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 26, 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 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.
• A Letter from our Primate: Before COVID-19, today was planned to be the opening of the Lambeth Conference. It is also 100 years since the 1920 Lambeth Conference that laid out a vision for ecumenical engagement.
• 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.

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world, for this gathering, and all gathered in prayer, for our bishop Geoffrey, and for all ministers and people.

Almighty and everlasting God, by your Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified. Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your Holy Church, that in our vocation and ministry we may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

I ask your prayers for peace, for goodwill among nations, and for the well-being of all people.

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that justice and peace may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, especially those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle,the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer, hear the cry of those in misery and need. In their afflictions show them your mercy, and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them, for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I ask your prayers for the mission of the Church. Pray for the Mission of the Transfiguration, its clergy and people. Pray for the coming of God’s Realm among all nations, cultures, and peoples.

O Lord our God, you have made your Son Jesus Christ to proclaim the good news of salvation to all people. Pour out your Spirit on the whole creation, bring the nations of the world into your fellowship, and hasten the coming of your realm. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I ask your prayers for those who have died in the peace of Christ, remembering Blanche Berniquez and her family and for those whose faith is known to God alone. Pray that God may be glorified in all the saints.

O God, the giver of eternal life, we give you thanks and praise for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all your saints. Grant to us, and to all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, a share in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ and fullness of joy in the fellowship of all your saints. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us give thanks to almighty God for all God’s goodness.
You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power. You are worthy to receive blessing and praise, now and forever.
For yours is the majesty, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Yours is the realm and the power and the glory, 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

O God, the protector of all who trust in you,
without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy,
increase and multiply upon us your mercy,
that with you as our ruler and guide,
we may so pass through things temporal,
that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN

A Reading from the Book of Genesis

Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?" Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah's eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, "I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel." Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me." So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed." So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?" Laban said, "This is not done in our country - giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years." Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. Genesis 29:15-28

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

Psalm

REFRAIN The Lord has always been mindful of his covenant.

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praises to him, and speak of all his marvellous works. R

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Search for the Lord and his strength; continually seek his face. Remember the marvels he has done, his wonders and the judgements of his mouth, O offspring of Abraham his servant, O children of Jacob his chosen. R

He is the Lord our God; his judgements prevail in all the world.

He has always been mindful of his covenant, the promise he made for a thousand generations: R

The covenant he made with Abraham, the oath that he swore to Isaac, Which he established as a statute for Jacob, an everlasting covenant for Israel, Saying, "To you will I give the land of Canaan to be your allotted inheritance." Hallelujah! R

Psalm 105:1-11, 45C

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:26-39

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 Matthew

Jesus put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of
heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

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

Prayer over the Gifts

God of grace, accept all we offer you this day,
as we look toward the glory you have promised.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

God of grace, we have received the memorial
of the death and resurrection of your Son.
May your love, poured into us, bring us to your
promises. We ask this in the name of our Redeemer
Jesus Christ. AMEN

Stand up and Bless the Lord

Stand up and bless the Lord,
you people of God’s choice;
stand up and bless the Lord of hosts
with heart and soul and voice.

O for the living flame
from God’s own altar brought,
to touch our lips, our mind inspire,
and wing to heaven our thought!

Stand up and bless the Lord;
the Lord your God adore;
stand up, and bless the glorious name
henceforth for evermore.

Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing

Let saints on earth in concert sing
with those whose work is done;
for all the servants of our King
in heaven and earth are one.

One army of the living God,
to his command we bow:
part of the host have crossed the flood,
and part are crossing now.

So we shall join our friends above
Who have obtained the prize;
And on the eagle wings of love
To joys celestial rise.

I Come With Joy

I come with joy, a child of God,
Forgiven, loved, and free,
The life of Jesus to recall,
In love laid down for me.

As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
Each proud division ends.
The love that made us makes us one,
And strangers are now friends.

Together met, together bound,
By all that God has done,
We’ll go with joy, to give the world
The love that makes us one.

Jesus Where’er Thy People Meet

Jesus, where'er thy people meet,
there they behold your mercy seat;
where'er they seek thee, thou art found,
and every place is hallowed ground.

For thou, within no walls confined,
inhabitest the humble mind;
such ever bring you where they come,
and going, take you to their home.

Here may we prove the power of prayer
to strengthen faith and sweeten care,
to teach our faint desires to rise,
and bring all heaven before our eyes.

Lord, we are few, but you art near;
nor short thine arm, nor deaf thine ear;
O rend the heavens, come quickly down,
and make a thousand hearts thine own!