Chimes (April 26, 2020)

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Easter III


Lections: Acts 2:14A, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17 (Refrain: I will lift up the cup of salvation); 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24: 13-35

Hymns: Dear Lord, We Long to See Your Face; We Walk by Faith, and Not by Sight; Lift High the Cross


Table of Contents

COVID-19 Updates

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

General Updates

  • 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/BCP. Come and join us at www.easter2020.ca. 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 28. 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:
    • Q: How I am living out my faith in this time?
    • A: I feel an overwhelming need, more so than ever, to help others. I am fulfilling this in numerous ways:
      • volunteering with community food banks
      • blood donation
      • food deliveries to those in need.
      • I also like giving out smiles, those are free! 😊

Be kind to others as well as yourself.
God is good and ever present during these challenging times.
I have great faith, hope, & love.

  • Greetings from the Staff: It has been five weeks since we gathered together in the sanctuary of the Ascension to celebrate Holy Eucharist. It has been five weeks since the staff has had face to face meetings, and interactions to continue the pastoral and outreach ministry of the parish. The effect of the Covid19 Pandemic has been a change for all of us in so many ways. The staff has continued to meet weekly, via zoom meetings, in order to coordinate the pastoral and outreach ministry of the parish, and to provide the updates for the chimes, and resources for parishioners at home. We also have been assisting with the joint worship with the parishes of the Good Shepherd, St. Mary, and St. Michael with whom we participate each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Though we are apart from you, we still hold you all in prayer during this time.
  • 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. Update: The Gofundme campaign has raised $4,210 to date in support of our local foodbanks. We continue to gratefully accept donations. Thanks to all who contributed thus far.
  • 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.
  • Coffee Matters, Mount Pearl: Coffee Matters Mount Pearl are offering daily supper specials, along with reheat and eat meals. Daily specials are posted the day before on their Facebook page. All food made from scratch. Sunday’s special is turkey cold plates for just $10.00, with $1.00 from every sale going to the three community food banks. Call 221-7700 to get information on daily specials and to place your order for curbside pickup. Delivery available in Mount Pearl area.

Weekly Word

Each time they walked that road, they remembered how their hearts were burning within them, as the Scriptures were opened up to them...

Memory is a remarkable thing. As I experience life, I see memory as both individual and communal. There are some memories that are singular, personal to me, and my perspective: riding a bike for the first time, experiencing near-drowning, my grandmother’s funeral, the birth of our children. There are also some memories that are communal: New Year’s celebrations, 9/11/2001, the Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup, the death of JFK, the end of the Second World War.

In so many of these communal memories, we can share among family and friends, and wider and wider audiences, where we were, and what we were doing, if we were alive at the time of these momentous occasions. Positive memories and negative memories get etched into our minds and our psyches as individuals, and as the community. There is no doubt the world changed on the whole after 9/11, for example.

In this time, many of us have perhaps had too many personal and communal memories that are linked to hardship, grief, and tragedy. For us affected in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, #SNOWMAGEDDON2020 will be remembered as we recount our response and adjustment to life due to record-breaking snowfall and poor winter weather. For all in Canada, and most especially, Nova Scotia, all will remember the unfolding events of 18 – 19 April 2020. For all throughout the world, the human family will recall the pandemic of 2019/2020 and its effect on our lives and our way of being.

It seems as if there is nothing but news of tremendous pain and heartbreak at this time. Continuous reminders, as we walk the roads and paths of our lives can continue to emphasize and form hard realities as we move day to day from trauma, anxiety, grief, and lament.

The two who walked to Emmaus, witnesses to the crucifixion of Jesus, seem to have been experiencing the same sorts of suffering. Their lives had been punctuated by wonderful, and hard memories. They had been present with Jesus at the telling of parables, at healings, yet also at Jesus’ death by crucifixion. Every time they walked the streets of Jerusalem, they would be reminded of Jesus’ path with a cross. Every time they went to the upper room or the garden they would be reminded of Jesus’ last day. Every time they saw someone dying by crucifixion, they would be reminded of Jesus’ torture and death.

Setting out on the road to Emmaus in their grief and trauma they may not have even considered how this road would be a memory for them. However, the journey they undertook enabled a fresh memory, that transformed their grief to hope, their lament to joy, their pain to peace.

We set out each day of our lives, perhaps not walking a road with a friend these days, but traveling nonetheless. It may be a journey of anxiety and painful memories of loss and anguish – for the past, and an unknown future.

In this journey, the Holy One chooses to walk with us. Whether we see or not, Creator and Sustainer, life-giving Holy One is present to us, yearning to open our hearts and heal our grief.

In this time, with seemingly endless experiences of pain and unknowing, may we be made strong through the compassion of the Holy One, one who chooses to walk with us, suffer with us, and partner with us to heal the world in which we live.

Peace,

Donations

  • 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.

Prayers of the People

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you love us just as we are, though we are all in some way broken and imperfect. We thank you for your love. May we show your love to others.

Lord, grant that we may listen to others, including the experiences of those with mental health problems, so that we don’t add to their difficulties through our ignorance and prejudice. We thank you for your love. May we show your love to others.

Lord, grant that we, your body on earth, may offer care for all. We think particularly of those who are depressed, anxious, struggling to think clearly, or to remember accurately. We thank you for your love. May we show your love to others.

Lord, we pray for all those in the health professions, social services, probation, housing, and voluntary agencies, that they may be filled with compassion, wisdom and patience in their work. We thank you for your love. May we show your love to others.

Father we thank you that you guide and sustain us. We pray for Geoffrey our Bishop, for the parishes of Gambo and Gander, for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. We thank you for your love. May we show your love to others.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you care passionately about justice and righteousness. We thank you for your love. May we show your love to others.

Heavenly Father we thank you that you have given each one of us gifts. We thank you for your love. May we show your love to others.

Heavenly Father, you journey alongside those who are unwell, offering support and care. We pray especially for those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle. May we show your love to others. We thank you for your love.

Lord, we pray for those who have died remembering David Collins, Emma Eason, Joanne Williams and those killed in Nova Scotia. We ask that you be with all those who mourn and grieve that they may find comfort in you and one another. May we show your love to others. We thank you for your love.

Lord Jesus Christ, stay with us, too, we pray, in every part of our journey, no matter how full of doubt or fear we may be today. Through your Holy Spirit, we pray that you will open our eyes, to help us see you as our risen Lord in all your beauty, and in all your loving power. Amen

Ascension Prayer Cycle: Amanda, 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

O God, your Son made himself known to his disciples
in the breaking of bread.
Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may see him in his redeeming work,
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, "Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. Acts 2:14A, 36-41

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

Psalm


REFRAIN: I will lift up the cup of salvation.

I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; I came to grief and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: "O Lord, I pray you, save my life." R

How shall I repay the Lord for all the good things he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. R

I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his servants. R

O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds. I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the Lord. R

I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah! R

Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17

A Reading from the First Letter of Peter

If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:17-23

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 Luke

People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:13-35

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

Prayer over the Gifts

Creator of all,
you wash away our sins in water,
you give us new birth by the Spirit,
and redeem us in the blood of Christ.
As we celebrate the resurrection,
renew your gift of life within us.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Author of life divine,
in the breaking of bread we know the risen Lord.
Feed us always in these mysteries,
that we may show your glory to all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Hymns

Dear Lord, We Long to See Your Face
(Sing to the tune: Faith of our Fathers)

Dear Lord, we long to see your face,
to know you risen from the grave,
but we have missed the joy and grace
of seeing you, as others have;
yet in your company we’ll wait,
and we shall see you, soon or late.

Dear Friend, we do not know the way,
nor clearly see the path ahead;
so often, therefore, we delay
and doubt your power to raise the dead;
yet we with you will firmly stay–
you are the truth, the life, the way.

We find it hard, Lord, to believe.
Long habit makes us want to prove:
to see, to touch, and thus perceive
the truth and person whom we love;
yet when in fellowship we meet,
you come yourself, each one to greet.

You come to us, our God, our Lord.
You do not show your hands and side,
but give, instead, your best reward
as in your promise we abide.
By faith we know and grow and wait
to see and praise you, soon or late.

We Walk by Faith, and Not by Sight
(Sing to tune: O For a Closer Walk with God)

We walk by faith, and not by sight;
no gracious words we hear
from Him who spoke as none e'er spoke,
but we believe Him near.

We may not touch His hands and side,
nor follow where He trod;
but in His promise we rejoice
and cry, "My Lord and God!"

Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
and may our faith abound
to call on You when You are near
and seek where You are found.

That, when our life of faith is done,
in realms of clearer light,
may we behold You as You are,
with full and endless sight.

Now Thank We All Our God

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And nourish us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And free us through all ills in this world, till the next.

All praise and thanks to God eternal now be given,
To |Spirit and to Word who reigns in highest Heaven;
Our ever faithful God, Whom heaven and earth adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Lift High the Cross
(Refrain)

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.

Come, Christian people, sing your praises shout!
If we are silent, even stones cry out. Refrain

Jesus you wept to see our human strife:
teach us compassion for each human life. Refrain

Peace was your plea, and peace your loving theme:
let peace be our passport, peace a living dream. Refrain

Great is the cost of walking on this road,
to follow and suffer with the Son of God. Refrain

Worlds to be born and children yet to be,
come, take up this song into eternity. Refrain

Anglian Church of Canada Book of Alternative Services Book of Common Praise Wee Worship Book CCLI License # 1733318 One Licence #733242-A The Iona Community The Taizé Community GIA PublicationsResources for Chimes from the above sources