Please check the following websites for regular updates on information related to the COVID 19 pandemic:

• ascensionnl.ca
• anglicanenl.net (You will find the most recent weekly letter from our Bishop under our Bishop’s Writings)
• anglicanenl.net/home/covid19/
• mountpearl.ca
• who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/

• On-Line Church Service: This Sunday at 11 a.m., the Parishes of St. Michael and All Angels, St. Mary the Virgin, the Good Shepherd, and the Ascension are hosting Morning Prayer from the Wee Worship Book – Liturgy D. Come and join us at easter2020.ca (please note the new web address). You do not need to be on Facebook to view the live service.
• Easter Flowers – In Memoriam: Anyone wishing to have loved ones remembered at Easter are asked to please list the name(s) of the departed so we can include them in the memorial booklet. Please remember to put your name and church number on the envelope. Deadline for memoriam donations has been extended to April 26. The booklet will be published on-line on May 3.You may drop your donation in the mailbox located at the front entrance of the church (the mail slot is to the right). Thank you.
• Resurrection Reminders: In the parish during the season of Easter, there are many reminders that our hope, our love, our capacity for care are not lost in the Covid-19 challenges we face today. Please feel free to submit a photo/video and a short couple of sentences that might highlight how you are living out your faith in this time. Please send these to [email protected]. One or two stories will be shared in the electronic chimes each week.
• Greetings from the Choir: Easter greetings to all from the senior choir and organist of the Ascension. It has been a different Lent, Holy Week, and Easter season for us, not singing our wonderful hymns, psalms and special anthems. However, we know that we will return to sing once again in the near future and we hope that all is well with our church family. Our choir family is doing well and we keep in touch weekly. We are looking forward to singing from the choir pews soon.
• Outreach: This is a time for our faith community to come together to uplift each other. Please don’t forget to regularly check on your family, friends and neighbours. If you are in need of pastoral contact, or if you know of anyone who is struggling at this stressful time, please let one of the clergy know.
• Food First NL: Food First NL works with communities in Newfoundland & Labrador to ensure everyone has access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food. Please visit their website at foodfirstnl.ca/covid19 to find updates to NL Community Food Programs.
• Mount Pearl Foodbanks: Want to join us in making a difference? The Ministerial of Mount Pearl is raising money to benefit Foodbanks in Mount Pearl during the Covid-19 Pandemic. From April 1 to June 30, 2020, The Parish of the Ascension will be receiving money on behalf of all the congregations in Mount Pearl for distribution to the three Mount Pearl Foodbanks. All donations will help make an impact. The City of Mount Pearl will match funds up to the first $5,000. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to the clergy and people of the Ministerial of Mount Pearl! If you would like to help, please log in to gofundme.com and search Parish of the Ascension. Follow the prompts to make a donation. Thanks very much.
• Earth Day 2020: On Earth Day 2020, Wednesday, April 22 from 1:00 – 2:00p.m., join Father Mark Nichols for an online (Zoom) creation care seminar: Climate Action for Anglicans. Although we will not be around to bear the consequences, our collective decisions and actions today will determine what kind of world we leave to our children and grandchildren – for better or for worse. In this seminar, we will look at how we should live out the final promise of our baptismal covenant in a way that will bring about the systemic change necessary to ensure an inhabitable planet for those who come after us. Registration required via email to [email protected] no later than Monday, April 20, 2020.
• CLB: On behalf of Mount Pearl CLB #4507, we would like to send out regards to all the parishioners of the Parish of the Ascension and Church of the Good Shepherd. We hope everyone had a blessed Easter and that you are all doing your best to stay safe. We are really missing each other during these challenging times and we have been doing our best to keep in contact. We are happy to let you know that on April 9, we had our first virtual meeting using the Zoom software. A special thanks to Reverend Lynn Courage and Captain Jamie Hill for keeping us all together when we have to be apart.
• Clergy Contact During the COVID 19 Pandemic: During the outbreak of COVID-19, the clergy will be reaching out to all parishioners. They will do their best to contact everyone, however, our parish list may need to be updated. If you have not received a call or an e-mail since the closure of the church building, please e-mail your updated contact information to [email protected]. In the event that you do not have e-mail available, please call the parish office and leave a message.

It is the Second Sunday of Easter, and in the life of followers of Jesus, the readings from Scripture point us to the dialogue between Jesus and Thomas, about belief, doubt, certainty, hope, and resurrection. In the place where we are at this present, as we are challenged with the changes and complexities of life amid physical distancing and pandemic reality, I feel strengthened by the Scripture and by the ongoing dialogue that has been present in my interactions with friend and family, neighbor, and stranger.

In Scripture, Thomas is grieving, and wishing for certainty to dispel his doubt. For him the certainty is in touch, in sight, in the presence of Jesus. This we see accomplished in John’s Gospel, added to a comforting word from Jesus, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ In the current pandemic worldview, with health, society, culture, economy, and safety being compromised, it is reassuring to believe that the Holy One is present to us, even in the unseen, in the barriers between us and our loved ones, in the lives of first responders and essential personnel, in the secluded cells of our existence in the world as we now know it.

In all this, I have been challenged and strengthened by messages I have heard from friends near and far, parishioners and colleagues. In the midst of physical distancing, and a changed world, in all the grief and challenge, emotion and uncertainty, there have been words of strength, comfort and perspective that I wish to share with you. For me, these are resurrection reminders: words and actions that remind me that the Holy One is indeed present in the here and now, and not abandoning us.

This week’s Resurrection Reminders:

• From a friend’s Instagram feed: "Every storm runs out of rain." Maya Angelou
• From card given by a fellow Iona Community Associate: "Faith is a bird that senses the dawn and sings though it is dark." (Dawn Chorus, Isle of Iona)
• From a phone conversation: "The world is not made for single moms. But I am managing." (parishioner)
• From a phone conversation with a Home Communicant: "God must be so busy, listening to the world’s prayers." (senior parishioner)

These resurrection reminders for me, offer me hope and perspective, love and reassurance. I pray that each of us hold meaningful reflection, conversation, and action in the days and weeks to come, and that in some way, these resurrection reminders may bloom in us, enabling our perspective, our hearts, our lives, focused on the Holy One, and on the care of all community and creation round about us.

Peace,

• Donations to Ministry: If you are interested in continuing to donate to the parish ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a variety of ways for you to do so.
  • Church Envelopes: You may still use your envelopes during this time. You may drop them in the mailbox at the main entrance of the church or you can put your givings in the mail.
  • Pre-authorized Givings: You can have your givings automatically deducted on a schedule that works for you. If you are interested in setting up pre-authorized givings, please contact the church office at 368-5693.
  • Canada Helps: You can sign up to make donations to Canada Helps through our parish website.
  • Food Bank Donations: The need for food donations is still great. If you are able to donate to the food bank, we ask that you drop your donation directly to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank at either St. Peter’s Parish Hall on Ashford Drive or Mary Queen of the World on Topsail Road. All donations are gratefully appreciated.

Let us who have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection, pray for the church, the world, and all in need saying: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For a new birth of peace on the earth among all human families and nations, that hatred and violence and war may cease, we pray: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For Earth Day, we pray to God of unchangeable power, who fashioned the world, the morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for joy: Open our souls to the wonders of creation and teach us to manage faithfully the riches of this good earth: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For the whole body of Christ and for all who bear his holy name, and for bishops, clergy, and all who offer ministries, that we may serve Christ with glad and generous hearts, we pray: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For this nation and all the nations of the world, that those who lead may know truth and practice integrity, that all peoples may grow together in concord, we pray: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For all in mental anguish and whose faith is racked by doubt, that they may be lead with Thomas the apostle to cry out, “My Lord and My God,” we pray: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For those imprisoned unjustly by force, that they may be liberated and not be abandoned to the dominion of death, we pray: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For all gathered out of love for Christ, that we may know the gospel as an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, we pray: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

For all who suffer in mind, body, or soul, for whom Christ is risen with healing in his glorious wings, we pray for those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle, for all in Long term Care facilities, for their families and those who care for them, that they may be comforted, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those having died in faith, and for all the dying, that they may know the love of God who has raised Christ up, having loosed the pangs of death, we pray: Lord, hear us in your mercy.

Bind us in love to those for whom we pray this day and to one another in genuineness of faith, more precious than gold, that Christ may be present in all we say and do. So may your life be praised, today and all days. Amen

Ascension Prayer Cycle: Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Brenda, Brian, Carl, Christina, Clarence, Claude, David, Debra, Delilah, Dennis, Don, Donna, Doris, Dot, Dulcie, Edgar, Edith, Elaine, Elizabeth, Erin, Frederick, Flo, George, Georgina, Gerry, Gordon, Harry, Herb, Ina, Jack, Jason, Jenny, John, Josephine, Junior, Kevin, Laura, Leo, Leonie, Lori, Madeline, Marina, Marion, Maurice, Maxine, Maxwell, Melissa, Melvin, Nancy, Pam, Phyllis, Randell, Rodney, Roland, Ruby, Ruth, Rita, Scott, Sean, Stan, Stephen, Tina, Todd, Valerie, and Wayne.

Collect

Almighty and eternal God,
the strength of those who believe
and the hope of those who doubt,
may we, who have not seen, have faith
and receive the fullness of Christ's blessing,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. AMEN

A Reading from the Book of Acts

"Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know - this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.' This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses." Acts 2:14A, 22-32

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Psalm

Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord, my good above all other." All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble among the people. R

But those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied. Their libations of blood I will not offer, nor take the names of their gods upon my lips. R

O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; it is you who uphold my lot. My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage. R

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. R

My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope. For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your holy one see the Pit. R

You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. R

Psalm 16

A Reading from the First Letter of Peter

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith - being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Reader: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31

Reader: The Gospel of Christ
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Prayer over the Gifts

God of grace,
you have freed us from our sins
and made us a kingdom in your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Accept all we offer you this day,
and strengthen us in the new life you have given us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Father,
we have seen with our eyes
and touched with our hands
the bread of life.
Strengthen our faith
that we may grow in love for you and for each other;
through Jesus Christ the risen Lord. AMEN

Hail, Thou once Despised Jesus

Hail, Thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, Thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, Thou univeersal Saviour!
Thou hast borne our sin and shame;
By Thy merits we find favour;
Life is given through Thy name.

Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed,
Thou hast full atonement made.
All Thy people are forgiven
Through the virtue of Thy blood;
Opened is the gate of heaven,
Peace is made 'twixt us and God.

Jesus, hail! enthroned in glory,
There forever to abide,
All the heavenly host adore Thee,
Seated at Thy Father's side:
Worship, honour, power and blessing
Thou art worthy to receive;
loudest praises, without ceasing,
Meet it is for us to give.

Alleluia! O Sons and Daughters

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O sons and daughters, let us sing!
The King of heaven, the glorious King,
O'er death today rose triumphing.
Alleluia!

That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia!

An angel clad in white they see,
Who sat, and spoke unto the three,
“Your Lord goes on to Galilee.”
Alleluia!

That night th’apostles met in fear;
Amidst them came their Lord most dear,
And said, “My peace be on all here.”
Alleluia!

When Thomas first the tidings heard,
How they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia!

“My piercèd side, O Thomas, see;
behold My hands, My feet, said he;
Not faithless but believing be.”
Alleluia!

No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
“Thou art my Lord and God,” he cried.
Alleluia!

How blest are they who have not seen,
And yet whose faith has constant been;
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

On this most holy day of days,
To God your hearts and voices raise
In laud and jubilee and praise.
Alleluia!

Yours be the Glory, Risen, Conquering Son,

Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory over death you won.
Angels robed in splendour rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave-clothes, where your body lay.

Refrain:
Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory over death you've won.

See! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
for her Lord is living; death has lost its sting. Refrain

No more we doubt you, glorious Prince of life;
what is life without you? Aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors through your deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to your home above. Refrain