The Second Sunday in Lent - March 16, 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,

The image that accompanies this message, the mosaic of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, comes from the Dominus Flevit Church, located on the Mt. of Olives overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. The name means “the Lord wept”, and the church commemorates two different and easily conflated stories from the gospel of Luke in which Jesus expresses powerful frustration, grief and longing at the refusal of the city- and of course the people in it- to accept his prophetic call to love and justice.

The first is this Sunday’s gospel which comes as Jesus makes his way towards the destiny which awaits him, doing the work he is called to do. He grieves for those he cannot seem to reach. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, city that kills the prophets… how often I have desired to gather you together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing.” The second occurs as part of the triumphal entry into the city on Palm Sunday. Tradition says that seeing the city- perhaps from this spot or one like it- Jesus bursts into tears, saying, “if only you had known the things that make for peace.” The lovely little church is actually shaped like a teardrop.

As I think of the overwhelming, disastrous state of our country, I am moved by these images of Jesus’ deep feeling. Does God weep for us? I think so: over us and with us too. Surely those tears- of grief over what we do to each other, ourselves and the earth; of frustration at our resistance to change and of longing to gather, soothe and heal us- can open our hearts and invite us into the heart of our compassionate God. Perhaps if we feel our own grief and share that grief with one another we will find deep comfort and new strength for the work we are called to do.

Sometimes Lent is a time for lament- for ourselves, for our communities, for our world. When it is so for us, may we also hear the tender desire of Jesus to welcome and restore us. May we take shelter under God’s mothering wings.

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.

This Sunday we are delighted to welcome the Rev. Megan Sanders as our guest preacher and forum leader. Mother Megan is Chaplain to Canterbury Downtown and staff in charge of the EDNY Young Adult Network. It’s always great to have you at Ascension, Mtr. Megan!

She will lead our forum this Sunday on hospitality in the Ash Wednesday liturgy: “Christian Hospitality- the invitation of our Ash Wednesday liturgy to the observance of a holy Lent.”

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

Lenten Devotional Books - The 2025 Lenten devotional is available in the Narthex. Please take the opportunity to pick up your copy and use it as a daily reader during the Lenten season. The devotional is made up of 40 personal reflections from members of the parish and clergy at Ascension. Suggested donation: $5, or more if you are so moved, to help defray the costs to produce it.

Lenten House Eucharists are scheduled at the homes of parishioners in several locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn during Lent. Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall, and some spaces are still available! For further information or to sign up if you can’t do it in person, please contact Andrew Jones, Parish Administrator.

Racial Justice Discussion Group- This Thursday, March 20 at 6:30 on zoom. We are reading Dr. Mark Bozzuti-Jones devotional, Face to the Rising Sun: Reflections on Spirituals and Justice. Please join us, and come prepared to share one or two of the spirituals that particularly speak to you and why!

Are you thinking about baptism for yourself or your child? The Easter Vigil (Saturday, April 19 this year) is a wonderful, ancient service that includes baptisms and baptismal renewal. If you are interested, please speak to the clergy.

Current Parish Directories are available in the Narthex! Please feel free to take one. If we run out, don’t worry – more will be printed.

Ecclesia Ministry, Sunday March 23; 2:00 p.m. Ecclesia Ministry is church for the unhoused and meets at the square in front of St. Mark’s in the Bowery every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Next Sunday is Ascension’s turn to make bag lunches and come for the Eucharist. Please join the sandwich-making fun during coffee hour on the 23rd.

LGBTQ+ Zoom Gathering, Thursdays at 7:00 pm. – The Diocese of New York has created a welcoming space where the LGBTQ+ community, including parents and spouses, to gather for support. To register, click here..

Celebration of Trans Joy and Resilience, Saturday. March 29, 12:00 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. These are dark times for our trans family and friends, so it’s especially important to support and uplift trans folks. Please join us and spread the word! For more information click here. If you'd like to contribute to their GoFundMe Page you can clicke here.

Newcomers’ Brunch, Sunday, March 30, 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. The Fourth Sunday in Lent is traditionally “Refreshment Sunday”, a time to breathe and take a little break from any practices of self-denial, so it seems like a fine time for a celebration of our life together. Come and welcome each other, enjoy some delicious food and conversation and learn about the life of our parish. Please RSVP to the parish office (info@ascensionnyc.org) so we know how much food to prepare. We are excited to see you there!

Save the Date: May 17, Ordination of Vocational Deacons – On May 17, 10:30 a.m., Our parish administrator, Br. Andrew Jones, OSF, by the grace of God and the will of the people, will be ordained into the Holy Order of Deacons. All are welcome!

185 years ago this Wednesday - The cornerstone of the current building of Church of the Ascension on 5th Avenue was laid. Thanks too Charlie Schmidt for digging up this piece of our history. You can read his findings here. If you'd like to read the full source material on the subject, click here.

News From New York Haiti Project - Fr. Sam Owen sends his thanks for our support of the New York Haiti Project, along with news of what our support is doing for St. Luke's School in Martel. You can read the full letter 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?

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 pantry dates:

Mar 15, Apr 5 & 19

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 – March 16 – Second Sunday in Lent

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

Holy Eucharist (Church) 11:00 a.m.

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) After the 11:00 service

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

Monday – March 17

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