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, August 9, 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.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father, saying:
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, it is good that we are here.
In peace we make our prayer to you.
In trust we confirm our faith in you …
Help us to set our faces steadfastly to where you would have us go. Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favour on your Church,
proclaiming your beloved Son to the world
and listening to the promptings of his Spirit …
May she be renewed in holiness that she may reflect your glory. Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favour on the nations of the world,
scarred by hatred, strife and war …
May they be healed by the touch of your hand.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, look with favour on those in need and distress,
suffering as your Son has suffered
and waiting for the salvation you promise especially those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle. May the day
break and Christ the Morning Star bring them the light of his presence. Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.

Lord of glory, it is good if we suffer with you
so that we shall be glorified with you.
According to your promise bring all Christ’s brothers and sisters …to see him with their own eyes in
majesty and to be changed into his likeness from glory to glory, remembering today Woodrow Sutton
and Ralph Peddle. To him be praise, dominion and worship now and for all eternity.
Amen.

Ascension Prayer Cycle: Andrea, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Brandon, 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 and Wayne.

Collect

Almighty God, on the holy mount you revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son,
wonderfully transfigured:
mercifully deliver us from the darkness of this world,
and change us into his likeness from glory to 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 Exodus

The LORD said to Moses, ‘Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.’ So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, ‘Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.’ Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24: 12-18

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

Psalm

REFRAIN Why are the nations in an uproar? Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?

Why do the Kings of the earth rise up in revolt and the prince’s plot together, against the Lord and against his anointed? “Let us break their yoke” they say, “let us cast off their bonds from us.” He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; the Lord has them in derision. Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and his rage fills them with terror. “I myself have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” Let me announce the decree of the Lord: He said to me, “you are my Son; this day have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth of your possession. You shall crush them with an iron rod and shatter them like a  piece of pottery.” And now, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Submit to the Lord with fear, and with trembling bow before him; Lest he be angry and you perish; for his wrath is quickly kindled. Happy are they all who take refuge in him! Psalm 2

A Reading from the Second Letter of Peter

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:16-21

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 Matthew

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ Matthew 17:1-9

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

Prayer over the Gifts

Holy God,
Receive all we offer you this day,
and bring us to that radiant glory
which we see in the transfigured face
of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Holy God,
we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
May we who are partakers of his table
reflect his life in word and deed,
that all the world may know
his power to change and save.
We ask this in his name. AMEN

Be Thou My Vision

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art--
thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, I thy true son;
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm restrains the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed bounds to keep;
we cry, O God of majesty,
For those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at your word,
Who walked across the surging deep
And in the storm lay calm in sleep:
We cry, O Lord of Galilee,
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power,
preserve their lives in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, flood, and flame,
Protect them by your holy name,
and to your glory let there be
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

O God of Bethel, by Whose Hand

O God of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed,
who through this weary pilgrimage
thy multitudes hast led;

Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and raiment fit provide.

O spread thy covering wings around
till all our wanderings cease
and in the city of our God
our souls arrive in peace.

Jesus Calls Us! O’er the Tumult

Jesus calls us! O’er the tumult
Of our life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow me!”

As of old Saint Andrew heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for his dear sake.

In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these.”