Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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 | www.ascensionnyc.org

"O God,

the wellspring of life,

pour into our hearts the living water of your grace,

that refreshed by you,

we may live this day in steadfast reliance on the strength you give;

through our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen."

Dear People of Ascension,

This simple collect from the New Zealand Prayer Book is a new favorite of mine. I love its water imagery, especially in these steamy hot summer days. I reach for the well-spring of the Spirit deep within, especially in these unsettled and uncertain times, when I am most in need of comfort and refreshment.

Even more, I meditate on what it means to live in daily steadfast reliance on God, trusting that strength will be given for the challenges and discernment I face, and that there is more than enough grace to sustain me even through my failures, struggles and joys- love sufficient for each day.

Are there prayers, scriptures, words or images that are sustaining and refreshing you in this season? May our spiritual practices ground us in the goodness of God, bringing rest, vision, courage and renewed life.

Peace,

Liz

How to Join the Service

From your computer, laptop, pad, smart phone, or other device, click this link:

https://zoom.us/j/322793633

If you do not have a device with a camera, you can still join with your phone by dialing the following number and enter the meeting ID: 929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 322 793 633

All of our online services, with their links, can be found on our public calendar, and are listed below.

Click this link to read up on some best practices for Zoom meetings.

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Worship Service

July 26, 2020; 11:00 a.m.

‌

All gather online

The service begins with the sound of a bell

and your microphones will be muted.

Introit

Gregorian Chant

Welcome

Hymn

#388 O worship the King, all glorious above ( Hanover)

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

O worship the King, all glorious above!

O gratefully sing his power and his love!

Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,

pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of his might! O sing of his grace!

Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.

His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,

and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

The earth, with its store of wonders untold,

Almighty, thy power hath founded of old,

hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,

and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air; it shines in the light;

it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,

and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,

in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;

thy mercies, how tender! how firm to the end!

Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

Acclamation

Presider Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

1st Reading - Genesis 29:15-28

Reader: Daniel Cole

Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

Psalm 119:129-136 (St. Helena Psalter)

Your decrees are wonderful; *

therefore I obey them with all my heart.

When your word goes forth it gives light; *

it gives understanding to the simple.

I open my mouth and pant; *

I long for your commandments.

Turn to me in mercy, *

as you always do to those who love your Name.

Steady my footsteps in your word; *

let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Rescue me from those who oppress me, *

and I will keep your commandments.

Let your countenance shine upon your servant *

and teach me your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of tears, *

because people do not keep your law.

2nd Reading - Romans 8:26-39

Reader: Steve Hubbard

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew

Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Sermon

The Rev. Elizabeth G. Maxwell

Anthem

Eucaristica

Pablo Casals (1876-1973)

( Sung in Catalan)

Deep in my heart I bear my Lord;

My heart is a sacred Host to Jesus;

Therefore in my heart the light that

Gives serenity is ever glorious.

Deep in my heart I bear my Lord;

And my heart leaps joyfully within me.

Goodness today makes sorrow light,

And I have angels for my companions.

Deep in my heart I bear my Lord;

And ever see the light of heaven

That keeps me always from the ways of darkness

And of evil doing.

Deep in my heart I bear my Lord;

And all my life he will be with me.

I want my voice to speak of love

As does the seraph that proclaims Him.

My way shall be a path of lilies,

The path on which I walk beside Him.

Prayers of the People - New Zealand Prayer Book, Second Form

Please send your own prayers through the chat function on Zoom, and the leader will read them at the end of the intercessions.

God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us when we pray to you in faith with thanksgiving.

We pray for one another, for our families and friends, through whom we learn to love and to be loved. Thank you for all who care for us. Give us grace to serve Christ by serving our neighbors and our community, loving others as he loves us.

Silence

We thank you for the unfailing love you hold out to everyone in Jesus Christ. Comfort and heal those in sorrow, need, sickness or any other trouble, especially Robert, Ed, Janet, Mary and Tom, Ellen, Joseph, Brielle, Lucas, Holly, Allejandro and Jesus, Jorge, Nancy, Barbara, Dorothy, Stewart, Patricia, Judith, Marco, Tina, Hannah, Jurek, Alice, Stacy and Jonathan, Michael, Lisa, Peter, Barbara, Richard, Kate, Edita, Daniel, Kelly, and Kathy. Give them courage and hope in their distress, and bless those who minister to them.

Silence

We remember with gratitude your many gifts to us in creation and the rich heritage of this land. Help us and people everywhere to share with justice and peace the resources of the earth. We pray for all laboring to end racism and white supremacy and establish racial justice in our country. Give wisdom to those in authority among us and to all leaders of the nations.

Silence

We pray for your Church throughout the world, thanking you for all who serve Christ and his kingdom. By your Spirit strengthen your people for their work and witness in the world. Unite us in your truth and love, that we who confess your name may also reflect your glory.

Silence

We pray for all affected by COVID-19: for the frightened and the sick, for the dying and those who mourn. We pray for all who have lost jobs and livelihood as a result of this pandemic. We pray for all healthcare workers, especially Scarlett, Madonna, Trudie, Nancy, Anna, Sarah, Endine, and Terese, for all whose labor supports our common life, sometimes at the risk of their own lives; for those developing treatment and a vaccine, and for those charged with making decisions about public health and public policy and for all who are reopening, that they may care for one another in wisdom and safety.

Silence

We remember with thanksgiving all who have died in Christ and those whose faith is known to you alone, especially Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Jamel Floyd, and Pat Landis. We rejoice at the faithful witness of your saints in every age, praying that we may enter with them into the unending joy of your heavenly kingdom.

Silence

We offer you our other prayers, and our thanksgivings for all the blessings of this life.

Prayers received on Zoom chat are read by the intercessor.

Silence

Merciful God, you look with compassion on all who turn to you. Hear the prayers of your people.

The priest adds a concluding collect.

Confession and Absolution

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those

who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Announcements

Blessing

Hymn

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Ev’rything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Ev’rything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness,

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord in Prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in Prayer.

In his arms He’ll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Dismissal

The people respond

Thanks be to God.

Coffee Hour

Pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite juice, grab a slice of banana bread, piece of fruit, or a peanut butter & jelly sandwich , and feel free to "hang out" with us online to chat!

For Your Daily Prayers - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) During this time of global crisis and personal anxiety, we offer you this prayer form to include in your daily prayers.

Please support your parish!

Go to ascensionnyc.org/give to give online

Our parish can only continue its mission and ministry because of the generosity of parishioners, visitors, and friends of the parish and we are working hard to make our online giving as easy and seamless as possible.

Please check us out at ascensionnyc.org/give to find out how easy and secure it is. Click the envelope on the right to go the Ascension Website for more information and to sign up to give.

Announcements

Sunday Meditation with Prayers & Music

is available on our Facebook page:

facebook.com/ascensionnyc

Stay Connected in Prayer. Join us each weeknight at 5:30 for Evening Prayer and discussion. Click here to join. To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 770 597 201.

Did you take our online survey about reopening?

As city and state officials make important decisions regarding COVID-19 related policies, the Church of the Ascension has formed a Reopening Committee to develop a plan to create safe in-church options for parishioners. We plan to continue online worship services via Zoom for the foreseeable future, but we want to understand parishioners' thoughts about possible in-church options that may be offered in the coming months. To help the committee facilitate the planning process, we are asking you to complete an online survey that will help us understand your thoughts about in-church worship modifications and how those modifications would impact your decision to participate.

Click here to access the online survey

(https://forms.gle/6CQQiL72NPc5KUhH6)

We value your input as we develop a plan that will work best for Ascension and in ways that will ensure the health and safety of all who wish to return to in-person services.

Please answer this questionnaire by Monday, August 3rd, to ensure that your preferences will be considered in the plan.

Ordination Gift for Meredith Ward- God willing, our beloved Deacon Meredith Ward will be ordained to the priesthood on September 19, 2020. It has been a special joy to experience her ministry among us during this time of online worship! As her sponsoring parish, we would like to give her the priestly vestments for this occasion (and beyond): a white chasuble and stole. If you would like to contribute to this gift, please do so either online via ascensionnyc.org/ordinationgift, or send a check to the Church of the Ascension with "Meredith ordination gift" in the memo line (address it to Mother Liz's attention at the church office). Thank you!

Help for job seekers available- Long-time choir member Deb Feldman is cofounder at Gray Scalable, an HR and Recruiting consultancy to tech startups, based in Flatiron. Deb is offering job search advice and interview practice for Ascension parishioners who have been furloughed or laid off as a result of Covid-19. This is offered remotely via Zoom and free of charge - however, spots are limited, and offered on a first come, first served basis. Please email debsoprano@gmail.com if you're interested.

Reimagining Policing in a Just World: All are invited to join our neighbors in the Diocese of Long Island for a webinar on Monday, July 27 from 7-8:30 pm. It features Dr. Catherine Meeks and Andrea J. Ritchie in conversation about this vital and timely topic, and is sponsored by St. Ann's and the Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral and the Social Justice Ministry of the Diocese of LI. Please click here to register here. Click here to view or download the flyer.

Racial Justice Book Group: How to be an Anti-Racist , by Ibram X. Kendi- For the rest of the summer, we at Ascensio n will join others in the Diocese of New York in reading and discussing How to be an Anti-Racist . The book is widely available. Our next meeting will be at 6:30 on Thursday, July 30, and we ask that you come having read chapters 5-9. We will continue on alternate Thursdays: August 13 and 27. Please join us via Zoom (meeting id: 931 1415 0722) as we continue the urgent and holy work of learning about racism and white supremacy, and how each of us is called to work for racial justice. Questions? Please speak to the clergy.

Subscribe to the AscensionNYC podcast and have our weekly sermons delivered to the device of your choice! While we have been posting recordings of sermons preached at Ascension services since February 2015, many have asked how they can listen to them on the go. Now you can subscribe to the AscensionNYC podcast to have the latest sermons and other audio content from the Church of the Ascension automatically downloaded to your phone, tablet or computer. Follow this link

to choose how you'd like to receive AscensionNYC in the podcast app you use; we’re being added to more and more directories each week!

You can also go to our website to listen to recent sermons by clicking here or going to our website.

Letter from our Bishop!

" The Beloved Community Faces White Supremacy"

From Your Vestry

Click here to read notes from the most recent Vestry meeting.

Mother Posey's Art Quilting Website - At last Sunday's Zoom coffee hour, some of the members of the Needlework guild asked Mother Posey to send a link to her art quilting website. You will find photographs of many of her beautiful quilts there!

Give while shopping - We all seem to be relying on online shopping more and more these days. The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the nonprofit you choose. Even these small sums can add up for us. Click here to find out how.

This Week At Ascension

Sunday – July 26

Church Service ( Zoom); 11:00 a.m.

Coffee Hour and Chat (Zoom); following the 11:00 service

Meditation with Prayers and Music ( Available on our Facebook page)

Monday – July 27