redeemer, Hyde Park. He
may
be vested on Saturday in a deacon's red dalmatic borrowed from Ascension, and he and I and others have resumed conversations started pre-pandemic about a ministry for him here. Stay tuned on that and other developments. And please join me in prayers for George.
|
|
I regret having to remind you that visits to the church must be arranged in advance with Parish Administrator Br. Nathanael Rahm and should be limited to most-essential needs and ministries and visits to the church proper for devotion and prayers. Thank you for your understanding.
|
|
Due to COVID-19,
Church of the
Ascension’s Treasurer and Bookkeeper are limiting the amount of time they spend working in the parish offices
. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 4-6 weeks.
You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at
Finance@AscensionChicago.org
.
|
|
T
his Week's Featured Chorister
Peter Wesoloski,
baritone
Year of my first service at Ascension
: 2016
One or two of my favorite Mass settings/motets that I’ve sung at Ascension
: I really like the Gounod
Messe chorale
we've done a few times. Love all the Stanford/Howells as well as the polyphony. Too hard to pick even a dozen favorites from the rep we do.
One of my favorite things about singing at Ascension is
: I really like every aspect of singing at Ascension. Making incredible music with my extremely talented colleagues paramount of course, but the services, the hymns, meaningful sermons, appreciative faces in the pews...
What else do I do outside of Ascension?
More singing. Outside of singing? Definitely love traveling and eating my way around the world, which is sadly postponed indefinitely at the moment, but I've been fortunate enough to do a fair bit of up until now. And I love playing games. I spent a sizable chunk of quarantine studying chess in particular.
Photo credit:
Paul Crisanti
Next week’s Featured Chorister will be this Sunday’s soloist, Amy Johnson
|
|
Sunday's Organ Repertoire
|
|
Opening Voluntary
Rhapsodie dédiée à Sainte Anne,
mère de la Vierge Marie, op. 7 [1866]
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Offertory Hymn
Hymn 530 “Spread, O spread, thou mighty word
"
GOTT SEI DANK
Closing Voluntary
Fugue in d minor, op. 109, no. 1
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns
|
|
|
|
Ascension Connections
Below
(with your click and God's help)
|
Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
|
|
Weekly Ascension Schedule
for the (stay-at-home) time being
All connections are
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).
SUNDAYS
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Mass
10:15 a.m. Scripture reflection
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:10 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
|
|
WEEKDAY MORNING PRAYER
Join us for Morning Prayer, Mondays through Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. on Facebook Live. We've created
a dedicated group as part of Ascension's Facebook page here
where you can find these videos. (Or navigate from the Ascension Facebook page by clicking on "Groups" at the left side of the screen.) Pray with us while watching live or while visiting the videos later. If, having seen these, you find that you'd like to officiate, please reach out to
Br. Jonathan Wheat, SMJ
(pictured here) or
MB Hwang
.
|
|
Mondays-Fridays, 6:00 p.m.
Please note the addition of
Evening Prayer on Fridays!
|
|
Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ...
|
|
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!
|
|
Ascension Prayer List as of July 22
For our individual and shared courage and wisdom in addressing matters related to race and racism and for the reconciling witness of the Church.
For our prayers
: Charley Taylor, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Dean Pineda, Carnola Malone, Charlene MacDougal, Mary Drell, Jim Lo Bello, Mary Lou Devens, Marty Stenson, Donna Neglia, Jessica, Maxim, Ted Long, Ken Kelling, Beth Hall, David Byerly, Nicholas Carl, Sal Martinez, Salem, Marta Alverado, Marco Patricio, Leigh McDonald, Bonnie Joseph, Ricardo Avila, Angie West, Gabriel Monpetit
In Thanksgiving for
Birthdays
: Kasja & Sophia, 7/21; Barbara Susman, 7/21; Jim Berger, 7/22; Doug Mose, 7/24;
Joyce Keaton, 7/24; John C. Hedley, 7/25
Ordination
: For the upcoming ordination of George Arceneaux to the transitional diaconate, 7/25
Prayers for the departed
: Margaret Whybrew, 7/20/2007; Taylor Hope Homko, 7/22/2004;
Astrid Olivia Felton, 7/25
Veronica Perez, Jeanette Perez, Dean Steigauf, Father Larry Heiman, C.PP.S., Lydia Gonzalez, Marcus Merge
Father Edwin A. ‘Gregory’ Norris, XIV Rector of Church of the Ascension
John Lewis, Congressman and Prophet
All who have died due to complications of COVID-19
For all law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
For all who have been unjustly killed as a result of law enforcement misconduct.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
|
|
During our 'Theology of Pandemic' conversation this past Sunday, parishioner Scott Knitter recalled Samuel Barber's Prayers of Kierkegaard, Op. 30, 1954. I looked up the text(s) and was duly moved--enough to imagine some of you may wish to know of or revisit them, below. More information on the composition follow the texts.
-
Fr. Raymond
+
|
|
|
|
O Thou Who are unchangeable, Whom nothing changes,
May we find our rest
And remain at rest
in Thee unchanging.
Thou art moved
and moved in infinite love by all things;
the need of a sparrow, even this moves Thee;
and what we scarcely see,
a human sigh,
this moves Thee, O infinite Love!
But nothing changes Thee, O Thou unchanging!
* * *
Lord Jesus Christ
Who suffered all life long
that I, too, might be saved,
and Whose suffering still knows no end,
This, too, wilt Thou endure:
saving and redeeming me,
this patient suffering of me
with whom Thou hast to do—
I, who so often go astray.
* * *
Father in Heaven,
well we know that it is Thou
that givest both to will and to do,
that also longing,
when it leads us to renew
the fellowship with our Savior and Redeemer,
is from Thee.
Father in heaven, longing is Thy gift.
But when longing lays hold of us,
oh, that we might lay hold of the longing!
when it would carry us away,
that we also might give ourselves up!
when Thou art near to summon us,
that we also in prayer might stay near Thee!
When Thou in the longing
dost offer us the highest good,
oh, that we might hold it fast!
* * *
Father in Heaven!
Hold not our sins up against us
But hold us up against our sins,
So that the thought of Thee should not remind us
Of what we have committed,
But of what Thou didst forgive;
Not how we went astray,
But how Thou didst save us!
|
|
William Blake (1757–1827),
The Body of Christ Borne to the Tomb
(1799–1800),
tempera on canvas mounted onto cardboard, 26.7 x 37.8 cm, The Tate Gallery, London
|
|
The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond,
Rector
Susan Schlough,
Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG,
Parish Office
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
