Chimes (May 31, 2020)

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Day of Pentecost


Lections: Numbers 11:24-30; Psalm 104: 24-34,35b (Refrain: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth); Acts 2:1-21; John 20:19-23

Hymns: Come, Thou Holy Spirit, Come (vs. 1,4, 5); Come, Every Blessed Spirit, Come (vs. 1,2,4); Come Down, O Love Divine (vs 1,2,4); Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow


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/BAS. Come and join us at www.easter2020.ca. You do not need to be on Facebook to view the live service.
  • Resurrection Reminders: As I reflect on how I have pursued, and indeed, strengthened my faith and relationship with the Holy One during these last few months, my initial thoughts go to my nightly quiet time of reading my Bible and saying my prayers and trusting that our Saviour will see us through these troubling times. However, as I do some deeper soul searching; I realize that my faith community has actually gotten much larger…from the wonderful fellowship we have each Sunday through our virtual church services to my renewed belief that there is much good that has come from these challenging days. A good that has grown and blossomed from us taking the time to care more deeply about others. We all at times lament how much we miss our visits with family and friends, our runs and walks with our besties, and that we yearn for things to get back to normal. However, I am reassured that all will be fine by the smiles and happiness that exudes from some new-found friends along my walking and running routes. These are the folks I’ve come to know better in these days of isolation; the retired lady who is recently widowed and lives alone; the native man from Northern Labrador whose dog is his only company; the lady in the black coat and sunglasses who can now finally walk 5 km in just under an hour; the young lady runner who previously rarely looked towards me as she was training for her first marathon; the old man in tattered clothes down by the wharf who loves to spin a tale; the old tired collie who sometimes musters a tail wag if he happens to be awake when I walk by; and the RNC officer whose regular beat is along St. Thomas Line. We’re all nameless but we all now smile widely and wave when we pass each other. Sometimes it’s a quick hello, other days it’s a bit of a longer chat across the road, both equally and mutually beneficial for we all leave with a smile in our heart, and for me, a renewed faith that I have purpose in sharing God’s love for me with others. Who have you made smile today? (Arlene Scott)
  • Thank you to the Clean Up Crew:  What a wonderful job the social distancing clean-up crew did with the parking lot last week. Thank you to all the helping hands!
  • Greetings from the CLB: On behalf of Mount Pearl CLB #4507, it is my pleasure to send our warmest regards to all the parishioners, staff, and clergy of Parish of the Ascension.  We hope everyone is well and staying safe during these trying times.  In order to keep in touch, we started having virtual weekly CLB meetings on April 9 using the Zoom software.  It has been great to be able to see the smiling faces of our kids and officers.  We have also been lucky enough to have some special guests join us including Col. Gail Dick, Lieutenant Col. Greg Read, and Major Bob Barnes. We are very thankful to have Reverend Lynn Courage join us and lead us in prayer every week.  She is amazing with the kids and they love her!  We are very blessed to have her to lift our spirits every week.  A special thanks to Capt. Jamie Hill who spearheaded the idea to have Zoom meetings and continues to lead our company forward.  His kindness and caring are not lost on those who are lucky enough to know him. We are praying everyone stays safe and healthy, and we are proud to be part of the Parish of the Ascension family.  Keep the flag flying! (Cindy Onyia, Adjutant, Mt. Pearl CLB #4507)
  • Historical Pictures of the Church:  As many of you know, recently the Church of the Ascension has launched a new website.  During the last month or so, a small group has been getting to together on-line to discuss the history of the Parish.  We have reached a point wherein we have assembled considerable text on a number of issues but we do not have very much in the way of photographs.  We would like as many of you as possible to dig deep into your personal photo collections and search out pictures that you feel could add to the history of the Parish.  Forward electronic ones by email. Actual prints can be dropped off for scanning and we will return them to you unharmed.  Please submit them to the Church Office over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, you may see some of them on our website down the road.
  • Thursdays in Black:  Many factors of isolation, inability to work, and challenges of mental health are apparent during the Covid19 pandemic. In this time, we lament acts of violence against women in the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick recently, and the violence that has occurred even in the city of Mount Pearl. The Anglican Church of Canada supports the initiative of the World Council of Churches Thursdays in Black, which advocates for the ending of rape and gender based violence. To this end, every Thursday, the Parish of the Ascension will host a zoom hour with the Rector, and there will be an offering of prayer, the lighting of a candle, and the opportunity for education from local resources from the St. John’s Status of Women Centre. Here is the link to attend the zoom meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/85448642529?pwd=WjhveDRRMjZxQWp2bWhBODRCVnZXUT09. This past Thursday we had Archdeacon Charlene Taylor as our guest. Next week we will have a guest from the Diocese of Montreal.  Check each Thursday as we hear from guests from across the country, around the world, and close to home. At this time, and at all times, gender-based violence and rape is unacceptable. As followers of Jesus, we believe in respecting the dignity of every human being, and advocating for justice, peace, and reconciliation. This will be streamed live to the Parish of the Ascension Facebook page oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/FaithGenderCovid19Statement_April2020.pdf.
  • Pentecost Resources: We wanted to help churches and families celebrate the birthday of the Church by providing Pentecost Coloring Page. Please download here to pick up your free Pentecost Coloring Page.
  • 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 Covid19 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 $5000. 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.
  • 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.
  • New Website for Church of the Ascension:  The Ascension website was launched on Sunday, May 3. There are certain parts of the website that are under review/construction due to limited resources during the Covid-19 pandemic. We can now be found at ascensionnl.ca. Please visit us at this address for up-to-date information on church activities.

Weekly Word

This week in the life of Christian communities, many are preparing for the Feast of Pentecost. This is a time that acknowledges the gift of the Holy Spirit that is offered to those who followed Jesus’ Way. In the first encounter, Jesus’ followers were together in one place in Jerusalem, and there was a sound of rushing wind, and the appearance of fire atop their heads. Jesus’ followers were able to speak a number of different languages, and in so doing, shared the story of Jesus and the world’s redemption to those that would listen -  devoted pilgrims from all over the known world. This recounting has always been linked with the birth of the Church as we understand it.

As we have come nearer and nearer to Pentecost, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and the season that follows in the life of the church, I have become more and more aware of the inconsistency of humanity, and the fragile nature of our patterns of life and of living. In the stories of Pentecost, some relate the ‘beginning’ of the church and the ways that persons have become shaped by this point in history, and other points along the way, that define what it is to be Christian, to be a part of the community of faith.

For me, it seems that the reality of humanity being a part of the journey of history, of faith, and of specific faith expressions is age-old. In each generation of humanity, there has been blessing and challenge, revelation and destruction, disease and oppression, opportunity and learning.

I have interacted with persons over the course of my life that have been shaped by history, and thus their faith is shaped by that history. Persons who lived through the Great Depression, World Wars, violence and suffering, illness and death have had their lives shaped, and indeed, defined by those experiences. Persons who lived with great hope, opportunity, learning and blessing have also been defined by those experiences. It seems to me that mostly we are a combination of the two. It seems to me also that we are inconsistent as human beings in our ability to fully live into a relationship with the Holy One. We falter, we fail, we get consumed by the events of our lives and those around us, and we fail to be consistent in our loving, learning, forgiving, healing, and being with others and with the Holy One.

This Pentecost, as I hear wind, as I see flame, I am reminded of the Holy One breathing – inspiring into me, and into the entire world. As some stay focused on the pain and challenge of disease, illness, isolation and pandemic, we too may have this time define and shape our lives forever. As I experience wind and flame I am reminded that the Holy One is the consistent, is the grounding, the unchangeable to which I can cling to for care, for love, for a foundation.

Spend time this week with wind and fire. Spend time opening yourselves up to the Holy One, so that you may understand friend and neighbour, family and stranger. Spend time sharing your love and your life so that you may not be consumed by those things that bring destruction, injustice, and pain. Be the vessel that shares and offers dignity, care, love and respect.

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

On this day as we recall the Ascension of Christ, let us pray with amazement, wonder, awe, and astonishment.  Joining Christ who intercedes for the entire world before God, let us offer our prayers to God saying:
O God of wonder, hear our prayer.

O God, we stand amazed; for Christ ascended from the earth in order to be everywhere at once. We are in awe, for in leaving Jesus has not left us alone. We thank you, O God, for the life of your Son. Turn our eyes to continually see and to gaze with wonder at your miraculous ways.
O God of wonder, hear our prayer.

Turn the eyes of ordinary people, young and old, poor and rich, to see signs of Jesus. Show us everywhere the signs of Jesus, who is raised up and giving freedom and working power and justice. Today we remember Jerusalem Sunday, established through General Synod, celebrating the close partnership in mission between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, encompassing parishes in Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
O God of wonder, hear our prayer.

Turn the eyes of your church to see the poor places in which Christ now dwells. Help us to see the body of Christ, wounded, and yet bright with the light of the Spirit. Today we pray for, Geoffrey our Bishop, for the parish of Harbour Breton, for the Anglican Centre in Rome, and for clergy who are moving into new ministries, and for those who have retired.
O God of wonder, hear our prayer.

Turn the eyes of the leaders of nations to envision a new world in which peace and harmony reign. Touch the hearts of terrorists so that they may recognize the evil of their actions and may turn to the way of peace and goodness, of respect for life, and for the dignity of every human being, regardless of religion, origin, wealth, or poverty. Turn the eyes of all in power to see the oppressed and the needy. For all who live by your inner sight, we give thanks. For more such people to lead the peoples, we pray.
O God of wonder, hear our prayer.

Turn the eyes of all gathered here beyond this place.  Help us to look toward our glorified Lord, and then to look back anew. We pray for all confirmation candidates and their families and teachers that they may hold fast to your guidance and will in their journey of faith. We pray for those in our congregation who are sick remembering those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle. 
O God of wonder, hear our prayer.

Today we remember all those who have died, William Earle, Doris Parker, Lorne Roach, Noah Jamieson and Captain Jennifer Casey.  We pray for those who grieve, and we pray for all funeral home staff who provide compassion and care to the deceased and their families.
O God of wonder, hear our prayer.

Pray together:

O God, keep us in the spirit of amazement. Keep us believing when we cannot see; keep us hoping while we wait; keep us looking for your presence. Fix our eyes on the glorious one who ascended to intercede, who will come in greatest glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ascension Prayer Cycle : Andrea, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Breandon, Carl, Christina, Cindy, Clarence, Claude, David, Debra, Delilah, Dennis, Don, Donna, Doris, Dot, Dulcie, Edgar, Edith, Elaine, Elizabeth, Erin, Esther, Frederick, Flo, George, Georgina, Gerry, Gordon, Harry, Herb, Ike, Ina, Jack, Jason, Jenny, John, Josephine, Junior, Kevin, Kim, 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, Woodrow.

Collect

Almighty and everliving God,
who fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending us your Holy Spirit
and opening to every race and nation
the way of life eternal,
keep us in the unity of your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. AMEN

A Reading from the Book of Numbers

Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again. Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, "My lord Moses, stop them!" But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!" And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.  Numbers 11:24-30

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

Psalm


REFRAIN: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.

Man goes forth to his work and to his labour until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are your works! in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number, creatures both small and great. R

There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, which you have made for the sport of it. All of them look to you to give them their food in due season. You give it to them; they gather it; you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. R

You hide your face, and they are terrified; you take away their breath, and they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; and so you renew the face of the earth. R

May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; may the Lord rejoice in all his works. He looks at the earth and it trembles; he touches the mountains and they smoke. R

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. May these words of mine please him; I will rejoice in the Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Hallelujah! R

Psalm 104:25-35, 37

A Reading from the Book of Acts

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs - in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Acts 2:1-21

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.’ John 20:19-23

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

Prayer over the Gifts

Giver of life,
receive all we offer you this day.
Let the Spirit you bestow on your Church
continue to work in the world
through the hearts of all who believe.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Father,
may we who have received this Eucharist
live in the unity of your Holy Spirit,
that we may show forth his gifts to all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Hymns

Come, Thou Holy Spirit, Come

Come, thou Holy Spirit, come,
And from thy celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine;
Come, Defender of the poor,
Come, thou source of all our store,
Come, within our blossom shine:

Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away;
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.

On the faithful, who adore
And confess thee, evermore
In thy sevenfold gifts descend:
Give them virtue’s sure reward,
Give them thy salvation, Lord
Give them joys that never end.

Come, Ever Blessed Spirit, Come

Come, ever blessèd Spirit, come,
and make thy servants' hearts thy home;
may each a living temple be,
hallowed for ever, Lord, to thee.

Enrich that temple's holy shrine
with sevenfold gifts of grace divine:
with wisdom, light and knowledge bless,
strength, counsel, fear and godliness.

O grant us so to use thy grace,
that we may see thy glorious face,
and ever with the heavenly host
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Come Down, O Love Divine

Come down, O Love divine!
seek out this soul of mine
and visit it with your own ardour glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, your holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let your glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

And so the yearning strong
with which the soul will long
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace
till they become the place
wherein the Holy Spirit finds a dwelling.

Wind Who Makes All Winds that Blow

Wind who makes all winds that blow—
gusts that bend the saplings low,
gales that heave the sea in waves,
stirrings in the mind's deep caves—
aim your breath with steady power
on your church, this day, this hour.
Raise, renew the life we've lost,
Spirit God of Pentecost.

Fire who fuels all fires that burn—
suns around which planets turn,
beacons marking reefs and shoals,
shining truth to guide our souls—
come to us as once you came;
burst in tongues of sacred flame!
Light and Power, Might and Strength,
fill your church, its breadth and length.

Holy Spirit, Wind and Flame,
move within our mortal frame.
Make our hearts an altar pyre.
Kindle them with your own fire.
Breathe and blow upon that blaze
till our lives, our deeds, and ways
speak that tongue which every land
by your grace shall understand.

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