Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 27, 2026

The Church of the Ascension

in the City of New York

12 West 11th Street, New York, NY 10011

212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | ascensionnyc.org

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“Is the Lord among us or not?”

Dear People of Ascension,

In our lectionary for this season, the Israelites are making their slow way through the wilderness following their liberation from slavery in Egypt. It is strange and scary. Sometimes they wonder if they were better off in the familiarity of bondage. They doubt Moses’ leadership, to say nothing of God’s intentions towards them. As we heard last week, they grumble and quarrel. I think it’s because they are afraid. In this week’s reading, they are thirsty, with no water and no visible prospects. They ask, “Is God among us or not?”

How do you recognize God’s presence? When we are amazed by the beauty of nature or swept up in the swell of music, when doors open and prayers are answered, when we are moved by love and gratitude, many of us find it easy to sense the nearness of the Holy One. But in our wilderness seasons- when we feel lost, when we confront persistent injustice, when we come to the end of our knowledge and strength, we too may wonder where God is, and how we will make it through.

The text tells of a miracle- water in the desert, springing from dry stone. It’s not always so dramatic, but the image speaks to me of hidden, unexpected grace that provides what we need. God journeys with us- in our spiritual practice; in the stories we tell; in our own acts of brave love, creativity and mercy; in the natural world and in our life together in community. Our faith teaches that God with us- Emmanuel- draws especially near in our longing for wholeness and justice, in our need and our thirst.

In all the challenges of our world and our own lives, dear people of Ascension, let us notice both this question and the steadfast, surprising ways we encounter God in our midst. May that presence sustain us in all our journeys and seasons.

Liz

Season of Creation

Final Celebration of the Season of Creation - Blessing of the Animals - Feast of St. Francis – We will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis - the saint who preached to the birds and called a wolf his brother –with the blessing of the animals following the 11 a.m. service in two weeks, Sunday, October 4. The blessing will be around 12:30, giving those who live nearby a chance to go and get their animals; however, you are also welcome to bring well-behaved pets to church that day. Tell your friends! Flyers to share are available in the narthex.

Do you like to color? Especially for children and their families- we have copies of “the Sunday Paper” a cartoon version of our gospel each Sunday, along with crayons and clipboards available from the ushers. Please ask for one if your child would enjoy this during the service.

To watch our services via Live Stream

go to Ascensionnyc.org/Webcasts,

Regular Service Schedule

SUNDAY

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Side Altar)

11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist w/ Music

(Church & Livestream)

6:00 p.m. Meditation & Sacrament (Church)

WEDNESDAY

6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Church)

Evening Prayer Every Weekday Evening

via Zoom

Join us each weeknight at 5:30

for Evening Prayer & discussion.

Click this link to join: ascensionnyc.org/eveningprayer.

To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 880 1981 1224.

How to Watch Online

Long Term Prayers

Pray for: Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Stewart, Jen, Bishop Gretchen, Alice & the Kisiya family, Jennifer, Ketty, Sara, William Wynter, Eric, Eileen, Rural & Migrant Ministry, all detained at Delaney Hall, those who recently lost their TPS status, and New York Haiti Project and the St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Martel. We remember all who have been killed by ICE, or died in custody this year: Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Keith Porter, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Victor Manuel Diaz, Heber Sánchez Domínguez, Parady La, Luis Beltrán Yáñez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, Lorth Sim, Jairo Garcia-Hernandez, Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, Emmanuel Clifford Damas, Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi, Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, Royer Perez-Jimenez, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Joan Sebastian Guerrero. We pray especially for a just peace in Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Cuba, and in our own country.

Please keep these people and intentions from our long-term prayer list in your own prayers. We hope to keep our intercessions in the liturgy both faithful and fresh, as we persist in prayer for those who need it.

Prayers! Did you know you can submit your prayer requests online? Go to ascensionnyc.org/prayers and type in your prayer request. Be sure to add them. Requests submitted by noon on Thursday will be included in the Sunday bulletin. (Any requests after that will be included in the following Sunday bulletin.)

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion

If you are attending any of our services online, we invite you to use this prayer at communion.

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Announcements

Ascension Forum This Sunday, September 27: a Conversation with Alex Little. Join us after coffee hour today as we hear from our new Director of Music about his journey to Ascension and his hopes for his ministry among us. To watch online, click the "Ascension Forum" link above to join the forum!

This Thursday: October 1, 7 pm in the Ascension Parish Hall- Talking About Christian Zionism with Dr. Mark Braverman. He will bring key texts from Scripture to bear on the church’s mission to stand with the oppressed, as we wrestle together with issues such as these: God’s promises, Christian Zionism, the call of the Palestinian Christians, and Christian-Jewish relations in the age of Gaza. This event is co-sponsored with the NYC Chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Palestine Justice Network. Please register here: https://bit.ly/4dCXkDZ or contact the Parish Office at info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620. All Welcome!

Weekday Zoom Adult Small Group:

Learn, Pray, and Grow Together!

Starting in October, join us on a weekday evening, 8:00–9:30 PM, via Zoom. Vote for your favorite book or topic and your preferred meeting day during Coffee Hour, or submit your interest online. For additional information, contact our intern, Yunjeong McSeol.

Flowers for Church - Sponsoring flowers for the Sunday service is a great way to remember loved ones now past and to celebrate joyful moments in life. If you would like to sponsor flowers, please email the parish administrator (info@ascensionnyc.org) or call the church office (212-254-8620). Please indicate the date you would like to sponsor them.

Liberian Quilt Exhibit at St. Lukes Church, October 3; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. St Luke's in the Fields is hosting a Liberian quilt exhibit with handcrafted quilts for sale form the Bensonville Diasora. Proceeds suipport Liverian quilt-makeing guilds and their families. Click here to read the flier.

Giving Liberates the Soul of the Giver- Our annual pledge drive has concluded, but it's not too late to pledge!

The materials are in the back of the church; please take them if you are interested. We would love for everyone to pledge! If you are not able to make a regular commitment, we warmly invite you to give as you are able, one time or whenever you are here.

We need your help and are grateful for the support of everyone in our community! Thank you for your generosity, and may it be liberating for your soul!

To pay your pledge, please continue using Abundant (ascensionnyc.org/give)

Immigration Legal Support Fund – Recently our diocese announced a new Immigration Legal Support Fund to support immigrant families in our congregations and neighborhoods throughout the Diocese of New York. The Legal Fund will help those navigating immigration under urgent and vulnerable circumstances to access legal resources. We're starting with a $50,000 contribution from the Bishop’s discretionary funds. Help us to match this amount to keep families together. With your support, we can do more so that no one faces the system alone. Your contribution makes possible same-day response, family preparedness, limited-scope appearances, and urgent filings. You can contribute here. To learn more about the Immigration Legal Support Fund Click here.

Your Pantry Needs You!

Ascension Outreach Inc. needs additional volunteer participation. The program is robust and developing in some great ways- and we need more hands-on help. Won’t you consider helping strengthen our service to our neighbors?

Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month.

Upcoming Dates: September 26, October 3 & 17. If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org, or 732-910-7017.

Support Church of the Ascension

Open Church Schedule

Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Gretchen Dumler or contact the church office (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620.