Dear People of Ascension,

One of the themes of the Epiphany season is vocation- discerning and acting on God's call to us. The gospel lessons for last week and this offer two distinct stories of the call of Jesus' first disciples, which reminds us there are as many different ways of being called as there are people. In John, several followers of John the Baptist hear their teacher say intriguing things about Jesus, seek him out to learn more, and receive his invitation: "come and see!" They do, they discover and deepen their relationship with him and a community grows. In the synoptic gospels, while walking by the Sea of Galilee Jesus sees two brothers who are minding their own business, tending their nets since they are fishermen. Seemingly without introduction he says, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people," using their most common experience to invite them into something almost unimaginable. "Immediately" they leave their nets and follow him, changing their lives (and we may wonder about the lives of the people close to them) just like that.

Sometimes responding to a call upends your life and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it's slow and gradual; sometimes it looks like what you know in your bones you were born to do and sometimes it feels utterly unlikely. Often it brings joy, though sometimes it brings a lot of trouble too. The scriptures tell of people who eagerly volunteer ("here I am, send me!"- Isaiah), others who run in the opposite direction (Jonah), one who steps with brave faith into the impossible (Mary) and at least one who is knocked of his horse (Paul) by God's voice. The church wisely says that call comes to us through our own deep listening to God, through our gifts and experiences of ministry, through the needs of our world and through others who recognize the work of the Spirit in us, sometimes before we see it ourselves. We are called personally, but in the context of community.

When I consider my own experiences of call, one thing I know is that God invites us into deepening authenticity and love: to become more fully who we are meant to be, to share our gifts with the world, to grow in loving, vulnerable relationship with God and others. We are called through our struggles and failures as much as through our successes and joys. Call for me has come through a gradual sense of how I feel most alive and whole (priesthood); moving step by step through almost equal desire and terror (motherhood); deep love, grief and determination to help (creation care)- and many other ways. God nudges and whispers and waits, provokes and allures. The call of the Spirit evolves and unfolds throughout our lives.

How have you experienced God's call? How is God calling you, and us, this Epiphany-tide?

May our hearts be open,

Liz

To access the Forum, click here.

Say Thank You. If you watch our services online you may notice in the lower left-had corner you'll see the name of our producer, Jasmine B. She has been our producer a little over a month now and is doing a great job! Next time you're watching, be sure to give her 5 stars!

How to Add Prayer Requests Online for Sunday Service - Go to Ascensionnyc.org/Prayers and type in your prayer request. Be sure to add them before the end of the sermon.

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.

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.

With the rise of respiratory illnesses, we strongly encourage everyone to be masked when indoors and to be sensitive to the concerns of others. Clergy, servers, and choir will remain masked during services.

In accordance with the Religious Corporations Law of the State of New York, the Annual Meeting of The Church of the Ascension in the City of New York will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2023, immediately following the 11 a.m. service, for the purpose of electing a Warden for a term of two years and four* Vestry members to the Class of 2026, for three year terms, and for the conduct of such other business as should come before the Parish.

Nominee for Warden: Isabel Spencer

Nominees for Vestry: Kyle Cheseborough, Ned Fitch, and Michael Surabian

Click here to read the nominee's bios.

* This year only 3 candidates were nominated. The vestry will consider appointing a 4th during the upcoming year. 

A light lunch will be served at the Annual Parish Meeting.

All eligible voters will receive an email on Wednesday, January 25 when the polls open, instructing them on how to vote. To be eligible to vote, you must have been a pledging member of the Church of the Ascension for the prior year- in this case, 2022.

If you do not receive an email by Wednesday, January 25, and you feel you should have, please check your spam or junk folder. If you don't find it, contact the church office (212-254-8620 or info@ascensionnyc.org) as soon as possible.

The Annual meeting will be held in person this year, with Zoom access for any that would like to attend remotely. To access the meeting via Zoom, please click here.

Absentee Ballots for the Annual Meeting - Eligible voters without email access have been mailed an absentee ballot or may request one from the church office by calling 212-254-8620. Absentee ballots not received in the office by noon on the Friday, January 27, will not be replaced or counted.

Forum this Sunday: Religious Life in the Episcopal Church- The most recent General Convention established "Foundation of Religious Life Sunday" to be held on the Third Sunday of Epiphany each year. This provides an opportunity for all Episcopalians to learn about our monastic and other Christian communities, and to explore what they offer the entire church. Today we welcome Br. Thomas Steffenson, SSF, who will share some of his experiences as a Franciscan and lead a conversation about what this ancient way of life can offer all Christians. We also invite parishioners who have relationships with religious communities to share what Third Order, Oblate or Associate membership has meant for them. Please join us! To join by Zoom, please click here.

Musical Notes - Music for this Sunday - Starting at 10:50, the Prelude music features organ and choral works of famous French composers: Duruflé’s Prelude on the Introit for Epiphany (organ) and Notre Père (organ and men’s chorus) and the exquisite Desseins Eternels of Messiaen (organ). The offertory anthem is perhaps the most famous choral piece by an American composer, the Alleluia of Randall Thompson. Finally, Duruflé’s exceptional Fugue on Alain will be the postlude, an organ tour de force!

The Diocese of New York Ecumenical and Interreligious Commission invites you to take part in a program "Same but Different," an ecumenical dialogue between leaders of Catholic and Episcopal Churches. For three Monday evenings, we will explore these two historic churches’ history, structure, and worship, highlighting their traditions and spirits. Join Father Brian McWeeney, D.Min. and Rev. Robert Flanagan, D. Min. for a lively, enriching presentation and discussion of the topics that define where we come from, who we are, and where we’re going.

We will meet on Zoom on Mondays in January/February (1/23, 1/30, and 2/6 from 7:30 to 8:45 pm). To sign up, please, contact Rev. Robert Flanagan or Father Brian McWeeney.

Same but Different is a program designed by the ecumenical dialogue leaders of the Archdiocese of New York and the Episcopal Diocese of New York and is the fourth in a series of programs that began during the pandemic. The Nicene Creed states, "We believe in one, holy, catholic, apostolic church." Many wonder how "catholic" applies to Roman Catholics and Episcopalians and the differences between the two denominations' beliefs, practices, and traditions. Also, what do they share, and how can they better welcome those outside their tradition by better understanding their identities? During the program's three sessions, leaders and participants will examine these questions and others to understand each denomination's identity and role in the wider church.

Light that Grounds and Guides Us - Life Together in This Transition Year - Click here to hear a message from Bishop Coadjutor Elect, The Rev. Matthew Heyd.

Have you made your pledge for 2023? Thanks to all who have pledged to support Ascension in the coming year. If you have not yet pledged, please prayerfully consider doing so. We need everyone's participation, and depend on your commitments for our budget planning. When you pledge online you must make a new commitment for each new year. Thank you for your generosity and care for our church!

To make or pay your pledge online, please check us out at Ascensionnyc.org/Give to find out how easy and secure it is to give. You can also download the Abundant app for iOS or Android. When donating, please choose whichever purpose you intend for your contribution.

Help Asylum Seekers - Our friends at Judson Church (239 Thompson St.) have created a respite and mutual aid center for asylum seekers who have been bussed to New York from Texas. They are open every Monday from 10 am to 7 pm. You can help by volunteering time (Spanish speakers and those with medical, legal or social work training especially welcome), or by donating supplies. They need new (or like new) winter coats (men’s, women’s, & children’s), underwear (boxers preferably), and backpacks.

To learn more about volunteering, please contact the Rev. Micah Bucey at micah@judson.org. Donated supplies can be brought to Ascension, marked "mutual aid for migrants" and we will see that they get to Judson. Thank you!

Holy Eucharist (Church) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; (Church & Live Stream) 11:00 a.m.

Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) After 11:00 service

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

Church and Parish Office Closed

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.

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

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

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.

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

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

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

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Food pantry is available the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. For assistance or to volunteer, please contact Amy Shaw at amyqshaw@gmail.com.

Holy Eucharist (Church) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; (Church & Live Stream) 11:00 a.m.

Annual Parish Meeting (Parish Hall) After 11:00 service

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

The Church of the Ascension -- Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street

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