Second 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

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Dear People of Ascension,

After months of special seasons and holy days, we have entered ordinary time. This year, of course, our church life- and our whole lives- feels anything but ordinary! In ecclesial language, “ordinary” time does not mean routine, or uneventful. Rather it means that we read the stories of the ministry of Jesus more or less in order, this year in the version according to Matthew. Some folks also call this period- from Trinity Sunday until the beginning of Advent- the ”long, green season”. That refers to the color of vestments that are worn, of course. It’s the growing season, the time of seeds and planting, labor, nurture, pruning and harvest. It points to the mystery of our collaboration with God’s purpose.

In these extraordinary times, so full of pain and also of possibility, I find it helpful to think about the metaphors that Jesus used so often to talk about the realm of God. Where are the seeds of hope and compassion in your life? How have you prepared the soil of your soul to receive and nourish a life-changing word? What small shoots are you nurturing in order to dismantle white supremacy and grow a community in which all people can thrive? What needs to be cut back or uprooted to make space for the new growth of the Spirit? What practices, both of action and prayer, express your loving commitment to bring forth a harvest of justice? Who are your co-workers, essential partners in tending to God’s planting?

I hope that in the months to come, we will answer these questions for ourselves, both individually and as a congregation. May God grant us vision, perseverance, and loving urgency for all that we are called to learn, do and become in these extraordinary days.

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 Second Sunday after Pentecost

Worship Service

June 14, 2020; 11:00 a.m.

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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

#537 - Moscow ; Christ for the world we sing

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with loving zeal;

the poor, and them that mourn,

the faint and overborne,

sin-sick and sorrow-worn,

whom Christ doth heal.

Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with fervent prayer;

the wayward and the lost,

by restless passions tossed,

redeemed at countless cost

from dark despair.

Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with one accord;

with us the work to share,

with us reproach to dare,

with us the cross to bear,

for Christ our Lord.

Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with joyful song;

the new-born souls, whose days,

reclaimed from error’s ways,

inspired with hope and praise,

to Christ belong.

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

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

1st Reading - Genesis 18:1-15

Reader: Micah Trippe

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”

Psalm 116:1, 10-17 (St. Helena Psalter)

I love you, O God, because you have heard the voice of my supplication, *

because you have inclined your ear to me whenever I called upon you.

How shall I repay God *

for all the good things done for me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation *

and call upon the Name of God.

I will fulfill my vows to God *

in the presence of all people.

Precious in your sight, O God, *

is the death of your servants.

O God, I am your servant; *

I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;

you have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *

and call upon your holy Name.

I will fulfill my vows to you *

in the presence of all your people,

In the courts of God’s house, *

in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Alleluia!

2nd Reading - Romans 5:1-8

Reader: Stanley Weinberg

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person-- though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Matthew

Matthew 9:35-10:8

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.

Sermon

The Rev. Edwin Chinery

Anthem

Hear My Prayer

Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan

The Moses Hogan Singers

O Lord, please hear my prayer; In the morning when I rise.

---It's your servant bound for glory. O dear Lord, please hear my prayer.

O Lord, please hear my prayer. Keep me safe within your arms.

---It's your servant bound for glory. O dear Lord, please hear my prayer.

When my work on earth is done, And you come to take me home.

---Just to know I'm bound for glory; And to hear You say, "Well done!"

Done with sin and sorrow. Have mercy. Mercy.

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. We pray for all laboring to end racism and white supremacy and establish racial justice in our country. 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, Stacey, Michael, Jonathan, Bob, Richard and Barbara, Lisa, Peter, and Lisa. 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. 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.

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, William Henry Marquess, Amy Spencer, Byrd Turner, Arthur B Whitcomb, Jane Ingenito, Andrew Slaby, Nita Pippins, George Floyd, Eugene Clark, Jamel Floyd, and Rosalind Susan Weight. 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

#521 - Chelsea Square ; Put forth, O God, thy Spirit’s might

Please join in the singing of the hymn.

Put forth, O God, thy Spirit’s might

and bid thy Church increase,

in breadth and length, in depth and height,

her unity and peace.

Let works of darkness disappear

before thy conquering light;

let hatred and tormenting fear

pass with the passing night.

Let what apostles learned of thee

be ours from age to age;

their steadfast faith our unity,

their peace our heritage.

O Judge divine of human strife!

O Vanquisher of pain!

To know thee is eternal life,

to serve thee is to reign.

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!

Ascension Art Show! This Sunday, June 14, we will have the first of a series of Ascension artists forums. 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. On June 14, we welcome Liz Hill, Sara Jones, and Phoebe Norcross. 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

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.

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. 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.

Ascension Conversation on Racism - Join us next Thursday, June 18th, at 7:00 p.m. as we continue our discussion on racism and our response. Join us via Zoom:

Meeting ID: 976 3589 1703

Knee on My Neck: Slavery’s Ghost - Understanding the legacy of Enslavement- A Five-Week Virtual Retreat . A Program of Roots & Branches: Programs For Spiritual Growth in collaboration with the diocesan Reparations Committee. Participants must commit to participating in the whole series as it is cumulative; Co-sponsored by Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc. Click here for more details. Click here to register.

First Meeting: Juneteenth - Friday, June 19, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Subsequent Meetings on Wednesdays: June 24, July 1, 8, and 15, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

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 2nd Wednesday after Pentecost by the Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, Bishop of New York

From Your Vestry

Click here to read notes from the May Vestry meeting (May 20, 2020)
Click here to see the proposed agenda for the June Vestry meeting (June 17, 2020)

Zoom Wizards Needed! We need to build a guild of people who can moderate our Sunday services. John Thompson has been doing this work for eight weeks, and has done a phenomenal job; it's time for others to step forward and share the ministry. It involves acting as "host" in the Zoom meetings that are our Sunday services: muting and unmuting participants, sharing slides and one's screen, and trouble-shooting any difficulties that arise. We are looking for folks who are comfortable with Zoom and technology in general, and able to commit to brief Saturday afternoon rehearsals as well as Sunday mornings. John is able to help you learn what you need to know, and offer some support as you begin. He assures me that it is easier than it sounds! You just need reliable technology and attention to detail. If you would like to help us in this vital way, please contact Mother Liz at egmaxwell@ascensionnyc.org. Everlasting gratitude!

Rector's Discretionary Fund - How to give in honor of Mother Liz's fifth anniversary as Rector. You can make your donations in one of the following ways:

By check mailed to Church of Ascension, 12 West 11th Street, NY NY 10011. On the memo line clearly write "Mtr Liz Discretionary Fund"
For credit card or wire transfer donations please email the church's part-time book keeper, Laurie Ross, at email: laurie@ascensionnyc.org. OR call the parish office: 212-254-8620.

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 :

Mail your gift to Church or the Ascension, 12 West 11th St., NYC, NY 10011
Contact our bookkeeper (bookkeeper@ascensionnyc.org) to set up a one-time or recurring gift via credit card.
Set up a wire transfer from your bank (ACH)

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 – June 14

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 – June 15