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 16, at 11 a.m., the Parishes of St. Michael and All Angels, St. Mary the Virgin, the Good Shepherd, and the Ascension are hosting family service / WWB. 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.

We are amid the fullness of summer, and after facing a hard winter, pandemic isolation, and integration into a new normal of masks, physical distancing, sanitization, personal protective equipment, daily provincial and national updates, summer has been a blessing for so many. In these humid, sunny days, I pray that many have found opportunity to reconnect with the Holy One, reconnect with family and friends, and found space to breathe and be.

Throughout this summer, I have been reminded of the wonder of creation, as I have encountered foxes, rabbits, numerous birds, and whales. I have been reminded of the blossoming growth that encompasses the flora and fauna all around. So much of creation is growing and expanding all around us.

In this time, I have seen and heard of individuals, families, relationships, and friendships growing deeper, as we each continue to care and nurture those we love.

Into this, I hear the anguish of Scripture this week, from the book of Genesis and from the book of Matthew, as we encounter two families: Joseph reconciling with his brothers amid a famine, and the Canaanite woman pleading for the health of her daughter. In these two encounters, I relate to the care and compassion that we have for family and for loved ones.

How have you taken time this summer, in light of pandemic isolation, to uphold and support those whom you love? How has the changing of priorities due to hardship brought you closer to your family, your loved ones, and your community?

Joseph and the Canaanite woman both took risks, and advocated for those they loved. Even amid hardness and reconciliation for Joseph, the truth of the bond of family and community held strong. In this time of pandemic isolation, even amid the beauteous and wondrous summer, we must not forget the family and community that we are called to serve.

For me, as a follower of Jesus, and lover of the Holy One, this includes all humanity. In our baptism we are challenged to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. In this time, even with daily challenges we face, we are urged to hold to this baptismal covenant. Our family is all of humanity. Those for whom we are called to love and serve include Friend, Neighbour, Family, and Stranger.

Peace,

• 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.

Leader: Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world and all who are in need.

Leader: Lord, you gather the church to be part of your mission as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. As Jesus acknowledged the great faith of a woman from outside his people, help your church discover and find blessing in the faith of people we might reject. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our Prayer.

Leader: You have blessed us with the bounty of the earth. Grant your grace to all your creatures, that
the earth will flourish. Relieve waters choked by garbage, renew soils stripped of nutrients, and refresh the air all creatures need to live. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our Prayer

Leader: You call the nations to be glad and sing for joy. Let your way be known among all the nations of the world, now divided by competing interests, contending alliances, and consumed by enormous worry. Bless us and make your face shine upon all. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our Prayer

Leader: You show us unexpected mercy, kindness, and generosity. We pray for those who do not have enough, for outcasts in our villages, cities, and town, and for those who need your healing. In particular this week, we pray for those affected by the devastation in Beirut. We pray for all who have died, all injured, and all first responders. We pray for wise governance for the Lebanese people in this time of chaos and unrest. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer

Leader: In you we live and move and have our being. Grant our congregations grace to find our life refreshed in you. Accompany us in the rhythms of late summer. Give us rest and renewal, and strengthen us for mission in your name. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer

Leader: Your eternal promises are more than we could ever imagine. As you gather all the saints, join us also with them on the great day of your salvation. Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our Prayer

Leader: In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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, you have broken the tyranny of sin
and sent into our hearts the Spirit of your Son.
Give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service,
that all people may know the glorious liberty
of the children of God; 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

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Send everyone away from me." So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there - since there are five more years of famine to come - so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.' And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honoured in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here." Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him. Genesis 45:1-15

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

Psalm

REFRAIN: How good it is for all to live together in unity.

Oh, how good and pleasant it is, when brethren live together in unity!
It is like fine oil upon the head that runs down upon the beard,
Upon the beard of Aaron, and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
It is like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the hills of Zion. R
For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: life for evermore. R

Psalm 13

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew, for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all. Romans 11:1-2A, 29-32

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

People: Glory to You, Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28

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

Prayer over the Gifts

Father, receive all we offer you this day,
and grant that in this Eucharist we may be enriched by the
gifts of the Spirit. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Eternal God, grant to your Church the unity and peace
that we have tasted in this Eucharist, the fruit of your life-giving Spirit. We ask this in the name
of Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN

Bind Us Together

Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
With Cords That Cannot Be Broken
Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
Bind Us Together In Love

There Is Only One God,
There Is Only One King
There Is Only One Body,
That Is Why We Sing.
Bind Us Together, Lord

Bind Us Together
With Cords That Cannot Be Broken
Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
Bind Us Together In Love

Made For The Glory Of God,
Purchased By His Precious Son;
Born With The Right To Be Clean,
For Jesus The Victory Has Won.

Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
With Cords That Cannot Be Broken
Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
Bind Us Together In Love

You Are The Family Of God,
You Are The Promise Divine;
You Are God’s Chosen Desire,
You Are The Glorious New Wine.

Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
With Cords That Cannot Be Broken
Bind Us Together, Lord
Bind Us Together
Bind Us Together In Love [2]

They Know We Are Christians

We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit,
We are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
May one day be restored.

And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love.
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love.

We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news
That God is in our land.
Refrain

We will work with each other
We will work side by side,
We will work with each other
We will work side by side,
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity
And save each one’s pride.
Refrain

All praise to the Father
From whom all things come;
And all praise to
Christ Jesus His only Son;
And all praise to
The spirit who makes us one.
Refrain

Long Ago And Far Away

Long ago and far away,
Jesus lived and worked and prayed,
Healed the sick and the fearful and lonely
Lived his life to show us God’s way.

Stretched his arms out as he said;
Fill the cup and share the bread.
Remember me in Love and joy and blessing.

Jesus gathered the children around him
Spoke of Love and the joy to be found.
Told them stories of wisdom and wonder.
God’s creation in all that’s around. R

Jesus called all his friends to be with him.
Share the bread and the cup once again.
Life to you I will offer it gladly,
Love will be with you right to the end. R

I’ll Fly Away

Some glad morning when this life is o’er,
I’ll fly away,
To a home on God’s celestial shore,
I’ll fly away.

I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away,
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I’ll fly away.

When the shadows of this life have gone,
I’ll fly away,
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I’ll fly away.
Refrain

Just a few more weary days and then,
I’ll fly away,
To a land where joys shall never end,
I’ll fly away.
Refrain