Palm Sunday and Holy Week - April 13, 2025

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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Dear People of Ascension,

Every Holy Week, the church invites us to walk with Jesus on the way of the cross. From the exuberant hosannas of the triumphal entry to the last intimate meal Jesus shares with his friends, from his agony in the garden to his seizure, trial, condemnation and torturous death, from his burial in a borrowed tomb to the discovery on Easter morning that the tomb is empty, our liturgies move step by step through the events of the week. They invite us to immerse ourselves in the central story of our faith, and to connect it with the stories of our own lives and of our contemporary world.

The central themes of Holy Week are hard but all too familiar: enthusiasm turning to disillusionment; self-giving service; betrayal and fear; the violence of unjust justice and the crushing power of empire; heart-breaking loss and steadfast love. And, most mysterious of all, the hope of resurrection by the power of God- the good news that love is stronger than death.

I hope you will give yourself the gift of participating fully in the Holy Week liturgies this year. Let the drama of the passion, our common prayer, the music, the preaching and the gift of community open your heart to God’s presence. Let our worship heighten your awareness of those who are living the Passion story in our own day. Every year I may find myself in a different moment of the story, identifying with a different character, called to respond to the suffering and love of Jesus in a slightly different way.

You never know how God may surprise you in the liturgies of Holy Week. But we need the reckoning, the challenge and the gracious hope of this week as much this year as any time in my memory.

Courage and blessings, dear people of Ascension-

Liz

Services at Church of the Ascension

To watch this service 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

Is there a problem with the live stream?

If you notice a problem with the livestream (such as it's not listed, the sound isn't working, the camera isn't on) contact our livestream team (Local Live) right away - that's the best and fastest way to get it resolved. You can email them at Support@locallive.tv or call them at (877) 355-6225.

Long Term Prayers

Pray for: Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Luz, and Stewart.

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.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday – April 13

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

11:00 a.m. Blessing of the Palms & Procession;

Festal Eucharist with Choir & dramatic reading of the Passion

6:00 p.m. Meditation & Sacrament

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday In Holy Week

6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist - with lay preachers

Maundy Thursday – April 17

7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist with Full Choir

With Washing of Feet, Stripping of Altar, Procession to the Altar of Repose, and Watch with the Blessed Sacrament

Good Friday – April 18

12 Noon The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, with Choir, Veneration of the Cross and Communion from the Reserve Sacrament

Great Vigil of Easter – Saturday, April 19

10:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word

8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter

with Full Choir, Lighting of the New Fire, Baptism, the First Eucharist of Easter

Easter Sunday, April 20

Day of Resurrection

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

11:00 a.m. Festal Eucharist with Full Choir

6:00 p.m. Meditation & Sacrament

All Services will be livestreamed and can be watched at Ascensionnyc.org/webcasts

Service Leaflets for these services are here.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week- our 6 pm Eucharists on the first three weekdays of Holy Week are a special part of the journey we take with Jesus and each other in this sacred time. They feature lay preachers from our congregation- this year Robin Clements on Monday, Ned Fitch on Tuesday and Elizabeth Adams on Wednesday. I find that the daily reflections on the events that bring us towards the crisis of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday deepens my experience both of our faith and this community. Please come if you can!

Can you watch with me?

We will keep the vigil before the Blessed Sacrament Maundy Thursday into Good Friday at the Altar of Repose in the All Saints Chapel. We start following tonight’s Maundy Thursday service and continue until the Good Friday service at 12 noon on Friday, April 18. This can be a wonderful time of deep quiet and meditation on Christ's love for us. If you would like to spend an hour (or so) in prayer and reflection, please sign up on the sheet in the Parish Hall to come, or simply come to the chapel and watch with us. (even if the signup sheet is full, you are very welcome to join the watch.) This year the entrance to the Chapel will be through the main doors of the church.

Announcements

Deadline! Easter Flowers Subscription - Today is the last day to submit the names of loved ones in the Easter Flower Memorial & Thanksgiving list on Easter Day, April 20, please submit your names by filling out a form which can be found in your bulletin orin the Narthex and placing it in the offering basket. Alternatively, email the church office with your names at info@ascensionnyc.org.

If you are able, we invite you to contribute to the costs of the flowers that make our church especially beautiful for Easter. You may do so through Abundant Giving (be sure to choose Easter flowers as the recipient) or by check, with “Easter flowers” in the memo line. If you are giving in memory or thanksgiving, please let the parish office know. Thank you for your generosity!

The Reconciliation of a Penitent (commonly called Confession)- A traditional saying about confession for Anglicans is “all may, none must, some should.” If you are curious about this sacrament, or to make an appointment, speak to any of the clergy or call 212-254-8620.

The drawings on our bulletin covers are by Matthew Snow and are used with permission and much gratitude.

Good Friday Offering - For 103 years, the Episcopal Church’s Good Friday offering has traditionally supported ministries in the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem (which includes churches and institutions across the Middle East). The offering on Good Friday is dedicated to this, but we will accept additional funds for it throughout Holy Week. You can contribute through Abundant Giving or, by check with “Good Friday offering” in the memo line. You can also make an offering online through the American Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem.

Calling all parishioners - we need you!!! Please help make our Easter Brunch a true Feast by bringing your favorite dish, either sweet or savory. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall so please let us know what you'll bring so we can plan accordingly. Not much of a cook or baker but still want to help?!? You can also sign up to assist with setup or break down. If you have any questions or won't be able to sign up but want to contribute, please contact Matt Vermedahl at mtverm@gmail.com.

Save the Date! Garden Work Day - Saturday, April 26. Details coming soon!

Garden Party! Saturday, May 10, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Ascension invites all to celebrate our newly restored tower. Come daydream with us and learn ways you can support our historic landmark at the heart of Greenwich Village. We will gather in the garden with refreshing snacks, collect ideas for the future of our garden, and offer tours of the church by members of our community. Family, friends, and all are welcome!

Save the date:

The 248th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of New York passed a resolution recommending parish study of the Kairos Palestine Document, titled "A Moment of Truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering." The document is both a call for justice and a profound ecumenical theological statement. We were privileged to host one of its authors, Fr. Fadi Diab, last month. Join us at the Forum on Sunday, May 4th for an introduction to the document's background, and stay tuned to sign up for a three-session study group to dig deeper and learn together.

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?

Friday opportunity: 3 to 4 pm the day before pantry, we set up the parish hall for pantry service.

Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month (except July which is 2nd and 4th Saturday because of the holiday).

Upcoming Dates: April 26, May 3 & 17

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.

Easy Way to Give & Support Church of the Ascension! Your generous gift is a meaningful way to support the ongoing mission and ministries of Church of the Ascension. Your contributions play a crucial role in maintaining the church's facilities, supporting our growth in faith, organizing our service and witness, and developing our sense of community. Use this QR code to make a one-time or recurring gift to the church... It's quick and easy. Your generosity and kindness are deeply appreciated!

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

This Week at Ascension

Sunday – April 13 – Palm Sunday

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

Holy Eucharist (Church) 11:00 a.m. (Procession of the Palms)

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

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

Monday – April 14

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.