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“What do you want me to do for you?” – Mark 10:51
Dear people of Ascension,
These words of Jesus from our gospel for Sunday are addressed to Bartimaeus, a blind man who cries out for his attention on the road outside Jericho. It has always interested me that Jesus does not assume that he knows what Bartimaeus wants. We might leap to the conclusion that it is healing for his blindness- or that it is something simpler, coins or food to help sustain his life. But Jesus asks directly, and Bartimaeus responds forthrightly: “let me see again.” Jesus tells him, “Your faith has made you well” and with Markan immediacy it is so. The newly sighted Bartimaeus tosses aside his beggar’s cloak and his entire life up to that point, and follows Jesus on the way.
What is the faith that heals in this story? If we were to take our definition from Bartimaeus’ actions we might say that faith is not being afraid to make noise and keep making it. Bartimaeus cries out for Jesus’ attention despite the attempts of those around him to quiet him. He persists. He seizes the opportunity Jesus’ passing by offers; he insists on being heard.
Then Bartimaeus asks for what he wants, willing to risk disappointment and also willing to risk the radical change sight may bring to his life. He does not equivocate or hedge. He speaks the seemingly impossible desire of his heart. Perhaps faith is in this daring and honest desire as well- and in the risk of transformation that comes with it.
“What do you want me to do for you?”
Can you imagine Jesus asking you that question? What might you answer? The story of Bartimaeus invites us to persist in crying out in prayer for ourselves and others, despite the voices (internal or external) that tell us to be quiet, to accept the way things are, to not make trouble. This gospel also calls us to a deeper honesty with ourselves and God- to practice telling the truth about our longings for ourselves, our dear ones, our community and our world. Prayer is not magic, of course, and we may or may not receive what we long for. But in our honest asking, our faith can be strengthened to collaborate with God for healing- even if it turns out to be quite different than we expected.
Let us pray boldly, beloved.
Liz
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Services at Church of the Ascension | |
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To watch this service via Live Stream
go to Ascensionnyc.org/Webcasts,
and select "The Church of Ascension - Funeral Service'
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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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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.
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Ascension Forum this Sunday, October 27- Community Care/Self Care. We conclude our series on our witness in the public square with reflections on how we care for each other in stressful, challenging times. What is the work of the church- which is every one of us- in caring for parishioners, neighbors, strangers? Please join us for a lively discussion after the 11 am service. | |
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Daylight Savings Time will end NEXT Sunday, November 3.
Don't forget to "Fall Back" next Saturday evening.
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Br. Andrew (Parish Administrator) will be on vacation starting Thursday, October 24, returning Monday, November 4. In case of emergency, please contact our Business Manager, Kelli Long, at kelli@ascensionnyc.org. | |
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Haunted Church is Right Around the Corner - and for it to happen this year we need YOU! This Halloween our Haunted Church will be held on Thursday afternoon, October 31, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. This is a fun time for neighborhood children and a great way to introduce others to the parish. but we need your help to make it happen. If you would like to help, please reach out to Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org).
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Church Open on Election Day- On Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, Ascension will be open from 9 am- 6 pm for prayer, meditation and quiet reflection. Thanks to all our open door volunteers who have offered to help us make our sacred space available to our neighbors on this important, and potentially anxious, day. | |
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November 6- Service for Peace, Justice and Healing, 6 pm at Ascension- On the Wednesday following Election Day, our usual Wednesday evening Eucharist will be focused on our need for healing, justice and peace in our hearts, our nation and our world. Very intentionally we also want to invite our neighbors, who may feel that need and want a safe and welcoming place to be. It seems unlikely that we will have final results of the election already, and it is good to spend some time waiting and praying together. Please join us and invite a friend.
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Harvest Dinner- Thursday, November 14, 6:30 pm. Please join us in the Ascension parish hall for our annual Harvest Dinner- a time to celebrate our community, share a delicious meal and reflect on how we steward our life and ministry together. We start at 6:30 with drinks and appetizers and begin the main course around 7. This year our speaker will be the Rev. Canon Alissa Newton, Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of New York. Don’t miss what will surely be a fabulous, scrumptious, stimulating evening. If you can help with set up or clean up, please contact Rachel Sedor (rachelsedor@yahoo.com). See you there!
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Memorial Service for Barbara Burns- Save the Date: The memorial service for our parishioner Barbara Burns will be held at Ascension on Saturday, November 16 at 2:30 pm. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Please join us if you can. “May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercies of God rest in peace.” | |
Are You Up-to-Date on Your Pledge? – As we start a new pledge campaign, it is important to remember we depend on your pledges all year round, so please, if you are able, keep your pledge up to date. This year, if you are able to increase your pledge a bit, we would be very grateful. To donate or pay your pledge online, go to ascensionnyc.org/give. Thank you very much for your support and generosity!. | |
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Episcopal Relief & Development – Support Hurricane Relief Efforts. The highly-active 2024 hurricane season has caused an untold amount of destruction. Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the toll on individuals, families and communities has been devastating, and recovery will take years. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with partners throughout the southeastern United States to reach impacted people wherever they may be, including those who have been displaced from their homes.
Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery.
Please prayerfully consider how you might support those affected by making a meaningful gift to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Fund. Your generous donation will help communities to rebuild the lives of those impacted by these storms.
Episcopal Relief & Development partners with faith and community organizations to advance lasting change in communities affected by injustice, poverty, disaster and climate change. Inspired by our faith, we focus on four interconnected priorities: nurturing the potential of caregivers and young children, reducing violence against women and girls, strengthening communities’ resilience to climate change and facilitating humanitarian response to disasters.
Scan the QR code to make your gift online. Thank you for joining us in Working Together for Lasting Change
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Flowers for Church - Sponsoring flowers for the Sunday service is a great way to remember loved ones now past and to celebrate joyful moments in life. If you would like to sponsor flowers, please email the parish administrator (info@ascensionnyc.org) or call the church office (212-254-8620). Please indicate the date you would like to sponsor them. | |
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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 pantry dates:
Nov. 2 & 16; Dec. 7 & 21
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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Support Church of the Ascension | |
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Open Church Schedule
Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm. 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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Tower Brownstone Update- The end is in sight! Workers have begun dismantling the scaffolding around the tower. They estimate this will take two to three weeks. We are very excited to see the church again in all its glory!
We still face additional costs due to prior delays and project overruns. If you have not yet pledged to the tower or if you can increase your contribution, it would greatly help us manage these unexpected expenses. We are eager to complete this project and move forward in mission with our safe, restored tower. We are most grateful for any support you can give to put us over the finish line. Thank you for your generosity!
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Use this QR code to quickly pledge or give to the Tower fund.
Remember, if you pay by check, put “Tower Brownstone” in the memo line. If you pay through Abundant, select “Manton matching grant” from the drop-down menu.
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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!
Please note that to pay your pledge, please continue using Abundant (ascensionnyc.org/give)
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Sunday – October 27
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) after coffee hour
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – October 28
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – October 29
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – October 30
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Thursday – October 31
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Haunted Church (Front Garden & Narthex) 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday – November 1
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Food Pantry Setup (Parish Hall) 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – November 2
Food Pantry (12 West 11th St.) 8:30 a.m.
The Food Pantry normally operates on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. For food assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery @ascensionyc.org).
Sunday – November 3 – All Saints Sunday
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
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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