Third Sunday after Pentecost, June 14, 2026

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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“Is anything too wonderful for God?”

Dear People of Ascension,

The quote above, from our Genesis reading for this Sunday, is the word of the divine visitor to Abraham. God has announced that Sarah, long past child-bearing age, will nonetheless give birth to a son: the child of promise. Sarah’s response is laughter- disbelieving, rueful. God hears, calls her out, and asks this rhetorical question. When the seemingly impossible comes true, Sarah will laugh again, in amazement, with a wondering joy her body can hardly contain. The child’s name, Isaac, means “laughter.”

These are relentlessly challenging times. I don’t need to list the reasons for anger and grief in our nation and our world; they are legion. We try to keep our hearts open to our neighbors in need; care for each other; find what is ours to do in courage, wisdom and compassion. Sometimes we get disheartened and weary. We wonder if what we do does any good. At such moments, we need to be reminded that God’s wonders sometimes surprise us. Mary Oliver writes, “Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”

Are there wonders that stop you in your tracks, lift your heart, maybe make you break out in incredulous, head-shaking, joy-filled laughter? It could be a startling beauty, a shock of insight, an act of generosity or valor. It might even be a certain basketball team coming back from 29 points down to win by one point in the last seconds of the game as Madison Square Garden erupted all around them. One commentator quoted the famous words of a baseball sportscaster from the 1988 World Series: “I don’t believe what I just saw!”

True confessions: I am really a fair-weather basketball fan. I can’t claim to have supported the Knicks through thick and thin. But I am certainly caught up in Knicks fever this week, delighted by orange and blue lights on the Empire State Building and in our Cathedral, feeling the proud hope of our city and cheering for our team as they push, unlikely step by unlikely step, towards their first NBA championship in 53 years. I didn’t live in New York 53 years ago; in fact, I lived in Texas, where the action is headed now. Hopefully, Knicks in 5!

I’m not claiming, either, that God is responsible for the victory of any sports team, although I did see someone praying in a Knicks jersey during our open door hours this week. But God is responsible for a world in which wonders happen, both human and divine- sometimes mysteriously and against all odds. Such experiences remind us to keep our minds and hearts open, to be nourished and surprised by what seems unimaginable, and to keep pushing towards the wonders of God’s promised justice and joy.

Nothing is too wonderful for God!

Blessings, dear ones-

Liz

[Photo credit: The Very Rev. Winnie Varghese, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine]

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.

To watch our services via Live Stream

go to Ascensionnyc.org/Webcasts,

Regular Service Schedule

SUNDAY

10:00 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

Long Term Prayers

Pray for: Pray for Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Stewart, Jen, Bishop Gretchen, Alice & the Kisiya family, Jennifer, Ketty, Sara, Rural & Migrant Ministry, and New York Haiti Project and the St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Martel. We remember all who have been killed by ICE, or died in custody this year: Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Keith Porter, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Victor Manuel Diaz, Heber Sánchez Domínguez, Parady La, Luis Beltrán Yáñez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, Lorth Sim, Jairo Garcia-Hernandez, Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, Emmanuel Clifford Damas, Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi, Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, Royer Perez-Jimenez. We pray for a just peace in Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and in our own country.

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.

Announcements

Ascension Forum this Sunday - A landmark event, Outreach 2024: Building Community for LGBTQ Catholics, was held in August of 2024 at Georgetown University. Dr. Amy-Jill Levine gave the keynote address, which we’ll screen a portion of and discuss after this Sunday's 10am service as part of our celebration of Pride Month. You can view the entire video beforehand and bring along your questions and insights! Our time together promises to be very lively and affirming!

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2

Coffee Hour Hospitality for Sunday Coffee Hours – Please consider serving all folks, including angels, this summer as a coffee hour host. It's very easy to do - just pick a date, sign up, and bring a sweet baked item on your Sunday. Everything else will be provided, and the sexton staff helps with setup and breakdown. Any questions, call or text 917-509-3117 or ask a clergy person for assistance.

Racial Justice Group, Tuesday June 18 at 6:30 on Zoom- Please join us as we continue to discuss our own parish history around racism and racial justice and consider ideas about how to include reparations in our 200th anniversary observances. Check out our eBulletin for the link. This month we will hear a report on some of the new research on the early history of our parish and neighborhood.

Seeking Lay Delegate and Alternate to Diocesan Convention- Are you interested in representing Ascension at the annual convention of the Diocese of New York? This year it will be held Friday & Saturday, November 13-14 at Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown, NY. Serving in this way is a great opportunity to learn more about how the larger church works and contribute to the policies that guide our common life. The vestry will elect one delegate and one alternate at our meeting on Wednesday, June 17. To nominate yourself or someone else (with permission) or for more information, please speak with Mother Liz.

The Power of the Spirit in the Life of our Local Communities

We are sharing Bishop Heyd’s recent letter for the season of Pentecost. We want to ensure that members of the Diocese are kept up to date on the numerous Diocesan events, resources and programming every week. Click here for more information and to read the Bishop's letter.

Summer Cookout, Wednesday, June 24 – We continue our summer tradition of a cookout the last Wednesday of the month! The church provides items to grill, both meat and vegetarian; please bring your favorite picnic sides and desserts to share! The Parish BBQ’s begin right after the Wednesday evening Eucharist (around 6:30pm), Additional dates are: July 29, and August 26. Come join us!

Pride Water Table Volunteers: Sunday, June 28 - Every year, Ascension serves cold water (with a twist of lemon!) to PRIDE Marchers as they pass the church. We need lots of volunteers to make this happen. If you would like to volunteer, please speak to Steve Hubbard (smh278@nyu.edu). Ascension is a great place to watch the march, celebrate PRIDE, and serve our community!

NYC Cooling Centers - Due to expected high temperatures and heat indices, NYC cooling centers will be open 6/11 to 6/12. Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers, or senior centers, that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find your nearest cooling center, call 311 or visit https://maps.nyc.gov/cooling-center/. For more information/safety tips, visit www.NYC.gov/beattheheat.

Giving Liberates the Soul of the Giver- Our annual pledge drive has concluded, 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)

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.

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?

Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month.

Upcoming Dates: June 20, and July 11 & 25. . Please note the date changes for July. If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org, or 732-910-7017.

Support Church of the Ascension

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.