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This Week at Ascension + December 18, 2024
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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Christmas Eve
December 24, 2024
6 p.m. Evening Prayer
via Zoom
10:30 p.m. Organ Voluntaries
& Congregational Carols
11 p.m. Procession to the Creche, First Mass of Christmas*
Christmas Day
December 25, 2024
7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
via Zoom
10 a.m. Solemn High Mass*
Holy Day Masses
Thursday, December 26
Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
8 a.m. Low Mass
Friday, December 27
Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist
12 p.m. Low Mass
Saturday, December 28
The Holy Innocents
10 a.m. Low Mass
Wednesday, January 1
The Holy Name
7:00 p.m. Sung Mass
Image: The Holy Night (The Nativity), Carlo Maratti, c. 1650, Gemäldegalerie, Dresden
*Click to join us VIA YOUTUBE
or VIA FACEBOOK LIVE
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Weekday Mass Schedule
12 p.m. on Monday & Friday
8 a.m. on Tuesday & Thursday
6:30 p.m. on Wednesday
View the Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Live-stream Mass here
VIA YOUTUBE or FACEBOOK LIVE
Weekday Offices
7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
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From the Rector
A few years ago, my dear friend and colleague, the Reverend Canon Broderick Greer recorded a series of Christian formation videos which included an episode on our Lady’s Magnificat — the Song of Mary. In his video, Canon Greer invited his viewers to imagine and listen to the Magnificat as the opening piece in the score of our Lord’s life and ministry. To imagine and listen to our Lady’s song moonlighting as our Lord’s lullaby. A song whispered into his ear that very first Christmas Day:
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
On Sunday, we will again hear our Lady’s Magnificat in our appointed Gospel. As you hear these familiar words a few days before our Christmas observance, I invite you to listen carefully to our Lady’s song. As you listen, ask yourself, "how might I further ingrain our Lady’s Song and her Son’s life into my life?" Truly ponder her words this Sunday. May the words that shaped our Lord’s life and ministry also shape you this Advent and Christmas.
Fr. de la Torre
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2024 Advent Faith Formation
Mary in Art, Prayer, and Scripture
December 8, 15 & 22 at 12:45 p.m.
Mary holds an estimable place in the arc of salvation history. In the words of the Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler, "The fact that God was born of a woman - the mode of the incarnation - determines how all Christians view the triune God as well as all people made in the divine image." Join us for this three-part series as we encounter Mary in art, prayer, and Scripture. A hearty lunch will be provided.
December 22 - Mary in Scripture
Blessed Art Thou Among Women: Images of Mary's Life | Presentation by the Rev. Dr. Amy Peeler, Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College, and Author of "Women and the Gender of God."
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As we approach a new calendar year, we want to remind parishioners, especially those who drive to church throughout the week to attend mass or volunteer, to apply for a church parking sticker. Please note that if you have an existing parking sticker there’s no need to apply for a new one.
To complete an application form and verify that you meet the criteria to obtain a parking sticker, click here. Once you’ve completed your application either drop it off in the Parish Office or email your application to office@ascensionchicago.org
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You’re invited to an online Advent series on lectio divina with the good people of the Peoria Deanery in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, led by Fr. Christopher Poore. Join the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Macomb, Grace Episcopal Church Galesburg, and the Peoria Deanery for "The Word Dwelt Among Us: Praying with Scripture in Advent" on Friday, December 13 and 20 at 11 a.m.-noon on Zoom. Our time together will focus on learning the contemplative practice of "lectio divina." For those who have often felt alienated and confused about reading the Bible, this way of reading helps to center the heart before the loving presence of God. Please bring yourself and a favorite Bible. Please contact Fr Poore for the Zoom link: christopher.m.poore@gmail.com | |
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From the Treasurer
Bills will be paid and checks will be next written in December on WEDNESDAY, December 18th and MONDAY, December 30th. Please make sure to have all 2024 reimbursement requests submitted no later than 10 a.m. on December 30th.
Ed. Note: She's not joking, lest there be weeping or gnashing of teeth.
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Holiday Office Hours
During the weeks of Christmas and New Year, the Parish Office will be open on Monday, Dec. 23rd & Monday, Dec. 30th. The weekdays that follow, the Office will be closed.
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2025 Stewardship Campaign
We invite you to prayerfully consider how you might share your gifts at Ascension, supporting the church that is our shared spiritual home. If you have not yet received a pledge card, you may contact the parish office or complete an online pledge card. We kindly ask that you return your pledge card before the end of the year. Please remember that your pledge assists us in properly budgeting for the coming year.
With gratitude and hope,
The Stewardship Committee of the Church of the Ascension
stewardship@ascension.org
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Donate Flowers in the Coming Year
2025 flower sign-up sheets are now available on the table in the narthex. Donations may be given in memory of departed loved ones or in thanksgiving for a birthday, anniversary, or an important milestone. Flowers may be donated at the High Altar, the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Shrine of Saint Michael the Archangel, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. If you’re interested in donating flowers, please see the sign-up sheet on the table in the back of the church.
You can also make a flower donation online by visiting Ascension's PayPal page. Once you’ve made your donation, please email the parish office any personal dedications.
The donation amount to cover the cost of flowers on the High Altar is $50 and on any one of the Shrines the amount is $30.
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Consider being a Coffee Hour host
There are spots available for hosting Coffee Hour after either Sunday Mass!
If you are leary of what hosting a Coffee Hour might entail, speak to Hospitality Committee members Josh or Ellie Simpson, David Reeves, LaVerne Saunders or Carol Noren. They will be glad to help.
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The Prayers of the People
As part of our Sunday offering of the Mass, we bring to God our petitions and thanksgivings. As a community, we do this by bidding the parish’s intentions in the Prayers of the People. If you wish to have someone added to the Prayers of the People, please email Father de la Torre. You can also fill out the prayer request form in the link below. Names will remain on the prayer list for three weeks, unless otherwise requested.
Lord, hear the prayers of thy people; and what we have asked faithfully, grant that we may obtain effectually, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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For our prayers
Lois Peterson, Rocio Soria, Tim Kowalski, Fredo Caliva, Ruby Woods, The Rev. D. Maria Neighbors, Grace Ellen Rivera, Malcolm Wood, Randy Thomas, Carolyn Wiggins, Marlea Edinger, Elizabeth McLaughlin, Lee Gould, Florence Jones Clanton, MB Hwang, Juanita Malone, Richard Francis Tracz, Victor Fernandez, Claire Green, Beth Hall, Brenda Martins
Birthdays
Alban Mark Zhao Galliher, 12/15/2017; Jim Walsh 12/20;
Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood:
Fr. Gary Elwyn Andrew Lawler, 12/17/1989 (Advent III)
Requiescat in pace: Darryl F. James, Priest; Robert Pischke, 11/26/2024;
James Ronald Clark, 12/18/1988; Erik C. Muñoz, 12/18/2007;
Irene Thompson Malick, 12/19/2011; Henry Klages, 12/21/1987
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.
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Organ and Choral Repertoire for
December 22, 2024
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ORGAN
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland - 3 settings:
SWV 307
Gottfried August Homilius (1714-1785)
LV 21; LV50
Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow (1663-1712)
Opening Hymn
54 NUN KOMM,
DER HEIDEN HEILAND
At the Offertory
438 WOODLANDS (9 a.m.)
BEATA VIRGO (11 a.m.)
At the Communion
264 SONG 34
Closing Hymn
265 GABRIEL'S MESSAGE
ORGAN
Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
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Mass Setting
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Messe basse (1881)
Offertory Motet
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Maria, Mater gratiae,
Op. 57, No. 2 (1888)
Communion Motet
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Ave verum corpus,
Op. 65, No. 1 (1894)
The Gregorian Chant Propers from Graduale Romanum
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Between Masses, please don’t forget that The Choir of the Ascension has recorded upwards of 60 tracks that you can listen to anywhere you have an internet connection. They can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/choir-of-the-ascension
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Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
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Weekly Ascension Schedule
For connections:
via Zoom (click here)
SUNDAYS
7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom
9 a.m. In-person Sung Mass
11 a.m. In-person and
Live-Streamed Solemn Mass
VIA YOUTUBE or FACEBOOK LIVE
MONDAY-FRIDAY
7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom
6 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
Weekday Mass Schedule
12 p.m. on Monday & Friday
8 a.m. on Tuesday & Thursday
6:30 p.m. on Wednesday
View the Wednesday Mass here
VIA YOUTUBE or FACEBOOK LIVE
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The Rev. Carlos de la Torre, Rector
cdelatorre@ascensionchicago.org
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Wardens
David Reeves, Sr. Warden
David Reeves, Sr. Warden
David A. Robertson, Jr. Warden
David A. Robertson Jr. Warden
Vestry
Ian Barillas-McEntee, Jay Peterson, Joshua Simpson
Ken Cozette, Elizabeth Simpson, Samuel Sommers (Clerk)
Vicki Dvonch, Nancy Pardee, DiAnne Walsh
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Finance@ascensionchicago.org
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
Office@ascensionchicago.org
Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes.
The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.
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