This Sunday our wonderful choir returns under the direction of our new Music Director, Dr. Alexander Little—featuring old friends and talented new voices. We’ll greet them and each other with special coffee hour treats in the Parish Hall following the service. | | Do you have a favorite finger food? Please feel free to bring & share! | | |
“Are you grudging because I am generous?” - Matthew 20:15
Dear People of Ascension,
This Sunday’s gospel tells the story of a landowner who hires day laborers to work in his fields, starting at early dawn. He continues to hire more workers at various points throughout the day. When quitting time comes, each of them receives the same daily wage, no matter when they were hired or how much work they did. Understandably, the ones who worked all day grumble: "why are we getting the same as these latecomers?" It’s my experience that lots of us react that way to this parable. Why wouldn't I get more if I work longer and harder? It’s not fair!
This story provokes us with a different question. What would it take for everyone to have enough? The topsy turvy values of the gospel (“the last shall be first”) envision a world of abundance shared by all. The kin-dom of heaven is like this story in which the landowner enables everyone to have both the means to live and the dignity of work. What is it in our hearts that begrudges others this practical grace? What are we afraid of?
We certainly do not live in a world that expresses these values. Polarization, fear of “others", scarcity, a horrifying and growing gulf between a few billionaires and many, many folks just struggling to get by as well as a similar divide between rich and poor nations barrage us every day. Jesus is telling us it does not have to be this way.
This is our “Welcome Back” Sunday. I am excited to see all of you, whether you have been here all summer or are just returning to the city. I hope you will bring some new friends! I look forward to the return of our wonderful choir, a festive coffee hour and the chance to share some of what will be happening at Ascension this fall. As the next weeks unfold, it will be good to be together, to hear what is on your minds and hearts and get into some good trouble together. Community is such a gift. We need each other to flourish and to do the work we’re urgently called to do.
My prayer as we begin the fall is that Ascension will be a place where we trust and grow in God’s abundance and grace, even as we struggle with the real challenges of our life together and our world. May we practice generosity as we care for one another and our neighbors. And may it bring us abundant joy.
See you in church, dear people of Ascension!
Liz
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This is Climate Week at the UN and Greenfaith is holding two events at Ascension to organize faith communities for climate justice. You are welcome to join either or both!
- Tuesday, September 22 | 10:00 am–11:30 am - GreenFaith in NY: Building Our Next Chapter
- Wednesday, September 23 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Faiths Rising: Building a Global Multi-Faith Mobilization for April 2027 (Light lunch provided.)
| | 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: 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, William Wynter, Eric, Eileen, 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, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Joan Sebastian Guerrero. We pray especially for a just peace in Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, 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.
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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.
| | 20’s & 30’s Dinner, Thursday, September 24; 6:30 p.m. All Ascensionites in their 20's and 30's are invited to gather for food and conversation on Thursday, September 24 (and every 4th Thursday) in the Parish Hall. The menu is forthcoming, but your contributions of sides, beverages and other inspirations are welcome. If you can, please call the parish office (212-254-8620) or email info@ascensionnyc.org to let us know you are coming so we can prepare accurately. Friends are very welcome! We look forward to seeing you! | | Ascension Forum Next Sunday, September 27: a Conversation with Alex Little. Come hear from our new Director of Music about his journey to Ascension and his hopes for his ministry among us. | | |
Weekday Zoom Adult Small Group:
Learn, Pray, and Grow Together!
Starting in October, join us on a weekday evening, 8:00–9:30 PM, via Zoom. Vote for your favorite book or topic and your preferred meeting day during Coffee Hour, or submit your interest online. For additional information, contact our intern, Yunjeong McSeol.
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Save the Date: October 1, 7 pm in the Ascension Parish Hall- Talking About Christian Zionism with Dr. Mark Braverman. He will bring key texts from Scripture to bear on the church’s mission to stand with the oppressed, as we wrestle together with issues such as these: God’s promises, Christian Zionism, the call of the Palestinian Christians, and Christian-Jewish relations in the age of Gaza. This event is co-sponsored with the NYC Chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship-Palestine Justice Network. Please register here: https://bit.ly/4dCXkDZ
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Blessing of the Animals; Feast of St. Francis – We will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis - the saint who preached to the birds and called a wolf his brother –with the blessing of the animals following the 11 a.m. service in two weeks, Sunday, October 4. The blessing will be around 12:30, giving those who live nearby a chance to go and get their animals; however, you are also welcome to bring well-behaved pets to church that day. Tell your friends!
| | 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. | | Liberian Quilt Exhibit at St. Lukes Church, October 3; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. St Luke's in the Fields is hosting a Liberian quilt exhibit with handcrafted quilts for sale form the Bensonville Diasora. Proceeds suipport Liverian quilt-makeing guilds and their families. Click here to read the flier. | | |
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)
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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?
Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month.
Upcoming Dates: September 26, October 3 & 17. If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org, or 732-910-7017.
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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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Sunday – September 20 – Welcome Back Sunday
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Festive Coffee Hour (Parish Hall) after the 11:00 service
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – September 21
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – September 22
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – September 23
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 – September 24
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
20's & 30's Dinner (Parish Hall) 6:30 p.m.
Friday – September 25
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – September 26
Food Pantry (12 W 11th St.) 8:30 a.m.
For food assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionyc.org).
Sunday – September 27
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Coffee Hour (Parish Hall) after the 11:00 service
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) after the 11:00 service
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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