Chimes (September 6, 2020)

AdminChimes

PDF Download
You can view/download a copy of this weeks' Chimes in PDF format here.

Pentecost XIV


Lections: Exodus 12:1-14; Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20

Hymns: Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet; Tell Out My Soul; All People that on Earth Do Dwell; Love Divine All Loves Excelling


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, September 6, 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:
  • 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: As you are well aware, the church building has been closed for several months due to COVID-19. During this time, the clergy has aimed to make contact with all parishioners by way of e-mail or a phone call. However, due to the need of parish list updating you may not have been contacted. If you are one of those, would you please send your updated contact information to [email protected] or call the church office at 368-5693. Likewise, if you know of church friends/neighbors who have not been contacted and do not have access to e-mail, could you please ask them to call the church office to give their contact information as well.
  • Three Key Messages from Vestry: As August draws to a close, so many of us are preparing for autumn, and the changes and adjustments that are to be made for society, work and school during this period of Alert Level Two of the Covid19 pandemic. The vestry has met and prayerfully listened and discussed the options that are before the parish at this time with regard to our operations and functions. At this time, the vestry has made the following decisions:
    1. The parish will continue with the sharing in liturgical ministry of thetransmission.ca at this time, in order to foster increased fellowship, community, and care for the wider community within the four parishes. This will include Sunday worship, online Bible Study, and other weekly offerings of prayer and faith formation.
    2. The Vestry has read over the comprehensive document outlining the way in which parishes will have to adjust to the new normal of life in ministry and mission with Covid19 as offered by the Bishop and Diocese. This has been referred to a small working group, which has produced a document outlining the process for application to the diocese for our reopening.
    3. The parish has continued to apply for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Grant through the diocese, and this has been approved. Since March (with the exception of the month of May) we have received 75% of wage costs of the salaries of our staff. This has improved our financial position, and enabled us to breathe a little better during this hard time. However, you may remember, the reason we have a stable financial position at this time is because we withdrew a $53,000 GIC in anticipation of any shortfall. To this date, we have used $24,500 of this money. It is the Vestry’s hope that we recover the bulk of this money and deposit it back in the GIC by year’s end if possible.
      Note carefully the items below:
      • The Vestry has approved of the interim report of the Parish Reopening Working Group, and has affirmed motion unanimously to make application to the diocese for the parish to reopen for worship beginning September 20, 2020. This worship will follow Provincial and Diocesan guidelines, and will be live-streamed for those that will not be able to attend. More information will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. This worship will not be at the regular 11:00 a.m. time, to incorporate the ongoing Transfiguration online worship.
      • The Vestry has unanimously approved of the purchase of equipment and technology in order to enable effective online worship from the Sanctuary. This will include a video camera and suitable audio-visual equipment. These will be capital costs that will come from a grant from the diocese, as well as from a portion of the GIC that was withdrawn in March. This will continue to assist the parish long after the reality of Covid19 has passed, for it will give us opportunity to be present to those that are shut-in, and care for more persons. This long term investment will assist the parish worship
      • Financial Update: Though it is affirmed that we will continue to receive federal funding for the time being, our adult givings are down by $15,000 from last year. This has affected our cash flow and if this continues, we will have to re-evaluate the delivery of ministry and mission in the parish.
        • 2020:
          • Revenue (to the End of July): 178,572
          • Expenses: (227,470)
          • Gain (Loss): (48,898)
        • 2019:
          • Revenue (to the End of July): 197,393
          • Expenses: (223,331)
          • Gain (Loss): (25,938)

Weekly Word

"This month shall mark for you the beginning of months." Exodus 12:2

 This statement offered by the Holy One to Moses at the end of the ten plagues of Egypt, is a part of the larger narrative of the liberation of the oppressed Israelites as they journey to their promised land. It is the beginning of the story of the Passover, when the Angel of the LORD passed over the homes of Israelites and spared them, while inflicting death on the firstborn of every living thing in Egypt. It is a story of great destruction and great redemption, and it begins a journey that would last forty years, for the people sojourning in the desert in search of a new land.

Here we are in September. The world has been in pandemic isolation in one sort or another for over six months. In some senses, I am reminded of the story of the plagues in Egypt, and of the oppression of the peoples as they strove for change, for an exodus to a new land, a new place a new possibility of living.

So when I begin to consider this autumn, and the new way of living into which we are entering, I cannot help but be reminded that Moses and the Israelites spent many long years searching and journeying until they found the land of Canaan across the Jordan River.

Where will our new normal be after our journeys this year? What will be of value to us, what will change? How will we mark the events of our lives and our living in the days and weeks and years to come?

There have been so many changes and disruptions and challenges to our being, our sense of self, security, and home during this pandemic time. Many of us have re-evaluated priorities and changed so much. In all this, I have seen the foundations of community, relationship, love, forgiveness, communication and justice. These foundations have held strong, and I see that they have been for me (and may be for others) a touchstone for a new reality, a new rule of life that lives even amid the anxiety and challenge of pandemics, hardships, and change.

For me, these foundations are held in the arms of the Holy One, and I feel through my living, my praying, my moving and responding to the world around me, that this is my renewed normal. I may not have a pillar of cloud nor a pillar of fire to guide me, but I hold the presence of the Holy One, and I experience the presence of the Holy One in those whom I encounter each and every day.

Be present at this time: to yourself, to your family, to those of your community.

Be present at this time: to stranger and neighbour, foreigner and unknown.

Be present and see, with the changing of seasons, with the beginnings and endings, that this month may mark for you a new journey, a new, renewed reality as we step into the next journeys ahead.

 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

Let us give thanks to God our Father, always and for everything, saying, “We thank you Lord.”

For the beauty and wonder of creation, we give thanks for the blessings of this summer season as we enter into the month of September, and prepare to encounter you in fresh and life-giving ways,
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of human beings, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food, for our homes and families and friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think and hearts to love,
We thank you, Lord.

For health, strength, and skill to work, and for leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

For those who are brave and courageous, patient in suffering and faithful in adversity, remembering especially Front Line workers, and all affected by Covid19 pandemic isolation,
We thank you, Lord.

For all who pursue peace, justice, and truth, remembering the work of the United Nations, those involved nationally and internationally with restorative justice and truth and reconciliation commissions, for the work of #BlackLivesMatter, #MMIWG and #ThursdaysinBlack,
We thank you, Lord.

Today we give thanks especially for Geoffrey our bishop, for the Parishes of the Ascension, Good Shepherd, St. Mary the Virgin, St. Michael and All Angels, and the ongoing ministry and mission of the Transfiguration Mission.
We thank you, Lord.

We give thanks for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, The Most Rev’d Thabo Makgoba - Archbishop of Capetown and Primate of Southern Africa, and for the church throughout the world,
 We thank you, Lord.

For those who need to be remembered, loved, forgiven, held, prayed for, and redeemed at this time,
We thank you, Lord.

For all the saints whose lives have reflected the light of Christ, 
We thank you, Lord.

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

Stir up, O Lord,
the wills of your faithful people,
that richly bearing the fruit of good works,
we may by you be richly rewarded;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. AMEN

A Reading from the Book of Exodus

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbour in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. Exodus 12:1-14

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

Psalm

REFRAIN Sing to the Lord a new song.

Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. R

Let Israel rejoice in his maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their king.

Let them praise his name in the dance; let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

For the Lord takes pleasure in his people and adorns the poor with victory.

Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; let them be joyful on their beds. R

Let the praises of God be in their throat and a two-edged sword in their hand;

To wreak vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples; R

To bind their kings in chains and their nobles with links of iron;

To inflict on them the judgement decreed; this is glory for all his faithful people. Hallelujah! R 

Psalm 149

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbour as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:8-14

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 said, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Matthew 18:15-20

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

Prayer over the Gifts

Great and holy God,
accept our offering of labour and love.
May we bring you true and spiritual worship
and be one with you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Father,
your word and sacrament give us food and life.
May we who have shared in holy things
bear fruit to your honour and glory,
in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. AMEN

Hymns

Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet

Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet,
praise the Lord with the harp and lute,
praise the Lord with the gentle sounding flute.

Praise the Lord in the field and forest,
praise the Lord in the city square,
praise the Lord anytime and anywhere.

Praise the Lord in the wind and sunshine,
praise the Lord in the dark of night,
praise the Lord in the rain or snow or in the morning light.

Praise the Lord in the deepest valley,
praise the Lord  on the highest hill,
praise the Lord, never let your voice be still.

Praise the Lord with the crashing cymbal,
praise the Lord with the pipe and string,
praise the Lord with the joyful songs you sing.

Praise the Lord on a weekday morning,
praise the Lord on a Sunday noon,
praise the Lord by the light of sun or moon.

Praise the Lord in the time of sorrow,
praise the Lord in the time of joy,
praise the Lord every moment, nothing let your praise destroy.

Praise the Lord in the peace and quiet,
praise the Lord in your work or play,
praise the Lord everywhere in every way!

Tell Out My Soul

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!

All People that on earth do dwell

 All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
come ye before him and rejoice.

 O enter then his gates with praise;
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.

For why! the Lord our God is good;
his mercy is forever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.

 Love Divine all Love Excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling,
     Joy of heaven to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
     All thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesu, thou art all compassion,
     Pure unbounded love thou art,
Visit us with thy salvation,
     Enter every trembling heart.

Come, Almighty to deliver,
     Let us all thy grace receive,
Suddenly return, and never,
     Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
     Serve thee as thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
     Glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation,
     Pure and spotless let us be,
Let us see thy great salvation,
     Perfectly restored in thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
     Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
     Lost in wonder, love, and praise!

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