Dear People of Ascension,

This year, the 4th of July is a sobering commemoration. I am coming to understand more deeply than ever before how racism, white supremacy and inequality have been woven, from the very beginning, into the origins of our country. Long before the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, its vision of freedom was predicated on the unpaid labor of enslaved Africans, on land stolen from the indigenous people of this place. This is not the history I was taught.

We have never reckoned with this past, which is also our present. As we deal with the COVID pandemic, a social and economic fabric that seems frayed to the breaking point, and the full display of violence and racism in all dimensions of our common life, I am pondering what it means to love my country. I have been thinking of Langston Hughes' poem, "Let America be America Again".

He writes:

O, let America be America again—

The land that never has been yet—

And yet must be—the land where every (one) is free.

What does it mean for you to love America? Is it about your personal history and experience? Your family's stories of struggles and overcoming hardship, blessings and achievements, attachment to place? Is it about the land itself, with its amazing beauty and bounty? Is it aspirational, born of a vision of freedom and equality glimpsed in heroic moments and movements, but never fully realized?

I pray that this July 4th (and beyond) we may indeed reckon with our past as a nation; with what we owe each other, our present and those who will come after us, and what is required to make ourselves and our country whole. May we take in both the challenge and the commitment at the end of Hughes' poem:

O, yes,

I say it plain,

America never was America to me,

And yet I swear this oath—

America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,

The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,

We, the people, must redeem

The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.

The mountains and the endless plain—

All, all the stretch of these great green states—

And make America again!

Peace and courage to you all, dear ones-

Liz

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.

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All gather online

The service begins with the sound of a bell

and your microphones will be muted.

Introit

Gregorian Chant

Welcome

Hymn

#686 Come, thou fount of every blessing ( Nettleton)

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

Come, thou fount of every blessing,

tune my heart to sing thy grace!

Streams of mercy never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! Oh, fix me on it,

mount of God’s unchanging love.

Here I find my greatest treasure;

hither, by thy help, I’ve come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger

wandering from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor

daily I’m constrained to be!

Let thy goodness, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee:

prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it,

seal it for thy courts above.

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, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; 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 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Reader: Susie Braden

The servant said to Laban, “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.’ I came today to the spring, and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also” —let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’ Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.” And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will.” So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.” Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, “Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Psalm 45: 11-18 (St. Helena Psalter)

“Hear, O daughter, consider and listen closely; *

forget your people and your father’s house.

The king will have pleasure in your beauty; *

he is your master, therefore do him honor.

The people of Tyre are here with a gift; *

the rich among the people seek your favor.”

All glorious is the princess as she enters; *

her gown is cloth-of-gold.

In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; *

after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.

With joy and gladness they are brought *

and enter into the palace of the king.

“In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; *

you shall make them princes over all the earth.

I will make your name to be remembered

from one generation to another, *

therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever.”

2nd Reading - Romans 7:15-25a

Reader: Robin Clements

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Sermon

The Rev. Edwin Chinery

Anthem

My Lord, What a Morning

Traditional Spiritual

Arranged by Moses Hogan

Moses Hogan Singers

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, Caroline, Bryan, Richard, Barbara, Kate, Edita, and Daniel. 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, Rosalind Susan Weight, Rayshard Brooks, the Rev. Edgar Wells, and Richard Lopez. 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

#376 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee ( Hymn to Joy )

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

hearts unfold like flowers before thee,

praising thee, their sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

drive the dark of doubt away;

giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day.

All thy works with joy surround thee,

earth and heaven reflect thy rays,

stars and angels sing around thee,

center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

blooming meadow, flashing sea,

chanting bird and flowing fountain,

call us to rejoice in thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,

ever blessing, ever blest,

well-spring of the joy of living,

ocean-depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our Brother:

all who live in love are thine;

teach us how to love each other,

lift us to the joy divine.

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.

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. To join , follow this link: https://zoom.us/j/770597201 . To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 770 597 201.

A Letter from Stacey Carpenter - Several weeks ago Stacey Carpenter led a wonderful forum sharing with the parish some of her experiences and learnings from her first year at Seminary of the Southwest. She has also written the attached letter, telling us a bit more as well as what she is up to this summer, doing CPE in Washington state. We are so grateful that Stacey is often able to join us for church on Zoom, and she will preach at our service next week, July 12.

Ascension Art Show! Next Sunday, July 12 - We will have the second in the series of Ascension artists forums next Sunday. Three of our talented parishioners have offered to share some of their artwork with us in small groups during coffee hour. The artworks they present may have been done during this time of quarantine — or may not. After a general coffee hour time, we will be sorted into three breakout rooms, one for each artist. After 10 minutes, the artists will move to a different room, and then they will move a 3rd time. That way, all participants can interact with each of the 3 artists. We welcome Mary Gaillard, Daniel Cole, and Janet Fisher. We are so appreciative of their talent and their willingness to share! “Loving God, who has filled the world with beauty. Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works!” BCP

Living With Loss - Wednesday Evenings during July - An on-line support group will be offered from 6:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday evenings during the month of July, hosted by Trinity Church Wall Street and the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute. Click here for details.To register, go to TrinityWallStreet.org/loss. Please share with those who may benefit from these gatherings.

Racial Justice Book Group: How to be an Anti-Racist, by Ibram X. Kendi- For the rest of the summer, we at Ascension 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 first meeting will be Thursday, July 16, and we ask that you come having read the introduction and chapters 1-4. We will continue on alternate Thursdays: July 30, and 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.

Now you can 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.

A letter to Episcopalians from Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and President of the House of Deputies the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings. The linked letter invites everyone in The Episcopal Church to participate in a survey about sexual misconduct in the denomination. You can read the letter here. Follow this link to the survey. Responses requested by: July 1, 2020

Letters from our Bishops!

" The Beloved Community Faces White Supremacy"

" On the President's use of St. John's Lafayette Square as a political prop"

Meditation for the 5th Week after Pentecost by the Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, Bishop of New York.

From Your Vestry

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!

Ongoing Financial Support - During this time of suspended social gatherings, we are having to be a bit creative. Since we aren’t able to pass around the offering plate at a Zoom service, here are some ways you can continue to give :

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.

Sunday – July 5

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

Ascension Forum (Zoom); following the 11:00 service

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

Monday – July 6

Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday – July 7

Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Discernment Committee Meeting (Zoom); 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday – July 8

Finance Committee (Zoom) 11:30 a.m.

Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Thursday – July 9

Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Friday – July 10

Evening Prayer ( Zoom); 5:30 p.m.

Saturday – July 11

Rehearsal for Sunday Service (Zoom) 2:00 p.m.

Sunday – July 12

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

Ascension Art Forum (Zoom); following the 11:00 service

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

If you need information to connect to one of our Zoom events please call the church office at 212-254-8620 or email us at info@ascensionnyc.org

The Church of the Ascension -- Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street

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

We are working from home, but we will respond to emails and phone calls

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