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Archives for June 2020

June 30, 2020

Accepting Jesus’ Invitation

The Story
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
July 5, 2020

Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Jesus said, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 


Something to Do

Lay your burdens down.

Take two grocery bags and start adding cans or books to the bag, lifting them up between each addition. When you reach your limit, go for a little walk. How does it feel when you lay your burden down?

Take it the another level: label each can, either literally or just in your head, with a burden you are carrying in your life right now. At the end of the exercise, give those burdens to Jesus.

All you who are weary…

Take a nap or sleep in or go to bed early and know that you are resting in Christ.


Something to Wonder

Never Satisfied

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t make somone (or yourself) happy, regardless of what you did? What was going on in that situation? How did it end up being resolved (if it has been resolved)?

Have you ever been in a situation where you were impossible to satisfy? Why was that and how did it come to an end?

The people complained about John because he didn’t join in their fun. They complained about Jesus because he did. What do you suppose their real complaint was? How is Jesus feeling in this moment?

Hidden from the wise

What do you think Jesus is referring to as being hidden from the wise and revealed to infants? In your experience, what do children know that adults have often forgotten? What do you need to remember of your own childhood wisdom?


Something to Learn

A Theology of Rest

Take some time to consider rest through the lens of faith.

Balancing Rhythms of Work and Rest from the Theology of Work Project:

Human beings need a rhythm of work and rest in order to live up to their God-given potential. Just as God gives people important work to do, God also asks people to rest periodically from their labor. Work gives each individual the opportunity to partner with God in his goals for creation, while rest lets that person enter into communion with God in enjoyment of creation. Ideally, all people would work and rest in comfortable alternation, leaving humanity physically healthy, mentally stimulated, and spiritually fulfilled.


Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

June 29, 2020

New Asst. Curate

Bishop John Chapman has announced that the Rev. Adam Brown will continue his Assistant Curacy at Church of the Ascension, effective June 1. 
Adam is a recent graduate of Trinity College at the University of Toronto, and was ordained to the transitional diaconate in December of 2019. Born and raised in rural Southern Ontario, Adam obtained a BA (Hons) in Sociology from Trent University in Peterborough. After seminary he moved to Ottawa, where he began his Assistant Curacy at All Saints Westboro.
Adam is a passionate advocate for social justice; he will join us in worship on Sunday, June 7.

June 28, 2020

4th Sunday after Pentecost – June 28, 2020

How long, O Lord, how long?
Holy Lament and Holy Listening
a sermon on Psalm 13
The Rev’d Rhonda Waters

June 23, 2020

Learning to Lament

The Story
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
June 28, 2020

Psalm 13

How long, O Lord?
Will you forget me for ever? 
How long will you hide your face from me? 
How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day? 
How long shall my enemy triumph over me?

Look upon me and answer me, O Lord my God; 
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over this one,”
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen. 

But I put my trust in your mercy; 
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
I will sing to the Lord who has dealt with me richly; 
I will praise the name of the Lord Most High. 


Something to Do

DIY Scratch Paper

Lament is a holy form of prayer in which we lay our griefs and fears and our anger at God’s feet – knowing we are safe in doing so because God’s love and patience is strong enough to hold it all. “How long, O God?” cries the psalmist: “Will you hide your face from me forever?” Even in the midst of this sadness, though, the psalmist knows the answer to the question: “but I put my trust in your mercy”.

Create a visual response to this psalm through scratch art, in which lines are created by revealing the colours beneath a layer of black paint. You can purchase scratch paper or you can make your own – all you need is sturdy paper, oil pastels or crayons, liquid soap, and black tempera paint. This quick tutorial reveals just how simply it is.

But what about me, O Lord?

Write your own psalm of lament.

This article includes more information that is strictly necessary – although I thought the discussion on Hebrew poetic form was very interesting! Scroll down a bit to find the basic outline and some lovely examples for pouring your heart out to God in this ancient and powerful form.

A more thorough explanation for writing your own psalm of lament can be found at the bottom of this long but oh-so-worthwhile essay (also linked in the “Something to Learn” section below)

I will sing to the Lord

One of the things many of us miss the most right now is the experience of singing together – but don’t let that stop you from singing! Sing the blues or sweet sad folks songs. Sing angry rock anthems or songs of social change. Sing love songs or lullabies or wordless la-la-las.

Sing in the shower. Sing while you do the dishes. Sing to embarrass your kids. Crank up the volume and sing along with music you love.

And sing on your couch while hanging out with Ascension friends on Zoom this Thursday at 7pm!


Something to Wonder

How long, O Lord?

Perhaps this question feels particularly appropriate to you these days. If so, what are you particularly waiting for?

When is another time you have felt lost or forgotten and wondered how long it would last? How long did it last? How did it come to an end (or is it ongoing)?

I will sing to the Lord who has dealt with me richly…

The psalms of lament find their resolution in two movements: remembering God’s past faithfulness and affirming God’s future help.

Name the ways in which God has “dealt with you richly”, bringing you joy and strength and growth. Trace the line of those riches from your past to your present – even if they at times grow faint. Extend the line into your future and consider how they might play out in the days and years to come.


Something to Learn

Lament

From A Theology of Lament and Hope by J.E. Scully

“The Psalms of lament move back and forth between the expression of pain and the assurance of God’s presence and ultimate vanquishing of the causes of the pain. They do so in rapid turns of a verse or two or three, which can feel odd – in fact, they constitute a logical contradiction, but anyone who has experienced the paradoxical complexities of childbirth can relate to. Or, when holding a beloved one through critical illness or caring for a dying family member, one might live in a place where pain, anticipatory grief, and the graces of love and tender care are present in the same breath.”

This essay truly deserves your attention this week. You won’t be sorry.


Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

June 21, 2020

National Indigenous Day of Prayer – June 21, 2020

The Life of Odeiman
Sacred Teachings Podcast

The Most Rev’d Mark MacDonald

This year, we listened to the powerful story of The Life of Odeiman, shared by National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop Mark MacDonald as part of the second season of the Sacred Teachings Podcast. Archbishop Mark teaches us about the self-sacrificial love shown by Odeiman and brought to our attention each year in the delicious gift that is the strawberry.

Listen to this wonderful teaching.

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