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, July 12, 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 thetransmission.ca. You do not need to be on Facebook to view the live service.
• Grass and Outdoor Painting:  The city of Mount Pearl has hired a summer student to mow grass and do light outdoor painting jobs. If you are interested in availing of this service you must be 60 years or older, own your own equipment and supplies and live in Mount Pearl. Please contact 748-6485 for further information.
• Resurrection Reminders: Resurrection reminders will continue after Labor Day.
• New Website and E-mail addresses 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 www.ascensionnl.ca. Please visit us at this address for up-to-date information on church activities. Information regarding on-line services is available through the calendar on the new website. Here is a list of new e-mail addresses and helpful links you may find useful:
  • Reverend David Burrows - [email protected]
  • Reverend Lynn Courage - [email protected]
  • Ina Kearley - [email protected]
  • Office Administrator - [email protected]
  • Church Website - ascensionnl.ca
  • Link to view on-line services - thetransmission.ca
  • YouTube Channel - Parish of the Ascension NL
• Historic 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 where 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 deeply into your personal photo collections and search out pictures that you feel could add to the history of the Parish. You can 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.
• 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 neighbors. 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.
• 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 ofthe 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.

Ahh, this is summer, and with it comes for some of us, a change. For me it is a Sabbath time to enter into silence away from the reality of parish commitments, social media, and hectic schedules. It is a time to reconnect myself with body and soul so as to engage in deep listening to the Holy One, to self, and to the holiness of family and relationship more deeply.

For many of us, the time of summer is one of increased activity and of re-creation. It is a journey of blossoming and growing, and living into expectations that we have held through cold winter months, and for us also this year, isolating pandemic weeks that have changed our perspective.

Summer can be a time of re-creating, and of establishing rules of life that bring wonder and joy, healing and health to individuals, families, and entire communities. In the acts of discovery and wonder in these weeks, may you be blessed in your being, in your journey.

For some, there may be a need for reminders of what one might explore spiritually during this time. Let me share with you some things:

• We are continuing online (recorded) worship through thetransmission.ca. Here in the course of regular prayer, one can experience learning, reflection, worship, and interaction through our wider transfiguration mission.
• The Scripture these months explores the journey of faith of matriarchs and patriarchs of the book of Genesis all the way to Moses and the Exodus from Egypt. We hear once again of the accounts of Abram and Sarai, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Esau, Jacob Rachel and Leah, and the Joseph stories, leading to the encounters of Moses, Aaron and Miriam with Pharaoh. Also, Paul’s letter to the Romans is recounted throughout this time, a deep theological reflection of a saint of the early church near the end of his life and ministry. This may be a good time to bring out your Bible to explore more deeply these passages of Scripture.
• We will be continuing to publish the chimes with Resurrection Reminders, weekly prayers, Scripture and Hymns. These will be good resources for you to reflect on how God blesses you in your life, and how you might continue to pray and respond to family, friends, and neighbours in this summer season.
• Enjoy the beauty of creation! This is the space and time, where we are afforded the opportunities to experience God’s beautiful creation in land, sea, and air, as we move and encounter creation. Do not forget to stop and appreciate all that God is, has done, and is doing in creation. Give thanks, and be blessed!

I will continue to remember and pray for you as I take time away from all technology, and rejuvenate myself in these weeks. I shall be away July 6 – August 6. During this time, Rev.’d Lynn will be attending to all the requirements of parish life and work.

God Bless!

• 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.

Holy God, though this world depends on your grace, it is governed and tended by mortals.  So we pray for those who walk the corridors of power in the parliaments of this and other lands, whose judgements we value or fear.

May they always consider those they represent, make decisions with courage and integrity, and resist any temptation to abuse the trust placed in them. Lord hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

We pray for those who hold key positions in the worlds of finance, business, and industry; whose decisions may profit some or impoverish many.

May they always value people higher than profit; may they never impose burdens on the poor which they would not carry themselves; and may they never divorce money from morality or ownership from stewardship. Lord hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

We pray for those in the caring professions, who look after and listen to kind, cruel, and cantankerous folk, and for those who make decisions regarding the nation’s health and welfare.

May they always sense the sanctity of life and every person’s uniqueness; may they help and heal by their interest as well as their skill; and may they be saved from tiredness and an excess of demands. Lord hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

And let us remember those for whom we are responsible and to whom we are accountable in what we do today, especially those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle.  May we show them the thoughtfulness, tolerance, and kindness of Jesus. Lord hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

And let us remember those who have died known and unknown to us, Bobbie Jean Norman, Peter Suske and Wilson Squires. May their loved ones take comfort in your word and in the promise of eternal life. Lord hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.

Almighty God, your Son has opened for us a new and living way into your presence. Give us pure hearts and constant wills to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Ascension Prayer Cycle: Andrea, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Breandon, Carl, Charlie, Christina, Cindy, Clarence, Claude, David, Debra, Delilah, Dennis, Don, Donna, Dot, Dulcie, Edgar, Edith, Elaine, Elizabeth, Erin, Finnley, Frederick, Flo, George, Georgina, Gerry,  Gilbert, 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, Verna, Wayne and Woodrow.

Collect

Almighty God, your Son has opened for us
a new and living way into your presence.
Give us pure hearts and constant wills
to worship you in spirit and in truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. AMEN  

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, "I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place - and I did not know it!" And he was afraid, and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel.  Genesis 28:10-19A

Psalm

REFRAIN Lord, your hand will hold me fast.

Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

You trace my journeys and my resting places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether. R

You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. R

Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. R

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast. R

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night," Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike. R

Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting. R  Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:12-25

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

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them.

Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" Then Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!" Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

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

Prayer over the Gifts

O God, accept our praise and thanksgiving.
Help us in all we do to offer ourselves as a true
and living sacrifice; through Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

O God, as we are strengthened in these
holy mysteries, may our lives be a continual
offering, holy and acceptable in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

I’ve Got Peace Like a River

 I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.

 I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I've got joy like a fountain, I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul

 I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean in my soul.
I've got love like an ocean, I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean in my soul.

Seek Ye First

Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
And His righteousness.
Ann all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia.

Ask and it shall be given unto you;
Seek and ye shall find.
Knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Allelu, Alleluia.

Where two or three are gathered in my name,
There am I in their midst;
And whatsoever ye shall ask I will do.
Allelu, Alleluia

We do not live by bread alone,
But by every word;
That proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Allelu, Alleluia.

Take ye no thought what tomorrow may bring,
What ye shall eat or drink
For he knew ye had need of all these things
Allelu, Alleluia.

One More Step

One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go,
from the old things to the new,
keep me travelling along with you:

[Refrain:] And it's from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

Round the corners of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you'll be looking at along with me. [Refrain]

As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you'll be telling me the way, I know. [Refrain]

Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you. [Refrain]

You are older than the world can be,
you are younger than the life in me;
ever old and ever new,
keep me travelling along with you. [Refrain]

I Saw the Light

I wandered so aimless life filled with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Saviour in;
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night,
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.

I saw the light, I saw the light,
No more darkness, no more night.
Now I’m so happy no sorrow in sight,
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.

Just like a blind man I wandered alone,
Worries and fears I claim for my own.
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight,
Praise the Lord, I saw the light. [Refrain]

I was a fool to wander and stay.
Straight is the gate and narrow the way.
Now I have traded the wrong for the right,
Praise the Lord, I saw the light. [Refrain]