Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

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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“You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13,14)

Dear people of Ascension,

The images in this familiar saying of Jesus are rich and multivalent. Salt enhances other flavors. It helps us savor, it preserves, it can disinfect and aid healing. As we have recently learned with a whole new significance, it melts ice.

Light illumines and helps us see what is. It dazzles, shines and guides. It is amazing what even a little light can do: a single candle is visible, I learned, for more than a mile. As the light lengthens in the natural world it heralds new life stirring beneath the snow and waking something in our souls as well.

This year I’m also struck by the vulnerability of the light, shining before others. On a hill or even on a lamp stand, it might draw both grateful and hostile eyes. The temptation to protect or even hide the light is real, maybe even sensible. But Jesus says to shine and give glory to God.

As in the Beatitudes that immediately precede these verses, Jesus speaks in the present, not the future tense. He does not say "you should be salt and light"; he says, “you are.” He is not aiming to enhance our self-esteem, he is telling us what our core identity is as Christians, as disciples, both who we are and who we are called to become. He wants us to live into our vocation with zest, courage, creativity and commitment.

It’s something we can only do together. The community, the church is salt and light. We bring our individual gifts, quirks and stories to participate in a larger vocation and witness.

How are we salt and light? When have you seen it, tasted it, experienced it?

Earlier this week, a group of Lutheran clergy from the Twin Cities issued a video calling for an end to ICE activity in Minnesota and across the country. Their witness is beautifully specific about what they are experiencing, both of “brutal, morally bankrupt” state policy and a different way: “the way of Jesus… love... mercy and ...peace arising all around us.” Evoking savory food as care, they say “we have seen restaurant workers bringing sambusas to the traumatized and people delivering groceries.”

Shining hope before others, they say, “On every street corner and in every sanctuary, we have seen candlelight flickering against evil, summoning us to something more… a corridor of tender, stubborn, resilient, radiant light in the face of militarized violence.”

Friends, may we embrace our own vocation to be salt and light, here in New York, on the corner of 5th Ave. and 10th St. May we be brave, discerning, creative, compassionate, persevering. In our witness, may others taste and see the goodness of God.

Liz

More Salt & Light:

Read “Letter to Our Fellow Americans” from the Episcopal Bishops.
Watch the full video from the Lutheran clergy in Twin Cities.

Services at Church of the Ascension

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,

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday Schedule

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner

February 17, at 6:30 pm,

in the Parish Hall,

with the burning of the palms in the garden immediately following.

Ash Wednesday,

February 18

Services at 8:00 a.m., Noon, and 7:00 p.m. (with music).

Ashes to Go will be in the front garden starting after the 8:00 a.m. service and end at 6:00 p.m.

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: Pray for Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Stewart, Jen, Bishop Gretchen, Alice & the Kisiya family, Jennifer, Rural and Migrant Ministry, 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, Heber Sanchaz Dominguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Parady La, Luis Beltran Yanez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, Geraldo Lunas Campos.

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

Newcomers’ Brunch, Sunday, February 15, in the Parlor. Whether you have been coming to Ascension one day or fifty years, we invite you to join us for a festive brunch following the 11 am service. The newest members of our community are our guests of honor and everyone is invited. Come and welcome each other, enjoy some delicious food and conversation and learn about the life of our parish. Please RSVP to the Steve Hubbard so we know how much food to prepare. We are excited to see you there!

Church of the Ascension Social Justice Survey - As part of our ongoing commitment to live out Christ’s call to love one another, Ascension is exploring how our parish can deepen its witness to justice, compassion, and dignity for all people. This brief survey invites you to share your perspectives, hopes, and experiences as we discern how God is calling us to act in our community and beyond. Your voice matters, and your participation will help shape our shared ministry. Follow the QR code or go to bit.ly/3LY9f4y.

Who Will Win the Golden Halo? You may have noticed the colorful poster hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, which means that Lent Madness 2026 is almost here! Participating in this annual tradition is a fun way to get to know new and familiar saints, and we are offering a chance to compete against your fellow parishioners for a prize by selecting your "Faithful Four" and the ultimate winner of the "Golden Halo." Pick one saint from each of the four quadrants on the chart, then pick the final two, and finally make your choice for the overall winner of the Golden Halo. Take a look at the poster and make your selections on the ballots provided at church from now through Ash Wednesday. For more information, go to lentmadness.org, and speak with John Grimes or Isabel Spencer for more details on the selection process.

2026 Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration, Saturday, February 14, 10:30 a.m. - This service honors the legacy of the Reverend Absalom Jones, the first Black priest ordained in the Episcopal Church, whose groundbreaking ministry paved the way for a more diverse and inclusive priesthood. To register, click here.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine

1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

The Rt. Rev. Matthew F. Heyd, Celebrant

The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, Bishop of Newark, Preacher

The service will be streamed live on the Cathedral Website (stjohndivine.org), on the Cathedral YouTube Channel and on the Cathedral Facebook page, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Lenten House Eucharists - This is an annual tradition at Ascension during Lent. Eight parishioners have offered to host in their home this year and the signup sheets are posted on a board in the Parish Hall. Take a look and see if one of the dates and locations will work for you. Please be sure to fill out the sheet legibly and provide a way to contact you. The number of attendees is set for each home so please don’t add additional lines. For further information or to sign up if you can’t do it in person, please contact Br. Andrew, Parish Administrator.

Eyes in Gaza II- Award-winning Photography Exhibition in St. James Chapel in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, January 22- February 12. These photographs are winners of the Lucie Impact Award, given to a photographer who created the most substantial journalistic contributions in a given year. For the first time, in 2023 the award was presented to group of photojournalists and press photographers working in the Gaza Strip, for their documentation of life in the midst of genocide. Mtr. Liz is honored to have helped bring this exhibition to our Cathedral. For more information go to https://bit.ly/4sLBX9Q.

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: February 21, March 7 & 21

If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org – or – 732-910-7017 (c)

Support Church of the Ascension

Open Church Schedule

Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm (except as mentioned above). 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.