Church of the Ascension

Ascension Office

Mary’s Story: Part One

The Annunciation

by Rhonda Waters

There once was a young woman named Mary.  We don’t know much about her except that she was engaged to marry a man named Joseph and she lived in a town called Nazareth.  Then, one day, something extraordinary happened to Mary.  This is her story.

______

Mary:
It was just an ordinary day.  A day like any other day.  I had helped with the chores – fed the chickens, fetched the water, made the bread.  I was tired and was nearly ready for bed.  But the house was always so noisy, so full of people, and I wanted just a little time all by myself.  So I slipped out of the house and sat out under the tree and watched the sunset.

Maybe I fell asleep.

Because I don’t remember…it…coming.  One minute, I was alone.  The next, I was not.  Who – or what – was with me, though?  I was almost blinded by the brightness that was shining out of…him?her?it?  I thought I saw wings and eyes, too many of both.  I was about to scream when… 

Gabriel:           
“Do not be afraid, Mary,” said the shining creature.  

Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid.  Do not, do not, do not be afraid.

 And somehow, I wasn’t.  Somehow, I knew the creature was an angel and had been sent by God. So I listened.

Gabriel:           
God knows you, Mary – God knows everything about you and thinks you are wonderful!  And God has something for you to do – something very important but very hard and a little dangerous, too.  

God will give you a son, a beautiful baby boy.  You will carry him in your body and when he is born you will call him Jesus.  Mary, your baby will be great.  People will call him the Son of the Most High and he will be king of the Jews and his kingdom will never end.

This was all ridiculous, of course.  How would my son ever be a king?  How could I even have a son, for that matter.  I was engaged to Joseph but we had never done anything that made babies!  I was starting to feel scared again.

Choir: Do not, do not, do not be afraid.  Do not, do not, do not be afraid.

So I took a deep breath and asked the angel: How is any of this even possible?

Gabriel:           
The Holy Spirit will take care of everything.  The baby will be holy, the Son of God.  Remember, God can make miracles happen.  For example, your cousin, Elizabeth, who couldn’t have children and is pretty old – well, she’s six months pregnant.  Nothing is impossible with God.

I took another deep breath.  Could I do this?  Could I do this thing God was asking me to do?  It would cause so much trouble.  Joseph might not marry me.  My parents would be very angry.  I might end up all alone.  With a baby.

          A miracle baby.  The son of God.  Jesus.

I looked at the angel.  I am God’s servant.  I will do as God asks.  
“Yes,” I said, “yes”.

Mary’s Story: Part Two

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Get Ready! The season of Advent is upon us!

The Story
Dec 1, 2019
First Sunday of Advent

Matthew 24:36-44

But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Something to Do

Advent Readiness

The First Sunday of Advent demands that we take Advent seriously – because the end of the world is serious business. Our traditions of Advent wreaths and Advent calendars are not simply countdowns to Christmas but rather are meant to keep us paying attention.

So how will you stay awake this Advent season? Some possibilities:

The Advent Wreath – all you need is four candles plus one for Christmas. They can be in a traditional wreath of winter greenery or simply on the table. They can be the traditional Advent colours of blue/purple or simply all white. Eat dinner by candlelight all Advent long, lighting one more candle each week. Say a simple grace, sing a favourite Advent song, or use the prayers we’ll be using at Ascension this year.

Reverse Advent Box – each day, add an item from this list of needed gifts for Ottawa’s community ministries. If you feel festive or have young family members at home, decorate your box (or come to this Saturday’s Celebration Saturday and decorate it with us!). Bring the items to church after Christmas and before Jan. 5th for distribution.

#AdventWord – join this international project and read or share meditations and images on Advent Words each day.

Something to Wonder

So many things to wonder…

If we can’t know when the Son of Man is coming, why have humans spent so much time trying to figure it out?

How do we watch for something we can’t even begin to prepare for?

Is it better to be taken or left?

Is Jesus the thief? If so, what might that mean?

And something to wonder about ourselves…

How does a reading that raises so many questions make you feel?

How does this reading, with its strange warnings make you feel?

What ideas do you have about “the rapture”? Where do they come from? How do you feel about it?

Something to Learn

A Close Study

Left Behind and Loving It offers a guided translation from the Greek, along with insightful commentary. It is one of my favourite resources for sermon prep – which means if you read it, you might hear something of it on Sunday! But there is so much of value here, it’s worth the risk, especially for a text as tricky as the one we have this week!

The History of Advent

In Advent, Explained , Alissa Wilkinson discusses the history of Advent and its various observances from the perspective of a secular participant.

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.

Blessed be the Lord! A song of praise for the Reign of Christ

The Story
Nov. 24, 2019
The Feast of the Reign of Christ

Luke 1:68-79

The Song of Zechariah

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Something to Do

Sing with Zechariah

Zechariah was an elderly priest, married to Elizabeth (Mary’s cousin). Zechariah and Elizabeth had never had children. One day, an angel appeared to Zechariah while he was carrying out his duties in the temple. The angel promised a child, who was to be named John and who would grow up to become John the Baptist. Zechariah was openly doubtful about the promise and the angel, as punishment or as proof, took away his voice until the moment of John’s birth (and naming).

When the wonderful day came, Zechariah’s voice was restored and the first words out of his mouth were the song, now known as the Benedictus or the Song of Zechariah.

Since it is a song, sing it! Or at least listen to it being sung. Some versions are linked below.

Guide our feet in the way of peace

Zechariah sings of God’s promises, ending with the beautiful image of God guiding God’s people’s “feet in the way of peace”.

Allow God to guide your feet this week. How might you follow the way of peace? Is there something you can do to bring peace to your own heart or to a relationship that is sometimes (or always) conflictual? Can you be a peaceful presence in your workplace or school or neighbourhood?

Something to Wonder

Herald of the King

The Song of Zechariah is read instead of a psalm on the Sunday of the Reign of Christ (also known as Christ the King Sunday). It is sung to a baby who will be the one to prepare the way for the the Lord, the King, who is to come.

How do we prepare the way for the Lord?
What do you do to open yourself up to hear the call of Jesus?
What might you do to prepare the way for someone else to encounter Jesus?

Freedom under the King

Freedom and monarchy do not often go together but freedom is a defining feature of the reign of Jesus – freedom to worship; freedom from oppression; freedom from judgement; freedom from fear; freedom from death.

Imagine the power of these promises for a people living under occupation.

Imagine embracing these promises fully for yourself. What would you do if you lived into this freedom that has been offered to you?

Something to Learn

Praying the Daily Office

The Song of Zechariah is traditionally said during the service of Morning Prayer (or the Morning Office). The practice of the daily office – or any deliberate, consistent prayer practice – reminds us that our time and our attention belong first to Jesus, our true ruler.

Learn more about the ancient practice of the office and consider incorporating it into your own prayer life.

A brief history of the development of the modern Anglican daily office pattern.

A personal reflection by the Bishop of Tennessee on why praying the offices is important to him.

A few versions to try for yourself:

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.