Church of the Ascension

Parish Events

Praying for our City

download a pdf of these prayers

Be pleased, O God, to deliver us.
Make haste, Holy One, to help us.                                                                                   

A reading from 1 John 3:19-20

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech but in truth and action. By this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before God whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and God knows everything.

silence

God of love,
Our hearts are heavy, filled with worry and sorrow for the people of our city.
We pray for all who are exhausted, worn down by the noise and chaos of occupation.
We pray for all who are fearful, made into targets because of their race, gender, sexuality or vulnerability.
We pray for all who are angry, whether with the protesters or the police or both.

take time to add your own prayers

Our hearts are heavy, filled with worry and sorrow for the health of our communities.
We pray for all whose bodily well-being has suffered during this pandemic.
We pray for all whose mental well-being has suffered during this pandemic.
We pray for all whose economic and social well-being has suffered during this pandemic.

take time to add your own prayers

Our hearts are heavy, filled with worry and sorrow for the state of our nation.
We ask for deliverance from racism and the sin of white supremacy.
We ask for deliverance from misinformation and political manipulation.
We ask for deliverance from dehumanization and hatefulness.

take time to add your own prayers

Our hearts are heavy, O God; we turn to you. 
Give us eyes to see your ways.
Give us ears to hear your word.
Give us lips to speak your truth.
Give us hands to do your work.
Give us hearts to trust your presence.
Amen.

As Jesus taught us, we gather our prayers together and say:

Our Mother, our Father in heaven
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

We go forth in the name of Christ
Thanks be to God.

prayers composed by Rhonda Waters

Rising Up: Children, Art, and Community

a multi-arts program full of connection, play, and joy 
for children aged 5-9

Saturdays from 9:30-11:30

Registration for our first session of Rising Up is FULL! We are excited to announce that we will be running a second session from May 7 – June 18. Contact us if you’d like us to email you when registration for the second session opens.

Details and Registration

Church Cracked Open Book Study

Story at the (Zoom) Rectory Book Study

Join us to discuss this challenging and hopeful book:
Thursdays, 7:30-9pm

  • Jan. 20
  • Feb 3
  • Feb 17
  • Mar 3

Email Rhonda to sign up and get the Zoom link

The book ($21.50 plus tax) is available from Indigo, Amazon, and by special order from the independent bookstore near you!  If cost is an issue, please speak to Rhonda.

from the book jacket:

How does a denomination historically connected to establishment and empire become a church that loves Jesus, lives in solidarity with the oppressed, and seeks the flourishing of all God’s children?

Epiphany Home Blessing

The Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) has been, since the Middle Ages, the traditional occasion for blessing homes for the coming year. Perhaps it comes from the idea of hosting holy pilgrims such as the Magi or perhaps we are the Magi, seeking the new king, and the blessing reminds us that Jesus is to be found in our own homes.

We will mark the Feast as a church community on Sunday, January 2nd and have the opportunity to mark our doorframes during the service. We won’t be blessing chalk to use this year but, as a gift of God’s creation, chalk is already sacred anyway…and I know from experience that a tums tablet can be pressed into service in a pinch!

Download this short prayer (en français aussi) for us during the service or at a time that suits you!

Ascension Radio Presents an Epiphany Encore

Message from the Angels
an Epiphany Encore

Episode Five

An original radio play by Gilbert
~
featuring
Thomas as our announcer
Trevor as Caspar
Erica as Melchior
Rhonda as Balthazar
Kate as King Herod
Meghan & Thomas as the Royal Advisors
Robert as Joseph
Sarah as Mary
Cynthia as Gabriel
~
with original music by Meghan
and We Three Kings by RTistsforChristmas.bandcamp.com
~
produced and edited by Rhonda

Start from the beginning with Episode One!