Services at Church of the Ascension | | |
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13
Dear people of Ascension,
Advent calls us to hope. But what does that mean? Hope is not optimism- it’s not an easy belief that everything is going to work out as we wish. Rather it’s the conviction that even in hard times, God is present, and what we do matters. It has been said that hope is a muscle, and we build it by practicing. I’m sure that’s true, and also sure that we grow hope in community as we rely on one another. We build hope when we do the work of love and justice together.
I am moved to hope by the witness of others who act courageously in difficult times. This week the Diocese posted a photo of Sara, an 18 year old parishioner of a church on Staten Island, with her rector and another friend. She has just been released from ICE detention after 35 days, thanks in large part to the relentless efforts and prayers of many people in and beyond the church: family, lawyers, clergy and fellow parishioners.
The assault on our immigrant siblings is shocking and can be overwhelming. There are so many stories, so many families ripped apart, so many people kidnapped, detained, deported. There’s so much fear and it’s easy to feel helpless. What difference does it make that one young woman comes home? But of course it makes an infinite difference to her and those who love her. And every action by ordinary people makes a difference we cannot always discern. Every time we stand up, speak out and act together, we build not only our hope muscles, but the kin-dom of God for which we pray in this Advent time and always.
In his blessing to the Romans, Paul links hope with joy, peace and faith: fruits of the Spirit and gifts of God that we nurture in and out of season. Where are you finding hope, and how are you helping it grow this Advent?
Liz
PS- Our guest preacher for this week, the Rev. Richard Witt, is a prophetic practitioner of hope in hard times. Please come and hear him- hope is contagious.
| | | | 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. | | |
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)
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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.
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Long Term Prayers
Pray for: Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Luz, Stewart, Jen, Bishop Gretchen, Alice & the Kisiya family, Rural & Migrant Ministries, and New York Haiti Project and the St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Martel. We pray for all devastated by the genocide in Gaza, and for a just peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, and the Holy Land.
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.
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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.
| | Today we welcome the Rev. Richard Witt, Executive director of Rural and Migrant Ministry, as our preacher and forum leader. For 40 years, RMM has created hope, justice, and empowerment with farm working and rural families in New York by building community and developing leaders through advocacy, education and the arts. They are vitally involved in seeking justice for immigrants in these days. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear more about RMM’s work and how we can support and stand in solidarity with them. | | Advent Quiet Morning, Saturday, December 13, 10am- 1 pm - Are you looking for old-yet-new ways to pray and reconnect with God in the busy end-of-year season? Join us for a peaceful Advent Quiet Day. This year’s theme, “Waiting with Beads of Hope,” invites us to prepare our whole body in this holy season of waiting using prayer beads. Together we will learn the rhythm of contemplative prayer and action, discover the meaning of Anglican Prayer Beads, and even make our own set to take home. Led by Intern Yunjeong McSeol. | | Forum for Advent 3, December 14: The Female Ancestors of Jesus- Matthew alone of the gospel writers includes a genealogy of Jesus naming five women in the lineage. Why does he do this, and what is significant about the women he chooses? Please join us for a look at an unexpectedly significant part of scripture as we prepare for Jesus’ birth. | Greening of the Church, Advent 4, December 21 - following the 11 am service, please join us as we make the church beautiful for Christmas. | | |
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24
- Family Service, 5:00 p.m.
- Prelude Music for Christmas, 9:30 p.m.
- Festival Eucharist, 10:00 p.m.
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25
- Holy Eucharist & Hymns; 11:00 a.m.
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1st Sunday after Christmas, December 28
- Holy Eucharist, 9:00 a.m.
- Lessons and Carols w/Holy Eucharist, 11:00 a.m.
- Meditation & Sacrament, 6:00 p.m.
2nd Sunday after Christmas, January 4
- Holy Eucharist, 9:00 a.m.
- Holy Eucharist with Music, 11:00 a.m.
- Meditation & Sacrament, 6:00 p.m.
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Christmas Flower Offering- Help us decorate the church for Christmas with flowers and greenery. To submit names for memorials and thanksgivings, fill out a form in the narthex and drop it in the offering plate or email the office at info@ascensinnyc.org.
Names must be received by Sunday, December 21. You can make a donation online to our Abundant Giving page, or by check with “Christmas Flowers” in the memo line.
| | SNAP Response – SNAP benefits are being restored, but we still are accepting donations of money for supermarket gift cards and/or food to help us create grab-and-go bags. If you, or someone you know, is in need of food assistance, please speak to one of the clergy. | | |
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.
| | 20’s & 30’s Group –Thursday, December 11, at 6:30 pm: If you are in the 20’s & 30’s age bracket, please join us for our monthly dinner in the Parish Hall. (Please enter through the parish hall at 12 W. 11th St.) Please let us know if you are coming (info@ascensionnyc.org), if you can, so that we know how much food to prepare. You are welcome to bring friends as well. | | |
‘Tis the Season to go Phishing! It’s Holly Jolly Scamming Time, so be extra careful and vigilant.
• Always double check the actual address of the sender.
• If the “voice” of a message doesn’t sound right, beware.
• Utility companies will never ask you to pay via gift cards.
• Clergy and Staff will never email you asking for gift cards.
| | The Nominating Committee for Vestry Elections invites you prayerfully to consider whether you are called to serve on our parish Vestry. Members of the congregation may also nominate candidates for Vestry. Vestry members serve for three-year terms. The elections will take place at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25th, 2026. To be eligible to stand for election you must be: (1) 18 years of age or older, (2) a member of the parish who has made a financial contribution to the parish for at least the past 12 months, and (3) able to attend Vestry meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. If you are interested in standing for election to Vestry or nominating someone, please contact Vin Knight who is chairing the Nominating Committee: 212-727-9757; vin@panix.com. | | |
Hurricane Melissa Relief - The need is still very great and Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with partners to support people affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Hurricane Relief Fund (https://bit.ly/4rgf4KQ) is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. Please contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund to support these efforts.
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Have you finished paying your pledge for 2025? As the year draws to a close, please be sure your pledge is paid in full so you can receive your tax credit for this year, and Ascension can meet its budget. If you have any questions about your pledge payments or want to change your pledge, please contact the parish office. Thank you!
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Giving Liberates the Soul of the Giver- Our annual pledge drive officially concluded last week, 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)
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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.
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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: December 6 & 20
If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org – or – 732-910-7017 (c)
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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.
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Sunday – December 7– Second Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – December 8
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Debt Reduction Taskforce (Zoom) 4:00 p.m.
Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Finance Committee Meeting (Zoom) 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday – December 9
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – December 10
Xanthe Barton Funeral (Hybrid) 2:00 p.m. (Music starts at 1:45)
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Needlecraft Guild (Hybrid) 6:30 p.m.
Thursday – December 11
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
20s & 30s Group Dinner (Parish Hall) 6:30 p.m.
Friday – December 12
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – December 13
Advent Quiet Day (Parish Hall) 10:00 a.m.
The Food Pantry is the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. For food assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionyc.org).
Sunday – December 14– Third Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music(Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
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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
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